There has always been something about the warming of the weather and arrival of summer that fills me with an urge to travel. Whether it’s across the country, across the pond, or simply over the Grapevine, summer in my book has always been a season to gallivant. Perhaps it’s the extreme heat of the Valley from which I find myself needing a break, or merely the happy habit of “summer vacation” ingrained in me during my student years. Whatever the case, the hankering for a temporary change in scenery is ever-present this time of year.

Fortunately for Californians, and particularly for us here in the Central Valley, an escape from the everyday landscape is easy to achieve. We have a beautiful coastline to our west, gorgeous mountains to the east, and several exciting and bustling metropolitan locales to both the north and south. With that in mind, this issue of Valley Response Magazine introduces a new feature for our readers—a section that ventures beyond our conventional theme of safety and “travels” to a lighter side of editorial content.

For the inauguration of our new travel section (page ____), we take readers to the Central Coast, a favored destination for many in the Valley, with a rundown on some of the region’s most popular water recreation activities. And because safety is the thrust of our publication, you can rely on Valley Response for tips on how to keep yourself and your family safe while enjoying these activities.

Also beginning with this issue is our expansion into Kings County. We will now be in circulation amongst our friends and neighbors in both Hanford and Lemoore. With that, I would like to wish our new readers “Welcome!” I hope that you will enjoy our publication and provide us with feedback and comments about how we can make your community a bigger part of the magazine. We look forward to earning your support and readership.

In addition to our new travel section and expanded distribution, we have also undergone a bit of face-lift with regard to the magazine’s layout and design. Our talented Creative Director Bryan Pickens has integrated some new design elements and styles into this issue to freshen up our look. We are always seeking ways to improve our publication, so apart from our constant search for relevant and compelling story content, we hope that you’ll enjoy the new look as well.

Whether you’re an aspiring traveler like me, or plan to stick around on home turf this summer, I wish you all a safe and enjoyable season in the sun.