San Diego has Little Italy. Los Angeles has “Little Mexico,” Olvera Street, located in El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument on the site of L.A.’s original birthplace. Colorful celebrations and fiestas happen here year-round. …
August 21, 2009
Southern California
Olvera Street, El Pueblo De Los Angeles Historical Monument
Hollywood Boulevard
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 …
August 18, 2009
Eclectic Venice, California
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, …
August 16, 2009
Lake Arrowhead, California
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 …
August 3, 2009
Joshua Tree National Park, A B&B Experience
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 …
August 3, 2009
The Parent Washington Navel Orange Tree in Riverside
Those interested in seeing the tree that many believe is responsible for launching California’s successful citrus industry should take a trip to the Inland Empire. In Riverside, standing on the corner of the intersection between …
July 25, 2009
Dinosaurs in the Desert: Galleta Meadows, Borrego Springs
Ninety-one miles east of San Diego, Borrego Springs and Anza-Borrego Desert State Park are popular springtime destinations for wildflower lovers. But take a jaunt down Borrego Springs Road a couple of miles to Galleta Meadows, …
July 19, 2009
The Mission Inn, Riverside
The Mission Inn first opened in downtown Riverside in 1876 as a humble 12-room adobe boarding house. By the 1890s Riverside had become one of the richest cities in the United States from a booming …
July 16, 2009
Palm Springs
Visiting Palm Springs is like getting two vacations in one weekend. Enjoy a cool dip in the pool at Caliente Tropics Resort, a hip, mid-century-era Hawaiian-style motel complete with poolside cabanas and tikis, for about …
July 15, 2009
Temecula: SoCal's Wine Country
Going to Temecula for a Saturday of wine tasting has to be one of my favorite things to do. We usually plan our trip with our wine club membership pick-ups in mind. I'm a little …
July 4, 2009
Ringing in the New Year at... Wat Thai Temple?
While most people look for a place to ring in the New Year in loud inebriated celebration, not many would consider doing something out of the ordinary: structured chanting and reflection. For those willing to …
July 2, 2009
Crystal Cove, Newport Beach
Ever longed to step back in time? The Crystal Cove State Park Historic District, originally a seaside colony in the 1930s, offers a vintage getaway located on the ocean side of Pacific Coast Highway in …
June 30, 2009
Pacific Coast Highway, California: An Undertaking
The Maserati convertible was not quite ready for the road, I felt, in spite of my best efforts (having taken the carburetor off – twice – to rebuild, etc.). With no other options, I caught …
June 29, 2009
Rancho La Brea, Los Angeles
Things I’ve learned at Rancho La Brea: 1.) La Brea means “the tar” in Spanish, so if you say The La Brea Tar Pits, you’re really saying The The Tar Tar Pits 2.) The fossils …
June 16, 2009
Back in Time
The La Mesa library recently placed California Wine a Sunset Pictorial, published in 1973 and edited by the estimable Bob Thompson, in a cardboard box outside the building’s front door. A visual history of the …
April 9, 2008