End a Perfect Day in Sausalito with a Sunset Sail 

A views of the San Francisco Bay from the decks of the schooner Freda B on a sunset sail from Sausalito

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 tourist attractions and coasts on its uniquely compelling vibe. Then there’s the Golden Gate National […]

Museum Monday: La Brea Tar Pits, Los Angeles

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

“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 Museum in Los Angeles.  Part of the Natural History Museums of Los Angeles County, La […]

Seven Wonderful Reasons to Visit Flagstaff, Arizona

A mixed landscape of fan palms, juniper and pines at Walnut Canyon near Flagstaff, Arizona

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 forest at the base of the San Francisco Peaks. It represents a totally different version […]

Museum Monday: Real Bodies at Bally’s, Las Vegas

Close up view of the head and torso of a human body on display at Bodies at Bally's in Las Vegas

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 it all looks like inside. We might feel our muscles ache or our tummy rumble, […]

How to Be the Savviest Tourist in San Francisco

A busy street scene in San Francisco's Chinatown with red lanterns strung between brick buildings and storefronts

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 especially true for Californians heading to San Francisco for the umpteenth time. You prefer to […]

Presidio Tunnel Tops is San Francisco’s Outstanding New Attraction

A view of the San Francisco Bay from the new Presidio Tunnel Tops Park including the Outpost playground

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 public on July 17, 2022. New national park land, built over the tops of the […]

Hitching a Ride on a Stagecoach in Paso Robles

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

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 in the western imagination, familiar from countless movies and TV shows, the Wells Fargo logo […]

Soak up the Scene at Chena Hot Springs Resort in Alaska

Mist rising over bathers in the hot springs pool at Chena Hot Springs Resort near Fairbanks, Alaska

By J.C. Thomas It’s not at all difficult to imagine the joy of the two prospectors who followed a wisp of steam into an Alaskan valley and discovered Chena Hot Springs in 1905. Amid far-northern wilderness, rarely free of ice, it must have been a heavenly pleasure to soak their aching joints in water averaging […]

An Unforgettable Ride on the Nenana River

A wide stretch of the Nenana River outside Denali National Park in Alaska

Gorgeous scenery and rafting fun await with New Wave Adventures at Alaska’s Denali National Park By J.C. Thomas Imagine whitewater rafting down an ice-cold river in the wilderness of interior Alaska… are you excited or scared? Maybe both? All the best adventures start with at least a little trepidation – it’s a sign that you’re […]