Fall is an ideal time to tour Southern California. The temperatures drop a bit and the humidity backs off, making outdoor adventures more enjoyable. If you’re looking for fun weekend activities, look no further than Lompoc.  Whether you spend the day in historic Old Town or venture just outside the city borders into the sprawling hills of wine country, you have a variety of activities to choose from.  Consider these fall activities: Take a self-guided mural tour Head to Old Town, the historic heart of the city, to see 30+ murals that dot the roadsides. Some larger-than-life murals stretch across buildings while others liven up narrow alleyways.  Download the mural map before you go and park at the Lompoc Chamber of Commerce to kick off your tour. You’ll find about 20 murals near Art Alley, which is right near the parking lot.  Explore the murals, snap some photos, and then grab a drink and a quick bite at South Side Coffee Co. before you go.  Explore La Purisima Mission An estimated 200,000 visitors tour La Purisima Mission each year and with good reason. It is the most extensively restored mission in the state of California! With restored buildings, picnic facilities,…

In celebration of National Golden Girls Day, a six-month pop-up Golden Girls Kitchen opens in Beverly Hills on Saturday, July 30, as the start of a countrywide tour that will include New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Miami, where the Emmy Award-winning show was set. The sitcom, created by Susan Harris, ran from 1985 to 1992, and starred Rue McClanahan, Bea Arthur, Estelle Getty and Betty White, the last surviving member who died this past December. The four older women shared a home, spending many days and nights discussing life’s ups and downs over cheesecake in the kitchen. Nostalgic pop-up meister Derek Berry, who brought Saved by the Max, Good Burger and The Peach Pit dining experiences to life, teamed up with the Bucket Listers events site for a fully immersive restaurant experience. They recreated the famous kitchen, character Blanche’s notorious bedroom, and designed an original menu that includes the roommates’ iconic dessert provided by L.A.’s own East Side Cheesecakes, in chocolate, strawberry, pumpkin and Oreo flavors. Also on the menu are Sophia’s lasagna al forno, made by L.A. chef Royce Burke, as well as Miami-style Cuban sandwiches and a selection of St. Olaf sweets like Sperheoven Krispies, Genurkenflurgen Cake and Blanche’s…

In its mission to protect and preserve the Hollywood Sign for generations to come, the Hollywood Sign Trust shares fun and eco-friendly ways to enjoy The Hollywood Sign. From stunning hiking trails to picnic spots in Griffith Park, the Trust urges residents and visitors to enjoy the Sign without taxing the environment. And while there, explore the native plants and animals that call the Hollywood Sign home. “The Hollywood Sign is the entertainment industry’s biggest star. We want people to embrace its vibrant history while helping to preserve its future,” said Jeff Zarrinnam, chair of the Hollywood Sign Trust. “As the Sign approaches its 100 anniversary in 2023, it’s a perfect time to commit to protecting the urban wilderness that surrounds this beloved monument representing the hopes and dreams of people worldwide.” Eight Eco-Friendly Ways to Experience The Hollywood Sign This Summer 1) Stunning views of the Hollywood Sign unfold on Griffith Park’s hiking trails Making a pledge to go green? Always stick to approved hiking trails, never litter, and be sure to bring water in reusable bottles. It’s also important to remember that no open flames are permitted in the Park. The Trust’s top three trails — Mt. Hollywood,…

SoCal’s Favorite Island for Land and Sea Adventures An island vacation can bring to mind long flights and expensive accommodations, but just 22 miles off the coast of Southern California, Santa Catalina can satisfy that island urge with surprising convenience. As the southern-most region in Los Angeles County, Catalina Island is a lush 2.9 square miles of quaint shops, hotels, restaurants, a spa, and a variety of scenic tours that spotlight the area’s culture and history. Catalina has evolved into an active destination that offers water sports, camping, and programs that educate visitors about sustainability and environmental preservation. Think of it as an escape to a charming town on a remote island — except it’s not as remote as you may think. It’s a quick boat trip from SoCal, and with approximately 4,000 people who call it home, Catalina Island is particularly ideal for those who seek an uncongested getaway. Tourists can visit the island’s two primary communities: the city of Avalon at the east end and the unincorporated region of Two Harbors near the west. The small town of Avalon consists of a picturesque harbor, green hillsides dotted with homes and hotels, and narrow streets lined with shops and…

Winter Wine Walk & Holiday Street Fair Returns to Ventura on Saturday, December 11 “Social Event of the Year” scheduled after a year’s hiatus After celebrating its Tenth Anniversary in 2019, Ventura’s famous Winter Wine Walk & Holiday Street Fair hit pause as a result of the pandemic.  Now back, and bigger and better than ever, Ventura Winter Wine Walk & Holiday Street Fair once again returns to Downtown Ventura, on Saturday, December 11. The event kicks off with a Holiday Street Fair from 12pm-8pm on historic Main Street, featuring a tremendous array of artists, crafters, vendors, non-profit organizations, and food and drink purveyors.  Live entertainment and snowfall begins at 6:45pm and runs until 8pm. The Street Fair and entertainment is free to attend and open to the public. The much-anticipated Winter Wine Walk begins at 4:00pm and runs until 7:00pm. With over 80 tasting locations and two VIP lounges, the event sells out every year and draws attendees from across California. Showcasing world-class wines and breweries, tasting locations are located in boutiques, galleries and restaurants throughout the Ventura downtown district. Upon check-in, each participant receives a souvenir tasting cup and map of the tasting locations. For those who want to kick back…

As the world faces multiple crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, families may have to adjust traditional trick-or-treating plans again this year. However, there are still ways to help make a difference and celebrate Halloween virtually. One way to add more meaning to Halloween is to Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF, the United Nations Children’s Fund. Celebrating more than 70 years of fundraising, this annual tradition is America’s longest running youth engagement campaign and has raised more than $180 million to help support children’s health care, education, nutrition, safe water, emergency relief and more. Last year, the beloved program was launched as a virtual experience in an effort to celebrate Halloween responsibly while social distancing. This Halloween, it is evolving into a fully digital experience. Getting involved virtually can prove just as rewarding.  Funds raised will help support lifesaving work to distribute COVID-19 vaccines to communities, health care workers and families around the world that need them most. As the largest purchaser of vaccines each year, UNICEF is helping lead procurement and distribution in the largest and fastest immunization effort of its kind, and you can be a part of that effort by aiding the organization in raising lifesaving funds and safely celebrating Halloween….

“Smell the sea, and feel the sky. Let your soul and spirit fly” – Van Morrison The Endless Summer takes on new meaning with more and more travelers re-discovering iconic Highway 101/1 and the idyllic sun-kissed playground that is uniquely Ventura Harbor Village.  With a stunning backdrop of majestic yachts, stunning sunsets, blissful weather with gentle ocean breezes paired to casual open-air and sit down dining and unique one-of-a kind boutiques, galleries, and specialty stores, this seaside enclave is the picture-perfect midweek getaway for couples, friends and families. What’s more, admission and parking are FREE at Ventura Harbor Village all summer long! Located on a spectacular stretch of prime Pacific coastline, this California “go to” spot is definitely worth the drive.  Below are top picks (some new) of how to celebrate summer at its best: Sea-sational Experiences Set sail into the weekend with harborside entertainment at Ventura Harbor Village where a menagerie of summer seaside vibes is in the air on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.  Revel in genres that include Blues, Pop, Rock Soul, Caribbean and Reggae. A roster of top-notch local DJs set the stage and take turns showcasing an ongoing musical variety (made possible Party Proper!) as part of NEW Friday Nite Seaside DJ…

Every city has its own persona, its own feeling, and its own story.  Besides the exercise, walking tours offer another dimension to your visit.  A walking tour gives visitors the chance to connect with the character of a city and get a first-hand understanding of what the area is really about. By taking a step into a new place, tourists and locals alike can get a feel for the energy of the city they are in.  And in Southern California, energy is everything.  Vintage Venice Tours Voted “Best Walking Tour” of 2012 and 2013 by Los Angeles Magazine, the Vintage Venice Tour is one of the best ways to experience this iconic boardwalk.  The Vintage Venice Tour allows you to indulge in the modern attractions that the beach has to offer, while also showing you the rich history of the town through film clips that span the past 105 years.  See the past come to life and witness the development of the culture of Venice Beach with stops at Muscle Beach, the Venice Canals, the Ocean Front Walk, and more. www.vintagevenicetours.com Santa Barbara Walking Tour While on your visit to Santa Barbara, be sure to sign up for the Santa…

“Stay at Home” orders have been instituted across our nation, thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. If you’re feeling like climbing the walls right about now, you might enjoy this activity. You’ll get to travel without actually getting out of your seat. Many local and distant points of interest offer free and easy virtual tours and here are a few to get you started.