Our two day visit to Redondo Beach started with check-in at the Portofino Hotel and Marina. We thought it the perfect place for such a visit not only for the location, directly across from the Marina, but also for its ocean view balcony rooms and all the amenities of a four star hotel.
Our room at the Portofino Hotel  proved to be an entertainment center thanks to our private balcony overlooking the ocean channel used by some of the marinas.  Sitting in luxury on our veranda we had a continuous show featuring the comings and goings of sailboats, motor cruisers, kayaks canoes, rubber dingby as well as our favorite, paddle boarders, many still at an early learning stage.  Then close by was a barge station selling live bait and here there was a steady  lineup of fishing boats of all sizes getting the needs for the day's ocean fishing excursions.
This was just one of the many pluses offered to us during our stay at the Portofino Hotel and Marina located at Kings Harbor.  There always seemed to be a wedding that had just taken place or was about to so we could admire the elegant attire of those attending these events while we were safely attired for the beach..  In the evening the lounge and bar adjoining the lobby offered live entertainment in a relaxing and most comfortable ambiance.
One afternoon we met General Manager Duane Rohrbaugh who gave us a tour of the property while relating some of the history of the hotel which first opened in 1968, then suffered much damage in the fierce storm that struck the Southern California coast in 1988 and how the hotel has recovered since then to earn its current four star rating.
Also impressive is the adjacent Baleen Kitchen which overlooks the Marina with its one hundred and eighty one boats of every size and description.  In decor and ambiance the restaurant, including bar and lounge, offers a contemporary  look which perfectly matches its menu that does emphasize sea fare.  A new dinner menu now includes additional  Tapas like Ahi Tuna Taco, Hamachi Crudo, BBQ Duck Confit, Seafood P:oke and Wild Mushroom Bruschetta.  New entrees include Spinach fettuccine, Pan roasted diver scallops, Miso-Glazed salmon and Pork Schnitzel.
To admire the skills of Baleen's two Chef de Cuisine, Vasili Tavernakis and Paul Dinulescu my dining partner and I decided to order two entrees and then share them.  We selected the simply grilled sea bass and the Miso-Glazed salmon.  The salmon came with baby bok choy, soba noddles and summer dashi.  the sea bass with loaded pee wee  potatoes and roasted wild mushrooms.  Both in preparation and presentation we thought that Baleen shows an added special dash and flair to their dining experience.
This was evident in our starter as well which was crispy calamari that arrived at the table in the meshed grill where it had been cooked.
Differences that add to the dining experience showed up as well when we enjoyed the morning brunch the following day.
Both of our choices were selected from the Fresh Start part of the menu, the Smoked Salmon plate and the Baguette French toast.  Both were served on attractive platters the French Toast surrounded by cinnamon apples and pears while the Salmon platter included bagel, cream cheese, tomato, red onion, hard boiled egg and capers.
The Main Brunch menu included some interesting dishes as well including a pull pork Benedict, Breakfast Burrito or Lobster Mac & Cheese.
We thought prices were very moderate for the exceptional quality and superior service experienced at Baleen Kitchen which is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner seven days a week.
Portofino Hotel & Marina is located at 260 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach, Ca. 90277,  Telephone 310 379-8481, web www.hotelportofino.com.

Occasionally a restaurant,  thanks to the dedication of the owners in providing quality in the food with a pleasant, friendly atmosphere, truly becomes a intergal part of the community.  Such a restaurant in San Luis Obispo is Cafe Roma.  Opened in 1980 by the late Joseph Rizzo it soon because a truly family operation as his sons grew into manhood.
When Joseph Rizzo moved to San Luis Obispo he had already culinary fame for a successful restaurant in Hollywood named The Corsican.
Now thirty eight years later Cafe Roma, under management by his son Marco Rizzo, continues to be the place where banquets by local people and organizations are held on a regular basis as well as just about the perfect place for leisurely dining of superior Italian cuisine.
Always of vital importance to success of a restaurant is location.  And here again Cafe Roma scores high being located adjacent to the historic San Luiis Obispo Train Station. 
As one enters Cafe Roma you are leaving California for a hacienda located somewhere in Italy.  To the left is the bar and lounge, casual with Italian travel posters and flyers boosting bicycle touring and indeed a bicycle of an earlier era highs above the bar.
Nicely separated from the bistro atmosphere of the bar and lounge are two exquisitely furnished dining rooms.  One wall of each of these rooms is devoted to a mural that shows a landscape that can only be of Italy.  White tablecloths are atop all the tables gleaming with bright silver and glass ware.
Often you will be greeted by Marco who appears to know the name of many who enter.
I first met Joseph Rizzo when I did a review on his Hollywood restaurant and was impressed with his background which included that of a talented musician who had played with both the New York and Los Angeles  Philharmonic Orchestras before becoming a restaurateur.
Years later I  met Marco Rizzo when I visited the Cafe Roma with a small press group writing about the Central Coast and San Luis Obispo.  That evening Marco was amazed on how much I did know about his father who had already passed away.
On a recent trip to Morro Bay we stopped at Cafe Roma and so once again met with Marco as well as his wife, Vanessa  and charming teen-age daughters.  After a long conversation to bring our lives to the present we looked over the large menus offered for lunch and dinner.  New is a tasting menu offering specialties from Sicily.  Marco's father, Joseph was originally from Sicily.  And I revealed to Marco that I too have a Sicilian heritage since my Mother was born there and came to the U.S. with her parents when she was three years old.
We were there for lunch and opened with something that was completely new to me and my dining partner.  Marco uses fresh produce from local farmers whenever possible and he explained that zucchini when growing produces large blossoms.  These are eatable and at Cafe Roma deep fried with a pancetta cheese and served as fritters.  We thought them tasty and original.  Next came the fried calamari followed by one of the house specialty pasta dishes, Bucatini Carbonara which has a house made pancetta and pecorino cheese sauce.
Cafe Roma is a large restaurant with two comfortable dining rooms as well as a full banquet hall on another level.  Also the Garden Patio which is large and overlooks the Train Station Square.  Snacks and appetizers are also available in the bar and lounge.   
Cafe Roma is located at 1020 Railroad Avenue, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 (805) 541-6800 www.caferomaslo.com. 

The mighty rock that dominates everything at Morro Bay is of interest itself.  Drive the road that circles the Bay and on one side of the towering monolith is a view across the quiet waters to the Embarcadero and City,  walk a few paces in the other direction and you see a beach that stretches for miles and with the surf of the Pacific Ocean dashing the shore.   We might add that all summer this is a very busy beach indeed with folks wading, surfing or just lolling next to their cold box filled with goodies.
The Pacific Coast Wine Trail begins in Morro Bay and then extends north through hamlets like Harmony and colorful beachside cities like Cambria.
At Morro Bay we were able to visit one of the  wineries on the PC Wine Trail.
 Chateau Margene has had a tasting room located on the Embarcadero since 2014. There we met personable and knowledgeable James Springfield who told us about the winery which opened in 1997. Also the legend of El Pistolero, an early California settler with a very clouded career.
 Margene has a whole flight of El Pistolero wines including chardonnay, pinot noir, cabernet sauvignon and meritage. We tasted the 2014 El Pistolero Chardonnay which is from grapes grown at the acclaimed Santa Lucia Highlands.
We were awed with the quality of the 2012 El Pistolero Riata Red made with 34% cabernet sauvignon, 33% merlot and 33% cabernet franc. We thought it excellent and value plus in its price range and unusual packaging. The wine showed its six years of barrel aging with wonderful flavors, mild tannins and a long finish.
The Chateau Margene Tasting Room is located at 845 Embarcadero Road at Morro Bay and open daily from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. The Winery is located at Creston and there is a tasting room there as well.

Think family when planning a trip to California's Central Coast on the Highway One Discovery Route.  This is especially true at Morro Bay with its many attractions, some designed especially for  youngsters.  These attractions include the Morro Bay Museum of Natural History in the State Park and then on the Embarcadero.  Here there is much to delight children  including a Skateboard museum, and a tour aboard the tall ship Lady Washington.  This sailing ship built in 1989 is a replica of a historic vessel that was the first to make a landfall on the west coast.  It also was the first American ship to visit Hawaii, Hong Kong and Japan.  The ship is located at Sub Sea Tours which also offers sub sea tour and rents Kayaks, Canoes and Stand Up Paddle Boards.
  Just walking and exploring the shops, antique and art galleries, restaurants and wine tasting rooms that line the Embarcardero is considered a must for every Bay visitor.
The adjacent Morro Bay State Park offers camping and a good base for hiking the  land surrounding the Bay including famous Morro Rock.  We found that the hike around the Rock is a great place to view the Sea Otters that are native to this part of the Pacific Coast.
Museum of National History, located in the State Park, is the perfect place for a family visit.  The building occupies a rock outcropping offering a magnificent view of  the bay, waterfront and towering Morro rock.  A well kept trail surrounds the building on what is called White Point. 
Inside the natural forces that shaped our planet are all presented in a most clever fashion often with movable panels that are a great attraction for adults and children alike.  Exhibits explain the forces that shape the terrain like volcanoes, earthquakes and erosion.  Another describes how change is constant with rain, fog, wind and erosion.
We found the history of the Bay Estuary most interesting and the role ocean waves play  along with sand dunes and the tides to create the favorable environment for the many types of animal and marine life that abound in the region.
The museum has a wonderful collection of stuffed birds, both sea and land, all looking most natural.  Some of these are located in the auditorium which offers movies, puppet shows for children and many public programs  We sat and watched a fifteen minute video on the life of sea otters that are part of the ocean scene on California's Central Coast.
The Morro Bay Museum is the only one in the State Park system devoted to natural history.  It is located at 20 State Park Road, Morro Bay, telephone 805 772-2694.

Our approach to Six Flags Magic Mountain always reminds us that we are, indeed, in the 21st century.  Ahead loom strange towers and objects dotting the skyline.  This visit was to take part in the official opening of CraZanity, the Park's newest thrill ride.  CraZanity is the world's tallest Pendulum ride reaching 170 feet high as it swings back and forth at  speeds up to 70 miles an hour,  taking its forty thrill seekers ever higher.
We were there with the media as Park President Neal Thurman explained that CraZanity offers a thrill not duplicated in any other ride.  Neal also announced that Six Flags Magic Mountain is now open 365 days a year offering new opportunities for the travel industry as well as expanding services for the 24 million Southern California locals.  This now puts Six Flags on the same operating schedule as all other theme parks in the region.
CraZanity is located in the Boardwalk area of the 262 acre park and this has received an extensive renovation with new themes and attractions as well as more dining opportunities.
Did your dedicated reporter immediately get aboard CraZanity to tell readers how it felt to swing up to 170 feet above the ground and experience speeds of 70 miles an hour and the weightlessness that follows?  Unfortunately recent surgery precluded my taking such a ride at the present time.  And, of course, that is the only reason.
We then  turned our attention to some of the other new attractions and this centered on food.  This took place at Ace O' Clubs where a lunch reception was held.  This was the a showplace for what is available for foodies at Six Flags.  Appetizers included pizza slices and ears of corn with a unique topping.  The buffet featured a park specialty slider as well as ground beef sandwiched between pineapple slices for a tropical flair.  We confess to returning for seconds, or was it thirds, for the breaded shrimp.  My dining partner demanded seconds for the sliced crispy onion rings.
While Ace 'O Club regularly features all American fare there is Chop Six for Asian cuisine, Carlini's Pizza and Kate's Kettle for chicken wings and a bistro styled menu.  Dining passes are available for season ticket holders.
One thing in plentiful supply at Six Flags is the enthusiasm of the young people and how contagious this is for all who visit regardless of age.  Last year the Magic Mountain Park had three and one third million visitors.
Six Flags Magic Mountain is located at 26101 Magic Mountain Parkway in Valencia, Ca.  Open daily from 10:30 a.m. weekdays, 10 a.m. on weekends.  Closing time varies with the season.  At this writing it is 9 p.m.             

One of the best ways to see this mix of country surrounding Julian is to drive Highway 79.  This highway traverses a huge amount of territory starting at I 10 and ending at I 15.  It starts in Beaumont on I 10 and then goes through Hemet,  and then Temecula.  It leaves I 15 there and  crosses country  which has a beauty all its own, from mountains covered in chaparral to valleys with live oak and often large meadows.
  Here you pass small settlements like Aguanga, ranches, a few wineries, vineyards,  an olive tree grove and a company producing the oil.  Recreational opportunities range from glider flights at Warner Springs to winery visits as well as picnics and camping.   The three wineries you pass include Tule Creek, Shadow Mountain and Hawk Watch.  Also the Cleveland National Forest Oak Grove campground. 
  There is a bit of history with as plaque explaining that it is the site of Camp Wright, a guard station from 1861-1866, during the Civil War, manned by the First California Volunteers.
  The region  includes a good deal of history dating to when it was home to many tribes of native Americans and you will pass through some of their reservations.
  From Oak Grove the road climbs gently to a 3282 foot summit.  Pass the summit the view expands dramatically picturing large pastures with a backdrop of rugged ridges and distant mountains.
  Then you reach a junction with County highway S22.  This leads to the community of Ranchita at an elevation of 4600 feet.  Here too is El Tesoro Winery.  We took S22 to look at Ranchita and the entrance to Anza Borrego State Park.  But stopped and retraced our steps after taking some photos of the desert far below.  On S22 the views are of huge open areas that offer excellent pasture for cattle.     
After returning to Highway 79 we passed Warner Spring and the airport with the gliders.  We had our picnic at Inaja Memorial Park. This park in Cleveland National Forest is in memory of eleven fire fighters who lost their lives in a forest fire that occurred  November 1956.  The park has picnic tables with overhead shade, a rest room and self guided nature trail.

In our search of Temecula dining we had to include a restaurant in classic Old Town and what better choice that Baily's which has been part of the Old Town scene since 1993.
 Baily's is a prominent name in Temecula Valley with Phil Baily and Baily's Winery, one of the pioneer vintners in Temecula Valley Wine Country.  Christopher Baily is owner and the corner building includes a bar, lounge and both indoor and patio dining on the ground floor.  Upstairs a bright window filled room offers an ambiance for a more serious dining experience.  Here also a spacious room for special events which fill the calendar at Baily's.
We chatted with Manager Gabe Gonzales while settling in with a cocktail.  Looking over the menu I immediately spotted one of my personal favorites, fish and chips while my dining partner selected  the Chicken Schnitzel.  My fish and chips proved to be the best in memory with a breaded coating that was full of flavor but without a speck of cooking oil present.  Manager Gabe explained that it was a beer based batter, and a well kept secret house recipe.  Our dessert was a brownie sundae.
This is a restaurant with fine dining as well as a night club with live entertainment and many scheduled special events.
Baily's is a local tradition and on most days you will find as many locals as visitors enjoying the spacious outdoor patio and a classic American menu.  A big plus is the spacious free parking area behind the restaurant.
Baily's is located at 28698 Old Town Front Street and hard to miss.  Telephone 951 676 9567, webwww.Baily.com.