Sipping morning coffee in the mountain air at Half Dome while watching the sunrise in Yosemite is one of the greatest moments I've ever had. I've written previously about my goal not just to see Yosemite, but to experience Yosemite. There is nothing like the experience of mixing fresh, hot coffee, with cold pine air, watching the light bounce off the icy needles in the trees.

here it was, a real-life La Jolla moment. I could stay all day and watch, but I felt like momma wanted her privacy.  She will be a great caregiver to her baby I’m sure.  Did you know that baby sea lions memorize their momma’s bark?  The barking all sounded the same to me, but even each sea lion is unique.  This is their place, and we were just visiting.     I felt honored just to see this special moment and connect with the land and nature.  When we ask, "Is There More To Life?" these are the moments we are looking for. The real moments that make up our lives. 

It's a round-up of my favorite SoCal Beach Piers because Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer...unless you are in Southern California and can hit those beaches all year long. SoCal beach piers are those iconic structures you find on postcards and t-shirts. They are an immediate way to identify which beach it is, and each beach comes with its own look and personality.

Ok, seriously, you need to experience any morning at Bellagio and breakfast at Sadelle's will turn any morning into some sort of holiday. It's candy-colored decor that evokes vintage glamour and elegance mixed with upscale diner vibes.

As an award-winning, nationally recognized interior designer, JD was drawn to visiting this famous...