California

Having  had the pleasure of staying at Andaz Peninsula Papagayo and Andaz Singapore, I’ve been clamoring to check out more Andaz locations closer to home. I finally got that chance with the …

Having gone “two for two” with my prior Kimpton stays (Kimpton Hotel Palomar San Diego and Kimpton Armory Hotel Bozeman), I couldn’t wait to finally checkout one a little closer to home, …

I’ve been wanting to check out the Hilton Palm Springs for a long time now. I’ve tried to book there several times, but I’ve always ran into one of the following road …

This is a review I never intended to write. Not because I have anything against Embassy Suites (I actually like the brand), but because my room at the Miramonte Indian Wells Resort …

As we left the Bay Area, and headed for California’s Redwood Coast on our “National-Park-during-the-pandemic” road trip, we again needed a quick place to stay the night at a clean and safe …

Leaving Santa Cruz and the awesomely kitschy Hotel Paradox, we drove the scenic route through the Santa Cruz Mountains before dropping down into Half-Moon Bay, CA, for the final stay on our …

Leaving Pismo Beach, we continued our drive Northward along the PCH until we eventually made it to Santa Cruz, CA, at nightfall, For our first time visiting Santa Cruz, we decided on …

After an amazing stay a Santa Barbara’s Mar Monte Hotel, we continued up the Pacific Coast Highway to the town of Pismo Beach, California, where we’d be staying at the Hilton Garden …

Earlier this year, we got the chance to stay at the Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn during a visit to Yosemite National Park. Well, as you know, we can never get …

I’m ashamed to admit that as a Los Angeleno, for whatever reason, I haven’t adequately explored the nearby Central Coast region of California very much at all. The pandemic has given me …

Rounding out my trio of stays in the San Diego area (with the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa and the 1906 Lodge) is another hotel I’ve long had on my list…the …

After a wonderful stay at the Coronado Island Marriott Resort & Spa, we were ready to move back to the World of Hyatt side of things with a stay at Coronado Island’s …

Like almost everyone else this year, I too have been stuck Stateside. But, I’ve used that time productively to explore much of the West Coast that’s been on “my list” for a …

One of my favorite things about my Carmel Valley Ranch stay – and there were many – was the awesome on-property hiking trails. Perhaps the overall best sampling of these trails is …

After an uneven and mostly “shut down” stay at Hyatt Carmel Highlands, I was beginning to wonder if travel during the pandemic (especially when redeeming 20,000+ points a night) was a bad …

I have no problem driving the 5 hours from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. However, I draw the line at the 5.5 hour drive to Carmel. Why? Good question. It just seems …

I love my American Express Hilton Aspire Card. I love it so much in fact, that I have two of them! Last year, I used the $250 Hilton credit (on each card) …

It’s been called by many, “the very best trail in the Sierras”. I’d characterize it as perhaps the very best 3 day/2 night backpacking trip in the Sierras. What trail am I …

In terms of which trail is “the best day hike in Yosemite National Park”, Half Dome may get all the press, but I’d argue the best day hike in Yosemite is easily …

One of my favorite things about visiting the Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks (and the Sierras for that matter) is the chance to try out new beers from the Tioga-Sequoia Brewing Co. …