Stay at The Plaza Hotel for an Immersive Downtown Las Vegas Experience
By J.C. Thomas An intriguing characteristic of Las Vegas is its compulsion for constant reinvention while always keeping a tight grip on nostalgia. The city will blithely demolish its oldest icons (RIP Tropicana, Stardust et. al.) while enticing tens of millions of annual visitors with the promise of vintage glamor. They come in pursuit of […]
A First Timer’s Guide to Atlanta, Georgia
Of all the awesome American cities worth flying to from California, Atlanta, Georgia, is surely among the most enticing. One of the most visited cities in the United States, it is packed with diverse tourist attractions that appeal to all ages and vacation styles. Atlanta’s communities are diverse and creative, with a vibrant, modern cityscape […]
At Fontainebleau Las Vegas, a Captivating Culinary Adventure Awaits
By George Christopher Thomas Las Vegas has a legendary plethora of choices for entertainment and activities. One of the most universally appealing of them is going out to eat and embracing options for the finest of fine dining. Getting dressed up, feeling a little formal and dedicating an evening to a world-class restaurant can be […]
My Legacy Experience on the Napa Valley Wine Train
By Cristina Bolis Napa Valley has always held a special allure for me, a land where rolling vineyards meet sun-soaked hills, and every sip of wine tells a story. Recently, I had the pleasure of experiencing the Napa Valley Wine Train’s Legacy Experience, a journey that not only delighted my palate but also nourished my […]
Museum Monday: The Getty Villa Museum, Pacific Palisades
Contemporary Southern California couldn’t be much further in time and space from the ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome and Etruria. However, at the Getty Villa Museum in Pacific Palisades, a stone’s throw from Malibu, these distinct cultures come together in a splendid showcase of classical art and architecture. The lavish Getty Villa, a precise recreation […]
Top Destinations for Family Fun in the East Bay
With vibrant and artsy Oakland as its urban hub, the East Bay is a fantastic destination for a family getaway. Adding to its appeal are dozens of other charming cities set against substantial stretches of wilderness. Whether it’s part of an epic exploration of Northern California or an impromptu outing for locals, there’s no shortage […]
Places to Play: Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Monterey Bay Aquarium’s 200-plus exhibits of living ocean animals inspire awe among its 2 million annual visitors. Offering incomparable views into the rich marine habitats of Monterey Bay, the nonprofit public institution fulfills its mission to inspire ocean conservation in parallel with being one of California’s top tourist attractions. Entertainment – by playful sea […]
A Comprehensive Guide to California’s 20 Remarkable National Forests
The National Forest Foundation has declared July 8 to 14, 2024, as National Forest Week. It’s a great opportunity to learn more about the 20 national forests in California, which protect a whopping 20.8 million acres of federal land. The Golden State comes second only to Alaska in national forest acreage. California’s national forests cover […]
The Ultimate Summer-in-California Bucket List
(+ a free printable “Summertime in California” bingo card!) School’s out and summer is officially here, so it’s time to get outdoors and enjoy all that the sunniest season has to offer. In California, we’re spoiled with incredible opportunities for outdoor fun, from beach days to mountain hikes, and sometimes just a nice neighborhood stroll. […]
Reasons to Visit (or Skip) LA’s Venice Beach
Venice is a weird beachfront neighborhood of Los Angeles. Whether it’s good-weird or bad-weird, and whether or not Venice Beach is worth visiting, is entirely subjective. For some visitors, the beachfront neighborhood with its famous boardwalk is an absolute must-see highlight of Southern California. For others, there are probably quite a few more appealing destinations […]
Places to Play: Olompali State Historic Park
Before it was one of the Bay Area’s prettiest state parks, the oak-strewn mountainside of Olompali saw thousands of years of Coast Miwok culture, the indulgences of a wealthy ranching family, and the highs and lows of a counterculture commune. Olompali State Historic Park is in Marin County, just off US-101, 3 miles north of […]
A First Timer’s Guide to Malibu, California
Malibu, a city hugging 21 miles of coastline in Los Angeles County, has a magical appeal that’s far greater than that of its most famous attributes. The millionaires’ homes, legendary surf scene, oceanfront restaurants and the Pacific Coast Highway – these are not the sources of Malibu’s magic. Rather, they exist because of it, in […]