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3 Wildflower Hikes around Truckee
Wild lupine, which you can see at the end of the Sagehen Creek hike out to Stampede Reservoir Donner Memorial State Park There are many trails around Donner Lake. Look carefully for free parking off Donner Pass Road, past the park entrance, and you will also see a trailhead before getting to the Tahoe Donner club. You can also drive all the way around the lake to the very end and park for free, then walk into the trailhead there. I highly recommend walking in and visiting the
Mar 292 min read


Get your scare on at these Monterey-area hauntings
Whether it's Halloweedn or true crime, check out the paranormal activities long rumored at these Pacific Grove-area spots.
Oct 16, 20223 min read


Humboldt road tripping + fun times
Eureka's a hike from the Bay Area, but there's loads to do on the way and when you're there. Road tripping to Humboldt If four-and-a-half hours seems long, it's better to plan some fun stops along the way to break things up. Wineries Starting around Hopland, Jaxon Keys' sign is always sharing their latest award-winning wine. The Nelson Family Vineyar has fruit trees and olive oil, too. And when you get up to Ukiah, Rivino Winery's sign for their Boujee sparkling wine over
Sep 15, 20222 min read


Celebrating our new home in Eureka
We are super excited to share that we have a new home in Eureka! We will be welcoming traveling medical professionals working at the local hospital, Providence St. Joe’s, which is right down the road. But there's lots to do for weekend visitors. Just three short blocks from our place to the red pandas at the Sequoia Park Zoo and they're famous Redwood Skywalk. Check out my blog with what to do on the way to Eureka and what to do when you get there. There's so much to do in
Aug 4, 20221 min read


VW Vanagon Westfalia, VLMOGUL, is on scene!
VLMOGUL is a '82 Volkswagen Vanagon Westfalia pop-top camper van available for photo and film shoots and events via WHEELS agency.
Jul 28, 20211 min read


What happened to all the home rentals in Pacific Grove?
In May 2020, Pacific Grove ended their program for allowing a small number of regulated short-term home rentals, for example those booked...
May 29, 20202 min read


Famous Shows Filmed around Pacific Grove and Monterey
Big Little Lies wasn't the first show to be shot in and around Pacific Grove, Monterey and Big Sur. Turner and Hooch is one of our favs, and
Jan 1, 20203 min read


Truckee's Awesome Brew Pub Scene
Truckee-area brewing companies bring the fun of an afternoon in Napa or Sonoma to your North Lake Tahoe trip. Whether it's an apres-ski stop
Dec 22, 20192 min read


Happy Hours Around Jewelbox Cottages in Monterey and Pacific Grove
Looking for a happy hour spot close to our #Jewelbox Cottages in Pacific Grove? For an inexpensive drink and bar grub? For some fun? Yes please! Sardine Factory The Sardine Factory’s first nightly Happy Hour, yes first!, is offered daily from 5pm-6pm. But you can also head over from 9:30pm-10:30pm for another round. They feature $8 signature cocktails, $6 wines by the glass and $6.50 small bite starters. Their "Flaming Sardine" is the featured above: Galliano liqueur flamed
Dec 14, 20193 min read


Horseback Riding along Pebble Beach
When people think of Monterey Bay, marine mammals might be the first animals that spring to mind. But there's another awesome animal experie
Nov 17, 20192 min read


The Best Places to Gear Up for Your Tahoe Trip
Where's the best place to get skis or snowboards in town? That's one of the most common questions that I get from guests staying at...
Oct 9, 20191 min read


A Big Sur Day Trip with Not-to-Miss Stops and a Hidden Gem Destination
Limekiln State Park is on the southern end of Big Sur but it is worth the drive. There’s not a lot of camping, but when we arrived, the rangers carved out a spot behind one of their work trucks for our SUV, so we could enter. Thanks guys! This is a full redwood to waves park with three do-able but fun hikes that will wow you and impress visitors…and dates. Get Limekiln State Park details here. Beach Hike A quick trot over the bridge gets you and your picnic to a beautiful s
Apr 15, 20193 min read


Monterey Peninsula, CA – A Golfing Pilgrimage You Have to Make
>> Enjoy this guest blog from international golfer and pilot, Alex. Check out his blog here. << Through the many generations of golf...
Feb 3, 20193 min read


Wine Tasting on California's Central Coast – Three Tastings and More in Monterey County
Our Jewelbox Cottages in Pacific Grove are at the gateway of California's Central Coast wine region. Here are top spots for wine tasting
Jan 13, 20193 min read


Three Marine-Lover Outings in Pacific Grove that Are NOT the Monterey Bay Aquarium
The Aquarium is the best-known attraction in the area, but it's also one of the most expensive. Here are three attractions you can enjo
Dec 30, 20183 min read


Bright Wishes this Dark Night
Have a happy, merry and safe holiday! Save $25 on your next booking & get $25 when you refer a friend or relative...plus they save $25,
Dec 17, 20182 min read


The Plaque Houses of Pacific Grove – What They Tell us and the Secrets No One Talks About
The green plaques on Pacific Grove's pretty dollhouse cottages have many stories to tell...and a few secrets that many would like to kee
Dec 17, 20183 min read


Truckee's best fine-dining restaurants to celebrate at
When you come to Donner Bliss to celebrate a special occasion, you have great dining options in Truckee. Check out these elevated dining fav
Jun 25, 20181 min read


Sierra Buttes Fire Lookout & Sardine Lake
The Sierra Buttes are a great day trip from Donner Bliss. At the foot of the Buttes, you'll find a trio of lakes: Sardine Lake (pictured here), Packer Lake and Sand Pond. You can hike to the fire lookout station at the top of the mountain buttes for a once-in-a-lifetime stunning, challenging but truly rewarding hike. It's a perfect day trip to snag a primo spot at Sand Pond, hike to the lookout, then relax by the pond or fish on Sardine Lake, and top it off with drinks and d
Jul 3, 20173 min read


How to Be a Pet-Perfect Guest
Vacationing with your pet can add a wonderful dimension to a family vacation – not having to kennel a dog or arrange home visits for a cat can take a huge burden off of travel planning – but there are still arrangements to be made to travel smart when hitting the road with your animal. Both our vacation rentals Donner Bliss cabin in Truckee, Lake Tahoe and our charming pair of jewelbox cottages in Pacific Grove welcome pets. We've had both dog and cat families stay, a
Apr 11, 20175 min read
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