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Things To Do

Must Do highlights day trips, fun activities, and entertainment and recreation options every tourist and local of Southern California should check out. SoCal’s hidden gems, local secrets, unique finds and off-the beaten path venues will also be uncovered and explored.

in Food & Drinks, Things To Do

Health Conscious Winter Recipe

March 22, 2020

It’s hard to believe that we are already in the middle of November. I love this time of year for many reasons, not the least of which are the smells that surround us and the flavors that consume our palate.  So, naturally I’m thinking about all my favorite holiday dishes. This holiday creation is a family favorite and it’s too easy and healthy not to share. Caramelized Butternut Squash with Red Onions  Ingredients: 1 large butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cubed or cut in moons 2 large red onions, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced Sprigs of fresh rosemary  2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper (bruschetta seasoning is a great compliment) Directions: Position a rack in upper third of oven and preheat to 450°F. Combine squash and onion on a parchment-lined baking sheet or piece of foil. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper, and toss evenly to coat.  Spread in an even layer and scatter rosemary on top. Put baking sheet on top rack and reduce heat to 375°F. Roast, flipping vegetables once, until browned in spots, about 45 minutes. Serve warm or chilled – either way is delicious. This makes a beautiful…

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LOVE Week Ideas

February 26, 2020

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, it’s time to spoil your honey. We know you’re busy, so we came up with suggestions for the perfect V-Day gift. Whether you want to take your sweetheart out or pick up a thoughtful present, we have you covered. These last minute gift ideas are sure to excite your sweetie and will arrive before the big day. Best of luck and Happy Valentine’s Day!   First, there’s dinner: insideOUT’s urban oasis is the only place to spend Valentine’s Day in San Diego. Romantic dinner vibes coupled with special creations by Executive Chef MJ Testa and Creative Director of Wine & Spirits Moe Girton will elevate your evening and create memorable moments. insideoutsd.com/ You can also sweep your loved one off their feet and whisk them away for a romantic weekend at Palm Garden Hotel. The Valentine’s Day specials have you covered with a fabulous room, three-course dinner and breakfast. After dinner, cozy up by the fire and sip on champagne and indulge in chocolate covered strawberries. This is a V-Day you won’t forget.palmgardenhotel.com   You can’t forget the value of a great destination visit. Wine, flowers, horses and beautiful beaches. What more can…

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in Things To Do

SoCal’s Beachside Recreation Sites

December 30, 2019

By Lisa Kestenbaum   In California, we love our coastline. And dotting the Southland’s best beaches are some must-visit piers; from roller coaster rides to private bungalows, there is plenty to see and do at these often overlooked spots. Orange County is home to San Clemente Pier, where time seems to stand still and ocean waves crash on a pristine beach below.   Travelers on the Pacific Coastliner Amtrak train can board and depart at the pier, which feels like a time warp, between the Spanish Colonial design of the homes surrounding it and the 50s style surfer dudes. Pop into the Oyster Bar for a casual bite or catch the last slivers of sun as it goes down over the water. In San Diego, you can make an entire daytrip out of visiting the Coronado Ferry Landing. Filled with shops, galleries and restaurants, this strip inside the City of Coronado offers a great view of San Diego across the water. On the weekends, there are often live bands and every Tuesday, you can visit the Farmer’s Market. The Ferry Landing also offers bike and kayak tours, if you’re feeling adventurous or want to do something active. You can also visit…

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in SoCal Trends, Things To Do, Uncategorized

5 Things to do on a Rainy SoCal Day

December 14, 2019

By Cristina Pimentel Rainy days are a rarity in Southern California, but when it rains, it pours. Californians mostly have sunny days and clear skies, but there’s nothing more beautiful than seeing a rainbow at the end of the rainstorm. Here are five things you can do on a rainy day.   Make Hot Chocolate and Watch a Movie Have a nice cup of hot cocoa, sprinkle marshmallows on top and get cozy on your couch. Curl up in a blanket and turn on the TV to watch a flick. From romantic comedies to drama to sci-fi to comedy, there are endless choices on Netflix that will keep you entertained.   Go to a Museum or an Aquarium Keep yourself dry and get educated at a museum. The Broad, Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) and California Science Center are fun choices to bring your friends and families. Aquariums are also great to experience if you love the marine life. Be surrounded by exotic fish and amphibians at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach and the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro.   Spa Day at Home Pamper yourself in the comfort of your own home. Throw on your fuzzy robe and slippers to have a spa day all to yourself. Treat your pores to a mud mask,…

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in Destinations & Landmarks, Food & Drinks, Things To Do

48 Hours of Attractions, Fun, Food and Wine in Lompoc

November 25, 2019

Fall is prime time to slate a 48-hour get-away to Lompoc. Located on the California Central Coast, it’s a visitor destination that satisfies all of the senses for stunning vistas, outdoor adventure, comfortable lodgings, easy access to attractions and activities, a taste for fine wines, and distinctive art. Wine tasting is a centerpiece of a Lompoc getaway – a journey through the winemaking processes, small tasting rooms, and superior products that spark a natural desire to spend an afternoon with friends discussing the finer points of wine. History, here, is a journey back in time to California mission life of the 1800s at La Purisima Mission; a small path leading from the Mission is especially evocative as an early segment of the El Camino Real, a 600-mile road connecting the 21 Spanish missions in California. The Mission’s recreated living and working spaces place visitors at the epicenter of daily life and commerce. Forty-eight hours in Lompoc is barely enough time to savor and partake of the area’s most entertaining attractions, but there’s always next time. Day One: Morning Mural Tour Begin with a self-guided tour of the Murals of Lompoc, many of which are located in Old Town Lompoc, on street…

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in Food & Drinks, Things To Do

Momentous Chef Collaboration Dinner Experience

November 25, 2019

In honor of National Seafood Month, Chef Masa Shimakawa of ONYX, the Japanese sushi bar located inside Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, California, teamed up with Bay Area-based Ken Tominaga for a 3-night chef collaboration dinner. Chef Ken Tominaga, owner of Hana Japanese Restaurant in Sonoma County, California is a renowned authority on Japanese cuisine. A Tokyo native, his dishes feature the highest quality, freshest fish and the finest local produce. The 3-day collaboration took place Thursday, October 3 – Saturday, October 5, 2019, as the chefs created a three course omakase. The menu consisted of the following: Hassun – Appetisers Happy Spoon  – kumamoto oyster, ikura, uni, ponzu crème fraiche Kobujime hirame temarisushi  – kelp-infused fluke, sushi rice Shira ae spinach carrot  – tofu dressing King crab sunomono – cucumber and seaweed salad Second Course Wagyu short rib miso ni – miso braised short rib, red wine reduction Or Crispy ankou with kinoko an – tempura battered monkfish, simmered mushrooms Third Course Zuke maguro and onsen tamago donburi with Half Moon Bay wasabi – marinated bigeye tuna, soft boiled egg, sushi rice Dessert Roasted pear with mascarpone and shiso – mirin balsamic reduction About Chef Masa Shimakawa – ONYX Hakodate, Japan may be an ocean from Los Angeles, but it’s just a dinner seating away at ONYX at Four Seasons Hotel Westlake Village, California,…

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