Category: Travel & Discovery

Southwest Airlines Targets Dec. 30 for Return to Normal Operations

After canceling more than 15,000 flights over the last week, Southwest Airlines has announced that it aims to return to normal operations “with minimal disruptions” by Friday. On Thursday, the Dallas-based airline was still only operating about one-third of its schedule, with more than 2,300 flights canceled. “We are encouraged by the progress we’ve made…


An Exciting Morning of Whale Watching on Monterey Bay

“Twelve o’clock.” “There it is, twelve o’clock!” Excited passengers moved toward the bow to view a spouting humpback whale. Seeing a whale for the first time can be an awe-inspiring sight. The Monterey Bay Whale Watch Our adventure started at 9 a.m. on the Blackfin, a 65-foot catamaran that is run by the Monterey Bay…


Pilgrim’s Way: The Last Bookstore in California’s Carmel-by-the-Sea

Nestled in a small seaside city is Pilgrim’s Way, the last existing bookstore in the luxurious beach town of Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. “The word ‘pilgrim’ actually means way-shower or seeker of truth,” co-owner Cynthia Fernandes told NTD, a sister media of The Epoch Times. The bookstore was founded in 1969 and now features a cozy secret…


Arches, Beaches, and Butterflies in Santa Cruz, California

On a sunny autumn day in Santa Cruz, California, my friend and I walked the paved path along West Cliff Drive. Our route lay between Natural Bridges State Park to the west and the Mark Abbott Memorial Lighthouse to the east. During our four-mile out-and-back walk, we viewed sandstone arches, beautiful beaches, and wintering monarch…


Chrysanthemum Show Puts Season’s Best Blooms On Display

SARATOGA, Calif.—Colorful blooms brightened the room at the Joan Pisani Community Center in Saratoga during an annual chrysanthemum show that was held Oct. 29–30. The show was hosted by the Bay Area Chrysanthemum Society, which has held the event for 10 years. Every year, club members get to display the results of their passion, patience,…


New Australian Design to Cut Airport Checkpoint Queues in US

Australian researchers have come up with a design to improve airport security checks in the United States (U.S.), which may soon mitigate long airport waiting times. Micro-X, an Australian tech company, has partnered with the Design Health Collab at Monash University to streamline crucial airport security checkpoint processes across the U.S. and increase aviation passenger…


An Autumn Day in Half Moon Bay

Autumn is a fine time to visit Half Moon Bay on the San Mateo coast of California. The weather can vary from foggy to sunny, but the temperature is usually in the 60s or 70s, which is perfect hiking weather. The Coastal Trail The 11.5-mile coastal trail officially runs from the north at the Dardanelle…


Panning for Gold in Jamestown

JAMESTOWN, Calif.—Gold mining gave California its nickname, the Golden State. While mining nowadays is far from what it used to be, gold fever isn’t completely gone. Along Highway 49 in Jamestown, California, visitors pan for gold in Woods Creek. Three generations of the Prebalick family talked to NTD, a sister media of The Epoch Times,…


A Day at Family-Friendly Knott’s Berry Farm

On a sunny October day, Knott’s Berry Farm—currently transformed into “Knott’s Spooky Farm”—reminded us why it remains a family-friendly destination. In the Calico Ghost Town, costumed children collected sweets at trick-or-treat stations. Friendly ghouls mingled with families and gladly posed for photos. In America’s original theme park, the atmosphere was relaxed, and everyone seemed happy….


Hong Kong and Taiwan are on Time Out Magazine’s ‘World’s Coolest Streets’ List

The prestigious Time Out magazine published its second annual list of the “World’s Coolest Streets” after interviewing 20,000 urban-dwellers around the world. Time Out Travel Editor James Manning said “Our expert editors and the locals select the coolest streets in the world. Our contributors suggest which streets people should visit immediately.” Thirty-three streets are listed in “Time Out’s…