Here's just one more reason I love living in Southern California: sunsets at the beach. Could it get any prettier? This was taken from the balcony of Bungalow 8 at the lovely La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, overlooking the palm trees of La Jolla Cove. I love this old hotel as much as I love the sunset. The hotel is about to embark on a major renovation, most of which should be completed by the start of summer. Can't wait to see the upgrades. Stay tuned. 

Las Ventanas al Paraiso (Brad A. Johnson)

I'll have more to say about Las Ventanas soon. But for now, no words, just photos. (Slideshow after the jump.) 

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Casitas Royale, Riviera Maya, Mexico

No hidden taxes or fees? No shocking drink tabs? No tipping at every turn? Plus all the food you can eat, included? The idea of all-inclusive pricing sounds almost too good to be true. But it’s only worth it when the food is truly great and the service makes you feel like a star. That's rare. Here are four of my favorite Mexican resorts in the Riviera Maya that truly get it right, offering excellent à la carte dining (where you’ll actually want to eat all day) and first-rate service with an all-inclusive price tag.

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These are the stairs leading down to the beach at Bulgari Resort, which sits high on a cliff on an Uluwatu promontory in Southern Bali. And yes, the stairs are as steep as they look. But the climb is worth it because the beach—utterly private—is sublime.