Few trees are as magnificent as the California coast redwoods - living behemoths whose size and height seem to make a mockery of other trees nearby. And while there are a handful of scattered locations around the state to see them, my absolute favorite place is the "Avenue of the Giants," an incredible 27 km (17 mile) drive through northern California's ancient redwood forest. The road is lined by some of the largest trees in the world. It … [Read more...]
Three California Roads Less Traveled
It's easy to argue that California is the land freeways and automobiles. And with its massive scale and incredible geographic diversity, there are plenty of scenic routes to explore. We've all heard of the world-famous drives, like the section of the Pacific Coast Highway through Big Sur or Mulholland Drive through the Hollywood Hills. While I have plenty of favorites, I'd like to share three lesser-known routes. There are, of course, many more … [Read more...]
Mushroom Madness in Mendocino County
MENDOCINO COUNTY, CALIF. – As the flavors of fall arrive in Northern California's Mendocino County so does the annual crop of coveted candy cap, chanterelle, porcini and hedgehog mushrooms. Straddling historic Highways 1 and 101 with nearly 2,500 sq. miles of live oak and stately redwood groves, the region is a natural hotspot for some 3,000 mushroom varieties, 500 of which are edible. The annual haul is nothing short of historic, nurturing … [Read more...]
The Blue Lagoon Experience, Iceland
As I pulled out of the airport I saw steam in the distance - making a mental note to come back here I later realized this must be the "sign" of the infamous Blue Lagoon. I returned in the afternoon driving through what at a quick glance looks like a barren wasteland with volcanic rock strewn all about. As you glance across this stark landscape you see no trees - but if you look closer in certain sheltered rock plateaus, there are in fact small … [Read more...]
A Guide To California’s Top Natural Beauty Spots
California is pretty amazingly beautiful, so selecting the top 5 spots was pretty tough, but in the name of being succinct that's what I have done for this post. So here are my favourite few places in California - must see spots for any nature lover. 1. Redwood National Park I just love forests, so this was always going to be on my list. The national park is mostly made of dense forest and beautiful (and huge) redwood trees which are sure to … [Read more...]
Exploring Napa…as in the City of Napa
Introduction For many years the city of Napa was just a place you passed as you entered the Napa Valley - the city center is not on the main highway (Highway 29) and it was lacking in restaurants, hotels and tasting rooms. When you told people you were visiting the Napa Valley, the city of Napa was not mentioned as your final destination, rather you would have been referring to the wineries up valley; it was those wineries that long attracted … [Read more...]
Italian Food Without Tomato Sauce
Living in San Francisco, there's no dearth of restaurants to choose from on a Saturday evening. A few weekends ago, I was given the opportunity to dine in Oakland and wondered what on earth the food scene would be like - was there even a food scene?! The answer is a resounding yes!! From the Temescal area to the streets around Broadway and Telegraph, Oakland surprises with top notch chefs, hipster bars and a thriving food scene! Then there's … [Read more...]
2013 Travel Writing Contest Winners & Honorable Mentions
Of all the past travel writing contests, this was the most difficult year to narrow down the entries to the top three winners. We initially selected 11 from over 100 entries. One entry stood out from the others and was the unanimous choice for our top spot. After discussion among the three judges - the three top entries are: Bring Adventure Back to Europe, by Richard Bangs Without An Address, You Can’t Go Home, … [Read more...]
Sonoma County offers New Outdoor Adventures & Entertainment
Guided vineyard bicycle tours, stand up paddle, zip-lines and hot rods heat up summer SANTA ROSA, CA – May 30, 2013 – Sonoma County, a region predominantly known for its wine and culinary offerings, is showing visitors its adventurous side with new and exciting activities this summer. From guided vineyard bicycle tours to paddle boarding the Petaluma River, Sonoma’s summer adventures create unique experiences for travelers of all ages. To take … [Read more...]
Finding Inspiration Among the Redwoods
“The redwoods, once seen, leave a mark or create a vision that stays with you always...from them comes silence and awe. The most irreverent of men, in the presence of redwoods, goes under a spell of wonder and respect.” - John Steinbeck As we drive along the Redwood Highway, I am reminded why so many great writers, the likes of Steinbeck and Muir, found their voices in the forests of Northern California. The story tellers that came before … [Read more...]