A Chance Encounter with Northern Elephant Seals at Piedras Blancas Beach, California

Travelling can often bless you with unexpected pleasures. On our recent road trip down the coast of California from San Francisco to Los Angeles we encountered a number of surprises from glorious views, delightful eateries and then, most wonderful of all, the opportunity to encounter Northern Elephant Seals birthing. We first spotted the Northern Elephant …

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Old Santa Barbara Mission : Discovering California’s Spanish Roots

Old Santa Barbara Mission : Discovering California's Spanish Roots

California has boasted a culturally and linguistically diverse population for as long as it has been inhabited. Pre-Columbus, 70 distinct groups of Native Americans called this state home. By 1770, Spanish missionaries began establishing 21 Californian missions to convert the indigenous population to Christianity. On our family trip to California, we decided we had to …

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