By Barbara Beckley I recently attended the 2024 Pasadena Showcase House of Design “Empty House Party” – and wow! This year’s manor do-over is going to be a must. As arguably SoCal’s oldest (founded in 1965) and easily, most interesting fundraiser, the Pasadena Showcase House of Design always delights with stylish re-dos of elegant mansions …
By Kathy Strong California’s equivalent to the Carlsbad Caverns was closed to the public for several years. The Mitchell Caverns have re-opened for public tours in certain months. As the only limestone caves in the California State Park system (and only one of two you can enter), the natural attraction offers fascinating stalactite and stalagmite …
Monterey County on California’s Central Coast beckons visitors to find their own paths to adventure. With a breadth of different adventures and escapes, no matter the path – wellness, family, outdoor and epicurean – it all leads to the same place—an inspirational and memorable experience. The Wellness Path: Connect Within and Find Your Center Combining …
There’s no place like SoCal’s San Diego for the winter holidays, where guests can warm up to sunshiny days, uncrowded beaches, and inviting laid-back vibes. Evan Hotels’ Bahia Resort Hotel and Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa on Mission Bay and The Lodge at Torrey Pines in La Jolla are the perfect coastal retreats to soak …
The “Lost City Celebration” is scheduled for October 6 – 8 on California’s Central Coast where the 1923 historic feature was partially filmed. Before the term ‘Blockbuster’ was invented, Cecil B. DeMille was arguably the first filmmaker to create large scale film productions with The Ten Commandments (1923). Filmed on the dunes outside Guadalupe, California, …
By Kathy Strong There may be hundreds of hotels and resorts in America that claim haunted histories, but only a handful actually offer guided tours filled with spine-chilling tales of its past and legendary ghost sightings. Too spooked to check in? No problem. Most of these tours are also open to non-guests. The Stanley Hotel, …
To the delight of the rail-fan world and kids of all ages, Grand Canyon Railway just announced that No. 4960 will celebrate its 100th birthday by pulling the regular scheduled passenger train from Williams to South Rim, Grand Canyon on Saturday, August 5, 12 and 19. The steam engine will also run on select days …
By Kathy Strong Laguna Beach has been an exclusive haven for the arts for nearly a century, as well as the sparkling jewel of Southern California’s own scenic Riviera coastline. A year-round destination, Laguna shines brightest in the summer months. Gentle ocean breezes combine with some of the cleanest beaches, water and air on the …
By Barbara Beckley Wine tasting. Hot air ballooning. Tasty cuisine. Stylish accommodations. Now you can add “Wine-Bottle Art” and “blend-your-own-wine” to the list of reasons to visit Southern California’s award-winning wine region, Temecula. Sitting under a grape vine-covered arbor, I thought “outside the lines;” wielding my paintbrush with care to create wisteria blossoms circling …
The short trip up Highway 74 from the Palm Spring California’s desert floor leads to the tiny forested town of Idyllwild, a truly seductive drive on a scorching summer day. Make the trip July 3-15 to enjoy an exciting lineup of live performances and workshops in the 29th Jazz In The Pines. Your journey up …
Looking for a new, imaginative experience on your next European vacation? Imagine Experiences is offering three unique “Hero” adventures which allow travelers to walk in the footsteps of the renowned James Bond. Choose the 3.5-hour Essential Bond—Nobody Does it Better; the 6-hour Bond for a Day, including a session at a select London gun club …
Graceful, purple-hued rows of sweet-smelling lavender transport us to romantic European destinations—the south of France or the hill-clinging villages of Tuscany. Breathtaking scenery aside, lavender has long been coveted for its pleasurable impact on nearly all the senses—from taste and aroma to its calming qualities. You don’t have to travel all the way to Provence …