ABOUT THE EDITOR:
California Dreaming
BY EMILIE MEINERS
HOW-TO EDITOR California (the motherland, my holy grail, the love of my life, my one true love, the light of my life, etc.) is renowned for its diverse landscapes and vibrant cities, mostly vibrant because it’s on fire! Even though Utahns hate Californians, I don’t care because I never wanted to be here. Being domesticated by Utah life has made me reach insanity. It’s official. California is better and Utahns only hate it because they know it's better. So set your countdown and start packing your bags. As of February 4th, when I'm writing this, there will only be 17 more Fridays until summer. That means you have to start thinking of places in California to visit! One of my recommendations would be Southern California. Soco is framed for its beautiful coastal sights and dynamic cities. One city would be San Diego, with a world-class zoo, pristine beaches, and Cardiff-by-the-Sea. When I said California was the motherland, what I really meant was Cardiff-by-the-Sea. Cardiff has its iconic VG Donuts, tranquil seaside escape, and a charming community. LA is the entertainment capital, and it has lots of attractions like Hollywood and Getty Center, but it's recently been faced with significant challenges. The wildfires have devastated communities, including Pacific Palisades and Altadena, as well as Pasadena. This has resulted in loss of property, and more importantly life. As of February 1, 2025, the Palisades and Eaton wildfires have been contained, but the impact remains profound. For those who are actually listening to my advice and going to California for vacation, you should know that it’s important to stay updated on the conditions, especially since California is always on fire. The state remains a haven of beauty and cultural richness, but it's also burnt to a crisp. I think every single city in California has caught on fire at least once in its life, and it’s crucial to prepare for anything that may come your way. POSTED: 2.6.25 |
Tips for Your California Trip
- Stay Updated on Wildfires – Check local news and Cal Fire updates before traveling. - Must-Visit Spots – San Diego’s beaches, Cardiff-by-the-Sea’s VG Donuts, and LA’s iconic attractions. - Pack Smart – Sunscreen, reusable water bottles, and emergency essentials (just in case California decides to combust again). - Respect the Locals – Even if Utahns don’t like Californians, Californians are still pretty cool. - Countdown to Summer – Only 17 Fridays left until your ultimate California getaway! |
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Warm, Hot, Fresh, Foreign Places 2 Visit During Winter
BY ANNA YALLECH
TRAVEL EDITOR Just think Chargers, in less than SIX months we will no longer be shivering in our boots, chittering teeth, and getting goosebumps from the 16° weather. But in the meantime, while we wait for the barren frozen state to defrost, we can fantasize about warm happy thoughts by traveling to warm happy places! To start our itinerary of tropical destinations, let us catch a 16-hour flight to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and visit fellow Charger Anna Luiza Rivelles, a native Brazillian currently traveling to Brazil. Rivelles says “Brazil has been an incredible place to visit to get away from the cold in Utah! Almost every day in Brazil, temperatures have risen to 100°, and UV rays have reached level 12 within the last week!” Anna’s typical day in Brazil consists of going to the beach, boating, or cooling down at the pool. She highly recommends it as a fun destination to flee the cold in Utah. We love Brazil and the exciting adventures it holds, but it is a stretch to go; not only financially but the fact due to traveling to an entirely different country. If you're seeking to escape the cold while staying within the continental United States, I give you Arizona. The neighboring state has nice cool temperatures with bright sunny days, a quality Utah currently lacks. I was fortunate to visit Arizona this year with a handful of Chargers competing at the Arizona State University Invitational Speech and Debate Tournament. Srisha Nalla, one of my amazing roommates from the trip said, “I loved it! Arizona had lots of opportunities of fun things to do and the sunsets were gorgeous.” The Arizona sunsets were stunning and also make a great canvas for your next Instagram post. Master debater, Will Eckersley, had a similar positive experience like Srisha at Arizona; he said, “Arizona was goated because it let us all get a break from the cold weather and hang out with all our friends.” Real Will, I too enjoyed hanging out with my besties. Brazil and Arizona are merely on the tip of the ‘warm happy places’ iceberg, but consider making plans traveling to the stellar destinations sooner than later! POSTED: 1.31.25 |