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 …
This week, Big Bear received over 10 inches of fresh snow, which has prompted the most celebrated figure of the holiday season to visit Big Bear Snow Play to test out the product first hand. Santa Claus will take a break from his busy schedule to go snow tubing at Big Bear Snow Play this …
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 …
Story and photos by Barbara Beckley Carmel-by-the-Sea is charming anytime. But even more so in October, when, since 2008, the picturesque hamlet welcomes more than 500 carefully, and often whimsically, coifed poodles – parading down the streets, posing for pics, frolicking on Carmel Beach, and sipping water “cocktails” at private parties while their people enjoy …
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 …
Autumn in Boise marks a canopy of fall foliage and harvest season, including wine grapes, apples, pumpkins and so much more. It’s hard to be bored with a never-ending roster of festivals and events, wine trails and scenic hikes. Follow the locals to this fall’s hottest happenings: Hike or Bike the Foliage From mid-October on, …
SoCal’s Oceanside may be straddling more than three miles of northern San Diego’s summer-perfect coastline, but you have to admit that it is the less glitzy counterpart to nearby beach-going communities—a casual, grittier throwback to California’s authentic beach spirit. Oceanside continues to hit its stride as SoCal’s coolest, under-the-radar beach town with a host of …