April 2009 Archives
The newly released California
Road Trips 2009, an annual guide, produced by the California
Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) and Sunset Custom Media Solutions,
continues to provide detailed driving maps that take readers to some of the best
insider spots in California. But consumers will find a difference this year
- an emphasis on getting out of the car to enjoy those unique locales.
Readers are encouraged to stretch their legs and wander Calico Ghost Town, a former silver-mining boomtown, where authenticity mixes with a little kitsch in the Deserts Region.
In the Inland
Empire Region, biking the scenic trails surrounding the pine-fringed Lake
Arrowhead is a must-do in the warmer months.
In the San Diego County Region,
travelers can snorkel, getting up close and personal with harmless leopard
sharks in La Jolla, while in Santa Barbara, part of the Central Coast Region,
they can walk the gardens at Old Mission Santa Barbara, which offer peace and tranquility
during a busy vacation.
The High Sierra Region encourages travelers to take a
watery tour by renting a kayak to discover the tufa towers bordering Mono Lake.
In keeping with its new sustainable theme, California
Road Trips 2009 also recommends riding the green trains at Disneyland, which
now run on biodiesel, or cutting down on emissions by touring Huntington Beach
by foot-power (your cab driver's) with Blue Water Pedicab in the Orange
County Region.
Another new feature to the guide is the
"3 Free & Easy" box located in each of the 12 regional
California driving itineraries.
In the Central Valley Region, travelers are
encouraged to check out the Fresno Art Museum - free admission every
Sunday. The Gold Country Region's drive recommends Columbia State
Historic Park, where the town's shopkeepers still dress like it's
1849.
Where's the best spot to view the Pacific Ocean? In the North Coast
Region, it's the northernmost Sea Ranch access, providing panoramic views
from the bluffs. And what better way to end the day than gazing from the Shasta
Cascade Region's Sundial Bridge as the sun sets over Redding and the
Sacramento River?
California Road Trips 2009 is available in the June edition of Sunset magazine. You can also get a copy by calling 1-877-TOP-DRIVES or download it for free via the CTTC Web site at www.visitcalifornia.com/visitorsguide.
Santa Monica Convention & Visitors Bureau will kick off the Gumball 3000 on Saturday, May 2. The 3,000-mile cross-country
route will showcase more than 100 cutting-edge cars, including the 'greenest'
hybrid to date, and electric vehicles of the future. The cars will stop in
other world-class American cities such as Las Vegas, New Orleans and Miami.
Free family-friendly events for the community kick off on Friday, May 1, when the cars will be on display to the public starting at 9:30 a.m. at the 1550 parking lot, just north of the Santa Monica Pier. Gumball 3000 will be holding a free concert in the Arizona block of Santa Monica's Third Street Promenade at 7 p.m., with live performances by L.A.-based rap duo U-N-I, Cypress Hill's DJ Muggs, and The Cuban Brothers. An exclusive after-party will be held for Gumballers and VIP guests at Viceroy Santa Monica, where the drivers will be staying during the kick-off festivities.
After an address from Santa Monica Mayor Ken Genser, each car will be announced as they start their engines at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 2. The drivers include a diverse cross-section of celebrities, moguls and automotive enthusiasts, who will proudly show off their rides as their journey begins down Ocean Avenue. Skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, Oscar-winning actor Adrien Brody, and David Hasselhoff are just some of the big names set to take the wheel this year. The rally will be broadcast on television and the Internet, exposing Santa Monica to an audience of over 60 million worldwide.
The Gumball 3000 Rally was founded in 1998 by Maximillion Cooper with the aim of uniting people through popular culture, which makes Santa Monica a fitting starting point for this year's coast-to-coast road trip. Santa Monica is the western end of the legendary Route 66, and 2009 is a year to celebrate the city's colorful lifestyle and many of its popular icons. Road races in Santa Monica date back to the early 20th century, and SMCVB will commemorate that history with limited edition t-shirts that will be sold in each of the three Santa Monica Visitors Center locations. Proceeds from the t-shirts will benefit the Santa Monica Historical Society, which opens a new museum in Fall 2009.
For this year's Mother's Day (Sunday, May 10), The
Downtown Center Business Improvement District has compiled the Top 10 ideas and deals that will please
any mom. For complete details and how to take advantage of these great
packages, please visit www.downtownla.com.
1. Sample Downtown's Culinary Delights, Day and Night: Celebrate Mother's
Day with brunch at the beautiful, outdoor Blue Ribbon Garden at the Walt Disney
Concert Hall or at the Grand Café at the Omni Los Angeles Hotel. You can also enjoy
a special pre fix dinner at
2. Delight in Afternoon Tea: Relax in the afternoon and enjoy
this wonderful tradition of aromatic tea, delicious pastries and desserts,
finger sandwiches, and delightful conversation with your mom with exclusive
DCBID packages at the
And the Millennium Biltmore Hotel is transforming its
3. Wine Tastings in the City: Test your knowledge of colors,
flavors and smells of various wines at the San Antonio Winery, the last of the
100+ producing wineries that once lined the
You can also treat mom with a delicious brunch, created exclusively for DCBID,
at the new Corkbar. Check out its wide selection of wines afterward.
4. Shop Til You Drop: Make mom feel like a VIP with exclusive
DCBID offers at Tiara Café, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Store and the
L.A. Philharmonic Store. Known as the Fashion District's Trendiest Spot,
Tiara is the place to be to savor fashionably gourmet and healthy courses.
Also, receive a gift certificate for a personal shopping trip with Urban
Shopping Adventures.
End your tour of the MOCA at its store and receive a free gift or receive a 10
percent discount at the LA Phil Store by mentioning the DCBID.
5. Relax and Pamper: If your mom needs a day of
relaxation, pamper her with spa services with the DCBID exclusive "Mother's
Day Mix-and-Match Spa Treatments" at the Hilton Checkers Spa on its sunny
roof spa or indoors at its serene spa. Mix and match different 30-minute
treatments for your mom and for yourself. If you're planning to stay the
night, just add a room for two at a fantastic price of $149 / night, plus tax.
Check out Neihule, a sophisticated urban oasis on
6. Absorb the Arts: If your mom enjoys live theatre
and musical acts, then surprise her with tickets to a classical concert,
"Bronfman Plays Prokofiev," at the Walt Disney Concert Hall or snap
your fingers and tap your toes to "Ain't Misbehavin': The
Fats Weller Musical Show" at the Ahmanson Theatre.
7. Marvel at Rare, Museum Collections: If
your mom likes to take in some history, modern or ancient, then she can peruse
the new
Learn about Dan Graham, a central figure in the development of contemporary art
since the 1960s, with a free Mother's Day tour of the "Dan Graham:
Beyond" exhibit at MOCA. Or check out the Central Library and awe at the
outstanding sketches, figure drawings and building renderings by Richard
Neutra, one of modernism's most important architects.
8. Dabble in Downtown's Diversity: If Mom likes
exploring and being on-the-go, then hop on a fun, nighttime bus tour of neon
signs, movie marquees and permanent installations of contemporary neon art through
Downtown and
Also, explore the rich architecture and history of the magnificent Biltmore
Hotel, which was known in its early days as the "The Host of the
Coast." Over the years, the Biltmore played non-stop host to high
society, international political figures, movie stars and royalty.
9. Pack a Picnic: If you're looking for
something low-key, then laze around on a grassy knoll with good conversation
and a good book at the beautiful Elysian Park, a green haven right in the
backyard of Downtown L.A. You can also try Downtown's
Holland America Line is introducing a new 14-day Alaskan Adventurer cruise itinerary in 2010 to its extensive selection of seven-day itineraries. The Alaskan Adventurer
Holland America's schedule features eight ships offering 149 total departures from May 3 through
Sept. 24, 2010. The Alaskan Adventurer cruises will sail roundtrip from
Many roundtrip
The 1,380-guest Amsterdam will homeport in
Four ships will be
home-ported in
Four ships will be
home-ported in Vancouver, two of them sailing seven-day Glacier Bay Inside
Passage cruises roundtrip. The 1,432-guest Volendam (Wednesday departures) and
1,916-guest Zuiderdam (Saturday departures) sail 39 voyages from May 8 through
September 18. They visit
Cruise-only fares start at US $849, per person, double occupancy for a seven-day cruise and $2,099 for a 14-day sailing. For a copy of the 2010 Alaska Cruises & CruiseTours brochure, contact a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.
By popular
demand, the restoration shop tours at Railtown 1897 State Historic
Park
As part of the special viewings, Railtown staff will present a 90-minute program which will also include a shop tour for visitors. Cost for the tours is $5, and reservations may be made by calling 209-984-3953.
Tours
Built by the Rogers Locomotive Works inNew
Jersey in 1891, the Sierra No. 3 spent the early years of its life
in Arizona , and was brought to Jamestown
With the advent of diesels in the middle of the 20th century, many steam locomotives were destroyed for scrap, but Sierra No. 3 found a new career in the movie industry, appearing in more than 100 films and television shows over the years.
Last December, the Sierra No. 3's boiler was sent toWashington State
As part of the special viewings, Railtown staff will present a 90-minute program which will also include a shop tour for visitors. Cost for the tours is $5, and reservations may be made by calling 209-984-3953.
Tours
Built by the Rogers Locomotive Works in
With the advent of diesels in the middle of the 20th century, many steam locomotives were destroyed for scrap, but Sierra No. 3 found a new career in the movie industry, appearing in more than 100 films and television shows over the years.
Last December, the Sierra No. 3's boiler was sent to
May 3 marks the inaugural flights of Allegiant Air, LLC,
to Monterey Peninsula Airport from Los Angeles
international airport. This new service is the first offered between these two markets; with Allegiant offering introductory one-way fares as low as $39.
Allegiant Air will operate three flights weekly, departing Los Angeles on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Total flight time is approximately one hour and 15 minutes. For reservations, call 702.505.8888; or see their web site at www.allegiantair.com.
The May 3 launch coincides with Monterey Convention and Visitors Bureau's new "Smile Recovery" packages, available through May 31. More than 150 deals are available, including great rates at seaside inns, up to 30 percent off lodging at world class resorts, golf bargains and savings at local restaurants. Check out www.SeeMonterey.com/deals.
Allegiant Air will operate three flights weekly, departing Los Angeles on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday. Total flight time is approximately one hour and 15 minutes. For reservations, call 702.505.8888; or see their web site at www.allegiantair.com.
The May 3 launch coincides with Monterey Convention and Visitors Bureau's new "Smile Recovery" packages, available through May 31. More than 150 deals are available, including great rates at seaside inns, up to 30 percent off lodging at world class resorts, golf bargains and savings at local restaurants. Check out www.SeeMonterey.com/deals.
The San Francisco Convention
& Visitors Bureau is developing a new program to encourage visitors to "Escape to the City."
A micro site on San Francisco's official Web site, http://www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/escape/,
provides visitors with suggested itineraries and value-added incentives to plan
their own perfect "escape."
"Now more than ever, it's important that people make and take the time to
get away. And with so much to
explore in San Francisco, both visitors and locals will find something new every
time," said San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom.
The "Escape to the City" micro site lists "American Express Exclusive Offers - Only in San Francisco" from San Francisco retailers, hotels, restaurants and attractions valid through Dec. 31, 2009. In addition, the "Get 3 Nights for 2" lodging promotion, which runs through June 30, 2009, offers three hotel nights for the price of two when reserved with any American Express Card and booked on www.onlyinsanfrancisco.com/offers. American Express® is the Official Card Partner of the SFCVB.
The "Escape to the City" site also includes:
- San Francisco hotel
packages and online reservations;
- Suggested itineraries
from local personalities and other San Francisco
"celebrities;"
- "Blog & Win" for
visitors to share their favorite ways to "Escape to the City" and be eligible
to win "Only in San Francisco" prizes;
- A list of "Only in San
Francisco" exhibitions and attractions, including "Wicked," King Tut, Georgia
O'Keefe, Ansel Adams, and others;
- "San Francisco After
Dark" - providing night owls with an excuse to book an overnight hotel
stay;
- Information on featured
special events and a link to the SFCVB's comprehensive Calendar of
Events;
- "Free & Easy" - a
list of museum special admission days and free activities throughout San
Francisco;
- "Getting There &
Getting Around" - transportation information to and around San
Francisco;
- "Diverse City
Destinations" - tour itineraries celebrating San Francisco's diverse
communities;
- In-depth information on
the city's 15 main neighborhoods, including what to see and
do;
- Audio walking tours
created by students at San Francisco's Galileo High
School;
- "Today in San Francisco" - a compendium of traditions, history, facts and ideas
There's nothing like the Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show -- Half Moon Bay's massive celebration of mechanical ingenuity, power and style. It's a whimsical, fascinating, amusing, curious and absolutely unique show and tell spectacle featuring 2,000 magnificent driving, flying and working machines from the 20th and 21st centuries.
The world's coolest cars of every era and style, model-T fire engines, vintage buses, custom motorcycles, tricked out trucks, sleek streamliners, one-of-a-kind antique engines and tractors and historic military aircraft will be among the mesmerizing displays.
The 19th annual show takes place on Sunday, April 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Half Moon Bay Airport, located in the picturesque seaside town of Half Moon Bay about 20 miles south of San Francisco. The show benefits the Coastside Adult Day Health Center.
Headline attractions include one-of-a-lifetime rides on the world's largest Zeppelin Airship "Eureka", a super-gnarly Monster Truck freestyle exhibition with Tony Canedo's "Play'n For Keeps" crushing cars, doing jumps, catching massive air and making big noise
A special "Green Machines" display of advanced technology/alternative fuel vehicles; the Blastolene Brothers extreme, mega-modified machines; ace aerobatics pilot Eddie Andreini doing fly-overs in his YAK-9 Russian fighter jet; "World Record Wonderland" featuring current and former land speed record holders including the lightning fast, super sleek BuddFab motorcycle streamliner and the legendary Jack Costella's series of Nebulous Theorem Bonneville streamliners; and a special display celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the former Half Moon Bay Drag Strip featuring a replica of the late Jim McLennan's Champion Speed Shop world record slingshot dragster and rare photos with appearances by his son, Bob McLennan, and Andy "The Rodfather" Brizio, the original starter at the Drag Strip which started 50 years ago, in 1959, at Half Moon Bay Airport.
Proud owners show up in cars that come in all shapes, colors and sizes. Spectators will get a rare up-close look at antique horseless carriages and Ford Model T's, fanciful touring and luxury cars, powerful sports cars, custom cars and street rods, muscle cars, vintage and modern era high-performance race cars, quirky art and pedal cars, modified street machines with cutting edge styles, exotic high-performance cars, stylish European cars, ultra cool low-riders, sporty compacts, modified imports with flashy graphics, fashionable hip-hop urban show cars, homebuilt kit cars, super-charged turbo cars and trucks, "green" technology/alternative fuel vehicles, streamliners, dragsters, funny cars, gassers, and jet cars.
Hundreds of aviation wonders are expected
to be on display -- stylish homebuilts, classics from the 40's and
50's, exceptional vintage warbirds, and sport and ultralight aircraft.
See a spectacular display of meticulously restored military marvels
including the Southern California Commemorative Air Force's Japanese
A6M Zero fighter and Grumman F6-F Hellcat along with an impressive
array of P-51 Mustangs, Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk, Hawker Seafury
British Fighter, T-33, T-6 and T-28 military trainers, and YAK-9
Russian fighters. Many will be doing spine-tingling fly-overs during
the show.
Thrilling rides will be offered in everything from helicopters and vintage bi-planes to the Zeppelin Airship and a T-6 military training jet -- rides range from $40-$300.
Thrilling rides will be offered in everything from helicopters and vintage bi-planes to the Zeppelin Airship and a T-6 military training jet -- rides range from $40-$300.
The most curious and fascinating displays are the large and small engines collected and refurbished by members of the Early Days Gas Engine & Tractor Association. Their amazing array of flywheel engines are enough to power antique washing machines, lawn mowers, and an entire a Lilliputian factory.
On the larger side are several pieces from Roots of Motive Power's collection of restored logging equipment like spool donkeys and Buffalo Springfield steamrollers.
Rounding out the activities will be radical
Unicycle Dirt Drag Racing, amusements for kids, food, and live music
headlined by the "King of Dieselbilly" Bill Kirchen.
Spectator admission is $20 for adults, $10 for age 11-17 and 65+, and free for kids age 10 and under. Tickets are available at the gate only. Half Moon Bay Airport (9850 N. Cabrillo Highway) is located on Highway 1, about 20 miles south of San Francisco and 5 miles north of Highway 92.
For information, call 650-726-2328 or check out http://www.miramarevents.com/
Spectator admission is $20 for adults, $10 for age 11-17 and 65+, and free for kids age 10 and under. Tickets are available at the gate only. Half Moon Bay Airport (9850 N. Cabrillo Highway) is located on Highway 1, about 20 miles south of San Francisco and 5 miles north of Highway 92.
For information, call 650-726-2328 or check out http://www.miramarevents.com/
California State Parks
announced today that the Boat-in Campground within
"The new
pier will be a very positive change for boaters," said Pam Armas, Sierra
District Superintendent. "They will be rewarded with a modern structure that
meets standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act."
The new structure
is designed to accommodate more boats at one time for quicker offloading of
camping equipment. The pier will also berth the Ranger Patrol Boat, allowing
for more rapid response to critical incidents in the
Once the pier
construction is complete, the campground will re-open on a first-come-first-served
basis for the duration of the summer and will be back on the reservation system
next year.
Since 1983 downtown San Luis Obispo
Open from6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every Thursday, except for Thanksgiving, San Luis Obispo
The market occupies six blocks onHiguera Street
The mouth-watering array of food offerings are a Food Network producer's dream - barbecue ribs, chicken and sausages, pizza, vegan food, slow roasted corn-on-the-cob, crepes, tamales, churros, strawberry desserts, and hummus.
Entertainment ranges from local dance groups, live bands, solo artists, climbing wall, and bounce house.
The Farmers Market is also a popular venue for special annual events such as Fire Prevention Night, Law Enforcement Night, Mother's Day Flower Give-a-Way, Downtown Brown's Birthday, Halloween Events, and The Great Pumpkin contest.
Held quarterly, the Main Stage Entertainment showcases a live band with a concert-style stage, professional sound and lighting system, with the next concert scheduled April 2. Also, mark your calendar for the 24th Annual Rib Cook-Off on April 23. This year's event is a tribute to the late Larry Kowalski of Mo's Smokehouse BBQ, one of the original barbecue vendors at the Farmers Market.
For more information aboutSan Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo County , California
Open from
The market occupies six blocks on
The mouth-watering array of food offerings are a Food Network producer's dream - barbecue ribs, chicken and sausages, pizza, vegan food, slow roasted corn-on-the-cob, crepes, tamales, churros, strawberry desserts, and hummus.
Entertainment ranges from local dance groups, live bands, solo artists, climbing wall, and bounce house.
The Farmers Market is also a popular venue for special annual events such as Fire Prevention Night, Law Enforcement Night, Mother's Day Flower Give-a-Way, Downtown Brown's Birthday, Halloween Events, and The Great Pumpkin contest.
Held quarterly, the Main Stage Entertainment showcases a live band with a concert-style stage, professional sound and lighting system, with the next concert scheduled April 2. Also, mark your calendar for the 24th Annual Rib Cook-Off on April 23. This year's event is a tribute to the late Larry Kowalski of Mo's Smokehouse BBQ, one of the original barbecue vendors at the Farmers Market.
For more information about
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