Ah, Tahiti! Lush vegetation swaying in balmy ocean breezes, glittering aquamarine waters, white-sand beaches, and some of the best diving and snorkeling in the world.
It’s an uncontested fact that a Tahiti vacation is one of the most romantic, relaxing getaways in the world.
Tahiti? Why not? But if a Tahiti getaway is so fabulous, why aren’t more people doing it?
“People constantly tell us that visiting Tahiti is on their bucket list, but they feel it’s too far away and only a once-in-a-lifetime trip,” says Daniele Venuti, Hilton French Polynesia Director of Sales & Marketing.
In reality, Tahiti, which is just an 8-hour, non-stop flight from Los Angeles, is a shorter hop for West Coast travelers than most Caribbean islands. And in fact, the flight is only a few hours longer than one to Hawaii.
Cost, too, is often cited as a deterrent by travelers considering a Tahiti getaway. For a limited time, however, the question of cost has been rendered moot.
Tahiti Vacation Package, From $2,599
Islands in the Sun, a leading South Pacific wholesaler, is offering a six-day package starting from just $2,599. Five nights, six days, and oh yeah, international airfare.
“We put this package together to take the guesswork out of booking your stay – including some important essentials – and to prove that it is far easier to disappear into the magic of Moorea than you think,” said Venuti. “Why wait to celebrate the South Seas together in style.”
Islands in the Sun, one of the first wholesalers to “discover” Tahiti back in the ’60s, created this package, which includes a four-night stay at the award-winning Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa, international airfare from LAX on Air Tahiti Nui, daily breakfast, with a variety of in-country extras, including a local Lagoon Excursion.
Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa
Uniquely Local
The Hilton Moore Lagoon Resort & Spa offers guests a variety of free cultural activities daily, including cooking classes, kayak racing and lei-making.
On Tuesdays and Fridays, the hotel hosts free, one-hour Marine Conferences led by area marine specialists.
The Hilton Moorea, located between the mountains and the sea, with its own private, white-sand-fringed, ten-acre lagoon, was recently named one of Trip Advisor’s Top 5 Resorts for Romance in the World.
Arguably best resort location on the heart-shaped island of Moorea, the 10-year-old Hilton Moorea teems with Polynesian “mana,” or spirit, is just a 30 minute ferry ride from French Polynesia’s capital city of Papeete.
The package includes accommodation in a thatched roofed garden bungalow with a private plunge pool, but guests can also opt to upgrade to one of French Polynesia’s famous overwater bungalows, starting from $499.
Like all good things, these rates won’t last forever, and travelers must book by Nov. 23, 2014.
Package Details
The package includes:
International airfare from LAX on award-winning Air Tahiti Nui
1 night in a deluxe Ocean View room at Radisson Plaza Resort Tahiti
4 nights in a Garden Pool Bungalow at Hilton Moorea Lagoon Resort & Spa
Daily American breakfast
Moana Lagoon excursion with a Motu picnic lunch on Moorea
A complimentary Black Pearl Pendant (one per couple)
Round-trip inter-island transportation by ferry
Meet & greet and flower lei upon arrival
Departure assistance, including a shell lei
All transfers and baggage handling
Airline and hotel taxes
Honeymooner bonus: A small bottle of Champagne upon arrival in Moorea
Optional: Upgrade your stay in Moorea to an Overwater Bungalow, starting from $499.
You’ve seen historical sights, museums, art, beaches and much more during your travels, but have you ever seen goats? Goats are rapidly becoming a visitor attraction, and goat farms around the U.S. are opening their barnyard doors and welcoming visitors to see the animals, take tours and learn about life on a farm.
At a goat farm, chances are you will meet Billy, Nanny and Buck (the most common goat names). Or maybe you might get a visit with Vincent Van Goatie. Visitors can usually milk a goat, make cheese or explore life on a goat farm.
Here are some places around the U.S. for those who want to add visiting a goat farm to their list of experiences:
Surfing Goat Dairy
The goats on Surfing Goat Dairy in Hawaii don’t make it to the waves, they reside on the slopes of Haleakala Crater on the island of Maui. The only goat dairy on the island, casual tours are available: just drop by and meet some Saanen and Alpine goats. Before you depart, visit the shop that features more than 30 different cheeses.
For a more serious experience on the 42-acre farm, the Grand Daily Tour takes two hours, and visitors feed and milk a goat and lead the herd from the pasture to the dairy. Final stop: sampling cheeses produced at the dairy. You get a ribbon that says “I Milked a Goat Today.’’ Farmers Thomas and Eva Kafsack are originally from Germany and traveled around Europe to learn all about cheese making. www.surfinggoatdairy.com
Mystery Bay Farm
Mystery Bay Farm in Washington offers a tour that includes a visit to the milking parlor and cheese making facility along with the basic history of goats and sustainable farming.
This tour is $10 per person. But if you want to splurge, at both 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. three people can spend $100 and milk the goats along with the basic tour. And if you want more, there is a custom production tour that is for those who want a detailed dairy experience. The price varies.
Alpine goats are in residence along with Rachael Van Laanen, the owner, at this five-acre farm on Marrowstone Island. Cheese making classes, farm dinners and souvenirs are available. www.mysterybayfarm.com
Blue Heron Farm
In Texas, which has the largest population of goats in the U.S., Blue Heron Farm offers tours on their 10.5-acre organic farm. Christian and Lisa are the farmers.
Want to get to know the goats before you visit the farm? Go to their website and read detailed profiles of the goats. Kind of like a dating website, only for goats. Tour schedule varies, no tours on Saturdays. www.BlueHeronTexas.com
Beltane Farm
Beltane Farm hosts concerts, wine tastings, cheese tastings and other food and farm gatherings in Lebanon, Conn. The Oberhasli goats (of Swiss origins) are known for producing great cheese. Mark and Paul are the farmers and cheese makers and hosts.
Check the calendar on their website for events and where to purchase their products. Many items from Beltane Farm, including yogurt and raw and pasteurized milk, are for sale at area farmer’s markets. www.beltanefarm.com
Goat Facts
A few goat facts. A doe or a nanny (the correct name for a female goat) can produce three to 5 quarts of milk each day. There are 210 breeds of goats, according to Goatworld.com. Essential info for visitors: wear closed toes shoes.
Travelers familiar with Mexico’s famed Cancun and Riviera Maya have likely visited one or both of the area’s most popular outdoor tourism attractions: Xcaret, a nature sanctuary and eco-archaeological park, and Xel-Há, a massive outdoor “aquarium” known for its mangrove-lined, fresh-water river, perfect for snorkeling and inner tubing, where both freshwater and marine fish make their home.
Collectively the parks are part of Experiencias Xcaret Group, which also manages a variety of other area attractions, including Xplor, Xichén, Xenotes and Xoximilco Cancun.
The organization, which is 100 percent Mexican owned, with its emphasis on outdoor, natural attractions, actively promotes the care and preservation of the Mexican Caribbean ecosystems, and earlier this year became a part of the UNWTO Knowledge Network. To that end, the group has recently announced that it has reforested 400,000 plants in Cancun and the Riviera Maya area.
Xochimilco Cancun
The group’s newest attraction, Xochimilco Cancun, an homage to the famed original in Mexico City, has been the recipient of nearly half the new trees and plants.
Prior to the park’s opening in 2013, the location was used as a mine to extract materials for construction, leaving the area a ravaged ecological mess when the mine closed.
Now the 6.6-hectare area park sports more than 200,000 newly planted native plants, including wood-bearing trees such as cedar and mahogany.
The reforested native plants came from the nurseries of Xcaret and Xel-ha parks. Additionally the non-profit organization Flora, Fauna y Cultura de México as well as a number of private suppliers have also made contributions, according to Wendy Santaolaya, Sustainable Competitiveness Manager at Experiencias Xcaret.
Public Areas
Many plants are also being used to reforest traffic islands and public spaces in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Ciudad Chemuyil, Tulum and even Valladolid, Yucatan, in a project that commenced in January 2013 and ran through June 2014.
The Mexico reforestation project aims to produce, rescue and reforest native plants from the southeast of Mexico as well spreading butterfly host plants in Xcaret Riviera Maya.
Reforestation is not just a Johnny-come-lately project for Experiencias Xcaret Group. The organization is responsible for the now full-grown ceibas along the Federal Highway traffic islands near Playa del Carmen, as part of their first-ever reforestation programs in public spaces.
More information on reforestation can be read in the Experiencias Xcaret Group Sustainability Report which is available online to the general public.
“Our commitment to transparency and accountability is an important element to create a more aware and sensitive society that cares for the planet and human beings”, assured Santaolaya.
Fly anywhere in the Western United States, and on a clear day you might be lucky enough to see barren deserts, snow-capped mountains, mega cities, waving ribbons of farmland, massive rivers, sandy beaches and jagged coast line.
Heck, the region is home to some of the biggest, tastiest and most unique destinations in the world, not to mention that it houses nearly 75 percent of the country’s national parks.
Now Sunset Magazine, the trusted publication known for its celebration of all things Western U.S., has the Sunset Travel Awards, the magazine’s first-ever awards program to celebrate the west’s premiere travel destinations.
“Each month, Sunset strives to point our readers in the direction of the West’s ultimate travel attractions, escapes and getaways,” said Peggy Northrop, Sunset Editor-in-Chief.
“Our goal with the Sunset Travel Awards is to provide an invaluable travel resource to our readers as well as well-deserved acknowledgment to the tourism and hospitality professionals and proprietors who make our region one of the top destinations in the world.”
In search of the West’s standout travel destinations, organizations and businesses, Sunset will issue awards in 33 different categories, including: • Best Beach Town • Best Food Town • Best Ski Town • Best New Cultural Attraction • Best Wine Country Hotel/Resort • Best Luxury Camping • Best Amusement Park Ride • Best Western Cruise • Best Hotel/Resort for Pets • Best Tasting Room/Vineyard Experience • Best Hotel Dining • Best Hotel/Resort for Families
Additional awards will honor outstanding new public attractions, including best National Park restorations, newly saved historic neighborhoods and expanded open spaces.
Award submissions are due by October 31, 2014. Finalists for each category will be selected by Sunset editors and featured on Sunset.com on January 15, 2015.
The winners from each category will be voted on by the Sunset Travel Awards Advisory Board, which includes a dozen distinguished travel professionals from across the West.
While most of the awards require a written application and entry fee, Sunset editors also want to hear what readers think. So be sure to voice your opinions on Facebook, Twitter or other favorite social media channels using the hashtag #sunsettravelawards.
Destinations from around the world actively promote their visitor attractions. Explore the sights, shop, visit the beaches and enjoy – and spend lots of money and contribute to our economy. Tourism is a leading economic engine.
These days some countries have also decided that having someone spend two weeks in their country isn’t quite enough. They want Americans to make their destination a permanent home.
Many places – particularly in South and Central America – actively recruit American and Canadian residents. And many people are seeking out a life in someplace other than North America.
Why? Some want an adventure, to explore a different culture or learn a new language. Money is often a factor, it is possible to live better for less.
The discounts and deals are numerous. Panama offers expatriates discounts from 15 to 50 percent on restaurants, movies, doctor bills and prescriptions. For others it is a statement: “I didn’t leave America, America left me.’’
Living in another country is not just about packing your bags and getting on an airplane. A basic tourist visa is usually good for 30 to 90 days. A residency permit takes diligence to obtain. Colombia has 17 different options for residency.
In Panama there are 10 different options. Sometimes you need to apply for the residency visa outside the country. In other cases the application must be made while you are in the country.
“The rules are constantly changing,’’ said Lief Simon, global real estate investor and part of Live and Invest Overseas, a company that has made a business out of helping people to establish a home in a new county.
He went on to say that in some countries, it is possible to apply for citizenship five years after receiving a residency visa.
While U.S. citizens can hold multiple citizenships, that does not apply in Singapore, where citizens must renounce their U.S. citizenship, according to Simon.
Some Western European countries (Ireland, Italy, Spain and Germany) offer citizenship through ancestry. If your grandfather or grandmother or was a citizen you might be able to apply. How far into the family history can you go? It varies.
Lots of paperwork is always part of the process and chances are you will have to provide a copy of an FBI background check. Uruguay requires an Interpol check. All of the essential documents must be translated by a certified translator (usually in country).
That means the documents that you have for a move to Mexico won’t work if your destination is Argentina. Yes, Spanish is the official language in both countries but there are differences.
The 400 people who heard Simon and others speak at the recent Retire Overseas Conference got an overview of the wheres, whys and hows in living overseas.
Although exact numbers aren’t available, more and more Americans are opting to live in another country especially after they retire.
For many at the three-day event retiring abroad is about selecting a place that is most welcoming.
And once you find your new home there are some rules about when you can leave. In Ecuador you cannot leave the country for more than 90 days in the first two years.
If your new home is Columbia you must visit the country once every six months. Malaysia has no time restrictions on new citizens. So it is possible to come and go whenever. But as with many rules, that could change.
With a history that dates back nearly 13,000 years, seven climate regions and some 6,000 miles of coastline, Mexico is a vast, complex land, worthy of exploring.
Historical offerings range from ancient temples to massive cathedrals built by the Spaniards but its natural landscapes, both along the coast as well as throughout the nation’s interior are equally impressive.
Cultural offerings are plentiful, ranging from ancient temples to massive cathedrals and ultra-modern museums. But the country’s natural landscapes, both coastal and interior, are equally impressive.
Planning a visit? Here are a few uniquely local experiences fully worth checking out.
Mayan/Aztec Temples
It would probably require years to fully explore all of Mexico’s ancient temples. History buffs should plan to add at least one excursion to an ancient temple to their wander-list.
Among the most famous is Teotihuacan near Mexico City. The complex, which means City of the Gods, is among the oldest in Mexico and home to more than 600 pyramids including the famed Pyramid of the Sun.
Just a few others temples complexes worth a visit are Tulum, a walled Mayan city in the Riviera Maya, Coba and Chichen Itza along the Yucatan Peninsula.
Cenotes
No doubt the beaches along the Riviera Maya are some of the finest in the world. But Mexico insiders know the best swimming holes are literally swimming holes, known as cenotes, which are found sunken below ground primarily throughout the Riviera Maya.
Cenote translates to “sacred well” and indeed there is something spiritual about floating and snorkeling in these supremely pristine waters.
Xochimilco
Quick history lesson: Mexico City was once a small island located inside of a huge lake known as Texcoco. The Aztec people (also often referred to as the Mexica) built their home there, expanding it until Lake Texcoco all but disappeared. One of the few places where the original waters remain is Xochimilco in Mexico City.
This festive location is popular with visitors and locals alike, who can rent boats called trajineras. While on the water, vendors on other trajineras ply their wares—everything from Mariachi music to handmade tortillas.
Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve
Deep in the forested mountains northwest of Mexico City is the UNESCO-designated Monarch Butterfly Reserve. Every year in the fall, millions of Monarch butterflies return to the reserve turning the area a yellow gold when they are all present.
The science behind why they return largely confounds scientists, especially since the butterflies spend eight months on a migratory route to Eastern Canada and back, during which time four generations are born and then die.
Ballet Folklorico de Mexico de Amalia Hernandez
Sometimes history can’t be written. It must be recorded in other manners.
Count Amalia Hernandez among the top historians in Mexico. Since the 1950s the now-late dancer toured the country searching to preserve the dances representative to each region.
The Ballet Folklorico continues to perform in every Wednesday and Sunday at the Palacio de Bellas Artes in Mexico City. Even if you’re not a fan of dance, the theatre is well worth a visit.
After spending much of their lives chasing the American dream, workers are starting to eyeball foreign lands when it comes to their defining their retirement plans.
So what are the best places to retire? Algarve, Portugal is the world’s top retirement destination for 2014, according the Annual Global Retirement Index.
At the recent Retire Overseas Conference in Nashville, Tenn. more than 400 people heard about the list’s leading destinations and details for international relocation.
Algarve was new to No. 1 spot on the list and the designation can be in part attributed to the fact that Portugal passed legislation allowing retired expats to be free of income tax in 2012.
Add to that great weather and 42 golf courses in the region and that a retired couple could live comfortable on $1,500 per month in Portugal.
In 2013 Portugal placed No. 11 on the Retirement Index. Portugal took over the top spot from Ecuador, a country that has received the highest ranking for many years.
Cuenca, Ecuador garnered the No. 2 spot followed by George Town, Malaysia; Chiang Mai, Thailand; Dumaguete, Philippines; Pau, France and Medellin, Colombia.
“There’s no one best place to retire overseas; no one place is right for everyone,’’ said Kathleen Peddicord, organizer of the conference and publisher of Live and Invest Overseas. “That’s why we rate the top destination around the world, each for its own reasons.’’
Contributing factors to the rating: climate, cost of living, entertainment, environmental conditions, health care, infrastructure, real estate, residency options, existing expat community, safety, taxes and English spoken.
Nine other countries from the Americas placed on the index: Ambergris Caye, Belize; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cayo, Belize; City Beaches, Panama; Granada, Nicaragua; La Serena, Chile; Medoza, Argentina; Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and Samana, Dominican Republic.
Two destinations from Asia made the list Istanbul, Turkey and Nha Trang, Vietnam. And three in Europe: Abruzzo, Italy; Barcelona, Spain and Istria, Croatia.
The Retire Overseas Index is published by Live and Invest Overseas. The company is an overseas investment, real estate and retirement resource.
If you mention the word “park” in a city like LA, many folks are off on a tizzy about parking their beloved vehicles before they realize you’re talking about the other kind of park – the leafy kind designed for rest, relaxation and renewal.
Yep, urban parks in Los Angeles do exist.
Everyone knows about the granddaddy of them all, beautiful Griffith Park. It’s the city’s largest and it has made appearances in countless Hollywood movies. And yes, sports fans might even remember to mention Elysian Park, since it’s home to their beloved Dodgers.
…point to a renewed interest in beautiful outdoor spaces
But today we celebrate some of the newest additions to LA’s urban park scene – the ones most residents don’t even know about. They’re creative, even surprising in their design, [think water-wise plantings] — and they point to a renewed interest in beautiful outdoor spaces.
They’re for today’s LA resident and visitor, and a joy to “discover” for the first time.
So grab your sunglasses, pack a lunch, or simply bring a book. There’s a new breed of park out there, and there may just be a bench or patch of grass with your name on it.
Grand Park
It used to be a wasteland of concrete, but no more. Dubbed “the park for everyone,” the first thing you notice are the pink tables and chairs throughout. Yes, pink. Admire the majestic views from the four distinct terraced areas connecting City Hall to the Music Center. Wow, city planning at its best. You’ll quickly forget you’re atop a giant parking lot as you stretch out on the grand event lawn.
The stunning restored fountain – one of the largest in LA – is a glorious site to behold during the day, and at night it boasts a vibrant light show. Join the kids and dip your toes in the inviting wade pool, or grab a coffee in the well-placed Starbucks.
Find your own quiet corner or join the crowd for ever-changing art exhibits, community dance events or live musical concerts. Reminiscent of Washington D.C., Grand Park will make you proudly announce, “Downtown LA is back.”
Between 200 N Grand Avenue and 227 N Spring Street, Downtown Los Angeles
Vista Hermosa Natural Park
This oasis can be your little secret. Just blocks from the 110 freeway, you’ll be mesmerized by the skyline views that are so close that you feel you can reach out and touch them. Did we mention the stunning views?
Just blocks from the 110 freeway, you’ll be mesmerized by the skyline views at Vista Hermosa Natural Park in Downtown Los Angeles // (c) 2013 Corona / Flickr.com
Deceptive in size, the grounds feature terraced trails and flowing streams. Green grass welcomes from every direction, and there are even two small parking lots and clean bathrooms. Hike or picnic by the waterfall, or watch a soccer game on the giant field below.
Enjoy this quiet sanctuary and thank the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy and the LA Unified School District for collaborating – for they gave us a truly unique space that makes you say, “Wow, LA is beautiful.”
100 N. Toluca Street, Downtown Los Angeles
Grand Hope Park
This little gem has been cleaned up and caters to that new breed of LA resident, the one who resides downtown, as it’s within blocks of LA Live and the Staples Center.
Walk through the gates of the mosaic clock tower and join the new loft-dwellers as their kids frolic in one of downtown’s only gated playgrounds.
Grand Hope Park caters to that new breed of LA resident, the one who resides downtown. // (c) 2010 Ricardo Diaz / Flickr.com
No dogs are allowed, so it’s safe to lounge on the huge grassy space and make friends with the Fashion Institute students who spill out of the campus buildings nearby.
People-watching can be your new sport of choice here. Get your yoga on with one of the gathering classes, or simply watch from your own shaded corner under the arbor and the bougainvillea trees. This is city living at its best.
W. 9th Street & Hope, Downtown Los Angeles
Disney Hall Blue Ribbon Garden
Though technically not a park, this garden on the rooftop of the gleaming Walt Disney Concert Hall has to be mentioned, as it’s one of LA’s unique spaces open to the public.
The Disney Hall Blue Ribbon Garden, on the rooftop of the gleaming Walt Disney Concert Hall is one of LA’s unique public spaces. // (c) 2013 Daniel Djang / Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board
Channel your Manhattan vibe as you take in the city views and bask in the creative aura of the concert hall and nearby children’s amphitheater.
Staircases from 1st Street or Grand Avenue take you to this shaded sanctuary featuring lush vegetation, organic herbs and plenty of seating. Check out the mosaic fountain and make your wish.
135 N. Grand Avenue, Downtown Los Angeles
Silver Lake Meadow
For years, residents could jog around the Silverlake Reservoir and visit the nearby dog park, but no green space existed to simply hang out. Enter the newish Silverlake Meadow. Cue rejoicing locals.
Enjoy views of the Los Angeles Reservoir at the Silver Lake Meadow // (c) 2013 Silver Lake Reservoirs Conservancy
Though technically more a lawn than a meadow, this small dog-free space is perfect for frisbee tossing or a light picnic. There’s not much shade, so bring an umbrella, or simply come and enjoy the changing colors on the hillside and reservoir at sunset.
Mingle with the hipster families and see for yourself why Silverlake feels a world away from stereotypical La La Land.
Nothing gets the heart beating like the anticipation of a road trip. When it’s time to get out of LA, many charming beach towns beckon and are seemingly a short drive away.
But hop in the car and the bumper-to-bumper gridlock is enough to dampen the spirits of the most optimistic day-tripper or beach enthusiast.
Fear not, Southern Californians are blessed with a second, often forgotten option – the train. Yes indeed, in Los Angeles, you can choose to make the journey just as important as the destination and hop aboard Amtrak at Union Station.
…make the journey just as important as the destination and hop aboard Amtrak at Union Station
Suddenly you’re creating memories by hanging in the observation car, chatting up a stranger, taking pictures of the emerging coastline and preparing for the day’s beauty – for there’s a beach town lifestyle calling your name.
And wow, so many options. Both the Coast Starlight and the Pacific Surfliner trains have station stops dotting the coastline. You could ride all the way south to San Diego, or instead, north of Santa Barbara, before the track veers inland toward San Luis Obispo.
But today we’re featuring three smaller, lesser-known beach communities, where you can simply step off the train and smell the surf.
Carpinteria, Calif.
Just north of Ventura and about 12 miles southeast of Santa Barbara is the coastal community of Carpinteria, home of the “World’s Safest Beach.” Emerge from the train and breathe in that small-town charm.
Just steps from the station is Linden Avenue, which takes you two short blocks to the city’s peaceful, often crowd-free beach.
But first, consider a stop at the family-run, Island Brewing Company, an award-winning microbrewery literally across the street. Sample the brews and bask in an authentically local experience and watch more trains zip by – the tasting room patio is next to the tracks.
Carpinteria,Calif., home of the “World’s Safest Beach,” is easily accessible by Amtrak // (c) 2015 Carpinteria Chamber of Commerce
Watch the kids practicing football or baseball as you amble down to the gorgeous, clean beach, where locals are playing pick-up volleyball matches.
Right next to the city beach is Carpinteria State Beach and campsite, where the smells from grills and campfires only adds to the experience.
While dipping your toes in the Pacific, be sure to turn your back to the waves, because an equally-impressive view awaits – the breathtaking backdrop of mountains.
When ready to explore, walk into town to step into the cute boutiques, galleries and antique shops that dot Linden and Carpinteria Avenues.
…the coastal community of Carpinteria is home of the “World’s Safest Beach.
You won’t find cookie-cutter restaurants in this corner of town, but instead taco stands, ice cream parlors, and mom and pop places with names like The Worker Bee Café, Cabo’s Baja Grill & Cantina or Rusty’s Pizza Parlor.
You can hang with the bikers on a sunny patio, witness the thriving cyclist community at the bike shop or find literary treasures at the local library book sale.
If you happen to be visiting on a First Friday, you’re in for more of a treat – from 5-8 p.m. the city hosts music and entertainment while participating merchants and vendors offer refreshments in a hometown atmosphere.
As you hear that train whistle in the distance, you’ll realize that “unpretentious” may be the word to best describe this gem of a beach town.
When you say, “I want to take the train to the beach,” San Clemente is the ideal destination, for the station is just inches from the sand.
San Clemente is located midway between Los Angeles and San Diego, at the southern tip of Orange County, and as you disembark with others in the know, you’ll appreciate public transit planning at its best. As the train pulls away, the sound of the waves replaces the sound of the engine.
The San Clemente Pier is one of the longest wooden piers remaining in Southern California // (c) Trey Ratcliff / Flickr.com
A mere 30-second walk from the station and you’re facing the impressive San Clemente Pier, framed by palm trees, with available beach on either side.
After visiting the sea, get your exercise and stroll along this landmark, one of the longest wooden piers remaining in Southern California. Observe the local fishermen reeling in their catch, or choose to cheer on the surfers from above as they “catch a wave.”
…see why San Clemente is called the “Spanish Village by the Sea”
When you reach the end, see why San Clemente is called the “Spanish Village by the Sea,” for the views of the coast and the town’s cliff-hugging architectural homes are stunning.
As a reward, consider a bowl of clam chowder at The Fisherman’s Restaurant right on the pier, with deck seating above the pounding surf.
The actual town center of San Clemente offers loads of fun thrift shops, bars and homey eateries as well, but it’s a steep hike up the hill without a car. If you need two days at the beach, spend a night at the Beachcomber Motel, an indie property right in the heart of the action, with killer views.
But remember, proximity to the pier and beach means you’ll be hearing those lovely trains pass by several times during the day and into the night – a small price to pay for beachside perfection.
In northern San Diego County, just below Carlsbad, is the scenic town of Encinitas, where you can’t help but notice the healthy lifestyle. (Consider bringing your bike along for the ride, as Amtrak offers limited reserved bicycle spaces on most trips, often with no fee.)
The glistening sands of Moonlight State Beach, in Encinitas, Calif., reflect the sky and give the illusion you’re walking on water. // (c) 2014 Ed Forsyth
On Coast Highway 101, just blocks from the station, you’ll discover you’re among friends, as long-distance cyclists zip through town on training rides, and locals on beach cruisers coast into this bike-friendly, historic shopping district.
You can ride south alongside spectacular coastal views or simply meander north, waving to passing trains.
Meet the local, friendly waitresses at The Encinitas Café and the 101 Diner, and practice your meditation with a visit to the Self-Realization Fellowship Temple and Gardens, perched above the Pacific.
The pace is simply slower here, where people live and breathe surfing, especially in the northern Leucadia district, where the motto is, “Happy the Funk Up.”
…in the northern Leucadia district the motto is, “Happy the Funk Up.”
Pottery and plant places intermingle with arty bookstores and yoga studios. There are enough coffeehouses to try a new one each day of the week, but the Pannikin Coffee & Tea takes the cake, as it’s embedded in an historic Santa Fe RailwayStation, built in 1888.
The “taco shops” are also omnipresent, but you’ll swear-off canned soup forever after trying the tasty, flavorful soups at La Especial Norte, a thriving Mexican eatery.
And then there are the beaches. Take in the views perched atop the steps down to Grandview beach, or follow the parade of surfers to Leucadia State Beach, known locally as Beacon’s. At low tide, wander down B Street to Moonlight State Beach, where the glistening sands reflect the skies, giving the illusion you’re walking on water.
Featuring a large playground, fire pits, volleyball nets and well-maintained restrooms, you’ll see why the local residents can’t resist a day at the beach.
Even if you skip the train and choose a longer visit via car, the towns of Carpinteria, San Clemente and Encinitas offer a beach town culture, with a chance to park within steps of the beach, often with no fees or hassles.
Amtrak’s Pacific Surfliner makes station stops dotting Southern California’s coastline. // (c) 2012 Don Barrett / Flickr.com
More than 30 million people visited Barcelona last year. This is a number most tourism boards would kill for, but for Barcelona, it’s a big problem.
The city, which welcomes nearly as many visitors each month as it has residents, is facing a variety of challenges many of which are directly affected by unrestricted tourism.
Among them are rising property values and a stretched-to-the-max city infrastructure that is funded by locals but used to support tourists.
The rising property values says Barcelona’s mayor Ada Colau—the city’s first female mayor—were at the heart of the Spain’s financial crisis. Thousands of residents found they were no longer pay their mortgage or afford rent and many were evicted.
In fact, before politics, Colau was an anti-eviction activist who eventually ran for mayor on a platform that promised to crackdown on out-of-control visitor numbers.
Her campaign platform included promises to reduce visitor numbers put a hold on the development of new hotels and to increase tourism taxes.
