2020 Holiday Gift Guide Part V: California Love
Staying close to home for so much of the year has inspired a new level of appreciation for our home state. Why not show your friends and family some California love with these delightful Golden State-themed gifts? (Prices are subject to change. Order a.s.a.p. if you need gifts to arrive before Christmas Day!) California Hoodie […]
2020 Holiday Gift Guide, Part IV: Gourmet Gifts
Delightful delicacies always make excellent gifts, especially when they’re all dressed up for the holidays in a fancy package. Gourmet gifts are a great choice for hard-to-buy-for family members and friends, and they might also alleviate concerns about needless consumption – we all have to eat, after all! This year, we invite you to consider […]
2020 Gift Guide, Part III: “Best of California” Cookbooks
Cookbooks are a go-to gift for the foodies in your life, but not all titles are gift-worthy. Don’t just grab any old recipe book! Read on for Part III of our holiday gift guide, in which we recommend some truly special books. They’re all packed with amazing recipes and gorgeous photographs, and all have a […]
2020 Holiday Gift Guide, Part II: Creative Kits
Do you have a few creative types to buy for this holiday season? We think that one of these kits might just be the perfect gift. Whether it’s a new craft you think they might enjoy or an activity that complements one of their long-time interests, these kits give your loved one the satisfaction of […]
2020 Holiday Gift Guide, Part I: Museum Gift Stores
Museum stores are the best! They tend to feature interesting, original collections of beautiful, quirky, and cool items that make fantastic gifts. This year, most museums are closed to the public or are open only in limited capacities, but their gift stores are available for online shopping. With the holidays quickly approaching, we suggest you […]
Places to Play: Copperopolis, California
In the serene Sierra foothills of Calaveras County is Copperopolis, a small town with a lot of stories to tell. Visitors come for the beautiful scenery, the lakes and rivers prime for fishing, hiking trails across rolling hills, top-notch golf courses and a burgeoning wine scene. Local attractions include Calaveras Big Trees State Park with […]
Places to Play: Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, Fish Camp, California
The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad is a delightful family-friendly attraction just outside Yosemite National Park. Every day from April through to the end of October, passengers of all ages ride in open-air cars pulled by genuine vintage steam trains. The trains chug along 4 miles of narrow-gauge tracks through the scenic Sierra National Forest, […]
The Story of the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company
How an Italian chocolatier created the sweetest San Francisco icon By J.C. Thomas Ghirardelli, the third-oldest chocolatier in the United States, is today a beloved international brand. Contemporary consumers can’t get enough of the company’s filled chocolate squares, brownie mix and many other chocolate products. In San Francisco, Ghirardelli holds iconic status as a company, […]
Places to Play: Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, California
A historic landmark, architectural masterpiece and cultural institution with the mission to bring astronomy to the people, Griffith Observatory means a lot to the people of Los Angeles. It’s a top tourist attraction too, with visitors from all over the world ascending the south slope of Mount Hollywood to take in unmatched views of the […]
It’s Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct. 4-10, 2020)
These five organizations work for better mental health awareness and services for all Californians, every week of the year In 1990, Congress declared the first week of October to be Mental Illness Awareness Week (MIAW), and in 1992 the World Federation for Mental Health made October 10th World Mental Health Day. It’s a time to […]
Stay at South Coast Winery for a Complete Wine Country Experience
South Coast Winery, Resort and Spa in Temecula, California offers luxury accommodations, farm-to-table cuisine, a full-service spa, and an award-winning winery all in one scenic spot By J.C. Thomas As the first and only full-service winery resort in the Temecula Valley, South Coast Winery, Resort and Spa checks all the boxes on any visitor’s must-do […]
Places to Play: OstrichLand USA in Buellton, California
On the side of Route 246, just minutes off Highway 101 near Buellton, is a curious sight indeed. Hundreds of ostriches and emus roam an enormous enclosure with a scenic mountain backdrop. Pull over at OstrichLand USA, and you can see these impressive birds up close as well as feed them. OstrichLand USA is one […]