Each summer the Terry & Jackie Nishimoto family of Sherman Oaks, CA, load up their Volvo station wagon for a week-long vacation to one of California’s most spectacular destinations. Yosemite? The Redwoods or Joshua Tree? Wrong. The Nishimoto’s destination of choice is nestled along the Pacific Ocean, less than a two hour drive south of Los Angeles.
The Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village is not only a luxurious resort; it is a world-renowned sanctuary and wellness retreat. It is also less than an hour drive from Downtown LA. Located in the city of Westlake Village, in the Santa Monica Mountains between Malibu and Santa Barbara, the 270-room, five-diamond resort is a secluded paradise, surrounded by gardens and lawns, ponds and footbridges, a …
I imagine most of our lives are a series of awakenings. One of my big ones came during my later college days. By the time I entered my senior year at San Diego State I was a decent athlete and grades in school came easily. Actually, too easily. I spent much of my time at the beach when real students studied.
Oceanside is more than a classic California beach town with a groovy surf vibe and a walkable downtown. The city is also full of history and fascinating architecture, while also boasting eclectic restaurants, boutique hotels, exciting waterfront adventures and more.
First there’s the fact of two million birds. Yes, two million. An equally astounding number is that the lake where they hang out is over one million years old. Then there are those names: Wilson’s phalaropes and red necked phalaropes, Warbling Vireos and Sage Thrashers. Implausibly, they’re the colorful appellations of just a few of the birds that inhabit Mono Lake.
If you can start the day without caffeine, if you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains, if you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles...
Life can get hectic with work, school, traffic or kids. When this happens one must remember the importance of keeping the mind, body and soul in good form. To help keep my Zen in the right place, I love to visit Glen Ivy Hot Springs, a soothing sanctuary located in the majestic rolling hills of Corona, about 50 miles southeast of Pasadena.
Pismo Beach is one of my favorite Central California locations. Set on the ocean, with perfect weather, miles of sandy beaches, an historic pier, unique shops and dining, nearby wineries and tons of classic vibe, the city has everything I look for in a weekend getaway.
A spectacular trumpet section anchored by John Fick is flying high, the tightly knit harmony electrifying a room packed with music aficionados and the timeless and earthy ambience of a hard-swingin’ 18-piece big band. Cherished sidemen, who should each have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, sit elbow to elbow, each with a tale to tell. Johnny Vana’s …
This book is Sam McManis’ collection of newspaper columns for the Sacramento Bee, written while he was on the road searching for the “real California”. Instead of finding one state of California, he found many, and after reading all 61 entries I concluded that they all echo the subtitle as being weird and wonderful. This book is the result of …