CALISTOGA, CALIFORNIA: HOT SPRINGS, COOL WINES AND MUD BATHS

BY JANET STEINBERG

In California’s Napa Valley, Calistoga was the vision of Sam Brannan who purchased property, including the "Spring Grounds", in the early 1860s. Impressed by the New York resort of Saratoga, he decided to make his development the "Saratoga of California."  After too much champagne, Brannan slurred "we'll make this the Calistoga of Sarifornia".  Realizing his mistake, he then proclaimed, "So be it!  We'll just name it Calistoga".         

         

Dr. Wilkinson's Hot Springs Resort is synonymous with the word Calistoga.  One of Calistoga's oldest spas, Dr. Wilkinson’s has been serving guests for approximately 65 years.  When I first visited this iconic wine country resort around the turn of the century, the late Doc Wilkinson was in his eighties and still greeting his guests. The then-octogenarian “King of Mud”, told me that “the mud baths will always be the main attraction here .”   Since Dr. Wilkinson’s death, his children Carolynne and Mark have carried on their father’s tradition and history. The original 1952 neon sign still glows and legacy abounds.  They have kept a certain formula while keeping up with the times...constantly upgrading the lodging and amenities. There is even a TESLA charging station on property.

THE ORIGINAL1952  NEON SIGN 

LAGUNA BEACH: PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ

 SoCal So Cool: 50 Miles of Pure Pleasure 

               LAGUNA BEACH: PUTTIN’ ON THE RITZ

BY: JANET STEINBERG         

                                                 Part four of a series

On the last leg of our 50-mile Southern California (SoCal) journey, we opted for three days of utter indulgence.  Exhaustion was setting in from all we had seen and done in the last ten days.  Therefore, we decided, it was time for a truly hedonistic, sybaritic vacation in an idyllic sanctuary on the California Riviera.

With that being said, we began our “operation recovery” with an upgrade to the Captain’s Lounge on the Catalina Express vessel that was to take us from Catalina Island to Dana Point.  This private lounge, available on only four of the fleet’s boats, is located on the top deck directly behind the Captain.  Bloody Mary’s, Captain Tony, and a doting stewardess were at our service as we pre-boarded and lounged on leather banquettes in what seemed like our own private catamaran. 

EILER LARSEN, OFFICIAL GREETER OF LAGUNA BEACH

Joie de Vivre: Joy of Living in Long Beach and Catalina Island

         SoCal So Cool: 50 Miles of Pure Pleasure

     

BY: JANET STEINBERG
                                                             
                                                          Part 3 of a series 
 LONG BEACH:  This harbor-side city, 25 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, was given its name in 1888 because of its 5.5-mile stretch of sandy beaches.  This was to be my gateway to Catalina Island on a Catalina Express catamaran. However, I thought, why not spend 24 hours here and see what Long Beach has to offer?  Well, I found out what Long Beach had to offer… plenty!

Karmel Shuttle transported me from Redondo Beach to the Hotel Maya in Long Beach.  And what a delightful surprise that was. This stylish Joie de Vivre boutique hotel is a hidden gem on the California coastline.

Hotel Maya exudes the energy and hospitality of the Latin cultures.  Its affordable waterfront setting, lush tropical grounds and skyline views of downtown Long Beach came as an unexpected bonus.

The hotel’s Fuego Restaurant was an added bonus.  At Fuego I savored the cuisines of coastal Latin America as I enjoyed fine food, fine tequila, fine skyline views, and the fine view of the historic Queen Mary.  Buen Provecho!
 
The Queen Mary was my other raison de etre (reason for being) in Long Beach.  Although I have sailed on some 130 cruises, the sight of a cruise ship still ignites concupiscent feelings in me.  And, although she no longer sails, the Queen Mary still takes me away. 

The Queen Mary and Russian submarine docked in Long Beach

SoCal So Cool: 50 Miles of Pure Pleasure

Redondo Beach: Always More to Sea

BY: JANET STEINBERG

Part two of a series

Since the 1800s, Redondo Beach has provided more to ‘sea’ in Southern California, dubbed SoCal by the locals.  Located just 7 miles south of Los Angeles International Airport and 18 miles from downtown L.A., Redondo Beach has the character of an exclusive beach enclave…uncrowded, scenic, and miles from anything urban. 

FUN IN THE SUN AT REDONDO BEACH

This historic beach town, that typifies the Southern California lifestyle, is flanked by a county path that threads along 27 miles of oceanfront from Torrance Beach to Santa Monica. Once a commercial port, the City now has a pleasure pier with unique shops and restaurants, myriad water sport activities, marinas, and a sport fishing fleet. There's an attractive sea front esplanade that has been called one of the most romantic places in the world from which to watch a sunset.