Category: California

Posted on by

Santa Catalina Island

Santa Catalina, one of California’s Channel Islands, lies southwest of Los Angeles. It’s known for its wildlife, dive sites and Mt. Orizaba, its highest peak.

In the city of Avalon, palm trees and cabanas line Descanso Beach. Avalon’s circular, art deco Catalina Casino is a cultural center with a movie theater, ballroom and museum.

Posted on by

The Palace Hotel, San Francisco

When in San Francisco, the Palace Hotel has always been a favorite of mine. Staying…eating…wandering around to look at the impressive features…it’s all good.

Since 1875 the Palace Hotel has been catering to travelers from all over the country, business titans, the social elite, and dignitaries looking for the best of the best in hotels. With such modern technological advancements for its time, the Palace offered a telegraph on every floor, private baths, and five rising rooms.

The largest hotel in the world at that time, it was a true innovator in luxury accommodations.

No wonder it quickly became ‘the place’ to stay.

Then came the earthquake of 1906 and in the fires that accompanied it, the Palace Hotel was destroyed. All the marble, crystal chandeliers, and opulence were reduced to ruble. Yet, three years later the new Palace opened its doors, using what they found in that ruble and adding new spectacular acquisitions…grander than before the fires.

Fast forward to 2015 when the latest renovations were complete. The old…the new…the newest, all blend together as the fresh design pairs with timeless elegance. 

So, what’s the Palace Hotel like now?

One area, the Garden Court, is a San Francisco monument and the crown jewel of the hotel. Sit down, have a glass of wine or a cup of coffee, and look around. Really look at everything. The massiveness of the Italian marble columns might first catch your eye. But, the stained glass ceiling will certainly cause you to sit and stare. The 7 million dollar price tag hardly seems enough. Austrian crystal chandeliers positioned throughout sparkle as the light comes through the stained glass. It’s no wonder the entire room, 110 feet long and 85 feet wide, has seen its share of engagements, celebrations, and parties for literally over a hundred years. Close your eyes and you can almost see a Prince, a President, or a Silicon Valley Techie entertaining their guests here.

Hungry? What better place to have lunch, or tea, or Sunday brunch? In this era of using organic and locally sourced ingredients, the chefs here are no different. You will find 80% of the food offered is local, sustainable, and farm fresh. History even manages to find its way into your lunch.

Ever had Green Goddess dressing? In 1923 this dressing was first served at a Palace dinner honoring actor George Arliss. Did you know their famous crab salad has been on the menu since 1909? Same recipe…new crab!

When staying here, you’ll take one of those rising rooms, now known as elevators, to your floor. Check out the wide hallways; wider than in your average hotel. Notice the door knobs on the dark doors. Both are elegant. Even though the doors have been retrofitted for a keyless entry, the knobs are from 1909. They feel substantial in your hand. Finally, pay attention to the doors…solid wood and heavy. Again, from 1909.

Entering your room, you’ll notice the room seems spacious. The ceilings are 11 feet, offering a sense of grand size. No wonder The Palace Hotel was and continues to be the premier place to stay.

Want to see another treasure within the hotel? Head to the Pied Piper for a drink and look at the masterpiece above the bar. This Pied Piper painting was commissioned from Maxfield Parish in 1909 for $6,000. It represents the tale of the Pied Piper…with a twist. Parish painted himself as the Pied Piper and some of the 27 expressive faces include those of his wife, his mistress, his sons, and more. What a guy!

Memories of a grand, historic era combined with technology of today…the Palace Hotel offers comfort and style to globe-trotting travelers, families with children, cutting edge business people, and those looking for a magical place to reconnect. Which one are you?

Your room is ready…

If You Go: The Palace Hotel is located at 2 New Montgomery Street in San Francisco.

Find more California escapes at https://travelsandescapes.net/category/escapes/california/

Posted on by

Visit Morro Bay and California’s Central Coast

If you landed in a seaside village with a mild Mediterranean climate and heard the term “Gibraltar of the Pacific”, would you have any idea where you were? Would it help if you saw a 576-foot volcanic plug sitting at the mouth of the harbor, a harbor the US Coast Guard regards as one of the most dangerous harbors in the nation? Here’s a hint. You’re about to visit the Central California coast. Morro Bay, to be exact.

Morro Rock, the volcanic plug, was named by Juan Cabrillo during his voyage in 1542. He called it El Moro, supposedly as it reminded him of the Moor’s turbans. It was changed to Morro, meaning pebble, crown, or nose. This 22 or 23 million year old rock isn’t alone along this coast. It’s one of Nine Sisters of rocks, formed by volcanic activity and extending form Morro Bay to San Luis Obispo.

While the rock is impressive and easy to see why it’s compared to Gibraltar, there’s more to experience here than just sitting at a waterfront patio, sipping wine from a nearby winery, and watching dozens of otters play in the bay. Although, that’s not a bad way to spend a couple of hours. This is the central California coast where Morro Bay is just one of many seaside towns and villages.

For some exercise, leave your car and walk to Morro Rock. No longer open for climbing, this massive rock becomes even more massive the closer you get. Peregrine Falcons and about 250 other species of birds call it home. From here, the giant waves hitting the seawall are spectacular. Prepare to get sprayed. Rent a kayak or paddle board and explore the bay up close. Sea lions and otters will keep you company as they play alongside you.

Looking for day trips along the central coast of California? Spend time in the Morro Bay State Park, just a few minutes from the center of Morro Bay. Plenty of trails to walk, birds to watch at the Heron Rookery Natural Preserve, interactive exhibits at the Museum of Natural History, and from November to February the roosting Monarch Butterflies are here. With plenty of sunshine, don’t forget your sunscreen.

Want to wander a little further? A few minutes north is the beach town of Cayucos, which was named the best beach town in California by a popular travel magazine. Watch the waves, take a walk on the California Coastal Trail, or take a hike up to Black Hill.

Or, travel just 30 minutes north to San Simeon and visit the Hearst Castle. This is truly a museum, but not like any other museum you’ve ever experienced. The legendary William Randolph Hearst built and occupied this grand residence, the “Enchanted Hill”, overlooking the ocean and acres below it. Advance tickets are a must, but definitely worth it.

If you’re looking for award-winning wines to taste, head inland to Paso Robles. With over 200 wineries, many boutique and small family owned ones, the Paso blends of Bordeaux, Rhone, and Zinfandel varietals, are sure to please your palette. The proximity to the Pacific Ocean, numerous canyons and hills, a variety of microclimates all combine to create the perfect region for growing grapes. I bet you find some new favorites.

Wherever your day trip was, when it’s finished, head back to Morro Bay for dinner by the bay. Enjoy ocean-to-table seafood, wine from the Paso area, the cool ocean breezes after a warm day inland, and then bring your day to a close by watching the sun slip into the Pacific next to Morro Rock. Ships in the bay appear to be highlighted in a gold light and depending on the time of year, the sky glows pinkish or orange. Morro Rock’s reflection changes from minute to minute. Your camera will work overtime.

If You Go: Morro Bay is located 12 miles northwest of San Luis Obispo, California on California Highway 1. More trips can be found at https://travelsandescapes.net/

Posted on by

The Enchanted Hill

Do you remember the movie, ‘Citizen Kane’? Do you know what it has in common with The Enchanted Hill?

Citizen Kane, the movie, and the hilltop structure known as The Enchanted Hill in San Simeon, California have much in common. The first is supposedly based on the life of American newspaper magnate, William Randolph Hearst and has been labeled the greatest film ever made. However, Hearst prohibited mention of the film in any of his newspapers.

The Enchanted Hill is what Hearst called his home with its magnificent gardens and exotic zoo. Sitting high above the Pacific Ocean, this Mediterranean style country house features guest cottages each named for its view, endless gardens, over-sized swimming pools, and countless terraces. The zoo is long gone but zebras and other critters still roam around the property mixed in with the cattle.

Check out the Neptune Pool, supposedly rebuilt three times before Hearst was completely satisfied with it. Looking at it today…it was worth all that tinkering. Marble statues of nymphs and swans around the pool were carved by French sculptor Charles Cassou. Holding 345,000 gallons of water, this pool was heated year-round until the 1970’s. Crystal clear it is still filtered using a sand filtering system.

Slightly smaller at only 205,000 gallons the Roman Pool, apparently styled after the Roman Baths, is decorated from floor to ceiling with one-inch mosaic tiles. Blue and orange glass tiles alternate with clear ones having fused gold inside. Looking up at the roof and dome, you see more mosaics…this time midnight blue ones interspersed with stars. Eight marble statues complete the setting. ‘Wow’ is the only word you will be able to utter when you round the corner. 

Back outside, saunter along the Esplanade walkway connecting gardens with the rest of the buildings. Every direction you look provides visual pleasures. Roses, flowering annuals, boxwood hedges, citrus trees, and palms mix with 19th and 20th century statues, ancient sarcophagi, fountains, and the Sekhmet sculptures, four Egyptian pieces over three thousand years old. Stop for a minute on the Main Terrace and look around. Endless views of the Pacific Ocean are to your south and the Santa Lucia Mountains are to the north. In the background you will hear the sound of water, an important effect in Mediterranean gardens.

Hearst inherited the 250,000 acre working cattle ranch from his mother and called it “Camp Hill”, a wilderness place for family members and friends to rough it on camping trips. Keep in mind roughing it meant accommodations included elaborate arrangements, separate sleeping quarters, and dining tents. At one point Hearst decided camping out in the open was not what he wanted. Enter famed San Francisco architect Julia Morgan who worked with Hearst to build his dream home…and it ended up as one of the world’s greatest showplaces. Thus the name…The Enchanted Hill.

By 1947 La Cuesta Encantada was completed. Blending the architectural styles of a Spanish cathedral and Mediterranean Revival style houses and utilizing the surrounding California land, this was a creation to behold. After all, who would expect to see this grand structure rising high on the hills complete with grazing cattle and a zoo with zebra to polar bears?

Engineering and architectural features are everywhere.  A gravity-based water delivery system, private cinema with rare books lining the shelves, 56 bedrooms, ceilings imported from all over the world, an indoor pool to delight even the non-swimmers, hidden terraces, doors to secret hallways, an amazing wine cellar, and a kitchen with some pretty fascinating appliances are only a few surprises.

This is no longer just a place for celebrities and famous guests to come and enjoy. It is a palace in every sense of the imagination.

If you go: Hearst Castle is located in the hills at San Simeon, on California Highway 1, about halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles. Advanced reservations are highly recommended, especially during the summer months. Check out www.hearstcastle.com or call 800-444-4445.

Information about other castles and places to visit can be found /https://travelsandescapes.net/