© Joanne DiBona
Located 90 miles east of San Diego, CA, Borrego Springs welcomes visitors from around the world who flock to the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in spring to marvel at nature's display of desert wildflowers. View the wonders of Borrego's spring flower display on USA TODAY's 10Best.com. For a complete gallery of images, visit my ANZA-BORREGO DESERT STATE PARK photo gallery.
The old mining town of Mariposa is the perfect place to begin an adventure into Yosemite National Park.
Not only does the town exude charm and historical significance, it offers a wide option of overnight accommodations and amenities a mere 40-minute drive to Yosemite Valley.
View my photo essay of this charming Gold Rush town at the 10best.com/USA Today link:
This historic town of Mariposa, Gateway to Yosemite National Park © Joanne DiBona
Winter marks the beginning of whale watching season in Southern California. From January through April, Pacific grey whales can be viewed relatively close to shore as they make their way to mate and calf in the warm lagoons of Mexico's Baja California. Whale watching cruises, many of which offer unique experiences, are available from ports along the entire Southern California coast.
Enjoy a photo slide show at the 10Best.com/USA Today link:
Photo courtesy Carla Mitroff, Dana Wharf Sportfishing & Whale Watching
Despite its unusual name, Oxnard is a hip, happening, and affordable visitor destination in southern California. Located an hour north of Los Angeles on California's Central Coast, Oxnard boasts seven miles of white sandy beaches, a picturesque harbor, farm-to-table international cuisine, outstanding museums, wine tasting, and a historic downtown district.
Oxnard California, Beach Scene © Joanne DiBona
See all that Oxnard offers the visitor on our 10Best/USA Today Link.
© Joanne DiBona
Yosemite National Park is a destination for all seasons. Each year, millions of visitors are drawn to its magnificent granite cliffs, thundering waterfalls, giant sequoia groves, and awe-inspiring vistas. In late fall and winter, the visitor can enjoy the crisp air and spectacular scenery at a more leisurely pace than during the crowded summer months. Accommodations are more readily available and affordable. Clear blue skies, spectacular fall foliage, and snow-capped mountain peaks create postcard-perfect scenes.
View a photo slide show on USA TODAY/10Best on the wonders of Yosemite in off-season.
Little Italy San Diego----Sicilian Festival
The great European migration to the United States between 1880 and 1920 brought millions of immigrants to the nation's shores, which included some 4 million Italians. These original families and their descendants all left their mark on the traditions that remain alive today in Italian neighborhoods across the nation. Pictured in this show are a handful of the many cities and towns across the United States with Italian roots, where one can find a true taste of Italy in the heritage that remains remarkably intact in these colorful ethnic neighborhoods.
VIEW A USATODAY/10Best photo show of America's Italian neighborhoods
View article on USA TODAY on the best Italian Neighborhoods in America
© Joanne DiBona
The Castello di Amorosa winery, which looms high on a hill located near the town of Calistoga in Napa Valley, is a authentically-styled replica of a Medieval Tuscan castle built by Dario Sattui, owner of the V. Sattui Winery in St. Helena, Ca. Built in 2007 on 8 levels both above and below ground, the castle also serves as a functioning winery known for its reserve Cabernet Sauvignon as well as other varietals. The winery offers several wine tasting experiences, including food and wine pairings and wine aficionado tours that focus on high-end, specialty wines.
ENJOY A USATODAY/10BEST photo tour of the Castello
© Tony DiBona
Internationally known for its scenic beauty and rich artistic history, Carmel-by-the-Sea lies on a gently rising slope above a magnificent white beach on California's Monterey Peninsula, some 200 miles south of San Francisco. Despite its relatively small size, Carmel-by-the-Sea offers the visitor a plethora of activities and experiences. These include fine dining, wine-tasting, historical walking tours, hiking, shopping, art collecting, golf, performing arts, spas, and beach activities. It is also a preferred location for destination weddings and romantic escapes. Carmel-by-the-Sea is strategically located near popular destinations such as Cannery Row, Big Sur, Carmel Valley, and the 17-Mile Drive, making it a perfect spot from which to explore the entire Monterey peninsula.
© Joanne DiBona
Nestled in the mountains of San Diego County is the picturesque town of Julian, California. The town bears the distinction of being an official California Historical Landmark, and visitors to this quaint village will certainly understand why. Stroll through the town, take a romantic carriage ride along the main street, and imagine you were witness to the exciting Gold Rush days in Southern California.
View A USA TODAY/10Best Photo Show of Beautiful Julian
View my PHOTO GALLERY of Julian images.
San Diego has been my home for 30 years, and I never tire of photographing the natural beauty of this sun-blessed region. My photo show on the "10 Best Paces to Shoot San Diego Photos" is currently running on the home page of 10 Best.com/USA TODAY. I welcome your comments as to YOUR favorite San Diego photo spot!
10 PLACES TO SHOOT POSTCARD PERFECT PHOTOS OF SAN DIEGO USA TODAY/10Best
Oceanside Beach © Joanne DiBona
© Joanne DiBona
Needless to say, wine-tasting is a favorite activity when visiting Sonoma County, California. However, this slice of paradise has a wide variety of activities to delight the visitor to this sun-kissed region. Enjoy a photo show of Sonoma adventures beyond wine-tasting.
© Joanne DiBona
The beautiful Port of San Diego is a destination in of itself. Cruising is a popular mode of travel around the world for travelers of all ages and walks of life, for many reasons. The cruise ship itself is a floating hotel, offering top-notch cuisine, first-rate entertainment, and many other amenities. Passengers can easily take day tours of all the ports of call. And arriving at the home port is an adventure in itself, with many passengers extending their cruise with a pre or post cruise stay in the host city. There is a cruise available for every taste and interest, making it a perfect choice for family vacations, romantic getaways, special occasions, weddings, and adventure and eco-tourism.
Enjoy a photo slide show of some of the world's best ports to visit.
© Joanne DiBona
The majesty of the giant redwoods in Muir Woods never fails to inspire.
Muir Woods National Monument is located 11 miles north of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge. The national park is what remains of an ancient redwood forest that once dominated the northern California coast. The tallest tree in the world, the Coast redwood, grows here, as well as many plants that are indigenous to an old-growth redwood forest. Muir Woods attracts nearly a million visitors annually who travel from around the world to pay homage to nature in this cathedral of ancient trees.
View a slide show on the Muir Woods at 10Best.com/USATODAY.
© Joanne DiBona
The Majestic Joshua Trees
Joshua Tree National Park, located near Palm Springs, California, delights the visitor with incredible vistas, rock formations, hiking trails, and the rare and beautiful forests of Joshua Trees. See a photo show of the park's wonders at USA TODAY TRAVEL/10Best
.
View on Sonoma Valley from Gloria Ferrer Winery © Joanne DiBona
Many visitors to San Francisco may not realize that the famous Sonoma and Napa Valleys are less than an hour's drive away. If you are visiting the City, make plans to spend a day exploring the famous Wine Country in the comfort of a fully-outfitted tour bus.
View a photo show of this adventure on USA TODAY/10Best
Two San Francisco companies that come highly recommended for their outstanding wine country tours, featuring knowledgable and personable tour guides, include:
Extranomical Tours www.extranomical.com
Tower Tours www.towertours.com
View Over Desert Hot Springs onto San Bernardino Mountains © Joanne DiBona
Long famous for its natural mineral hot waters, Desert Hot Springs, California is a short drive north from Palm Springs. Enjoy this USA TODAY/ 10 Best photo show of the delights of this emerging boutique spa destination.
© Joanne DiBona
San Francisco is the city of romance, no matter what time of the year you visit! Enjoy this USA TODAY/10 Best photo show of some of the city's most romantic areas.
Every vacation has its highlight—that moment or experience you take home with you that was so spectacular, it will never fade in your memory.
I’m sure ten years from now, when my husband Tony and I recall our 2013 trip to San Francisco, one of us will ask, “Do you remember that fantastic speedboat adventure on the bay?” And you can be sure we will both recall the exhilaration of experiencing a tour of San Francisco harbor up close and personal, in an 11-passenger RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat), led by the affable and extremely knowledgeable owner and guide, Charles Jennings.
Bay Voyager tours depart from Jack London Square in Oakland, and getting there actually turned out to be a pleasant adventure in itself. Transportation from our downtown San Francisco hotel (we were car-less during our week’s stay in the city) was a breeze. We walked a few blocks to the BART station at Union Square, hopped on the next train to Oakland (which runs frequently), and were whisked to the city's 12th Ave. station in ten minutes or so.
Since we had some time, we took the opportunity to stroll through Oakland's historic district to admire the well-preserved blocks of Victorian buildings. We then enjoyed a leisurely walk down Oakland’s main street, Broadway, which led us directly to Jack London Square.
Historic District, Downtown Oakland, Ca © Joanne DiBona
© Joanne DiBona
The Square is a visitor attraction in its own right. The Embarcadero boasts lovely views over the marina onto the San Francisco skyline, and a wide variety of restaurants, most featuring fresh seafood, line the promenade. Don’t miss a visit to Heinold’s First and Last Chance Saloon which was built from the timbers of a whaling ship in 1883 and where the famous writer Jack London sketched notes for his famous novels and short stories.
Upon arrival at the Bay Voyager office, we were outfitted in professional gear designed to protect passengers from the cold bay wind (which can occur all year round) and any splashing that might occur. Since we were visiting the first week of February, we made sure that we also donned ample layers of clothing, as well as scarfs, gloves, and head protection that couldn’t blow away when the boat revved up to 35 MPH.
We had the good luck to be part of an affable family group celebrating their father’s 70th birthday, so spirits were high as we made our way through Oakland harbor into the majestic San Francisco Bay. Charles Jennings hails from a maritime family and has worked in the industry for decades in various capacities. As a 21-year-old, he served on the WWII Liberty Ship SS Jeremiah O’Brien, currently docked in San Francisco, during the war ship’s 50th anniversary return to Normandy in 1994—a memory he speaks about and holds dear to this day.
Nothing prepared us for the first exhilarating bounce over the waves as Jennings kicked up speed and brought us in no time under the Oakland Bay Bridge. From then on, every place we visited featured a history lesson and personal commentary. Jennings' goal is to give his clients an opportunity to see the Bay from the perspective of a RIB, with a tour guide who speaks from experience--and the heart.
Jennings maneuvered his craft with dexterity around all the iconic San Francisco sites. We'd duck in and around the bay, stopping at times to snap photos from our unique perspective. Experiencing the grandeur of the Golden Gate Bridge from the vantage point of a RIB was a humbling experience, to say the least.
Bay Voyager Cruise © Joanne DiBona
Our two-hour cruise adventure ended on the same note it began--bouncing through the waves into Oakland harbor with eleven happy passengers squealing with delight along the way.
I know Tony and I will never forget this trip, and something tells me our 70-year-old birthday boy won’t either!
Bay Voyager is located at 423 Water Street, Oakland, CA. 510-542-4200, http://www.bayvoyager.com
People find inspiration in various ways. Some look to their favorite sports figure, others read motivational books, research their favorite historical character, or simply enjoy inspiration when and where ever it turns up.
Our inspiration turned up on the stage of the Follies Theatre in the heart of Palm Springs, California. It’s hard not to sit through the spectacular show without dropping your jaw at the energetic performance of the cast, whose ages range from 54 to 83 years young. Trim and ever-so-fit, this inspiring troupe consistently sings and dances its way into the hearts of the audience, and has done so for two decades.
Now in its 22nd year, the Follies play a key role in the entertainment landscape of Palm Springs. The production boasts its own historic, Spanish revival theatre situated in the heart of downtown. My husband Tony and I, visiting in December, were intrigued by this season’s show entitled “Dance to the Music.” True to the title, the first act took us on a delightful musical tour of the last century, from the “Boogie Woogie” dances of the WWII era through the rock ‘n’ roll of the ‘50s, the Beatles and Motown tunes of the ‘60s and into the psychedelic disco era of the ‘70s. And the entertainment didn’t stop there…
It isn’t easy to capture the attention of any audience, young or old, for a full three hours, but Tony and I agreed that we were not bored for a second during this Follies performance. As soon as you enter the theatre, the surprises begin. The lavish costumes and set décor are something one would expect on Broadway or in Vegas. Riff Markowitz opens the show and is the consummate comedian and impresario, leading you through the various acts with charm and classic humor. His improvisational comedic dialogue as he interacts with audience members in the first row of the theatre is witty and spontaneous and had the audience laughing uproariously as a result.
The various acts are peppered with lusty and lively performances such as that of Mat Plendl, who mesmerized the audience with an unlikely instrument of expression---the hula hoop! Brandishing as many as six hula hoops at once, positioned at various parts of his body, Mat took a humble child’s toy and transformed it into performance art. With unparalleled technical skill, combined with elements of mime, musical comedy, and dance, it’s no wonder that Mat has achieved international acclaim. In our evening performance, the audience held its communal breath as he spun his hoops in a dizzying, and truly unbelievable, show of speed, strength, and skill.
The Follies singers and dancers—resplendent in a wide variety of dazzling costumes to match each set-- never fail to impress. In addition to several well-executed holiday song and dance routines, the troupe closes the production with a rousing and touching musical salute to veterans of all branches of the military. The well-designed staging and lighting, which also featured a video screen in many scenes, complements the musical talents of the cast—creating a definite “wow” experience for the audience.
The highlight of the evening arrived when Lorna Luft took the stage. Lorna, born in 1952 to legendary entertainer Judy Garland and producer Sid Luft, belts out a performance that is reminiscent of Garland’s vocal power and stage presence, while reflecting Lorna’s own exceptional tone and phrasing. Her soulful rendition of the classic jazz standard, “Come Rain or Come Shine,” definitely caused a goose bump or two among the audience, as did her passionate execution of “Rock-A-Bye Your Baby with a Dixie Melody.” Her youthful good looks and incredible vocal power and stage presence are definitely impressive.
We think this talented cast of “seniors” is an inspiration for people of any age. I know Tony and I left the theatre with the promise to dance more, sing more, and enjoy our lives to the fullest as we travel down life’s highway. Thank you, Palm Springs Follies, for this valuable inspiration.
NOTE: After almost 5,000 performances, the Palm Springs Follies closed their doors in 2014.
10Best.com published a two-part series I produced on Bavaria, Germany. Bavaria is one of the most picturesque vacation destinations in the world, and hopefully this photo show will inspire travelers to visit this safe, friendly, and infinitely beautiful part of the world.
Marienplatz, Munich Bavaria Germany © Joanne DiBona
