All "Relaxing" Stories in Southern CA

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  Desert Dreams are Made of These CA National Parks

  Desert dreams are made of these two California national parks. Joshua Tree and Death Valley are both marvels for their natural formations, high ranking dark sky status, beautiful and unique blooms, and variety of animal life. Here are some of the best hikes to do in these parks.

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  Enter for a 2-Night Getaway on California's "Secret Coast"

  Enjoy the ultimate coastal experience with a complimentary 2-night stay at Mar Vista Farm + Cottages on the Mendocino Coast. Plus get 4 tickets to visit the California Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park. 

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  The Great Grunion Run

  Meet the Flintstones. Meet the Flockers. Meet the Grunion?! Yep. They’re the flashiest show this side of the Oscars, and they’re on a limited run. The great grunion run is when hundreds of silvery, flashing sardine-size fish make a dazzling nighttime lunge onto some SoCal beaches to lay eggs.

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  Berkeley Cool

  The Bay Area’s coolest place to go this summer? Berkeley’s your basecamp! Say goodbye to summer heat and hello to cooler experiences. From its chill college town energy to the refreshing ocean breeze.

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  Tramarama!

  Why do hikers, boulderers, and outdoor enthusiasts love the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway? Because it quickly elevates them to the best terrain for adventures!

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  Sundialed Summer

  Gather your favorite people and dial up the summer fun in Redding! There are span-tastic celebrations for the 20th anniversary of the iconic Sundial Bridge and a Fourth of July celebration with one of California’s largest fireworks shows.

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  San Elijo Stairway and Beach Walk

  Grab your sunscreen (and maybe your tent!) and head to San Elijo State Beach and Campground near Cardiff in San Diego County. Take in some bluffside bliss and a 1.5-mile coastal stairway and beach walk.

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  California: State of Nature {Part 2: Coast}

  The California Academy of Sciences’s dynamic new exhibition, California: State of Nature, is a colorful peek into four of our state’s distinct and resilient ecosystems: forests, coasts, deserts, and cities.

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  California: State of Nature {The Magical Mojave}

  The California Academy of Sciences’s dynamic new exhibition, California: State of Nature, is a colorful peek into four of our state’s distinct and resilient ecosystems: forests, coasts, deserts, and cities.

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  A Very Bavarian Spring

  Ready to change up your spring scenery? Pack your bags for this alpine adventure in Washington State’s Cascade Mountains. The Bavarian-style hamlet of Leavenworth could be a stand-in for a mountain village in Europe.

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  Be Dune-spired!

  There’s only one urban park on the planet that helped inspire a major theme in Frank Herbert’s 1965 sci-fi book, Dune. Herbert was born and raised in Tacoma, and Dune Peninsula at Point Defiance Park is named in honor of his famous novel—a tribute to one of the book’s main ideas ...

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  Tacoma Time

  Idyllically located on the banks of Puget Sound, Tacoma bustles with abundant outdoors, a lively urban center, and the beautiful Ruston Way Waterfront, which connects downtown to one of America’s preeminent urban parks: Point Defiance Park.

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  The Beauty of Bainbridge Island

  You know a place is special when locals head to it for their in-state vacations. Follow the lead of Seattleites and venture to beautiful Bainbridge Island in the heart of Puget Sound on the Kitsap Peninsula. Hike the Grand Forest here, meet Pia the Peacekeeper, and enjoy tasty food and drinks.

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  Little Norway

  There aren’t many small towns in America that look and feel like Europe, but Washington State sure seems to have a few! Lesser known among them is Poulsbo on the Kitsap Peninsula. Dubbed “Little Norway,” this hamlet on the waterfront of Liberty Bay is charmed with Scandinavian influence.  

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  Go Big in Bremerton

  Make your way to the largest city on the Kitsap Peninsula, Bremerton. Best known for its naval and maritime heritage, there’s also plenty of outdoors to explore, including a hidden treasure within the Puget Sound Basin: the Keta Legacy Foundation Rhododendron Preserve.

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  Spring Up to These Amazing Events

  Shake it up, shake it all the way up to this sunniest city in the state for the most unique and fun-fueled events. Redding is true Northern California, surrounded by famous mountains, nearby national parks and recreation areas, and the sparkling Sacramento River.

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  Port of Call

  Nestled by the sea on the majestic Olympic Peninsula in Washington State, Port Townsend is for travelers who treasure small town charm and natural beauty.

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  Favorite Spring Color? North Lake Tahoe Blue

  Where do you go to make spring twice as nice? North Lake Tahoe, naturally! Spring here offers perfect pairings that are fun for everyone, like snow sports in the morning followed by a relaxing lakeside afternoon.

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  Sonoma's Got the Best Spring Film + Food Fest

  Exquisite food and famous chefs (Susan Feniger!), exceptional wine (Sonoma!), interesting films (Ethan Hawke's "Wildcat"); and super fun parties (Gay-LA Disco!): Spring into Sonoma March 20 to 24 for the Sonoma International Film Festival (SIFF).

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  Sonoma Valley's 100 Days of Winter Wellness Guide

  This winter wellness plan goes to 100! Nurture yourself in 2024 with Sonoma Valley’s 100 Days of Winter Wellness guide. It’s a perfectly curated array of inspiration and ideas.

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