Southern California Beyond the Freeway

La Liste’s annual ranking of international restaurants dropped on Thursday, November 16. And the top spots have stayed consistent.

JetBlue just added a new flight to Caribbean paradise, and lucky for me I was on the first flight out.

Arson likely caused a massive weekend fire that has indefinitely closed a vital section of a freeway in Los Angeles, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Monday.

Canada, our friendly northern neighbor, boasts extraordinarily diverse geography, from tall Rocky Mountain peaks to expansive flat prairie land and seaside communities on both coasts. With a smaller national population than that of California, it's perhaps unsurprising that Canada is also full of charming small towns and welcoming rural communities worth planning a trip around. You’ll find salty little enclaves, graced by orcas and world-class surfers in British Columbia; tiny mountain towns with Gold Rush history in the Yukon’s Grizzly country; and, of course, flannel-filled hubs for outdoors lovers who want to bike and hike in the country’s dramatic national parks. What links them together, though, is that small town spirit, and undeniable charm. (Don’t be surprised if your small town trip warrants big time vacation days—please like these are never easy to leave.)

Whether it’s in the planning of North America’s newest national monument — framing one of its greatest natural wonders — or in reimagined museum exhibitions, the country’s visitor attractions and experiences are ever more likely to be shaped and guided by its Indigenous peoples. From the Great Plains to the Californian coast, there’s a continent-wide variety of cultures to encounter.

Over 112 million Americans traveled during the Christmas holiday last year, according to AAA Travel, a number that’s expected to be matched or surpassed this year. The first day of December is a popular air travel date for people who take extended, even month-long holiday vacations as airlines often offer discounted rates at that time of year. These hotels and resorts offer travelers all the bells and whistles one could desire from a vacation along with festive holiday activities.

While Instagram has long been the hotspot for influencers posting their luxurious travels to faraway destinations, TikTok is slowly dominating this space. The hashtag for "travel" videos has amassed over 220 billion views.

While Southern California cities like Santa Monica and Malibu earn abundant acclaim for their scenic beaches, they’re far from the only destinations worth visiting across Los Angeles County. Long renowned for its close ties to the film industry, Culver City has developed into one of the region’s most charming municipalities, loaded with high-end restaurants and hotels for newcomers to explore. As you plan your next visit to the Golden State, be sure to save some room on the itinerary to explore Culver City, a historic settlement that improves with each passing year.

Napa-based Chandon just unveiled Chandon Home - a completely redesigned wine tasting destination that features reimagined tasting spaces and experiences both indoors and out. It’s big news, in large part because this is not only the winery’s 50th anniversary (they’ve been crafting bubbly in California since 1973), but also because this is the first complete renovation to the winery since they opened their doors in 1977. President of Chandon, Arnaud de Saignes explains the process, “While the official unveiling of our Chandon California Home is perfectly timed to our 50th anniversary year in Napa Valley, it took us three years to enhance the beauty of our space and renovate our Home, creating new elevated culinary and sensory experiences with our wines as the hero.”

Like some, I initially balked at paying a $695 annual fee (see rates and fees) for The Platinum Card® from American Express, but with its vast array of benefits and rewards, this card drew me in — and I don't regret it.

At first light at Rosewood Baha Mar, arguably one of the most stylish hotels in The Bahamas, the sand is being meticulously raked on the idyllic Cable Beach and, in the kitchens, piles of exotic fruit are being prepared for the countless rum-laced Bahama Mamas which will be served that day: it’s another day in paradise.

There's no more luxurious travel moment than kicking off your shoes after a long day of sightseeing and slipping those throbbing feet into a pair of lush hotel slippers. With your feet propped up on the bed, fuzzy lining soothes your soles—and your soul. But the harsh reality comes rushing in once you stand up. A few trips around the hotel room, and you realize, they’re nothing more than glorified feet warmers.