Page 25 - 2025-2026 Travel Guide to California

PACIFIC GROVE:
The Butterfly Kingdom
Perched on the picturesque Monterey
Peninsula, Pacific Grove enchants visitors
with its storybook charm. But did you know
it’s also known as “Butterfly Town, USA?”
Each fall, thousands of monarch butterflies
descend upon this compact coastal hub,
transforming the Monarch Grove Sanctuary
into a fluttering sea of orange and black.
Stroll along the scenic Asilomar State
Beach, breathe in the salty ocean air, and
marvel at Victorian cottages that seem to
have sprung from the pages of a fairytale.
It’s a place where nature and nostalgia con-
verge in the most unexpected way.
PALM DESERT:
The Oasis of Mid-century Marvels
Palm Desert isn’t just a sun-soaked golf
retreat—it’s a mecca of mid-century
modern design. While neighboring Palm
Springs often steals the spotlight, Palm
Desert harbors its own treasure trove of
sleek, retro architecture. The El Paseo Shop-
ping District, often called the “Rodeo Drive
of the Desert,” offers an elegant blend of
boutique shopping and open-air art instal-
lations. And here’s a surprising twist: Palm
Desert boasts a certified Living Desert Zoo
and Gardens, where giraffes roam against a
backdrop of cactus-lined trails. This oasis
proves the desert is anything but barren—
it’s brimming with life, style and
uninterrupted sunshine.
ONTARIO:
The Logistics Powerhouse with a
Cultural Heart
Thanks to its international airport and mas-
sive distribution centers, Ontario may be
known as a hub for cargo and commerce,
but it has a surprising cultural pulse that
beats loud and proud. The Ontario Museum
of History & Art unveils the city’s rich past,
while the Graber Olive House, claims to be
the oldest operating olive packer in the
country, offering a delicious dive into this
LIGHTHOUSE AT CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL
Park, left; Ride outside Top Gun House in Ocean-
side, below; Entrance and ticket area of the Living
Desert Zoo and Gardens, bottom; Oxnard Beach,
opposite top; Pink Lady Victorian mansion exterior
view in Old Town Eureka, opposite bottom.
culinary tradition. Did you know Ontario
has one of the largest convention centers in
the state? This inland city proves that logis-
tics and leisure can coexist in unexpected
harmony.
OCEANSIDE:
The Surf Town with a Hollywood
Legacy
Oceanside’s laid-back vibe and unending
waves make it a classic surf town, but here’s
something unexpected—it has deep Holly-
wood ties. This coastal retreat served as one
of the filming locations for the hit action
movie Top Gun. See the Top Gun House now
meticulously restored and operating as the
High-Pie bakery. Stroll along the historic
wooden Oceanside Pier, catch a sunset over
the Pacific, or explore the California Surf
Museum, where legends of the sport come
to life. Oceanside may be easygoing, but its
history, pop culture significance, and surf
scene pack a powerful punch.
CITY FUN
Eureka visiteureka.com
Oxnard visitoxnard.com
Pacific Grove pacificgrove.org
Palm Desert discoverpalmdesert.com
Ontario gocvb.org
Oceanside visitoceanside.org
2025-26 TRAVEL GUIDE TO CALIFORNIA 23