Northern California’s oyster capital is a hidden gem

“They say you can hear the northern lights crackle. Even after years of living amongst them, I’ve only heard it once,” says Dave Daley, a long-distance dog sledder and Métis tour guide based in Churchill, Canada. He was 250 miles north of home when it happened, crossing the Hudson Bay as his dogs stopped to look at the display, spanning shades of pink, green, and white. “The lights made a wall in front of us, and for 10 minutes we were in a trance. Why did they appear at this moment? It was my ancestors making sure I got to my destination safely.”

From eerie sandstone moonscapes and jagged granite towers to rare, endangered wildlife and some of the tallest, oldest trees in the world, California's national parks encompass a multitude of singular and beloved natural majesties.

As my train heads north-west from Madrid towards the green hills of Asturias, I eagerly await views of the lush landscape – but instead, I’m plunged into darkness. A new series of tunnels is leading me to the northern region’s capital, Oviedo, and among them is the seventh-longest in Europe: at 15 miles, it’s a complex work of engineering that cuts through the Cantabrian Mountains.

It will be easier to get to Lisbon this summer as TAP Air Portugal adds 10 more weekly flights to the popular city from North America. 

If you’re like a lot of parents with teenagers, you’re acutely aware that quality time with your brood is limited. It won’t be long before your older kids graduate from high school and then leave the nest for college, a gap year, or a myriad of other adventures. With only a few windows of time left, you may be wondering how to spend this year’s spring break with your family.

More than four years after Airbnb pledged to verify all of its listings, the company said Monday it will soon have nearly 1.5 million verified listings, and that badges will be pinned to listings that have completed the process.

This certification is also a significant milestone in the Greater Palm Springs area’s initiative to become a Certified Autism Destination (CAD).

The best cars for traveling in California. Criteria for choosing a vehicle for California. A brief description of the best models for traveling along the coast, national parks, and mountain roads. Ideal cars for traveling around major cities.

Listening to Idina Menzel sing is pure joy anywhere. Listening to her sing in the intimate La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego will give you goosebumps and bring you to tears. The Tony Award winning superstar is making her debut there in Redwood, a must-see world-premiere musical whose next stop, in the tradition of 36 other La Jolla Playhouse productions, including Jersey Boys, Come From Away and The Outsiders, has to be Broadway.

Hotels can be great — especially when you snag a great deal on points and can get perks like free breakfast thanks to your status with the brand.

The Indian Wells Open is my favorite U.S. tennis event, bar none. The Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa is a stone’s throw from the venue, and its beautiful desert grounds are a welcoming respite from the throngs trying to get a glimpse of Rafa (who will play on the evening of March 7th). Why is Indian Wells so special? There’s a paradoxical mellow and electric vibe there. A short drive from Palm Springs, California and set in the comparatively verdant Colorado Desert, it’s a place for meditation, introspection, self-care — and world-class tennis. The Indian Wells Open, AKA the BNP Paribas Open (BNP Paribas sponsors the event) is the most popular tennis event in the world aside from the four major slams, but the venue, Indian Wells Tennis Garden (owned by Larry Ellison since 2009), is so nicely designed that it never feels as crowded as it is. Food options are remarkably good (think Nobu sushi), and VIP and corporate boxes are close enough to the action (unlike at many venues) with excellent catering and service.

Visit California is reintroducing itself globally with a new $32.8 million tourism rebranding campaign – its first in a decade — on March 4.