Story & Photos by Barbara Beckley Sipping margaritas and shaking maracas. A perfect way to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Santa Barbara’s legendary Lobero Theatre. Built by Santa Barbara musician – and rumored playboy – Jose Lobero, the 604-seat venue hit the limelight on February 22, 1873 with an opening night concert of Italian …
If you haven’t kept your New Year’s resolution to be healthy and fit, here is your solution all wrapped up in a week of splendor. And it is waiting for you just over the San Diego border at Rancho La Puerta, a 3,000-acre healthy-living paradise with flowering meadows, landscaped gardens and breathtaking vistas all nestled …
When Southern California takes on a chill, our fair-weather “bones” aren’t always easy to warm. One sure way to seek both warmth and healing comfort is to submerge your body in the hot mineral water that naturally blesses the area. By the mid-1800s, the world was extolling the virtues of “taking the waters” or soaking …
Story & Photos by Barbara Beckley The winery is in Sonoma. The Tasting Room is in Burbank! Unique concept. And best kept secret for wine and jazz buffs. We get to enjoy curated Sonoma wines – paired with fine cuisine and sophisticated entertainment – just by driving down San Fernando Road! “A small entrance. But …
Sparkling snow says holiday magic, but add in elves, treats, ice skating, a forest of lights and more and you have a winter wonderland getaway at Skyforest’s SkyPark at Santa’s Village. Since the park’s opening in 1955, the holidays have always marked a special time for SkyPark at Santa’s Village, which serves as Santa’s year-round …
Maybe this is the year to discover some new enchanted traditions—from feasting on thousands of twinkling lights and ocean-view ice skating to relishing the aroma of freshly baked gingerbread. Winter Wonderland in Riverside The Festival of Lights in downtown Riverside began in 1993 as a celebration of the Mission Inn’s grand $55-million restoration and soon …
Story & Photos by Barbara Beckley On Sunday, December 4, 2022, Coachella Valley hometown hero, UFC Hall-of-Famer Cub Swanson, flipped the switch! And, wow! The towering Palm Springs Aerial Tramway Holiday Tree came to life, illuminating the night sky with glorious color and cheer. A beloved tradition since 1976, the Tramway’s Tree Lighting Ceremony marks …
Story and photos by Barbara Beckley We’ve been celebrating Palm Springs’ incredible architecture for 18 years now. Like the buildings that continue to look futuristic –even though they’re long standing: the Kaufmann House built in1946; the Edris House, 1954; the House of Tomorrow, 1960, to name a few – Modernism Week is forever ahead of …
Twice voted among the top five favorite holiday resorts by USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, Tenaya at Yosemite is approaching the 2022 holiday season with glee — bringing back its pre-pandemic lineup of fun, plus a few new traditions to ensure the season is merry and bright. From 75 beautiful, forested acres blanketed with …
Fall is a special time to visit San Diego, a perfect few months to escape crowds and discover new reasons to love the SoCal city from Halloween attractions to family-friendly events and new restaurants. Monstrous Halloween Fun For the first time, The Count’s Halloween Spooktacular is coming to Sesame Place San Diego this year on …
The locals don’t like sharing, but we give you permission to uncover some hidden experiences in SoCal’s Orange County. This bucket list has something for everyone from cruising scenic harbors, hiking to breath-taking vistas and getting sworn in as a pirate to discovering hidden restaurants and splashing around one of the longest water park’s lazy …
As the leaves turn gold and a brisk chill returns to the to the alpine forest of the San Bernardino Mountains, it can mean just one thing: the return of Pumpkins in the Pines! In fact, colorful leaves, apple cider, cozy sweaters and Pumpkins in the Pines just belong together. To get in the fall …