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Best Family Vacation Guide to Carmel by the Sea
Calling families, lovers, artists, foodies, naturalists, adventurers, intellectuals and marine biologists; did I miss anyone? No? Good. Because have I got the place for you! Our family recently had the opportunity to visit one of my favorite places in all of California. It’s the area I’ve told my husband I want to live since we were dating. And after visiting, I think I have him on board too. Carmel by the Sea in Monterey County is truly a place out of a dream. Once you enter this quaint town, you will feel like you are in a real life Grimms fairy tale village or at least walking in a town…
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Hofsas House Hotel in Carmel by the Sea
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Tanaka Farms You Pick Pumpkin Patch and Hayride
Sure, things look a bit different mid pandemic. But, the fun does not have to stop and Tanaka Farms has made sure their pumpkin patch this year rivals that of the past. Our little family made our first fall field trip of the year to a real working farm for their seasonal harvest and pumpkin patch. Tanaka Farms offers 2 different ways in which you, your friends and family can enjoy all the fall fun you desire! Option 1: Drive-Thru Pumpkin Patch This unique take on a traditional pumpkin patch allows you to take your own vehicle on a 1.5 mile drive around the beautiful 30-acre farm. The experience also…
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Where Elegance Meets Affordability-The Ayres Hotel, Vista Carlsbad
If you are looking for a new, affordable, pristine hotel, the Ayres Hotel in Carlsbad California is a brand new location for the Southern California chain and it is sure to be a win during your next San Diego vacation. The Ayres in Vista, Carlsbad opened just a few months ago and from the moment you enter the beautiful lobby to the minute you set your bags down in your bright, stylish and modern room, it feels like home. The hotel features 103 deluxe guestrooms, complimentary breakfast (during Covid it is all pre-packaged, to-go items), complimentary parking, an onsite restaurant and bar, heated pool and Jacuzzi (spa is closed during…
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TITLE: Earthquake Insurance: Considerations for Every Californian Homeowner – and Condo Owner
All Californians with equity in their homes should consider how they protect that asset from the devastation of a major earthquake. Condo owners, who are particularly vulnerable to earthquakes, should examine the coverage they have at the HOA level – if any – and potentially consider a new alternative available to them. Natural disasters are one of the most feared, but compelling ideas in society. Think of the countless movies starring The Rock; where he comes face to face with volcanoes, snow storms, hurricanes, and yes, you guessed it: earthquakes. Why? Because they are scary, other worldly and can do some damage to life as we know it. But most…
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Camping (as a Family) on Catalina Island
Blue sky, blue sea, good food, perfect weather, a drink in your hand with your toes in the sand. Sounds pretty perfect right? While we may not be doing any far away exotic islands any time soon, that is absolutely no problem for us here in sunny Southern California. Why? Because we have our very own island paradise located just 26 miles off the coast. Catalina Island at only an hour boat ride from Los Angeles and Orange County on the Catalina Express is a must do!!! This beautiful island has it all! If you are looking for adventure, take your pick of pristine snorkeling or scuba diving, zip lining…
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Village at La Floresta: The Perfect Date Night
Pandemic. This simple statement has flipped 2020 upside down and left us reeling. School is still up in the air, kids are constantly around, and there is a lot of pressure on adults to keep everything going and going well. And this mom is stressed! Like beyond stressed. The hardest part about all of this is finding a place and time to destress. So many places are closed and not even all restaurants have the capability to be open at this time, simply exacerbating the already hard situation. So, it was quite welcomed finding a fun place this week for my husband and I to go out, without kids, and…
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Korean Bell of Friendship in San Pedro California
You might not expect to see a lot of Korean architecture in this part of town because it is not predominately Korean. But the history of this bell is really cool! This sweet find in San Pedro, CA was right down the street from The Sunken City. The Korean Friendship Bell was donated to the US in 1976 by the people from the Republic of Korea to celebrate the bicentennial of the US independence, to honor veterans in the Korean War, and to consolidate friendship between the two countries. This is a VERY scenic area, and a gem of LA history. It provides views of the LA harbor, Catalina Channel,…
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Best 10 Things to do in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is truly one of the closest things to heaven on earth. There is so much to do and see that it might feel overwhelming to choose what to do once you are there. Here are 10 must do items to add to your Yosemite bucket list: 1 Float the Merced The slow paced leisurely float down the Merced River that runs directly through Yosemite, will give you stunning views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the rest of the awe inspiring scenery for which Yosemite National Park is known. You might even see a deer or bear cross your path while taking your heavenly float down the…
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Plan a Family Camping Trip Made Easy
Planning a family camping trip can feel overwhelming, daunting and formidable to say the least. However, it doesn’t have to be. Over the years we have done our fair share of trial and error to learn tips and tricks to make camping with kids a lot easier (it is still work, don’t get me wrong, but once you’ve done it a time or two, you start getting the hang of it). We’ve had tents blowing over in the wind from failure of being anchored correctly, to forgetting lanterns, brooms, and water… heck we’ve even left an entire suitcase behind. Having a proper checklist is without doubt the most important aspect…
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Balance Bikes: The Best Way to Teach Your Child to Ride A Bike
We are now done teaching child #3 how to (successfully) ride his bike… at the ripe age of 4. In fact he just turned 4 almost exactly 1 month ago. We had #2 riding her bike at the age of about 4.5. And our first was riding at the age of 3!!! No, we don’t spend an extraordinary amount of time riding. No we don’t go out every day. And no it doesn’t take longer than about 30 minutes to get it down. The secret? Balance Bikes!!!! There are different brands you can use. Strider bikes (which is what we have), Shwinn, Banana and more. But, I don’t really think…
