Story & Photos by Barbara Beckley Wow! My view is amazing. From high on a bluff gazing across the vast Pacific Ocean – and entirety of beautiful San Luis Obispo Bay, curving along California’s Central Coast, with rocky coves, sandy beaches and magical coastal towns of Pismo Beach, Avila Beach, and tiny Port San …
Story & Photos by Barbara Beckley No, really. WHO? KNEW? A hip, cozy find. With just the right amount of quirky chic – in the middle of, like, nowhere. And once you experience it. You want to return again and again! “There it is!” The mid-century neon sign had a cheery look. Welcoming me to …
By Kathy Strong California’s equivalent to the Carlsbad Caverns was closed to the public for several years. The Mitchell Caverns have re-opened for public tours in certain months. 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 stalagmite …
Monterey County on California’s Central Coast beckons visitors to find their own paths to adventure. With a breadth of different adventures and escapes, no matter the path – wellness, family, outdoor and epicurean – it all leads to the same place—an inspirational and memorable experience. The Wellness Path: Connect Within and Find Your Center Combining …
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 …
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 …
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. …
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 …
By Kathy Strong Those who know me aren’t surprised that I have a special affection for bed & breakfasts. I owned one of the first ones on California’s Central Coast and I authored the state’s first bed & breakfast guide book, Recommended Bed & Breakfasts: California. Part of my adoration of this sector of hospitality …
No one can argue the fact that al fresco fun and San Diego go together in the summer. From open-air movie and music venues to an array of outdoor dining options and recreational offerings, there is no shortage of ways to revel in the sunshine while safely enjoying all that SoCal’s San Diego has to …
Dramatic, rocky cliffs that rise steeply above the swirling surf below welcome you to Mendocino County on California’s northern coast. Starkly beautiful, the coastal and inland area are filled with charming villages and unequalled natural landmarks—from the stately redwoods and trails lined with pygmy cypress to rolling hills draped in vineyards. This low-key paradise awaits …