When residents of Eucalyptus Ave in San Carlos put up holiday lights each December, they mean business. The result? This might be one of the most over-the-top Christmas displays you will ever see. First started by the Liner Family as a holiday tradition, the dazzling lights and festive decorations are now an annual community affair. … Continue reading Eucalyptus Ave: Holiday lights, uninterrupted!
Promise and despair—these are not uncommon themes throughout California’s history and the establishment of Spanish missions across the state. Of the 21 missions founded from San Diego to Sonoma, perhaps no other mission stands witness to such intricate tales better than Carmel Mission. At the height of its time, the mission once served as headquarters … Continue reading Carmel Mission: An enterprising quest
Whoo-whoo! Slowly and steadily, the train starts moving further away from the depot as the locomotive whistles on. In a minute’s time, the sun has faded into the background and the track is now canopied by towering redwood groves. There is no more unique way to explore these giant trees than aboard the steam train … Continue reading Roaring Camp Railroad: Traversing through the woods
Sandstone cliffs by the ocean, with the coastal fog relentlessly rolling in. You see beachgoers strolling or sunbathing, and even some surfers catching waves. From the distance, this seems like a typical California coastline. Not until you walk further. Your attention is now drawn to something different: a stretch of purple and white flowers! At … Continue reading Montara State Beach: An exotic presence
It’s almost 4pm in the afternoon. You feel like stepping outside for some fresh air. The question is, where though? If you live in the Bay Area, look no further than Mori Point. This coastal gem boasts not only scenic views overlooking the Pacific Ocean and the Pacifica Pier, but also gorgeous sunsets during the … Continue reading Mori Point: A golden hour coastal getaway
You are not mistaken. That is indeed an elk, and in fact, it’s a party! Meet Tomales Point, a 10-mile out-and-back trail at Point Reyes National Seashore. Stunning coastal views are guaranteed by default as you hike along the Pacific Ocean, but what makes this trail unique is the occasional elk sighting at the Tule … Continue reading Tomales Point: Foragers by the ocean
The road undulates and winds on. Every turn around the cliffs leads to another stunning view of the coastline, where the Santa Lucia Mountains and the Pacific Ocean converge. Here, the color blue gives way to more nuanced definitions–be it cobalt, azure, or another shade in-between or beyond. This is Big Sur, a 90-mile stretch … Continue reading Big Sur: Route to the pristine beauty
