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Category: California

Travel guides, information, photographs, and stories about taking a vacation in California. See https://explorationvacation.net/exploring-usa/california/ to start planning your next trip.

Mission San Juan Bautista California - www.ExplorationVacation.net

The past is present at Mission San Juan Bautista, California

Posted onOctober 9, 2016December 14, 20205 Comments

Time is a shapeshifter at Mission San Juan Bautista. This is a place where the past slips into the present, where both the church building and the religious life conducted within it have continued largely Read More …

CategoriesCalifornia, USATagsNational Register of Historic Places, religion and religious architecture

Mission San Juan Capistrano California - www.ExplorationVacation.net

A walk through Mission San Juan Capistrano

Posted onSeptember 8, 2016October 20, 2020Leave a comment

Among the first California missions to capture the public imagination, Mission San Juan Capistrano (and its swallows) have been immortalized in song and film.  

CategoriesCalifornia, USATagsNational Register of Historic Places, religion and religious architecture

Plaza Hotel San Juan Bautista California

Historic town of San Juan Bautista, California

Posted onMay 1, 2016October 20, 2020Leave a comment

Spain authorized the establishment of Roman Catholic missions in Alta California with the intent that these missions would become the nucleus for new cities inhabited by loyal Spanish citizens. In many cases cities did grow Read More …

CategoriesCalifornia, USATagsNational Register of Historic Places, religion and religious architecture

Mission San Luis Obispo California -ExplorationVacation.net

A merger of past and present at Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, California

Posted onApril 11, 2016December 14, 2020Leave a comment

Mission San Louis Obispo de Tolosa has undergone many physical changes over time, leading to a church where past and present merge in interesting ways today. Past and present merge at Mission San Luis Obispo Read More …

CategoriesCalifornia, USATagsdesert southwest, museums, religion and religious architecture

sea gulls on a fence

On the beach in Laguna Beach, California

Posted onMarch 10, 2016December 3, 2019Leave a comment

The days leading up to Christmas aren’t exactly prime beach time in California. However, since we were in the area and had never been to any of the coastal communities south of Los Angeles, we Read More …

CategoriesCalifornia, USATagsbeaches, Pacific Ocean

dilapidated exterior of church

The many churches of Mission Santa Clara de Asis, California

Posted onMarch 3, 2016December 3, 2019Leave a comment

The lovely church of Mission Santa Clara de Asis is the mission’s sixth church and the second at this, the mission’s fifth location. 

CategoriesCalifornia, USATagsarchitecture, National Register of Historic Places, religion and religious architecture

Morro Rock at sunrise

Morro Bay sunrise, California

Posted onFebruary 15, 2016October 17, 2018Leave a comment

Morro Bay, California, is a wonderful place to watch the sunrise. First the sky turns rich shades of purple and pink. Then, as the sun peaks above the opposite horizon, it begins to illuminate the Read More …

CategoriesCalifornia, USATagsPacific Ocean

Mission Santa Clara de Asís

A visit to Mission Santa Clara de Asis, California

Posted onJanuary 11, 2016March 19, 20202 Comments

Mission Santa Clara de Asis is one of only a small number of California missions to remain active throughout its history. Today it is also the heart of Santa Clara University. 

CategoriesCalifornia, USATagsNational Register of Historic Places, religion and religious architecture

dessert flowers with mountains

California Desert Wildflower Tour

Posted onApril 9, 2011December 26, 2020Leave a comment

I love the desert in bloom and have long wanted to visit Death Valley when it was awash in blossoms. You can never predict exactly when it will be a good year or when the Read More …

CategoriesCalifornia, Nevada, USATagsitinerary

Antelope Valley, California (sans poppies)

Posted onApril 2, 2011December 11, 2020Leave a comment

So our first mistake yesterday was NOT deciding to visit the mining towns instead of eating breakfast in California City. No, it was the earlier decision to go to the Desert Tortoise Reserve and Red Read More …

CategoriesCalifornia, USA

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Tour Egypt Virtually

Painted interior chamber with pillars
I'll be leading a virtual tour of Egypt's highlights via Zoom, complete with travel planning tips, through the Minneapolis Public Schools on Tuesday, February 23 at 6 pm. (It costs $19.) No need to be a Minneapolis resident to register at https://adult.mpls.k12.mn.us

Exploring Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun

Exploring Phoenix and the Valley of the Sun

With a wealth of cultural and outdoor activities, a thriving art and food scene, historical sites, and natural areas, Phoenix is more than a snowbird escape. Read More ...

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