Although San Marcos’ history goes back to when the Spaniards settled in the fertile valley in 1797, the young city has only been incorporated for scarcely 50 years. Known more as a residential community, it is situated surprisingly close to all the action—just 35 miles from downtown San Diego in the northern part of the …
It is probably redundant to say the word “hidden” in describing the idyllic berg of Ojai. The town that is found on a winding road leading inland off the 101, on the outskirts of Ventura, CA is fairly well secreted in general. But, within the citrus-dripping artist community there are bountiful hidden finds awaiting the …
1. Paragliding With nearly 100 years of flying history, Torrey Pines Gliderport , located north of the village of La Jolla, is America’s most popular coastal soaring site. Adventure seekers can take a tandem paragliding or hang gliding flight with professional, experienced instructors and enjoy a ride that is both thrilling and relaxing, as you …
Dramatic change is not what Malibu is about. That is exactly why the stars dwell there, despite the fires and floods that go in tandem with the area’s abundance of wild natural beauty. Still, big changes or not, new things are happening and others just keep getting better with each visit. Here are ten ways …
You may not know the Alabama Hills by name, but when you see the distinctive rock formations of the heavily mined hills, you may very well recognize them from hundreds of movies, television shows and commercials—old west and more contemporary. Not far from Death Valley on Highway 395 is small town of Lone Pine, tempting …
A dozen miles off Southern California’s Pacific coastline near Ventura is a sparkling ribbon of rocks that seem to float on the horizon. The Channel Islands, named for the deep troughs that have isolated them from the mainland for thousands of years, are home to more than 2,000 species of animals and plants, 145 found …
Nearly anywhere you want to visit in the Florida Keys and Key West are back in business after Hurricane Irma struck this idyllic strip of islands known for its crystal blue waters, heavenly beaches and laid-back vibe. In fact, you might decide it’s better than ever. Although commercial air service resumed just 10 days after …
By Jan Maguire From ancient Mayan ruins to subterranean limestone caverns ripe for exploration, these are our top picks for sights and experiences in and around Tulum. 1. Discover Ancient Mayan Culture No trip to Tulum is complete without a visit to the Tulum Ruins, one of Mexico’s top archaeological sites. Perched on a …
You won’t have all of this beauty to yourself in spring with Yosemite attracting millions of visitors between April and August. This year, may even break some attendance records with the long-awaited re-opening of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, which officially opens on June 15. The Grove has been closed since July 2015 for …
Art, Fashion and Yappy Hour Just how often do annual celebrations, shopping and happy hours converge with your favorite four-footed friend? Hardly ever, so it’s time to celebrate in style in Costa Mesa—the home of shopping Mecca South Coast Plaza and one of the most dog-friendly hotels in the west, The Westin South Coast Plaza, …
1. Cabrillo National Monument Perched high on the tip of Point Loma peninsula, Cabrillo National Monument provides Instagrammers spectacular images of the downtown skyline, Coronado, San Diego Bay and its many scenic marinas. You can even spy Tijuana on a clear day! (Photo courtesy of Joanne DiBona, sandiego.org) 2. Chicano Park San Diego’s rich Hispanic …
FOR BEST ACTRESS, THE WINNER IS CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA & CARMEL VALLEY Joan Fontaine won the Best Actress Award for her role in Suspicion in 1941. Scenes for the movie were shot along the dramatic coastline between Carmel-by-the-Sea and Big Sur, standing in for the English coast. Carmel’s quaint architecture and shop-lined Ocean Avenue have also appeared …