Sometimes finding the perfect town to visit is very close to a familiar one. We’ve partered with travel writer Ava Roxanne Stritt of Spa Travel Gal to point out the features of the small town of Escondido, which has big activities to share. You would think a town this small would be a secret, but it is hard to keep from shouting in celebration when a place…
Eagle Mine & High Point Gold Mine Tour in Julian with famed California travel blogger Josh McNair, by permission. Visit “California through My Lens” for more… The town of Julian is a fun little hideaway that is visited often by people from San Diego and Temecula for the excellent pie. I have driven there on a few occasions just to get pie as well; it…
The Breeder’s Cup is like the World Series of racing, and it comes to Del Mar for the first time this fall. Breeders’ Cup officials have announced that tickets for the 34th running of the World Championships will go on sale to the public beginning Monday, March 6. The 2017 renewal, scheduled for Nov. 3-4, will be the first Breeders’ Cup held at picturesque Del Mar racetrack in Del…
Last month my mom had the great idea to treat Jake and I to “free” buffet at Valley View Casino. I’m sure she planned this out carefully. Mom gets a ride to the casino while Jake and I get to feast! Normally the buffet (which features lobster!) costs $32.99 on the weekends so this was a DEAL. Thanks, Mom, for being a big time player….
La Jolla Zip Zoom features longest zip line in California… Think rainforest canopy, or raging river below, Hawaii and Puerto Vallerta. How about Rotorua and Queensland, New Zealand and Rixos, Turkey? Then, think rubber tire tubes and the La Jolla Indian Campground. What do these exotic locales have in common with the campgrounds at the foot of Palomar Mountain. Zip lines, of course Tthese long…
Escondido is quickly becoming my go-to hiking destination with dozens of easily accessible trails that offer sweeping views of mountain peaks, lakes, and rivers. Bernardo Mountain Summit is an easily accessible trail in Escondido that hovers above the calm waters of Lake Hodges. The peak and lake are the main attraction in this 7.2-mile roundtrip trek, which also features views of the eastern half of the county…
Queen Califia’s Magical Circle ‘Beetlejuice Park’ in Escondido After visiting Grape Day Park with the kids earlier this month, one of our readers mentioned that we need to visit Queen Califia’s Magical Circle in Kit Carson Park in Escondido. The park was just a short drive away from Grape Day Park and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and ever since we were told about it, we…
Over a month ago when a friend recommended hiking the Boulder Loop Trail at Daley Ranch, I’ll admit I had never heard of it. Little did I know in northeast Escondido is over 3,000 acres of natural land just waiting to be hiked. Settled by English immigrant Robert Daley in 1869, the ranch remained in the Daley family for over a century, with the City…
Escondido political and civic leaders this week continued to try to find a way to get someone to build a hotel next to the California Center of the Arts. Just that this latest version of the quest for a Holy Grail of a hotel has been downsized from 4-star luxury to 3-star business class. Clay Phillips, Escondido’s city manager, last month acknowledged that a two-step…
The Russel Ray, Property Consultant home inspection this past Thursday was out on Palomar Mountain. It caught me off guard when I scheduled it because I had no clue that there were homes up on Palomar Mountain. Once I finished the inspection, I headed over to the “Big Eye,” more properly known as Mount Palomar Observatory: The Big Eye is only 62 miles from where…