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 …
See Windmills (Really) Close Up Not long after the dinosaurs “welcome” you to the Coachella Valley along Interstate 10, another landmark signals your arrival in Greater Palm Springs. You are soon greeted by the more than 2,000 towering “ambassadors” that make up the wind-powered energy farms of the region. Even if you’ve never been to …
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 …
The city that settled between the Sacramento and American rivers. was founded in 1849, and the historical reminders of Sacramento are everywhere, from Sutter’s Fort to Old Sacramento. The city is well known as California’s state capitol, but did you know that it is also the “Tree Capital of the World?” Fall in the Capitol …
As the scorching heat of summer turns Death Valley nights to cool and starry and days to perfection, it’s a perfect time to uncover the Secrets of Death Valley, and, as winter turns to spring, the hope of wildflowers adds to the discoveries at every turn. Design your own fascinating nature exploration filled with history, …
It’s that time of the year in Sonoma when harvest season is about done and the number of visitors filling tasting rooms has become more intimate. Locals call this relaxing period the “secret season” because they know it is the perfect time to enjoy everything Sonoma Valley has to offer without the crowds—from idyllic weather …
A favorite destination for those looking for a truly magical yuletide getaway, Innsbruck offers one-of-a-kind shopping experiences in these six enchanting Christmas markets. This year, a new LIGHTSHOW MAX 500 invites visitors to embark on a sparkling journey through time, celebrating the 500th anniversary of the death of Emperor Maximilian I. The audio-visual 3D light …
Who says you can’t combine luxury with adventure? Or perhaps your idea of luxury is taking a vacation while your holiday shopping is being done for you. And, we all want to take a flight without all the hassle of navigating security and walking down long corridors to your terminal. It’s time for your next …
CandyStore.com’s “Most Popular Halloween Candy by State Interactive Map” is a result of an 11- year (2007-2017) study of exclusive sales data to determine the #1 best-selling Halloween candy in each state, as well as the runners up, in pounds of candy sold. The candy experts also offer some interesting facts surrounding this candy-centric holiday: …
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 …
You can “mine” your autumnal treasure in these former gold mining destinations, brimming over in mountain-high natural beauty and recreation. Just remember to pack a warm jacket and don’t forget your camera! Lake Arrowhead Gold You may not know that Southern California’s largest gold mining boom was located close by in Holcomb Valley, about an …