Although tourism in California has a tough road ahead to regain its pre-pandemic glory, some areas that boast an abundant share of nature’s beauty are ready to shine later this year. Make some of your first travel adventures a visit Santa Cruz County, where surfers rule, Redwoods captivate and even the world’s smallest bowling museum …
Soul-warming Wines, Cozy Tasting Rooms and Seasonal Events Lead to California Wine Country When temperatures plummet in other parts of the country, it’s time to warm up to a winter getaway in California wine country. Not only does the Golden State enjoy sunny skies and comparatively mild temperatures year ‘round, California’s distinctive wine regions offer …
Charming towns steeped in old-fashioned holiday traditions pair perfectly with historic bed and breakfast inns decked in festive holiday finery. To help you find your ideal holiday getaway, the California Association of Boutique and Breakfast Inns has compiled a handful of destinations and inns in the northern part of state that promise nostalgic magic for …
Using Instagram is like logging into a world of picturesque and enticing opportunities. Many look to it for inspiration on where to eat, what to buy and even our next holiday destinations. Another way to choose your next getaway might be to consider which areas have the most ‘Instagrammable’ tourist attractions. Showers to You has …
Story & photos by Barbara Beckley Sniff. Swirl. Sip. Savor. This was my mantra on a recent trip along the Wine Road in Northern Sonoma County. While it may be named the “Wine Road,” I discovered that it offers so much more. Beautiful fall scenery, excellent food, shopping and accommodations and friendly interesting locals, makes …
California’s 15th official “Wine Month” is happening all September. It is that enticing time of the year when juicy ripe grapes hang heavy on the vines, and the air is filled with fruity aromas that signal harvest time. This month, those of us who delight in the harvest’s newest creations may choose from more than …
From cinema classics to today’s biggest blockbusters, San Francisco has made hundreds of appearances on the silver screen. Only this time, you be the “star”! After you visit San Francisco’s top movie sites, plan to see more locales all over California. Visit some of these locations on your next visit to the movie-friendly city of …
Among the many miracles of nature, it’s difficult to match the marvelous and mystifying migration of the monarch butterfly. Recognized by their vivid, orange-and-black wings, these slight insects (weighing less than a dime) are better known for an instinctive internal compass that guides them on an ancestral migration from the shores of Pacific Grove, CA …
Formed by the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys, stretching to the far northern part of the state, California’s Inland region is home to dozens of distinct wine regions, including some of the world’s most famous destinations. Hidden among even the high-profile appellations are the wine roads less traveled featuring stunning rural scenery, delicious wines and, …
Visit the destinations behind your favorite movies, novels and music You can hardly watch a television show or movie or read a book or listen to the radio without a reminder of California. Home to innovation and creative minds, California has long been the inspiration behind our entertainment. Stroll through the sets of “Jurassic Park” …
Secret Southern California was written for all of the adventurers, those coming from both far and near, who seek truly unusual getaways. Secret Southern California is a totally updated guide that is a spin-off from the popular Off the Beaten Path Southern California, editions 1-8, by Kathy Strong. Still a guide to those hard-to-find spots, …
Wouldn’t a Polynesian escape be great about now? Visualize yourself sipping exotic rum drinks while sarong-clad dancers sway to the beat of drums. Flower leis, Tiki torches and white- sand beaches are all part of a “South Pacific state of mind.” If time and budget make a trip to the islands impossible, don’t worry—plan a …