Review: Manta joins new class of themed coasters at SeaWorld

The smooth, quick and quiet Manta family coaster that debuted over Memorial Day  weekend at SeaWorld San Diego is just the type of...

Review: Mad T Party keeps rocking at Disney California Adventure

The clean, crisp modern lines of "Tron" have been replaced by the chaotic, rose-colored acid trip of "Alice in Wonderland," but outside of...

Weekend Escapes: Wine, root beer and rolling hills in Temecula

Intro: Let wine snobs snicker when they hear you spent a weekend at a vineyard in Temecula. I took a friend for an...

Old California and good grub in San Juan Capistrano

What an appealing slice-of-life California town, an easy day trip by car or train. Come for the history, stay for the food. This restaurant-...

Six Flags Magic Mountain to reclaim roller coaster title

Review: Transformers ride at Universal Studios Hollywood

The new knock 'em, sock 'em Transformers ride at Universal Studios Hollywood is an immersive, in-your-face experience that ranks among the...

Behind-the-scenes tour of Transformers ride at Universal Studios

I took a behind-the-scenes tour Friday of the new Transformers ride opening in a few weeks at Universal Studios Hollywood.

Southern California Close-Ups: Inland Orange County

First published on Feb. 20, 2011. Revised and expanded in January 2012.

Southern California Close-Ups: San Fernando Valley

First published on April 24, 2011. Revised and expanded in January 2012.

Southern California Close-Ups: Los Angeles' park neighborhoods

First published on March 20, 2011. Revised and expanded in January 2012.

Southern California Close-Ups: Downtown Los Angeles

First published on Jan. 30, 2011. Revised and expanded in January 2012.

Celebrating the life of the well-traveled Pat Nixon

As the wife of an ambitious politician, Pat Nixon had her hands full. Besides keeping up with Richard Nixon's various political...

Southern California Close-Ups: Joshua Tree National Park and Desert Hot Springs

It's a dry heat – a boulder-studded, wind-raked Mojave heat, in which rock stars lie low, artists think big, marines train, weird...

A dry season is expected for wildflowers in Southern California

Right about now, tiny goldfields and purple mat should be erupting in carpets of color on the desert floor at Joshua Tree and Death Valley...

Six Flags Magic Mountain spills plans for record-setting coaster

Six Flags Magic Mountain is expected to add a terrain-hugging launched roller coaster in 2013 featuring...

How to beat the gas-price woes

President's Day weekend seemed to be a turning point for gasoline prices, which look to be increasing faster than a speeding bullet. If...

Disneyland shuts gates as crowds overwhelm 24-hour Leap Day event