Luxury
California Trip Itineraries
Low-key Los Angeles Bars
Destination(s): Los Angeles
Here I have collected a number of Los Angeles dive and neighborhood bars. Not every night is the occasion for champagne, high heels and glitter! Sometimes you just want to find a no-frills place to have a beer or a stiff drink and maybe even meet some locals. There are a bunch of somewhat friendly hole-in-the-wall bars here in Los Angeles, this list is just to get you started on a low-key night out.
Day 1: Downtown and Eastside Bars
Day 2: Miracle Mile and Westside Bars
[Photo courtesy of skampy]
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My Santa Barbara Guide
Destination(s): Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara’s pristine shores, rugged mountain pass, and famous wine country are musts for anyone traveling to the Central Coast of California. read more about My Santa Barbara Guide... Read More
Historic Movie Theaters
Destination(s): Los Angeles
Day One lists the movie palaces that are still showing movies. If the place has been multiplexed, I recommend watching a movie in the main auditorium!
Day Two lists smaller historic theatres.
Day Three collects theatres that have been converted into nightclubs, concert halls, or multi-purpose performance spaces.
[Photo courtesy of laasB]
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The "Ten Best" Restaurants in the Napa Valley
Destination(s): Napa Valley
Are there really 10 restaurants in the Napa valley the rise above the rest? Honestly, no -- there's such an incredible wealth of fine food and creative cookery in Napa that this really would have to be the "Top 25" to be anywhere near fair. And I'm afraid I have to admit my picks would change every six months, depending on who's arrived, who's departed, and who's just not quite on their juice. But just to get the conversation going, here are ten truly fine restaurants that every Napa food afficionado should try. Then please, add your own! read more about The "Ten Best" Restaurants in the Napa Valley... Read More
Napa Launch Tasting Tour
Destination(s): Napa Valley
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Couple's Retreat
Destination(s): Santa Barbara
A quiet and comfy stay at the luxe San Ysidro Ranch sets the tone for a romantic weekend getaway. Stroll through the gardens of Lotusland, schedule a couple's massage, take a show at the theater, picnic in the Old Mission rose garden, and linger over meals with a bottle of wine. read more about Couple's Retreat... Read More
Family Fun in San Francisco
Destination(s): San Francisco
San Francisco has plenty of fun-filled family adventures in store, ranging from the cultural to the natural to the nighttime entertainment variety. And the best part? These family-friendly attractions are guaranteed to delight people of all ages. read more about Family Fun in San Francisco... Read More
San Diego Bar Crawl
Destination(s): San Diego
Certain areas of San Diego are renowned for their bar scene. Take Pacific Beach, for instance. Just a few shorts miles from the ocean, this prime real estate isn't just about the salty ocean air as Pacific Beach's main drag - Garnet Avenue - is filled with bar to bar stops from the freeway entrance to the ocean. It is nearly impossible to every restaurant/ bar in the lot, but it's pretty fun to try. Check out the short list that starts at Pacific Beach's well known comedy bar and finishes near Mission Beach's infamous roller coaster. read more about San Diego Bar Crawl ... Read More
Napas Top 7 Secret Travel Gems
Destination(s): Napa Valley
Everyone has a favorite winery in Napa. But not everyone knows where to get the best ice cream in town (organic, too!) or the location of an amazing hand-built playground for kids that will keep them happy for hours. Here, my top 7 hidden travel gems in Napa. The kinds of places we tell our friends about, but hope the tourists never discover. read more about Napas Top 7 Secret Travel Gems... Read More
Top 10 Five Star Restaurants in California
Destination(s): Yosemite National Park
The best of California’s fine dining scene
There is certainly no shortage of five star worthy restaurants in California! The state has a deeply rooted foodie culture, enjoys relatively high salaries, and is a regular trendsetter in the food department – all the better to support five star cuisine. To show you what we mean, we’ve put together a list of our top 10 picks for five star restaurants in California, including: Fleur de Lys in San Francisco for ultra formal French cuisine under a draped tent like ceiling; Ahwahnee Dining Room in Yosemite National Park for rustic style, resort level dining (even though it’s essentially located in the middle of a forest, the dining room has a strict formal dress code); The Raymond in Pasadena for elegant California cuisine in multiple dining rooms and garden patios; and Masa’s in San Francisco for French-California cuisine, fresh roses, and a wine list of 800 wines (dinner jacket required for men).
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