Tag: california travel

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Here's the Best Place to Watch the Sun Rise over Hollywood

April 19, 2013 at 10:37 AM | by | Comments (0)

Yesterday, while the rest of Hollywood slept, we were up at the crack of dawn, lacing our Merrell hiking shoes, filling up a bottle of water, and setting off along Los Feliz Boulevard towards Griffith Park, aka the Central Park of Los Angeles.

Griffith Park ranks as the second-largest city park in all of California (though that doesn't include much larger state parks like Yosemite and Joshua Tree), and it is incredibly easy to access from multiple LA neighborhoods, such as Los Feliz, Franklin Village, Atwater Village, Glendale, and, of course, Hollywood. Its attractions include the Greek Theatre, Griffith Observatory (which is best visited at night, for obvious reasons), and the LA Zoo.

Oh, and off to the south, on Mount Lee, there's a little thing called the Hollywood sign. Ever hear of it?

We set off at 6:15am from our friend's apartment, and in fifteen minutes, we had arrived at the park's western entrance, Ferndell Nature Center. Here, a woodsy hiking trail winds along a small babbling brook (complete with the little footbridges), under a canopy of California sycamores and over 50 different species of fern.

What struck us most was the tranquility of the place: though we had just come off a busy main road populated by impatient commuters trying to beat the morning traffic, we suddenly found ourselves in the midst of pure, noiseless nature.

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Is This the Most Popular Ride at Legoland California?

April 18, 2013 at 5:00 PM | by | Comments (0)

The other week we hit up Legoland California, namely to check out the just-opened Legoland Hotel, the first Legoland Hotel in the U.S. But with the hotel being adjacent to the theme park, we of course had to roam around for a few hours, marveling at all things Lego.

We'll have one of our handy theme park survival guides for you next week but we just thought we'd share this observation: Out of all the attractions, rides and displays at Legoland, the busiest one we encountered was The Big Shop.

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Upcoming Food and Wine Fests Hit Austin, Pebble Beach, and Miami

April 4, 2013 at 12:20 PM | by | Comments (0)

When it comes to food and travel they pretty much go hand in hand. That’s why we took a look at some citywide food festivals taking place this month, as checking out a new place with a side of delicious is always a good option. As the weather gets warmer it’s finally time to come out of hibernation, and here are three picks to do just that this April.

Pebble Beach Food and Wine

Just like the name indicates this food and wine event takes place over in Pebble Beach, California, as the chefs, cooks, and sommeliers are set to do their thing between April 4 and April 7. In total they’re offering up like 22 different wine tasting options, 8 different specialty dinners and lunches, and appearances from over 30 different chefs from around the globe.

As far as the events are concerned there are some pricier packages that include all kinds of different things, but if you are just looking to piece together your own options that’s fine too.

We found available wine and beer tasting events for as little as $100 per person, but if you’re looking for an interactive lunch or dinner—expect to shell out at least $200 per person. It might be a little bit of a splurge, but we say it’s worth it—maybe except for Guy Fieri Cooking Demonstration, as we’re pretty sure that’s available for free anytime you want over on Food Network.

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Sip in Springtime with Three Upcoming April Beer Festivals

April 3, 2013 at 12:27 PM | by | Comments (0)

At least according to the calendar we’ve officially made it through the winter, and now that April is here it’s time to move the beer festivals outdoors. The lagers, ales, and everything in between have been rolled into parks, squares, and plazas across the country. So pick a festival and raise a glass to the season at these three beer festivals—cheers!

Los Angeles Beer Festival

Start figuring out what you and your friends are doing this weekend, as it’s already time for the Los Angeles Beer Festival. Things are scheduled to start flowing on April 6, and there are a couple sessions from which to choose. Stuff takes place at Paramount Studios, and it’s $40 per person for the afternoon session as well as the evening session—the latter runs between 5pm and 8pm.

Local and international beers will be on tap, there will be plenty of food from trucks, and there’s even music to keep you motivated as you work through unlimited samples and sips. Angel City Brewery, Lagunitas Brewing Company, and Lost Coast Brewery are just some of the breweries scheduled to be in attendance, so you know this is going to be a good time.

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Where To Go With Your Tax Refund: Orange County, California

March 28, 2013 at 2:01 PM | by | Comments (0)

Tax day is coming, and you're probably excited...but not because you look forward to sifting through receipts and credit card statements. You're excited because you're getting a fat refund. Probably. The economy may be on its way back up, but you should try to stretch that tax refund as far as you can...like with a little "you did a great job last year" trip—a Tax Refund Vacation.

We’re back in California this week, as when it comes to domestic getaways we just can’t get enough of The Golden State. Sure Napa is fine and dandy, but sometimes we need more beach to go with our vacation. That’s why we say to cash that refund check as soon as possible—or confirm your direct deposit—and head off to Orange County.

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Where To Go With Your Tax Refund: Napa Valley, California

March 19, 2013 at 10:55 AM | by | Comments (0)

Tax day is coming, and you're probably excited...but not because you look forward to sifting through receipts and credit card statements. You're excited because you're getting a fat refund. Probably. The economy may be on its way back up, but you should try to stretch that tax refund as far as you can...like with a little "you did a great job last year" trip—a Tax Refund Vacation.

So you scored a decent tax refund this year, so congratulations from us to you on that accomplishment. Let’s celebrate with a drink—or a whole bottle—and we suggest doing so in Napa Valley. It sounds like an expensive proposition, but heading off to California’s wine country can be decently affordable if you’re looking to stretch that return cash from Uncle Sam. On the other side of things there’s plenty of places where you can blow it all on one meal.

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How to Go on Retreat at the First Zen Monastery Outside Asia

March 1, 2013 at 3:59 PM | by | Comments (0)

Is it time to start planning your own moment of Zen? The San Francisco Zen Center (SFZC) is welcoming meditation seekers, yoga lovers, and artisan foodies for this year's guest seasons, running from April 26 to September 9, 2013, at the Tassajara Zen Mountain Center.

Located inland from Big Sur, and only accessible by 4-wheel drive vehicles via a 14-mile dirt road, Tassajara is the first Zen training monastery outside of Asia. It has established itself as the place to go for self-discovery, healing and an escape from the stresses of everyday life. It is also an eco-efficient paradise with all of its energy coming from solar panels and local hot springs.

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Scheduled for Arrival: A Google Airport Terminal

February 12, 2013 at 10:31 AM | by | Comments (0)

We’re all about the latest and greatest when it comes to airports. From new restaurants, lounges, and even yoga rooms, if it’s taking place in the airport we want to know about it. That’s why we were a little saddened to learn about one airport terminal in California that we probably won’t be able to check out anytime soon. That’s because we don’t have loads of cash, and we don’t have a corner office over at Google.

Apparently there’s such an influx of private business jets in and out of San Jose International Airport that Google is on the cusp of building their own terminal.

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Now's the Time to Visit the US' Newest National Park, 'Pinnacles'

February 12, 2013 at 8:47 AM | by | Comments (0)

If you’re still planning to take advantage of the National Park Service’s free entrance days this year, then we’ve got another place to add to your national park to-do list. The next time the free days come along—that’s April 22 through April 26—we're thinking checking out the country’s newest national park might just be a good idea. Pinnacles National Park is hardly the new kid on the block, but after being a national monument since the early 1900s, it just got the upgrade into a full-fledged national park last month.

If you’re keeping track it’s certainly the newest national park, and it’s number 59 overall. We do apologize in advance if you’ve been to all of the national parks, but it looks like you need to head back outdoors to score one more stamp in your national park passport.

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27 Solid Reasons Why Palm Springs is the Bomb Diggity

December 27, 2012 at 2:15 PM | by | Comments (0)

1. This is the airport.

Yes, it's partly open-air. Yes, one concourse is named for Sonny Bono. [Photo taken at PSP]

2. Sometimes the clouds look like UFOs

If there are clouds at all. [Photo taken at The Ace Hotel & Swim Club]

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Onboard Virgin America Flight 55, the First Non-Stop from New York to Palm Springs

December 26, 2012 at 5:20 PM | by | Comments (0)

Mood lighting? Check. Flight attendants with apple-red lips? Check. Complimentary round of champagne for all onboard? Check! Wait—what?!

Virgin America Flight 55 from New York-JFK to Palm Springs, CA on Saturday, December, 22 may have begun just like any other flight on the five-year-old airline, but that boozy toast meant there was something special. It was, in fact, the first ever commercial non-stop flight from the NYC area to Palm Springs, a route Virgin America will fly every Saturday through the winter to get all us city folk suffering from dark, slushy days into the sun and 70+ degrees of desert oasis paradise.

The non-stop flights begin at $145 one-way, so it was no surprise that VX 55 on the Saturday before Christmas was full up, even with a few pets along for the ride. And anywhere that touts $3.95 bottomless champagne with brunch, a Modernism Week, and the world's largest statue of Marilyn Monroe is definitely somewhere we too want to be.

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Iron Chef Morimoto's Four Rules for Eating Sushi (Like You Know What You're Doing)

December 21, 2012 at 12:56 PM | by | Comment (1)


Morimoto demonstrates how much wasabi is perfect for a single piece of sashimi

Napa Valley is a weird place. It's kind of demure, with rolling hills blanketed in low rows of lush vineyards, but also kind of action central, as the chances are high that the person cooking your food or pouring your wine is at the top of the industry. Recently we ventured into kitchens, cellars and wineries (all accessible to you, too) in search of the extraordinarly yummy, which really is the norm in Napa.

Contrary to popular opinion, Napa's not only about the wine. Sure, that's a lot of the attraction, but you've got to eat something at some point to keep the drinking and drink appreciation going. That's where restaurants like Morimoto Napa come into play.

As the Flavor! Napa Valley festival only allows chefs with Napa restaurants to participate, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto took the opportunity to share the basics of precision sushi preparation.

Even if you're better at ordering in than turning out beautiful rolls, Morimoto has some tips. In addition to the fun fact that sushi is actually finger food (though chopsticks are of course plenty fine), he's shared with us his four laws of eating sushi. Take notes if you're Japan-bound!

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