East County News Service

March 17, 2023 (Borrego Springs) -- Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is beginning to have pockets of blooming wildflowers as well as cacti blooms. The Anza Borrego Foundation offers these tips for those planning to come view wildflowers:

1. Check the weather forecast before heading to the Park. Make sure to dress in layers and pack plenty of water.
2. Call the Wildflower Hotline at 760-767-4684 for weekly updates on the best viewing locations.
3. Print the most recent wildflower map at home. You can click here to find printable wildflower maps.
4. You can also get printed wildflower maps and viewing tips at the State Park store at 587 Palm Canyon Drive between 11 .am. and 3 p.m. Fridays through Sundays.
5. Check road conditions, including the surrounding mountains for any road closures or chain requirements.
6. Make sure to visit our State Park store, open daily 9 AM - 5 PM for any needed information or to purchase Park maps.
   

By Pennell Paugh

February 9, 2023 (San Diego) - Dr. Mary Travelbest’s guide book is full of tips and on the road recommendations. She helps you to get the best deals, pack light, and ensure your safety. She takes you through stages to develop a level of comfort with less and less structure. I’m still on stage one, but I now have the yen to plan a short trip.

Source: Explore Lompoc

November 16, 2022 (Lompoc, Calif.) -- Just in time for the holidays, step into relaxing, small town holiday charm with a weekend getaway in Lompoc! 

Celebrate the season with an activity calendar of family-friendly activities, specialty retail shopping, or go wine tasting at one of 30+ local wine tasting venues. After the fun, kick back for a relaxing evening at one of our comfy hotels.

Below is the destination's holiday happenings for the entire family:

By Miriam Raftery

Photos by Mark and Miriam Raftery

August 6, 2022 (Temecula) – If you’re looking for a relaxing weekend getaway in Southern California, enjoy an idyllic stay at Europa Village Winery Resort in Temecula. Nestled among rolling foothills and vineyards in Temecula’s wine country, Europa Village evokes the ambience of Old World Europe with elements of Spain, France, and coming soon, Italy.

By Miriam Raftery

May 14, 2022 (Jamul) – Many area residents have fond memories of visits to Jamul Haven, a five-star Victorian-era bed and breakfast inn where William and Marianne Roetzheim hosted overnight guests, as well as an adjacent home where they hosted special events and teas. Now the entire property near Steele Canyon Golf Course is up for sale, including both the historic and new homes, pool and more. 

By Miriam Raftery

July 3, 2021 (Washington D.C.) – If you’re planning to travel internationally, be aware that many nations are requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination and/or other vaccines to enter. The internationally recognized proof of your vaccination status is the Yellow Card, also known as the CDC 731 form or PHS-731 form. 

How to get a Yellow Card?

Approved by the World Health Organization, the Yellow Card can be purchased for $25 through the U.S. Government publishing office bookstore at this link.

Need to find required vaccinations for each country/region you plan to visit? 

Visit the CDC Vaccinations page at http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/page/vaccinations.htm. To avoid being quarantined or denied entry, a traveler can also check the entry requirements for the country in question by contacting its embassy or consulate.

By Miriam Raftery

May 19, 2021 (San Diego) – With over two-thirds of Californians now at least partially vaccinated and half fully vaccinated, many people are looking forward to resuming normal activities. But if you haven’t had the COVID-19 vaccine, you may be surprised to learn that you won’t be allowed to go many places.

These include all cruise ships, many colleges and universities, and some sports arenas and stadiums. Nursing homes and other senior care facilities may require vaccinations before admitting new patients or indoor visitors. Some employers are also requiring vaccines. Even some event planners are requiring guests to be vaccinated to attend functions such as weddings.

Not getting the vaccine is a personal choice, but a growing number of places are opting to protect their customers, workers or patients by banning the unvaccinated. Others are allowing unvaccinated people only if they can pass a COVID test. But who really wants to have your nose swabbed every time you go to a Padres game? Similarly, some places are allowing unvaccinated travelers – but only if you both pass a COVID test and quarantine in your hotel room for a number of days after arriving, which can spoil vacation plans unless you have an extended trip.

So where can’t you go, as of now, if you’re not vaccinated?

Update: The Flower Fields will be open an additional week ending May 16th. Tickets will be available at a discounted rate for a limited time only, while supplies last.  Tickets go on sale Monday, May 10th at 8 a.m.

Story and video by Briana Gomez

View video:  https://youtu.be/xra1kCSymCM

May 4, 2021 (Carlsbad) - It’s the last week to visit the beautiful Carlsbad Flower Fields. The fields will finish off their season on Mother’s Day this upcoming Sunday. but there’s still time to buy tickets.

By Ken Stone, Times of San Diego, a member of the San Diego Online News Association 

Photo:  artist’s rendering of SeaWorld San Diego’s new dive coaster under construction. Image via SeaWorld

March 5, 2021 (San Diego) - Petco Park, SeaWorld and other major outdoor attractions and sports/performance venues across the state can reopen as early as April 1 subject to counties’ rates of COVID-19 spread and with strict capacity-control mandates and required mask-wearing, state officials announced Friday.

East County News Service

Photo courtesy of Sycuan Casino Resort

February 7, 2021 (Sycuan) -- Sycuan Casino Resort and Singing Hills Golf Resort at Sycuan are among the first hotels in the world to become Sharecare Health Security VERIFIED® with Forbes Travel Guide. The comprehensive facility verification helps ensure that guests and travel planners can book with confidence at properties that have appropriate health safety procedures in place.

Story and photos by Miriam Raftery

August 13, 2020 (Julian) – Tourists are returning to Julian, the historic gold-mining town nestled in the mountains of San Diego's East County.  According to Robin Boland at the Julian Chamber of Commerce, nearly all businesses that are allowed to be open under state and county health mandates are now open, including shops, outdoor and takeout restaurants, breweries and wineries serving food. Though a few have limited hours, Boland assures, “There is still plenty to do and plenty of places to eat.”

One long-time town fixture, however, has fallen victim to the pandemic. Julian Carriage Company posted on Facebook July 31, "I'm sorry to hhave to inform you that due to COVID-19 and other extenuating circumstances we are no longer in business. Brett and I will sure miss everyone that came to Julian and rode our carriage. Life has taken us on another journey now and we are no longer in Julian. We love all of you!!!!!!! Thank you for an amazing 7 years!!!!!!! I will never forget this chapter of our lives."

By Bobbi Zane

June 18, 2020 (Julian) --Julian shop and restaurant owners are now back open to serve visitors, though the rules have changed in the historic gold rush town located in San Diego's back country.

"Visitors no longer need to stay at home,” says Robin Boland, manager of the Julian Chamber of Commerce. During the COVID-19 shutdown, the Chamber had earlier asked visitors to stay away to prevent brining the virus to the mountain town which customarily thrives on tourism.

Restaurants and one-of-a-kind charming shops have lined both sides of Main Street for many years. Julian is also known for excellent restaurants, though Julian is most faous for its apple pies, known as the new gold that draws visitors to Mom's Pie House and Julian Apple Pies.

By Miriam Raftery

March 24, 2020 (San Diego) – As COVID-19 continues its rapid spread in San Diego and people eager to exercise or socialize crowd into outdoor public spaces, more are shutting down including most local beaches as well as many parks and trails.

Here’s the latest on what’s open and closed.

While it's best to stay home if you have space to exercise and get fresh air there, if you do venture out to public spaces, be sure to maintain social distance of six feet from anyone not in your famliy and so that the few remaining places to enjoy nature won’t be shut down, too. No groups of 10 or more are allowed anywhere in the state.  The Sheriff has said that those violating social distancing rules may be arrested, fined, and jailed.