California Highlights.....

I thought I would share a few shots from my recent trip back to California. I was able to spend a couple weeks with my two girls who live out there. We managed to get in a lot of good pool time, as well as heading up the coast to visit Talley Vineyards - a personal favorite of mine - and camp at Pismo Beach for a couple days. Looks like I'll be able to head back out there at the end of September. Here's my girls on one of our many trips to the park.....

Just in case you're not aware I do have a real passion for wine, and have actually worked with wine for even longer than I've done photography. One of my favorite vineyards to visit is the family run Talley Vineyards in Arroyo Grande on the Central Coast (north of Santa Barbara). They do an incredible job as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir specialists. Brian Talley invited us up to join them for an employee luncheon in the courtyard - and then we went out to the vineyard to give my oldest a little lesson in growing grapes. Of course barrel tasting followed! Here's Brian giving Kayleigh a little grape growing tutorial....

If you ever find yourself passing through Santa Barbara, you've got to stop at the Cold Springs Tavern. A small restaurant housed in what was an old stagecoach stop. Be sure to get good directions though - it's possibly the best hidden place that everyone still knows about! Yes this is actually the front door!

Since we were staying in Simi Valley at my Father & Step Mother's home, we took an afternoon and headed over to the Reagan Presidential Library. Incredible place. Also includes this new hanger with Air Force One and Marine One in it. Gorgeous view since it sits atop some of the hills on Simi Valley's west side by Moorpark. As a side note - it was also fun being there because I used to horseback ride with a girlfriend of mine on those same hills years ago. She used to have her horses on a ranch at the base of the hills. I think the ranch is apartments now......

Here's Hanna outside at the Reagan Library looking from Simi Valley into Moorpark. And a stop at the Malibu Inn for lunch is always welcome! Located directly across from Malibu Pier.