2026 Valentine’s Day Gift Guide

graphic with hearts and gift ideas for 2026 Valentine's Day Gift Guide by California News Press

You didn’t forget that Valentine’s Day is coming up soon, did you? While there are always last-minute flowers and chocolates available, we suggest choosing one of these thoughtful and unique Valentine’s Day gift ideas for your sweetheart. (All prices, details and availability are subject to change.) Glass Coin of Ephesos Brooch $78 from the Getty […]

A versatile weekend itinerary for art, food & fun in San Francisco

Bay views from a hilltop in San Francisco

By J.C. Thomas San Francisco is such an exceptional destination that crafting a weekend itinerary can pose a real challenge. There are so many iconic things to see, do and eat in the city, and a one-night stay can only be stretched so far. Embrace the challenge, though, and the reward will be two days […]

Museum Monday: The National Civil Rights Museum, Memphis, Tennessee

Signage for the Lorraine Motel at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, Tennessee against a gray sky

The third Monday in January is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday to honor the life and legacy of the foremost figure of the American civil rights movement. The National Civil Rights Museum, adjacent to and encompassing the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, memorializes and celebrates Dr. King all year round.  The museum […]

A Guide to the Scariest Spiders in California

A closeup of a spider against a blurry yellow and brown background

Are you an arachnophobe? Do creepy black spider Halloween decorations freak you out far more than any witch, bat, ghost or thing that goes bump in the night? Perhaps some factual information about our arachnid neighbors here in California could ease that fear. As this guide to the most dangerous spiders in California explains, spider […]

Looking for a Place to Stay in Moab, Utah? The Gonzo Inn is Our No. 1 Pick

Arches National Park scenery near Moab, Utah

Moab, Utah is a very cool city. It has a trendy vibe, but in a timeless, not-actually-trying sort of way. Moab is also very good looking, with low-slung buildings and artsy accents that don’t bother trying to compete with the high-drama dazzle of its red-rock surroundings. Tourism there is built around cool-people kinds of adventures, […]

Make Yourself at Home at the Beach House Inn, Santa Barbara

the flower-filled courtyard of the Beach House Inn in Santa Barbara, California

It’s always fun to imagine living full-time in a destination you’re only visiting, no matter how realistic or far-fetched the idea might be. The fantasy feels especially real when you find a place to stay that evokes the feeling of a home – somewhere like the Beach House Inn in Santa Barbara. This boutique hotel […]