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 …
It’s Temecula Time! Southern California’s Wine Country — Always Fun! Always Fresh!
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 …
Time for a California Desert Road Trip
California’s vast desert region is a land of hidden oases and canyons, towering snow-capped mountains, and sweeping panoramas that conjure visions of early California and the Old West. Unlike anywhere else in the world, the California Deserts feel like one giant natural theme park—connected by scenic open roads and a network of character-rich lodging properties. …
Discover Cooler Temps and Cool Jazz in SoCal’s Idyllwild
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 …
Explore London Like James Bond
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 …
Live the ‘Lavender Lifestyle’ on California’s Central Coast
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 …
Largest Cavern in Texas Opens! Tour Natural Bridge Caverns’ Hidden Wonders
After years of careful development and millions of dollars invested in design, engineering, technology, construction and guest experience, Natural Bridge Caverns will open its latest and most ambitious tour: Hidden Wonders. Already the state’s largest and most visited commercial cave, this new multi-million-dollar tour experience features state-of-the-art lighting, a sound and light show and expansion …
The Cheech: a vibrant celebration of Chicano art in SoCal’s Riverside
Story & Photos by Barbara Kerr Most people probably know Cheech Marin from his work in the 1970s and 1980s as part of the comedy act Cheech & Chong and as Don Johnson’s partner on the tv series “Nash Bridges.” But Richard Anthony “Cheech” Marin is an American comedian, actor, musician, activist – and one …
Discover San Diego’s “The Sunny Side of Things” in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago
Just in time for spring getaways, the San Diego Tourism Authority has partnered with Tripadvisor in a first-of-its-kind immersive mural art campaign that captures the SoCal destination’s sunny optimism and positivity. Running now through April 30, “The Sunny Side of Things” mural art campaign will appear in three of the largest U.S. cities: New York, …
Discover Travel Books Exclusively for ADVENTUROUS YOU!
Travel season is here. Time to explore. To check off that bucket list and maybe unearth a few secrets from those who know best. The internet has put a dent in the travel book market, but not for those books that are filled with personal adventures, history and unknown treasures. Consider some of these books …
Japan’s Michinoku Coastal Trail: A Journey of Hope, Resilience and Regrowth
The Michinoku Coastal Trail is a remarkable achievement that stretches over 1,000 kilometers from Kaburajima in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture to Matsukawaura in Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture. The trail has been opened in stages and completed in 2019, offering visitors breathtaking views of the Pacific coast and connecting the lives and culture of the region’s …
Time to Celebrate, Wildflower Watchers!
A Super Bloom, such as the one that exploded “gold” over the slopes and in the canyons of Death Valley might be rare, however with the rain California has received this winter, there is a good chance you are apt to be rewarded with the dazzling displays of magenta, orange and bright yellow this spring. …