Yosemite National Park Ends Reservation Requirement
Reservations are no longer needed to drive into Yosemite National Park Read on for an update on other National Park Service properties in California The reservation system put in place from June 11, 2020 to limit entrance to Yosemite National Park is no longer in effect. From November 1, no reservations are required to drive […]
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, […]
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 […]
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 […]
Places to Play: Temecula, California
Fantastic wine, food and outdoor fun await in Temecula, Southern California’s wine country Temecula, known as Southern California’s wine country, occupies a scenic, sun-drenched valley amid rolling hills in Riverside County. The historic city and its rustic surrounds are approximately 60 miles north of San Diego, 85 miles from Los Angeles and 22 miles from […]
Escape to the Fairmont Grand Del Mar, a Glorious San Diego Golf Resort and Spa
By J.C. Thomas Much like San Diego itself, every element of the Fairmont Grand Del Mar golf resort and spa is eminently appealing. In any season, for every kind of vacation – family fun, a romantic weekend or getaway with friends – the luxury resort and its spectacular surroundings promise perfection. Top among the resort’s […]
Places to Play: The Madonna Inn
Eat, stay and play at San Luis Obispo’s kitschiest icon The Madonna Inn, a famous hotel, restaurant and bakery just off Highway 101, is a whimsical icon of California’s Central Coast. Dating to 1965, the delightfully wackadoodle property holds a place in the imaginations of all generations of Californians. Those of a certain age remember […]
Yosemite in Summer 2020, a Dreamlike Experience
A Review of Yosemite Dreams: Rustic and Refined Lodging Near Oakhurst By J.C. Thomas In 2020, visiting Yosemite National Park in the peak of summer feels like a dream. Weird and lovely, almost eerily serene in the absence of big crowds, experiencing the park in this way is a privilege offered only by the extraordinary […]
Discover Incredible Eats in SLO
By J.C. Thomas San Luis Obispo is well established as a fantastic destination for foodies. Its Central Coast setting means the city is surrounded by agricultural riches including local wines and a world of fresh, seasonal produce, along with the freshest fish and seafood from nearby Morro Bay. SLO embraces artisanal food culture and has […]
The Stylish, Luxurious Hotel Cerro (Re-) Opens in San Luis Obispo
A review of the beautiful, brand-new Hotel Cerro in SLO upon its mid-June reopening By J. C. Thomas In January 2020 – a lifetime ago – Hotel Cerro celebrated its much-anticipated grand opening in downtown San Luis Obispo. It is no exaggeration to say the world was different then, before covid-19 and social distancing requirements […]