Seasonal Escapes

Fall Foliage Getaways

Sunday, November 22nd, 2009

Local Getaways - Great Getaways - Fall Foliage GetawaysNow that autumn is upon us, it’s time to consider taking a weekend getaway to enjoy some of the best fall foliage viewing in the country. November is the perfect time to take a relaxing road trip, enjoy the crisp weather, tranquil setting, and vibrant patchwork of California’s fall colors—vivid leaves of orange, yellow, copper, and red that herald the changing of the seasons.

Listed below are some of my favorite places to visit (and things to do) this time of year, such as riding bikes through Sacramento’s Capital Park, strolling around historic Nevada City, or taking a scenic drive along Ebbetts Pass, one of the prettiest byways in the country. It’s the perfect kind of getaway for a romantic weekend, snuggled up in a cozy B&B by the fire while looking though all the amazing photos of blazing elms, maples, and oaks that you captured during the day. Read full article »

Spring Flowers

Friday, March 20th, 2009

Local Getaways - Great Getaways - Spring Flowers

Now that springtime is here, it’s time to get outdoors and pay homage to Mother Nature’s handiwork. Blooming orchards, bright swaths of field mustard and splashes of roadside poppies signal the crescendo of wildflower season, which is building to a peak now and should continue into mid or late April on the coast and in the Central Valley, depending on the weather. Late-winter rains created ideal conditions for a bumper crop of blooms. So why wait? An overnight getaway with a floral focus is a great way to welcome the season. Read full article »

Snow-Play Getaways

Thursday, March 5th, 2009

Local Getaways - Great Getaways - Snow Play GetawaysThese getaway tips are for everyone who’s tired of listening to his or her skier friends boast about all that fresh “pow pow” in Tahoe. So you don’t ski or snowboard—big deal. There are plenty of other exhilarating winter activities in the Tahoe region that don’t require you to buy absurdly expensive lift tickets and humiliate yourself on the bunny slopes. I’ve been heading up to Tahoe every winter since I was a toddler and I know ALL the best places to play in the snow, whether it’s bombing down the hill on a saucer at Granlibakken or dog sledding through a snowy alpine meadow. No previous experience is required for any of these getaways, so start planning a Tahoe getaway today to play in all that glorious new snow. Read full article »

The Best Winter Wildlife Watching

Tuesday, January 6th, 2009

Local Getaways - Great Getaways - The Best Winter Wildlife WatchingIf you’re looking for something interesting and affordable to do this weekend, 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. 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 shiny new day-planner right now and carve out a few days for a wildlife watching getaway. Read full article »

Fall Foliage Getaways – Sacramento, The Gold Country, and The High Sierra

Thursday, November 20th, 2008

Local Getaways - Great Getaways - Fall Foliage GetawaysListed below are some of my favorite places to visit (and things to do) this time of year, such as riding bikes through Sacramento’s Capital Park, strolling around historic Nevada City, or taking a scenic drive along Ebbetts Pass, one of the prettiest byways in the country. It’s the perfect kind of getaway for a romantic weekend, snuggled up in a cozy B&B by the fire while looking though all the amazing photos of blazing elms, maples, and oaks that you captured during the day. Read full article »