California Mishegoss #20:

Hi Friends!

Here are seven things to consider checking out in California.

Enjoy the Weekend!

Be Well! Stay Safe!

Mark & Patti

10 Best Counties in California!

Niche ranking website just published its 2023 10 Best California Counties to live in, with the Bay area dominating the list. 

Sacramento County led the list, with San Diego Country coming in second. I think some San Diegoinas would argue with coming in second. 

Placer Country was third, followed by Santa Cruz. Here's the rest of the list from the Patch website.

How about a visit to Mount Umunhum in San Jose? Here’s some background from the article by California Through My Lens.

In 1986, the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District acquired the land from the Air Force and began efforts to restore the mountain’s natural habitat. The summit was reopened to the public in 2017, after the removal of the radar tower and a massive restoration effort that involved removing military buildings, concrete pads, and underground fuel tanks. Today, Mount Umunhum is a popular destination for hikers, birdwatchers, and nature enthusiasts. The mountaintop features an observation deck, and several hiking trails that offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. Check out the full article.

Also, from California Through My Lens, here are 16 things to do in San Jose.

San Jose is the largest city in Northern California and full of fun adventures. It’s by no means as popular for tourists as San Francisco, but if you’re willing to look beyond the surface, it has a lot of hidden gems waiting to be explored. This post collects many of my favorite places in the city, including a haunted house, many different tech museum, art installations and even the world’s first mountain observatory. Check it out and let me know what your favorite spot is in San Jose in the comments! Here’s the rest of the article.

Kendra Smith from SF Gate wrote about hiking to a hidden spot in San Francisco

Fortunately, the Bay Area has no shortage of labyrinths. We seem to be some sort of hotbed for not just “labyrinth seekers,” as one woman I met on my personal maze quest described herself, but also labyrinth supporters and creators. The Worldwide Labyrinth Locator (it’s a thing!) counts 19 labyrinths in San Francisco alone. These miniature spiritual journeys crop up at our hospitals (CPMC Pacific Heights), churches (Nob Hill’s Grace Cathedral has two) and parks. Here’s the full article.

Volunteering in California While on a Trip is a Thing!

Voluntourism provides an excellent opportunity to explore California's breathtaking landscapes while contributing to vital conservation efforts. By joining hands with local organizations that protect the state's diverse ecosystems, you can help preserve California's natural beauty for generations to come. From coastal wetlands to towering redwood forests, there is no shortage of environments that can benefit from your help.

One of the most rewarding voluntourism experiences in California is participating in habitat restoration projects. Ready to help out?

Lake Tahoe and Towns Surrounding It!

Stephen Ndung’u shared on The Travel Blog his list of the 10 most beautiful towns on Lake Tahoe. Here’s a little about Olympic Village.

Nestled on the banks of the Truckee River in Placer County, Olympic Valley is a popular winter destination in California, thanks to the availability of world-class ski resorts such as the Alpine Base Area at Palisades Tahoe. It’s also home to one of the largest ski areas in the US, Palisades Tahoe; the area played host to the 1960 Winter Olympic Games. Those who wish to feast their eyes on sweeping views of the area can go for a scenic ride at Palisades Tahoe Area Tram. Here’s the list.

If you ask me, Paso Robles is a Hidden Gem, and the author of this article, Dobrina Zhekova from Travel and Leisure, confirms my thoughts.

Nestled in quaint Paso Robles, Farmhouse is an eclectic bed-and-breakfast with 26 guest rooms and a courtyard featuring cozy fire pits set to welcome guests on May 9. The Central California company took over the historic motel, which dates back to 1947, transforming it into a chic, modern space with plenty of high-end touches, custom furnishings, and sprawling outdoor spaces tucked among citrus and olive trees. Need more confirmation? Here you go!

That’s a wrap for this edition…

One Last Thing…

We hope you enjoyed this week's California Mishegoss, even though it was calorie-laden. Maybe it's what the good doctor ordered; then, maybe not.

Either way, enjoy your weekend and the week ahead. 

Check out our food newsletter DelPaggio's Cucina, if you have a moment. It's full of some great homemade recipes you may enjoy!

Mark & Patti