If you’ve ever driven along the stretch of PCH north of Point Mugu State Park and south of Oxnard, you might have noticed a curious display of grounded vintage fighter jets and missiles in the distant corner of an otherwise…
An F-4 Phantom 2 jet mounted on display next to palm trees at Point Mugu Missile Park in Ventura County, an open air museum in Southern California
By J.C. Thomas It’s the spoooo-kiest season of all, the most weird and wonderful time of the year for visiting unnerving attractions across California. We’re not talking about your neighbor’s haunted house, however impressive it might be. No, these seven…
Bodie Ghost Town at night
By George Christopher Thomas My wife and I sometimes like to make our two kids do things together that do not encompass screens or video games. When this year’s summer vacation was about to end, we wanted to finish strong…
Santa Cruz Island seen in the distance across the Pacific Ocean from the decks of an Island Packers boat going to Channel Islands National Park with pelicans overhead
If you’re exploring Santa Barbara with kids, a visit to MOXI, The Wolf Museum of Exploration + Innovation is a must. This interactive science museum is in a prime location on lower State Street, right next to the train station…
The white wall exterior of MOXI museum in Santa Barbara, California, with a giant color mixing machine visible in the entrance
The city of Sausalito, covering less than 2 square miles of land on the north side of the Golden Gate Bridge, should in theory be overshadowed by its bigger, showier neighbors. San Francisco, just 4 miles away, is packed with…
A views of the San Francisco Bay from the decks of the schooner Freda B on a sunset sail from Sausalito
“Visit the only Ice Age fossil site in the world that’s being actively excavated in the middle of a city!” This very niche, very cool claim to uniqueness could only be an invitation to the La Brea Tar Pits and…
An up close view of the face, trunk and tusks of a replica mammoth at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum in Los Angeles, California
Flagstaff, Arizona, has long been known as the “City of Seven Wonders,” referencing its proximity to an enviable number of natural treasures. The small city in Northern Arizona sits at 7,000 feet above sea level, surrounded by aspen and pine…
A mixed landscape of fan palms, juniper and pines at Walnut Canyon near Flagstaff, Arizona
Outside of studying anatomy or working in the medical field, there are few opportunities to see the real inner workings of the human body. We can learn about the ways in which our bodies work, view diagrams and imagine what…
Close up view of the head and torso of a human body on display at Bodies at Bally's in Las Vegas
Combine tourist-friendly deals to get the most out of your San Francisco sightseeing experience By J.C. Thomas When you’re visiting an extremely popular tourist destination like San Francisco, it’s common to want to reject the title of “tourist.” This is…
A busy street scene in San Francisco's Chinatown with red lanterns strung between brick buildings and storefronts
Think you’ve seen all of San Francisco? Think again! The just-opened Presidio Tunnel Tops adds an amazing new asset to the city’s visitor- and local-friendly lineup. San Francisco’s newest park – the 14-acre Presidio Tunnel Tops – opened to the…
A view of the San Francisco Bay from the new Presidio Tunnel Tops Park including the Outpost playground
By Jon Bogart Life’s daily demands propel our minds to wander, as we zoom in and out of computer screens and traffic tie-ups, to a time and place where we can unwind and rejuvenate. A laid-back vibe, fresh ocean air, a…
The Santa Barbara, California coastline as seen across the ocean from the pier
The coast of Santa Barbara, California, seen across the ocean from the pier
Looking for fun things to do for the whole family in Paso Robles? You’ll never forget the unique experience of a stagecoach ride and ranch tour and at Harris Stage Lines.  By J.C. Thomas The stagecoach has a prominent place…
Tom Harris dressed in western wear walks under a sign reading Happy Trails Ranch in reverse, part of a tour and stagecoach ride in Paso Robles, California