Picks and Pans – In and Around L.A.

PICKS: Thanksgiving weekend with friends

I never really thought that L.A. would be one of the spots on the trip that would feel like a temporary home, but thanks to our friends Norbert, Yolanda, Xavier, Michael, Judith, Teddy, Charlene and Aaron, we had a Thanksgiving weekend surrounded by loving, generous, intelligent friends that made us […]

Picks and Pans – Pismo Beach and Shell Beach, CA

PICKS: Pismo Beach

Although at first glance there doesn’t seem to be anything special about it, Pismo Beach is a solidly good beach. Nice sand, hardly any trash blowing around, lots of space and just enough people for good people watching, but not so many that it seems crowded. Plus, it was warm enough in […]

Picks and Pans – Morro Bay, CA

PICKS: Sunset at Morro Rock

Morro Rock is all that remains of a once gigantic volcano. It sits on Morro Beach like a lost behemoth, left behind when the rest of its kind vanished. During sunset, the waves crash dramatically against it and create great plumes of spray in the fiery light, reminiscent of the […]

Picks and Pans – Santa Cruz, CA

PICKS: Taqueria La Cabana

In the land of the taqueria, otherwise known as California, it seems a bit remiss to recommend any one over the other because nearly all of them serve up yummilicious grub. I would say that Taqueria La Cabana falls in the acceptable, but not outrageously good part of the yummy […]

Picks and Pans – Around Point Reyes National Seashore

PICKS: Limantour Beach

Admittedly, driving to Point Reyes on a Saturday afternoon was a bad idea and I should have mentally prepared myself for driving amongst the leapfrogging line of aggressive wannabe sports car drivers that surrounded us the entire way there. Lacking such mental preparation, I began to envision a weekend filled with crowds […]