By Karen Schaffner, Playa Vista Staff Writer Lake Michigan ice is breaking up in Door County, Wisconsin. The shanty towns are coming down, but the lake was covered in ice just a few months ago. Located on a strip of land jutting into the lake, Door County gets the brunt of bad weather. During an […]
Clear sky, clear thoughts: Take time out at luxury ranch
By Karen Schaffner Talk about living your best life. At work, the phone doesn’t stop ringing, there’s one crisis after another and, because of it all, it’s time for a break. About 66 miles northwest of Phoenix, Rancho de los Caballeros in Wickenburg, Arizona, is the place to refresh and hear yourself think again. The […]
A World Away: Find yourself again in Sedona
By Karen Schaffner Sedona’s landscape is unlike any other in the Sonoran Desert or Southern California. It’s no wonder that some visitors are so moved by its beauty that they remember who they are, renew their spirits and find peace. Of course, not everyone experiences this or wants to. Some go simply to be captivated […]
Anchorage: North America at its most picturesque
By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski Gazing out the window of the Alaska Airlines aircraft flying northwest from Phoenix to Anchorage, the sun never fully sets. Lines of snow-capped mountains resemble sleeping zebras. Landing at 12:30 a.m., the sun was still beaming, albeit teasing a slight dusk that didn’t diminish before reaching the Hilton Anchorage Downtown. Saturday, June […]
Love Catalina: Avalon: Island vibes and sunny skies
By Jessica Koslow Charlie Chapman, John Wayne and Humphrey Bogart were regular visitors to Catalina Island, and Marilyn Monroe lived on there, albeit, before she was famous. Lolo Saldana, the 90-year-old barber who owns Lolo’s Barber Shop on Sumner Avenue, knew Monroe personally. He and his 10 siblings grew up on the island, and locals […]
Remembering the Alamo: A Texas-sized weekend awaits visitors
By Karen Schaffner San Antonio, Texas, is nothing if not surprising. From the friendliness of its citizens who go out of their way to make visitors feel welcome to its preserved colorful history and the many opportunities to sample outrageously delicious vittles, this is a city waiting to be discovered. One weekend in fun, intriguing […]
Extraordinary Rides: Audi Q8 e-Tron EV is ‘an impressive machine’
By C.A. Haire High-quality electric vehicles have expensive price tags, and this Audi Q8 e-Tron is another example. Its base price is $75,000, but when loaded with options, this one reached a tidy $92,000. Putting the fee aside, this is a fantastic ride, offering one of the most luxurious cabins around and superb build quality. […]
‘Inn-spiring’ Romance: California winemaker blends beauty with five-star service
By Alison Bailin Batz “A dream is a wish your heart makes… When you’re fast asleep.” Or is it? Poetry Inn, a five-star boutique hotel nestled high atop a hillside overlooking what feels like the entirety of Napa below, feels like the most beautiful, romantic of dreams come to life The brainchild of award-winning winemaker […]
Pueblo Magico: Loreto emerging as Mexico’s prime oceanfront destination
By Alison Bailin Batz Certainly, beachfront escapes in Mexico — Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Rocky Point and Cancun quickly come to mind — are nothing new to California travelers. Or are they? Heard of Loreto? Dubbed a Magic Town by Mexico’s Secretariat of Tourism for its astonishing beauty, rich history and extraordinary adventures, Loreto […]
Extraordinary Rides: Lexus IS 500 F-Sport Sedan: V-8 makes it worthwhile
By C.A. Haire The Lexus model IS is a popular compact sedan. It is usually offered with an economical four-cylinder, 240 horsepower engine or an upgraded 311 hp V-6. But there are always customers who prefer more power, and that brings us to this IS 500 F-Sport. Under the hood, they have shoehorned a powerful […]