Southern California
-
The Magic of Christmas at Roger’s Garden
We are fortunate to have a gorgeous nursery down the street from where we live called Roger’s Garden. Every year we head over there during Christmas time to check out their holiday decor to get ideas to decorate our house. They have rooms upon rooms filled with the most beautiful ornaments, trees and so much more! I had a chance to speak to Nava Rezvan, their marketing manager, about what it takes to prepare for their expected 250,000 guests that come through their doors during the holiday season. She explained that their team will travel the world to find the most beautiful and diverse collection of ornaments that they use to decorate their twenty-five…
-
The Majestic Kelp Forests Of Catalina
Not many people realize that one of the most beautiful forests in California is the one under the water, just off shore. -That’s right, the pacific coast is home to one of the most beautiful kelp forests on the planet, and most people watch those beautiful sunsets without the slightest idea that the sun is setting on a whole new world under there. I just got back from a three-day live-aboard dive trip near Catalina, an island off the coast of Los Angeles. I was aboard The Sand Dollar, a dive boat that provides live-aboard diving excursions nearly 365 days a year. Before I get to the sights, let me…
-
A Beautiful Fall In Santa Monica
Santa Monica is a wonderful place to visit any time of year, but Fall is especially nice with beautiful, warm days and lots of fun activities. While it can get a little nippy at night with the ocean breeze, a sweatshirt or light sweater will usually be enough. Santa Monica hosts many fun activities through the months of October through November. If you missed the Halloween fun, be sure to check out the Thanksgiving and Christmas activities. Every year, Downtown Santa Monica creates a little piece of heaven known as ‘ICE at Santa Monica‘ right on the corner of 5th Street and Arizona Avenue. This incredible outdoor skating rink gives tourists…
-
An Adventure In Art
I’m a traveling’ gal. I feel the need to admit that straight up. I love to get up and go. In fact, if I’m at home for more than 2 weeks straight I start to get a little ‘antsy pants’. So, feeling ‘the need for speed’, I gathered my husband and our two youngest kiddos (the two left at home), and hit the wild blue yonder in search of an adventure. This most recent adventure took us to Laguna Beach, California. I would also like to admit right here and now that I l-o-v-e Southern California. The beautiful beaches, beautiful weather, and beautiful people. (Hey, did I mention the word…
-
The Upham Hotel & Country House in Santa Barbara, California
This past weekend, we had the chance to stay at The Upham Hotel & Country House in Santa Barbara that has the quaintness of a Bed & Breakfast but the accessibility of a hotel. Most of the B & Bs in the United States are older properties turned into guesthouses. Many of the B & B Inn owners have kept up-to-date and offer free parking, spa services and nightly wine or cheese hours. In the case of The Upham Hotel, they offered milk and cookies at night which was such a treat and a full continental breakfast in the morning. The History of Bed & Breakfast Inns: This custom…
