“In the 1920s and 30s, Palisades Beach Road in Santa Monica was one of America’s most exclusive and fabled streets.
The first part of my itinerary involved wine surfing but crashing waves were nowhere to be seen
Curated Highlights and Headlines
Islands Along the Pacific Coast
San Miguel Island – Channel Islands National Park (U.S. National Park Service)
“In addition to the variety of natural resources, San Miguel hosts an array of cultural resources as well. The Chumash and their ancestors lived on San Miguel almost continuously for nearly 12,000 years. Today there are over 600 fragile, relatively undisturbed archeological sites. The oldest one dates back to 11,600 years before the present-some of the oldest evidence of human presence in North America. Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo and his men laid eyes on San Miguel Island in 1542. Upon claiming the island for the Spanish crown, Cabrillo named it “La Posesion.” Some stories say that Cabrillo wintered and died on San Miguel Island. No one knows where Cabrillo is buried, but there is a memorial commemorating the explorer on a bluff overlooking Cuyler Harbor.” NPS.gov
New National Geographic-affiliated cruise to take tourists down California coastline
“A new, one-time cruise route, called the “National Geographic Venture,” taking off from San Francisco destined for Long Beach has one objective: Give tourists a close-up coastal view of the California coastline. The journey, the result of a partnership between Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic, will take its maiden voyage this December 2 from the Bay Area to Southern California, hitting coastal landmarks like Angel Island and Sausalito, Monterey, Avila Beach, and Catalina Island before docking in Long Beach.” SF Gate · By Alyssa Pereira, SFGATE Photo: Matthew Micah Wright/Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images
Hollywood’s First Hidden Getaway
“In the 1920s and 30s, Palisades Beach Road in Santa Monica was one of America’s most exclusive and fabled streets. Dubbed by various wags “the American Riviera,” “Rolls Royce Row,” and the “Gold Coast,” this low stretch of oceanfront below the craggy Palisades featured 30 or so eclectically-styled summer homes. Stars like Cary Grant, Mae West, Peter Lawford, Orson Welles, Harold Lloyd, David Niven, Errol Flynn, Greta Garbo, and Anita Loos frolicked in the surf after long days at the studio. Most famous of all was Marion Davies’ gargantuan “Beach House,” where epic, star-studded parties lasted all day and night.” atlasobscura.com Boston Public Library (CC by 2.0)
What to Do in Malibu
“Since the iconic Alice’s Restaurant on the Malibu Pier reopened under new management as Malibu Farm Restaurant in 2015, with Helene Henderson’s breezy elevated surfer menu, it seems that everything along the cove between the pier and Carbon Canyon has upped its game. The chic coastal outpost of Soho House opened, and then something miraculous happened: The epitome of laid-back, beachfront luxury Malibu Beach Inn , once a ho-hum motel-style property with nothing but views, was transformed by visionary veteran hotelier Gregory Day, whom the Mani Brothers smartly lured from Shutters on the Beach, into just the kind of quietly luxurious ocean hideaway every Angeleno dreams about.” www.cntraveler.com/ by PILAR GUZMÁN Photo by Laure Joliet
Great white shark between 11-12 feet bites California woman’s canoe
“A woman’s outrigger canoe was attacked by a shark while paddling about two miles off Oceanside Harbor on Monday, according to news reports. An expert believes the shark was a great white between 11 and 12 feet long. The woman, identified as Julie Wolfe, said she felt something hit the bottom of her canoe as though it had been struck by a car.” By LAYLAN CONNELLY | Southern California News Group mecurynews.com Photo: National Geographic Television
Massive great white shark eating dead whale off Southern California coast
“Passengers aboard a 23-foot fishing boat watched in awe, Thursday morning, July 19, as an adult great white shark, estimated at 17 feet long, chomped on its buffet: a dead whale carcass floating offshore less than a mile from the San Clemente pier. The whale carcass was first reported near the Dana Point Harbor jetty on Tuesday by a captain of Dana Wharf Whale Watching, who contacted the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, according to Carla Mitroff, photographer for the charter company. On Wednesday, the Pacific Marine Mammal Center attempted a necropsy on the female whale, but was unable to determine a cause of death, before the carcass was hauled out to sea by county Harbor Patrol.” Laylan Connelly The Mercury News Instagram allwater_charters
The Ultimate Coastal California Road Trip
“The small, charming town of Crescent City on the northern tip of California boasts a rich cultural history. Be sure to check out the postcard-perfect St. George Reef Lighthouse, which was built in 1892 and provides guidance to sailors on a reef six miles offshore.” POPSUGAR · Ashley Paige. Image Source: Flickr user Anita Ritenour
Visit Sonoma County for a taste of the California wine scene
“The first part of my itinerary involved wine surfing but crashing waves were nowhere to be seen — it’s just a cute rebranding of a wine flight, dreamt up by the folks at Gourmet au Bay, a beachside bar in the town of Bodega Bay. A tasting selection of three local, small-production wines are served on a dinky wooden surfboard. The sun burned low over the Pacific, placid but glittering, and the salty breeze was matched by the mineral tang of the white wine.” standard.co.uk/ HOLLY WILLIAMS Sonoma Valley vineyard in full bloom
Steps:
20) Maybe the lists of best places don’t appeal to you. Where can you go to make a fresh, new start? Don’t limit your imagination. Think anywhere — across the globe. Where do you really, really want to live, work and play? Why not live where it’s a vacation all year round?
21) Spend the time to find the best place to live and invest. It will be worth your while. The great thing about living where others spend their vacation is the year round quality-of-life.
30) Review headlines and relevant news as far back as you can find online to surface each community’s unique pulse and identify information necessary to make your decision. Is there a “ticking time bomb” issue you may uncover that eliminates the resort from your bucket list? Search on topix.com.
32) Plan extended seasonal vacations during summer and winter months. Group destination locations together in regional trips to explore what several bucket list towns have to offer in the general vicinity – with only a week or two vacation time to spend, we recommend organizing your itinerary by travel regions.
“You know that a peninsula is worthy of national monument status when even the “new” lighthouse has been safely guiding ships into port for over 125 years. The city’s history can be traced back to this very spot, and today the area is dotted with pristine marinas, dockside dining, and miles of walking and hiking paths that beckon locals and tourists alike who are looking for fun on the waterfront.” By: San Diego Magazine 
“This beach house in Del Mar, in San Diego County, is the stuff of dreams—and magazines. Recently featured on the cover of Dream Homes magazine, the 1982 home was designed by architect Sim Bruce Richards, a Taliesin fellow, and the influences of Frank Lloyd Wright are clear.” By 
“Experts Say We’re not on the Menu. Whale-watchers spot a young white shark off Capistrano Beach last May aboard Capt. Dave’s Dolphin Safari from Dana Point.” By Rita Robinson.
Laguna Beach. Art Ninjas Add Local Color by Stealth.
“Leslie Evarts saw the gray whale in the distance from her Laguna Beach home, grabbed her stand-up paddleboard and rushed out to the water, with hopes of seeing the 30-foot sea creature up close.” By 
“USA’s Alix Klineman, left, and partner April Ross get tangled up during their three-set loss to Canada’s Sarah Pavin and Melissa Humana-Paredes on Friday at the FIVB Huntington Beach Open.” 
“Malibu Lagoon is comprised of 22 acres of wetlands, gardens, and sandy beach, while Malibu “Surfrider” Beach has almost a mile of ocean frontage with 0.7 acres of property, and famous Malibu Pier is a great place for saltwater fishing.” 
“As I learned firsthand this summer, the entire Ventura County Coast, comprising the cities of Ventura, Oxnard, Camarillo, and Hueneme, on the southern end of California’s central coast, offers many such glorious juxtapositions, embracing surfing, style, Shakespeare, and much more.” By Robert Firpo-Cappiello 
“Experience the romance and mystery of Catalina by night on this narrated adventure into the hills above historic Avalon. Your open air biofuel Hummer will take you east along the waterfront past Lover’s Cove before heading up to Mt. Ada for spectacular views of the twinkling city and harbor lights below.” 
“Along the coast of The American Riviera® lies the town of Montecito, a seaside haven that balances sweeping coastal views and a savory culinary scene. Treat yourself to an extended vacation full of indulgent restaurants, premium wines and coastal bliss.” 
“Our Central Coast beach-side location holds beautiful views with a casual atmosphere. An excellent dining experience is our top priority. Our menu has something for everyone…fresh fish, hand cut steaks, refreshing salads and our specialty appetizers. We offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. Come and have a drink at our cocktail bar, or dine on our outdoor patio while gazing out across the beautiful San Luis Bay.” 
“En route, you’ll pitstop on the Monterey Peninsula before snaking along through the wilderness of Big Sur. It needs our tourism more than ever, after suffering near economic catastrophe when it was cut off from the outside world during the winter storm season 2017; bridges were destroyed and roads blocked at both its northern and southern reaches. Thankfully, for locals and visitors alike, the northern section has already reopened, across Pfeiffer Canyon, but the southern connection, at Ragged Point, is still under construction (scheduled to open late 2018 but check with CalTrans for fresh updates). “ Crystal Le 
Santa Cruz: 5 places to catch a good wave.
“The Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay was the perfect place for our staycation.
“Come June 27, Lodge at the Presidio will open as San Francisco’s closest hotel to the Golden Gate Bridge. The three-story building was constructed between 1895 and 1897 as military barracks on Infantry Row for the U.S. Army. The exterior has been entirely preserved, and the renovated interior will have historical elements and spectacular views of the bridge, Alcatraz, and the city skyline.” Miranda Smith 
“It can be hard to wrap your mind around Sonoma County, an area that starts 45 miles north of San Francisco. It’s nearly the size of Delaware and encompasses rolling vineyards, dense redwood forests and, perhaps most surprisingly, a wild and foggy stretch of coast. Many tourists know that this shoreline includes the fishing village of Bodega Bay, where Hitchcock filmed “The Birds,” but the Sonoma Coast has many other draws for travelers.” 
“Hike the trails of the pristine ocean beaches, explore the Redwood forests, or kayak the Gualala River. Dive for the abalone or golf the local Scottish links-style PGA quality golf course.” 
“Surrounded by parks and a natural setting, the small town of Orick offers plenty of outdoor recreation. Humboldt Lagoons State Park offers a marshland habitat of native birds, animals and plants. It is also a prime location for fishing, boating and hiking. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, meanwhile, is most famous as the filming site of the movie Jurassic Park II. In reality, though, this natural area is a haven for preservation of native redwood forest.” 
“With more than a century of history, the Historic Requa Inn offers a quaint bed and breakfast in remote Klamath. Uniquely tucked away within a World Heritage Site, towering redwoods surround the inn, with various state parks, recreation areas and the coast all within a 40-minute drive.” 
Central Coast Region. San Luis Obispo Girl Raises Money for ‘People Who Lost Their Daddies in the Fire’. “Segraves, herself the daughter of a firefighter, kicked off her fundraising efforts by contributing her own money earned doing chores, her mother stated. The video was posted on the Wildland Firefighter Foundation’s Facebook page, along with pictures of Segraves and a link to a MobileCause fundraising page.” 
North Coast Region. Sonoma County. Two months later, California wildfire victims begin the long road to rebuilding. “But for the survivors like Carlin Rosset, adjusting to the aftermath has been difficult. For starters, she now wakes up her children at 6:30 every morning to drive 35 minutes to and from school. They used to live a short walk away.” 
North Coast Region. California Wine Country Travel Update: Everything You Need to Know to Plan a Trip After the Fires. “First, Northern California’s beloved Napa and Sonoma counties seemed ruined, and then Santa Barbara and Ojai took a staggering hit.” 
South Coast Region. Islands Along the Pacific Coast. Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo. “On November 23, 1542, the little fleet arrived back in “San Salvador” (Santa Catalina Island) to overwinter and make repairs. There, around Christmas Eve, Cabrillo stepped out of his boat and splintered his shin when he stumbled onto a jagged rock while trying to rescue some of his men from attacking Tongva warriors. The injury became infected and developed gangrene, and he died on January 3, 1543 and was buried. A possible headstone was later found on San Miguel Island. His second-in-command brought the remainder of the party back to Navidad, where they arrived April 14, 1543.” Wikipedia
North Coast Region. Humboldt County. Bret Harte. ““Harte moved to California in 1853, later working there in a number of capacities, including miner, teacher, messenger, and journalist. He spent part of his life in the northern California coastal town of Union (now Arcata). The 1860 massacre of between 80 and 200 Wiyots at the village of Tuluwat was well documented historically and was reported in San Francisco and New York by Harte. When serving as assistant editor for the Northern Californian.” Wikipedia
North Coast Region. Humboldt County. Since 1890 on California’s North Coast. ““Every large or small logging or mill operation in the redwood country had a cookhouse. It was the hub of life in the temporary community, if it was in the woods. If it was located in a substantial settlement, it served as a “community center”. If the cookhouse was set up to serve fifteen or twenty men in a shingle bolt camp, often a woman and her husband, with a helper or two called bullcooks, flunkeys or cookees, handled the cooking and serving.” 
San Francisco Region. A look at the time San Francisco’s Cliff House was nearly blown into the Pacific. “This incarnation of the Cliff House, at San Francisco’s Land’s End, was built in 1894, opened in 1896, survived the 1906 earthquake, only to burn down September 7, 1907.” Photo: Chronicle Archives
Central Coast Region. Santa Barbara’s Biltmore turns 90 with photo show and custom-made wines. “Santa Barbara’s Biltmore marks 90 years this year. Longtime photographer Hal Boucher shot a photo of Rosalind Russell, left, Jack Lemmon and his wife, Felicia, at the resort in 1963.” (Hal Boucher)”
San Francisco Region. Here’s what life looked like 50 years ago. “Hippies dawdle at the corner of Haight and Ashbury Streets, the epicenter of the Summer of Love, in San Francisco on May 4, 1967.” Photo: Michael Ochs Archives.
Central Coast Region. South Coast Region. New offshore oil drilling proposed off California coast by Trump administration. “The Trump administration on Thursday proposed allowing new offshore oil drilling in most of America’s coastal areas, including northern, southern and central California areas like Big Sur.” By PAUL ROGERS | progers@bayareanewsgroup.com
North Coast Region. Mendocino County Steve Lopez on what’s been saved along the California coast. “But property owners are still locking out the public and bulldozers are still revving up to tear into open space. Times columnist Steve Lopez and photographer Allen Schaben are on a road trip from Oregon to Mexico to explore beaches, wetlands, wave-pounded coves, rocky cliffs and the characters who thrive in this iconic realm.”
Central Coast Region. Suing Big Oil over climate change, Santa Cruz eyes wildfire, storm costs. “The city and county of Santa Cruz sued 29 oil companies over climate change on Wednesday, seeking to recoup hundreds of millions of dollars of damages.” 
Central Coast Region. Monterey Bay sewage spill was ‘huge wakeup call,’ company says. “After the massive raw sewage spill into the Monterey Bay earlier this month that shut down beaches along the Central California Coast and prompted a federal investigation, Monterey One Water gave an update at a Monday board meeting on what it’s doing to make sure it never happens again.”
South Coast Region. ExxonMobil Alleges It Is Victim of Vast California Climate Change ‘Conspiracy’. “Surfers ride waves in front of an oil rig off Huntington Beach on July 31, 2015.” (Credit: Mark Ralston / AFP / Getty Images)
