Catalina is not just an island paradise; it’s a very close island paradise, which makes it a perfect day or weekend getaway for Southern California residents. In fact, at only 22 nautical miles across the sea from Long Beach, the island can be reached by boat in one hour. With this in mind, the family and I recently escaped to the island for a memorable getaway.

Our journey began in downtown Long Beach at Catalina Express where we boarded one of the company’s sleek, catamaran-styled vessels for a one-hour trek across the Catalina Channel.

Featuring comfortable indoor and outdoor seating, lots of big windows and a full bar and snack shop, the boat makes for a fun trip. Highlights of the crossing included incredible views of the legendary Queen Mary; the giant, white geodesic cruise ship dome (former home to the Howard Hughes “Spruce Goose”); the beautiful Long Beach cityscape and a few playful dolphins following the boat.

For our crossing we upgraded our seats to the Commodore Lounge, where passengers enjoy priority boarding and check-in privileges, roomier and more intimate seating areas, and a complimentary beverage and snack.

When we reached the island, the captain anchored in the harbor at Avalon. Here we were greeted by schools of bright orange Garibaldi – the California state fish, along with a bustling little town, full of colorful boats and yachts, boutique hotels and shops, and scores of vacationers.

We then strolled a few minutes to the Avalon Hotel where we would spend the next three days and two nights.

Located on a hill, in the heart of Catalina Island, The Avalon Hotel overlooks the island coast in all its splendor. The property offers 15 luxurious, boutique rooms. Some are uniquely configured with an assortment of balconies offering sweeping views of Avalon and the harbor. All rooms include comfortable beds, premium linens, flat-screen TVs, a desk, microwave, refrigerator, and private bathrooms. Select rooms include a wet bar and an option of a Murphy bed.

We stayed in Room 101 and it was unforgettable. The first thing we saw when opening the door to this room was a gorgeous view of Avalon Harbor coming from a large window. The scene was so beautiful and colorful that it looked fake. But it was as real as the rest of this charming hotel.

The room also came with a huge, open balcony, with comfortable chairs and more impressive views. Other highlights included a Murphy bed, handmade natural soaps, fully lined bathrobes for guests to use, and a stately bathroom with tub and shower, upscale amenities, and signature toiletries.

Our room was next to the lobby and the lush, peaceful courtyard. Adorned with plants and trees, a trickling fountain, and a koi fish pond, the courtyard is where complimentary breakfast is held each morning.

Once acquainted with the hotel, we walked a couple minutes for a delicious lunch at Bluewater Avalon. Located on big wooden piers, overlooking the water, the restaurant boasts a tantalizing menu, specializing in fresh seafood and tender meats.

Our lunch began with fresh baked bread and a tasty jumbo shrimp cocktail appetizer. I then enjoyed a delicious bowl of cioppino, with clams, shrimp, calamari, local fish and vegetables in a rich tomato broth. Next we shared a plate of light and crispy fish and chips, while the kids had chicken tenders and a hamburger.

After lunch we walked next door to tiny Avalon Beach, where we played in the water and made sand castles and watched people swim back and forth to their boats that are anchored in the harbor about 50 yards offshore. We then headed back to the Avalon Hotel and relaxed on the rooftop deck, admiring expansive views of the beach, hillside homes and hotels and the iconic Catalina Casino.

Probably the most famous structure on the island, the round-shaped Catalina Casino was built in 1929 as one of the first theater’s in the world to be designed specifically for the new “talkie” movies. The building features hand-painted murals, by John Gabriel Beckman, whose work also adorns Hollywood’s Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

The casino was also a popular spot during the Big Band era, when each week hundreds of people would sail to the island to see big bands with the likes of Benny Goodman, Stan Kenton, Woody Herman, Gene Autry and other greats play on one of the biggest wooden dance floors the world had yet seen.

The next morning we enjoyed a healthy and hearty complimentary breakfast in the serene courtyard at the Avalon Hotel. The breakfast included hard boiled eggs, toast and muffins, cereals, coffee and juices.

After breakfast we walked to Catalina Golf Cart Rentals for a fun and unforgettable, 90-minute golf cart ride around the island.

Beginning across the street from the beach, our journey took us up a steep hill, where we encountered spectacular views of the ocean and coastline. We then winded through the island’s beautiful and rugged interior, passing hidden homes and numerous tiny vans and cars. Because the island is so small, golf carts and tiny, imported cars are what locals use for transportation.

At one point in our journey we came to a dead end street at the base of a hill, where a group of deer came up to our cart to share our sunflower seeds. If you wanna see the island, a golf cart is one of the best and most fun ways to do it.

After touring the island we experienced lunch at Lobster Trap.

The restaurant is owned by commercial fisherman Caleb Lins, who searches the fertile waters off the Channel Islands in his 40-foot boat, looking for the freshest local fish and California spiny lobster to catch for his customers.

Our Lobster Trap lunch began with fresh Hawaiian poke, with tuna sashimi on a bed of salad. Next we shared a creamy bowl of clam chowder with lots of tasty clams and potatoes. We then sampled fish and chips and a delicious lobster sandwich, while the kids had a burger and chicken tenders.

After lunch we grabbed ice cream at Lloyd’s of Avalon, a Catalina tradition for more than 80 years that is famous for its saltwater taffy and one-time patron, Marilyn Monroe, who used to live on the island. We then spent the afternoon relaxing on the beach.

For dinner, we got sandwich stuff at the local market and enjoyed a lovely dinner on our balcony at the Avalon Hotel. As the sun went down, we watched boats bob in the harbor and waves crash on the shore.

We concluded our island visit with breakfast in the courtyard and then an exciting voyage back to the mainland aboard Catalina Express.

For more information on visiting Catalina Island visit the Catalina Express (or call 800-613-1212) and the Avalon Hotel (or call 310-510-7070).

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But then I started thinking. He has a good point. The tropical island-inspired Catamaran has everything a kid and his family loves. It offers a big, beautiful swimming pool, a sandy beach, spacious rooms and suites, bike rentals, a video arcade, an onsite restaurant, and lots of opportunities to make new friends. 

Our getaway to the Catamaran Resort began recently when we checked into a gorgeous Bayfront Suite overlooking San Diego’s stunning Mission Bay. Spanning 438 sq-ft, the room was highlighted by a large patio that is literally steps from the sandy beach. 

The suite also boasts a big private bedroom, with two queen beds and a large TV; a separate living area with another big TV, a pull-out sofa, a wet bar with a refrigerator, and a dining area. A large, spacious bathroom with a walk-in shower, completes the room’s layout. 

Beyond the suite, the rest of the property is just as impressive. Featuring 310 rooms, the sprawling Polynesian-themed resort is surrounded by palm trees, waterfalls, koi ponds, exotic birds and lush vegetation.

The hotel is located in San Diego’s Pacific Beach community and sits on the shores of Mission Bay, a large, artificial saltwater bay created for recreational activities such as wakeboarding, jet skiing, sailing, camping, cycling, jogging, roller skating, skateboarding, and sunbathing. 

One of my family’s favorite spots at the resort was Mission Bay’s sandy beach, located steps from our patio. Here the kids made sand castles and played in the water, while we relaxed in lawn chairs, soaking rays and admiring the coastline.

The beach was also where we rented a 21-ft Hurricane powerboat and cruised around the bay for a fun-filled hour. We got the boat from Action Sports Rentals (www.actionsportrentals.com/catamaran-resort-hotel-spa/), which has a booth on the dock in front of the Catamaran Resort. 

It was an epic voyage. After learning how to control the vessel and the proper speed for the bay, we cruised into the morning sun. Along the way, we waved to boaters and paddle boarders, sailed beneath an old bridge and past expensive condos and luxury hotels. The boat was easy to maneuver, had lots of seating and shade, and was a perfect family outing for the afternoon. 

After mooring the boat, we went to the resort’s large pool area, where my kids played in the water and made new friends. Secluded behind tall palm trees, the pool is a tropical oasis, with lots of seating, a Jacuzzi, and a bar. Each day, the pool area offers a free kids program for hotel guests. 

Next to the pool is also a video arcade, full of free games for kids and their parents. My son and I had a great time here, shooting basketballs, racing cars and playing foosball. 

From the pool, we walked along a lush, tropical path to Oceana Coastal Kitchen, the resort’s onsite signature restaurant. Boasting beachfront dining, with spectacular views of Mission Bay, Oceana serves creative, coastal California dishes with an eclectic flare. The restaurant, led by Executive Chef Paul Arias, won TripAdvisor’s 2023 Travelers’ Choice “Best of the Best” Restaurants for Everyday Eats, ranking 10^th best in the U.S. 

Our dinner at Oceana began with a delicious bowl of New England style clam chowder, with bacon, red bliss potato, thyme, cream, and steamed little neck clams on top and mixed in. I am a major chowder fan and this bowl had the perfect amount of creaminess, along with clam and potato ratio, making it one of the best I’ve had. 

The restaurant also specializes in sushi and when we sampled the Oceana House Roll, we fell in love. The rolls are exquisitely filled with eel, tempura shrimp, crab, nori, avocado and unagi sauce. This dish is a work of culinary art. 

We completed our dinner at Oceana with a succulent grilled prime hanger steak with smoked potato puree, watercress, cippolini and macadamia chimichurri; and  a tasty Hawaiian style pad thai with stir fried vegetables, tofu, pineapple, chili, macadamia nuts, cilantro and soy. 

After dinner we strolled along the beach and watched the sun fall into Mission Bay. 

The next morning we had potatoes and eggs, and a plate of Chilaquiles for breakfast at Oceana, and then rented a surrey bike from Action Sports Rentals. We then pedaled around the bay. Along the way we saw sailboarders fling over waves, and then stopped at a park for the kids to play. 

Back at the resort we watched a demonstration featuring the hotel’s exotic parrots,  

including vibrant macaws, beautiful cockatoos, and a lilac-crowned amazon. Some of the birds talk and can say things like “hi,” “hello” and “goodbye.” The parrots are available to view outside daily, between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. pacific time, depending on the weather.

We concluded the day at the resort’s Sunset Luau. Held on the shores of Mission Bay, the luaus are a festive celebration of Polynesian food, music, and dances perfect for family and friends. The party begins with a lei with real flowers and a delicious Mai Tai. This was followed by an all-you-can-eat buffet with Hawaiian-inspired rice and salads and various succulent meats, including pork, chicken and fish. 

Local luau group Pride of Polynesia provided authentic island music and dance, featuring hula and fiery torch dancers. Kids also got a chance to hula dance and participate in activities at the Kids Corner, where they made flowered leis, festive crafts, colored and played with stick-on tattoos.

Catamaran Resort and Spa is located at 3999 Mission Boulevard, San Diego Ca 92109. For more information and reservations call 858. 488-1081 or visit: www.catamaranresort.com

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Located at 5,174 feet above sea level in the San Bernardino Mountains, the 173-room Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa sits on the edge of one of California’s most beautiful bodies of water. The property resembles a modern alpine chalet and exudes an historic lake atmosphere. 

Our deluxe room at the resort was perfect for the family. We had two queen beds, an office desk with complimentary WiFi, a large screen TV, big bathroom with a tub and shower, mini-fridge and microwave, and lots of storage space for our clothes and supplies. 

The best thing about our room was the balcony overlooking the lake and private beach. From here we could see birds playing in the tall pine trees, boats bobbing in the water, and beautiful lake-front mansions lining the rocky shores. 

When not in our room, we were exploring the rest of the resort. One of our favorite spots was the grand lobby, which features timber walls, Native Serrano Indian art, and a large stone fireplace, crackling amidst cozy leather chairs and sofas. 

The lobby is a great place for families because every night it offers special programs for kids. During our visit, a real-life “elf,” dressed in green clothes and long striped socks, read books, told stories and played games with the little ones. My kids loved it! Besides elves and other characters reading books, the resort also shows kid-friendly movies nightly at 6pm and at 8pm. 

Another fun spot is the resort’s private beach where guests can relax on deck chairs, play in the water, barbecue on the sand, and admire the lake. In winter guests can also frolic in the snow. 

A five-minute walk from the resort is Lake Arrowhead Village, a charming little shopping area with numerous unique shops, a McDonalds and a Stater Brothers grocery store. A walking path surrounding the village lets you get close to the lake to see fish and feed ducks. I recommend bringing a piece of bread or a cracker for the ducks because there are lots of them and they are always hungry. 

While strolling around the village, we got a good view of how big and beautiful the lake is. Located in the San Bernardino Mountains on Little Bear Creek, Lake Arrowhead is an artificial lake with a surface area of approximately 780 acres, a shoreline covering 14 miles and a maximum depth of about 185 feet. It is surrounded by the unincorporated community of Lake Arrowhead in San Bernardino County, California.

The lake was formed by the construction of Lake Arrowhead Dam in 1922 by the Arrowhead Lake Company, as part of a plan to develop the area into a resort. The private lake is operated by the Arrowhead Lake Association, which maintains the lake for the recreational use of its members.

After touring the village we walked back to the resort for lunch at BIN189, the hotel’s award-winning gourmet restaurant, which serves creative “up-scale mountain cuisine,” accented with Mediterranean flavors. Led by Chef Krista Stone, the menus showcase locally sourced ingredients and expertly crafted dishes.

For lunch we enjoyed blackened shrimp tacos with avocado, garlic aïoli, marinated onions and jalapeños, on corn tortillas. We also experienced fish and chips, with pale ale battered halibut, fries, and lemon garlic tartar sauce; and a Bin 189 Burger with bacon jam, tomato aioli, and wisconsin cheddar on a brioche bun. 

After lunch we relaxed in the resort’s outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, which both overlook the lake. We then discovered the game room, where we played ping pong, air hockey and foosball. 

For dinner we were back at BIN189 for a delicious meal highlighted by boneless, braised short ribs with mashed potatoes; mushroom ravioli with fried basil; and seared miso salmon miso with honey garlic glaze, jasmine rice and asparagus. 

We concluded the day in the lobby with a live show called “Fun with Forest Friends,” that was led by a friendly elf, who read books and played games with all the kids staying at the resort.   

Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa Renovation is located at 27984 Highway 189, Lake Arrowhead, 92352. For more info, current specials and reservations call (909) 336-1511 or visit: www.lakearrowheadresort.com

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As the road winded through rolling hills and a ranch full of playful ostriches, we knew something special was awaiting. And when we past a pasture of grazing horses and entered a tiny village of windmills and half-timbered buildings with gabled roofs, our suspicions were confirmed: we were going to have a memorable time in Solvang. 

Our getaway to the small Danish-inspired town began at The Landsby Hotel, a contemporary boutique hotel, with 51 rooms, all finished with blonde woods, brushed brass accents, unique animal paintings, and elegant hand-crafted furnishings. Here we checked into a beautiful suite, overlooking a serene courtyard with trees, benches, firepits and walkways. 

Our room at The Landsby came with a comfy, four poster king bed, 47” inch flat-screen TV, mini bar, office desk and an elegant Scandinavian design feel. The room was highlighted by a unique painting of a fluffy alpaca, leather accents on the furniture and lots of windows looking over the courtyard. 

Once settled in our room, we explored town. Named by Sunset magazine as one of the “10 Most Beautiful Small Towns in the Western United States,” Solvang’s rich history dates back to 1911 when adventurous Danish-Americans traveled across the plains from Iowa to establish a colony and escape harsh Midwestern winters. Since then the city has retained its heritage with numerous Danish-styled structures with windmills and pitched roofs.

One of the great things about Solvang is that it is very walkable. From our room at The Landsby we explored all the sites by strolling up and down Mission Drive, the town’s main street. 

Our first stop was Ingeborg’s Danish Chocolate Factory, which was opened in 1961 by Ingeborg Larsen, who prior to moving to Solvang, ran her own chocolate shop in Copenhagen, Denmark. When she came to America, she brought with her many original recipes, some of which are now over 70 years old and still popular today.

At Ingeborg’s I felt like a kid in a candy store – an actual candy store! I was surrounded by swirls of pure chocolate, chocolate-covered marshmallows, nut & truffle creations, chocolate-covered fruit-filled marzipan, crunchy peppermint, orange sticks and award-winning butterscotch sea salt to name a few. The place also has an old fashioned malt shop. 

After sampling an assortment of hand-made chocolates, we boarded a horse-drawn carriage, pulled by two huge Belgian draft horses. As we clip-clopped through town, the driver/guide, who was dressed in traditional Danish garb, gave everyone on board a fun history lesson on Solvang. He also made an exciting U-turn on a small side street, which was quite a feat for a long carriage being pulled by massive horses.

During the ride we waved to tourists as we drove past a copy of the famous Little Mermaid statue from Copenhagen, as well as a large bust of Danish fable writer Hans Christian Andersen. We also past the Elverhoj Museum of History and Art, one of the few museums outside of Denmark devoted to Danish culture and the Danish-American experience. Another unique sight during our horse carriage tour was the eMoke car, a little, open-air, electric vehicle that looks like an old Jeep. Made for sight-seeing, these small cars are currently very popular in Solvang.

After the carriage ride, we headed back to The Landsby for dinner at the hotel’s signature Mad & Vin Restaurant. Specializing in delicious wine country-inspired cuisine, Mad & Vin serves fresh dishes with seasonal ingredients from California’s central coast. They also boast traditional and craft cocktails, specialty shrubs, beer, and acclaimed, locally produced wine.

Our dinner at Mad & Vin began with delicious shrimp ceviche, with citrus-cured wild red shrimp, avocado, onions, tomato, cilantro, and house-made hot sauce. We followed this with an incredible plate or golden-fried calamari with lemon, peppers, sweet onions and a succulent dipping sauce. 

For the main course at Mad & Vin we split a tender filet mignon, grilled to perfection and served with gorgonzola, bacon whipped potatoes, baby arugula, and a green peppercorn reduction. For dessert we devoured a tantalizing creme brulee and a heavenly flourless chocolate molten cake, with cherry port wine sauce, mcconnell’s vanilla bean ice cream, fresh berries, and whipped cream.

The next morning we drove a couple miles to Ostrichland USA to feed the world’s largest birds. Located along Highway 246, the 33-acre ranch is home to about 100 hundred giant ostriches and a few emus, all roaming freely behind fences. The friendly birds are raised onsite and love to be fed by visitors. For $1, guests can get a bowl full of bird food and walk up to the fence and feed the birds. But as I quickly learned, you must hold the bowls very tight or the ostriches will pull them from your hand with their powerful beaks. 

Ostrichland USA is so popular it’s been in numerous TV shows, including an episode of The Simpsons entitled, “How Munched is That Birdie in the Window?” For this episode, artists from The Simpsons visited the farm in 2010 to draw inspiration. 

Besides ostriches and emus, Ostrichland USA features a unique gift shop with t-shirts, ostrich socks, fresh ostrich eggs, and more. Admission is $7 for adults and $3 for kids under 12. 

Back at The Landsby Hotel, we had lunch at Mad & Vin and sipped local CARR Cabernet Franc red wine from Santa Ynez Valley. And speaking of wine, Solvang and The Landsby Hotel are located in the heart of beautiful Santa Ynez Valley, one of California’s most productive wine regions. From the hotel, guests can catch a shuttle to numerous award-winning wineries, located only a few miles away. 

For more information on staying at The Landsby Hotel and visiting Solvang, visit: www.thelandsby.com, or call 805-688-3121. 

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My getaway to Port Hueneme began when the family and I discovered the Holiday Inn Express Port Hueneme, the perfect hotel for exploring the city. Located a block from the beach, the hotel is modern, clean and efficient. The staff is super friendly and the rooms are spacious and feature a refrigerator, microwaves, HD TV’s, high-speed Internet access and comfortable beds.

The hotel also offers free gourmet breakfast to guests, a heated pool and Jacuzzi, a fitness center, and bike rentals. Besides being next to the beach, the property is across the street from lots of food options, a few blocks from the new U.S. Seabee Museum, and three miles from the Ventura County Maritime Museum in Oxnard.

Once acquainted with the room, we walked five minutes to Hueneme Beach Park, a 50-acre park on the water, with soft white sand, picnic tables, barbecue pits, volleyball courts, and a long, beautiful walking/biking path following the sand. The park also features a great seafood joint, Port Hueneme Lighthouse, and the city’s historic pier.

Port Hueneme Pier was originally constructed in 1956, when it was 650 ft-long. Today, after a few renovations, the wooden plank pier is 1,250 feet long and is a great spot for fishing, strolling, viewing large container ships coming in and out of the port, and watching the sunset behind the nearby Channel Islands.

After visiting the pier we walked down the long, paved beach path towards the port and lighthouse. The path is partially protected by a large wall of rocks to keep high tides at bay. It is great for walking, jogging and running, and takes visitors past the pier, scores of wild cats, and ends next to the lighthouse and port.

Port Hueneme, where the city gets its name, is the only deep water port between Los Angeles and San Francisco. The port is a leading importer / exporter for autos and fresh produce, such as pineapples, bananas, onions, strawberries, flowers and more. The port brings in an estimated $2.8 billion in economic activity while creating nearly 25,000 trade-related jobs.

Next to the port is Port Hueneme Lighthouse, which is owned by the U.S. Coast Guard and was constructed in 1941. The Art Deco styled lighthouse is currently closed, but will soon be open for public tours. On the long rock jetty next to the lighthouse we encountered fishermen, more incredible views of the Channel Islands, and a group of cute, wild cats that live among the rocks and abandoned port buildings.

Near the lighthouse is the Alaska Air Flight 261 Memorial Sundial. The Memorial features a 36-foot diameter concrete plaza with a curving sand wall and seating area and a raised sundial in the center. It commemorates the 88 passengers and crew who lost their lives aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 261 near Anacapa Island on January 31, 2000.

Back at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel, we had the entire heated pool and Jacuzzi to ourselves. For dinner we walked across the street to Pizza Man Dan’s for tasty pizza and chicken wings.

The next morning we enjoyed a great complimentary breakfast buffet at the hotel. Sitting next to a big window looking over the pool, we devoured biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, bacon, fresh pastry, coffee, a variety of cereals and fresh juices.

After breakfast I met hotel manager Ruben Franco who suggested we rent a surrey bike to explore the beach area. He also gave us a loaf of bread to feed the local ducks.

The first highlight of our ride was rolling over the railroad tracks made famous in the movie Back to the Future III. The tracks, which aren’t used much anymore, were the sight of a charging locomotive crashing into Michael J Fox’s time-traveling Delorean car. From here we pedaled the four-seat Surrey bike along the beach and onto the old wooden pier, where we saw a few fishermen and got an incredible view of the Channel Islands about 20 miles offshore.

Our next stop was Bubbling Springs Park, a 21-acre community park, with lots of grass, walking paths and canals. The park surrounds a natural, unlined stormwater channel draining to the ocean. There are a variety of animals living around Bubbling Springs, including beautiful bird species, fish, frogs, turtles, crayfish, squirrels, raccoons, lizards and Canadian geese. There were also lots of hungry, quacking ducks that instantly surrounded us as soon as we showed them our bread. The animals came right up to us for a bite and the kids loved it.

From the park, we pedaled back to the beach for lunch at Seaside Seafood, a popular local spot, set right on the sand! Our meal was highlighted by the best fish and chips I’ve had in a long time. They came with Alaskan Pollock, coleslaw and fries. We also enjoyed thick and tasty clam chowder, seared ahi tuna, oysters on the half shell with pico de gallo and ponzu sauce.

Back at the Holiday Inn we returned to the pool and Jacuzzi, where we watched the sunset behind the Channel Islands.

Port Hueneme is also home to beach and banana festivals. The Hueneme Beach Festival, held each August, is a two-day event with live music, rides, games, attractions, food and exhibits. The Banana Festival is an annual event with tours of the port, food, and entertainment. Attendees spend the day celebrating the over 3.3 billion bananas that come through the Port of Hueneme each year.

The Holiday Inn Express Port Hueneme is located at 350 E Port Hueneme Rd, Port Hueneme, CA 93041. For more information on staying at the hotel, call 805-9865353 or visit: www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/port-hueneme/ntdca/hoteldetail

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The Grande Colonial Hotel in La Jolla has it all: history, charm and an incredible waterfront location. Add to this a walkable town with tasty restaurants, and beaches with seal lions and leopard sharks, and you know why the hotel is one of my favorites in the San Diego area.

The family and I recently escaped to the Grande Colonial for three days and two nights of fun and relaxation. Our getaway began when we checked into a comfortable suite overlooking the hotel pool and the Pacific Ocean a block away.

The 3rd floor suite came with two queen beds, an office desk with free Wi-Fi, large HD TV, a huge bathroom and walk-in closet, and a memorable view of the ocean from vintage windows. Just outside the room was another cool feature – a balcony a few steps away overlooking the quaint downtown district of La Jolla.

When not enjoying our room, we explored La Jolla’s stunning coastline. A block from the hotel is Children’s Pool, where sea lions and seals relax on cliffs and rock outcroppings. The area has a large seawall protruding far into the water, which visitors can walk along to get a close look at the animals and also get spectacular views of the ocean. This place was recently named by TripAdvisor as one of the “Top 10 Wonderfully Unique Beaches” in the world.

During our visit, the rocks were crawling with giant sea lions, sleeping, barking and grunting as waves splashed all around them. Besides these creatures, the spot offers picturesque photo opportunities.

Near Children’s Pool is La Jolla Cove, a popular spot for swimming, scuba diving and snorkeling. The cove is surrounded by sandstone cliffs and has a small sandy beach with lots of rocks to climb and investigate. If you arrive at low tide, you can also enjoy the clear tide pools. There is also a small rock island here that is habited by hundreds of large pelicans.

After playing at the beach, we headed back to the Grande Colonial and explored the 93-room boutique hotel and grounds. Opened in 1913 as La Jolla’s first hotel, the Grande Colonial started as an apartment / hotel. It soon added a pharmacy run by the father of actor Gregory Peck, who grew up in La Jolla. In coming years, the hotel would host notables such as Charlton Heston, Groucho Marx, Jane Wyatt, Eve Arden, Pat O’Brien and David Niven.

Throughout its 100 years, the five-story hotel has seen numerous upgrades and owners, but has always kept its signature Colonial revival-style architecture and prominent corner location, one block above the ocean. The hotel’s most recent renovation was to its signature dining spot, the NINE-TEN Restaurant & Bar (www.nine-ten.com), which is located next to the lobby.

Recognized with MICHELIN Guide 2023 distinction, the NINE-TEN Restaurant & Bar offers California cuisine that emphasizes a farm-to-table philosophy. Led by award-winning Chef Jason Knibb and Pastry Chef Jose Alonzo III, the menu showcases seasonal foods dictated by the local harvest and unique cooking styles. Current dinner menu highlights include hamachi sashimi, with marinated baby shiitake mushrooms, watercress and scallion vinaigrette; grilled prime ribeye, with roasted sunchoke, king trumpet mushroom, kale, amaranth sprouts and black truffle demi; and pan seared Maine sea scallops, with braised turnip, romanesco cauliflower, caper-raisin puree, meyer lemon sauce and herb oil.

Another great food option at the hotel is room service for breakfast. Our first morning, we ordered delicious Huevos Rancheros, with corn tortillas, Oaxaca cheese, ranchero sauce, Rancho Gordo beans, guacamole, sour cream, sunny-side-up eggs, and cilantro. We also tried shakshuka, which is two poached eggs baked in tomato sauce, onions, peppers, feta cheese, parsley and grilled bread; and blueberry and lemon pancakes, with powdered sugar & maple syrup.

While eating breakfast, a curious seagull landed on our window seal and wanted a bite or two, so I hand fed him some toast with butter. After this we drove a couple miles to La Jolla Shores Beach, a one mile-long sandy beach located near the San Diego La Jolla Underwater Park Ecological Reserve.

La Jolla Shores is not only great for swimming and scuba divers, but is also popular with leopard sharks. In fact while I was playing in the waves, about a dozen of these sharks appeared out of nowhere and began swimming next to people. Harmless to people, the spotted sharks are about 4 feet long and have all the characteristics of their larger, scarier cousins.

After swimming with the sharks and playing in the sand, we strolled through downtown La Jolla and found the Burger Lounge (www.burgerlounge.com), where we enjoyed great grass-fed burgers and fantastic dairy free ice cream. Back at the Grand Colonial, we swam in the hotel’s round pool and then watched the orange sun fall into the ocean from our suite.

The Grande Colonial Hotel is located at 910 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037. The hotel also offers 5,000 sq-ft of indoor and outdoor event space, in-room spa treatments, concierge-arranged ocean activities; airport shuttles and more. For more information and reservations, call (888) 828-5498 or visit: www.thegrandecolonial.com

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After 45 minutes on the water, we wanted to explore beneath the waves. So when the boat docked, we walked a couple hundred yards to the world-famous Aquarium of the Pacific for another ocean adventure. It was a memorable and educational day in Long Beach, California. 

Our getaway began at Shoreline Village, a waterfront shopping/dining/recreation hub located in Long Beach’s gorgeous Rainbow Harbor. Here we booked a 45-minute harbor cruise (adults $20 and children $10) with Harbor Breeze Cruises (www.2seewhales.com). 

The harbor tour began aboard the Kristina, a two-deck boat that has obviously seen her share of ocean adventures. The vessel was parked next to the Christopher, another Harbor Breeze ship that is used for whale watching. 

Once we got out of Shoreline Village, the first thing we saw was the legendary Queen Mary ship. Launched  in 1936, in Southampton, England, the Queen Mary was at the time, the largest and most luxurious ocean liner ever built, and set a new standard in transatlantic travel. It was also a magnet for the rich and famous. 

During her time at sea, the Queen Mary also carried WWII troops and had a bounty put on her by Nazi Germany. After WWII, the ship was retrofitted and put back into civilian service until its last voyage in October 1967, which led her to her final docking station in Long Beach, where she has been since.

Next to the Queen Mary, we saw a giant Carnival cruise ship, and the world’s largest, free-span aluminum geodesic structure. The giant, white dome is 115 feet high and 400 feet wide and was designed and built to house Howard Hughes’ giant flying boat, the Spruce Goose. 

Continuing our cruise, we passed the Thums Islands, a group of four artificial islands off the coast of Long Beach that were built in 1965 to tap into the East Wilmington Oil Field. Looking more like resorts or theme parks than oil facilities, the tiny islands were named THUMS after the companies that founded them: Texaco, Humble, Unocal, Mobil, and Shell.

Other harbor cruise highlights included seeing dolphins and seals, the beautiful Long Beach skyline, Rainbow harbor’s myriad yachts and fishing boats, and the city’s rock jetty, which, at more than eight miles long, is the world’s longest man-made breakwater. 

When the boat returned to dock, we walked a couple hundred yards to the Aquarium of the Pacific (www.aquariumofpacific.org), one of the best public aquariums in the country. 

Showcasing more than 12,500 animals, the Aquarium of the Pacific is built around three themed areas of the Pacific Ocean, the planet’s largest and most diverse body of water. The aquarium’s galleries represent the sunny Southern California and Baja region; the frigid waters of the North Pacific; and the colorful reefs and lagoons of the Tropical Pacific. Sprinkled around these main areas are numerous other fun and informative exhibits, including Shark Lagoon and Lorikeet Forest.

The first thing we saw when we entered the aquarium was a humongous, life-sized model of a blue whale  hanging from the ceiling. Below this our eyes were drawn to the nearly three-story tall Honda Blue Cavern. This giant aquarium within the aquarium, features giant sea bass swimming through kelp forests. At lunch time real scuba divers enter and feed the fish. One of the diver also gave kids a lesson on the fish and their underwater habitat and posed for pictures with the little ones. 

One of my favorite outdoor exhibits is “Shark Lagoon,” which features several species and sizes of sharks, along with large rays. A highlight here is that visitors can get up-close and even touchy-feely with some sharks and rays. Bamboo and epaulette sharks glide around the three shallow touch pools, where guests can reach in and touch these gentle and graceful animals. 

Other sharks are visible through a viewing window and guests can come nose-to-nose with zebra and gray reef sharks. Daily presentations and feedings in Shark Lagoon showcase the power and beauty of these remarkable predators. Various interactive displays highlight sharks’ senses, sizes, teeth, and reproduction, as well as their importance in the ocean’s food chain.

Near Shark Lagoon is Lorikeet Forest aviary, a 5,400-square-foot outdoor aviary that takes visitors to the coastal lowlands of Australia where dozens of lively lorikeets fill the trees. Here, you can purchase a small cup of nectar, the lorikeets’ favorite food, and feed the birds while walking through the exhibit. The 10-inch birds will land on your hand, arm, shoulder or even your head to get a sip of sweet nectar.

In the Southern California Gallery there are over ten exhibits and more than three dozen species to be found. Highlights include the California two-spot octopus, leopard and horn sharks, California scorpion fish, a moray eel, California spiny lobsters, Catalina goby, and California’s state marine fish—the Garibaldi. Visitors will be able to get up close to these animals as they explore things such as underwater habitats off Catalina, and on oil rigs, which serve as artificial reefs located between the mainland near the Aquarium and Catalina Island. 

Another highlight in the Southern California/Baja Gallery is the 211,000-gallon Seals and Sea Lions Habitat is home to harbor seals and California sea lions. Shows are held twice daily, where visitors can learn more about the animals and observe as they respond to trainer’s cues. Visitors can also schedule an animal encounter with a sea lion and participate in a feeding and training session.

The Gulf of California exhibit features some of the variety of one of the most biologically productive and diverse seas in the world. It includes unique species of butterfly fishes, and large silvery fish called Mexican lookdowns. Other things to see include California spiny lobsters and beautiful jellyfish.

The Northern Pacific Gallery represents the 800,000 square miles between Alaska, Siberia, the Bering Strait, and the Aleutian Islands and Bering Sea.The Bering Sea is home to over 450 species of fish and invertebrates, 50 bird species, and 25 species of marine mammals. 

This gallery features 16 exciting exhibits, including several species of sea jellies, sea otters and the elusive giant Pacific octopus. The largest species of octopus in the world, these intelligent and mysterious creatures grow to over 20 feet and can weigh more than 100 pounds. Puffins and diving birds are also found in the area. And in the Aquarium’s new Pacific Visions wing, visitors can experience a state-of-the-art immersive theater, an art gallery, and a culmination gallery with interactives, game tables, and live animal exhibits. 

The Aquarium of the Pacific is located at 100 Aquarium Way in Long Beach, CA. For more information call (562) 590-3109 or visit www.aquariumofpacific.org.

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The only thing better than a great hotel room, is a great hotel room on the beach. And this is why Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Beach is one of my new favorite Southern California destinations. Located steps from the beautiful sand and ocean in Oxnard, California, the resort has everything one could want for a waterfront vacation.

The family and I began a recent two-night stay at Zachari Dunes by experiencing two different rooms. The first night we stayed in a luxurious 2-queen suite, overlooking the water, and the second night we were in a palatial presidential suite.

The 625-sq-ft, 2-queen suite overlooked the ocean and stunning Mandalay Beach. It came with a large entertaining room, featuring a sleeper sofa, comfy chairs, chest of drawers, huge TV, and balcony looking out to the water. This main room also had a wet bar, microwave, refrigerator, table and chairs, and a bathroom with a shower.

In the suite’s separate bedroom, there were two queen beds, a private bathroom with a tub and shower, big closet, another TV, and access to the giant balcony overlooking the blue Pacific Ocean and the Channel Islands in the distance.

Outside the suite, we played on the beach or in the sparkling hotel pool. To get to the beach, we walked out the back gate of the resort, crossed a walking/biking path and stepped on the fluffy white sand of Mandalay Beach. I love this beach because it’s rarely crowded and it is great for sunbathing, building sand castles, and playing in the water with kids.

Another favorite spot was the hotel pool, where we had our own private cabana for a day. Available for rent, the cabanas offer shade, a refrigerator and a couch and chairs. They are a great way to enjoy the pool and the extra large Jacuzzi. While relaxing in the cabana we enjoyed champagne and fresh, local Oxnard strawberries.

After a day at the beach and pool, we enjoyed dinner at Ox & Ocean, the hotel’s signature, gourmet restaurant. Located beside the lobby, the restaurant offers an elegant and eclectic mix of surf and turf dinner options, as well as creative and tasty breakfast and lunch – all in a fun, indoor / outdoor setting.

“Tying into the unique makeup of California, Ox & Ocean serves locally sourced produce and seafood fresh from Oxnard’s plains and sea, celebrating a diverse influence and distinct flavors in an elegant, yet approachable fashion,” reads the hotel website.

Our dinner at Ox & Ocean began with a beet salad, with roasted poblano vinaigrette, avocado puree, goat cheese amaranth and local citrus. This heavenly salad was followed by delicious Oxtail Bao Buns, with hoisin, cilantro, kimchi and kewpie mayo.

Our savory adventure continued with a fresh and spicy Ahi Tuna Crudo, with aji amarillo, yuzu, apple pieces, avocado and radish. One of my favorite dishes on this incredible culinary journey was the Crab Croquettes, with lump crab meat, panko bread crumbs, and sesame chili-garlic dip.

These croquettes alone are worth a drive to Oxnard.

While dining, we sat outside, enjoying a cool ocean breeze and the beautiful Zachari Dunes resort. Featuring Spanish mission-type architecture, the white hotel buildings are highlighted by arches and red tile roofs. The grounds are covered with palm trees, lush vegetation, brooks and ponds, and winding pathways.

The hotel, which became part of the Hilton Curio Collection last year, is one of only two beachfront Hilton branded properties on the Pacific Coast. Besides 250 suites, Zachari Dunes boasts a fitness center, full-service spa, a bar with a game room, tennis and basketball courts, a small convenience store, and a beach gear rental shop with surf boards, paddle boards, hoverboards, skate boards, DSLR cameras, gopro cameras, binoculars, backpacks, wagons, a record player and more.

After dinner we strolled along the beach, as the sun fell behind the rugged outline of the Channel Islands about 20 miles offshore. We then joined other hotel guests for s’mores at the hotel’s giant fire pit.

The next morning I worked out at the fitness center and then it was back to Ox & Ocean for breakfast. And it was another delicious affair, as I devoured Chilaquiles with roasted red pepper salsa, tortilla chips, sunny side egg, queso fresco, pico de gallo, and lime crema.

After breakfast we rented a four-person surrey bike and pedaled along the beach path. We pedaled by the ocean and next to large sand dunes and by a park, where we rested our legs and enjoyed lunch under a shade tree.

Back at the hotel we took advantage of a great perk at the hotel that allows all guests to check out anything in the gear shop for free for two hours. The first day we borrowed a large beach wagon with oversized plastic wheels, to pull the kids and all our stuff across the sand to the water.

Our next adventure at Zachari Dunes was also quite memorable. We checked into a 1,600-sq-ft presidential suite that was fit for a king. The suite, which can easily sleep up to six people, came with two separate bedrooms, with a king bed in one and two queens in the other.

The suite also came with three bathrooms, two balconies overlooking the ocean and the pool, and a giant main living room with fireplace, office desk, wrap-around sofa, dining table, and kitchenette area with microwave, refrigerator, and wet bar. A highlight of the suite was the stand-alone bathtub in the main bedroom that was perfect for bubble baths.

The presidential suite was so great, we didn’t want to go outside. But with a sparkling pool below us and the blue pacific ocean mere steps away, we had to venture out. So on my second day at the hotel, I headed to the gear shop and used my free two-hour rental on a longboard skateboard. Measuring about 48 inches long, the board came with a long paddle-like oar that I used to propel myself along the walking/bike path. Not only was this fun and thrilling, but it was also a great full body workout. I think I have a new sport!

Zachari Dunes on Mandalay Bay is located at 2101 Mandalay Beach Road, Oxnard, California, 93035. For more information and reservations, visit: www.zacharidunes.com or call (805) 984-2500

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The Palm Springs Aerial Tram is often called the 8th “Wonder of the World” because of the groundbreaking engineering behind its construction. This year, the modern marvel is celebrating its 60th anniversary, so I thought it would be a great time to visit, while also spending a couple days relaxing in the warm paradise of Palm Springs.

My getaway to the area began at the beautiful Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel, where the family and I checked into a luxurious suite for two nights. The spacious room came with two queen beds, mini-fridge, coffee maker, office desk, comfortable chairs, a spacious bathroom with a tub/shower combo, and a balcony overlooking the property’s large, sparkling pool.

Beyond the suite, the Renaissance Hotel also features onsite restaurants and bars, fitness center, convenience store, meeting space, and free wi-fi. My favorite spot at the hotel was the giant outdoor pool area, where guests can lounge beneath umbrellas or in private cabanas between dips in the water.

The hotel is located in Downtown Palm Springs and is set against a backdrop of swaying palm trees, giant spinning windmills, and the majestic San Jacinto Mountains. Once acquainted with the hotel, we drove a couple miles through town to the Aerial Tram for a thrilling ride up the mountain.

Our adventure began at the base of Mt San Jacinto, at Valley Station at an elevation of 2,643 feet. Here we picked up our tickets and boarded a pumpkin-shaped tram car, which can hold up to 80 passengers. Once inside, the conductor closed the doors and the tram began climbing straight up a mile of rocky cliffs.

The tram is pulled by 12,000 ft of cable and passes through five huge support towers along the way. At each tower, the car shimmies and shakes, giving riders a roller coaster thrill. Inside the tram, all passengers get great views of Coachella Valley because the car rotates 360 degrees. According to officials, these are the world’s largest rotating tram cars!

During the ascent, visitors are transported through five unique ecosystems – a change in landscape and life, equivalent to a drive from Sonora, Mexico to the Arctic Circle in Alaska. It makes this trip in about 11 minutes!

While enjoying the ride, I marveled at the views and thought of the immense challenge it was to build this project. It all began in 1935 when a young engineer named Francis Crocker was sweating in the Palm Springs desert heat, when he looked up and noticed that there was snow atop Mount San Jacinto. There must be an easy way up to that snow, he thought. And with that, the dream of a mountain tram was born.

After years of planning and political hurdles, a bill was signed in 1945 to build a tram up the mountain. By
1950, engineers were hammering out designs and preparing construction until the Korean War caused a 10-year delay.

To overcome the challenges of building up the side of a rock mountain, engineers ingeniously employed helicopters to help erect four of the five supporting towers. Because of this, the tram was labeled the “Eighth Wonder of the World” and was designated an historical civil engineering landmark. The tram was officially completed in 1963.

The tram ride up the cliffs ends at Mountain Station at 8,516 ft above sea level. Here there is a lodge-like visitor’s center with two restaurants, a gift shop, small museum, and lots of spots to look out over the valley below.

Outside the visitor center is Mt. San Jacinto State Park, which offers 54 miles of hiking trails and a few primitive campsites within a 13,000-acre pristine wilderness. The weather is usually about 30 to 40 degrees cooler up here, so riders should bring a coat. When we got outside, we hiked Long Valley, following a three-quarter-mile-long loop trail through a large meadow.

The temperature was about 55 degrees and the meadow was lined with tall pine trees and native plants and grasses. Along the trail we scratched the dark brown bark of a Jeffrey pine tree (the most common tree in the valley) and breathed its natural vanilla and butterscotch scent. There was also a small, raging stream flowing through the valley.

After hiking we returned to the visitor’s center and had lunch at Pine’s Cafe, where we enjoyed chicken tenders, a deli sandwich and some of the best pizza I’ve had in a long time. The Aerial Tram also offers a special ride and dinner combination ticket from 4:00 p.m. daily with meal service from 4:30 p.m. Prices for the combination ticket are $38.00 for adults and seniors, and $24.50 for children ages 3-10.

After lunch we bought a t-shirt at the gift shop, and a commemorative gold coin for $5, and then relaxed on the Mountain Station terrace, looking down over the entire Palm Springs desert valley, with views from the Salton Sea to the San Gorgonio Pass.

Back at the Renaissance Hotel, we lounged by the pool in our own private cabana, which comes with a small fridge, comfortable sofas, deck chairs, and plenty of shade and privacy. The cabanas are available for rent from the front desk. For more info on the hotel, visit:
www.marriott.com

The Palm Springs Aerial Tram is located at One Tram Way, Palm Springs, CA 92262. Tickets are $29.95 for adults, $17.95 for kids 3 – 10, and $27.95 for seniors. For more information call 888.515.TRAM or visit:
www.pstramway.com.

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Big Bear Lake is a magical place. This is especially true after a good winter storm hits Southern California, leaving the mountains covered with beautiful white powder. I recently visited Big Bear and discovered a cool hotel, a great sandwich shop, lots of fun snow sledding, and more.

My getaway began when the family and I took the 210 Freeway from Pasadena to San Bernardino, where we transferred to Highway 330. This twisting and turning road led us about 30 miles up the Sierra Nevada Mountains, past incredible vistas overlooking expansive valleys below and bustling cities in the distance. After about 45 minutes we reached Big Bear Village. where we checked into a large, rustic suite at Fireside Lodge.

Overlooking the lake and its snow-covered beach, the suite had everything we needed for a three-day, two-night stay. It boasted a full kitchen with stove, fridge, sink, microwave and coffee maker. The room also came with a large living room with fireplace, a separate bedroom, two TVs and two full bathrooms.

The suite’s best feature was the long balcony overlooking Big Bear Lake and the undeveloped mountain forest across the water. From here we watched birds and people walk along the edge of the partially frozen lake.

Besides cozy accommodations, the Fireside Lodge is also centrally located in town. It is only about a mile drive to the Snow Summit ski Resort, and a short walk from “The Village,” Big Bear’s charming downtown community of shops, restaurants, art galleries and pubs.

After acquainting ourselves with the suite we put on snow gear and went looking for a place to go sledding. We didn’t have to go far because we found a snow-covered parking lot across the street from the lodge that was built on a hill and made a perfect sledding slope.

After an hour of slipping, sliding and sledding our hands and feet were freezing and our bellies were growling, so we warmed up at the Old German Deli, serving authentic and traditional German meats, sandwiches and sides and more. Sandwich favorites include Schinkenwurst, Bavarian Loaf, Pepper Loaf, knockwurst, bratwurst, tongue and blood and much more. The deli also sells a host of side dishes, as well as food goods imported from Germany such as pickles, sauerkraut, crackers and more.

“People love coming to our deli because the food is fresh, authentic and delicious,” says Manager Victoria Medina. “Many people who come here are also reminded of their travels abroad or their childhood in Germany.”

For lunch we enjoyed a delicious Schinkenwurst sandwich with a side of split pea soup, and a German Salami sandwich with potato salad. All sandwiches come with a choice of side, and a boiled egg and pickle. Schinkenwurst is a German luncheon cold cut, similar to bologna, that usually consists of pork, veal, and ham. The one I had was memorable and I would literally drive back to Big Bear just for another one.

After lunch we strolled through charming Big Bear Village, a hub for shopping, sightseeing, dining and nightlife. It’s also the site of annual city-wide holiday events like Halloween and Christmas in The Village. A beautiful sight in any season, The Village features colorful blooms in the spring, bright green trees in the summer, vibrant crimson, orange, and yellow foliage in the fall, and glittering snow in winter that creates a wonderland with twinkling lights, says www.Bigbear.com.

During our walk, The Village was covered in snow and people were walking around and going in and out of shops and restaurants. There were snowmen standing, fire pits crackling, and music playing. The festive atmosphere was immense.

Our next stop was the lake, where we found a beautiful scene of snow-capped mountain peaks and tall pine trees reflecting off the semi-frozen water. We also found flocks of colorful ducks slipping and sliding across the surface.

Sitting at an elevation of nearly 6800 ft, Big Bear’s legendary lake gets all of its water from snow and rain. It is about 7 miles long going east to west and about a half-mile wide. The shoreline spans over 22 miles and the deepest point is roughly 72 feet. Types of fish normally found in the lake include several species of bass and trout, as well as crappie, bluegill, catfish, sunfish, and pumpkinseed.

From the lake we headed back to the hotel and cooked a steak dinner with potatoes and salad in our kitchen. We then threw some logs in the fireplace and baked chocolate cookies. While eating our dessert, we sat by the fire and watched the moonlight dance on the frozen lake. As the fire snapped and crackled, I thought about what a wonderful place Big Bear is.

Located in the San Bernardino National Forest, approximately 100 miles of LA, Big Bear’s altitude ranges from 6,750 to 9,000 feet. The city enjoys over 300 days of sunshine each year, with summer temps averaging 80 degrees during the day and 45 at night. Winter brings snowfall with temps in the low 40s during the day and mid 20s at night. Big Bear is home to bald eagles, bears, mountain lions, bobcats, coyotes, deer, and a large number of birds and trees, and rare plants. The town even boasts a solar observatory and an alpine zoo for injured wildlife.

The next morning we drove to Boulder Bay Park, one of Big Bear’s most beautiful parks. As the name implies, the park is highlighted by giant boulders stacked around a majestic bay, with large lodge-like mansions looking down. Here we did some more sledding and walked around in the thin, 40-degree air.

For more information on visiting Big Bear Lake, visit www.bigbear.com or call 800 4 – BIG-BEAR. For more info on Fireside Lodge, visit www.firesidelodge.net

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