In the 90s and early 00s, despite its impressively tall high-rise skyline, downtown Los Angeles was generally NOT somewhere you would go by choice. Maybe once in awhile for a museum or a convention. Or …
January 15, 2017
Weekend Getaways
Downtown L.A.: trashy to trendy
To Baja and back again
After what appeared to be a never-ending campaign of presidential media blitzes, president-elect Donald Trump won the race. Lost the popular — but who’s counting? And now, a storm is coming, but the conditions are …
December 29, 2016
Dog days in Havasu Canyon
Adjoining the Grand Canyon on the south side of the Colorado River is a tributary canyon called Havasu, which, in the language of the Havasupai people who live there, means “blue-green water.” Havasu Canyon is …
November 20, 2016
Western ghosts in the Alabama Hills
When thinking of the Owens Valley along Highway 395 in Central California, you might consider it a gas-station stop on your drive to ski Mammoth Mountain, or maybe a great fishing area with numerous lakes …
August 14, 2016
Hermosa and Manhattan: L.A.'s last real beach towns?
Off the radar for most visitors to Los Angeles County is the South Bay area — since for beaches, people generally seek out the well-known spots of Malibu, Santa Monica and Venice. However, just below …
August 8, 2016
Backyard escape: the Cabrillo Monument & Tide Pools
San Diego is such a beautiful part of the country. One might even go as far as to say the most beautiful part — there's so much to see and explore, even in our own …
June 26, 2016
Best bets for your Joshua Tree weekend
As a recent transplant to Southern California, I've been anxious and excited to get out and explore what this part of the country has to offer. Joshua Tree has been at the top of my …
May 23, 2016
Youth and 20/20 vision in Indian Wells
A chance meeting in the desert provided answers on the requirements for becoming an official at a major professional tennis tournament, like the one at Indian Wells. Just a 2.5-hour drive from San Diego, the …
March 22, 2016
One night, one bag, one bike: Gaslamp to Sweetwater camping
At the turn of the New Year, I declared 2016 the year of "doing." Of approaching life with a no-holds-barred attitude. Instead of just talking about great adventures, I’d be the one out there breathing …
March 6, 2016
America's largest park: Death Valley
A visit to Death Valley can be a wonderful opportunity to clear your mind of some of the mental clutter we accrue in our daily routines and enjoy a digital detox while soaking in some …
March 1, 2016
Pit stop in Tehachapi
If you're like me, you dread driving through any part of Los Angeles when heading north by road. Having driven different routes at varying times on several days of the week, I’ve found it will …
February 21, 2016
The Presidio: Old Town national landmark
Set above Old Town, San Diego’s forty-acre Presidio Park is a National Historic Landmark preserving the first permanent European settlement on the West Coast and the site from which exploratory missions embarked into California's interior. …
February 7, 2016
Surf meets street eats: Oceanside's Sunset Market
Every Thursday night for the last eight years, starting at 5 p.m., Oceanside’s Sunset Market kicks off. Consuming four blocks down near the pier, this market’s more than your standard farmer’s fair. With live music …
January 4, 2016
K-38's Calypso brings the funk
It’s Friday night at Baja Calypso and there’s a calm but buzzing energy in the restaurant, and a soft glow from the Moroccan lanterns hanging from the ceiling and candles perched in tabletop wine bottles. …
December 21, 2015
The Queen Mary's Sir Winston's smoking deck
There is no smoking on the Queen Mary. Signs are posted everywhere stating just that. So, when we arrived at the topmost deck to dine at the luxurious Sir Winston's Restaurant and Lounge, I noted …
November 30, 2015