Getaways

After an eight-year hiatus, the Celebrity Solstice set sail from the Los Angeles port on Saturday, Sept. 24, 2022. Bound for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, the milestone sailing also marked the ship’s debut in the market and the first-time Celebrity Cruises has offered a full season of Mexican Riviera sailings in 15 years. Prior to setting sail, I was afforded the opportunity of touring the ship and experiencing some of the delicious food and wine the Solstice has to offer. The ship features: generous staterooms, including the spa-inspired AquaClass with its exclusive access to the clean cuisine at restaurant Blu; The Retreat experience for suite guests including private restaurant dining and 24/7 lounge; The Lawn Club, a unique outdoor grassy area...

Sitting amidst a couple of blocks of nondescript motels along Monterey Street headed east off the 101, the San Luis Creek Lodge discreetly hides in plain sight among inns clearly designed for parents visiting their brood at Cal Poly San...

  The streets of Madrid, Spain are radiating heat on this July afternoon. Most of Europe is experiencing a miserable mid-summer heat wave, as is most of the Northern Hemisphere.  Daily temperatures hover near the 100-degree mark. That’s high 30s...

Driving up to the Bay Area? San Francisco? Keep driving. Head north out of the City on I-80 for 23 miles. Cut across on Highway 37, to Highway 29 across the Napa river, then keep north.  Yountville, California, sits deep in one of the state’s most verdant and bountiful wine-growing areas. Its neighboring towns, Napa and Helena, along the route of its famous Wine Train, are also known not only for their wineries, but for their foodie cultures. Yountville is a particularly impressive foodie burg, serving up a host of eateries, including one of California’s most notable, the French Laundry. But first, our primary destination is the boutique inn, Maison Fleurie, or “Flowering House.” Set in “Downtown” Yountville, Maison Fleurie—part...

Labor Day marks the unofficial end of summer. Even though summer officially ends a few weeks after Labor Day, a new school year begins for most students by Labor Day, and the lazy, hazy days spent on the beach give way to a new school year. It's no wonder that so many people want to capture the last of the summer magic before it's gone for another year; Labor Day getaways help people hold on to summer just a little longer. Explore these tips to make Labor Day trips a bit more safe and convenient. Leave extra time Roadways are bound to be busy with other Labor Day weekend travelers, particularly for those headed to seaside locales or campgrounds. One...

[caption id="attachment_98370" align="aligncenter" width="740"] The Pasadena Group of Sierra Club has numerous hikes and activities planned for summer, fall and winter. One such event was a strenuous 12.5-mile hike with 2700 ft. of elevation gain to Thunder, Telegraph and Timber...