MONTEREY COUNTY, California. — Drive cattle, cavort with California condors, safari with sea lions… what adventure-travelers want is an adrenalin-based escape fresh with bracing sea breezes, stiff martinis and wide open spaces. A Clint Eastwood meets Anderson Cooper adventure rife with wild animals, fast machinery and potent backdrops. Mix in a few timely courses on cooking your catch, dropping that putt or cruising down the 17-Mile Drive in a classic roadster and the picture becomes complete.

Clock the comeback of the California condor, North America's largest land bird and one of the largest flying birds in the world, via a tracking tour with Ventana Wildlife Society. On the endangered species list since 1967, the California condor now thrives on Big Sur's rugged coastline. Since 1998, Ventana Wildlife Society has released 40+ condors reared in captivity, with the most recent chicks hitting the skies in June 2006. The two-hour tracking tour led by a wildlife biologist uses specialized equipment to monitor nesting, feeding and flying habits. With a wingspan of nearly 10 feet, catching one of these magnificent creatures in the wild is truly a riveting experience. ($35/2-hr. tour; www.ventanaws.org.

Always wanted a trophy boar above your breakfast table, sausage on the side? Men with an ancestral urge to bag a boar can cash in on 30,000 acres of fertile hunting grounds surrounding Fort Hunter Liggett and King City, often noted as the 'Wild Boar Capitol of California.' Weighing in at 200+ lbs., with two-inch tusks, wild boar are not an easy big game get and are usually tracked on private land requiring a qualified guide. Daily treks in Steinbeck Country's verdant rolling hills dotted with California oak and the meandering Salinas River are truly an invigorating experience; going eye-to-eye with a wild boar is a bit more leveling. Lodgings include the 1929 Spanish Colonial Revival style Hacienda at Fort Hunter Liggett, William Randolph Hearst's ranch house designed by Julia Morgan. Ed Roth Hunting, a 20-year veteran, is a good choice. ($500-800/2-day hunt; www.edrothhunting.com).

A more sedate option is the Elkhorn Slough Safari for a must-see nature adventure. Spreading 1,400 acres and reaching inland nearly seven miles from the coast, the Elkhorn Slough Reserve steps up with some 400 plant species, 80 kinds of fish, 340 types of birds, including such rare species as the Peregrine Falcon and Snowy Plover, sea otters and sea lions. Safari-goers grab a life vest, binoculars and board a classic 27-ft. pontoon delivering a vivid postcard of this region's ecosystem and wealth of wildlife. Photo Safaris and Birding Workshops are also available. Kayaking the slough is another option. ($28; www.elkhornslough.com).

"Kick it up a notch" and cut over to the Culinary Center of Monterey for a variety of short courses including 'Cooking with Beer,' 'Steakhouse Specialties' or 'BBQ Rubs & Marinades.' Perched on Cannery Row, this top-flight culinary school offers insider tips and hands-on time with top toques. If wielding sharp metal is a favorite pastime, the 'Knife Skills' course will shred, chiffonade and slice the afternoon away. For larger groups, the 'Hook 'em and Cook 'em' two-day adventure combines ocean fishing with time on the grill. ($75-$325/person; www.culinarycenterofmonterey.com).

CHARACTER BUILDERS

Poured sandcastles gone wild, the Pinnacles National Monument is a vivid remnant of an ancient volcano some 23 million years ago. With the recent return of the California condor, rock climbing the region has become a hot pursuit. Tap into a peak experience with Sanctuary Rock Gym's instructional day-trips, which hit off the west entrance at 9 a.m. Strap up and scale some of the most advanced terrain this side of the Sierras or try a stint at caving underneath the rock formations (or talus passages) nature has carefully stacked. ($150/person; www.rockgym.com). Parched after the six-hour excursion? Next door, Chalone Vineyard offers a crisp chardonnay reflecting the region's unique volcanic terroir.

Diving for monsters of the deep -- reportedly sited just off the Big Sur Coast -- or the bizarre giant squid with three hearts, blue blood and enormous brains spotted in the depths of Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is certain to sharpen one's character. Novices can sleuth the seas via Monterey Bay Dive Center with a full day Discover SCUBA program. Instruction and dives at the 5,312 sq. mile Marine Sanctuary (which boasts a canyon twice as deep as the Grand Canyon), picturesque Point Lobos (inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island) or San Carlos Beach offer insight into the region's rich diversity of sea life. ($175/incl. equipment; www.montereybaydivecenter.com).

Hankering for a bit of backwoods culture punctuated with great barbeque? Cash in on the country side of Monterey County with a city slicker strut at V-6 Ranch, set on 20,000 outback acres in the self-proclaimed 'Earthquake Capital of the World.' Round up 1,000 head of steer and serenade with chaps-clad cowboys while supporting the great American West for future generations ($7004-day drive; www.parkfield.com). For a stiffer strike at the Wild West, New Zealand-style immersion 'Farm Stays' (think horse shoeing, fossil digs, country eggs and cowboy coffee) at the 12,000 acre Work Ranch are the perfect off-grid gallop. ($175/dbl.; www.workranch.com).

ADRENALIN FIX

Seeking to channel your inner Andretti or pull some 'g's' in a 150 h.p., formula racecar certain to spank any street sports car? Buckle up for a true testosterone test at the Skip Barber Racing School at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. The 'One Day Combo' course puts the pedal to the metal with instruction on high performance defensive driving skills including slide and recovery techniques, trailbraking and race-style heel-and-toe downshifting. Strap into a high-octane Dodge Viper on the world-famous 2.24-mile, 11-turn track and approach the Corkscrew Turn at 100 m.p.h., practicing braking, downshifting and cornering in split second intervals. Not only will the day at the track prove useful for foiling urban idiots, the photo ops. are truly worth a thousand words. One-day 'Introduction to Racing' courses also available. ($695 - $1495/per course; www.skipbarber.com.)

For the luxury outback set, Quail Lodge's Land Rover™ Experience Driving School delivers a sweat-inducing spin through 80 acres of rugged terrain in a plush $76,000 Range Rover. Rev things up on the off-road obstacle course with one-on-one training on advanced techniques like winching and vehicle recovery. A definite rush, the school puts drivers through the paces of maneuvering over sand traps, boulders, tricky wooded trails and descents steep enough challenge a veteran Everest climber. ($200/hr., www.quaillodge.com).

Another option for auto enthusiasts on a less tenuous trek is a cruise along the stunning 17-Mile Drive in a classic 1929 Model A reproduction via Monterey Rent-a-Roadster. Sweep past some of the nation's most spectacular real estate, world-class golf courses and sculpted shoreline with an unparalleled air-in-the-hair experience. For the ultimate guy-only getaway, cash in on the classic convertible Mercedes SSK and head north for a stint along Highway 1 to Big Sur. ($30/hr., www.rent-a-roadster.com).

CIVILIZED PURSUITS

For kicks with sticks, tap into the Jeff Symmonds Golf School in Monterey. For minimal green, players can hammer down their handicap with a semi-private class (2-3 students) at Laguna Seca Golf Ranch, a 71 par Robert Trent Jones Sr., and Jr., designed course tucked in the hills above Monterey. The five-hour day of play combines drills at the state-of-the-art 13.5-acre practice facility with chip, pitch and sand play as well as on-course management. Symmonds hails from the Hank Haney Golf Ranch, a real plus for players looking to smooth out their swing. ($325/5-hr. course; www.jsgolf.net).

Players seeking to soothe their groove can tee up at Pebble Beach Golf Academy, where a full day instruction program includes playing nine holes with a pro on world-renowned Spanish Bay Golf Course or Spyglass Hill Golf Course (Ranked #5 in the nation by Golf Digest 2004). The high-tech lineup of training tools includes a state-of-the-art dynamic balance system to analyze swing motion, digital putting system that captures every nuance of the putt and Heartmath™ program designed by a cardiologist to monitor and manage emotional output. Sharpen that short game without busting the bank across the street from famed Pebble Beach Golf Links at Peter Hay Golf Course, a stunning 9-hole executive par 3 public course locals like to keep to themselves ($20/round; www.pebblebeach.com). ($700/Full Day Golf Academy; www.pebblebeach.com).

Those more interested in the 19th hole and crafting the perfect cocktail can slither into to the award-winning Sardine Factory, an institution overlooking the Pacific since 1968. Yes, fresh local grilled sardines make a show as well as The Lounge's Monterey Bay calamari, Castroville artichokes and fresh crab cakes. Mixologists on the make can sign up for a one-hour 'Shaken & Stirred' bartending lesson from mastermixer 'Big Mike,' head bartender at the Factory for 30 years. Classics such as the Sidecar, Manhattan, Rob Roy, Sloe Gin Fizz, Old Fashioned, Negroni, Mint Julep, Singapore Sling and Salty Dog are covered (and tasted for quality control) as well as a technical course in proper Martini mixing. ($100/party of 4; www.sardinefactory.com; 24-hr. notice required).

ROOM TO RECHARGE

Monterey County offers a diverse mix of hotel options, from outback digs to upscale urban properties. Carmel River Inn is ideal for budget-minded men. The sprawling 10-acre property situated off Highway 1 near Carmel River State Beach and a stone's throw from Carmel Mission offers a variety of rooms and 24 cottages with wood-burning fireplaces and kitchenettes in a lush garden setting. This is a great location for exploring Big Sur, Carmel-by-the-Sea and downtown Monterey. (starting at $169/cottage; www.carmelriverinn.com). Quail Lodge is the stop for golf enthusiasts who also enjoy hiking, horseback riding and swilling local wines in Carmel Valley Village. The 850-acre resort features 97 guestrooms, a full-service spa and 18-hole golf course as well as a new Gentlemen Only Ladies Forbidden two-night golf and scotch package. (starting at $250/dbl.; www.quaillodge.com). The ultimate off the grid getaway is Big Sur River Inn set on the meandering Big Sur River. The 20-room inn combines the best of the area's rugged charm with easy access to world-class hiking, waterfalls and turf that lured Henry Miller. (starting at $85/dbl.; www.bigsurriverinn.com). In the outback category, Vision Quest Ranch offers four safari tents in a truly one-of-a-kind bed and breakfast experience with a resident elephant delivering the morning meal. This magical site set on 50-lush acres is also home to Wild Things, an exotic animal training facility with 100+ critters including Josef, the live model for the Lion King and MGM Grand icon. (starting at $225/dbl.; www.wildthingsinc.com).

Monterey County is located 120 miles/192 km south of San Francisco and 345 miles/552 km north of Los Angeles along the classic California corridor. The region boasts 99 miles of prime Pacific Coastline, the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, three historic missions, 45,000 acres of premium vineyards, 25 golf courses and 250+ accommodations. Monterey County includes the Monterey Peninsula, Big Sur, North County and the Salinas Valley. The Monterey Peninsula Airport, just three miles from historic downtown Monterey and minutes from the area's major attractions, is served by non-stop flights to and from Denver, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Francisco. www.monterey.travel.