After a design-filled road trip from San Francisco to Napa and Sonoma, artist Christine Flynn craved more Pacific Coast adventures. So this time she headed south to explore Southern California’s dreamy coastline and Baja’s beach towns for 12 sun-soaked days. Fly into LAX and hop in an Uber for the 40-minute drive (depending on LA’s infamous traffic) northwest of downtown to the unique urban enclave that is Santa Monica. EXPLORE Start off with a walk to the iconic Santa Monica Pier. Rent a bike from Santa Monica Bike Rentals and cruise along the cycling path to Venice Beach. Have dinner at Gran Blanco, where the locally-sourced seasonal menu is only outdone by a great California wine list. Stop for ice cream at Salt & Straw—their Nutella strawberry banana flavor is a dream come true. For the more health-conscious, The Butcher’s Daughter is all plant-based and all boho California cool. STAY Check in at the Huntley Santa Monica … [Read more...] about Southern California and Cabo in 12 Days
Southern california decking
6.9 earthquake felt in Southern California
LOS ANGELES (AP) — A magnitude 6.9 earthquake jolted Southern California and was felt as far away as Mexico Friday night, but no major damage was reported.The quake, which initially was reported as magnitude 7.1, would be the largest temblor in the region in 20 years and was centered in the same area as a 6.4 quake that hit a day earlier.The shaker at 8:19 p.m. was centered 11 miles from Ridgecrest, a Mojave Desert town 150 miles (240 kilometers) away from Los Angeles that saw building damage, fires and several injuries from the earlier quake.Officials in San Bernardino County reported homes shifting, foundation cracking and retaining walls coming down. One person suffered minor injuries and was being treated by firefighters, they said.Lucy Jones, a seismologist with the California Institute of Technology's seismology lab, tweeted that the quake was part of the sequence that produced the earlier quake.The new jolt was felt in downtown Los Angeles as a rolling motion that seemed … [Read more...] about 6.9 earthquake felt in Southern California
Southern California Close-Ups: San Diego, Coronado and La Jolla
Plenty of tourists overlook Point Loma, but not you. First stop is the Cabrillo National Monument (1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego), where an 1850s lighthouse overlooks dramatic cliffs and tide pools. On the way, you'll see the grassy slopes of Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery, where about 100,000 service members and family members are buried. Then return to Point Loma Seafoods (2805 Emerson St., San Diego), a local haunt that upgraded in early 2012, and grab a table on the upstairs deck overlooking the marina. If you were more wholesome, you'd head next to Liberty Station (www.libertystation.com), where the former Naval Training Center now contains a shopping center, nine-hole golf course and vast expanses of grass. (Escondido-based Stone Brewing Co. is due to open a Liberty Station bistro later this year.) And if you were trendier, you might dine at Gabardine (www.gabardineeats.com), a seafood spot that opened in March at 1005 Rosecrans St. Instead you pop over the hill to … [Read more...] about Southern California Close-Ups: San Diego, Coronado and La Jolla
What to do at Southern California casinos to mark Lunar New Year
By Alex Groves | [email protected] | The Press-EnterprisePUBLISHED: January 26, 2019 at 11:21 am | UPDATED: January 26, 2019 at 11:22 am Lunar New Year means big meals, family gatherings and gift-giving, but some who celebrate may head to Southern California’s casinos to test their luck in the Year of The Pig. The casinos will not only offer visitors gaming specials and giveaways to ring in the Feb. 5 holiday, but also the chance to see elaborate dances and sample an array of Asian dishes, some of which signify good luck and good fortune. But why is gambling such a big part of the holiday? Gambling during the Lunar New Year draws its roots from a time when Chinese societies were agricultural and not industrial, Jinghui “Jack” Liu, a professor of Chinese Studies at Cal State Fullerton, said. Liu said the start of Lunar New Year was a time traditionally when farmers had sold off their crops for the year and had disposable time and income. They lit fireworks and cooked … [Read more...] about What to do at Southern California casinos to mark Lunar New Year
The high limit gaming experience is changing at Southern California casinos, here’s how
By Alex Groves | [email protected] | The Press-EnterprisePUBLISHED: January 23, 2019 at 7:24 am | UPDATED: January 23, 2019 at 12:59 pm Make your way past the flashing lights and noise of the regular gaming floor at a Southern California casino and you will likely find more secluded spaces, where the minimum bets are much higher and the experience is elevated to match. These high limit gaming rooms are often decked out with luxe furnishings, food, drinks and dedicated employees. And just as many Southern California casinos are expanding and renovating, they’re also updating their high limit rooms. Many are separating their high limit slots and high limit table games into different spaces as well as updating the decor and game offerings. Creating separate experiences Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa in Rancho Mirage is the most recent casino to undergo that transition. It recently moved its high limit slots out of its high limit gaming room and has opened a dedicated … [Read more...] about The high limit gaming experience is changing at Southern California casinos, here’s how