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California

California: 9 reasons to visit Shasta Cascade

  Want to venture beyond California’s theme parks and beaches? Shasta Cascade might just be the region for you! Nestled at the northern tip of California, it’s a nature lover’s paradise. Volcanos, lakes, waterfalls and caverns grace the landscape. The region is a hidden gem and barely affected by mass tourism.  From skiing to horseback …

Michelin star restaurants California: Adega

  My regular readers know I gave up on English summers long ago and we spend August in California. I grew up in San Jose and it makes a fabulous base to explore the surrounding area. San Francisco is 50 minutes north and the beach cities of Santa Cruz/Monterey are …

San Jose: Raging Waters

My teen daughters love a good water park. Below read their impressions of Raging Waters in San Jose, California – a great city to base yourself when discovering the San Francisco Bay Area. They also give their top tips for enjoying the day!     Raging Waters in San Jose …

The “new” Santa Cruz Dream Inn

  I’m a bit of a creature of habit, especially when it comes to my favourite places to stay. I’ve been coming to the Santa Cruz Dream Inn for years …. my high school prom was held there back in the 80s! The hotel has so much going for it – …

Why we love Minor League Baseball!

On our recent trip to Silicon Valley in California, we caught the opening home game for the San Jose Giants, a Minor League baseball team that is an affiliate and feeder team to the San Francisco Giants. It was the girls’ first baseball game, and it was interesting to hear their …

9 places see wildflowers in Northern California #ad

Hallelujah! Governor Jerry Brown has announced that California’s 5-year drought is officially over! The warm oceans waters of El Nino have resulted in a plethora of rain. The heavy rains have given California another gift –  the most spectacular display of wildflowers the Golden State has seen in years! The best time …

The new SFMoMA: Something for every generation!

  A day out with the whole family can be challenging: The kids want to be entertained, grandma gets tired easily and the aunt has very specific dietary requirements! The newly transformed and extended San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) turned out to be a big hit for The Extended Modern Family. With …

Silicon Valley Tech Tour: Top 13 sites to visit

There’s something a little je ne sais quoi taking a California Silicon Valley Tour. It oozes coolness. Silicon Valley attracts 40% of all venture capital money invested in the U.S and San Jose generates more patents than any other place in the United States.  But why the Bay Area? Academics, industry and government …