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, …
We’ve all been “clinging” to one of Monterey County’s craggy cliffs over the Pacific since the first season of HBO’s Emmy Award-winning mini-series “Big Little Lies” ended. However, this June, we will be able to step back from the edge and watch Nicole Kidman, Reese Witherspoon and other celebs play out more drama around the …
Pebble Beach, on Central California’s rugged and picturesque coast, will again be center stage on June 10-16 for its sixth U.S. Open. While the U.S. Open Championship Experience is the only way for spectators to stay at Pebble Beach resorts during the week of the U.S. Open, there are numerous hotel options nearby—one of the …
Historic hotels are perfect places for creating lifelong memories, making a visit to one an ideal location for a romantic proposal. You could say that every day is Valentine’s Day at a historic hotel. In fact, many of these romantic destinations have a special spot or package especially designed for proposals. Here is a listing …
It is already magical when you have the opportunity to travel aboard one of the West’s historic rails with steam locomotives tracing some of the nation’s most beautiful scenic valleys and mountain ridges. Combine such a journey with a holiday tradition that makes little ones wide-eyed and you have pure holiday magic. Just hop aboard …
Skiers and snowboarders at Big Bear Mountain Resorts, Snow Summit and Bear Mountain, may or may not be in for the record snowfalls, but that’s not a problem. Although the most recent storm dropped a respectable amount of snow, the $12 million investment in snowmaking equipment a few years ago guarantees snow buffs non-stop powdery …
For wine-lovers like me, Lompoc’s stellar location – at the base of the award-winning Santa Rita Hills wine region – makes it a perfect base of operations for wine tasting. It is also a great place to find a few secrets to discover! I arrived on a recent weekend, checked into the year-old Hilton Garden …
Each of these 10 California B&Bs gifts guests with a spectacular “breakfast with a view”—whether its wave-crashing action, wildlife spotting or panoramic vistas of a city skyline. Seven Gables Inn, Pacific Grove Every room of the opulent Seven Gables Inn in Pacific Grove—including its oceanfront dining room—offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean. The dining …
Tenaya Lodge, recent winner of Sunset Magazine’s 2018 Travel Awards for Best Park Classic hotel, has all the makings for an ideal fall getaway. Just minutes from the newly renovated Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Tenaya’s fall season includes everything from tours of Yosemite that make a stop at the giant trees to off-roading through …
The state’s 14th official “Wine Month” happening right now is that time of the year when juicy ripe grapes hang heavy on the vines, basking in golden fall sunshine, and the air is filled with fruity aromas that signal harvest time. The crush that ensues is a dizzying process of picking and harvesting, selecting, pressing …