With sprawling grounds and so many venues to explore, some of the park’s most interesting features go largely unnoticed by visitors. Look a little harder and enjoy these 7 unique experiences on your next visit to Balboa Park. A Free Rembrandt: You can’t really take home an original Rembrandt for free, but it …
Corral the Romance of the Old West in Scottsdale
Scottsdale, founded as a farming town in the late 1800s, was coined the “The West’s Most Western Town” in the 1950s. Today, the city is a sprawling mecca of luxury with shopping, fine dining, resorts and myriad golf course communities which might make it seem fairly removed from its Old West moniker. However, if you …
Time for a SoCal ‘Dogcation’
A four-star luxury resort pampers guests with chef-created room service menus, plush 300-thread count sheets, soothing massages and—chew toys? A recent statistic reveals that more than 30 million Americans travel with their pets. Judging by the number of creative pet perks being offered by the luxury resort industry, a high number of these pet-toting travelers …
California’s Top Fairytale Castles
As Valentine’s Day approaches, romance takes center stage. For some people, romance comes in the form of candy and roses. But just ask any “princess” what really defines romance and her answer would be a hilltop castle to share with her Prince Charming. Even though we tend to associate fairytale castles with medieval Europe, California …
Cruises Re-Open to the Channel Islands
Island Packers, the authorized boat transportation to the Channel Islands, is back in business to take you on your own “Galapagos”-style adventure just a few hours from Los Angeles, following the 101. A dozen miles off Southern California’s Pacific coastline near Ventura is a sparkling ribbon of rocks that seem to float on the horizon. …
Check off your “Bucket List”: Whale Watching
Travel surveys reveal that Whale Watching is consistently listed in the Top Ten Travel Bucket List. People arrive from all over the world for this uniquely West Coast phenomenon that can only be experienced a few months of the year—late winter through spring. Choose from a long list of whale watching experiences—from guaranteed whale sightings …
Discover Treasure in Santa Fe
When Forrest Fenn hid a treasure chest filled with a million dollars’ worth of gold nuggets and precious jewels, he knew exactly what he was doing. In the last several years since the chest was hidden and the first clues emerged, thousands of people have searched high and low amid the beauty of Santa Fe, …
Watch the Sun Rise on SoCal’s Serene Coast
Steep, rocky cliffs that rise then fall to meet with the foamy surf give the 26-square-mile Palos Verdes Peninsula a wild NorCal coastal vibe. This unique enclave, once home to what many consider Southern California’s first theme park, is nestled on a secluded and exclusive part of the state’s enviable coastline. The fact that it …
Hop on Mesa’s Foodie Trail
Long before there was a Food Network, there was a “food network” in almost any area of the country you can imagine—even in largely urban areas that aren’t lined with lush groves and farmer’s fields. South Carolina has a “Sweet Tea Trail,” Oregon has its “Cheese Trail” and New Mexico has its “Green Chile Cheeseburger …
Find More than Poppies in Lancaster
It seems there’s lots more sprouting in the high-desert city of Lancaster than its signature orange poppies. Nestled in the Antelope Valley known for its aviation history, Lancaster is making its own history these days as a progressive California city that also offers a weekend getaway full of surprises. Poised on the edge of the …
Discover Intrigue in ‘Secret’ San Diego
Some secrets are just worth spilling—especially when they are tied up in adventure, fun and anything but the expected. If you think you know everything about San Diego and area, consider this an opportunity to add a few more favorites to your favorite region. For those who seek intrigue, pleasant surprises, let’s-not-tell finds and off-the-beaten-path …
3 ‘New’ Reasons to Visit the Mojave Now
1. Tour Mitchell Caverns California’s equivalent to the Carlsbad Caverns has been closed to the public for nearly seven years. In November, the Mitchell Caverns re-opened for public tours. As the only limestone caves in the California State Park system (and only one of two you can enter), the natural attraction offers fascinating stalactite and …