Yesterday, we attended the Anaheim Ducks home opener. Seeing players arrive on the Orange Carpet is a special annual event. It's been a few years since we've been able to schedule this event, so we're glad this year's opening game was on a Sunday.
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Your Adventure Agenda - Travel Tips
☀️ Travel Tip of the Week: 7 Phone Settings to Change Before You Travel
Your phone has become one of your most important travel tools, holding everything from boarding passes and hotel bookings to maps and payment information. Before your next trip, take a few minutes to adjust these seven settings that can make travel easier—and help if something goes wrong.
Download an offline map and pin your hotel. Save your destination area in Google Maps or Apple Maps before leaving home, and mark your accommodation so you can find your way back even without Wi-Fi or mobile data.
Download the local language for offline translation. Google Translate lets you download languages for offline use, and supported languages can even be translated through your phone’s camera—handy for signs, menus, and other text.
Turn on anti-theft protection. iPhone users can enable Stolen Device Protection, while supported Android phones offer features such as Theft Detection Lock and Offline Device Lock. Check what protections are available before your trip.
Make sure your phone can be located offline. Enable Apple’s Find My network or Android’s Find Hub. On an iPhone, also consider turning on Send Last Location so your phone records its location when the battery becomes critically low.
Set up emergency information. Add emergency contacts and important medical details you can access from your lock screen. This can be especially useful for solo travelers or anyone with allergies or medical conditions.
Turn on Low Data Mode or Data Saver. These settings limit background data use and automatic syncing, helping your roaming allowance or travel eSIM last longer.
Use your calculator for currency conversions. Current iPhones include currency conversion within the Calculator app, making it easy to check prices while shopping, dining, or sightseeing without doing the math yourself.
Applying for a first U.S. passport is expected to get easier beginning in 2027. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced plans for an online application process that would reduce the need for some of today’s in-person steps.
Travelers are also expected to upload a photo taken on a smartphone rather than obtaining a traditional passport photo, while real-time status updates should make it easier to track an application before an international trip.
An exact launch date has not yet been announced, but the changes are intended to simplify the process and reduce travelers’ reliance on costly third-party passport services.
Road trippers are getting a little relief at the pump as the national average for regular gasoline fell nearly seven cents to $4.41 per gallon. The decline follows a record-setting September, when gas averaged $4.33 per gallon—50 cents higher than the previous September record set in 2023. Lower crude oil prices, now back in the $90-per-barrel range, are helping push fuel prices down, although gasoline remains historically expensive for this time of year. For EV travelers, the national average at public charging stations held steady at 42 cents per kilowatt-hour.
One of Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park’s recognizable coastal landmarks has disappeared. The 90-foot Hōlei Sea Arch, which was still standing on September 23, collapsed into the Pacific by September 27, following years of instability along this rugged stretch of coastline.
Park officials are urging visitors to stay away from cliff edges and respect closed areas, where unstable rock and powerful surf create serious hazards. Beyond the immediate safety message, the collapse offers travelers another reminder: natural landmarks are always changing.
OUR TIP: If there’s a place or experience high on your travel wish list, consider seeing it when you have the opportunity—because even seemingly permanent landscapes can change or disappear.
United Airlines is adding a new lower-tier “base” fare to its United First and United Business cabins beginning in fall 2026. Travelers will be able to choose among base, standard, and flexible fares while receiving the same onboard cabin experience.
The trade-off comes before the flight: base-fare passengers will pay for advance seat selection, receive only one checked bag, and will not be able to change or refund their tickets. Standard fares include free seat selection, two checked bags, and flight changes, while flexible fares add refunds. The move gives travelers a potentially less expensive way into a premium cabin, but makes comparing the total cost and restrictions increasingly important before booking.
Oceania Cruises has unveiled its 2027–28 European voyages, highlighted by the line’s first full winter season in the Mediterranean aboard Oceania Allura.
From November 2027 through March 2028, the ship will operate 17 voyages ranging from nine to 26 days, giving travelers more opportunities to explore destinations such as Barcelona, Rome, Athens and Istanbul during the quieter, cooler months.
The broader Europe schedule also includes Northern Europe and Atlantic itineraries, along with calls at less-visited ports such as Gythion and Skiathos in Greece, Taranto in Italy and Çanakkale in Turkey. Several cruises feature overnight or extended stays, while Oceania is also emphasizing culinary excursions, local markets, regional food experiences, and visits to historic sites.
Why Visit? For residents and visitors to Southern California, you'll find dozens of fall and Halloween-related activities from San Diego County in the south to Santa Barbara County in the north. We have a blog post article that brings together the top Halloween events throughout Southern California.
Top Things To Do:
Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights: Experience terrifying mazes and attractions based on popular horror films.
Knott's Scary Farm: Walk through haunted houses, scare zones, and live shows at this famous theme park.
Disneyland Halloween Time: Experience the magic of Disney with special Halloween-themed attractions, decorations, and treats.
Travel Tip: Make sure to purchase tickets for popular events in advance to avoid long lines and sold out events.
We’re big on planning travel, typically six months in advance. With an eye on April 2027, here are some top things you can consider for your travel itinerary:
Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival (California, USA) — Renowned annual Southern California celebration that brings together major global music acts, large-scale art installations, fashion, and desert culture over two immersive weekends. (April 9-18, 2027)
Keukenhof / Dutch Tulip Festival (Netherlands) — Celebrated spring flower festival in Lisse, where millions of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and other blooms create a spectacular seasonal display.(March 18 - May 9, 2027)
Songkran (Thailand) — Thai New Year Water Festival - Streets turn into water-battle zones, temple rituals, cleansing ceremonies. (April 13-15, 2027)
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The Places Where We Go - Travel Planning Briefing September 28, 2026 Happy National Read a Child a Book You Like Day from the USA. It feels like this is nearly every day in our home. On this day, we're encouraged to share our favorite books with children and foster a love of reading and learning. Of course, we're partial to Oh, The Places You'll Go by Dr. Seuss. We recommend it for your library if you don't have it yet. Yesterday, we attended a soft opening of the Simi Valley Brewing Company....
The Places Where We Go - Travel Planning Briefing September 21, 2026 Happy last day of summer. We hope you enjoyed some travel and exploration during summer 2026. Now it's time to turn our attention to fall experiences. We enjoyed our Sunday by taking in the first hockey game of the season in Anaheim with four of our grandchildren. If you've followed us, you know we love hockey and took advantage of the first preseason game for the Anaheim Ducks at Honda Center. Latest ArticlesBodie State...
The Places Where We Go - Travel Planning Briefing September 14, 2026 Happy National Virginia Day from the USA - celebrating the Commonwealth’s rich history, cultural heritage, scenic diversity, and lasting contributions to the United States. The occasion recognizes Virginia as one of the original 13 colonies and the 10th state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. This past week, we commemorated the 25th anniversary of 9/11. We were reminded not only of the lives lost and families forever changed,...
