Something’s rotten in the state of Little Denmark. The quaint California tourist town of Solvang is in a major snit over a controversial glamping resort proposal from a developer that’s in court with the town over another disputed hotel project — with new details emerging from inside the battle against what one member of the Scandinavian-ish … Read more
California’s “lost” mountain towns are about to be found. An ambitious 500-mile single-track trail is being pieced together, reaching from Northern California to Western Nevada, with plans to link 15 far-flung communities once fueled by the Gold Rush, logging, and mining. The mammoth Lost Sierra Route would snake through some of the Golden State’s most … Read more
Americans are increasingly seeking the sound of silence, and they can find it on this West Coast outpost. A recent report found that 56% of US travelers want to retreat to the wilderness in blessed quiet, while global Google searches for “quiet destinations” have increased 1,268% year on year. Indeed, amid the maddening noise of the … Read more
Afternoon tea is having a moment in California, with luxury hotels across the state putting fresh spins on the centuries-old British tradition. At the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, the oceanfront property serves its afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, warm scones, pastries, and Fairmont’s signature Lot 35 loose-leaf teas. The experience returned … Read more
A Northern California city once known for its grim Gold Rush-era hangings is now in the running to be crowned one of the merriest Christmas towns in America by the Hallmark Channel. Placerville, located in El Dorado County, was founded in 1848 and was originally known as Dry Diggins before earning the unfortunate name “Hangtown.” … Read more
Get clucked, the kitchen is closing. After a decades-long run dishing up chicken and waffles, an Oakland staple is closing its doors for good. Home of Chicken and Waffles announced the closure on its website telling guests its last day to scarf down a plate will be on August 31. “Thank you for all the … Read more
A sleepy fishing village north of San Francisco that was made famous by one of Hollywood’s most unsettling movies is suddenly the state’s hottest Labor Day getaway. Bodega Bay — the Sonoma County seaside town forever linked to Alfred Hitchcock’s horror movie “The Birds” — has landed among the fastest-rising vacation destinations in America for … Read more
California commuters have crowned the state’s ultimate traffic nightmare — and it’s not in Los Angeles. The infamous “MacArthur Maze” near the Bay Bridge has been ranked the worst commute in California, beating out the notorious freeway gridlock that routinely brings Southern California to a crawl. A new survey from Resume.io asked 3,017 employees how … Read more
Car enthusiast and former late-night host Jay Leno’s crusade to free classic cars from California’s smog checks is revving up at the state Capitol, as bipartisan lawmakers make a final push to pass “Leno’s Law.” The longtime “Tonight Show” host joined state Sen. Shannon Grove on Wednesday to push Senate Bill 1392, a.k.a. “Leno’s Law,” … Read more
This quaint California town has been crowned the fairest of them all…or at least the prettiest place in the Golden State. Architectural Digest recently published its list of the prettiest towns in every state. “We’ve focused on identifying one standout town—we were especially drawn to those that are both stunning and abundant in culture,” said … Read more
As summer wanes and Labor Day waves in the near distance, camping is top of mind for many a Californian, and the call of the wild may be closer than you think. Hipcamp, an app that connects campers to outdoor accommodations, has revealed that a former avocado farm is California’s highest-rated campground with a 95% … Read more
Not everyone can live in Los Angeles or San Francisco — someone’s got to hold it down in Fresno. A recent report from real estate platform Houzeo breaks down the 10 most affordable places to live in the Golden State. Each city was given an overall affordability score out of ten, based on three main … Read more
Wealthy Californians are fleeing the Golden State’s punishing policies for the snow-capped Southern Alps in New Zealand. A surge of wealthy Americans, particularly Californians, are snapping up “golden visas,” where they pay at least NZ$5 million — roughly $2.9 million — to secure the right to live, work and study in the country, the Financial … Read more
Chock-full of charming Mission-era architecture and lush trees, the Los Rios Historic District is a feast for the eyes and steeped in history. The Orange County neighborhood is nestled in San Juan Capistrano, a city established by the Spanish in 1776 as the seventh of the Spanish California missions. The picturesque Los Rios District is considered … Read more
A surge in shark sightings has terrified Southern California beach-goers this summer, but a legendary shark tracker says swimmers can breathe easy. The idea that local beaches are suddenly infested with bloodthirsty man-eating great whites is total “garbage,” according to veteran shark tracer Keith Poe, who has logged more than 33 years tracking one of … Read more
High-dollar diners looking to heed the call of the open road should head for the West Coast, where just in time for summer travel season, the culinary authorities at Michelin have curated a culinary map for hungry and deep-pocketed drivers hitting California’s iconic Highway 1. The paved road through paradise covers nearly 700 miles, winding … Read more
Californians hitting the road for the Fourth of July holiday will be forced to fork over nearly a dollar more for a gallon of gas than last Independence Day. As of Thursday, the average price of regular gas in the state stood at a whopping $5.40 per gallon — compared to just $4.57 a year … Read more
California’s massive new desert surf park has finally made its debut, with one surfing star hailing it as the “best wave pool in the world” after helping to test-drive the long-awaited attraction. DSRT Surf, the expansive new Palm Desert oasis set to open in late summer, recently threw its first super session, welcoming some of … Read more
Three Los Angeles County public schools are proving that poverty doesn’t have to dictate academic success. A new national report has identified five California public schools that are dramatically outperforming expectations when it comes to teaching children how to read — and three LA County schools that serve student populations where more than 90% of … Read more
The countdown is on for one of Southern California’s biggest new developments. OCVIBE, the sprawling 100-acre, $4 billion district rising around Anaheim’s Honda Center, has unveiled the first wave of restaurants, public spaces and attractions set to open over the next year — while also revealing an all-star lineup of chefs who will anchor its … Read more