Who says fall in California can’t be cozy? The Golden State may have more palm trees than pumpkins, but this small town escape makes for the perfect fall destination. Just a three hour drive north from Los Angeles, picturesque Morro Bay along California’s Central Coast is full of stunning vistas and a small town feel. … Read more
California seems to be the land of the disappearing dollar. The Golden State has earned the dubious distinction of being the most expensive state in the country to stretch a buck, with a new nationwide ranking revealing that $100 buys just $90 worth of goods and services in the notoriously pricey state. That’s last among … Read more
At this charming California restaurant, the Wild West never ended. Western-themed eatery Descanso Junction Restaurant has been named the best hole-in-the-wall for comfort food in California by The Takeout. The roadside restaurant is located along Southern California’s State Route 79, just a 40-minute drive east of beachy San Diego. Sign up for the California Morning … Read more
California’s seaside cliffs — which make up roughly 70% of the state’s iconic coastline — are rapidly crumbling into the sea, according to a new study by University of California, San Diego. Much of the coastal cliff erosion was concentrated in hotspots in Northern and Central California, specifically Humboldt, San Francisco, San Mateo and Monterey … Read more
Come hungry and prepare for a feast. A tiny cafe tucked into California’s Sierra foothills has been crowned the state’s best “hole-in-the-wall” breakfast spot by The Takeout. The online food magazine praised Sonora’s Mandy’s Breakfast House for putting creative spins on classic favorites, all served on hearty plates sure to satisfy even the biggest appetites. … Read more
California’s kitschy “Little Denmark” has another reason to brag. The weekly farmers market in Solvang — the storybook Central Coast wine country town known for its windmills, Danish pastries and European-style streets — has been crowned the second best farmers market in America. Solvang Farmers Market snagged the runner-up spot in Reviewed’s 2026 Readers’ Choice … Read more
Californians can now skip jury duty forever — but there’s a catch. Signed into law on Monday, Assembly Bill 1359 allows Golden Staters aged 80 and up to request a permanent excuse from jury duty due to a health condition — without a note from a doctor. The law will go into effect beginning January 2028. … Read more
Chugga chugga, choo choo. Step aside, Napa Valley — Southern California’s very own “wine train” is roaring back into action this fall, promising riders a unique experience aboard a restored vintage train. The 90-minute ride on the “Backcountry Wine Train” takes you through eastern San Diego County’s scenic highlands, making you feel like you’re out in … Read more
Nama-stay. Already teeming with luxe amenities, pricey California hotels are rushing to upgrade their rooms to cater to wellness fanatics. The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills now has its own wellness floor — with such features as hypoallergenic hardwood flooring, water-purification systems, and even lighting that adapts to your circadian rhythm. The rooms … Read more
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