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Watermelon, Hula Hoops and Smiles on S...
It was a day of smiles and grunts, swiftness and snail's pace. Watermelons and hula hoops. Just another annual running of the Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach. 20,000 people from around the world came to run either the marathon or half marathon in front of the beautiful Pacific Ocean and tree-lined Central Park. Runners were cheered on by thousands of supporters, including families and friends holding up signs, ringing cowbells, blowing whistles, clapping and shouting out, "You can do it!" This annual Super Bowl Sunday marathon is ...
SLO Stream and Babbling Brook in the M...
The San Luis Obispo Creek that runs through the center of San Luis Obispo downtown shopping area, Mission Plaza, creates incredible charm. But the gentle stream hasn't always been so tame and friendly, as there have been times in history when the downtown streets flooded as the banks overflowed.
Since 1968, a two block area of downtown has become the physical, cultural, and spiritual heart of the city. The Central Coast city's urban planners figured out a way to integrate the historic Mission San Luis Obispo De Tolosa near the ...
The Grunion Are Coming, The Grunion Ar...
The totally low-tech event is coming to California! It's the annual grunion run season and people are ecstactic! While these little fish (silversides family) show up on the beaches of California all the way from Baja to the Central Coast, one of the most popular places to hunt for them is in the L.A. area and greater Southern California.
There is such a fan-base and following for grunion that there's even a program where you can train to be a Grunion Greeter, or attend the grunion run night sessions where ...
California Performing Arts Centers Off...
Photos left to right: Karen & Richard Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts at Cal State Long Beach overlooks a unique pyramid; Renee & Henry Segerstom Concert Hall is the newest addition to Orange County's entertainment scene; Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts at UC Davis includes innovative technologies with movable stages, floors and walls.
Surveying California's performing arts scene you'll find that the performing arts venues throughout California bring top acts to even the smallest cities. If you live in California, chances are there's some sort of entertainment venue ...
Portrait of The Gov – Jerry Brow...
Over 25 museums are open and free on Feb. 4, 2012, during Sacramento's Museum Day. But the portrait of "The Gov", Governor Edmund G. "Jerry" Brown, Jr., and many who have come before him -- Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronald Reagan, and less remembered non-actor types, are on display at the Capitol Museum in Sacramento, which is free every day (capitolmuseum.ca.gov). Jerry Brown has never been an actor, as far as we recall, though he dated pop singer Linda Ronstadt, and he's called "acting governor".
There's no portrait that has sparked more ...
Things to Do on Super Bowl Weekend in ...
Photo: Participants in the Super Bowl Sunday Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach.
Super Bow Weekend in California will be filled with gatherings around bars and in homes...lots of chips, dips, BBQs and TV watching. But like Thanksgiving, there's an anti-couch potato sentiment among the population seeking something else to do on a day in which much of the nation is riveted to their screens.
Here are some non-Super Bowl weekend options:
Super Bowl Weekend races and marathons in California take place in over 30 cities!
Take a whale watching trip-- boats ...
Tipping Tips and Tricks of the Trade
Pictured is a food server in Ojai, California's Osteria Monte Grappa (OMGojai.com), known for its great Italian food and pleasant wait staff. Diners like to eat in an upbeat environment and may tip more when they feel happy.
People who have worked in food service tend to be more generous tippers. They are sympathetic, recalling all the times they worked hard and were stiffed. Unfortunately, European tourists and travelers from other countries are the worst tippers in California. In their countries tips are stated on the bill and often paid ...
The Scottish Are Coming to the Queen M...
It's time for the annual Scottish Festival along the shoreline of Long Beach on the grounds of the historic Queen Mary. Highland Country Dancing, Men of Worth band, Scottish foods, ales and whiskeys, a colorful Clan Parade with massed Pipes & Drums, sheepdog herding, Hammer Throw, Putting the Stone and Tossing the Caber, all make for an exciting weekend filled with affordable, family fun. Prices range from $18 to 28 for one and 2 day passes at the event held February 18 & 19, 2012. Tickets: queenmary.com
Other events coming ...
Pier Pilings
Have you ever taken the time to wander under a pier when visiting some beach destination? Pictured is a typical California pier. There are over 20 wooden pleasure piers for the public to enjoy in California.
When you wander on a pier, you see great vistas, restaurants, people sitting, kissing, and often fishing. Underneath the pier it's a whole different world! Under the pier, you see its structure and can tell what kind of pilings are holding it in place. Sometimes they are wooden, rusty and crusty or the piling ...
Vacaville Heritage House Cafe Pays Tri...
Photo: A Pony Express mural in the city of Vacaville, California on the Heritage House Cafe, 303 Merchant Street,
Vacaville, CA 95688. Call: (707) 448-3900.
Vacaville is a great road stop approx. 33 miles southwest of Sacramento along the I-80, and 55 miles northeast of San Francisco. The Pony Express which ran between St. Joseph, MO, and Sacramento/San Francisco, stopped in Vacaville during its run between 1860 and 1861. A painted mural on Heritage House Cafe in Vacaville commemorates the historic mail delivery system, and a plaque describes the significance ...



