A Day in San Juan Capistrano
Each March hundreds of thousands of swallows fly into San Juan Capistrano to relax in mud nests and enjoy the warm coastal climate. I don’t visit the city as often, but when I do it’s always a fun and rewarding experience. Some friends and I began a recent getaway to the town at Mission San [...]
Searching for Gray Whales in Oxnard
It’s that time of the year again; time to gather the pod and head south from the cold waters of Alaska to the warm lagoons of Mexico for better food and spawning. This is of course, if you are a California Gray Whale. But since I’m not, I’ll just stick to watching the migration from [...]
KOOZA Comes to Irvine
Cirque du Solei is a cornucopia of sights and sounds, where gymnastics, contemporary dance, drama theater, circus performers and live music all meet beneath a giant traveling Grand Chapiteau (big top). It is a place where a sports fan and a ballet aficionado can take granny and the kids, and all can a have a [...]
Griffith Park, A Little Something for Everyone
“It must be made a place of recreation and rest for the masses, a resort for the rank and file, for the plain people. I consider it may obligation to make Los Angeles, a happier, cleaner and finer city. I wish to pay my debt of duty in this way to the community in which [...]
Exploring a Rugged Interior with Gray Lines of Alaska: Part 1
I’ve taken a few cruises along the coast of Alaska and all were amazing. The endless, rugged beauty that passes by the windows and decks of the cruise ship is unforgettable. And the shore excursions into port cities are exciting. But on my last journey to Alaska I wanted to see things from a different [...]
Big Bear Lake is Fabulous in Fall
Everybody knows that Big Bear Lake is a wonderland in winter, perfect for skiing, snowboarding, memorable Alpine vistas and more. But as I recently learned, the mountain resort is equally fantastic in fall, when leaves change colors, fish are biting, mountains trails beckon, and beer flows from large Oktoberfest mugs. I began a recent fall [...]
Pumpkins, Trains and Ghostly Getaways
October is here and that means it’s time for pumpkins and Halloween and the Pumpkinliner train in Fillmore and a host of scary transformations at local theme parks. Located in Fillmore, about 60 miles northwest or Pasadena, the Pumpkinliner takes visitors to a private pumpkin patch called Ichabog in Santa Paula. The exciting getaway begins [...]
Apples, Festivals, Hayrides and More in Oak Glen
Located in the San Bernardino Mountains, next to Yucaipa, Oak Glen is the apple capital of Southern California. The area has been growing the fruit and other crops for more than 150 years.
And not only is the place great for fresh fruit and family fun, but it also makes a great escape from the valley heat. Because it sits 5,400-ft above sea level, the town is usually about 15 degrees cooler than the cities below.
The Ultimate Staycation: Free Museums!
One complaint many people have about visiting local museums is the cost. Almost all local museums have at least one free day a month. It merely takes a little research to find those days. Sure, you can check their web sites or call the museums, but that research takes time. And who out there has any of that to spare?