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‘Ike Loa: ‘See Much’
at the Four Seasons Hualalai Big Island
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tepping foot onto the Four Seasons Hualalai Resort marks the beginning of an opulent experience; you are immediately immersed into the natural landscape of Hawaii’s Big Island while being swept instantly away into luxury by Four Seasons Hualalai’s signature VIP service. As you turn off the desert highway into the 865-acre property, you are suddenly surrounded by the island’s luscious native flora flourishing atop centuries-old hardened volcanic rock. Making your way towards check-in, you’ll pass a few of the Four Seasons Hualalai luxury residences, owned by tech billionaires and famous celebrities, that overlook the famous 18-hole Hualalai Golf Course, the first of Jack Nicklaus’ Hawaiian Island designs. Upon arrival to the resort, all worries are left behind as you are whisked into spacious serenity, complimented by one-on-one attention and top of the line amenities throughout your stay.
Welcome to Paradise The staff spares no time introducing the Aloha spirit to each guest, with a warm 8
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by CHRISTINA HOWELL
welcome and beautiful ocean view at “check-in.” Check-in being a standard term in hospitality, is quite a different experience here. Your invitation to sit on one of the comfy settees in the outdoor lobby comes with a wicker tray bearing passion fruit guava juice, a small cube of pineapple dusted with Li Hing Mui (salty dried Chinese plum) powder, an elegant purple orchid, and a chilled towel for a quick post-travel refresh. A staff member greets you with a fresh orchid lei and takes care of all formalities before you are set on your way to explore the sprawling resort.
sizeable foyer leading to an expansive bathroom, a walk-in closet, and a spacious bedroom with an indoor sitting area. As you ooh and aah over the inroom Keurig machine, touchscreen room-control panel, and enormous smart TV, you eventually find yourself face to face with stunning views of the pool (King’s Pool in my case), and just beyond that the palm tree-lined white sandy oceanside and the sound of waves crashing against the shore.
The property takes pride in its very private style of resort vacationing with its “crescents” of bungalows – all of which are situated around a pool (one exception being on the 18th hole of the golf course) and so spread out that you rarely run into fellow guests. The feeling of having a separate condo-like space versus a hallway lined with hotel room doors, elevator banks, and vending machine nooks came in handy during the pandemic but today offers guests a feeling of spaciousness as well as seclusion. Fully renovated just two years ago, you enter each guest room through a
There’s no time to waste getting into your bathing suit once your bellman has hand-delivered your bags. There are several swimming/sunbathing areas and the space between them is luxury in itself. Have you ever been on vacation and had to wake up at 7:00am to save your chair at the pool? Or rushed through breakfast just to find that by the time you make it poolside there’s nowhere to sit? Have no fear. You won’t have to worry about that here as you have a menu of swimming places to choose from: quiet pool, kid pool, lap
Swim, Sand, Sun & Service
pool, 24-hour pool, infinity pool, adult-only pool, swim-up bar pool, snorkeling pool, beach entry pool and even tidepool! And don’t forget that merely yards away you have the option of beachside lounging with shaded chaise lounges that don’t need to be reserved. The ocean “pool” has a manmade barrier to make swimming in earth’s natural waters as safe and comfortable as possible. The friendly Four Seasons staff will dress you up with fresh towels and a constant rotation of cold ice water among many other fun (and complimentary) poolside amenities as you soak up the island sun.
A Family Affair
Poolside Amenities AT FOUR SEASONS HUALALAI ● Ube Colada with optional Rum Shot ● Hibiscus Kombucha ● Frozen Grape Kabobs ● Ginger Margarita ● Sunglass Cleaning ● Mineral Sunscreen (SPF 30 and 50) ● After Sun Cooling Gel ● Water Toys
Traveling with a family, especially young children, makes for a … different type of vacation. Convenience (or lack of) can make or break it. As a mom of three, my radar perked up when I heard about the amazing programming they have for children of all ages at the resort! While most of us parents spend pre-vacation time planning and packing (All. The. Things.), there are a few things you can leave behind – one of them being a nanny. Kids for all Seasons is a complimentary childcare service offered at all Four Seasons resorts, featuring customized experiences for kids ages 5-12, giving parents the wonderful gift of time to themselves – relax, enjoy a quiet meal together, get a workout in, or (if you’re like me), take a nap! At Four Seasons Hualalai, between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm, and depending on the current seasonal schedule, you may have access to a Tween Program, the Hale Kula Game Room, Outdoor Movie Nights, Theme Nights, Eagle Ray Feeding, Arts & Crafts, Swimming, Hawaiian Music, Sculpting and even Canoe Lessons. For an additional hourly fee, you can pay for an onsite babysitter to watch your babes after hours. You might also like to know that kids 4 and under eat free at the Beach Tree and Ulu beachfront restaurants with a paying adult.
If together is more your flavor, there are many avenues to explore as a family with fun for all ages. For example, only at the Four Seasons Hualalai can you snorkel practically right outside your door! The King’s Pond and Kumu Kai Marine Center boasts a 1.8 million gallon “farmed” aquarium, where you can rent snorkels, goggles, and flippers for free, and between the hours of 10:00am and 4:00pm, swim with over 1,000 species of native fish, including their resident Eagle Ray. There is also an Eagle Ray feeding each day at 1:00pm and twice daily sessions with Kumu Kai, a team of marine experts who share information about the fish and let you get up close and personal with the marine life. Use your snorkeling equipment to take a peek into the ocean as well – there are tidepools and more to explore just steps away!
One With the Land Walking around the property is a treat in itself – there are preserved ponds and waterways throughout where you can find fish in their natural habitats, engulfed by native lush foliage. This stuck with me throughout my stay as I was able to appreciate the clear vision to honor the land and preserve it. As you walk on the beach, you’ll feel the fine sugary sand between your toes, but also notice that there are rocks, and again, the tidepools that have naturally formed in between the lava. But perhaps the most exciting part of your immersive Aloha experience, is the people that you’ll interact with around the resort. Many of the 1,200 staff members on-site at Hualalai are locals, born and raised on the Big Island, so questions are almost always answered from a first-hand point of view. The programming that the resort offers at any given time creates a purely local island escapade – from lei making and hula lessons in the cultural center, to simply talking story with locals. But don’t think of their cultural offerings as massive banquetCOE
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HARLAN FAMILY WINES The partnership between Four Seasons Hualalai and Harlan winery adds just another little touch of detail and class to your stay. Harlan is a Napa Valleybased family-owned winery consisting of four brands including Harlan Estate, BOND, The Mascot, and Promontory, each grown in separate vineyards and separate micro-climates, producing a strong series of reds that excites every palate. Harlan was selected for the resort’s in-villa cellars and each of their brands have been featured in a Winemaker in Residence Dinner. The Mascot, in particular, is harvested from the younger vines of the Harlan family domain, and grown in a forest environment, bringing a different kind of grape to bear.
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Our outdoor dinner with ingredients sourced from the island and even farmed on property, was served over four courses, and delightfully paired with The Mascot’s array of red wines, all vintage cabernet sauvignon varieties ranging from 2011 to 2018. We started off with banana leaf charred Hawaiian snapper alongside Waimea potato and sunchoke salad. We moved on to a savory and smoky paella loaded with a variety of proteins: sausage, prawns, chicken. Third course brought us perhaps the largest roasted rib of local beef you could ever imagine, slow cooked over kiawe wood. It was the star of the show as vegetables, mushrooms, and a bright chimichurri sauce were all served family style as shareable sides. We finished off with a dulce de leche crepe with wood roasted bananas and local pineapple, complimented by our last sips of vintage 2018 and great conversation. style buffet meals with hired entertainment – the Four Seasons Hualalai once again stays true to the land and produces authentically curated programs to educate visitors about the Hawaiian culture and its people. This includes one-on-one programs with professional (and world champion) surfers, artists, musicians, triathletes, and more.
Winemaker in Residence Experience I had the ultimate privilege of experiencing this type of interaction in a unique and intimate setting during Four Seasons Hualalai’s very exclusive Winemaker in Residence Dinner series. Scheduled about four times each year, this one-of-a-kind educational and carefully curated dinner experience takes place with local celebrities and offers guests a chance to interact one-on-one and get hands-on with the local culture. This installment of the dinner series invited each guest to an “open fire” outdoor cooking concept presented by island local Chef, Flora Kamimura, in collaboration with Four Seasons Hualalai executive chef Richard Polhemus and complemented by Napa Valley’s Harlan Family Wines, the current in-villa wine cellar selection at the resort. The icing on the cake (or crepe in my case) of this once-in-a-lifetime experience was meeting Neil Kamimura, a knifemaker who purportedly has a 2-3 year waiting list for his hand-crafted knives (and by the way is also a good friend of Jason Momoa and yes, is Chef Flora’s husband!). The third-generation craftsman has competed in and won the nationally televised knife-making competition, “Forge and Fire,” and during this special dinner, demonstrated his aweinspiring steel working skills using bare hands over live fire, staying true to the open-fire dinner concept. The culmination of sights, sounds, and smells at this spectacular outdoor feast started the moment we entered the property’s luscious herb garden and continued as plate after plate of indulgent local cuisine was presented.
Leave Your Worries (and Sunscreen) Behind While there is no doubt the Four Seasons Hualalai experience itself is palpable, the complimentary surprises along the way never seem to end. Reef-safe mineral sunblock (SPF 30 and 50) at every pool? Check. Live music at sunset with a tiki torch lighting ceremony? Check. Complimentary beach bag? Check. (It’s hand painted and beautiful, and you can take it home for $100). Umbrellas? Check. Reuseable water bottles for your stay? Check. Sprawling fitness compound with endless cardio machines including Peloton, lap pool with fins and goggles, basketball court, boxing gym, free weights, weight machines, group exercise classes, lawn yoga … check, check, check. Take a long stroll or jog along the paved beach walkway or get a lift by one of the staff-driven golf carts. Indulge in luxury at the sprawling spa, complete with a private garden and served by Eminence Organics skin care products. Do some shopping at the on-property boutique and grab fresh coffee, pressed juices, smoothies, ice cream, souvenirs, and other local finds - even fill up your gas tank! - at the Trading Company. With Four Seasons Hualalai just minutes away from the Kona Airport, you will find yourself wanting to hop over the pond again and again to enjoy a truly one-of-a-kind luxury vacation experience. Follow @fshualalai on Instagram to stay connected to their events, including the Winemaker in Residence dinner series, programs, and even giveaways throughout the year.
● EAT
Best Bites
Fresh Oysters
at Rustic House Oyster Bar & Grill It was an unexpectedly warm winter day when we stumbled upon happy hour at Rustic House while going for a leisurely drive on a serendipitously free afternoon. We planted ourselves at the bar and ordered a half dozen plump, succulent halfshells, served glistening on ice with a perfectly tart mignonette and a zippy cocktail sauce with just the right amount of horseradish. Ice-cold, so fresh, and perfectly briny. So divine, we ordered a half dozen more. RUSTIC HOUSE OYSTER BAR & GRILL 295 Main Street, Los Altos rustichouselosaltos.com
A list of delectable dishes we’ve eaten lately
Butter Chicken
Kouign Amann
When I get the craving for Indian food, I make the half-hour drive to Mantra in Mountain View. The lunch buffet at Mantra is vast from chaat, fresh made-to-order dosas (weekends only), curries, biryani and on and on – the buffet covers nearly an entire wall of the whole restaurant. Creamy butter chicken over basmati rice scooped up with pillowy naan with a sliver of pickled mango always satisfies my cravings.
Don’t let the question mark in the pronunciation intimidate you from ordering this scrumptious little pastry. Manresa is the king of breadmakers and this confection is the queen of the bread empire. Well, at least that’s how Kouign is pronounced – it’s “queen a-mahn”, thank you very much. The deceptively dense pastry is surprisingly light and buttery, with a delicately crisp bite from the crown on top. With a hot cup of Verve coffee, it’s a match made in heaven.
at Mantra
Tortino Di Spinaci E Tartufo Nero at Belotti Ristorante E Bottega
What this is in a nutshell is a delicate spinach flan cooked in a savory sauce of D.O.P. tomatoes (certified tomatoes guaranteed to have come from San Marzano, Italy) and brown butter, topped with generous shavings of black truffle. The creamy flan topped with rich egg yolk and perfectly sauteed spinach, slick with olive oil and adorned with discs of black truffle – the perfect bite. The housemade pasta dishes here are amazing too. Worth the drive. BELOTTI RISTORANTE 5403 College Avenue, Oakland belottirb.com
MANTRA 288 Castro Street, Mountain View mantraindiausa.com
at Manresa Bread
Sea Scallops at La Forêt
This lovely little appetizer dish always leaves me wanting more. Tender panseared scallops in a buttery saffron cream sauce with just the perfect little triangle of flaky puff pastry. Sometimes one order isn’t enough. So, I order two – one as my appetizer and another for my entree. With a glass of bubbly it’s the perfect meal. LA FORÊT 21747 Bertram Road, San Jose laforetrestaurant.com
MANRESA BREAD 40 N Santa Cruz Ave, Los Gatos manresabread.com
ETC A Big Beach Bag A roomy bag to carry towels, a good book, your phone, camera, etc. is a must. We like the beauty and the sturdiness of the It’s spacious, has a detachable zippered pouch, and the handles are long enough to sling over your shoulder. $139 at Nordstrom.
Here is a list of beach essentials to take with you for a day in the sun and sand.
Lip Balm Protect your lips from the sun with Burt’s Bees SPF 30 Sun Care Tinted Lip Balm. Made with a nano-free Zinc Oxide formula for broadspectrum coverage, and shea butter, beeswax, botanicals, and a hint of tinted color to add a splash of rosiness to your lips. $5.49 at Target.
Shades We love the look of Quay’s Nightfall Remixed frames. Sleek and trendy, these sunglasses add style to your beach fit. Starts at $85 from quayaustralia.com but spend a little extra ($105) to get the polarized lenses for extra ocular protection.
Sunscreen First and foremost, for any beach vacation is sunscreen. We like the Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protector Lotion with SPF 50. Use it for both face and body. This sunscreen uses Shiseido’s combined technologies that strengthens the lightweight protective shield when exposed to heat and water. $25/50 ml at Target.
Beach Tunes Throw yourself a beach party with this JBL Clip-on Portable Bluetooth Speaker. This ultra compact speaker is durable, waterproof and plays up to 10 hours of music. Includes noise-cancelling speakerphone and wireless streaming. $39.99 at Best Buy.
Goggles If you plan to swim around in the ocean or the pool, you’ll need some good goggles. THEMAGIC5 Goggles are not only cool looking but they are also custom fitted using facial scan technology. These stylish custom goggles perfectly fit your face and creates comfortable and leak-free swimming experience. $70 at themagic5.com.
A Good Sunhat A wide-brimmed hat is a must for days spent lounging in the sand or poolside. This Raffia Sunhat by Johanna Ortiz is prettily enhanced with soft linen ties that keep it from blowing away in case you’re caught in a coastal breeze. $495 at Net-a-Porter.
Beach Read Slides You can’t find better beach shoes than ones made by havaianas. In lieu of the classic flip flops, we love these Havaianas You Trancoso Premium Slides for their style and comfort. $42 at Bloomingdale’s.
Nothing says vacation like reading a good book on the beach. Other Birds by Sarah Addison Allen is a story about a young woman, Zoey Hennessey, who moves in to The Dellawisp, a charming cobblestone apartment building where she befriends her quirky neighbors. When one of her neighbors ends up dead, the mystery begins. $15 at your local bookstore.
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Le Kliff Restaurant
PUERTO VALLARTA
if
you’re looking for a vacation spot where you can enjoy beautiful beaches, excellent outdoor adventures, delicious food, and fascinating art & culture, Puerta Vallarta is the perfect destination. Whether you just want to relax and unwind or are looking for excitement and adventure, there is something for everyone in Puerto Vallarta. Puerto Vallarta is nestled between the Sierra Madre mountains and the Pacific Ocean in the Mexican state of Jalisco. The charming town, beautiful beaches and the lush green jungles create an ideal paradise, and the diverse population and friendly locals create a hospitable and welcoming environment for all.
All-inclusive at Velas Vallarta includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the property’s two restaurants: Andrea, their upscale restaurant featuring gourmet meals and La Ribera, a more casual, beach front dining option. There is also a poolside cantina and 24-hour room service. Guests also get access to the inroom mini-bar, restocked daily.
Paradise at Velas Vallarta
Obviously, there is no chance of going hungry at Velas Vallarta. One of our favorite meals was the Molcajete Mixto at La Ribera – a generous bowl (molcajete) loaded with shrimp, beef, panela cheese, chiles, chorizo, and nopales (cactus), served with warm tortillas and salsa – delicioso!
During our last visit, we stayed at Velas Vallarta. Velas Vallarta is an all-inclusive beachfront boutique hotel just five minutes from the airport. What a relief it was to arrive at the resort within mere minutes after what should have been a short three-and-a-half-hour flight that turned into a 12-hour American Airlines delayed flight fiasco! After spending the entire day at the airport, I was more than ready for my vacation to start ASAP!
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The Food
The 10-acre property located in the exclusive Marina Vallarta district is a picturesque cream and butter-yellow structure adorned with bright fuchsia bougainvillea, surrounded by tropical gardens featuring waterfalls and three swimming pools, including one with a swim-up bar. (Nothing says vacation more than ponying up to a bar stool immersed in water and ordering refreshing margaritas and pina coladas.)
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The Fun Included in the all-inclusive program at Velas Vallarta are several activities: yoga with a knowledgeable yogi, pool and beach volleyball, water
aerobics with enthusiastic instructors, arts & crafts, a children’s program, and nightly entertainment including karaoke and comedy shows. In fact, there are so many activities included that you could be busy every day of your vacation without ever leaving the resort. During the time of our visit, one of our favorite activities we did during our entire trip was painting ceramic calaveras (sugar skulls) for Dia de los Muertos. We happily painted our skulls while nibbling on cheese and crackers and sipping wine. This was a fun activity, and we came away with a nice souvenir.
An ideal day at the resort, I discovered, would be ordering room-service breakfast and dining al fresco, (with a view of the ocean sparkling in the near distance), then a relaxing yoga class on the beach, followed by a trip to one of the pools (I liked a quiet spot under the pergola behind the pool with the bar) and claiming a lounge chair for the day where I could devour a good book (The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende – perfect for a vacation in Mexico!), then cooling off in the pool when the sun gets too hot and sitting at the pool bar cooling off with a frozen margarita. For lunch, head to La Ribera and order a shrimp cocktail before taking an afternoon siesta poolside, then off to the spa for a post-nap massage. The massages at The
Sayulita Velas Vallarta Spa at Velas Vallarta are sublime. Book an appointment the minute you arrive – they book up quickly. One evening we got to experience a special Teepee Dinner which is a 4-course meal with wine, served in an open-air teepee on the beach, complete with a band of all-female mariachis serenading us as we feasted on our gourmet meal. This experience is offered at an additional cost starting at $80. Velas Vallarta offers these special events available at an additional cost: ● Garden & Beach Picnics: Guests can opt for a picnic within the tropical gardens or directly on the beach complete with beautiful ocean views. Both options offer a bohemian chic atmosphere accompanied by a cheese board, paninis or wood-fired pizza, traditional desserts, and select wines.
● Teepee Dinner: Surrounded by dream catchers, candles, and torches to set the mood, the Teepee Dinner includes a fourcourse dinner with wine. The four-hour experience requires a minimum of ten people to book and includes one bottle of wine per couple. ● Bonfire on the Beach Dinner: Ideal for groups or large families, the Bonfire on the Beach Dinner includes a four-hour experience surrounded by palm trees
and candles while relaxing around a bonfire.
● Romantic Experiences: Custom experiences can also be arranged for romantic celebrations including marriage proposals and vow renewals. These romantic experiences can include a sunset dinner on the beach accompanied by a candlelit path, flowers, and live music. Velas Vallarta is popular for hosting events. The evening we enjoyed the Teepee Dinner, there was a large corporate party celebrating at the other end of the restaurant and we saw preparations for a wedding. Clearly, Velas Vallarta is a place for celebrations!
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Experience Puerto Vallarta
I would be remiss if I did not share some of my favorite things to do while in Puerto Vallarta. There are the beaches, the jungle, and the quaint town itself and all should be enjoyed. Here’s my list of five must-do’s while visiting Puerto Vallarta:
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Visit the Vallarta Botanical Gardens This is hands down one of my favorite spots in Puerto Vallarta. You’ll need to rent a car or hire a driver to take you deep into the jungle to reach this oasis. Once you arrive, you’ll see that you
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have come to a cool, green place. Yes, the garden is beautiful, but my favorite thing to do at the garden is to have lunch at Hacienda de Oro. The food and cocktails are delightful, but the best part about the restaurant is it sits elevated into the treetops with hummingbirds buzzing about while guests are entertained by the most talented classical pianist. It is Heaven. Eat with Vallarta Food Tours If you want to know where the best places are to eat, go on a food tour. We discovered the best beef tacos and salsas at Don Chava, divine crab tacos at Mariscos Cisneros, and the viral-worthy tacos and tortas from the familyrun and ever-popular Tacos Memo’s Grill. We devoured street tacos, churros and ended with a “nightcap” at a swanky bar. Great food and fun! Fine Dining at Le Kliff This restaurant is a must – especially if you are celebrating something special. This beautiful dining venue sits on a cliff with the most amazing views. The menu features fresh fish and steaks – everything we ordered, from appetizers to dessert, was impeccable.
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The night we dined at Le Kliff, we witnessed the most spectacular lightning storm. It was an unforgettable experience. Take a Day Trip to Sayulita A little less than an hour away from Puerto Vallarta is the small village of Sayulita. Part of me doesn’t want to share this still secret getaway. Sayulita’s beach is a surfer’s delight. You can rent a surfboard for an hour for around $15. Sayulita is also a mecca for arts and crafts. If you want to purchase art or jewelry made by local artisans, Sayulita is the place to do it. Take a Boat to Yelapa Hail a water taxi and escape to Yelapa. Yelapa is a secluded fishing village with no roads, no cars, and no ATM’s, so bring cash. You will need cash to pay for a kayak, ride a banana boat, go on a guided tour via a mule or donkey, or buy a tasty pie from one of the “pie ladies” who sell a variety of fresh pies right on the beach. We hiked to the waterfalls and went swimming at the base of one of the waterfalls. Wear a swimsuit and bring bug spray.
There is so much more to see and do in Puerto Vallarta – walk along the Malecon, explore the Zona Romantica, snorkel at Los Arcos, the list goes on. Puerto Vallarta is truly one of the most visitor-friendly destinations for travelers. The population is diverse and there are many ex-pats who now call Puerto Vallarta home. It’s an easy getaway. If you’re wondering where to go on your next vacation, add Puerto Vallarta to the list of possibilities.
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Velas Vallarta
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ROAD TRIP TRAVELING VIA EV
WE ARE 8 MONTHS INTO OWNING OUR FIRST ELECTRIC VEHICLE (EV). This was not a purchase made for commuting or around town trips. We are serious road trippers and we planned to make an EV our primary traveling car. Originally, we had decided on purchasing a hybrid but after test driving the Hyundai Ioniq 6, we decided to make the jump. Is it working out?
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Range Anxiety
charge to 100% it takes another 30 minutes or so because the battery heats up and the wattage drops way down from “super-charging” levels to prevent overheating.
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Our model boasted a purported 320-mile plus range. Prior to purchasing, we reviewed online maps showing how many chargers are available and where they are located, and we found that most areas are well-populated with compatible chargers; we concluded that this could work. Incidentally, the car comes with two years of free charging using the Electrify America charging stations, so we do try to use Electrify America as often as possible. The savings is incredible. We went from gassing up our Honda from $60 a week to $0!
After a couple of weeks acclimating to our new all electric vehicle, we were ready to put the car to the test. We’d made a few round trips from San Jose to Monterey, Santa Cruz, HalfMoon Bay, and San Francisco – all of which require no mid-trip charging – and it was time for a road trip. We planned a trip to Clear Lake which is an hour past Napa, way up a mountain, and pretty much out in the sticks. I carefully mapped out the locations of electric charging stations along the way. The Napa outlets had Electrify America stations, so we decided to stop there for some free fuel and get the car charged from 50% to 80% before making the rest of the trip to Clear Lake.
One thing we learned the first week is that we don’t really have 320 miles of range because, to preserve the battery life, it’s recommended to keep the charge at a minimum of 20% and a maximum of 80% most of the time. So, with that in mind, the range is actually closer to 192 miles – that’s a considerable difference. Our Honda Odyssey has a 20-gallon tank and, with 25 MPG, has a 500-mile range. So, plan on stopping for fuel more often unless you’re set up with a home charger – which we currently are not.
Maybe a third of the time there’s a wait for a charger and that adds another 5 to 15 minutes to fueling time. The best times to charge are weekdays in the late mornings to early afternoons. I would avoid weekends, but if you must, chargers seem to be available only very early in the morning (before 8am) or late at night. I should also note that if you want to 22 •
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I did check online for chargers in all the towns near Clear Lake including other charging stations besides Electrify America. It’s possible for chargers to be busy (occupied) or not working, so it’s always good to have a Plan B. There’s definitely more planning involved driving an EV vs. a gas-powered vehicle. We made it to our hotel with no problem.
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Early on I was charging way before the fuel gauge read 20% because fueling was novel and I wanted the car to be “full”, so I was always ready for spontaneous and longer distance trips. Our model charges from 20% to 80% in 18 to 20 minutes which might seem quite long compared to filling a gas tank, but the time lag didn’t bother me. I play some music, goof around on my phone, and the time flies by. But for most people (like my wife), it might take some getting used to. Usually, the chargers are located near shops or restaurants so you can multi-task by running quick errands while you charge.
The First Real Road Trip
What’s a Level 1 Charger? On the second day, we drove from the hotel to the small town of Kelseyville and then to Lakeport. I was getting close to a 40% charge and still had to travel all the way back to our hotel and then back to Napa the following day. The car’s navigation system pointed us to a charger in the small town of Lakeport. Luckily, the charger was located near charming restaurants and a park at the edge of Clear Lake. Perfect, right? We arrive, download the app, and plug in. The car reads: “20 hours to 80%.” What? I was so used to every charger in the Bay Area being Level 3, it just did not occur to me that older, lower voltage Level 1 chargers still existed. That charger could add only 8 miles to my battery per hour. And EVERY CHARGER in Lake County was a Level 1, and none anywhere near our hotel.
which made me a little nervous considering our charge level. But we did it. All that said, we cruised into the Napa Outlet parking lot at 20%. How is that possible? Lake County is way up a mountain via a winding road. Because of the regenerative brakes and gravity, we used NO battery coming down. In fact, when going down a grade I often come out ahead!
For reference, our EV on a Level 3 charger takes 18 to 25 minutes to charge from 20% to 80%. Level 2 takes 5 hours, and a Level 1 takes 10 hours plus. Level 1 is the same as using a 120 volt plug and a Level 2 is the same as using a 240-volt plug.
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Getting Nervous So, we ate lunch and added 8 miles to our car. Disappointing. The trip back to our hotel was 27 miles and the trip from there to the Napa Outlets was 57 miles the next day. Our EV showed 112 miles left which was cutting it a little close. Also, we (my wife) wanted to stop at a vineyard on the way home. It was on the way home but, also, located uphill
The trip to Clear Lake might seem nerve wracking but it was an education. And it made me more confident planning for the next trip. The lack of viable chargers in the small towns of Lake County was a bit of a fluke but still not a problem. We are going to Yosemite soon and my research shows there are several Level 3 chargers within the park. I have even mapped a trip to Wyoming just for fun and found chargers all along the way. And it looks like more and more chargers are being built all over the country. Just a few years ago all the Tesla cars stopped at Harris Ranch on Highway 5 on the way to L.A. because it was the only charging station on that long stretch of road. Now that route has five Level 3 charging stations just for Electrify America. Toyota has hinted at an EV with a 600-mile range coming in the next few years. I love my EV and cannot imagine ever going back to a gasfueled car. The quiet, the acceleration, one pedal E-drive (the car slows without needing to hit the brakes), and the handling make it a game changer – especially on long trips. Plus, we are contributing to a greener world although I can’t say I am suffering for it.
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▲ There were several Level 3 Tesla chargers in a few places, but our EV is not currently compatible with Tesla chargers.
No Fear
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SAN JOSÉ CHAMBER ORCHESTRA’S FANTASIA
In this epic sci-fi journey into the metaverse, business is booming for a formerly failing pho restaurant in the middle of a gentrified neighborhood after it receives help from a mysterious marketing consultant. Things are not all they seem as the restaurant’s waiter Mai discovers artificial intelligencepowered simulations may be taking over reality. With the help of astral projecting friends and ancient Vietnamese ancestors, and armed with bánh xèo, chả giò, and delicious pho, Mai must balance the perfection of artificial life with the harshness of reality. For more information, visit sfplayhouse.org or call the box office at 415-677-9596.
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LUNAR NEW YEAR Kick off the Year of the Dragon in Chinese and Vietnamese culture at the annual Lunar New Year celebration bringing together Chinese and Vietnamese traditions. Create your own branch of beautiful flower blossoms to symbolize health, prosperity, and good fortune in the coming year, signifying the end of winter and the beginning of spring. Be thrilled by the magnificent and everpopular Lion Dance by Yun Yee Tong USA, as we welcome in the new year together. The celebration is included in the price of admission. For more information, visit cdm.org.
Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose
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24th & 25th CHINESE NEW YEAR PARADE & STREET FAIR
Chinatown, San Francisco
San Francisco Playhouse, San Francisco
1ST – 24th MY HOME ON THE MOON
San José Chamber Orchestra (SJCO) continues its 33rd concert season with. The program features the West Coast Premiere of conductor Alyssa Want and soloists James Blanchard on flute and Matthieu Cognet on piano. Alyssa Wang makes her SJCO debut with the program FANTASIA, featuring four unusual, yet complimentary musical works from two esteemed composers of the past and two composers of the present. Tickets: sjco.org.
Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of San Francisco’s exhilarating Chinatown during one of the community’s most exciting times of the year. The New Year’s parade will take place on February 24 with floats, ferocious lions, firecrackers, and a 288foot long Golden Dragon! You will find over 120 booths and concessions, making this a shopper’s paradise, and activities and entertainment for all ages. Enjoy Chinese folk dancing, opera, drumming and much more at the entertainment stage on Pacific St. below Grant Ave.
February 29th – March 3rd
CELEBRATING MICHAEL SMUIN Smuin Contemporary Ballet celebrates its 30th Anniversary with Celebrating Michael Smuin, honoring its dynamic late founder. This program will showcase Smuin’s inimitable pizzazz with Zorro!, the adventures of a beleaguered movie theatre usher who longs to emulate the swashbuckling masked California folk hero. Paired with Zorro! is Michael Smuin’s joyful tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes, Fly Me to the Moon. Performed against a twinkling backdrop of glowing stars, the ballet brings to life an array of warm and witty Sinatra favorites including “I’ve Got You Under My Skin,” the funny and charming “I Won’t Dance,” the brash and brassy “That’s Life,” and many more, culminating in a full chorus, high kicking “New York, New York” finale. Tickets: (650) 903-6000 or smuinballet.org.
Children’s Discovery Museum of San Jose
9 Downtown Los Altos
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NOWRUZ AROUND THE WORLD CELEBRATION Discover the beautiful customs and traditions of Nowruz, the Persian New Year celebration. Welcome the first day of Spring, new beginnings, and the renewal of nature with this ancient holiday observed by more than 300 million people around the world. Enjoy traditional music and dance, learn about the Haft-sin table arrangement, and engage in hands-on art activities to honor the Spring Equinox that kicks off the ‘new day’ celebration. For more information, visit cdm.org.
ST. PADDY’S BEER STROLL Enjoy live music and unlimited sampling of some of the area's best craft beers. What's included: Wristband entitling you to craft beer tastings at sites throughout Downtown, free collectible beer glass and map to all the tasting sites. Check-in will open at 5:00 pm (event begins at 6 pm) so come early to avoid long lines and to grab a quick bite to eat at one of the great restaurants. Tickets from $45. Purchase tickets through Eventbrite.
The California Theatre, San Jose
23rd & 24th FROM SCREEN TO STAGE
Many classical composers have been seduced by cinema, none more so than Erich Korngold and Dmitri Shostakovich. Korngold was the first composer with international stature to compose for Hollywood. There have also been film/tv composers lured to the concert hall. Known for his iconic scores for The Simpsons, Nightmare Before Christmas, Batman, and much more, Danny Elfman is a four-time Oscar nominee and one of the most revered composers in Hollywood. His violin concerto was written for our soloist, Sandy Cameron, who herself can be heard on numerous Hollywood soundtracks. Whether writing for stage or screen, these composers’ music tells a story. Tickets and information: symphonysanjose.org.
SAN MATEO WINE FESTIVAL Get ready to raise a glass and enjoy a weekend designed to indulge your passion for wine, spirits and more. Enjoy unlimited tastings and grazing from the fabulous 30+ foot “Big Board.” This “Big Board” includes ample selections of international cheeses, gourmet bites, as well as some fantastic surprises throughout the day. All wine, spirits and food samples included in ticket price. You’ll receive a wonderful glass for adding to your home collection. Tickets: $79 $99 at bit.ly/SanMateoWineFest.
San Mateo Event Center
Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA, San Francisco
23rd & 24th
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