Searching for saganaki? Hit Greek town on the Danforth. Thali? Head to Little India in the east end. Momos? Parkdale’s Tibetan dumplings come fried or baked. Craving sweets? Little Portugal slings pastéis de nata, the tiny, cinnamon-dusted offspring of a créme brulée and a tart. And shumai? There are two Chinatowns downtown and four more in the Greater Toronto area. The range of food options speaks to the diversity of the city, as do its hotels, which bear their own global influences.

The Shangri-La Toronto, for instance, nods to the traditional décor of the hotel chain’s Hong Kong hometown in its sleek and expensive guest rooms. Its onsite spa, however, draws upon the Middle East, while the hotel restaurant, Bosk, offers Northern Italian food by way of Canadian produce.

For a hipper vibe, go with the historic Broadview Hotel in the east end. It has a lively rooftop restaurant with a view and rooms equipped with quirky wallpaper and vinyl record players. Or choose the Gladstone House on Queen West, one of Toronto’s oldest hotels. A refresh brought local art and funky mood lighting to contrast the building’s exposed brick walls.

To do Toronto right, start at Kensington Market. On a food tour from Chopsticks & Forks, I learn that Kensington began as a Jewish market. By 1931, 80 percent of all Jewish people dwelling in Toronto lived in and around the Kensington Market neighborhood just west of downtown, most from Eastern Europe. After the second World War, however, waves of immigration brought people from all over the world—from Asia, the Caribbean, Eastern Europe, and beyond.

These days, two synagogues call the area home alongside a cultural collision of many different communities. As you explore the market’s streets, you may hear a Bob Marley song emanating from one door, someone playing an accordion down the street, and an old man busking on an erhu (akin to a Chinese fiddle) on the corner. In less than three hours, we sample foods from nine countries and five continents, passing vintage clothing boutiques, bulk spice stores, butchers and cheese shops, specialty markets, and bohemian cafés along the way. After a smoked trout bagel sandwich from NU Bügel—a bakery started up by two Venezuelan friends—I scarf Jamaican food at Golden Patty, then wash down bites from Chilean-owned Jumbo Empanadas with a bright yellow Peruvian soft drink called Inca Kola. At Koi Japan Sushi, I nibble salmon avocado sushi, wrapped in tofu instead of seaweed and sprinkled with flakes of 18-karat gold. We finish our tour with a stop for a cookie and a rooibos tea at Fika Café, a Swedish coffee shop with a cozy room in the back where one wall is papered with open books.

And Kensington is just one of many markets in the city. St. Lawrence Market was the city’s first, beginning operations in 1803. Now spread over three buildings, it’s hopping with people picking up fresh fruit and vegetables; visiting seafood stalls, bakers, and butchers; and buying local favorites, like the peameal bacon sandwich.

Of course, food choices aren’t merely sequestered in the city’s markets. There are almost 9,500 restaurants in Toronto, including more than 80 Michelin-recognized spots, so visitors can’t run out of places to explore, even if they try.

At Adrak Yorkville, a fine-dining Indian restaurant, the rani kachori my husband and I share resembles a dispatch from Barbieland, its yogurt sauce dyed bright pink with beetroot and its crispy, puffed puri shell stuffed with veggies and adorned with edible flowers.

February 13, 2024

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The next night, we dine on an outdoor patio at Viaggio, an Italian restaurant near the west end’s Polish turned-hipster Roncesvalles Village. We began with the panzanella, the implied stodginess of a bread salad made light and refreshing with the addition of heirloom tomatoes, buffalo mozz, and wild leeks. It stands in perfect contrast to our next plate, the mafaldine, a rich tomato-based ragu with bone marrow, sausage, and rapini. And then dessert: tiramisu pancakes drenched in a warmed espresso syrup and topped with mascarpone mousse and a dash of cocoa.

The following week, we bike downtown to the Northern Thai spot PAI, where we descend a staircase into a labyrinth of connecting rooms with colorful flags draped from the ceiling. Our meal begins with the plum mule cocktail, a sweet, spicy take on the Moscow mule with plum wine in the mix.

A couple of nights later, I end up at BB’s Diner, an unpretentious Filipino restaurant bearing cozy booths and stools perched around an omakase-style bar. I start with the G&T—made with a cordial based on calamansi, a citrus native to the Philippines—then dig into the Adobo fried chicken with pineapple habanero sauce.

Toronto, truly, is a great place to get full. But while food tells you much about a city’s culture, Toronto’s diversity is also something you can see, feel, and hear.

The city loves its street festivals, from celebrations of salsa dancing on St. Clair and the Polish festival on Roncesvalles to the Ukrainian Festival on Bloor West and the Toronto Caribbean Carnival, the largest of its kind in North America. The colder months bring an ice sculpture fest, light shows, and winter markets.

Toronto’s more than 60 galleries and museums, too, reflect the breadth of the city’s cultures. Venture beyond standbys like the Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario, and Museum of Contemporary Art to wander lesser-known but equally fascinating spaces such as the Aga Khan Museum, which showcases Islamic art and artifacts amid stunning, rectilinear architecture. The museum also hosts lectures and poetry, music, and dance performances, including the Duende Flamenco Festival, taking place November 14 to 17.

The newly opened Toronto Holocaust Museum was intentionally designed, says Marketing and Communications Director Michelle Fishman, as a “contemplative space” where visitors are invited to “approach the content through the lens of their own unique immigration experiences, efforts at acculturation, [or] lived trauma.” Across town, the Native Canadian Centre of Toronto offers free tours, giving visitors the chance to explore the city’s Indigenous Canadian roots.

Wellness opportunities also abound, accommodating more customs and budgets than other towns might. An hour-long Thai massage on Bahn Thai Spa’s traditional floor mats will set you back a mere 100 Canadian dollars (about 75 US bucks), while those seeking decadence can invest hundreds into a facial with French ingredients at Hotel X’s fancy Guerlain spa. At the South-Western Bathhouse, tucked in a back alley on the side of a strip mall in Mississauga, you can unwind the Russian way, sweating in a cedar parilka or Finnish sauna and indulging in the strangely soothing charms of a venik, essentially a whipping with a bundle of tree branches. Throw back a shot of vodka, cup of tea, or hearty bowl of goulash before you leave.

Then, relaxed and fortified, find the nearest map, close your eyes, and point. Chances are, wherever your finger lands, Toronto provides the opportunity to explore a multitude of cultures mere steps away.

The post A Guide to Toronto’s Diverse Culinary Scene appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Black’s Beach

San Diego

Start your road trip in sunny San Diego at Black’s Beach, where world-class waves and unapologetically naked hippies converge. The secret recipe for this epic beach break is a massive submarine canyon a thousand feet deep that funnels swells up to the surface rapidly to produce rippable A-frames.

On bigger days, “canyon sets” are a looming threat that emerge from the depths and can clear whole lineups of unsuspecting surfers. In the winter, the spot can produce walls up to 25 feet tall and provide an elusive barrel for the most dedicated of big wave chargers. Black’s is the optimal proving grounds for testing the durability of your shortboard; your tolerance for big wave hold-downs; and your love of traversing tall, unstable cliffs.

• Parking: Torrey Pines Gliderport and a mile-long hike down the cliffside
• Board to Bring: Daily driver shortboard; step-up or big wave gun when it’s on
• Post-Surf Grub: Anything ending in -berto’s: Adalberto’s, Rigoberto’s, Filiberto’s, Roberto’s…

Trestles

San Onofre

Just 45 minutes up the coast (or an hour and a half in Camp Pendleton gridlock) is Trestles, home to arguably the most consistent waves in California. Named for the train tracks that cross the San Mateo Creek, Trestles is a veritable amusement park for surfers, attracting hundreds daily, including the world’s best—Caitlin Simmers, Jack Robinson, and Kolohe Andino among them.

Regardless of your skill level, there is a wave for you at Trestles, which is split into three main sections: Lowers, the home of the WSL finals, where groms bust airs for their sponsorship tapes; Uppers, equipped with fast rights for regular footers looking to carve; and Middles, offering some breathing room for longboarders wanting some mellow waves. No matter what you ride, Trestles is always serving up the goods—if you can dodge the crowds.

• Parking: Park on Cristianitos Road and walk through the reserve, or park closer at San Onofre State Beach with a state pass
• Board to Bring: Anything that floats—shortboards, fish, logs, a reclaimed door
• Post-Surf Grub: Sanchos Tacos, Surfin’ Chicken Grill, or A’s Burgers near Doheny

The Wedge

Orange County

Travel another 35 miles north and you’ll reach the third destination in our journey, The Wedge. Reinstate your health insurance policy, limber up, and paddle out into the Thunderdome of California surf spots. Born from the construction of the Newport Harbor Jetty in the ’30s, this mutant of a wave can reach up to 25 feet tall, breaking directly onto dry sand. Surfing out here feels irresponsible.

Bodyboarders, skimboarders, and bodysurfers rule the water (and the sky) in this area producing gravity-defying airs and insane wipeouts, but surfers are known to sneak a few amid the chaos. This isn’t the place to take out your favorite board; opt for one of Costco’s finest $100 petrochemical watercrafts instead.

• Parking: Pray to the street parking gods for a spot in the residential areas adjacent to East Balboa Boulevard
• Board to Bring: Soft top, boogie board, your body—things you don’t mind breaking
• Post-Surf Grub: Chronic Tacos, Tacos Cancun, Balboa Lily’s, or Newport Landing Restaurant. Order a margarita to nurse your wipeout-induced migraine

Huntington Beach Pier

Orange County

Just eight miles up Highway 1, you’ll arrive at the epicenter of California surfing: Huntington Beach. Known as “Surf City USA,” this spot holds over 100 years of surfing history. Duke Kahanamoku visited often in the 1920s, helping popularize surfing in the mainland, and the US Open of Surfing got its start here. Huntington has also been an incubator of surfing culture. It was the launching point for icons such as Jack’s Surfboards, Surfline, the Surfers’ Hall of Fame, and The Endless Summer.

A lot has changed over the years, and it hasn’t always been pretty—until the 1980s, hundreds of oil derricks lined the beach like an industrial forest, and nearby Bolsa Chica was nicknamed “Tin Can Beach” for the 300-plus tons of trash that littered the sand. While oil spills haven’t entirely disappeared (one occurred in 2021), the current vibes are a far cry from the area’s industrial days… except when 500,000 people flood the beach for the US Open, turning it into a new iteration of Tin Can Beach. Nevertheless, Huntington is still California’s shrine to surfing and a worthwhile pilgrimage for any disciple.

• Parking: Metered spots near the pier, or shell out more at at a nearby private lot
• Board to Bring: A shortboard for punchy days or a longboard for flatter days
• Post-Surf Grub: Duke’s Huntington Beach, Sandy’s Beach Shack, or any of the hole-in-the-wall joints around Pacific City

Malibu

Los Angeles

If you hate LA traffic, wait til you paddle out at Malibu. Located 92 miles past the thick of LA, this place is surfing royalty. While it requires navigating crowds in and out of the water, it’s definitely worth it. Easily one of California’s best, Malibu’s right-hander is the stuff of legends, a wave first popularized by Gidget in the ’50s. Under the right conditions, this conveyor belt of a wave can send you halfway to Santa Monica.

The point break is a top destination in the professional longboarding circuit due to its famously long, sloping waves that are ideal for noseriding. Plus, it’s your chance to get snaked by celebs like Matthew McConaghuey and Jonah Hill, who frequent the break. Surfing rules can be a bit lax here—on a busy day, expect to meet a couple new “friends” who will share their love of surfing with you on every wave.

• Parking: Street parking is the move, unless you happen to luck into a spot at the paid Surfrider Beach lot
• Board to Bring: Longboard—anything else is borderline sacrilegious.
• Post-Surf Grub: Malibu Farm, Neptune’s Net, or SunLife Organics for a pricey smoothie

Rincon Point

Santa Barbara

Leaving the chaos of Los Angeles behind, head 83 miles up the coast to Rincon Point, a dreamy point break known as the “Queen of the Coast.” Santa Barbara doesn’t often get the acknowledgement or waves it deserves, thanks to those meddling Channel Islands, which block most south swells. But when it’s on, Rincon is magic.

This spot boasts some of the longest waves in the West, giving visitors a blank canvas for deep carves, stylish trimming, and fancy footwork. The lineup is divided into three main sections: Indicator, a mellow intro and “indication” for how the rest of the sections will break; the Cove, the main attraction with the best waves of the bunch; and the Rivermouth, a punchy, hollow section. On the rarest of days, it’s possible to ride a wave from Indicator to the Cove, as long as you’re good at playing human Frogger.

• Parking: Street parking off the 101 near Bates Road
• Board to Bring: Mid-length or longboard—whatever will keep you on the wave the longest
• Post-Surf Grub: Check out nearby Carpinteria for a beer and a bite at The Spot, Rincon Brewery, or Padaro Beach Grill

Steamer Lane

Santa Cruz

Welcome to Northern California, where the water’s colder, the cliffs are steeper, and surfing isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. Locals here have a bone to pick with Huntington Beach’s designation as Surf City. This spot is another shrine in the halls of surfing history—it’s where Jack O’Neill fine-tuned modern wetsuit and leash design and the site of the first recorded American surf sesh (three Hawaiian princes paddled out at San Lorenzo River mouth in 1885).

According to a legend dating back to the 1930s, Steamer Lane got its name because surfers once paid local steamships to cruise by in the hopes of producing waves. Despite this ridiculous tale, the Lane is a jackpot for surfers, attracting powerful swells from northwest to south that wrap around Monterey Bay. The nearby cliffs provide protection from the wind and a peanut gallery for onlookers to applaud or heckle you as you paddle out into the lineup. Daredevils are known to drop into waves from the cliffside to mixed success—consult your primary care physician before trying.

• Parking: Parking off the 101 at Bates Road
• Board to Bring: Mid-lengths or longboards, anything to enjoy the ride for as long as possible
• Post-Surf Grub: Steamer Lane Supply right on the cliffs or the nearby Picnic Basket

Mavericks

Half Moon Bay

This next surf destination is for the psychos who like spelunking, ultramarathons, and other forms of masochism. If sharky waters, submerged boulders, and massive waves are your cup of tea, welcome to Mavericks. Located off the point of Half Moon Bay, this is the type of surf spot best enjoyed from the comfort of a telephoto lens, thousands of feet away while the gnarliest big-waves surfers put it all on the line.

Big-wave legend Jeff Clark was in high school when he used to tackle Mavericks in the ’70s—which might send a chill down your spine when you realize that this cold-water leviathan is known to produce waves up to 60 feet, breaking onto a boneyard of jagged rocks, broken boards, and other flotsam. While most of us mere mortals will never attempt to paddle out here, it’s worth a stop to enjoy the spectacle of local legends like Grant “Twiggy” Baker and Nic Lamb attempting the impossible. If you’re visiting in winter, you might catch a glimpse of the Mavericks Big Wave Invitational, attracting surfing’s biggest adrenaline junkies and human ragdolls.

• Parking: Park at the Half Moon Bay Harbor and walk to the view point
• Board to Bring: Unless you’re Laird Hamilton, you’re better off staying on the shore
• Post-Surf Grub: Sam’s Chowder House or Barbara’s Fishtrap for a comforting order of fish and chips

Fort Point

San Francisco

People might think you’re crazy if you tell them you surfed under the Golden Gate Bridge, but Fort Point is proof that you can. Waves at this Civil War fort bordering one of California’s most iconic landmarks might not be the best; however, what they lack in quality, they make up for in pure novelty.

Larger swells out of the west and northwest can awaken this spot. Be warned—locals can get a bit testy when sets finally roll into the bay. Hazards here include submerged rocks, currents that can sweep you out past the Golden Gate Bridge, and occasional parking lot skirmishes. All things considered, it might just be worth it for the photo op if you don’t mind stalking surf forecasts for weeks beforehand.

• Parking: Free parking is available at the Fort Point National Historic Site, but space is limited
• Board to Bring: Anything you don’t mind cracking on a boulder
• Post-Surf Grub: Warm up with a bowl of chowder at Boudin Bakery, or head to the Marina for a burger and beer at The Tipsy Pig

Ocean Beach

San Francisco

If Steamer Lane hasn’t rattled you and Mavericks hasn’t destroyed your will to live, head up the coast to Ocean Beach (no, not that one). OBSF is a place of myths and legends, home to some of California’s heaviest beach break waves. Located remarkably close to the heart of San Francisco, the beach stretches 3.5 miles, offering a wide variety of spots, including Kelly’s Cove, VFW, Noriega and Judah Street, and Sloat Boulevard.

During bigger swells, the strong currents deflate the arms of the strongest swimmers and shuffle the sandbars playing a twisted game of keep away with surfers paddling out. William Finnegan immortalized Ocean Beach in his memoir Barbarian Days, describing eerie, low visibility days and frightening 15-foot sneaker sets. While it’s true that OBSF turns into a gauntlet during California’s winter swells, there are plenty of waves for surfers of all flavors on smaller days.

• Parking: Lots of parking along the Great Highway, but make sure to check for closures due to weather or erosion
• Board to Bring: Step-up board or gun if it’s big. Something that allows you to paddle through rips but still duckdive
• Post-Surf Grub: Tacos from Underdogs Too or a burger at Outerlands (only available on Wednesdays)

The post 10 of the Best CA Surf Spots for Your Next Road Trip appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Channel Islands National Park

As California’s least-visited national park, Channel Islands supplies a near-untouched glimpse of pre-industrial California. Situated across five islands that were historically inhabited by the Chumash people, the park encompasses 346 miles of land accessible by ferry or private boat. 

Popular activities include beachside camping, kayaking through sea caves, and hiking to scenic viewpoints like Inspiration Point on Anacapa Island. The park is home to endemic wildlife like the adorable Santa Rosa Island fox, deer mouse, and several species of birds. The underwater ecosystem is equally fascinating—more than 100 shipwrecks and mesmerizing reefs make it a prime spot for divers.

Tips for Visiting Channel Islands

• Getting There: Ferry from Oxnard or Ventura
• Fees: No entrance fee; ferry tickets start at $70 through Island Packers
• Best Time to Visit: Spring and summer (blue whale–watching takes place April through September)
• Must-Visit Attractions: Inspiration Point, Scorpion Anchorage Harbor, Painted Cave, Anacapa Island Lighthouse

Map of Channel Islands National Park

Death Valley National Park

The hottest place on Earth, Death Valley National Park is a land of extremes, from the lowest point in North America at Badwater Basin to the soaring Panamint mountain range. While much of the park may seem lifeless at first blush, it’s teeming with critters, such as bighorn sheep, jackrabbits, and sidewinder rattlesnakes. 

Stargazing, camping, and off-roading are common activities here, and be sure to check out Zabriskie Point at sunrise for an unforgettable view. The Furnace Creek Visitor Center offers an ideal spot for a photo op next to the iconic Death Valley thermostat and is the last vestige of civilization before you lose cell service in deeper areas of the park. Embrace your inner geek and follow the self-guided Star Wars filming location tour, and don’t miss Artists Palette for a striking view of rolling, pastel-colored hills. 

Tips for Visiting Death Valley

• Getting There: Via CA 190 and SR 374 (east) or CA 190 and SR 178 (west)
• Fees: $30 per vehicle (printable pass available for dirt road access)
• Best Time to Visit: Spring for milder weather and desert blooms
• Must-Visit Attractions: Zabriskie Point, Artists Palette, Badwater Basin, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes

Map of Death Valley National Park

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshue Tree sits wedged between three unique ecosystems: the Colorado Desert, the San Bernardino Mountains, and the Mojave Desert. Known for its iconic Joshua Trees (which aren’t actually trees, but rather a type of yucca), the national park offers more than 8,000 climbing routes, making it the ultimate destination for SoCal rock-hoppers and climbers. 

Additionally, the park also houses 300 miles of hiking trails and nine campgrounds (make sure to reserve yours in advance). Joshua Tree is a designated dark sky park, meaning you’ll have the opportunity to get awe-inspiring views of the Milky Way with minimal light pollution. While visiting, you might even spot the park’s wildlife, like desert tortoises, roadrunners, and bighorn sheep hiding amongst otherworldly, wind-forged rock formations. 

Tips for Visiting Joshua Tree

• Getting There: West entrance via Highway 62 and Park Boulevard, north entrance via Twentynine Palms, or south entrance near Cottonwood Spring
• Fees: $30 per vehicle
• Best Time to Visit: Spring or fall to avoid extreme heat
• Must-Visit Attractions: Hidden Valley Nature Trail, Skull Rock, Keys View

Map of Joshua Tree National Park

Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park

Arguably the greatest two-for-one deal around is admission into Kings Canyon and Sequoia national parks. To the south is Sequoia National Park, home to five of the world’s biggest trees. The largest of them all is General Sherman, a giant sequoia with a towering 275-foot height and staggering 36-foot diameter. Other beloved attractions include Mount Whitney, which offers a challenge for mountaineers; Crystal Cave, which features beautiful marble stalagmites; and Moro Rock, where a 350-step ascent finishes with rewarding panoramic views of the park.

North of Sequoia, Kings Canyon (formerly known as General Grant National Park) is full of dramatic landscapes, including waterfalls, deep canyons, and winding underground caverns. Legendary conservationist John Muir once said the park rivals the beauty of Yosemite, and it even has its own granite dome, Tehipite Dome. The park encompasses 108 miles of the famous Pacific Crest Trail and 87 miles of the John Muir Trail, which connects Mount Whitney to Yosemite. If spelunking or stalagmite-gazing are your style, make sure to check out Boyden Cave and Lilburn Cave—the latter is the longest cave system in California. 

Tips for Visiting Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park

• Getting There: Sequoia’s Ash Mountain entrance via Highway 198 or Kings Canyon’s Big Stump Entrance via Highway 180
• Fees: $35 per vehicle (covers both parks)
• Best Time to Visit: Spring, when waterfalls are in full-force
• Must-Visit Attractions: General Sherman Tree, Moro Rock, Crystal Cave, Tokopah Falls, Boyden Cave

Map of Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to the largest plug-dome volcano in the world, Lassen Peak, which last erupted in 1917. While Lassen is the largest, the park also houses several smaller volcanoes, making it a rare place where travelers can see all four types of volcanoes (shield, cinder cone, plug dome, and stratovolcano) in one area. Even the park’s crystal-blue Lake Almanor, one of the largest in California, was formed by volcanic activity and spans 13 miles.

If you can tolerate the rotten-egg smell, Sulphur Works is the park’s most easily accessible hydrothermal area, featuring steaming fumaroles and bubbling mud pots. In the winter, Lassen turns into a snowy wonderland, receiving some of the most snowfall in the state and offering plenty of opportunities for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Check the NPS website for road advisories, and bring a four-by-four vehicle if you have it. 

Tips for Visiting Lassen Volcanic National Park

• Getting There: Via SR 44/90 or SR 36/89
• Fees: $30 per vehicle
• Best Time to Visit: Summer for stargazing programs
• Must-Visit Attractions: Lassen Peak, Bumpass Hell, Kings Creek Falls, Sulphur Works

Map of Lassen Volcanic National Park

Redwood National Park

Located near the California-Oregon border, Redwood National Park is home to the planet’s tallest trees in its aptly named Tall Tree Grove. Near this grove lies the 380-foot Hyperion, the most statuesque of them all (its exact location remains a secret for conservation purposes). Though its lack of official entrances and admission fees make it easy to overlook, the park is a frequent filming location for Hollywood, with appearances in Star Wars: Return of the Jedi and the second Jurassic Park film. 

Other popular attractions in the park include Fern Canyon, a photographer’s paradise; Lady Bird Johnson Grove, which offers a scenic hike through the meadows; Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, which contains 45 percent of California’s remaining protected old-growth redwoods; and Gold Bluffs Beach, a site for serene coastal camping.   

Tips for Visiting Redwood National Park

• Getting There: Via US 199 and US 101
• Fees: Free
• Best Time to Visit: Spring for fewer crowds and milder temperatures
• Must-Visit Attractions: Fern Canyon, Lady Bird Johnson Grove, Prairie Creek Redwoods, Gold Bluffs Beach

Map of Redwood National Park

Pinnacles National Park

Pinnacles National Park may be California’s smallest national park, but its striking volcanic formations make it a must-see. Renowned for uncanny rock pillars formed over 23 million years ago, it provides over 200 rock-climbing routes. 

Keep an eye out for California condors and endangered Townsend’s big-eared bats. This species of bat can be found in Bear Gulch Cave, a giant boulder cavern that closes to the public during pupping season in May through July. Experienced hikers can also take on the challenging, 6.8-mile High Peaks Trail or 5.6-mile Condor Gulch Trail for epic views of the volcanic spires. 

Tips for Visiting Pinnacles

• Getting There: East and west entrances (via Highway 146 and Highway 25)
• Fees: $30 per vehicle
• Best Time to Visit: Winter to avoid summer heat
• Must-Visit Attractions: Bear Gulch Cave, Condor Gulch Trail, High Peaks Trail

Map of Pinnacles National Park

Yosemite National Park

The crown jewel of California, Yosemite National Park, was described by John Muir as the grandest “temple of nature” he ever visited. Originally, the valley was called Ahwahnee—meaning “large mouth”—by the region’s Indigenous people, a nod to the shape of the valley and the jagged “teeth” that surround its perimeter. Known for its granite cliffs, including the iconic El Capitan and Half Dome, the park also features roaring waterfalls, lush meadows, and towering sequoias. 

Yosemite Valley is rich in wildlife—keep your eyes peeled for deer, black bears, and even bobcats. Adventure-seekers can hike 5,000 feet to the top of Half Dome (with a permit), climb giant boulders at Camp 4, or scale Vernal Falls. Meanwhile, more cautious travelers can admire more accessible views from Glacier Point and Mirror Lake. Remember to bring your camera to capture the beauty of Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in North America.

Tips for Visiting Yosemite

• Getting There: Via Highway 120, Highway 140, and Highway 41
• Fees: $35 per vehicle
• Best Time to Visit: Late spring for full waterfalls
• Must-Visit Attractions: Glacier Point, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Vernal Falls, Ansel Adams Gallery

Map of Yosemite National Park

The post A Guide to Visiting California’s 9 National Parks appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Thirty minutes later, on a desolate Main Street where the businesses are closed for the evening, I again seek out the stars through breaks in the fog, but, this time, they are almost entirely obscured in the luminance of too-bright streetlights.

I’ve spent a lot of my life looking up at the night sky-first as a child in my driveway, and, over the last decade, as a journalist documenting some of the darkest nights on Earth. I’ve come to understand that the health of the natural world is inextricably intertwined with nighttime darkness. Gazing at the night sky in Cambria, I see both possibility and peril in the stars.

Cambria itself is at a crossroads, trying to preserve its darkness while growing brighter by the year. Artificial light has been encroaching for a while. And Cambria isn’t alone. Communities around the globe are facing the loss of nighttime darkness. Today, more than 80 percent of the world’s population lives under light-polluted skies. In the United States and Europe, that number is closer to 99 percent. Using more than a decade of data collected by citizen scientists through the National Science Foundation’s Globe at Night project, researchers found that, between 2011 and 2022, light pollution grew by almost 10 percent per year globally the equivalent of doubling in brightness every eight years.

It would be easy to lament the rise of artificial light at night (ALAN) as simply a cost of modern living. But Claudia Harmon, co-chair of Cambria’s Dark Sky Initiative and president of Beautify Cambria, an organization founded to help bolster the local economy and improve the town, knows it’s possible for development to coexist with stars—without drowning them out. That’s why she and a small group of advocates have been working to have Cambria officially designated a “Dark Sky Community” by Tucson-based DarkSky international. If they’re successful, the town would join just two others in California, but it has already been a nine-vear endeavor.

When I meet Harmon, a 38-year resident of Cambria, we sit down to lunch, and she immediately hands me a brochure. with San Luis Obispo County’s lighting ordinance printed on the back panel. She has come prepared for our conversation, and it’s no surprise. Harmon has been among the loudest advocates for preserving the darkness in the Central Coast town.

The effort began in 2015 when she and the newly formed Beautify Cambria embraced the notion that beautification meant going beyond the initial gardening projects and public benches.

“We couldn’t really beautify our town without considering all of the town and all the things that affect the town,” Harmon says. “Bad lighting isn’t beautiful, and it’s not healthy. It’s not good for our wildlife.

So Cambria began the process of joining an exclusive club of communities that demonstrate a commitment to preserving the night sky. At the time, there was only one other town in California that had received the distinction: Borrego Springs in San Diego County. In 2021, Julian, also in San Diego County, joined the list too.

Dedicated to “restoring] the nighttime environment and protect [ing] communities from the harmful effects of light pollution,” DarkSky International (formerly the International Dark-Sky Association) has been certifying Dark Sky Places—parks, reserves, towns, and more-since 2001. Today, there are more than 200 certified locations on six continents. Most of those are parks. Just 49 are communities.

The goal of certification is to recognize areas that have “shown exceptional dedication to the preservation of the night sky.” And while that sounds simple enough, the reality is far more arduous, requiring communities to adopt legally enforceable lighting policies, hold regular dark sky educational events, monitor light pollution, retrofit publicly owned lighting, and demonstrate successful light-pollution control.

In Cambria, where dark sky events occur regularly during the winter months when the fog tends to be the most cooperative, the biggest obstacle to certification has been updating the San Luis Obispo County lighting code to comply with DarkSky International’s minimum requirements. The current ordinance is mostly compliant, but it requires a single change to include a provision for warmer-spectrum night lighting.

“I think if we can get the ordinance in front of the [county board of] supervisors, they’ll approve it,” Harmon says, but thus far, the board has not addressed the potential modification.

According to the county, it’s not quite that simple. In the planning process, “there are state mandates, things [the county] is required to do,” says Blake Fixler, chief of staff to County District 2 Supervisor Bruce Gibson. As a result, “a lot of the other things we have wanted to do have taken a backseat. It’s frustrating, but that’s local government.”

Fixler and Supervisor Gibson support the effort. “I totally see the benefit,” he says. “There’s a lot of good there,” but it’s a staff and timing issue, he explains.

Ultimately, while certification could have benefits for the community, particularly economic ones, Harmon recognizes that securing the distinction isn’t necessary to protect the night.

She keeps in mind what a friend told her earlier this year: “Claudia, just do the work. Just fix the lighting in Cambria. Do what you have to do.”

That includes convincing businesses and residents to adopt responsible outdoor lighting practices. To be dark sky–friendly, artificial light must be useful, shielded and pointed downward to prevent it from spilling beyond where it is required, no brighter than necessary, and warm in color. Ideally, outdoor lights are also controlled by timers and motion detectors so that they are only on when people need them.

Recently, in partnership with the Bluebird Inn, a historic Main Street motel built around a Victorian-era mansion, the Beautify Cambria team completed an overhaul of the inn’s exterior lighting, switching out light fixtures and bulbs for more responsible options. Harmon hopes that when other business owners see it, they’ll understand that being more thoughtful about exterior lighting can be aesthetically pleasing, safe, and cost-effective.

“[It’s] romantic,” Harmon says. “It’s nice, you know? And people feel compelled to come to a place that has that feeling.”

But the loss of night isn’t just an aesthetic issue. It’s an economic, environmental, immunological, and even existential concern.

While it is difficult to pinpoint exactly how much we spend on wasted light at night, DarkSky International estimates that, globally, the amount is somewhere around $50 billion annually . In the US alone, various annual estimates place carbon emissions from light pollution between 11 million and 21 million tons.

In recent years, studies have also linked ALAN to myriad negative impacts on the natural world—corals that fail to spawn, longer infection periods for West Nile virus carriers, and disrupted circadian rhythms and potential neurodegeneration in humans, to name a few.

There’s something else, though, too. Something less tangible but equally important: Even if there were no direct environmental impacts, there would still be value in seeing the core of the Milky Way arcing across the night’s canvas, in gazing at the sky and taking in the immensity of the universe.

“I think if people would look up and just appreciate the importance of what’s up there, maybe they would be better stewards of this world,” Harmon says.

Night-Friendly Lighting

According to DarkSky International, responsible lighting abides by these five principles.

1. Useful
   All light should have a clear purpose. Consider how the use of light will impact the area, including wildlife and their habitats.
2. Targeted
   Use shielding and careful aiming to target the direction of the light beam so that it points downward and does not spill beyond where it is required.
3. Low-level
   Use the lowest light level necessary. Be mindful of surface conditions, as some surfaces may reflect more light into the night sky than intended.
4. Controlled
   Use controls such as timers or motion detectors to ensure that light is available when it is needed, dimmed when possible, and turned off when not required.
5. Warm-colored
   Limit the amount of shorter wavelength (blue-violet) light to the least amount necessary.

The post Cambria Hopes to Become the Next Dark Sky Community appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

It was 1967. While her dusty tire was attended to, Becket wandered off to a dilapidated recreation hall nearby. Inside, she saw a stage caving in, walls covered in mud, and floors warped from flood damage, but as she peeked through the cracked door, the structure whispered to her. We could make magic together.

When the allure of California called, Becket—a lifelong New Yorker who was then in her 40s—answered with a singular passion few have matched. An artist to the core, trained to dance, paint, and play piano, Becket cast aside her Broadway life and moved to Death Valley Junction (population: a handful), setting up shop in the squalor. The place had potential, after all, even if only she could see it. This project would be her opus.

Renting the theater for $45 a month, Becket paid for repairs and got to work painting an ornate mural depicting a permanent audience on the walls, with cherubs rejoicing on the ceiling. She changed the building’s name to the Amargosa Opera House and, in 1968, began performing original dances and acts for a few people at a time—or sometimes none at all. It wasn’t about fame, it was about freedom.

But fame came nonetheless. National Geographic wrote about her, as did Life. People were curious to see the ballerina in the desert. For more than four decades, Becket performed on her fixed-up stage, delighting and inspiring countless theater lovers willing to make the trek to nowhere.

Along the way, Becket became owner of the entire town, which she turned over to a nonprofit organization that now oversees Death Valley Junction, including the opera house and an adjoining hotel.

Becket would have turned 100 this year. Though she died in 2017, her legacy continues. Business operations took a hit during Covid, but the opera house still offers daily tours and hosts sporadic shows on that famous stage.

“Even if you’re not an artist, you have to appreciate what she was about,” Amargosa Board of Directors President Fred Conboy says. “She was a courageous and audacious woman. There’s nobody like Marta.”

The post The Odd Little Opera House in the Middle of Nowhere appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

A 90-minute ferry from Dana Point, Avalon is a common destination for group trips and family vacations. Viral videos tout how the hotels and mansions built into the hills overlooking a turquoise bay resemble beloved Italian vacation destinations. But its golf cart–filled streets, souvenir shops, and beachfront bars belie the rugged, remote wildness of the rest of Catalina and the other seven Channel Islands.

While Catalina is the best-known, it was just the first stop of my five-day trip through the archipelago on a cruise with Lindblad Expeditions. Five of the eight Channel Islands form the Channel Islands National Park, California’s least-visited national park. It sees about 330,000 people a year, less than a tenth of the number who enter Yosemite in the same time frame. There’s good reason for that: The distance from the mainland—20 miles from Santa Barbara—is misleading.

To get to any of the individual islands within the park, you have to take a ferry from Ventura or Oxnard, which runs to some isles as often as daily during high season, but others as infrequently as four times a month. Not all have a fresh water source, and the limited campground spaces require significant planning to snag a reservation, get the right boat on the right days, and lug in all your own supplies. “Be prepared with waterproof gear and possibly to get wet. Strong winds and rough seas are possible,” the park’s website warns.

The emptiness and remoteness of these destinations just make the windswept hills more impressive, more worth the extra effort, leaving visitors alone with the dancing sea lions, unafraid foxes, and seemingly infinite horizons. It is hard to get to the islands, but the reward comes in the form of a postcard from the past, a view of a California untrod and undeveloped.

Going to the islands by cruise vanquishes the logistics challenge: I boarded the National Geographic Quest on a sunny morning in Los Angeles Harbor, and each day I awoke at a new island, then transferred to another while enjoying a leisurely lunch. The food represented the region around us: wild Pacific salmon chowder, local organic greens, seared ling cod, California Anjou pear bread pudding.

Naturalists led hikes to Torrey pine forests and pointed out the juvenile pelicans playing on grassy hills. Upon our return to the ship, staff greeted us with mugs of hot chocolate and, if desired, splashes of Baileys or Kahlua.

But no level of luxury could keep the rough seas from rocking our boat. As I entered the dining room for lunch the first day, table settings slid back and forth. A server carrying a tray with 20-some glasses of lemonade lithely jogged a few steps in each direction against the sway to keep the drinks steady.

The ship felt, at times, a bit like a summer camp. Having worked at camps throughout high school and college, I laughed as I saw the staff managing excited septuagenarian guests with the same tricks that I had so often used to corral rowdy teenagers. Instead of putting on silly skits to keep us occupied until the dining room doors opened, the onboard photographer offered tips on taking wildlife photos with our phones.

I put that advice into use on Santa Rosa Island while looking for the endemic, eponymous island fox. The same winds that made the boat journey so tumultuous shaped the landscape of the island: Wizened eucalyptus trees bent until they grew almost parallel to the ground; the tall grass lay nearly flattened.

Santa Rosa is the most habitable of the park islands, and it was, in fact, tenanted well into the 1980s by a cattle ranch. It was through the slats of an old ranch fence that I first spotted the pointy ears of the island fox, the only carnivore unique to California. About the size of a large housecat, it has mostly gray-brown fur with highlights of rust brown.

When DDT decimated the bald eagle population in the area, the golden eagles, which preyed on the foxes, moved in. The foxes did not know to be scared of these new eagles, and by 2000, only 15 Santa Rosa Island foxes remained. Thankfully, restoration efforts have worked, and within 20 years, the population was up to more than 2,600.

The islands never connected to the mainland, so plants and animals on the islands evolved into species distinct from those elsewhere. The current theory is that the foxes came over with the Chumash people, who reached the islands by rowing across the ferocious waters in plank canoes.

The Channel Islands were continuously inhabited by the Tongva and Chumash people for more than 10,000 years, and the Arlington Springs Man, found on Santa Rosa, is among the earliest human remains in North America. The cruise’s evening talk one night was about Juana Maria, the last Native resident of San Nicolas Island, who survived alone on the rugged island for nearly 20 years, despite disease-toting Europeans depleting food sources and the same gale-force winds we experienced.

The islands are not untouched or undamaged by humans, but they demonstrate the power of nature to persevere and bring joy. The still-churning seas prevented us from landing on the rocky rise of Anacapa Island, so we explored by Zodiac boat, floating past harbor seals playing and watching crowds of California sea lions as they swam with a fin above the surface of the water. They are thermoregulating, the naturalist explained. But, as the sun burnt a hole through the low misty clouds, an arc of colors reached down through the sky, and I refuse to believe those sea lions weren’t doing a little dance, their jaunty fins in the air to celebrate.

The post The Allure of California’s Least-Visited National Park appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

After months of planning, I learned just how stressful it can be to decide on the ideal time and place to ask for my partner’s hand in marriage. Let me save you some headaches and sleepless nights with this list of the 10 best proposal spots across San Diego County.

Inside Sunset Cliff’s Hidden Cave

When it comes to proposing in San Diego, Sunset Cliffs is often at the top of the list (even my brother-in-law and one of my best friends proposed here). For a unique twist, venture off the beaten path and consider trekking down to the Sunset Cliffs cave. The hike from Luscombs Point can be challenging, so make sure to wear sturdy footwear and check the tide charts to ensure the cave is accessible (you can only reach it during low tide). Just remember to keep a firm grip on the ring as you navigate the rocks—you don’t want to accidentally offer it to the fishes.

Among the Gardens in Balboa Park

Balboa Park, with its 130-year history, is one of San Diego’s most enchanting spots for a first date—or an unforgettable proposal. Although the Balboa Park Botanical Garden is under construction until 2025, the Japanese Friendship Garden (JFG) offers a serene and beautiful alternative. Spanning 12 acres, JFG as a beautiful and serene spot for couples tying the knot. Located on 12 acres of winding gardens full of exotic plants native to San Diego and Japan, JFG is the perfect spot for nature-loving couples. Surrounded by hundreds of cherry trees, azaleas, and camellias, you can pop the question in a truly magical setting. The garden is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. with a $16 admission fee, but for a more private experience, reserve a VIP photoshoot from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., giving you the garden all to yourselves.

Overlooking the San Diego Bay

For something low-key yet special, book a table for two at Tom Ham’s Lighthouse on Harbor Island and reserve a suite at the Pendry for after the celebrations. Tom’s offers fresh seafood and outdoor dining with panoramic views of the San Diego Bay, all within a historic lighthouse that offers two levels of patio seating. Imagine enjoying a plate of freshly caught salmon, a glass of your favorite white wine, and a tray of oysters, and then watching your soulmate’s reaction as you propose at golden hour. Finish the evening with a Champagne toast at Fifth & Rose inside the Pendry Hotel.

Sailing the Seas

There’s nothing quite like being on the water, away from the noise and bustle of the city. If you’re confident enough to venture onto open waters with a ring in your pocket, consider popping the question aboard a private yacht or sailboat from Triton Charters. Just to be safe, take some Dramamine, skip the shots until afterward, and maybe do a few split-squats to steady your sea legs for the big moment. (Everyone thinks they’re steady until they’re making arguably the most nerve-wracking decision of their life. No pressure.) For a more relaxed experience, a dinner cruise with City Cruises starts at $113 per person.

Among the Sealife at the La Jolla Children’s Pool

The La Jolla Children’s Pool is another picturesque location for couples looking to propose. Located along the stunning coastline of La Jolla Cove, this spot offers stunning views of the local wildlife and a variety of nearby venues to celebrate. To access the Children’s Pool beach, park (or valet) in the La Jolla Village and take the stairs on Coast Boulevard to the crescent-shaped hideaway. Avoid weekends, as it tends to get crowded—with both tourists and seals. Walk down to the end of the seawall, which juts out into the ocean, and take a knee with the coastline and a golden sunset behind you. Afterward, enjoy a three-course meal at Eddie V’s followed by drinks at the historic La Valencia Hotel patio or the newly revamped Whaling Bar.

Among North County’s Vineyards

What better way to celebrate your engagement than with a day of wine tasting? Just 30 minutes from San Diego, Orfila Vineyards in San Pasqual offers award-winning wines, tasting experiences, and stunning scenery to enjoy with your partner. Just be careful not to indulge too much in the good stuff before you pop the question—don’t let a buzz get in the way of hours of rehearsal. Time your proposal for sunset and grab a bottle of wine on your way out to keep the celebration going. Afterward, consider adding Orfila’s Wine Lovers Club to your wedding registry for the gift that keeps on giving.

Gliding Above Black’s Beach

If you and your partner are adrenaline junkies, consider proposing while paragliding at Torrey Pines Gliderport. Also, it’s hard to say no to a proposal while soaring hundreds of feet above the ground, right? Jokes aside, for $200, couples can paraglide (or, for $225, hang glide) over Black’s Beach for an unforgettable experience. Afterward, set up a romantic picnic with candles, blankets, and a bottle of wine on the grassy hillside just north of the gliderport.

On Snapdragon Stadium’s Jumbotron

Sure, it’s been done before, but what better way to shout your love from the rooftops than on a giant screen for everyone to see? Sports enthusiasts can propose at Snapdragon Stadium during a Wave, Legion, Aztecs, Seals, or MLS match, sharing the most memorable moment of their life with thousands of other fans. (Be sure to casually check with your partner beforehand so you don’t strike out on the big screen.) For more information about game-day proposals, contact guest services at Snapdragon Stadium.

In a Hot Air Balloon

Inspired by Pixar’s Up, why not take a private hot air balloon ride with your loved one via Compass Balloons? High above the city, you’ll enjoy breathtaking views of the Encinitas coastline, Del Mar cliffs, and rolling hills of Rancho Santa Fe. For $500, the proposal package includes professional photography, a drone video of the proposal, and a post-flight engagement shoot. Whether you choose a sunrise or sunset tour, you’ll toast with complimentary Champagne and create memories to last a lifetime. Pro tip: Tie the ring to a string and through a belt loop until it’s safely on your loved one’s finger—juuust in case there’s any turbulence.

Intimate Picnic on Coronado Beach

If you prefer a more private and intimate proposal, consider reserving a private picnic on Coronado Beach with the help of San Diego Picnics. Their picnic proposal packages start at $535 and include a charcuterie board, a pitcher of lemonade, and optional professional photography during and after the proposal. Celebrate afterward with dinner and drinks at Serẽa, followed by a stay at the iconic Hotel del Coronado.

The post 10 Stunning Places to Propose in San Diego  appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Sacramento Valley

Lassen Volcanic National Park is one of the state’s least-visited national parks—a surprise, considering how much it resembles one of the nation’s most popular. In Shasta County, the Sierra Nevada, the Cascade Mountains, and the Great Basin collide to form hydrothermal spectacles that make the park California’s personal Yellowstone.

Mercer Caverns

Murphys

Deep in Calaveras County hides an otherworldly network of limestone cave formations. Discovered during the Gold Rush, Mercer Caverns became a popular tourist attraction in the late 19th century. Like generations of visitors before you, you can book a tour to explore winding paths lined with stalactites and stalagmites and descend flowstone staircases.

Hot Creek Geologic Site

Mammoth Lakes

Split by its namesake waterway, Hot Creek Geologic Site lies in a valley within the Inyo National Forest. Underground magma chambers heated up the area over the course of around 1,000 years. Arising from the site’s scalding puddles, geysers have occasionally erupted, mostly during earthquakes.

Fern Canyon

Humboldt County

Humboldt County’s Fern Canyon was a setting in the second Jurassic Park film, The Lost World, for good reason: At 325 million years old, the lush paradise’s ferns inevitably witnessed some real dinos in their day. A Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park secret, the canyon features hanging moss gardens, miniature waterfalls, and chances to splash around. The area’s lollipop-shaped loop trail is a sunrise favorite, with glistening canyon walls and cinematic views.

Fonts Point

Anza-Borrego

Tucked in California’s southeastern corner amongst distinct ridgelines and desert flora lies Fonts Point in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. Nicknamed “California’s Grand Canyon,” it’s one of the best spots to view the Badlands’ rugged ridges, casting dramatic shadows over sandy arroyos.

Red Rock Canyon State Park

Cantil

Right where the southernmost tip of the Sierra Nevada collides with the El Paso Range, Red Rock Canyon State Park unveils its landscape of dramatic rock formations and unique canyons. This secluded valley offers a serene escape with opportunities for hiking, rock climbing, and even spotting ancient petroglyphs.

Monarch Grove Sanctuary

Pacific Grove

Every October, thousands of monarch butterflies migrate to Monterey County’s Pacific Grove, gathering on its pine and eucalyptus trees in bizarre yet beautiful clusters and giving the city the nickname “Butterfly Town, USA.” The Monarch Grove Sanctuary is typically open from October to February, welcoming visitors to observe the flame-colored insects.

Mono Lake

Mono County

Mono Lake’s ultra-salty, alkaline waters rest in the heart of a vast desert in the lake’s namesake county. Peculiar towers emerge from the million-year-old lake’s surface, while a trillion brine shrimp swim below. Birdwatchers, hikers, kayakers, and photographers come for stunning views of mountains and desert, while locals swear a dip in the ancient waters cures almost anything.

Sentinel Dome

Yosemite Valley

Looking for an Ansel Adams view of Yosemite without Capitan-sized crowds? Sentinel Dome, on the south wall of the Yosemite Valley, has remained a criminally underrated spot in one of the nation’s most beloved parks. The two-mile hike is more than worth it for the breathtaking panoramas at the top.

Artists Palette

Death Valley

Never underestimate a modest dusty terrain—behind it might lie rolling hills of rainbow pastels. Part of the Artists Drive Scenic Loop in Death Valley, the Artists Palette is a must-see at sunrise or sunset, when the shifting light and shadows bring out its rich reds, oranges, yellows, blues, pinks, and greens. With no maintained trails but plenty of pullouts for safe parking, it just might inspire you to try your hand at a little landscape painting yourself.

Bodie State Historic Park

Bridgeport

Cue an Ennio Morricone song when you step into Bodie State Historic Park, a former gold mining hot spot turned spaghetti Western–worthy ghost town. Rather than repairing Bodie’s 150-year-old structures or simply letting them crumble into dust, the state park service maintains the buildings in a state of “arrested decay.”

The post 11 of California’s Most Underrated Natural Places appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

We’re home to the largest and oldest trees in the world and the highest and lowest points in the contiguous US (within 80 miles of each other, no less. Drama). Truly, California is the main character.

Today, California is America with the volume turned up. No other state matches our energy, cultural contributions, or natural beauty. We’re home to a global entertainment industry, a global tech industry, and an economy that nearly every country envies, as well as some of the most stunning landscapes not just in the US, but anywhere.

Sure, it’s loud and it’s crowded here, but California, both as a place and as an idea, is simply unrivaled. It’s why so many people want to come to visit and to live.

So, dip us in gold and call us superfans. We love it here, which is why we’re deliriously happy to bring you our first-ever California issue. With this issue, we wanted to delve into some of what’s happening outside our county lines and offer our readers a feeling of connection to a larger community of people who call California home. There’s so much to explore.

In these pages, we’re looking at our state at large (while staying anchored in SD, of course). First, we’re going surfing with women in Santa Barbara who picked up the sport later in life, then, we’re looking at a California crisis: Birth centers are closing due to regulatory red tape, leaving parents-to-be—especially low-income and minority mothers—with few options for where they can give birth.

We’re also climbing to the tops of California’s iconic palm trees and learning about a scientist’s mission to save them from being eaten alive, talking to the new lead singer of a truly quintessential SoCal band, traveling to a town determined to preserve its stargazing, taking a trip to Channel Islands National Park, and stepping inside an improbable opera house in the desert.

Plus, we’ve got a massive, stunning visual smorgasbord of some of California’s most underrated destinations. Get your bucket list out—you’re going to want to make some additions. And I hope you’re hungry, because we’re also hitting the hottest new restaurant in Hillcrest and shouting out some of our favorite food finds this month around SD. This magazine is packed like a California rush-hour freeway.

We had fun putting this together for you, and we hope you enjoy exploring our golden state with us. We’re lucky to call this place home.

The post Editor’s Note, September 2024: California Love appeared first on San Diego Magazine.

The Luxe Room is my personal favorite aspect of the 42-treatment-room spa’s recent multimillion-dollar revamp. Other new additions include vintage art (a throwback to the days when Jackie Kennedy spent time wrapped in the resort’s cozy robes), steam rooms scented with sandalwood and florals, and three hideaways tiled in salt crystals, said to ease stress and improve sleep. 

Each of the latter rooms has a pair of those high-tech, thigh-high boots that squeeze your legs like blood pressure cuffs. They’re a helpful recovery tool for athletes, but after trying them and the spa’s “reflexology path”—a trail of embedded stones intended to poke the pads of your feet in therapeutic ways—I decide I’m more into the relaxation side of a spa day: letting the outdoor waterfall shower give me a second, informal massage; devouring carrot hummus at the onsite Spa Café.

The area’s serene energy differs wildly from the vibe at the Omni La Costa’s adults-only Edge Pool, which, on a Saturday, is crowded in a fun way, its shallow depths packed with drink-clutching hotel guests like a Vegas pool party. A DJ spins the afternoon’s bumping soundtrack, drowning out the happy shouts of children whipping down water slides at the nearby family-friendly Splash Landing Pools. 

After a margarita each, my partner and I return to our room to change for dinner. The hotel’s 600 guest rooms and 170,000 square feet of meeting spaces also got recent updates, and the coastal-California-meets-Spain aesthetic sensibilities that have always defined its exteriors now further carry over inside. Our home for the night has high ceilings, soft colors, plush furniture. 

But for me, a hotel is only as good as its amenities, so it’s a good thing the 400-acre property has no shortage, especially following the remodel. In addition to eight pools, the Omni La Costa houses two golf courses, including the freshly reopened, $25 million North Course, where college-aged golfers will compete in division-1 NCAA tournaments at least through 2026. A new putting green and practice range give guests a place to warm up before hitting the links. One could pass an entire week onsite without feeling the need to venture out, between six places to eat, a 9,100-square-foot gym, even shops vending vacation-y apparel.

In the summer, the property hosts open-air concerts, which my partner and I tune into while sipping drinks from the thoughtful craft cocktail menu at Bar Traza. (If you’re into produce-driven California food, dine here instead of Bob’s Steak and Chop House, a classic white-tablecloth, meat-and-potatoes joint that’s tasty but by-the-book.) 

Dubbed “Of All Things,” my cocktail is full of pleasantly bitter and tangy stuff: grapefruit, rhubarb, Aperol. A breeze lifts off the golf course and plays through my hair while a jazz singer croons in the courtyard below Bar Traza’s elevated patio. Tomorrow, I’ll drive the 30 minutes up the road to University Heights, return to grocery runs and meetings. For now, I close my eyes and savor the feeling of being somewhere else—Carlsbad, Spain, maybe another planet entirely.

The post Finding Serenity at the Refreshed Omni La Costa Resort & Spa appeared first on San Diego Magazine.