Fight fine lines while you rest with these night creams

• December 13, 2024

Which anti-aging night cream is best?

Aging gracefully is easier said than done. That’s because no one enjoys looking in the mirror and seeing more fine lines and wrinkles than they had on their previous birthday. If your skincare routine has the right anti-aging night cream, though, you can help slow the hands of time from affecting your face. A night cream is one of the most intensive anti-aging treatments and can help soften fine lines and wrinkles, lighten age spots, improve skin elasticity and smooth crepey texture while you sleep. Anti-aging night creams are often hit-or-miss, so you need to know what to look for to find an effective formula.

Our buying guide is full of handy tips to help you choose the best anti-aging night cream for your skincare routine. We’ve also included some specific night cream recommendations, such as our top choice, the Murad’s Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream, which contains retinol and red algae extract to help reduce lines, improve elasticity and brighten the skin.

What to know before you buy an anti-aging cream

Water-based vs. oil-based

Water-based anti-aging night creams usually have a lightweight gel texture, which is ideal for oily and acne-prone skin because it won’t clog the pores. They’re usually not as hydrating, so they’re not the best option for dry skin or cold weather months when your skin is typically dehydrated.

Oil-based anti-aging night creams are the most common option and have a rich luxurious cream-like texture. They’re extremely hydrating, which makes them perfect if you have dry or dehydrated skin. Oil-based formulas aren’t the best choice for oily or acne-prone skin; however, you can find some noncomedogenic oil-based night creams that won’t clog your pores.

Ingredients

• Retinol: Retinol is a vitamin A derivative that supports cell turnover. It helps soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and brighten dull skin. It can also trigger the production of collagen, which helps boost skin elasticity and fade dark spots.
• Alpha hydroxy acids: These, like glycolic acid, are extremely effective for exfoliating the top layer of dead cells from the skin. They can help soften, brighten and smooth the skin.
• Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an effective antioxidant that can help address free radical damage that results from sun exposure. It’s effective for brightening the skin, too.
• Peptides: Peptides are amino acids that comprise collagen. They help boost skin elasticity to plump and firm the skin.
• Hyaluronic acid: This is a hydrating ingredient that binds moisture to the skin and helps give it a plumper appearance that diminishes the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

What to look for in a quality anti-aging night cream

Hypoallergenic

The ingredients in effective anti-aging night creams are usually potent, so they can sometimes cause irritation as your skin becomes used to the formula. If you have sensitive skin, opt for a hypoallergenic night cream. It might still cause an allergic reaction, but the risk isn’t as great.

Fragrance-free

Many night creams often have a strong perfumed scent to give them a more luxurious feel. If you have sensitive skin, synthetic fragrances can cause skin irritations — and even cause headaches in people who are triggered by strong fragrances. Some anti-aging night creams are available in fragrance-free formulas, so you don’t have to worry about having a reaction.

Noncomedogenic

If you have oily or acne-prone skin, pick an anti-aging night cream that’s noncomedogenic. That means it won’t clog your pores or contribute to breakouts. Some formulas may even be labeled as nonacnegenic, which means they’re not likely to cause acne.

How much you can expect to spend on an anti-aging night cream

Anti-aging night creams generally cost between $8 and $160. You’ll usually pay $8 to $20 for budget-friendly formulas with fewer proven anti-aging ingredients, while creams with more effective ingredients typically go for $20 to $45. If you’re looking for a high-end option, luxury anti-aging night creams can cost anywhere from $50 to $160.

Anti-aging night cream FAQ

Q. How long does it usually take to see results with an anti-aging night cream?

A. It depends on the skin issues you have and the formula that you’re using, as well as what other skincare products you use. In most cases, you should see results within one to two months.

Q. Can I use an anti-aging night cream during the day?

A. Night creams often contain ingredients that make the skin more sensitive to the sun, so they’re meant for use at night when you won’t face sun exposure. They don’t contain any SPF either, so you won’t have any sun protection at all.

What anti-aging night creams are best to buy?

Top anti-aging cream

Murad’s Retinol Youth Renewal Night Cream

What you need to know: An effective anti-aging formula that stars retinol, one of the most potent topical anti-aging ingredients around, and it helps soften the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

What you’ll love: It features retinol and red algae extract, which are full of peptides that help boost skin elasticity. It sinks into the skin easily and helps reveal brighter, more glowing skin. It can also diminish the look of large pores and dark spots. It’s effective for all skin types.

What you should consider: It’s pricey, and the jar doesn’t hold much product.

Top anti-aging cream for the money

Night Cream by Olay Regenerist Night Recovery Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer

What you need to know: It’s not quite as luxurious as high-end brands, but Olay is a trusted name in the skincare game and the Regenerist line always earns high marks when compared to the competition.

What you’ll love: This lightweight, fragrance-free formula is safe for sensitive skin. It absorbs into the skin easily without leaving behind a greasy residue. It leaves skin feeling smoother and softens the look of fine lines and wrinkles. It delivers moisture that helps plump the skin.

What you should consider: The cream can dry up in the tub. Some users have an issue with the cream beading up when it’s rubbed in.

Worth checking out

Perricone MD Multi-Action Overnight Treatment

What you need to know: This anti-aging night cream uses natural ingredients to provide soft, luminous skin.

What you’ll love: It features alpha-lipoic acid to smooth skin texture and DMAE to firm the skin. It softens fine lines and helps reduce puffiness under the eyes. It provides plenty of moisture and leaves skin more even, too.

What you should consider: Some users aren’t fans of the fragrance.

Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.

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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. BestReviews and its newspaper partners may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our links.

​ Orange County Register 

Chapman, UCLA economists see clouds ahead in Trump’s policies

• December 13, 2024

Economists at two Southern California universities see new reasons to worry ahead, namely policies from the nation’s next president.

They warn in new forecasts released this week that the economy may stumble in 2025 because of controversial policies promised by President-elect Donald Trump.

Economist James Doti, president emeritus at Chapman University, said the economy “still appears to be strong,” even though a long period of declining inflation could reverse course under Trump.

A year ago, Doti’s reading of the tea leaves showed “very slow growth” and no recession in 2024.

Today, he’s sticking to a similar tale of “slow growth” that now extends through 2025. New to the mix is “some upward pressure” on inflation due to proposed tariffs and mass deportations Trump has vowed to launch after his inauguration in January.

Economist Jerry Nickelsburg at UCLA agreed with Doti’s analysis.

“The underlying fundamentals of the economy are strong. They have been for some time, which is why we did not say that we were going to have a recession in 2023 or 2022,” said the director of the UCLA Anderson Forecast. “Now, that doesn’t mean that geopolitical events or different policies from Washington that are not in our forecast couldn’t generate a recession. It’s just not in the data right now.” 

Both economists said Trump is inheriting a strong economy that will grow more slowly than previously forecast while it adjusts to new national economic policies.

Cloudy times

The clarity of post-presidential election forecasts at Chapman and UCLA are clouded by Trump’s plans to implement several economic policies promised during his 2024 campaign.

Among the most controversial policies are new or increased tariffs on the nation’s largest trading partners – including Canada, China and Mexico. Policies also include mass deportations, tax cuts and deregulation.

Doti believes Trump’s vow to deport of 500,000 to 1 million undocumented immigrants and 10%-25% tariffs on imported goods could push inflation closer to 3% than the Fed’s desired 2% level.

How these policies manifest is not necessarily clear, considering practical, legal and political constraints on implementation, according to Nickelsburg.

The UCLA professor of economics said this month’s forecast was one of the most difficult ones he’s ever written, with the exception of a recession prediction four years ago as the COVID-19 pandemic began.

“When we did our March forecast in 2020, we had no idea how the pandemic was going to play out, and so there was a great deal of uncertainty then as well as now,” he said. “Economic policy in Washington is changing in a pretty fundamental way, so that increases uncertainty until we get some clarity as to what policies are going to be implemented.”

Meanwhile, UCLA predicts a slowdown in interest rate cuts as the federal government grapples with those new policies. Nickelsburg sees the Federal Reserve cutting interest rates by 25 basis points at its board of governors meeting Dec. 18. He expects a pause on cuts until 2026 when the economy has absorbed the impacts of tariffs.

The Fed could end up with interest rates hovering between 4% and 4.25% in 2026, he said.

Doti has a different take, saying the Fed won’t cut rates in December and will instead take a wait-and-see approach. He expects the central bank will make only two, 25 basis-point cuts in 2025.

“The reason we don’t think there’ll be a cut in rates next week is because we still have high inflation (2.7% for the year ended in November 2024), and it’s above the Fed’s target range of 2%, and GDP growth is at 2.8%, and job growth has still been very strong,” Doti said. “Given the Fed’s cautious approach, it’ll hold back on making further cuts.”

Growth in gross domestic product, used to measure the nation’s economic health, is expected to fall to 1.4% by the end of 2025 from 2.8% in the 2024’s third quarter, he said.

Tough housing market

Both economists said the state of housing in California is showing financial strain.

On the construction front, residential permits in California are forecast to rise by 12.9% in 2025, despite continuing high mortgage rates, Doti said.

He argued that high mortgage rates may indirectly spur new construction.

“There is a paucity of resale homes on the market because homeowners don’t want to sell and lose their sweetheart locked-in mortgages,” he said. “That has led to a sharp drop in resale home sales. The dearth of resale homes on the market is buttressing demand for new homes, often available for sale at heavily subsidized financing rates.”

Nickelsburg said normalization is slowly returning to the California housing market, but potential construction cost increases due to tariffs and labor shortages could slow that process.

“Builders should be responding with new development given existing homes sales are at depression levels,” said Nickelsburg.

Tightening job market

Both forecasts raised concerns about the jobs picture.

Doti sees economic growth in California hampered by population losses, which he blames on the state’s regulatory and tax burdens, which have led people and businesses to leave for cheaper states like Florida and Texas.

California’s job growth is forecast to rise 4.6% to 18.2 million in 2025, up from 17.4 million in 2019, but trailing U.S. job growth of 5.9% over the same period.

The flight of people from the state also has lowered retail sales tax revenue, prompting some cities to raise sales tax rates in order to replenish budgets left with financial gaps.

Data from Chapman showed fewer people are shopping, which translates to less tax revenue for cities. For the year-period that ended June 30, 2024, retail sales fell 4% in Orange County, 2.3% in Los Angeles County, 1.2% in the Inland Empire and 0.8% in San Diego County.

For Nickelsburg, the big unknown on jobs will be the mass deportation and tariff policies of the incoming president, and their impact on a wide of industries including agriculture, construction, leisure and hospitality, retail trade and transportation and warehousing industries.

Taken together, the deportations and tariffs will raise the prices for many goods and services, and potentially cause product shortages and higher labor costs as jobs go unfilled, he argued.

“The uncertainty regarding the future path of unemployment is more elevated than usual because the impact of mass deportations on unemployment is not well understood due to limited empirical research on the subject,” according to Nickelsburg.

​ Orange County Register 

Robbery-murder of marijuana dispensary worker in OC gets pair life sentences without parole

• December 13, 2024

Two men who helped carry out the 2019 slaying of a marijuana dispensary worker who was run off the road and shot to death on the edge of the Santa Ana College campus while transporting tens of thousands of dollars in cash were sentenced Friday, Dec. 13, to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

John Taylor — who prosecutors said was the shooter — and Ryan Jones — the accused driver — were convicted earlier this year of special circumstances murder for the killing of 29-year-old Osvaldo Garcia during a robbery on Sept. 16, 2019.

A third man — Antonio Lamont Triplett — was convicted of the same charge in an earlier trial in which prosecutors referred to him as a “bag man” who ran off with Garcia’s backpack and the dispensary money. Triplett was previously sentenced to life without the possibility of parole.

Orange County Superior Court Judge Kimberly Menninger during the sentencing hearing said the robbers were driven by greed and had no reason to kill anyone. The judge noted that Garcia was remembered by those who knew him as a hard-working young man with close family, a dedicated girlfriend and his “whole future ahead of him.”

“The reality is they wanted the money,” the judge said. “This is a really easy thing to do without killing anyone.”

A contact with ties to the South Los Angeles dispensary had tipped the robbers that Garcia would be picking up and transporting the cash. He left the dispensary around 11 p.m. on Sept. 15 with a backpack filled with tens of thousands of dollars in cash and plans to meet his girlfriend at an In-N-Out in Santa Ana.

Another vehicle — which prosecutors allege was driven by Jones — forced Garcia’s car off the roadway near the Bristol and 17th streets intersection. The force of the collision drove Garcia’s vehicle over a sidewalk and onto a raised embankment and hedges at Santa Ana College.

Garcia’s girlfriend — who was on the phone with him at the time of the collision — heard him exclaim “They are shooting at me, help me!”

Campus security footage captured two men — identified by prosecutors as Taylor and Triplett — running up to Garcia’s car. One of the men — prosecutors say Taylor — is seen firing multiple gunshots. Garcia managed to crawl out of a passenger window before being pistol-whipped, beaten and shot five times.

During the recent trial, Senior Deputy District Attorney Anna McIntire described Garcia’s killing as an “execution.”

Triplett ran off with Garcia’s backpack, cutting through the campus and a nearby shopping center. Taylor got back into the car that had run Garcia off the road, prosecutors said, and he and Jones left the area.

Garcia’s girlfriend contacted police, having overheard the confrontation over the phone and worrying Garcia had been kidnapped. Officers realized that Garcia’s girlfriend had never ended the call and that Garcia’s phone had been stolen by one of his attackers.

Aided by a police helicopter, officers used Garcia’s phone to track the men to Corona, then along several Los Angeles-area freeways to a parking lot in Carson. Two vehicles were stopped by police near that parking lot in Carson, while a third vehicle was followed by officers to Long Beach. Triplett, Taylor and Jones — as well as a woman who worked at the same dispensary as Garcia — were taken into custody that night.

Cell phone data showed that Jones had been near the dispensary earlier that night. It also showed that Jones, Triplett and Taylor were in Santa Ana at the time of the robbery and killing. Blood on Triplett’s shoes also tied him to Garcia.

During their trial, defense attorneys representing Jones and Taylor denied that they played a direct role in Garcia’s killing.

Taylor testified that he was tricked into allowing other men to use his car that night and was high on drugs at the time of the shooting. Taylor said the actual shooter was a friend with the nickname “Hustle,” who was himself shot and killed in St. Louis shortly after Garcia’s slaying. Taylor went along thinking he was going to buy some cheap pot, his attorney argued, not take part in a killing.

Jones’ attorney described the evidence against both men as circumstantial, arguing that there was no way to know what Jones knew or what his role was during the robbery.

At the end of the sentencing hearing, Judge Menninger noted that, based on the verdict, jurors didn’t believe the claims of someone else carrying out the killing.

“There is no one else to blame for this moment but yourselves,” the judge told Jones and Taylor.

​ Orange County Register 

DMV recalls ‘unacceptable and disturbing’ license plate mocking Oct. 7 attack on Israel

• December 13, 2024

The California Department of Motor Vehicles announced Friday that it “is taking swift action to recall” a set of license plates that mocked the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

The license plate read “LOLOCT7,” which stands for laugh out loud, according to a post on X from the organization StopAntisemitism.

“Demand the CA DMV recall this license plate that celebrates the October 7th terrorist attack — a vile mockery of the 1,200 innocent lives lost and the countless others scarred,” the watchdog organization StopAntisemitism said in a post on the social network X.

https://x.com/StopAntisemites/status/1867378263846236666

The DMV called the personalized plate “unacceptable and disturbing” in a post on X.

The vehicle with the custom plate was seen at the intersection of Jefferson and Sepulveda boulevards in Culver City, according to StopAntisemitism.

The DMV pledged in a post on X to “immediately strengthen our internal review process to ensure such an egregious oversight never happens again.”

“We sincerely apologize that these personalized plates were not properly rejected during our review process,” the DMV said in a post on X. “The use of hateful language is not lonely a clear violation of our policies but also a violation of out core values to proudly serve the public and ensure safe and welcoming roadways.”

​ Orange County Register 

Corky: Shopping with some of the folks who know surfing the best

• December 13, 2024

It’s mid-December here in the beautiful O.C. and there is a lot of shopping going on.

We like to think we will get prepared for the holidays early and not have to rely on last-minute, rush-job shopping for those all-important gifts for special friends and family who will be the lucky replicants this year.  But, do we really ever do that?

You might be one of the extremely organized few who do that, and good on ya if that’s you.  But I am one of those who seem to wait to get to it when the clock is ticking down to the last “fa la la la laaaa” and “ho ho ho,” as Santa Claus jumps into the chimney.

I delivered my suggested gifts for surfers list a few weeks ago, all good and on time.  But today I thought I might follow that up with a bit of what I consider a good suggestion on where you shop to buy those gifts.

I am a firm believer in supporting your local surf shops when shopping for gifts for surfers.  Most all surf shops are owned and run by fellow surfers who are trying to make a living.  In doing so they provide the exact stuff that you will be looking for.

I was looking for Hawaiian shirts, one of my favorite items to give close pals.  The coolest are the vintage ones that we used to search the thrift stores for.  There is a guy right here in Costa Mesa off 17th Street that has a cool little store that specializes in those: Dirt Cheap Plants and Hawaiian Shirts.  I get all mine there.  The owner’s name is Nik, cool dude, long time surfer and knows his stuff.

Surf shops are the same thing. You go in, talk to a local surfer who works there, and get help finding exactly what you need. There are small “mom-and-pop” type stores where you very possibly could be talking to the owner himself.

Frog House in Newport Beach is one of those.  T.K. is the owner, and much of the time the salesman.  He knows his stuff. Infinity in Dana Point, same kinda deal. Steve and Berri are the owners and are on the floor talking to ya.  All these people could be sitting in the lineup catching waves that very morning.

Even with some of the larger surf shops you get this same kind of thing.  Huntington Surf & Sport, for example, is one of the larger surf shops. It is run by Aaron Pai and his entire family – who all surf.

Surf shops have come a long, very long, way since I was a kid.  In those days, the shop was probably the exact place where the boards were made.  They smelled like resin.  Sometimes you stepped in it.  And they sold surfboards and maybe T-shirts.  That was it.  Later they would stock wetsuits, repair stuff and maybe wax (when surf wax came about).

Today, modern surf shops carry tons of stuff, all surf-related and perfect gift items for surfers.  From boards, wetsuits and wax to all sorts of accessories that would include water watches, clothing, videos, books, suncare, sunglasses, travel bags and on and on.

Yes, you can find some of this stuff at the mall.  But it’s doubtful that you will find a local surfer there as a salesperson to help you fine-tune that gift.  Shop for anybody else at the mall, shop for surfers in your local surf shops.

On last plug, if you want a “wave painting,” I am your guy.  [email protected].   Hey, just sayin’.

Support your local surf shops and local surfers.  Have a super cool yule.

​ Orange County Register 

Why Santa Ana’s independent bookstore LibroMobile may close its doors in 2025

• December 13, 2024

Santa Ana’s sole independent bookstore LibroMobile may be closing its doors.

“In the last six months, our book sales have been incredibly low, and so on top of that, California state arts funding was cut, which means we lost two big grants, like $50,000 worth of funding that we normally get for our programming,” says owner and founder Sarah Rafael García. “We don’t have enough money projected for 2025. Right now, we’re not even sure we’re going to make it to June.”

SEE ALSO: Sign up for our free Book Pages newsletter about bestsellers, authors and more

García, who works another full-time job that runs through May, has had to cancel LibroMobile’s annual literary festival and events programming and she’s been dipping into her own income to keep the doors open at the store, which has two employees and additional student help.

“I have been contributing my own personal funds to keep it going,” she says. “We’re grassroots – I’m not a rich person, you know? I started the bookstore with a $10,000 yearly income, so I always tell people, I know how to survive off of very little money.”

She plans to continue doing pop-up sales events and the quarterly open mic night, although the money crunch has affected that event as well.

“We cannot pay our headliners. So whatever poet chooses to accept the invite to headline, they’re doing it for free,” she says.

The problem, she says, is not enough book buyers.

“We won’t be able to maintain a brick and mortar if people don’t buy books,” she says. “If we don’t increase book sales significantly in the next couple months, then in March I’m going to have to probably announce that we’re definitely closing in June.”

And while she says she’ll find a way to keep doing pop-ups and other events – she launched LibroMobile with a hand-me-down garden cart that gave the venture its name – “We won’t have a brick and mortar store, which is a really sad thing for our city, as the only independent bookstore in Santa Ana.”

No, it’s not the rent

García makes one thing clear: Don’t blame her landlords.

“We don’t pay market-rate rent. So when people say, ‘Oh, it’s your landlord, they should decrease it.’ That’s not true. They have been 100% supportive. They have not increased our rent because they know we’re in this situation,” she says. “They want to figure out how to make it work.”

She says LibroMobile reciprocates by creating community events in English and Spanish at the Bristol Swap Meet to bring people to the food courts as well as by helping to fund the site’s murals with grant money and city support.

“We’re more than a bookstore. We’re creating a place for our community where they can explore literature and the arts without having to pay for it,” she says, but adds that there are always costs to cover. “We have to pay a DJ. We have to pay for the equipment. Sometimes we have to rent chairs if we expect a bigger crowd for an event. So all those are additional costs.”

But she’s committed to serving the community.

“This is home for me … Santa Ana is where I went to school and keep returning, even though I have nobody left here, other than friends and chosen family, my godparents. But it’s still what I call home.”

Her father, Rafael Castillo García, worked for the Orange County Register for 10 years until he died unexpectedly in 1988 at age 36. She recalls how her father – who studied the paper to improve his language skills, attended community college and wrote poems he’d leave on the family refrigerator – would leave the house dressed in crisp slacks and a dress shirt.

“He always dressed sharp to go to work, to try to impress us to have better jobs,” says García, who would learn about the physical nature of his work after his death. “I didn’t know he was a labor worker. I had to go empty his locker out, and I found the coveralls.”

What’s next?

García says she has considered suggestions to start a crowdfunding campaign but ultimately decided against it.

“I know I could probably set up a GoFundMe, but where would that take us a year or two from now? We’ll be in the same position. If I don’t cultivate the culture and the tradition in Santa Ana and Orange County, then we’re still not creating sustainability,” she says. “I’m trying to cultivate the want and the need of books, not just holding rent.”

So what can local readers do to help?

“I want them shopping at the bookstore. [laughs] We go days without someone buying a book sometimes,” she says.

“We are the only bookstore in Santa Ana, but not just that. We’re the only bookstore in Orange County that prioritizes Black, Indigenous, and People of Color books, as well as Spanish, multicultural and bilingual books. We have a whole beautiful collection of BIPOC cookbooks – like, who does that, right? – on top of a special collection that prioritizes ethnic studies, gender studies and academic books at affordable prices.”

SEE ALSO: Bestsellers, authors, books and more can be found in the Books section

García underscores her commitment to keeping prices reasonable – or even free. She stocks a Little Free Library at the Bristol Swap Meet, too.

“Maybe that’s why we’re not making enough money. But that’s the whole point of keeping books that are relevant to our community accessible and affordable,” she says.

While she says that the store is proudly political, García thinks LibroMobile has something that benefits the entire community.

​“If you don’t like our politics, there’s still plenty of other books you can read in our store,” she says. “We have something for everyone, but we’re also not going to hide our political stances for the sake of capitalism.”

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​ Orange County Register 

Shore Thing: Adventures in Avila Beach – The Monthly Traveler

• December 13, 2024

Greetings, fellow wanderers! It is I, The Monthly Traveler, back to whisk you away to yet another magical destination. This time, our compass points to Avila Beach, a serene seaside escape nestled on California’s Central Coast. A quick detour off Highway 1 and voila—you’re in a world of ocean breezes, rolling vineyards, and sunny charm. Whether you’re planning a weekend jaunt from the Bay Area or adding a pit stop to your Highway 1 road trip from Los Angeles, Avila Beach is calling your name.

Arrival in Paradise

As you approach Avila Beach, the scenery transforms from the rugged beauty of the Central Coast to a tranquil sycamore tree filled valley. This is no ordinary valley—it’s home to mineral hot springs, luxurious spas, and the perfect prelude to the vibrant town ahead.

Emerging from the trees, you’ll find Avila Beach bathed in its uniquely warm micro-climate. Yes, it’s often sunnier here than at neighboring beaches, making it a slice of coastal perfection year-round.

Exploring the Beach and Beyond

First stop? The town’s main beach! A postcard-worthy stretch of white sand is framed by calm bay waters and a bustling promenade. This is the heart of Avila, where paddle boarders glide across the gentle waves and beachgoers bask in the sun. For those traveling with furry companions, nearby Olde Port Beach is a dog-friendly haven where pups can frolic to their hearts’ content.

But the fun doesn’t stop at the shoreline. Hop on the Bob Jones Trail, affectionately known as the “City to the Sea” path. This scenic route winds through lush meadows and along San Luis Obispo Creek, offering walkers, bikers, and joggers a front-row seat to the region’s natural beauty. Keep an eye out for wildflowers, grazing deer, and even the occasional hawk overhead.

Savor the Local Flavors

No visit to Avila Beach is complete without indulging in its culinary treasures. Along Front Street, you’ll find charming oceanfront eateries serving everything from fresh-off-the-boat seafood to farm-to-table creations. Grab a seat on a patio overlooking the water—trust me, the views make every bite taste better.

Wine lovers, rejoice! Avila Beach is a gateway to the celebrated San Luis Obispo wine region, where cool-climate varietals like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay reign supreme. With tasting rooms scattered throughout town and vineyards a short drive away, it’s the perfect place to sip and savor. And if you’re visiting in the fall, don’t miss the local apple orchards for a taste of See Canyon’s finest harvest.

Historical Highlights

Avila Beach isn’t just a feast for the senses; it’s also steeped in history. For a journey back in time, make your way to the Point San Luis Lighthouse. Perched atop a windswept bluff, this Victorian Gothic beauty has been guiding mariners since 1890. Accessible by a guided hike, trolley, or kayak, the lighthouse offers stunning ocean views and a fascinating glimpse into maritime history.

For a hands-on marine adventure, the Central Coast Aquarium is a must. Kids and adults alike can marvel at tidepool creatures, learn about local ecosystems, or even participate in beach cleanups and other conservation efforts. Who knew learning could be so much fun?

The Central Coast Aquarium is a delightful way to spend a morning or afternoon. This interactive attraction features touch tanks, marine exhibits, and hands-on activities that bring the underwater world to life. The little ones—and the young at heart—will love it.

Farm-Fresh Fun

Just a stone’s throw from town lies Avila Valley Barn, a beloved destination for all ages. Browse the farm stand for fresh produce, pick up a homemade pie, or get up close and personal with the resident goats, alpacas, and peacocks. Pro tip: visit during the holidays, especially around Christmas, to enjoy festive decorations, seasonal treats, and the warm, welcoming charm of winter on the Central Coast. It’s the perfect place to soak in the holiday spirit and create lasting memories.

Indulge in Relaxation: Hot Springs and Spas

If your ideal getaway involves serious relaxation, Avila Beach delivers. The area’s natural hot springs are a therapeutic delight, offering mineral-rich waters to soak your cares away. Combine that with a rejuvenating massage or spa treatment, and you’ve got the recipe for bliss.

A Place to Stay, A Place to Play

Avila Beach isn’t just a destination—it’s a retreat tailored to every kind of traveler. From boutique inns and luxurious resorts to cozy vacation rentals, finding your perfect home away from home is effortless. Plus, with a range of exciting lodging specials available, there’s always a way to make your stay even sweeter.

Whether you’re planning ahead or booking last-minute, there are plenty of opportunities to save. Many accommodations offer discounts for early bookings, prepaid stays, and memberships like AAA or AARP. For those seeking a luxurious escape, some properties feature spa services or romantic celebration packages that include thoughtful touches like champagne, chocolates, and rose petals for a truly indulgent experience.

Traveling with your pet? Avila Beach makes it easy with specials on dog-friendly rooms. You might even find packages that include perks for your pup, like complimentary treats or dining vouchers. It’s a tail-wagging way to ensure your four-legged companion is as pampered as you are.

If you prefer the comforts of a vacation rental, you’ll love the options available in the area. From cozy cottages to beachfront homes, rentals often include enticing specials, such as discounted rates for longer stays or last-minute bookings. Perfect for holidays, family gatherings, or a serene getaway, these rentals provide all the comforts of home in a stunning coastal setting.

No matter your travel style or budget, Avila Beach offers the perfect place to rest, recharge, and revel in the charm of the Central Coast. With so many ways to save and stay, your dream getaway is closer than you think.

Click here for more information and lodging specials.

Farewell, for Now

Avila Beach is a place where time slows down, where the sea meets the vines, and where every moment feels like a postcard come to life. Whether you’re hiking the bluffs, sipping local wine, or simply lounging on the sand, this hidden gem has a way of capturing your heart.

Until next time, stay curious!

—The Monthly Traveler

​ Orange County Register 

New Zealand scientists suspect specimen of world’s rarest whale died from head injuries

• December 13, 2024

By ROD McGUIRK

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Scientists suspect the first complete specimen ever recorded of the world’s rarest whale died from head injuries, an expert said Friday.

The first dissection of a spade-toothed whale, a type of beaked whale, was completed last week after a painstaking examination at a research center near the New Zealand city of Dunedin, the local people who led the scientific team, Te Rūnanga Ōtākou, said in a statement issued by the New Zealand Department of Conservation.

A near-perfectly preserved 5-meter (16-foot) male was found washed up on a South Island beach in July. It was the first complete specimen ever recorded. There have only been seven known sightings and never of a living spade-toothed whale.

New Zealand conservation agency beaked whale expert Anton van Helden said the whale’s broken jaw and bruising to the head and neck led scientists to believe that head trauma may have caused its death.

“We don’t know, but we suspect there must have been some sort of trauma, but what caused that could be anyone’s guess,” van Helden said in a statement.

All varieties of beaked whales have different stomach systems and researchers didn’t know how the spade-toothed type processed its food.

The scientific team found the specimen had nine stomach chambers containing remnants of squid and parasitic worms, the statement said.

Among the more interesting finds were tiny vestigial teeth in the upper jaw.

“These little teeth embedded in the gum tells us something about their evolutionary history. It’s remarkable to see this and it’s just another thing that we had no idea about,” van Helden said.

“It’s a week I’ll never forget in my life, it’s certainly a highlight and it’s the start of the storytelling around this beautiful animal,” van Helden added.

The dissection was also notable because scientists and curators worked together with local Māori people to incorporate Indigenous knowledge and customs into each step of the process.

Following the dissection, the local iwi, or tribe, will keep the jawbone and teeth of the whale before its skeleton is displayed in a museum. 3D printing will be used to replicate those parts retained by the iwi.

To Māori, whales are a taonga -– a precious treasure -– and the creature has been treated with the reverence afforded to an ancestor.

New Zealand is a whale-stranding hotspot, with more than 5,000 episodes recorded since 1840, according to the Department of Conservation.

The first spade-toothed whale bones were found in 1872 on New Zealand’s Pitt Island. Another discovery was made at an offshore island in the 1950s, and the bones of a third were found on Chile’s Robinson Crusoe Island in 1986.

Associated Press writer Charlotte Graham-McLay in Wellington, New Zealand, contributed to this report.

​ Orange County Register