Every summer, I make an effort to be outdoors as much as possible. And this year, I feel really prepared! I just bought a cute Cynthia Rowley insulated picnic basket — a steal at $19.99 from Marshall's — which I'll fill with snacks, fruit and my favorite drinks.

Usually iced tea is my drink of choice, and Hydro Flask sells a really cool 64 oz. growler that's perfect for keeping my tropical iced tea cold for up to 24 hours! Now that's impressive! (I might fill it with beer on special occasions … wink, wink!)

If coffee or hot cocoa's your thing, you can keep hot drinks hot as well — up to 12 hours. What's best? The Hydro Flask Growler ($49.99) is BPA-Free and resistant to bacteria and odors. Always a good thing.

Hydro Flask sells a wide range of insulated water bottles and containers in varying sizes and colors. Each comes with wide mouth, standard mouth and narrow mouth openings.

I highly recommend this product. Cheers! ~ Veronica

I love my Hydro Flask Growler. It's a must-have for summer!

The Meritage Resort and Spa in Napa Valley is embracing the arts with its "Art of Relaxation" package, starting at around $342 nightly. Launched in coordination with Napa Valley's "Arts in April," the package includes easels, canvas, paints and brushes for two, along with accommodations in a superior guest room or suite. After strolling through the hillside vineyards or lounging in a cabana at the adults-only pool, relax with two 50-minute spa treatments at Spa Terra (included in the package). Nightly turndown service, a bottle of sparkling wine and a Spa Terra Welcome Amenity are also included. For more information, call 707-251-1900.

The Art of Relaxation package is being launched in coordination with Napa Valley's Arts in April.

Enjoy hot chili, cool cars and beer tasting in the central coast town of Cambria during its annual Chili Cook-Off and Car Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 20. The event takes place at the Vets Hall & Pinedorado Grounds. While you're here, vote for your favorite car (10-2 p.m.) and taste chili (12-3 p.m.); then vote for the most delicious chili in Cambria.  Admission is free. Chili tasting is $5, and beer tasting is $3. For more information, call the Cambria Chamber of Commerce at (805) 927-3624.

The 3rd annual Cayucos Sea Glass Festival takes place this weekend, March 9 and 10, drawing sea glass enthusiasts and craftspeople from around the world. Highlights at this year's event include a new Sea Glass Discovery Station, "real" mystical mermaids who are eager to pose in photographs, art from both local and visiting artists, and “Pure Sea Glass” author Richard LaMotte, who will kick off the festivities on Friday at the historic Borradori-Garage with a lecture, book signing and wine. In addition to food, there will be live music from the Grammy-award winning Louie Ortega and his acoustic trio, The Bob Santa Cruz Band, The Tennessee Jimmy Harrell Trio and the Mystery Brothers. Tickets for the reception are available by calling Kate Stulberg at (805) 995-1351. Tickets are $25 and there is limited seating. The festival takes place at Cayucos Vet’s Hall (at the foot of the Pier). Entry is $3.

The James Beard Awards committee has announced its 2013 semifinalists, and California is represented well!

Here are the 2013 James Beard Awards Semifinalists from California:

Best New Restaurant: BierBeisl, Beverly Hills; Rich Table, San Francisco; State Bird Provisions, San Francisco; Tar & Roses, Santa Monica.

Outstanding Bar Program: The Abbot's Cellar, San Francisco; Bar Agricole, San Francisco; Rivera, Los Angeles; The Varnish, Los Angeles.

Outstanding Chef: Gary Danko, San Francisco; Suzanne Goin, Lucques, West Hollywood; David Kinch, Manresa, Los Gatos; Nancy Silverton, Pizzeria Mozza, Los Angeles; Michael Tusk, Quince, San Francisco.

Outstanding Pastry Chef: Melissa Chou, Aziza, San Francisco; Karen Hatfield, The Sycamore Kitchen, Los Angeles; William Werner, Craftsman and Wolves, San Francisco.

Outstanding Restaurant: Foreign Cinema, San Francisco; Greens Restaurant, San Francisco; Melissa, Santa Monica; Patina, Los Angeles; The Slanted Door, San Francisco; Terra, St. Helena.

Outstanding Restaurateur: Piero Selvaggio, Valentino, Santa Monica; Mark Stark and Terri Stark, Healdsburg; Caroline Styne, West Hollywood.

Can't make it to these restaurants? Their cookbook is the next best thing!

Winter is the season of romance (roaring fires, cozy blankets, Cupid, etc.), and Tenaya Lodge near Yosemite National Park is celebrating with packages custom-made for love:

• The Snow Time for Romance Package, starting from $195/night, fires up right on arrival with a deluxe room, bottle of champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, S’mores kit and VIP turndown service with Hershey Kisses and rose petals. Tenaya’s Valentine’s Getaway Package, starting from $369/night in a Spa Suite, dials the temperature up a notch with champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, VIP turndown service with candy conversation hearts and rose petals, and breakfast in bed for two.

• The Spa 120 Special includes 120 minutes of treatment time, any way you like it. For example, choose four 30-minute “Half Dome” treatments, or enjoy two 60-minute massages, nail and body treatments, or try one 90-minute Tenaya River Stone massage and a 30-minute men’s facial. After the “Ascent,” a 10% dining discount is included in the special, along with two nights of luxury accommodations starting at $175/night.

For more details on Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite winter lodging packages, please see http://tenayalodge.com/Specials-and-Packages.aspx.

The sexy Kimpton Hotel Wilshire is enticing visitors to Los Angeles with a special romance package, good for the entire month.

The Get Your Sexy Back Romance Package (starting at $600) gets you luxury suite accommodations for one night, an aphrodisiac amenity, the cookbook "Fork Me, Spoon Me by Amy Reiley; two signature Kimpton animal print bathrobes; valet parking; late checkout of 2 p.m.; and $125 food and beverage credit at Eric Greenspan's The Roof on Wilshire.

To book, go to www.hotelwilshire.com or call (866) 650-2154.

Two Catalina Island hotels are offering special Valentine's package throughout February, offering savings of up to 30 percent.

The Aurora Hotel Package (starting at $638) — gets you two nights in a standard room, a round-trip Catalina Express ride for two, a bottle of chilled champagne, half a dozen roses, on-island taxi transfers and continental breakfast. Add a couple's massage for $175. Upgrades are available. Valid February 1-28, 2013. Book online at www.auroracatalina.com or call 310-510-0454.

The Pavilion Hotel package (starting at $299) gets you one night of premiere accommodations, a special amenity gift for the lady, Chef's tasting menu at Avalon Grille, and champagne and strawberries. Valid February 1-28, 2013. Call to book at (855) 220-1458.

Located 22 miles off the Southern California coast, Catalina Island is accessible by boat from San Pedro, Long Beach and Dana Point. Catalina Express offers eight high-speed vessels. The trip takes one hour from all ports. 

Today's Valentine's getaway packages come from the romantic alpine resort of Big Bear Lake in Southern California. Head to the high country with your sweetie and take advantage of these hot lodging deals.

While you're here, take advantage of their day spa discounts as well. Village Spa is offering $20 off their couples massage on Feb. 14-15; and Altitudes is offering $100 off their couples "getaway package" — regularly $350.

Pine Knot Guest Ranch: Book your cabin (with in-room Jacuzzis and wood burning fireplaces!) and get a complimentary bottle of champagne, chocolates, and aromatic bath salts.

Castlewood Cottages: Book one of their 11 themed couples-only cottages, and get role-playing costumes to match the ambiance. Choices include "Anthony and Cleopatra," "King Arthur," and "Robin Hood and Marion," among others. Now through Feb. 13, 2013, you'll get 30 percent off the room, plus $30 toward Evergreen International Restaurant.

Windy Point Inn: Enjoy a romantic bed and breakfast on the lake between Feb. 10-15, and get $100 off your two-night stay. Your lakefront suite includes a wood-burning fireplace, full breakfast and whirlpool tub.

Castlewood Cottages is offering a Valentine's package that includes $30 toward Evergreen International Restaurant (pictured). Photo by Veronica Hill.

Personality Hotels in San Francisco is serving up two very quirky Valentine's Day packages this month:

The Cheap Date Package (starting at $189) — gets you a room at Hotel Diva, Kensington Park and Hotel Union Square. You'll receive a bottle of Andre Champagne, bear-shaped bottle of honey (let your imagination run wild), box of Conversation Hearts, Jack-in-the-Box coupons (for that romantic dinner), Romance Kit (includes all the necessities like toilettes, condoms and more), and two blank Valentine’s Day Cards (so you don't have to run to Walgreens last minute). Valid through February 28, 2013.

The Vavavoom Package (starting at $214) includes a room at Hotel Diva, Kensington Park and Hotel Union Square, plus: intimacy kit, bottle of Le Grand Courtâge Sparkling Wine, heart-shaped box of Ghirardelli chocolate, late check-out and two blank Valentine’s Day Cards (to leave sweet messages for each other). Valid through February 28, 2013.
 
The True Love Package (free, room not included) celebrates those who have been together 20+ years. Upon check-in, show a picture of your marriage certificate, engraved jewelry with your special date, a ceremony invitation, a news article — anything, really, that serves as proof — and you'll get a complimentary bottle of champagne and a box of chocolates delivered to your room. Valid for reservations now through February 28.
 
Hotel Diva:  440 Geary Blvd., (415) 885-0200
Kensington Park:  450 Post St., (415) 788-6400
Hotel Union Square:  114 Powell St., (415) 397-3000
 
For more information, call (800) 553-1900 or visit www.personalityhotels.com