One more destination that might be interesting to HN readers is the Dark Sky Park at the Headlands: http://www.midarkskypark.org/.
If you're into telescopes or sky photography, there are few better places this side of the Rockies to visit. And in general, I find that while the places listed above (like Mackinac, Traverse, and Petoskey) where you can purchase large quantities of fudge do have delicious fudge, they're becoming more touristy. Find a spot that doesn't sell fudge, like the Headlands, if you want a more authentic/native/quiet experience.
Also, while most Californians would probably enjoy Michigan more during the summer, the lakes and snow are a sight to behold during winter! Snowmobiling through hundreds of miles of snow-covered seasonal roads is a worthy experience too, if you don't mind the cold.
If you're into telescopes or sky photography, there are few better places this side of the Rockies to visit. And in general, I find that while the places listed above (like Mackinac, Traverse, and Petoskey) where you can purchase large quantities of fudge do have delicious fudge, they're becoming more touristy. Find a spot that doesn't sell fudge, like the Headlands, if you want a more authentic/native/quiet experience.
Also, while most Californians would probably enjoy Michigan more during the summer, the lakes and snow are a sight to behold during winter! Snowmobiling through hundreds of miles of snow-covered seasonal roads is a worthy experience too, if you don't mind the cold.