Pechanga Resort Casino There’s nothing better than a quick getaway destination with good food, amenities galore, reasonable rates, and a casino. Since I had read about Pechanga’s $300 million expansion last year, I decided to give it a try. Spoiler alert: I wasn’t disappointed. History The Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians has called the[…]
Recent History: Chico, CA has been in the news a lot since the devastating fire that destroyed its neighbor, Paradise. It became the the staging ground for Cal Fire and volunteers from around the state and country. Chico was also inundated with almost 20,000 displaced persons. The community was impacted greatly but is slowly recovering.[…]
Memorial Day marks the unofficial beginning of summer. If a beach vacation is in your plans, head to San Diego’s “jewel,” La Jolla. Although it has an upscale reputation, there are lots of ways to enjoy inexpensive meals and free things to do. I’ve lived in La Jolla for 45+ years, so I’ve shopped around[…]
Background – The village of Comala, population 20,000, is located approximately 75 miles east of Manzanillo in the small state of Colima, Mexico. It is the least populous region in the entire country. Indigenous people first appeared in the area 3,000 years ago and called it Ajuchitlán, the Valley of the Flowers. Pueblos de Mexico[…]
Although the Gold Rush first brought prospectors to California looking to make their fortunes, the Reno area exploded with the discovery of silver at the Comstock Lode. Then came the entrepreneurs (think Levi’s blue jeans), prostitutes, and shady characters. Illegal gambling parlors sprung up; it was truly the wild west. By the 1920s, Reno was[…]
There’s something relaxing and almost mystical about boats bobbing on the water with the sounds of docks creaking and halyards clanging. The Kona Kai Resort & Spa and its marina, on San Diego’s secluded Shelter Island, provides safe harbor for a couples or family getaway. In 1953, C. Arnholt Smith built a marina on a[…]
A Surprising Discovery Located in California’s sparsely populated San Joaquin Valley is “an unexpected oasis,” the Harris Ranch Inn & Restaurant. It’s much more than a way-stop along a stretch of Highway 5 between San Francisco and Los Angeles. History: The Harris family has been farming in California for over 100 years. They established[…]
“Mile High” Idyllwild (altitude 1.6 km) and Tahquitz Rock, often called Lily Rock, have received world-wide recognition from rock climbers since the 1930s. In 1947, a “difficulty of climb” scale, based on Tahquitz Rock, was established. After the ascent of Half Dome in 1957, the Sierra Club tweaked the values and the ratings became known[…]
Nevada’s nickname is “The Silver State,” and is home to a casino resort on my list of favorite places to stay and play…The Silver Legacy Resort Casino in Reno. Ambling Hotels have their own personality so, after my speedy check-in, I wandered around to catch the vibe. I discovered restaurants, shops, entertainment venues, bars/nightclubs, the[…]
What an excellent way to start the new year; great values and unique dining experiences. The 14th annual San Diego Restaurant Week features almost 200 of the county’s best dining establishments. It’s designed to allow you to try new places at different price points. Prix-fixe three-course dinners range from $20 – $50 per person. Two-course[…]