Sip, Savor and Stay Safe
By Jon Bogart Good news is always welcome! Here is some… We have discovered that some of the finest boutique wineries from glorious California wine-making regions are shipping directly to consumers – right to their doorstep. Given the times that we’re in, focus is on good health, peace, and harmony. We reach out for ways […]
Places to Play: Pacifica, California
Have you discovered Pacifica yet? This beautiful coastal destination is just 2 miles from San Francisco, yet its small-town vibe, unspoiled scenery and abundance of outdoor recreation options feel a world away from the city. It’s a viable base for exploring the whole Bay Area, but Pacifica is vacation-worthy in its own right. Its attractions […]
Three Amazing Marine Life Attractions in SoCal
By J.C. Thomas There are two ways to witness the stunning diversity of marine life of our planet’s oceans, seas and waterways: embark upon diving excursions all over the world; or visit amazing aquariums and other marine life exhibits. In Southern California, three such destinations draw crowds of locals and visitors with their dazzling aquatic […]
The Lovely and Luxurious L’Auberge Del Mar: A Review
By J.C. Thomas The seaside village of Del Mar, just north of San Diego, is surely one of the loveliest spots in all Southern California. More than 2 miles of sandy beaches bound Del Mar, encompassing coastal parks, playgrounds, top-notch surf spots and a dog-friendly beach. The bluffs abutting those beaches are high and craggy, […]
Experience Endless Summer at Newport Dunes
By J.C. Thomas Newport Beach, one in a string of glorious beach towns along the coast of Orange County, has a reputation for being fancy. There’s no denying it’s a gilded playground of sorts, profuse with country clubs and yachts, high-end boutiques and such natural beauty to command an arm and a leg of anyone […]
There’s Still Time for Pre-Snow Fun in Big Bear
By J.C. Thomas Many SoCal residents are eagerly awaiting the arrival of snow in Big Bear, whether it’s by nature or machine. But with temperatures across California still on the warmer side, we’ll all just have to be patient. Real winter will soon hit the mountains, but there’s plenty of outdoor action to experience in […]
Hotel Irvine – An Ideal Venue in Orange County’s Urban Hub
By J.C. Thomas Irvine is commonly characterized by the hundreds of corporate headquarters whose high-rise office buildings tower over the city’s neat and sunshiny master-planned landscape. This makes it easy to overlook Irvine as a vacation destination, but look beyond its businesslike veneer and you’ll uncover the vibrant urban epicenter of Orange County. Unlike the […]
Visiting Oakland? There’s No Better Place to Stay Than the Waterfront Hotel
By J.C. Thomas If you have never considered Oakland as a travel destination, may I suggest you think again? National Geographic Traveler recently named Oakland one of the “28 Best Places to Visit in the World for 2019.” The world. It is only one of four locations in the United States and the only one […]
Beamers, Dreamers and Dads
The perfect gift for dear old Dad on his birthday just might be a morning visit to the BMW Performance Center in Thermal, California By George Christopher Thomas COACHELLA VALLEY, CA – If you are looking for the ideal gift for your old man, taking him to driving school at the BMW Performance Center will […]
The Hotel with a Heart Turns 55!
By Ariel Johns Since opening its doors on May 25, 1964, the Hilton San Francisco Union Square has welcomed convention goers, families, professionals, tourists and such celebrities as Lucille Ball, John Wayne and the king himself, Elvis Presley. Located in the center of three popular neighborhoods, Union Square, SOMA and the Tenderloin, this landmark hotel […]
Stay at the Dream Inn For Sand, Sunsets and the Santa Cruz Surf Scene
By Joanne Thomas In a town like Santa Cruz, where tourism revolves around the beach, the surf and the Boardwalk, it’s remarkable that there’s only a single hotel – the Dream Inn – claiming a beachfront setting. Since it first opened in the 1970s, the only beachfront hotel in Santa Cruz has promised its guests […]
Whodunit? The Culprit is Hiding Among You…
By Ariel Johns What is it about murder mysteries that have us so intrigued? Is it solving the crime? Do we love meeting an eccentric group of characters? Or, do we secretly hope the killer gets away with it? For me, I love to follow the clues along with the detectives and attempt to solve […]