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By Guest Guru Nancy Geller
Palm Springs in the summer? It certainly isn’t the place to go for ocean breezes and kite-surfing, but if you’re looking for a smokin’ hot deal to match the sizzling temperatures, summer is the time to go. No crowds, pools galore, and tons of things to do to match every budget and interest. From spectacular spa treatments to mountainous hikes that will make your jaw drop, Palm Springs is the perfect weekend getaway.
If you want to win that “Parent of the Year” award for 2012 keep reading. Luckily for you I’m 45 going on 12, which means I spend a lot of time goofing around on weekends, checking out new places to play in Northern California. So here’s a round-up of some fun and affordable things to do with the family this summer, and a great excuse to pack up the car and take a road trip to California’s Wine Country.
Looking for an easy, breezy romantic getaway? Well, picture this: 7.8 miles of sandy beaches, crashing waves, breath-taking views of the Pacific and sea lions, too. The artist enclave of Laguna Beach offers an eclectic fusion of sandy coves, stunning coastal bluffs, delectable treats, high fashion, coated with a surfer cool sheen. Halfway between L.A. and San Diego, Laguna Beach is the ideal choice for lazy walks, impromptu paddleboard lessons and a great opportunity to relax and enjoy one of the most resplendent spots on the California coast.
If you’re looking for something interesting, affordable, and local to do this winter (yes, summer’s really over), Mother Nature is putting on some pretty good free shows this time of year. Some of the best bird watching excursions in the state only take place in the early winter, such as the millions of migrating waterfowl in Sacramento Valley and raptor gatherings at the Marin Headlands. So grab your day-planner right now and carve out a few days for getting outdoors and enjoying a bird watching getaway to one of the top bird-watching spots in Northern California.
I recently read a fantastic article in the Travel section of The New York Times on tips for travelers called “How the Tough Get Going” by Stephanie Rosenbloom. She interviewed a cadre of Bay Area travel gurus (criminally, not me) to glean their top tips for ameliorating many of the common inconveniences of traveling. So whether you’re a blue moon traveler or TripIt junky, there’s a tip here that’s going to make you mumble, “Doh! Why didn’t I think of that.” Tip: I recommend reading this next to your laptop—most everything mentioned below can be downloaded or purchased online.
Have you ever actually tried frying an egg on the street? If you were as bored as I was growing up in the Sacramento burbs you probably gave it a try (FYI, it bubbles a bit when the egg hits the asphalt, but that’s about it). Dad was too cheap to buy an air conditioner, so my sisters and I would either stand under the swamp cooler (remember those?) in the hallway to cool down, or force our parents to take us somewhere with lots of water. Which makes me sort of a life-long connoisseur of creative ways to beat Nor Cal’s summer heat. Here are a few of my top tips… Read full article »
Now that summer has officially started, I figured I’d write about one of my favorite family road trips we’d go on every summer when I was a kid: Lake Shasta. As usual we’d pile up the Country Squire station wagon with camping gear and comic books, then head up I-5 in the blistering heat until we reached the Mount Shasta Fish Hatchery, where I’d drop a nickel in the fish-food dispenser and let the pellets fly. And that was just the start of a memorable week of fishing, camping, houseboating, spelunking, exploring, and sneaking sips of beer. So if you haven’t already planned your summer holiday getaway, read on….
by Guest Guru Nancy Geller
If romance is your goal, Ojai is your destination. And it all starts with a sunset. It’s a fleeting occurrence, but sunset in Ojai is just about as stunning as it gets. Twelve miles inland from the Pacific Ocean, the city of Ojai lies in a small valley, north of Ventura and east of Santa Barbara. Since Ojai is aligned with an east-west mountain range, it’s one of few spots on earth that have a “Pink Moment” just as the sun is setting. The vanishing sun creates a ribbon of pink for several minutes on the bluffs at the east end of the Ojai Valley. It is a romantic, rare and resplendent moment that can only happen in Ojai.
by Guest Guru Deborah Passin
I love wine so much I made it my career. On California road trips, I can’t help but seek out some of the state’s more than 100 AVAs (American Viticultural Areas). But just as with my wine, I like balance in my vacation. Sure I do plenty of wine tasting, but I also like to explore the environment, culture and people. That means incorporating hikes and great meals and memorable encounters with locals. When all these parts come together, I have the perfect getaway, such as my recent trip to Carmel Valley.
If you’re still reeling from the tax bill you had to pay on April 15, here’s a chance to at least recoup a little of your hard-earned money. From April 22nd through the 26th the entrance fees to all the national parks in the U.S. will be waived, including Pinnacles, Yosemite, Lassen, and Muir Woods. And because this coincides with Earth Day, several parks are offering free family-oriented programs such as “Junior Ranger Day” (with official Junior Ranger badges and certificates!), ranger-led hikes, and volunteer projects. Think of it as an affordable opportunity for you to be a rock-star parent, aunt, or uncle while enjoying America’s Best Idea—our national parks.
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