The resurgence of urban life is prolific throughout America. Once dilapidated city buildings are being reconfigured, painted, polished and shined, resulting in uber-chic districts. Streets splayed from the heart of downtown unravel into cultural treasure-troves of trendy restaurants, exotic hotels, and unceasing activities. Los Angeles is no exception. Within a three-mile radius of Union Station,
Death Valley, California. The name is foreboding, with visions of bovine skeletons and snakes slithering between the chaparral. I am here to tell you it’s nothing like that. My neighbor, Lynn, and I decided to take a few days and check out this 3.3-million-acre national park. Sand dunes, sculpted rocks, isolated valleys, snow-covered peaks and
Nestled between Huntington Beach and Seal Beach in Orange County lies Sunset Beach — a one-mile stretch of sand that epitomizes the California dreamin’ lifestyle of yesteryear. This small town — population 1,288 — has retained its charm by preserving its mom-and-pop restaurants, quaint B&Bs and locally hosted festivals. Read article here: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-kick-off-your-summer-at-laidback-sunset-beach-2006may20-story.html
There comes a time in everyone’s life when they must heed the clarion call to drop big bucks on something totally impractical. Such a time came for my husband and me a few weeks ago. We marshaled four buddies and flew to Napa Valley for lunch at the French Laundry Restaurant. Read article here: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-high-life-is-waiting-in-napa-valley-2006apr16-story.html
Maybe you weren’t able to attend the Oscars in Hollywood this month, but you can still get a chance to see stars-in-the-making — and directors and producers — closer than you think. Film festivals have gained popularity through the years, and their numbers have grown way beyond Sundance and Cannes. The excitement of seeing might-be
Two hours north of San Diego lies the “enchanting Charm of Old China in Los Angeles.” The founding fathers of the Asian community made this proclamation on June 25, 1938, upon the grand opening of the Central Plaza in the heart of L.A.’s Chinatown. The Chinese were first recorded to be in Los Angeles in
In a time when “newfangled” is everywhere, it’s nice to break away and spend a day steeped in history. Santa Anita Race Track is such a place. This 71-year-old icon offers a respite from the “keep up with the Joneses” modern world. The ubiquitous “faux this” and “nouveau that” don’t exist in this simple playground
In the hazy distance off the Ventura County coast lies an archipelago, a conga line of five islands that is the Channel Islands National Park and Marine Sanctuary. Born of volcanic eruptions millions of years ago, today the Channel Islands play host to abundant marine life such as Sheep Head fish, Red Sea Urchins and
Gone are the days of container ships and cranes littering the shoreline of Long Beach. The fifth largest city in California has cleaned up its act and is giving nearby tourist destinations a run for their money. With five miles of pristine beachfront and 300 miles of bike paths, this hot new area is open
In 1925, at the age of 65, breakfast cereal magnate Will Keith Kellogg purchased 377 acres in Pomona. Tired of the cold Michigan weather, Kellogg moved to Southern California to fulfill his lifelong dream of owning a winter home and Arabian horse ranch. Read article here: http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-kellogg-horse-ranch-holds-on-to-millionaires-dream-2005apr17-story.html