Glass Beach near Fort Bragg, in northern California, is a literal example of the power of nature to transform trash into treasure. In the late afternoon sun with the waves gently lapping on shore, I …
April 3, 2017
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Stories by Jan Austin
Fort Bragg's Glass Beach
Dog Sledding in Alaska
If the lure of adventure is calling you northward, you won’t find a more unique experience than dog sledding in our 49th state. Dog sledding (or mushing) affords you thrills, challenges and opportunities to view …
Escape to Puerto Rico
When I think of Puerto Rico, I remember pulsing Latin and reggae music, sunsets that look poured from an artist’s palette, inviting stretches of beaches and colorful towns bustling with shops, art and tantalizing eateries. …
January 19, 2010
Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
As winter’s chilly arms embrace us, my thoughts drift back to sun-drenched days on Grand Cayman’s pristine beaches. Relaxing with a strawberry daiquiri in one hand and an engaging novel in the other, my days …
North Pole, Alaska
I love the street names in North Pole: Snowman Lane, Kris Kringle, Mistletoe, Blitzen, Donner, Saint Nicholas Drive, North Star Drive. Residents say that this is where “the spirit of Christmas lives year round” and …
Japanese Tea Gardens, San Francisco
An oasis of serenity exists in the midst of bustling San Francisco. A feeling of peace will envelop you as you stroll through the Japanese Tea Gardens in Golden Gate Park. Meandering along quiet paths …
December 2, 2009
Mendocino, California
If you’re feeling stressed and want to step back to a time when life was simpler and more tranquil, a trip to the small coastal town of Mendocino might be just what you need. Trying …
November 30, 2009
Bloodless Bullfights in Gustine, California
Gustine, in California’s San Joaquin Valley, can transport you to Old World Portugal. Matadors, cavaleiros and forcados donned in colorful old-fashioned garb along with the fiesta atmosphere preserve the culture of this distant land. Keeping …
November 20, 2009
Haleakala Crater in Haleakala National Park, Maui
I’m not much of a morning person, so if I’m going to get up at 3:00 am and trek up a 10,023-foot dormant volcano to watch a sunrise, it better be worth it. Watching the …
November 16, 2009
Salt Lake City's Temple Square
What I found most fascinating about Salt Lake City’s Temple Square was the tour of the Tabernacle and the performance by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The choir’s Sunday morning broadcasts and Thursday evening rehearsals are …
Mayan Ruins in Tulum, Mexico
Walking among the Mayan ruins in Tulum, Mexico, gave me a deep feeling of connection with the ancient people who built this city. Architectural history and the stunning beauty of the Caribbean join hands at …
October 28, 2009
Forestiere Underground Gardens, Fresno
If I’d been living in Fresno in the early 1900s, I’d have visited Baldasare Forestiere often, especially in August. To beat the scorching heat, this Sicilan immigrant spent nearly forty years creating an underground dwelling. …
September 22, 2009
The Garden Song in Elkhorn, California
Visiting the Garden Song in Elkhorn, California, halfway between Monterey and Santa Cruz, is like meandering through a five-acre hidden treasure. Dahlias in every imaginable color burst forth like the grand finale of a Fourth …
September 3, 2009
Central Texan BBQ, Castroville, California
I’ve heard Central Texan BBQ restaurant, 10500 Merritt Street, Castroville, referred to as a “vegetarian’s nightmare.” If you do have any carnivorous tendencies, they serve the best smoked turkey and brisket I’ve ever had. Meats …
August 28, 2009
Mission San Juan Bautista, California
Strolling through the historic town of San Juan Bautista, nestled at the foot of the Gabilan Mountains, I feel like I’m walking through the pages of a history book. Adobe structures dating to the 1700s …
August 27, 2009
The Butterfly House, Pacific Grove
The first time I wandered past 309 9th Street in Pacific Grove, I felt like a child who had stumbled onto a magical enchanted wonderland in an otherwise typical residential neighborhood. A kaleidoscope of vivid …
August 25, 2009
Santa Cruz Surfing Museum
Even if you can’t surf, you can catch a wave at the Santa Cruz Surfing Museum, 701 West Cliff Drive, Santa Cruz, 467 miles north of San Diego. The museum overlooks famed surfing hotspot Steamer …
August 22, 2009
Gondola Servizio, Oakland
I’ve dreamed of cruising on a romantic Venetian gondola and being serenaded with Italian love songs. I didn’t have to travel any further than Lake Merritt in Oakland. The proprietors of Gondola Servizio, 568 Bellevue …
August 22, 2009
The Museum of Medical History
After visiting the Museum of Medical History, you’ll be glad you live in this century. A window to our healthcare past, these unique displays show the evolution of medical equipment and practices. Surgeries were often …
August 20, 2009
Hilmar Cheese, California
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 …
August 20, 2009
Where the Wild Things Are: Salinas
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 …
August 18, 2009
Gravity Garden, Carmel Highlands
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 …
August 18, 2009
Gold Panning in Jamestown, CA
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 …
August 16, 2009
Nitt Witt Ridge, Cambria
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 …
August 16, 2009
Bubblegum Alley, San Luis Obispo
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 …
August 11, 2009
Wool Growers Restaurant, Los Banos, CA
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 …
August 10, 2009
OstrichLand USA
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 …
August 10, 2009