California Travel Insider

California is the Color Autumn

FALL FOLIAGE IN CALIFORNIA:  Places to Go, Colors to See by Barbara L. Steinberg

As the summer’s golden, sun-filled hours gradually shorten and the evening air turns crisp and cool, Mother Nature takes her cue to begin a spectacular and colorful show of fall foliage in the Golden State.  Autumn’s palette of deep reds, glowing yellows and warm, earthy browns may be enjoyed in many of California’s regions.  Visitors taking a relaxing drive, hike or bicycle ride through the scenic countryside will be instantly immersed in the season’s breathtaking beauty.  

Here are some of the more popular places to view fall colors in California.  The Rest of the Story....

So Special at Wilbur Hot Springs

Guest Chef Weekend at Wilbur with Chef Charlie Cascio and Company February 25-27, 2011

Join Wilbur Hot Springs and Chef Charlie for a weekend of healthy, delicious gourmet meals priced at just $150.00 per person (price excludes lodging).

About the Chef: Charlie has cooked throughout Europe, including Germany, France, Belgium, and Spain. He has worked as a personal private chef and has been head chef for numerous restaurants. Charlie has taught natural food cooking seminars to individuals, restaurants, and health professionals throughout Europe and the United States.

He continues to cook for large conventions to develop natural health food products and recipes, and to teach courses on cooking, including cooking with raw foods.

Charlie worked as the head chef and kitchen manager for the Esalen Institute, in Big Sur, California from 1998 through 2004 and continues to work for Esalen as a consultant and instructor. He lives on the northern California coast on a self-sustaining organic farm where he raises his own vegetables, chickens, goats, and honeybees and makes his own cheeses and olive oil.

To make reservations, or for more information, please call (530) 473-2306. 

Wilbur Hot Springs is includes in "Top Ten Plus One"

California Fall Foliage Continues

It's December but the Fall Colors in Sacramento Continue Their Display by Barbara L. Steinberg

Ginkgo biloba were putting on a golden display on this corner in downtown Sacramento. The day before, the entire corner glowing in the sunlight. But even on this overcast day, Ginkgos are dazzling. Amazingly, it's December 11th! Though there have been several unseasonably wet days and chilling temperatures, the fall foliage continues to blaze. Already rewarded by an incredibly long, cool summer, Sacramento's fall season has lingered.

The Sierra Nevada is already heavy with snow. If the rain and cold continues, it promises to be an equally spectacular wildflower season in 2011. I am already looking ahead and dreaming of equally splendid photos.

The Rest of the Gold Images

OFF THE ROAD, OFF THE GRID

Mercey Hot Springs Story & Photos by Barbara L. Steinberg

Sometimes I hate to share all of my best California secrets, but here I go again!

No need to beg for mercy at Mercey Hot Springs, there's plenty to see, do, and enjoy! Out of the way and way off-road -- 13 miles from Interstate 5 and many more miles from scenic Hwy. 25 -- this historic hot springs resort (don't be thinking 5-stars) is worth the drive. This is especially true if you enjoy solitude, open spaces, and a clothing optional hot springs soak!

The full-size swimming pool -- hot springs water -- is available during the better weather. The pool and decking have been refurbished and a series of new soaking tubs added. Also added were two full baths. All that you want and more. This area of the resort is clothed and provides more options for visitors. The upgrades are fantastic.

The rustic cabins have all been restored. The cabins are tiny and only outdoor BBQs for cooking, so come prepared for a little roughing it on the soft side. You can bring your own Coleman stove or utilize one of the fire pits. For a little more money, the #5 cabin has a kitchenette. So ask about availability. There's no TV, but through the marvels of science WiFi has been added. Don't know if that's a good thing or not! No escaping technology even in this remote corner of Californa.

  The outhouses are the nicest I have ever seen! There are a couple of private soaking tubs in one of the ramshackle buildings, which also includes the most marvelous reptile mosaic. The restoration of the historic buildings has been done with their history in mind. Though modern conveniences have been added, the buildings maintain a weathered look and feel. Come spring, the hillsides and valleys bring forth a profusion of wildflowers after a wet winter. Even in the fall, the drive into Mercey delivers undulating golden hills of the Central Valley and Little Panoche Valley. A stunning view; so take it slow.

In the meantime, a colony of long- eared owls has taken up residence at Mercey. They arrive in late summer/early autumn and stay until Spring, nesting and birthing their babies. It's a sight to behold!  Day visitors can pay a fee to stop and see these wise birds.

The most amazing part is that the owners have created a completely green environment and everything is off the grid. There's solar, bio-diesel, and wind! Quite an accomplishment.

There are many hidden hot springs throughout Caliornia and I hope to visit each and every one. In this northwest corner of Fresno County, you are truly away from it all. I recenlty spent another quiet weekend at this delightful retreat. My Subaru taking me happily off-road and on. There are many wonderful back roads in the area and other historic sights to see. Enjoy the ride.

And a slide show of photos!

California, Hot Springs, California, Travelfresno, san francisco

One of California's best things you almost didn't see

One of the Many & Photo by Barbara L. Steinberg

While on a recent writing assignment, I was fortunate enough to enjoy some wonderful conversation with two men who invited me to sit at their dinner table. As is often the case when traveling, I love to share stories with people I meet along the way. On this  recent adventure, I talked about some of California's great landmarks....many that are often missed or overlooked. One of my dinner companions mentioned one such landmark and sent me off to discover this "best thing you almost didn't see." He gave me some limited details and motivated me to go forth and search. So search I did.

Here is "the thing" (I believe) and am sending this photo to him for confirmation. Thank you, M.R., for this early morning adventure. I stopped a number of people in the general vicinty. As you said, no one knew what I was talking about. No one!

For everyone else, do you know where this is? It's in northern California. This commissioned work of art has ties to the Freedom of Speech Movement.