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Our Riverside rep always keeps me informed of what's hot to do each season. With winter on it's way out, it's a good time to brush off the chill and have some fun. Here's our suggestions for a night on the town, or a weekend in some cases, to come out of hibernation:

Visit the historic Mission Inn Hotel and Spa. Did you know that it is one of the historic hotels of America? From its modest beginnings as a two-story adobe guest house in 1876 to its current position as an icon of breathtaking architecture, timeless beauty and old world charm, The Mission Inn Hotel & Spa is a place where history, grandeur, and inspiration are found every corner. Not convinced? Let's just be clear that they have a museum, a spa and a cupcake shop inside that breathtaking architecture.  

Buttery popcorn wafts through your truck's windows, the couch cushion and futon mattress are in the bed and the kids are giddy. It's a drive in of coarse! Riverside houses one of the 20 drive-ins left in California. One of the few activities that's a value and a treat. Gramma tells me it's easier on her back than camping and she still gets to use a sleeping bag. If you hurry out to Van Buran Drive-in, they still have Star Wars through February. Your spouse can't complain that you're seeing it again if it's a bargain, right?

Finally, who doesn't want to be close by when someone gets murdered... as long as it's only close to real, not actually real. It all begins the moment you step into the restaurant -- Greeted and seated by the characters, you become part of the scene, as witness, sleuth and potentially accomplice to the crime. The story - a murder or murders! - is played out between courses of your three course dinner.  Our professional actors will transport you to another time and place, easing you into the story with skilled improv and period music.  You can sit back and enjoy what unfolds or jump in and play along, interrogating suspects as they pour your coffee or serve your main course. See where the Gourmet Detectives are at this week.

I know you're tempted to skedaddle on out of her now, but finish the blog first. after all, you should always finish what you start.

What's a girl (or guy) to do in Los Angeles in winter? It's a pressing question... 

Well, our Los Angeles reps weighed in and here's what they came up with. First, you should take a walk in the rain.With most of California facing the drought, LACMA Museum visitors are experiencing the downpours all day every day. The wet wonder from art collective Random International is quite literally a massive room filled with water raining from the ceiling - the twist being you stay dry while the room downpours around you. Open now through March 6th. 

Interact with the sea life of Southern California, Baja, and beyond. Touch sharks, hand feed colorful lorikeet birds, and watch penguins play at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Find their calendar of events here. Be your kids' hero and take them out to the aquarium. It's not only fun and hands on, it's an educational experience they won't soon forget. 

AND our final suggestion: Universal Studios (Remember them?) As for my 24 years of Los Angeles residency, I must say that Universal Studios flies low on my radar, something I plan to change this winter. Winter is one of the best times to visit Universal Studios Hollywood. This time of year typically means less crowds – and shorter lines. From the enormous back lot, to the special effects stage, to the all new King Kong 360 3-D movie adventure, there’s lots to explore, so be sure to leave yourself plenty of time. You’ll travel through working sets, learn all about cutting-edge movie-making technology, and get on board rides built to resemble your favorite blockbuster hits.

People come from all over to visit these attractions, yet many of us forget to visit these amazing locations in that sit in our own back yard. Winter 2016 might be the time to get out there and remember how great southern California is.

With winter upon us, our San Rafael reps offered us some ideas for cooler weather activities around San Rafael. The first thing they tell me is how many families they meet with that haven't ventured out to some local venues that seem like the obvious. Here's what you might be missing out on...

George's Night Club - George's is an upscale and laid back night club. An upscale fun crowd and they have an evening for everyone. There's jazz, comedy, local bands and more. If you'd like to go out for a relaxing evening at a classy place with great service and food, George's is the place. And their prices are a bonus, Amazing happy hour specials and top notch food. Try the calamari and a burger, you'll be happy you gave it a try.

The Marin County Civic Center - It seems impossible to live in San Rafael and not know this place but this is Frank Lloyd Wright's final architectural installation. Built between1960 and 1969, this amazing architectural design still stands out today as amazing. As a functional city building, you can come to register to vote, to serve jury duty, etc. or rent it out for a wedding. If you have no actual business there, grab a bite in the cafeteria, visit the library, or simply to take in the astounding views and designs from all four floors and the inside atrium. Every detail is spectacular in concept and form. Don't miss seeing the fountain garden accessible by passing through the cafeteria, or the unique views afforded by the hillside exit at the south end of the top floor. Don't forget your camera.

Marin Murder Mystery - Try a dinner theater night out. What could be more fun than having a nice dinner while being entertained! The actors perform a murder mystery play literally around you and through the restaurant while you dine. This is a super fun event to do as a group or alone and let them put you in a group. You can purchase with or without the dinner, but with the dinner puts you at a table which is a lot nicer. The no dinner option still includes appetizers. Be transported to a mysterious "who-dun-it" adventure where you spend the evening trying to guess which one of your dinner companions just committed a murder. There is an optional upgrade to be a part of the show!

With winter upon us, our San Francisco reps offered us some ideas for cooler weather activities around The City. The colder weather brings a welcome null in tourism. That means that many of the same attractions are still open, just less crowded! Winter is the best time for a San Franciscan to get out and do all the "tourist" attractions. Sometimes at off season prices too.

January is actually the natural time that the sea lions come in closer. Sure, many sea lions have made a home where they know the tourists will feed them but the numbers swell in January when nature calls them closer to the shore. Bundle up and bring a camera. 

While you are out, take in all the fun and some yummy hot clam chowder Pier 39 has to offer. Stroll around free of a thousand tourists bumping into you. If it's been a while, remember that there is ice cream, chocolate, crepes, sea food (duh!,) and every food imaginable right there in walking distance and a brisk winter walk does wonders for the soul and creates even more desire for all the amazing food available at Pier 39. There are also great shops which can be easy to forget since lost locals avoid pier 39 and it's summer crowds. 

Or go see a great film. The most popular film noir festival in the world returns to San Francisco's majestic Castro Theatre for its 14th edition, January 22-31, 2016. Its timely theme, given the threat traditional arts face from the technology revolution and its skyrocketing living costs, is “The Art of Darkness”—a collection of 25 noir-stained films exploring the pressures, pitfalls, paranoia and pain of being an artist in an indifferent and often cruel world. This time the tortured protagonists aren't felons or fall guys, they're writers, painters, dancers, photographers, and musicians.

And start planning Valentine's Day now. February is right around the corner, take a stroll down Lover's Lane. In the late 1800s, U.S. soldiers used this path in the Presidio to get into town to visit their sweethearts. What a lovely piece of history. Alongside this beautiful path, you'll also find Wood Line here. Andy Goldsworthy is an artist who makes large installations in nature and urban settings. Wood Line is a series of tree pieces that form a serpentine shape in the middle of a eucalyptus grove. To get here, take the Presidio Blvd. entrance to the park and look for a small parking area to the left. Lover’s Lane begins there; you won’t miss Wood Line to the right after just a couple of minutes.

As we progress further into winter, it's time to take a look at what there is to do around town in Stockton. While we usually suggest the local gems that might have been overlooked, our Stockton rep is suggesting we take a look just outside of Stockton this time.

One must-do trip that's just about 2 hours away is a visit to Yosemite in the winter. There's usually snow through February and it's gorgeous! A must see if you have only visited during the summer. A winter bonus is that it's less crowded with the exception of Christmas week. Visit one of the lodges for a hot cocoa, plan a romantic Valentine's Day overnight or just a day trip to hike in some snow or sled down some hills. Just remember you might need chains so check the weather here.

If you don't want to go that far, there is the Mother Lode Gold Rush country, about an hour outside of Stockton. The nearest Gold Rush towns are Chinese Camp, Jamestown, Sonora, and Columbia. The last three all have hotels, restaurants, and other visitor services, while Chinese Camp is as close to a ghost town as a populated community could be. These places are rich in history and a great opportunity to look at where our great state came from.

Not far from Sonora and Columbia you'll find several caves and caverns that give tours; you can enjoy a standard tour (lots of climbing) or get adventurous and rappel, spelunk, or take a zip line ride. There are also some mine tours. This site offers some advice for planning a trip through gold rush country.

Another option is to explore the Delta, which is the area where the San Joaquin and Sacramento river valleys merge toward each other before flowing into S.F. Bay. CA Highway 12 (just north of Stockton) is the main Delta highway, there's also highway 4 and several rural roads that run along sloughs, little islands, farming communities, and fishing/boating marinas. The most charming parts are along the lower Sacramento River--Isleton, Rio Vista, Locke, etc. You'll find great farm stands and the freshest seasonal produce on this drive with plenty of options for a meal or snack right on the water.

A quick walk outside will tell you that winter is still here. Our Oakland rep wanted to share a few of this favorite things to do when there's a chill in the air.

Winter hosts some great festivals, so throw on a jacket and get out there. Coming up January 30th and 31 is the Bay Area International Childrens' Film Festival. Since its inception in 2009, the festival's mission has been to showcase a variety of award-winning films in a wide range of formats including animation, documentary, shorts and feature films. Besides being a fantastic activity for the entire family, the event encourages children to immerse themselves in the enchanting world of film. Or catch the Oakland Art Murmur Feb. 5th & 6th. The Oakland Art Murmur strives to foster a community-wide appreciation of and support for local arts. Art galleries all over the city are open on Friday evening and Saturday afternoon to showcase the diverse artistic talent of the community. For a year round calendar of local festivals, check out everfest.com.

If art's not your thing, hopefully murder is... murder mystery plays that is. Join in on a Dinner Detective Interactive Murder Mystery Show. The show is an interactive and improvised comedic murder mystery set in the present day. Performers are dressed just like everyone else. The show takes place throughout the entire room and performers may be seated at your table. Throughout the night, murders and mayhem will occur, hidden clues will come forth and our Detectives will help everyone try to solve the crime. In the end, they have a prize package for the Top Sleuth who comes closest to solving the crime.

And if you are looking for kid friendly entertainment, our guys highly recommend this blog: fun with kids in the East Bay. Highlights for this month include snow days (Woo Hoo!) teen theater's performance of Legally Blonde at the Berkeley Playhouse or visit Curiosity Hacked and build a Light Saber on the 24th!

Even us home security geeks need to get out and have a good time every once and a while and this winter our representative from in Fresno is is showing us how it's done Fresno style.

First stop is the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, if you haven't been there yet, it's a must do and now! Fresno's Chaffee Zoo. is the Central Valley’s destination for “wild” adventure. Visit the animals in habitats created to mimic their own habitat, including a tropical rain forest. You can take in a bird show, feed the giraffes or chat with the keepers. The Chaffee Zoo is also proud of their new Sea Lion Cove exhibit, modeled after Central California’s Coast Point Lobos. The cove will give you an up-close and once in a life time experience with the unique sea lions. You can find a full schedule of events here.