Parks & Wildlife

Whale Watching

Sunday, February 28th, 2010

It’s time to witness one of the greatest wildlife migrations on the planet, and it’s happening just west of you. Every March herds gray whales can be spotted from shore as they journey northward along the coast, completing the last leg of their 14,000-mile annual round-trip. The proud parents are heading back to their Arctic feeding grounds after giving birth to their calves in the warm waters of Baja California (yes, even baby whales are adorable).

Ergo, this week’s theme is all about my favorite places along the Northern Coast to spot gray whales—from Mendocino to Monterey Bay—as well as the best whale watching boat tours and places to stay during your whale watching getaway. And don’t forget to bring binoculars. Read full article »

Garden Getaways

Sunday, February 7th, 2010

Local Getaways - Great Getaways - Garden GetawaysI have a confession to make. If I didn’t have to visit Northern California’s botanical gardens and preserves to review them for my travel guides, I probably never would have learned how amazing the places are. Until I actually visited the spectacular Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park and the mind-blowing Cornerstone Festival of Gardens in Sonoma Valley, I never realized how… entertaining the world of botany can be.

If you’re already a fan of gardens, you won’t need encouraging, but for all you too-cool-for-tulips types, trust me: A getaway to any of these five botanical gardens will turn your thumbs green in no time. Read full article »

The Top 5 Road Trips

Sunday, January 10th, 2010

Local Getaways - Great Getaways - Top 5 Road Trips - Avenue of the GiantsSome of the best memories I have as a kid growing up in Sacramento include piling into the Country Squire station wagon with my sisters (Seatbelts? What seatbelts?) and taking family road trips to the mountains or coast. Every trip was a mini-adventure filled with discovery and danger (Don’t make me pull this car over!). Even now I still get that tingle of anticipation as I load up the car with luggage and hit the open road to anywhere but my office. So in the spirit of good times and grand adventures, I’d like to share with you five of my favorite road trips in Northern California. Read full article »

Winter Wildlife Watching

Sunday, December 6th, 2009

Local Getaways - Great Getaways - Winter Wildlife WatchingIf you’re looking for something interesting and affordable to do this winter, Mother Nature is putting on some pretty good free shows this time of year. Much of the wildlife in Northern California is doing the wild thing, and they don’t care who’s watching. Some of the most fascinating eco-excursions in the state only take place in the winter, such as the monarch butterfly migration to Pacific Grove, millions of migrating waterfowl in Sacramento Valley, and elephant seal mating rituals at Año Nuevo State Reserve (believe me, if you’ve never seen a pair of 2-ton elephant seal bulls fighting over a lady, you’re in for a treat). So grab your day-planner right now and carve out a few days this December for a winter wildlife watching getaway. Read full article »