A First Timer’s Guide to Denali National Park
All About Denali National Park and Preserve, the No. 1 Destination in Interior Alaska By J.C. Thomas Denali National Park, the prime tourist destination in interior Alaska, is an astonishingly impressive section of the continent’s far north. It takes a whole litany of facts to convey the park’s massiveness and
Go Retro to a Palm Springs Polynesian Paradise: Caliente Tropics Resort
By Jon Bogart A getaway is always a good thought and, now more than ever, that thought is uppermost in mind. The world is opening up once again to indulge in sensory experiences that satisfy, refresh and rejuvenate. Nature, sunshine, warmth, fresh air and beauty all rank at the top
Ride the Colorado River on a High-Speed Adventure with Moab Jett
A cooling and thrilling jet-boat river ride is a definite must-do in Moab, Utah By J.C. Thomas Moab, a small city with big attractions in eastern Utah, draws visitors from all over the world with its close proximity to Arches and Canyonlands national parks. Those natural treasures with their stunning
8 Reasons to Pick Paso Robles for Wine Tasting
And a Spotlight on Four Fantastic Paso Robles Wineries As the world’s fourth-largest wine producer, California has no shortage of destinations promising a world-class wine-tasting experience. The state boasts 142 AVAs, federally recognized American Viticultural Areas. Claiming no fewer than 12 of them (the acclaimed Paso Robles AVA along with
Happy Trails to Your Palm Springs Destination: Old Ranch Inn
By Jon Bogart The character of Palm Springs, California has strong historical roots as a desert sanctuary for the rich and famous. Hollywood celebrities and politicians have always found Palm Springs to be an easily accessible great escape from the lights, camera and action. As the world has become more
Where to Stay in Pacifica, CA: Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites
Book a night in a restful room just a stone’s throw from Pacifica’s Rockaway Beach We’re always eager to sing the praises of Pacifica, a delightful little beach town just a few miles south-west of San Francisco. With its sleepy small-town vibe, rugged natural landscapes, hiking trails and beaches galore, Pacifica
Where to Stay Near Legoland: Pelican Cove Inn Bed and Breakfast
By J.C. Thomas With the Legoland California resort as its major tourist attraction, plus beautiful beaches and a walkable downtown “village,” the coastal city of Carlsbad is an exceptional destination. Its proximity to San Diego’s countless attractions adds even more to Carlsbad’s appeal. As such, it has plenty of accommodation
Put Legoland California on Your List!
Little Lego fans and families who are so, so ready for a fun theme park adventure should know that Legoland California reopened to guests on April 15th. Adding to the excitement, the Carlsbad park just announced that its brand-new Lego Movie World will open on May 27, 2021. Advanced reservations
Visit Visalia Celebrates National Parks Week with Activities for Families
Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks Highlight America’s Treasures April 17-25, 2021 Visit Visalia is excited to celebrate National Parks Week April 17-25, 2021, in conjunction with the National Parks Service event held annually to highlight America’s treasures. The visitors bureau has created several events and activities for anyone looking
Discover the Gorgeous Landscapes of Guilin
Unusual karst formations bestow great natural beauty upon the Southern Chinese city of Guilin By Roger Allnutt For many visitors to China it is the bustling cities of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou together with man-made treasures like the Great Wall and the famous Terracotta Warriors at Xi’an that are the
A Trio of Treasures at Torrey Pines
In one prized pocket of La Jolla are three glorious landmarks: Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, Torrey Pines Golf Course, and the Lodge at Torrey Pines. By J.C. Thomas The Torrey pine tree (pinus torreyana), the rarest pine species in North America, is an intriguing natural treasure. It’s very finnicky
See a Gutenberg Bible – the Printed Book that Changed the World – at The Huntington Library
Gutenberg Bible No. 36 was printed in Mainz, Germany, circa 1455 on Europe’s first moveable metal type printing press. Today it’s on public display at The Huntington in San Marino, California. By J.C. Thomas Historians estimate that on this day in 1455, Johannes Gutenberg printed his first Bible – the
Discover the Delights of Cochin, India’s “Queen of the Arabian Sea”
Explore the exotic sights, sounds and scents of Cochin (a.k.a. Kochi), an ancient spice trading port and major modern city on India’s southwest coast By Roger Allnutt A group of nuns flutter around the famous Chinese fishing nets at the mouth of Cochin harbor and the fishermen joke with them.
Island Packers Seasonal Whale Watching & Excursions to the Channel Islands Now Open
Island Packers, the official boat concessionaire to the Channel Islands National Park, with daily departures to the Channel Islands from Ventura Harbor Village, has now re-opened! The family-owned company founded in 1968 is once again offering daily trips to the Channel Islands National Park as well as winter whale watching excursions. Winter Whale
Make Yourself at Home at the Beach House Inn, Santa Barbara
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
Desti{nation} Discovery: Albania
There are close to 200 nations on Earth, plus dozens more territories. Let’s discover… Albania. It’s almost unfathomable that Albania remains off the tourist radar. Like many of its Mediterranean neighbors, the nation features stunning beaches, a mountainous interior dotted with charming towns and villages, and the pleasantest of climates.
Discover New Zealand’s Magical Northland and Bay of Islands
By Roger Allnutt New Zealand is a small country with an amazing variety of scenery and attractions. Top among them are majestic mountains and fjords in the South Island, hot springs and volcanoes in the North Island, and fine cities such as the capital Wellington and Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin.
Places to Play: Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
Since its founding in 1926, Santa Barbara Botanic Garden has been one of the city’s top attractions. It feels safe to say that locals and visitors have never been so appreciative of such a safe, scenic and peaceful outdoor space. At this time, the garden is open to the public