Memories mix with new discoveries when the writer visits his old stomping ground on the Central Coast. I’ve been a little reluctant to recommend my old stomping grounds to a larger audience as a place to visit, but then Smithsonian magazine just named Cambria one of the “Top 15 Small Towns to Visit.” So, the […]
Exploring Orange County’s Native Wild Lands
How you and your kids can take outdoor adventures through OC’s wild, open spaces. With so much wild, open space in Orange County, residents have access to one of the most biologically diverse landscapes in the world, so why not experience it with your children? Introducing kids to the outdoors and allowing them to experience […]
Must-Try Hikes for August
Get some fresh air and exercise with the family this summer at these local scenic hikes. Planning for school is always nerve-wracking, for sure. And by now, many parents feel as though they have pulled out all the stops on finding creative activities in the home and backyard. Maybe there were some trips to a […]
Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve
A trail on the Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve near Murrieta offers families a nearby hike full of natural wonders. People often ask me what my favorite local hike is. That’s a tough question. How can I compare a wildflower hike with a walk in the woods or a scramble to a waterfall? Each hike […]
Family Hiking Magic
The wonders of hiking can be enjoyed by the whole family with just a bit of planning. This is shaping up to be a spectacular hiking season. The early, drenching rains set the creeks flowing with water again. The warm sunshine interspersed among the storms provided just the right conditions for colorful wildflowers to pop […]
Family-Friendly Hikes in Orange County
Check out some of these family-friendly docent-led hikes in time for the Orange County hiking season. In most areas of the country, this is the dead of winter. In Orange County, it’s prime hiking season. Depending on when and how much rain arrives, this is often the time when the first wildflowers show up, water […]
Fairies In Our Midst
Escape to the enchanted garden of mystical fairies with your children by creating one in your own backyard, or visit one together at this obscure gem of a trail in Mission Viejo. What child can resist the book, “The Secret Garden”? It’s always been an enchanting notion: A special, hidden space for children, which they […]
Escape to Cambria
Where Moonstones, kayak paddles, otters and elephant seals compete with Hearst Castle for attention. The time was when families traveled to the San Simeon area solely to tour Hearst Castle and take in views of the dramatic Central Coast shoreline. Don’t get me wrong, those are still around and as eye-popping as ever — and […]
Romantic Wine, Art, and Hiking Getaway Ideas
A room becomes more romantic when paired with wine, art, or a coastal hike. The Carmel Highlands & Point Lobos. The storms of one year ago destroyed a large swath of the iconic Big Sur Highway, making Carmel inaccessible from the south (reopening is slated for summer of 2018). But if you come to the […]
The “Big Island” of Hawaii
Touching down in Kona, you might be confused as you exit the plane. But yes, that is the whole airport and yes, you would be correct in observing that most of it is outdoors. This is just the start of the charming quirks of the largest of the Hawaiian islands, the “Big Island” of Hawaii. […]
