Home Map Choose a Destination Feature Articles Getaway Machine News Downloads Contact About Us Best fudge in the Golden State Date: 08-25-2008 We've passed it many times on the way in and out of the charming historic town of Julian, but when we finally stopped at the King Leo Chocolate Factory we knew we hit pay dirt. The company makes candy that is sold far and wide, but of particular interest to us was the multiple flavors of fresh fudge, simply the best we ever had. They have a deal that gives you six big pieces for the price of four and assured us the fudge would last for three weeks if kept in the refrigerator. It was so good it only lasted one day...It was also on this trip to Julian -- which, by the way, is in San Diego County -- that we stopped by Julian Cafe and Bakery for lunch and a take-home freshed-baked apple pie, which is the best souvenir you can get from a trip to Julian. We didn't spend the night but we've heard the nearby Orchard Hill bed and breakfast inn is a good choice if you want a quiet night in this tiny little mountain town...Another great mountain town is Groveland, which is actually at the edge of the mountains close to Yosemite National Park. On August 29, the Groveland Hotel will be featuring a "Courtyard Concert" featuring a popular zydeco dance band, the BluesBox Bayou Band. This premier festival dance band is featured annually at the Isleton Crawdad Festival and many other Northern California events... Temecula golf course nears completion Date: 08-11-2008 If you're looking to combine golf with a visit to Wine Country, a new 18-hole public course is nearing completion in Southern California's scenic Temecula Valley. Journey at Pechanga, destined to be one of the finest in California, rises dramatically from the Temecula Valley, along with a 62,000 square foot Clubhouse accentuated by the latest in high-end resort amenities. It's an extension of the popular Pechanga Resort and Casino ...If you've ever been to the national parks in the fall, you know it's a different experience. “Our guest demographics change significantly in the fall,” said Judi Lages, vice president of sales and marketing for concessioner Xanterra Parks and Resorts . “We see fewer children and our interpretive programs such as motorcoach tours, trail rides and interpretive boat tours tend to be mostly adults"...But kids will find plenty to do in San Luis Obispo, where the new San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum offers visitors opportunities to explore, investigate and create through a variety interactive exhibit environments...Death Valley's Furnace Creek Resort opens again on October 10 to show off about $600,000 in improvements. The resort has new furniture for the lobby, lobby bar, guest room verandas and front lobby patio; 32-inch flat-screen televisions in all 66 guest rooms; bathroom fixtures and vanity lighting; box springs, mattresses, bedspreads, coverlets and throw pillows; draperies; luggage racks; guest room art and floral arrangements; in-room radios with IPOD docking; towels, hairdryers and other in-room amenities... Kenny Loggins to play Catalina Date: 08-06-2008 Music-lovers of all ages will be able to combine an island vacation with top-flight entertainment when they visit Catalina Island in early August. On Sunday, August 10, legendary rocker Kenny Loggins and his band will be performing for the first time in the famous Casino Ballroom, a 1929 Art Deco masterpiece that sits on the edge of beautiful Avalon Bay on Santa Catalina Island. For ticket information, phone 1-800-595-4849...Over 20,000 short film buffs are expected to attend the 2008 Palm Springs International ShortFest at the Camelot Theatres in downtown Palm Springs from August 21-27...Recognized as one of the world’s premier short film festivals, The Palm Springs ShortFest will feature more than 300 short films which include comedies, thrillers, animation, romance, documentaries and more ...For some of the most varied and stunning photographic opportunities in the Sierra Nevada, join professional photographer Terry Nathan, a faculty member at Davis Art Center and an instructor at UC Davis, for a full-day, all-outdoor class on Sept. 20 at Sorensen's Resort near Lake Tahoe. Terry will teach how to use lighting and composition to effectively capture a personal vision from delicate wildflowers to rugged mountain cliffs. For class reservations and lodging call (800) 423-9949... Bigfoot experts coming to Santa Cruz area Date: 07-24-2008 If you have not come across Bigfoot yet in your California travels, stop by the Bigfoot Discovery Museum in Felton (Santa Cruz area) on August 9. The museum is hosting two of the biggest names in sasquatch research, Dr. Jeff Meldrum and Richard Noll, who will be joined by bigfoot authors Kathy Moskowitz Strain and David Paulides in a four-hour mini-conference on sasquatch starting at 5:30 p.m. at the local Community Hall...The best place to meet under the clock in San Francisco is back as the Great Magneta Grandfather Clock has returned to its original place of glory – in The Westin St. Francis historic Main Lobby. The return of the clock complements the restoration of the Main Lobby and the July 15th opening of the Clock Bar...More than 20 tall ships and fascinating vessels from around the world will participate in the 2008 Festival of Sail, hosted by the Maritime Museum of San Diego , August 20 – 24. The festival begins with a majestic parade of tall ships on San Diego Bay followed by a showcase of marvelous food and drink, one-of-a-kind shopping and live entertainment, including live cannon battles between several of the vessels... Lodgings rolling out the specials Date: 07-12-2008 As travelers opt for vacations a little closer to home, resorts and lodgings all over CA are getting very creative -- and generous -- in their special offers. It's a great time for anyone looking for a reasonably priced getaway and the hospitality industry in CA seems bound and determined to make up whatever extra money you might be spending on gas. MacCallum House, for example, will reimburse you between $75 and $150 for gas, depending on whether you come mid-week or on a weekend to this charming Mendocino bed and breakfast...the Apple Farm Inn in San Luis Obispo is taking the approach that families would love to have all their daytime expenses covered so they are offering a package that includes beach toys, beach towels and picnic lunches along with lodging at their attractive inn located within easy driving distance of beach areas and wine country...California has three of the Best Places to Live as judged by Outside Magazine, which gives a lot of weight to nearby outdoor recreation. Eureka made the Top 10 (at position 8) and Sacramento and Oakland were just outside the Top 10, somewhere in the unranked positions between No. 11 and No. 20... How much more will a getaway cost? Date: 06-30-2008 Several newspapers have done stories on gas prices and how that's affecting local tourism and the upshot seems to be that those people surveyed still will be taking vacations, but will modify their spending. But here's some food for thought: If the IRS figures it costs us 50 cents a mile to travel, what is the percentage increase in our total vehicle expense with a rise in gas price from $3.50 to $4.50? A 20 mpg vehicle will spend an additional $5 for 100 miles. Since the IRS tells us total vehicle expense is $50 for 100 miles, we've increased our total vehicle expense by 10 percent. I think most people have figured out that's not enough percentage increase to completely ditch a vacation or getaway...On a related note, be sure to check out our new FuelTool, which will help you figure just how much you'll spend on gas for your next getaway. The new calculator has been featured on TV and in national media...BTW, you have just until July 15 to enter our Getaway Giveway for a two-night stay in a rental home in the beautiful mountain town of Idyllwild... Try Reagan Library for July 4 Date: 06-21-2008 A visit to the Reagan Presidential Library might be just the perfect Fourth of July getaway and the nearby WestLake Village Inn is making it easy with special rates for dates between June 30 and July 6. Courtyard Rooms, normally $189-235, are offered at $129 per night and $245 mini suites just $166. This hotel has many great amenities, too...Want to see Frank Sinatra, Jr. for free? The Moonlight Amphitheater in suburban San Diego is putting on a free concert with the San Diego Symphony on June 26 at 7:30 p.m. This is one of those events in which you will need to get there early...In the mood for a little Shakespeare? If you are anywhere near Los Angeles this summer, check out the plays being presented as part of the Mountain Shakespearean Festival in Frasier Park at the top of the Grapevine. Several plays and events are planned, and there are many affordable cabins available in the area, as well as hiking and other mountain activities... Hadsten House opens new restaurant Date: 06-06-2008 The Hadsten House Inn and Spa located in the Santa Ynez Valley near Santa Barbara, has recently opened an impressive new restaurant and the Haven Day Spa. There are several packages available which offer one and two night stays with spa treatments and a dinner package as well. The Hadsten House is rated by Trip Advisor as the number one hotel in Solvang...The Port of San Diego was chosen best homeport for cruises in the 2007 TravelAge West Western Agents Votes of Excellence (WAVE) Awards, and for good reason. That year, the Port of San Diego hosted 238 cruise calls servicing over 700,000 passengers...The Santa Barbara Wine Festival is coming Saturday, June 28. You'll be able to experience tastes of more than 50 of the California Central Coast’s premiere wineries -- along with great local food -- all in one beautiful setting at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History...If you are looking for souvenir merchandise from , the Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort in Death Valley National Park is now offering merchandise from its gift shops online... Big musical events coming up Date: 05-28-2008 With summer weather just around the corner, big events are gearing up all over California. For example, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band revisits the by-ways and gravel roads of America’s musical past with a 6 p.m. concert June 15 in Victorville. The event is Huck Finn’s Jubilee and the setting is Mojave Narrows Regional Park, an 800 acre woodland located just minutes from historic Rt. 66. Numerous other country and bluegrass musical acts will be presented over the weekend...The first annual SUNSET Strip Music Festival will be June 26-28 in the city of West Hollywood. It's initial lineup of talent includes such diverse artists as B Real of Cypress Hill, Slash, Hot Hot Heat, Everclear, Soul Asylum and Dilated Peoples. The Roxy Theatre, Whisky A-Go-Go, House of Blues, Viper Room, Key Club and the Cat Club are all uniting for the festival...Want a quieter experience? An international hostel in Redwoods National Park has been named best in the world. Hostelling International visitors rated 4,000 hostels in 80 countries and the Redwood Hostel, a renovated 100-year-old farmhouse turned guesthouse, won top honors... Some hotels will pay you to visit Date: 05-17-2008 If you are looking for a getaway that will really pay off, consider the 2008 Fly, Drive and Dine promotion offered by Costa Mesa Hotels. When guests book a stay in one of nine participating Costa Mesa hotels before Sept. 30, they will receive a $25 per night dining certificate per reservation for each night they stay in that is redeemable at many Costa Mesa area restaurants. Additionally, a $25 reimbursement on airfare or purchase of gasoline will be mailed to guests within a few weeks of their stay in Costa Mesa...Tales of life on the river, jumping frogs, hot air balloons and the arrival of a small town circus can be lived first hand this Father’s Day weekend when the 32nd Annual Huck Finn Jubilee rolls into Victorville. During the three-day festival which runs June 13-15, families can whitewash fences, build river rafts and climb a greased pole...Paradise Point Resort and Spa on Mission Bay in San Diego is offering visitors a $100 gas card and free parking with a qualified 4-night stay. Rates start at $249 per night, and a minimum 4-night stay is required. Gas cards are issued at check-out. Reservations must be booked by June 30, 2008, and travel must be completed by September 30. To book this package, reserve online by using the promotion code FREGAS... New way to see Bay area sights Date: 05-12-2008 Just back from a trip to San Francisco where we enjoyed some shopping and sightseeing downtown and sampled something a little unusual -- Segway riding near the waterfront. If you haven't tried it, by all means include this on your itinerary, whether it be in the Bay area with the San Francisco and Sausalito Electric Tour Company or in San Diego, where you also can ride Segways. The general consensus of our group was this was an activity well worth doing again...On the same trip, we had a delicious lunch on the Napa Valley Wine Train, a really enjoyable way to spend a few hours that combines wine country scenery with gourmet food...With the ocean fishery for salmon closed this season, the announcement this week by Redwood Adventure Tours takes on special significance: They're doing river-fishing tours where you can fish for -- you guessed it -- salmon...Another excellent place to go fishing is the Sacramento Delta where we recently rented a 17-foot runabout from H2O to Go. It was fun getting out onto the Delta waterways but one note of caution: either bring a gps or be really observant about where you are going. It's easy to get lost in the many waterways of the Delta... MacCallum House offers 'stimulus' Date: 05-04-2008 While checks are in the mail for your tax rebate from Uncle Sam, one California bed-and-breakfast has jumped on board with its own Economic Stimulus Package that gives you $200 off a midweek stay between now and June 30. MacCallum House is known as one of the finest lodgings in Mendocino...It's not too late to catch the spring flowers if you head for Big Bear Lake. Most wildflowers in the desert and inland regions of Southern California have already bloomed for the season, but Big Bear is known for its late bloomers, which are just getting started...On Mother's Day, May 11, the Westlake Village Inn has put together a Mother's Day Spa Package for $250 that includes flowers, wine or champagne and a massage along with a mini-suite in this very Italian-villa-feeling resort...If you're anxious to do a little hiking on your next getaway, check out the Summer Adventure Package offered by Apple Farm Inn. The package includes a trail map of Montana De Oro State Park, a printed guides of local birds, two gourmet box lunches, a 30 percent discount on Apple Farm logo wear in the gift shop and a night's accommodations... Fallbrook Festival to feature 50 Indy films Date: 04-24-2008 The Fallbrook Film Factory expects more than 50 independent filmmakers to attend the first Fallbrook Film Festival on April 25-27 in downtown Fallbrook, just north of San Diego. Film enthusiasts who wish to mingle with the filmmakers may purchase passes for $150 that gives them access to all events. More than 80 films are being shown in four venues...Also in the San Diego area, consider a visit to Torrey Pines State Reserve, which spans 2,000 acres. Among the eight miles of trails, guests can encounter native chaparral plants, wildflowers, birds, reptiles and butterflies...If you are near Napa on May 14, check out the Saveur 2008 Bonjour Culinary Series at Meadowood Resort where you can observe cooking demos by world-renowned chefs, savor a full luncheon of exceptional dishes prepared before your eyes, and spend a unique day in a delightful setting... Caching in with your hand-held GPS Date: 04-10-2008 A neighborhood friend brought out his hand-held GPS unit the other day and began relating his family's newest outdoor activity -- geocaching. Soon we had our own GPS and were downloading coordinates where our family could find hidden boxes of trinkets as a kind of high-tech Easter egg hunt. Now comes the latest: a GPS map called SnowRanger that you can use to find your way around California ski resorts and mountains. The software includes detailed maps of 14 different California-Nevada ski resorts...Wondering what to do on Mother's Day? The Crowne Plaza Ventura Beach Hotel is hosting a pair of elegant Mother’s Day affairs on Sunday, May 11th -- a festive Champagne Brunch and a three-course dinner. Both will feature specially prepared gourmet items that sound like the perfect complement to a weekend on the beach in Ventura...Emily Polsby of the Mendocino County Lodging Association wrote to remind us that the whales are currently in season and that you can see them from the Mendocino County shore -- with no risk of getting seasick. In fact, the coastal town of Gualala hosts special whale activities throughout the month of April. Check out these Mendocino County lodgings... San Clemente getaway worth repeating Date: 04-03-2008 There are certain getaways that you know you want to repeat -- in fact, repeat often just because they feel right, and comfortable, and easy. We found one such getaway in San Clemente which we included in our recent article about bed-and-breakfast inns. The Casa Tropicana is one of those special places with just the right location -- across from the San Clemente Pier and beach area -- that makes you feel like you're a million miles from home...California lodgings continue to be pro-active about gas prices and the latest example is the $100 gas card being offered at Big Bear Lake. This year for the first time Big Bear Lake Resort Association (BBLRA) offers a free $100 gas card for guests booking five or more nights at a participating lodge, or a free $50 gas card for guests booking a three or four nights stay at a participating lodge. Click here for a selection of properties...This is the time of year to check out the Flower Fields in Carlsbad, just north of San Diego. The colors are amazing and there now are several high-quality lodgings in the Carlsbad area... Grass Valley fun for day trip or weekend Date: 03-19-2008 If you're traveling somewhere between Sacramento and Lake Tahoe, consider a slight diversion to a little town by the name of Grass Valley. The downtown is historic with a variety of shops and restaurants and a Gold Rush feel. Just outside of town is the Empire Mine, a historical park where you can see the inner workings of the state's oldest and largest gold mine. It's no wonder that so many people visit this beautiful little town on weekends...The spring melt means that river-rafting season is upon us. For a fun adventure, check out Tributary Whitewater Tours, which offers rafting adventures for nearly all ages and abilities...Still more thrills can be found at Legoland, just north of San Diego, which recently unveiled Land of Adventure, a brand new area that features four new attractions including the park’s first-ever dark ride, Lost Kingdom Adventure...Still not enough adventure? Then visit Surf Diva, one of the country’s most popular surfing schools. Located on the La Jolla Shores near San Diego, this is where surfing professionals teach women, children and men the fundamentals of surfing with weekend and week-long clinics... Fallbrook an ideal smalltown getaway Date: 03-10-2008 If you are looking for that small town with colorful scenery, wineries nearby and great trails to hike, consider Fallbrook. Located about 45 miles north of San Diego, this area is slightly inland and close to the wineries of the Temecula Valley. Lodgings in Fallbrook are inexpensive and the town features museums and other points of interest. We especially enjoy hiking the Santa Margarita Trail, just a five-minute drive from downtown Fallbrook...The higher gas prices are starting to bring out offers of gas reimbursement from several lodgings around California. In March, MacCallum House in Mendocino is offering a $40 cash voucher good at their acclaimed restaurant, towards a package or to help fill up your gas tank -- in addition to a bottle of award-winning Roederer Estate sparkling wine ($34 value). All reservations must be made for two nights or longer for stays between now and March 31...One of our favorite places to visit is Sorensens, about 20 miles from South Lake Tahoe, where you can stay in your own very elaborate cabin. Be sure to check out the many classes they offer throughout the spring and summer such as a fly-fishing workshop, star-gazing, a sketchbook workshop, an emigrant trail tour and the study of medicinal plants... San Diego hosts Pompeii exhibition Date: 02-11-2008 If you are planning on being in San Diego, the San Diego Natural History Museum has a new exhibition, A Day in Pompeii, that will reveal daily life in a city steeped in legend and mystery. Pompeii and its neighboring cities were buried -- and frozen in time -- after the fateful eruption of Mt. Vesuvius on August 24, 79 CE. After being forgotten for nearly 1700 years, the city was accidentally rediscovered by well-digging shepherds in 1748. Since then, its excavation has yielded extraordinary artifacts -- from the rarest of art objects to the most common trinkets of daily use -- and provided a comprehensive portrait of the life of a city at the height of the Roman Empire. The exhibit begins Feb. 15...Expect a colorful wildflower starting in early March when you visit Death Valley. This annual show in the 3.3 million-acre park continues through the middle of April and in some higher elevations, as late as June. The unusually heavy rainfall this year means the flower show will probably be one of the most spectacular in recent memory. Phil Dickinson of the Furnace Creek Inn and Ranch Resort says the .38 inches of rainfall in late January is like a monsoon out in Death Valley... Civil War re-enactments planned for Calico Date: 01-27-2008 No need to visit the East Coast to get a taste of those Civil War re-enactments you've heard about. From February 16th through 18th - Presidents Day Weekend -- Calico Ghost Town, near Barstow, will come alive with Civil War battles, the sounds of bugles, and the thunder of cannon and musket fire. Calico, in partnership with the American Civil War Society, invites visitors to come and witness historic presentations, troop inspections, artillery demonstrations, period fashion shows, and military battles. Battles will occur daily at 11:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m... The first annual snow shoe race in the Big Bear Valley will take place Saturday, February 9th at 10 a.m. Known as Snow Shoe the Bear, racers may compete in a 10k (6.2 miles) or a 5k (3.1 miles) course distance. Other festivities scheduled for the weekend include race-day children’s programs organized by The Discovery Center, live entertainment and an awards ceremony to take place at the conclusion of the event. More than 150 racers are expected to participate in this inaugural event...The San Diego waterfront is one of our favorite places to visit and last weekend we finally had the chance to sample Ruth's Chris Steak House, offering arguably the best steaks in the city. It did not disappoint -- and the views from the restaurant of the harbor area are quite spectacular... Resort to give away Ferrari, yacht cruise Date: 01-18-2008 If you can't quite afford to treat your significant other to a Ferrari, luxury yacht cruise and a stay at an exclusive resort, San Diego's Estancia La Jolla Hotel will take care of that for you -- if you win their new Sweepstakes. One lucky couple will be given a two-night stay in one of Estancia’s deluxe guestrooms; breakfast for two each morning; a half-day Ferrari F430 rental; limousine transportation to a three-hour luxury yacht cruise off the beautiful La Jolla coast; and a fabulous couple’s massage in their lush spa. Valued at approximately $7,500, the sweepstakes opportunity will close on April 1, 2008. To enter, click here...If on the other hand you have a dog who would like an equally fine package -- in dog-terms, that is -- then consider this Fido-friendly offering from The Cliffs Resort, a Boutique Hotel Collection oceanfront property that overlooks one of the finest beaches on California’s beautiful Central Coast. If you pre-register your dog at the Cliffs Resort, you can get a doghouse full of special treats for $50 including: a souvenir dog tag, an over-sized, over-stuffed decadent dog bed, a bowl for food and water, doggie turn-down service, dog walking service, and an in-room doggie dining menu... Heavenly seems bigger, better than ever Date: 01-12-2008 Oh what a difference a decade makes...we're at Heavenly ski area in South Lake Tahoe and it's our first return trip since the '90's. We always remembered the area as big, but with steady improvements over the past few years, there just seems to be even more lifts, more runs and more intermediate terrain. This area is truly world-class and you know how you can tell? The foreign languages you hear everywhere you go on the mountain...We're staying at Harrah's, just a five-minute walk from the Heavenly gondola. We're enjoying the huge rooms and terrific mountain and lake views from our unit on the 8th floor...When in the area you have to plan a meal at Friday's Station Steak and Seafood Grill, on the 18th floor of Harrah's. The sunset last night was spectacular as we dined on top-quality steaks and salads served by a very attentive wait staff...One of the advantages of skiing at Lake Tahoe is that you can combine your ski trip with a little gambling - in our case, very little since we haven't figured out exactly how to always stay ahead. But someone in our party was quick to win at Blackjack so we know that people do in fact win... Bear Valley a unique ski experience Date: 12-31-2007 As ski season gets into full swing, we're reminded of a ski vacation we took last winter to Bear Valley in Northern California. As we indicated in our article, the ski area turned out to be quite a discovery because of its excellent groomed slopes, minimal lines and almost no crowds. It's a little bit of a drive to get there, but stay for a night or two and it's well worth it...Another favorite spot of ours is Big Bear, an amazing ski area when you consider the fact you're an hour away from the sun and palm trees of Palm Springs. When we sampled the skiing there last winter, we went mid-week and found it delightful -- they say the conga lines get a little long on the roads into and out of Big Bear if you time your visit to go with the Friday night rush. So best to leave Friday morning or, even better, take a couple days off from work and go midweek...If the beach is more your style, check out the new tour company in San Diego offering four-hour excursions to popular beach communities in the San Diego area. San Diego Insider Tours offers specialty tours -- such as the Beads, Baubles and Jewelry Junket which, we're sure, is a little lean on male participation... Whale-watching starts in December Date: 12-17-2007 Time to make those plans for whale-watching. The California coast is a whale-watching showground, especially in winter and spring when thousands of whales are migrating to warmer waters. Travelers to California can grab a front-row seat and get close to all the action, as well as take part in a variety of festivals that celebrate the migration, according to Caroline Beteta, executive director of the California Travel and Tourism Commission. In California, the gray whale is the most commonly seen migrating whale, and they can be seen from many points along the California Coast. If you're near a marina, they probably have boats that take regularly scheduled whale-watching trips starting in mid to late December...The folks in Santa Barbara are encouraging you to leave your car behind on your next visit to their beautiful city. The Santa Barbara Car Free Project, celebrating its 10th year of green-tourism partnership is again offering a Car Free Experience Discount Package, featuring savings up to 50 percent at 22 hotels and 20 activities and restaurants. Just by mentioning the “Santa Barbara Car Free Experience Package” when making a reservation, visitors will receive significant discounts up to 50 percent off regular room rates at participating hotels. Best way to get to Santa Barbara and still leave your car at home? The train. Amtrak offers great views, whether you're coming from the north or the south... Great bargains in early December Date: 12-07-2007 Early December is a great time to find deals at hotels and resorts that normally don't have to offer discounts. Here are a few we've just come across...Check out the Hyatt Regency Orange County that is close to Disneyland and offering 20 percent off the best available rate if you book by Dec. 21 for travel through Dec. 26. For $20 more you get a cool Kids Suite...One of the best getaways we can imagine is La Jolla and the Best Western Inn by the Sea has a perfect location that is close to shopping, over 50 restaurants and, of course, the beach. Through January 31, they are offering four nights for the price of three...Lake Tahoe's ski season is just getting geared up, so get up there and enjoy the early-season discount of 20 percent off when you stay at the lake-front Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge...And finally, if you want an inexpensive getaway in a world-class location, head to Santa Barbara where you'll find rooms for as little as $79 at the Cabrillo Inn at the Beach, which is offering great deals through March 31, 2008... Global Warming exhibit at Birch Aquarium Date: 12-03-2007 If you want some help explaining climate change to your kids, San Diego's Birch Aquarium has opened a new exhibit that will bring the problem home with interactive displays. "Feeling the heat: The Climate Challenge" is an exhibit for all ages and is open every day...Those London style cabs you see on the streets of Orange County are coming from the Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa, where a company called Her Majesty's Ride is now offering taxi rides to major OC attractions...Next time you and nine of your friends want to tour Sonoma County wineries together, Terrific Tours will show you the best wineries in the area and give you pointers on how to taste wine. You can also join up with strangers to fill out your group of 10...Ever had the desire to snowshoe Yosemite? Well now's your chance with a new tour offered by the Evergreen Lodge. The guided adventure will take visitors along the Dewey Point trail, one of the prettiest in the park... Hilton San Diego has new spa Date: 11-24-2007 The Hilton San Diego Resort has a new $5 million two-story spa called Essence, which features nine treatment rooms, a fitness center and many extras. It's a 7500-square-foot facility altogether. The resort is ideally located on the beach just a short drive from downtown San Diego and quite close to SeaWorld...Also in San Diego, the Grand Del Mar Hotel has just opened. It's a 249-room resort that includes a spa, four pools, a golf course and just about as much luxury as you'll ever need...If you're looking for a unique state park experience in Northern California, the McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park is now renting 24 new innovative family style cabins. The cabins are for sleeping only and do not contain bathroom or cooking facilities, but restroom and shower facilities are nearby...If a trip to Monterey is in your future, check out the newest permanent exhibition at Monterey Bay Aquarium called Mission to the Deep in which visitors can learn about underwater robots and other high-tech tools used to explore the deep sea... Get ready for Newport Boat Parade Date: 11-13-2007 Just returned from a weekend at the Balboa Bay Club, an impressive hotel that makes you feel like a million bucks -- actually that would probably be a low estimate of the average annual income of Balboa Bay Club members. The good news for the rest of us is that the hotel has opened 160 units to the public, many of them waterfront with incredible views of the Newport Harbor scenery. By the way, the perfect holiday getaway would be a stay at the Balboa Bay Club while they are having the annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, this year from Dec. 12 through the 16th. Gorgeous rooms at the club are still available, according to club marketing director George Lysak. Guests are guaranteed parking spaces which, Lysak points out, is a really big deal...Another great holiday event will be the First Annual Lighting of the Palms celebration, taking place Saturday, Nov. 24 at The Cliffs Resort in Shell Beach. In addition to the ceremonial Lighting of the Palms at sunset, the celebration will also include music and dancing from 2:30-5:30pm featuring Grammy-winning artist Louie Ortega and the The Wild Jalapeños; complimentary hot cider; a full bar of festive spirits – from signature sangrias and traditional libations to hot mulled wine; and a full menu of Santa Maria-style barbeque... Perfect time to visit San Diego Date: 11-05-2007 With a disaster as big as the recent Southern California fires, there is of course the immediate devastation followed by the long road to recovery for the affected homeowners. But it is easy to forget there is another part of the local population that is impacted as well -- the tourism industry. With fire and smoke on national television for several days running, even the most popular tourist areas can temporarily lose their allure. And that can put a dent in the local economy, as happened in the aftermath of fires last year at Lake Tahoe. The ironic fact is that often the destination is just as gorgeous and inviting as ever. Since we live in the San Diego area, we are here to tell you that everything is completely back to normal for San Diego guests -- the weather is as beautiful as ever, there is no sign of fire damage in the areas normally frequented by tourists and -- probably because of the fire publicity -- everything is just a little less crowded right now...If you are over 50, check this out: Boutique Hotel Collection introduces its Nifty Fifty package, honoring those born in 1957 or earlier with a 50 percent discount on accommodations, dinners and specialty items at its distinctive California Central Coast properties. It is being offered from Nov. 26 through Feb. 7... Resorts give firefighters needed respite Date: 10-26-2007 The Southern California fires have filled many SoCal hotel rooms, although not quite in the manner in which everyone would prefer. The hotels were glad to offer evacuees a place to stay, but sorry for the circumstances...Some hotels served as a much-needed base for weary firefighters. The Pala Mesa Golf Resort, in northern San Diego County near Fallbrook, is currently being utilized by on-site emergency agencies to house firefighters, volunteers and other emergency personnel. As you can see from the Pala Mesa website, helicopters are using a nearby lake to fill up their tanks with water before attacking nearby fires...The Lake Arrowhead Resort also was evacuated to serve as a base of operations for firefighters. Fortunately the resort is between two fires in that region and has not sustained any damage. Altogether the hotel had 29 strike teams from all over California and other states staying at the resort. One morning, GM Peter Henry got 150 pounds of bacon donated from the local Stater Brothers and cooked it up for the firefighters himself... Cruises offered on San Joaquin Delta Date: 10-20-2007 The trip up and down the Central Valley can be a long one with hundreds of miles of boring freeway driving. Consider breaking up the drive next time with a stop in Stockton where you can now take a cruise on the San Joaquin Delta on board the Princess of Whales, a 149-passenger catamaran. Cruises are offered year-round and are of various lengths, including a day-long cruise to San Francisco...Here is an option for your next trip to Sacramento: a stay in a new Tuscan-style villa that has just been added to the Arden Hills Resort Club and Spa. The rooms all feature fireplaces and most have a Jacuzzi tub for two...Another great hotel is being added to the already excellent selection on Catalina Island -- the Aurora Hotel is a completely renovated property that has just opened its doors. It features 16 guestrooms and three suites, all with many upscale amenities. It's operated by the same people who bring you the high-quality Avalon Hotel... $270 million resort opens in San Diego Date: 10-13-2007 If you want to see what a $270 million resort looks like, check out the newly opened Grand Del Mar, a 249-room Mediterranean-style resort in the San Diego area. According to Thomas Voss, president of Manchester Grand Resorts, this lavishly appointed resort – with meticulous details including over 30 types of marble and stone, vibrant Portuguese tile, Venetian plastered walls, more than 25,000 square feet of handcrafted wood flooring and intricate hand-stenciled ceilings – is among the highest priced new builds in California...November and early December are good times to visit Mendocino, where you'll get 50 percent off your room at MacCallum House if you stay two nights. To receive the discount you must reserve online and type GM's Fall Getaway Special into the notes field of the online reservation system. This promotion may not be used towards existing reservations...Another great holiday destination is the Apple Farm in San Luis Obispo. They are holding a running festival, of sorts, that will offer lots of traditional festivities from Nov. 10 through Christmas. The Victorian-flavored Apple Farm -- which features a restaurant, bakery and inn -- will ring in this holiday season with its annual Kick-Off Event Nov. 10, which is free for the entire family. There will be horse-drawn carriage rides, an old-fashioned cakewalk, photo-ops with Santa, drawings for free baked goods, strolling Victorian carolers and more... Coast Guard House historic, upscale Date: 10-06-2007 Just returned from a couple of days on the Northern California Coast and, I've gotta tell you, fall is a great time to visit the many scenic locations from Bodega Bay right on up to where Highway 1 joins once again with 101. There is no shortage of scenic vistas, or public access to the beach. One of our nights was spent at the Coast Guard House Inn in the Point Arena area, where guests can see in the local history books just how important this building was to the U.S. Life-Saving Service, which eventually became the Coast Guard. Innkeeper Kevin Gallagher has spruced up the individual rooms to be quite upscale, but still historic and charming...Another interesting stop on our recent trip north was at Redwoods National Park, about 40 miles north of Eureka. We met with John Russavage, CEO of the Redwood Parks Lodge Company, which is offering a phenomenal overnight accommodation package in a newly refurbished three-bedroom house for $199 per night. Large enough for two families, and furnished with everything imaginable, these houses are located in Elk Meadow, a prime part of the park, just a five-minute walk to the nearest trail and close enough to see elk right out the back door. While we were chatting with John, as if on cue, two bull elk began sparring about 30 yards from where we were standing... Tahoe-area resort offers guitar workshop Date: 09-29-2007 One of our favorite cabin-in-the-woods experiences is at Sorensens Resort near Lake Tahoe and, since we play guitar, we now have another reason to appreciate this great resort. They are planning a March workshop that will be presented by internationally acclaimed guitarist and recording artist Alex de Grassi. It would be a great time to do a little cross-country skiing as well...A good way to save money this winter on skiing and snowboarding is Big Bear Lake Midweek Ski and Ride Packages, which start at $69 per person, per night with minimum double occupancy. Midweek visitors can save up to 27 percent on their favorite winter sport and lodging accommodations. Ask one of these Big Bear lodgings for more details...The La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club offers a Gourmet for a Day package, designed to inspire the culinary genius in everyone. Enjoy accommodations at this exclusive oceanfront retreat, featuring one of the only private beaches in Southern California, combined with a one-hour cooking experience in The Marine Room kitchen, followed by a five-course tasting menu in the award-winning Marine Room, and a special gift from the chefs... A Wild West event for whole family Date: 09-22-2007 A Wild West parade, burro run, miner’s triathlon, barbecue, cowboy honky-tonk and bluegrass music help recreate the life and times of Calico Ghost Town at its 41st annual Calico Days celebration October 5-7. The highlight of the weekend is the Calico Days parade, commencing at high-noon on Saturday. The whole family will enjoy the egg tossing contests, beard and mustache contests, horseshoe pitch, coloring contests, bucket brigade contests, and the greased pole climb. Calico Ghost Town is near Barstow...If you're already planning your Halloween haunts, you might want to check out the Queen Mary Shipwreck event in Long Beach, to be offered 13 nights in October. Known for its paranormal activites, the Queen Mary is the perfect place to encounter spooks during the Halloween season...Nature lovers can take flight to the Inn at Morro Bay in Morro Bay, CA, this January to catch a glimpse of several species of winged wonders with the new Audubon Package – an offering that celebrates the month’s nationally-recognized Morro Bay Winter Bird Festival by giving guests a custom bird watching kayak tour, a trip to the Natural History Museum, a local bird map and more... Iron Butterfly in free Palm Desert concert Date: 09-17-2007 The Coachella Valley Recreation and Parks District has a free rock concert coming up in Palm Desert on October 4 with Iron Butterfly playing with Wild Child between 6 and 9 p.m. at the Palm Desert Civic Center Park...Looking for great Mexican food in California? We stopped by Miguel's Cocina Coronado, just across the street from the Hotel Del Coronado on San Diego's Coronado Island and found this to be the perfect atmosphere for a Mexican restaurant. It's located in the courtyard of the El Cordova Hotel so parts of it are outdoors. Conveniently, the reservation desk also has a small bar where you can leave your name and pick up a drink without missing a beat. And the food's good, too...Editors of Dog Fancy Magazine named San Diego the 2007 DogTown USA, an annual recognition of America’s most dog-friendly city based on reader nominations and presence of dog-friendly activities, restaurants and businesses; dog parks, and critical-care facilities... Westlake Village Inn a surprising "find" Date: 09-11-2007 Just returned from a weekend at Westlake Village Inn, a surprising find just north of Los Angeles. With its elaborate gardens, landscaping and lake, it's no wonder that locals choose this place for a lot of weddings. Travelers to the Los Angeles area will find it's in an excellent location for daytrips to Santa Barbara, Santa Monica and the Reagan Library...If you want to see a real TV and movie star up-close, head this weekend for the Redwoods where Redwood Adventures is holding an open house to show off the recently renovated Elk Meadow Cabins at Redwood Adventures Village. Held Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., the event features tours of the cabins, a free barbecue and a ceremony featuring actor Robert Conrad, best known for his role in the popular late 1960's television series Wild Wild West...Located on the salty-air bluffs above beautiful Shell Beach, the Cliffs Resort is expanding on its seaside spa offerings with the introduction of two new product lines and an indulgent new spa-centric vacation package. Osea and Epicuren products are now available at the Spa at The Cliffs Resort... Unusual Kids Buffet at Loews Coronado Date: 09-03-2007 Some of California's best beaches are on San Diego's Coronado Island. One of those is Silver Strand State Park, which actually is connected by walkway-underpass with the Loews Coronado Bay Resort. We stopped by the resort to have dinner at the Market Cafe, which offered something we haven't seen before: a Kids' Buffet table. There on a table about half the height of a regular table was an assortment of kid-friendly items such as s'mores, peanut-butter and jelly sandwiches, macaroni and cheese, veggie trays, chocolate chip cookies, salads -- just about anything your kid would want. The adult food at the cafe was excellent as well...Grandparents play an important role in the lives of their grandchildren and now five Boutique Hotel Collection hotels are offering a Grandparents Getaway Package for the months of November and December. These special Sunday-Thursday packages are for grandparents and up to two grandchildren. Each property offers a variety of fun activities and amenities including milk and cookies upon arrival, free dinner for kids under 12, and a teddy-bear turndown service. For example, Apple Farm Inn, in San Luis Obispo, offers a one-night stay in a deluxe room with two queen beds and fireplace. Package is $199 per night, plus tax, and includes a trip to the “Red Hot Pottery” store to create an item (one per child) to be glazed, fired then shipped back home within a week of visit... New luxury hotel opens in Paso Robles Date: 08-22-2007 We've visited the Paso Robles wine region and find it one of the most beautiful and magical places in California and now there's yet another reason to visit Wine Country. La Bellasera Hotel & Suites opened its doors last month, becoming the first luxury boutique hotel in Paso Robles. Located in the heart of California's Central coast wine region, La Bellasera is a full service resort hotel offering 60 luxury oversized suites, restaurant, spa, and meeting facility. Located at the gateway to Hearst Castle and the Central Coast wine country, the hotel is a blend of Mediterranean and Italian architectural elements with wood and glass textured entry doors, natural stone floors, oversized guest rooms, suites with fireplaces, whirlpools and full kitchens, according to Ken Garvin, Vice President of Operations. The hotel currently is offering grand opening specials...If you can't get enough of Johnny Depp and his pirate movies, check out the San Diego Maritime Museum and its exhibit called Pirates of the Pacific. The exhibit highlights the exploits of William Dampier, a sophisticated buccaneer who mixed an interest in natural science and geography with a lust for adventure. The exhibit also focuses on Chinese pirates that threatened merchant ships in the South China Sea... Octoberfest just around the corner Date: 08-16-2007 With September just around the corner, it's time to start planning your Octoberfest getaways. One of the biggest and longest running in California is the one at Big Bear Lake, now in its 37th year. For seven consecutive weekends, Saturday, Sept. 15 to Saturday, Oct. 27, thousands of people will enjoy traditional Bavarian songs and polka dances, as well as games and contests such as the log sawing competition and queen stein carrying contest. Be sure to make your lodging reservations well in advance...Disneyland is capitalizing on all the buzz about High School Musical 2, the Disney movie that is premiering on the Disney Channel August 17. Following the TV premiere, an all-new "High School Musical 2: School’s Out!" live show will debut at Disney’s California Adventure at the Disneyland Resort on Saturday, August 18...If you like all things spooky, no need to wait until Halloween. Ghostfest II, to be held on Sept. 28 and 29, is a scientific and spiritual exploration of poltergeists, psychic phenomena and ghost research. It's conducted on the Queen Mary in Long Beach... Panda-monium breaks out in San Diego Date: 08-07-2007 Panda-monium has broken out at the San Diego Zoo with the birth of a panda cub on August 3. There's a Panda Cam at the zoo's website that is getting a lot of traffic. Panda Cam viewers received a sneak peek of the San Diego Zoo's 3-day-old giant panda early Monday morning when 16-year-old Bai Yun left the den for the first time since birth for a drink of water...The San Luis Obispo area is just gorgeous this time of year. And for $399 plus tax, the Apple Farm Inn’s Southern Exposure package features deluxe accommodations for two for two nights, a detailed farm and winery itinerary, a gourmet picnic lunch for two, a $20 credit for gasoline, a homemade Apple Farm fruit pie to take home, a bottle of Apple Farm’s barbecue sauce, and a daily wine reception. Now THAT's a package...Like live music? Head for the Napa Valley and Calistoga where the Calistoga Inn is known for nightly entertainment. Providing nighttime entertainment is a priority for owner Mike Dunsford. "When people travel they want to have a good time," says Dunsford... Where to find a cabin with character Date: 08-01-2007 Nowadays it is sometimes hard to find that cabin with character for your mountain or lake getaway. Often, the cabins are really big new houses, or as we once discovered, a series of modular homes. But check out the Tsasdi Resort on Shasta Lake -- these are really cool cabins in the woods with little kitchens and living room areas. Very charming...The Portofino Hotel and Yacht Club in Redondo Beach doesn't have cabins, but their Boys Will Be Boys package is the next best thing to an escape to the woods. As the hotel puts it,upon arrival you’ll be welcomed with two of the best things in life: a cocktail and a cigar -- along with tickets to a comedy or magic club...If you want to see big-name acts that are maybe just a little out of their prime but still good and -- get this -- appearing for ticket prices of just 20 or 30 bucks, visit the Riverside Hotel in Laughlin, Nevada. Just over the California line, this is a great hotel that offers big-town fun for small-town prices. Check out performers like Mark Chesnutt, Collin Raye, Doug Kershaw, Vicki Lawrence and Debbie Reynolds... Fairmont Miramar courts single travelers Date: 07-23-2007 Single travel is growing. Recognizing this niche, The Fairmont Miramar Hotel’s “Single & The City” room package includes deluxe room accommodations, continental breakfast (guests can enjoy their meal in The Grille or outdoor at the Koi Pond), and a special amenity kit from the Santa Monica Convention and Visitors Bureau which includes info and maps of fun and interesting things to experience while visiting in Santa Monica...Humboldt County's Richard Stenger says you can do more than examine prize heifers, bite into the best-tasting BBQ ever and cheer dogs herding sheep at the oldest county fair in the state. The 111th annual Humboldt County Fair also offers ten days to wager on your choice of lucky hooves. Most will be on horses, but a few races at the track will pit cloned mules against each other. The fair, which runs August 9th to 19th, takes place at the Humboldt County Fairgrounds in the Victorian village of Ferndale...A popular activity for many years at Yosemite's Tenaya Lodge has been the Flashlight Hike, an easy hike that operates any night there are at least four participants. Perfect for kids six and up, the cost is $10 per person and includes a souvenir Tenaya flashlight. The hike is conducted by a Guest Services staff member... Kids Play Weekend at Wild Animal Park Date: 07-16-2007 The Wild Animal Park in North San Diego County is always a great place to visit with the kids whenever you're in the area. On August 4 and 5 the park will be holding Fisher-Price Play Weekend. The event features a supersized playpen filled with the coolest new toys from Fisher-Price. A Power Wheels driving track featuring the new NASCAR Power Wheels and Ford F-150 vehicles will be available for little cruisers to take for a whirl. On Saturday kids can meet Ace and Digger from the new Planet Heroes. And on Sunday, Diego, from Nick Jr., will be there to meet fans. The event runs from 11 to 4 both days and is free with park admission...Stargazer Productions and the Queen Mary announce the opening of a special new cabaret-style dinner theater production called Dancing Queen that will sing and dance audience members through the generally glamorous, sometimes sordid history of the Queen Mary Cruise Liner. Running from now through Nov. 18, Dancing Queen showcases a unique perspective of American history through the eyes of the Queen Mary and the ship's extensive past-from serving as a troopship during WWII, through her 1,001 transatlantic crossings, to her final "resting place" in the Long Beach harbor. Tribute will also be paid to the numerous celebrities, both beloved and notorious, who have graced her royal decks. For more information, phone 1-562-499-1757... Arrowhead Resort adds more luxury Date: 07-10-2007 Just returned from a thoroughly enjoyable weekend in Lake Arrowhead where we got our first chance to see the extensive improvements to the Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa. This classic resort has been renovated top to bottom and now ranks with some of the best luxury resort properties in the state. Its location on the lake and next to the bustling Arrowhead Village is a big plus, but now the resort really looks the part of a big-time luxury resort...While in the area we had the chance to stop by Wildhaven, a rehab center for wild animals indigenous to the San Bernardino Forest. Directors Roger and Diane Williams invite visitors to come out and see the bears, bobcats, deer and other animals up-close. Diane explained to our group that these animals became her life's calling when, at age nine, she was going through a challenging childhood. The connection she felt with animals brightened her childhood and remains with her to this day as she raises many animals from the time they are only weeks old. For a completely fulfilling experience, we recommend you take the entire family out to Wildhaven on your next visit to the Lake Arrowhead-Big Bear area... Fire spooks Tahoe bookings -- for no reason Date: 07-03-2007 The recent fire just outside of South Lake Tahoe has created an unusual opportunity for travelers wanting to visit the lake during the absolute most beautiful time of the year. Publicity from the fire has softened hotel reservations to the extent that lakefront hotel properties have July vacancies -- something usually unheard of. Word is that bookings are down between 20 and 30 percent because of the public misconception that the fire destroyed portions of downtown. Laura Maffitt, director of sales for the Tahoe Lakeshore Lodge and Spa says there really is no significant impact on the vacationer's experience. "You can see where it burned along Highway 50 as you come into town, or you can see the area from a boat," she said, "but aside from that you wouldn't even be able to see anything." It's probably worth your while to check out a few Tahoe hotels and see what special rates might be offered in the immediate future to help fill up rooms that might otherwise go empty. Tahoe Lakeshore, for example, is relaxing its multi-night stay requirement for the 4th of July and the following weekend... Squaw is a summer wonderland Date: 06-28-2007 One of our favorite ski resorts becomes an incredibly beautiful mountain playground in the summer. Squaw Valley is transformed into some of the best hiking terrain in the country and a magnificent venue for outdoor leisure. The epicenter of the summer Squaw season is High Camp Bath and Tennis Club, elevation 8200 feet. A breathtaking recreational paradise above the lake, High Camp is home to a mountaintop Swimming Lagoon and Spa, tennis courts, hiking center, ice skating pavilion, and dining...Just returned from a trip to Calico Silver Rush Ghost Town, near Barstow. This time of year, brace for some heat, but the authentic western saloon is the perfect stop about half way between L.A. and Vegas. Passengers will be refreshed with the cold draft beer, but there is plenty of non-alcoholic refreshment for the driver as well, all in an atmosphere you just cannot beat...Sam and Shawnda Marmorstein, owners of the Los Olivos Wine Merchant and Cafe, have started a new program featuring artists and their works changing on a monthly basis. On the first Tuesday of each month, the public is invited to a free opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. where they can meet the featured talent and enjoy complimentary hors d oeuvres and wine. It all starts with John Fitzpatrick, whose photographic images capture the luscious Santa Ynez Valley and its people in portraits, landscapes and documentary styles. Opening reception is July 3... Fire lookout open again for stays Date: 06-24-2007 The Morton Fire Lookout has reopened to the public for overnight stays, after being closed down for eight months. The fire lookout was officially closed down for overnight trips due to the Esperanza fire that occurred in October 2006. Guests who stay atop the remote 30-foot tower will find peace in knowing they are worlds apart from the daily grind of urban living. For more information, call 800-4-BIG-BEAR...To celebrate the Summer Solstice, the talented chefs at The Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica have created a tasty poolside BBQ menu for guests to enjoy every Friday night throughout summer. The All-American Poolside BBQ consists of all the familiar fixings including home-style potato salad with fresh herbs, heirloom tomato salad with bocconcini, Miramar coleslaw with poppy seeds, roasted corn-on-the-cob and vegetable kebobs. Chefs manning the BBQ grill will be cooking everything from chicken breasts to hot dogs to burgers, and of course, baby back ribs. Call 310/576-7777, ext. 3260 for dining reservations...Redwood Adventures, a business unit of Redwood Parks Lodge Company located in the heart of Redwood National and State Parks, has announced that all six of the their luxury cabins are complete and ready for rental use. Each of the cabins in the Redwood Adventures Vacation Village has been decorated to reflect the habitat and history of the Redwood forest. The cabins are built on seven acres at the southern end of a 40-acre parcel of land north of Orick, California that was originally a sawmill... Resort planning big July 4 barbecue Date: 06-20-2007 If you are undecided about Fourth of July travel plans, consider visiting Paradise Point Resort and Spa for Independence Day Weekend, where you can enjoy what the resort says is the Most Spectacular Independence Day Weekend Fireworks and BBQ Extravaganza in San Diego. An All American Kansas City Barbecue starts Monday, July 3rd on Paradise Lawn at 6 p.m. with great food, live music and the best possible view for the 9 p.m. fireworks over Mission Bay...While in town you can take in the the San Diego Zoo, which starts its Nighttime Zoo festivities on June 23 with an exciting new theme and entertainment line-up. Fiesta De Las Caras is a celebration of the Americas bringing the sights, sounds and tastes of California and Latin America to the Zoo each evening through Sept. 3rd...If you are headed to L.A. this summer, consider seeing the Tony Award-winning musical Wicked. The Fairmont Miramar Hotel Santa Monica and several other L.A. hotels are offering a special VIP Wicked package that includes guaranteed VIP tickets to Wicked and your hotel stay... Lake Almanor is a surprising find... Date: 06-14-2007 We had the opportunity to stop by Lake Almanor on a recent trip to Northern California, where Best Western Rose Quartz Inn manager Mark Gilrey knows he has it made. This lake is pristine -- a mountain setting that's not too far inland from the Central Valley. Residents of that part of the state flock to the lake to enjoy boating, fishing, golf, great scenery -- and just getting away from the crowds. Gilrey, a former associate pastor from out of state, feels like he has found the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow...Stay out of the sun and still boast a beach-bronzed look with the Sea, Sand & Fog package at Marina Dunes Resort. Guests get a special liquid bronzing treatment applied by spa professionals. Getting too much sun on a summer vacation is simply not a healthy choice, according to Lisa Dias, general manager for Marina Dunes Resort, located along the edge of Monterey Bay...Looking for some cool jazz? It’s the natural outdoor amphitheater at Snow Summit Mountain Resort that sets Big Bear Lake’s jazz festival apart from other music festivals in Southern California. Big Bear's 3rd Annual JazzTrax Summer Music Festival (JazzTrax) will be held Friday, June 22 to Sunday, June 24... The Yosemite bears are back... Date: 06-08-2007 Just returned from a visit to both Yosemite and Sequoia national parks and the word is that the bears are back. After a couple of years of less frequent bear sightings, bears are being spotted more often in both parks as we close in on the peak summer travel season. While driving through Yosemite, we encounted one particular sighting that had attracted dozens of cars and a park official who was trying to keep the traffic moving...Speaking of Yosemite, we spent some time in Groveland, a small town about 20 miles from the park's entrance that is the perfect place to stay if you prefer to not overnight in one of the park's campgrounds. We especially enjoyed our stay at the Hotel Charlotte, located along the town's old west style Main Street...Another great place to stay overnight is Wuksachi Lodge, where we headquartered while in Sequoia National Park. The scenery just doesn't get more spectacular than the giant Sequoia groves that are located just a short distance from the Wuksachi... Hello from the Greenhorn Ranch Date: 06-03-2007 Just spent the weekend at Greenhorn Guest Ranch, a magical place about 60 miles norhtwest of Reno. The drive in is spectacular, whether from Reno or approaching from the west. But what's special is that you just won't be around a finer group of people than those who work at the ranch. Each summer the ranch gears up for a busy summer season, hiring 11 wranglers to watch over 125 horses and dozens of guests each week. The ranch is on about 600 acres with another half-million deeded acres for trail-riders. Many of the employees are college-age kids who are working at the ranch for the summer, returning to classes in the fall. Many others are folks who have grown up around a ranch and enjoy treating guests to the simple pleasures of great food, unbelievable scenery and lots of interaction with great people. Kids love the ranch, of course -- on Saturday night, the highlight of the evening was the frog race, pitting just-captured frogs against one another as kids do everything they can short of touching the frog to get their frog over the finish line first. Feature article coming soon.... Redwoods celebrates National Trails Day Date: 05-31-2007 If you are planning a hike this coming weekend, consider the Redwoods. Redwood Adventures, a business unit of Redwood Parks Lodge Company, will host a festival in honor of the American Hiking Society's fifteenth annual National Trails Day on Saturday, June 1. In celebration of America's beautiful trails, all visitors of Northern California's Redwood National and State Parks and surrounding communities are invited to participate in specially guided bike rides, horseback rides, kayak trips and interpretive hikes. Sponsored by the Orick Chamber of Commerce and hosted at Redwood Adventures Events Center, the National Trails Day celebration is designed to inspire the public to visit the trails in and around the Redwood National and State Parks to discover, learn about and celebrate the area while participating in guided tours, gear demonstrations, educational exhibits, art, food and music. Also check out the cool new cabins offered by Redwood Adventures...Stay tuned for a coming feature on one of California's most interesting ghost towns. We just visited Calico, a former silver mining community that has a number of buildings that have been rebuilt in their original locations. It's well worth a visit if you're driving I-15 toward Las Vegas... Historic Calistoga getting new resort Date: 05-30-2007 Just a few weeks ago we were enjoying a scenic drive through the back country of Sonoma County when we drove on over some hills into Calistoga. This historic town, built around the hot springs there, is now getting a new resort -- the Solage Resort. Scheduled to open in July, the Solage is the first of a new hotel concept created by Auberge Resorts. The architecture of Solage interprets the local rural heritage with a stylish twist described as San Francisco loft meets Napa Valley barn. Guests may choose from 89 rooms ranging from $325 for a deluxe room to $850 for a one-bedroom suite. The property will feature a bar and casual restaurant opening onto large outdoor terraces, fire pits, bocce courts and views of the Palisades Mountains. The heart of the resort will be Spa Solage, featuring many special spa experiences and soaking pools tapping the famous Calistoga geothermal springs...The Apple Farm Inn of San Luis Obispo highlights South San Luis Obispo County, offering the new SLO Southern Exposure package, featuring everything from harvest wine tours to a gourmet lunch and homemade pie. For just $399, guests choosing the SLO Southern Exposure package can indulge in a pre-planned harvest tour featuring the south county’s most charming farms and cellars – clearly designated on a prepared map of the nearby wine country with a detailed itinerary. Additionally, guests will receive a two-night stay at the cozy Victorian-style Apple Farm Inn, a gourmet lunch for two, an Apple Farm fruit pie and a bottle of homemade Apple Farm BBQ Sauce to take home, as well as a $20 gas voucher. The SLO Southern Exposure package is available select Sunday through Wednesday nights from June 17 through September 12, 2007, excluding holidays. Costa Mesa will PAY you to shop Date: 05-23-2007 Everyone knows South Coast Plaza is the ultimate shopping center in Southern California, and most people know that part of Orange County is home to lots of theater and live music. But what many people may not know is that the city of Costa Mesa will PAY you to visit. The 2007 Fly, Drive and Dine promotion runs through September 30, 2007, based upon room availability. Here’s how it works. When travelers book a stay in a participating Costa Mesa hotel this spring and summer, they will receive a $30 per night dining certificate per reservation for each night they stay in the hotel that is redeemable at many fine Costa Mesa area restaurants. Additionally, a $30 reimbursement on their airfare or purchase of gasoline will be mailed to guests within a few weeks of their stay in Costa Mesa...Further north, San Francisco is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Summer of Love. The San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau and 16 hotel partners are offering a special hotel promotion exclusively for California residents. Residents may book online for stays between June 1 through 30, 2007 to enjoy three nights for the price of two at a participating hotel. A California billing address must be provided when booking reservations... Live music on Pismo Beach Date: 05-18-2007 If a beach is in your future, Pismo Beach on the Central California coast is a great choice. We've spent many a day there exploring the beachfront caves and enjoying the spectacular views from the wide and seemingly endless beach. If you go, be sure to take in the SeaVenture Restaurant’s Sundays on the Deck. As the restaurant recently told us, this is "a special new offering that invites Central Coast residents to enjoy a laid back day of rest with live music, delicious lunch and small plate selections and tropical drink specials from the comfort of heated, oceanfront patios." It runs from now through the end of August and is offered on Sundays from 12 to 4 p.m...If you plan your visit for early June, you'll also be able to take in the Fourth Annual Pinot & Paella Cook-off, which will be held in Templeton on June 10. The Cook-Off features 16 great chefs and 13 Paso Robles Pinot Noir producers. San Luis Obispo County’s best chefs will compete with unique Paella recipes, paired with wine from more than a dozen Paso Robles Pinot Noir producers from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. at the Community Park in Templeton. The Cook-off will showcase the Spanish beat, paella, live music and dance. Catalina's hot, but this is ridiculous Date: 05-11-2007 We've done several articles on gorgeous Catalina Island and have a full appreciation for just how beautiful and rare this little piece of paradise is. So it's wrenching to see portions of it ablaze. Everyone's hopeful that damage can be kept to a minimum and hats off to the firefighters who must work in the very steep terrain behind Avalon. For a perspective on the island's interior, check out our story on the Catalina Island Interior...If you're anywhere within an hour or two drive of Temecula on Father's Day, Ponte Winery is putting on what sounds like the perfect Father's Day blues and barbecue bash. LA Jones and the Blues Messengers will play cool Chicago-style blues while a Chef grills a delicious BBQ lunch. Check out the menu: Chicken Drumettes with Jalapeno Chili BBQ Sauce, Gilled Tri Tip with a Smokey Sweet Onion Glaze, Baby Back Ribs with a roasted garlic Cabernet BBQ Sauce, Grilled Chicken with a Chardonnay Garlic Butter, Roasted Corn on the Cob, Apple Pie and much, much more...Also under the category of planning ahead, don't forget that the Dead Sea Scrolls are coming to Balboa Park in San Diego beginning June 29... Bargains just keep coming Date: 04-30-2007 It never ceases to amaze me how many good travel deals are added to our Value Packages, Midweek Bargains and Gas-wise Getaways sections. Today, for example, we just put up a 20-percent-off special for Napa's Wine Country Inn which still includes their gourmet breakfast and afternoon wine tasting. We just put up a May special for Silverado Resort offering a huge discount on greens fees for the first part of May. Be sure and check out our other offerings in those special departments...One of our favorite pastimes is cruising San Diego Bay on our powerboat so it was fun learning that San Diego Marriott marketing pro Mark Erskine also likes to spend time on the bay in a 27-foot sailboat. It was great comparing notes on the interesting sightings we've both enjoyed on the bay...Two types of businesses that book up early for those prime summer weekends are houseboats and guest ranches. We have our reservations in place at Greenhorn Guest Ranch; if you want a prime week on the water this year, be sure and contact Houseboats.com soon... Wine Country has new luxury inn Date: 04-25-2007 We got hooked on Santa Barbara Wine Country last year when we took the Sideways tour -- a map tour that followed the adventures of the main characters in the popular Sideways movie. A few weeks back we discovered the Danish village of Solvang, where owner Mark Davis has pulled out all the stops in creating Hadsten House the town's newest luxury lodgings. Davis even hired former Fess Parker honcho Bill Phelps to ensure the property would have the highest standards of service...While in Santa Barbara Wine Country, you might consider a special treat: seeing the incredibly beautiful countryside by hot air balloon. The new service has an introductory price of $199 during the spring months. Call Adventures Out West at (805) 882-1214...Just returned from a visit to the Hilton San Diego Resort so stay tuned for an upcoming feature on the resort and Pacific Beach. The Hilton is being renovated and will soon have a new spa. Water enthusiasts just can't beat this location on Mission Bay, where the resort has its own dock and fleet of boats and watercraft available for rent. If you're considering an active water vacation in San Diego, the Hilton is a good choice... Huge country music fest May 5-6 Date: 04-23-2007 Southern California's country music fans are all atwitter over one of the biggest country music festivals ever to be held in the Western U.S. This one happens to be slated for the polo grounds in Indio, California and is being referred to as the Stagecoach Festival. To be held May 5 and 6, this event has managed to put many of the genre's leading stars on the stage all in one weekend, to wit: Brooks and Dunn, Sugarland, Alan Jackson, Sara Evans, Kenny Chesney, Willy Nelson, Emmylou Harris and about a dozen up-and-coming stars who have top 10 songs right now on country radio. The event's about a half hour from Palm Springs, and fans will be staying at many Palm Springs area resorts. The event also encourages fans to bring their RV's and camp out for the festivities, although at this late date camping spaces may be limited. We're headed for the Pacific Northwest that weekend, but we almost changed our schedule for this one -- it promises to be the best gathering of country musicians this side of the country has seen for quite some time. For info, go to www.stagecoachfestival.com. Copyright © 2003 -  CaliforniaWeekend.com. All rights reserved. Web site design by Think Research, Carl Klem (Webmaster); graphic design by Jill St. Michael.