The air in La Jolla is just different. Yes, the sea lion scent can be overpowering at first, but soon it fades, replaced by the layered blues of the Pacific stretching endlessly in every direction. Once an artists’ haven in the early 1900s, its Spanish name—“The Jewel”—couldn’t be more fitting. Sea lions lounge lazily on … Continue reading La Jolla: A coastal bliss in motion
Stretching nearly four miles along the coast, Oceanside has it all—foamy waves for surfers, a bustling pier for people-watching, and wide-open sands perfect for drifting into daydreams. With fall officially here, here’s to that endless summer vibe at Oceanside. Tips Continue reading Oceanside: Endless summer, season of swellness
As the seventh mission founded in California, Mission San Juan Capistrano is often called the “Jewel of the Missions”, a title born from both its splendor and sorrows. Established in 1776, it rose to prominence with the construction of the Great Stone Church, a baroque-inspired masterpiece and the largest structure in Alta California. A a … Continue reading Mission San Juan Capistrano: From ruin to renewal
This is not Utah, nor Arizona. This is Annie’s Canyon Trail, a 1.6-mile hidden gem just minutes from the heart of Solana Beach and can be completed under an hour. The first half of the trail is flat and offers peaceful views of the San Elijo Lagoon, but the final stretch is where the adventure … Continue reading Annie’s Canyon Trail: When two roads diverge, rise to the challenge
For the Golden State, it all began here in 1769. Old Town San Diego, a community situated around 3.5 miles northwest of downtown San Diego, was the site of the first Spanish settlement in California. This neighborhood was the center of the city until the 1860s, when development and businesses started to shift to the … Continue reading Old Town San Diego: Where it all started
Palm-trees-lined streets under the azure sky, with wide open white sandy beaches in the backdrop—as soon as you step foot in N. Pacific St in Oceanside, you know that you have reached that quintessential beach town in Southern California. Here, you can catch waves, people-watch, or even just daydream, and there is something for everyone … Continue reading Oceanside: Surf, tan, chill
The Pacific Ocean glistens as the sun moves further towards the horizon during the golden hour, signaling the end of yet another day. The image is so poetic yet powerful—no wonder the French people call the sunset “le coucher du soleil”, literally “the sun is going to bed”. Come experience the sunset at Torrey Pines … Continue reading Torrey Pines State Beach: Where the sun meets the horizon
This is not your typical ranch. As soon as you step into The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, you will quickly realize that “in bloom” is quite an understatement. Featuring 55 acres of giant tecolote ranunculus flowers, the ranch boasts more than 200,000 plants per acre with each plant yielding an average of 10 blooms, … Continue reading The Flower Fields: A vivacious color palette
Located approximately 60 miles east of Los Angeles, Riverside prides itself in being home to the first navel orange trees in California, as well as its critical role in the region’s citrus boom. The city is also host to the Mission Inn, generally considered to be the largest Mission Revival style building in the US. … Continue reading Riverside: A zesty taste of California
