It's the summer of the motel. An epic guide to the best roadside havens in California
The motel, a word born in California, turns 100 this year. And for road trip adventurers, there have never been more options.You might stay at the legendary pink palace that is the Madonna Inn. Or Surfrider Malibu, where you can borrow a Mini Cooper and cruise along PCH. There's Sea & Sand Inn, which clings to a breathtaking Santa Cruz clifftop. And Pioneertown Motel, a charming desert outpost with Old West vibes.In this guide, we jangle our room keys to explore the greatest motels across the state. Along the way, we stop to discover cool vintage history, iconic restaurants and essential roadside attractions.
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USA Today
30-07-2025
- USA Today
Tsunami fears ease following 8.8 earthquake: 'A great relief to us'
Waves spawned by a massive earthquake in Russia's Far East turned out to be modest. In Hawaii, the governor calmly told residents to head for higher ground and warned of heavy damage. In Japan, where residents are still scarred from a 2011 tsunami and nuclear disaster, a normally staid TV newscaster screamed at his viewers: "Do not be glued to the screen. Evacuate now!" A wave of dread moved at lightning speed across the Pacific Ocean after one of the biggest earthquakes ever recorded hit Russia's Far East early on July 30, churning up instant fears of a tsunami with the power to devastate communities from Alaska to California and as far away as French Polynesia and Chile. Then, hours later, after thousands braved gridlocked evacuation routes and displaced residents bedded down on hard shelter floors, came the relief. "So far, we have not seen a wave of consequence, which is a great relief to us," Hawaii Gov. Josh Green told reporters as he lifted some evacuation orders. More: Tsunami evacuation orders lifted in Hawaii, threat to West Coast eases Modest tsunami waves 'a blessing' More: Sirens blare, traffic gridlocks as Hawaii braces for tsunami threat The tsunami spawned by the quake turned out to be modest. Amid flooding and some injuries in Russia's Kamchatka region, the earthquake and seismic sea wave caused no reported loss of life. Tsunami waves of 5.7 feet reached Kahului in Hawaii, while the highest waves to hit the U.S. mainland were 4 feet in Crescent City, California. "It's kind of a blessing to not be reporting any damage," Green said. 'This is not going to be a 1964 event that we're looking at, destroying several blocks of the town,' Crescent City Manager Eric Weir told reporters, according to the Los Angeles Times. 'However, it is going to be an event that creates a lot of disruption in the ocean, a lot of strong currents. We're asking people to stay away from the beaches, stay away from the mouths of the river and any low-lying area.' Traumatic memories in Japan Memories are more recent – and much more raw – in Japan, where the March 11, 2011, Great East Japan Earthquake struck with a force of 9.0 off the northeast coast of Japan, triggering a tsunami that caused widespread destruction and a meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, killing more than 20,000 people. Tsunami warnings were downgraded in parts of Japan on July 30, as officials reported no injuries or damage as waves higher than 4 feet reached the Kuji Port. Contributing: Reuters
Forbes
29-07-2025
- Forbes
Colorado: The Best State To Feel The Wild West, New Study Says
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Los Angeles Times
25-06-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Aspen Anderson
Aspen Anderson is a summer intern reporting for the Los Angeles Times features desk. She recently graduated from the University of Washington with a double major in journalism and psychology. Anderson has worked as a statehouse reporter covering the 2024 Washington legislative session and interned with the news and lifestyle desks at the Bangkok Post in Thailand. She has also freelanced for the Seattle Times features section, contributing to the How-to-Seattle beat. She comes to The Times from the Everett Daily Herald, where she reported on breaking news and public safety. Her work has appeared in papers across Washington state, including Cascade PBS, the Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber and more.
