California news, stories & travel reviews
We all know that real California is about the cheese – you know, those happy cows and all. But do you know how all that cheese is made? At Hilmar Cheese Company, the largest single-site …
Welcome to the feeling of camping in the 1970s: Advance registration for single sites is not available at Jalama Beach Park, located west of Lompoc in Santa Barbara County. From Highway 1, the 14-mile Jalama …
The Pantages Theatre, located on 6233 Hollywood Blvd (near Vine just off the 101), is a Hollywood landmark with more than its share of entertainment history. It’s played host to Vaudeville acts in the 1930s, …
It’s hard to imagine an agricultural town like Salinas being home to well-known movie and television stars. But celebrities from George of the Jungle, Mighty Joe Young, and even the model for The Lion King …
Hollywood, as you know, is about 2 hours away from San Diego, approximately 125 miles north. The Hollywood Walk of Fame, embedded in the sidewalk along both sides of Hollywood Boulevard from Gower Street to …
A state of tranquility envelops me as I wander through Jim Needham’s Gravity Garden, located a stone’s throw (so to speak) from the Carmel coastline, three miles south of Carmel where Highway 1 meets Fern …
If you want to step back in time and experience the life of an 1849 gold prospector, plan a trip to Gold Prospecting Adventures, 18170 Main Street, Jamestown. The experience will transport you into Gold …
Venice, the famous funky beach town, bares its colorful, eclectic soul for all to see. Stroll along the pedestrian path or take the designated skate/bike paths along the oceanfront to experience Venice’s street performers, artists, …
Some say that Art Beal was an eccentric. Others call his work folk art. However you see it, California State Historical Landmark #939, known as Nitt Witt Ridge, is a one-of-a-kind creation. Making use of …
When I first saw Bubblegum Alley in San Luis Obispo, I instantly recognized how it got its name. I wasn’t sure whether to be grossed out by the sight of so much used chewing gum …
When planning dinner at Wool Growers Restaurant, 609 H Street in Los Banos, it’s a good idea to skip lunch. Bring a hearty appetite and pace yourself – they serve a lot of food. Being …
The next time you want to invite two dozen friends over for breakfast, you can feed them all with one scrambled egg – if you’re cooking an ostrich egg, that is. Weighing 3-4 pounds, an …
It was a great pleasure for me to visit the Cannery Row district in Monterey, California. Cannery Row is lined with old-time sardine fisheries, where the fish were caught in mass quantities and canned or …
Lake Arrowhead, two and a half hours northeast of San Diego, is situated in the San Bernardino Mountains’ Angeles National Forest. The community of Lake Arrowhead and surrounding areas offer welcome respite from the summer …
Love nature, but crave creature comforts? Try Roughley Manor, a bed and breakfast in Twentynine Palms, California, just minutes from the northeastern entrance to Joshua Tree National Park. It’s a perfect staging area for day …