Redding, CA: Shape Up In Shasta Cascade

The breathtaking Shasta Cascade region offers world-class rivers, lakes and trails making it the perfect location to shape up with a plethora of outdoor activities....

Long Beach CA: Hotel Maya

Paying homage to this mysterious culture stands the Hotel Maya along the harbor in Long Beach. Complete with the unique and spectacular architectural style of the stepped pyramids, Hotel Maya welcomes guests into their "village" of modern structures assembled to create this luxurious seaside resort.

Murphys, CA: Murphys Haunted Hotel

When you arrive in the authentic town of Murphys, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, the locals will ask about where you are staying. If your response is Murphys Historic Hotel, expect the response to be, Haunted! That hotel is haunted!

San Diego, CA: The Keating Hotel

Southern California. Italian design. Ferrari. Stainless steel. Maserati. Bang and Olufsen. Rain showerheads. Just one of these by itself is damn sexy. Put them all together, add a king-sized bed, and you have the uber sexy Keating Hotel.

Arrowhead, CA: Mountain Swimming Hole

Nothing beckons the old days of hiking up the mountains to a nearby waterfall and jumping into the water feet first. Local photographer Sam Katz brings us back to those old memories with a look back.

Monday, March 18, 2013

Palm Desert, CA: Food & Wine Festival

palm desert food and wine festival
Visitors of the Palm Desert area will enjoy a entertaining weekend as the fabulous three days of the Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival rocks the Coachella Valley later this month. Celebrated under the Big White Tent on Larkspur between El Paseo and Shadow Mountain in sundrenched Palm Desert, the culinary and fine wine event is a Foodie’s dream.

Getting underway on Friday, March 23 the “A Taste of Italy” gourmet luncheon will be the first of multiple events celebrating the glories of gourmet cuisine and the finest winemakers around the globe. The superb four course luncheon will feature champagne from Caposaldo and premium wines by such luminaries as Feudo Maccari and Tenuta. Master of ceremonies Jeff Hocker will oversee the festivities with entertainment provided by Allison Adams Tucker's Italia Quartet.

Brad Schmett, a local real estate agent who frequents the weekend long festival, recently spoke about what is one of his personal ‘fave events’ of the season. “The Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival always brings in the most interesting people from all over the country. It never seems like spring until we see that Big White Tent go up on El Paseo. The three day festival is nonstop fun for all of us and we especially enjoy showing off our beautiful valley to all the new visitors who appreciate the level of life we have to offer.”

Indeed, the list of participating wineries and esteemed gourmet chefs reads like a Who's Who of the finest in the food and elite beverage industries. In between sampling offerings from the best restaurants in the Coachella Valley expect to enjoy educational food and cooking demonstrations, book signings, gourmet cooking tips from expert chefs, and much more, all set out on multiple stages with something to enchant even the most discerning connoisseur.

Tickets are sold on a day by day basis and you must be 21 to attend the event. For more information on the Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival visit http://www.palmdesertfoodandwine.com.