Scenic Sedona, AZ - Hikes

For all of Sedona's hikes, you need to buy a Red Rock Pass for each vehicle you park at the trail head. The passes cost $15 for a week (which is not bad compared to California 1-day passes). Once you have that, you're good to go.

Devil's Bridge Hike - You Should Go

Nate and I on Devil's Bridge

This is a short hike (1 mile each way) but with quite a climb in elevation. The real trick is getting to the trail head. Most of the trip is on a dirt road. If you're driving a sedan, you'll probably need to park at least another mile from the trail entrance. We made it ok in

Scenic Sedona, AZ - Food

Picazzo's: Where Pizza is Art

A quick word of advice - check to see if your accommodations have discounts for local restaurants. We could have gotten a discount at most of these place if we had checked first.

Picazzo's - You Should Go
Picazzo's is an organic pizza place with a LOT of gluten-free options. The food was great and

Hyatt Vacation Resort in Sedona, AZ

Rating: You Should Go

We took a family vacation to Sedona this year and stayed at the Hyatt Pinon Point. My dad happens to know someone who owns a Hyatt timeshare and offered us this great deal. Apparently, when Hyatt Resorts have leftover rooms, they sound out great deals to their

The Envelope Screening Series

Up close and personal with the Muppets' crew

Rating: You Should Go

We just found out about the Envelope Screening Series this year and were kindly invited by some friends of ours.  It's hosted by the Los Angeles Times and it's amazing.  If you can keep an eye out for the tickets to be available, it is FREE.  Each person can reserve 2 tickets

Nubia Cafe in Anaheim, CA

Rating: You Might Like It

Nubia Cafe is an Arabic restaurant and hookah bar in Anaheim.  I had never been to a hookah bar before, but it was a place Nathan and his roommates liked to frequent when they were in college and I got invited along so I couldn't pass up the opportunity.  The place is a little hard to find.  Just look for the bright yellow signs along the strip mall (to the right of the Dollar Tree).  There is very little parking that isn't reserved in the lot attached to the restaurant, but there's tons in

Falkner Winery in Temecula, CA

Relaxed after "Hot Lips"

Rating: You Should Go

Falkner is one of the many wineries in Temecula's "wine country", but one to which I had never been before.  I went with a group of friends for a wine tasting birthday party.  The winery is on the top of a hill, making it a beautiful overlook in the spring and summer, I'm sure.  We went in January so the vineyards were brown all around us.  The wine tasting area has two long bars inside, a small bar outside, and a large outside patio

Festival of Lights at Mission Inn in Riverside, CA

Mission Inn Festival of Lights

Rating: You Should Go

This was the first year I had heard about the Festival of Lights at Mission Inn, so I really wanted to check them out.  I had been to the Mission Inn twice before - once to get ready for a wedding and once just for fun because the place is so beautiful.  My next visit was very different