Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf post discovery package

The newly renovated Hyatt at
Fisherman’s Wharf is offering those with a sense of adventure the Explore Local Discovery Package.  The package features lodging for one
night along with two cable car passes for unlimited, one-day use. 

Whether it’s “climbing halfway to the
stars” or just getting from one place to another, the cable cars are not only
the city’s most iconic landmark, but a charming and environmentally friendly
means of transportation.  Rates for
this package start at only $244.
 
For
reservations and information, visit http:fishermanswharf.hyatt.com or call
(
800)
233-1234 and click on or ask for the Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf “Special
Offers.”


Top Ten Explore-Adventures In San
Francisco

1.     
Climb the notorious Filbert Steps. 
This unique “stairway to Heaven” leads up to Coit Tower, with gardens ad
sculptures guiding the way up to a phenomenal, panoramic view of the bay at the
top.

2.     
Take ’em out to the ballgame at San Francisco Giant’s AT&T
Ballpark.  From the hotel, the
entire family can board the historic F Line street cars to get to the
park.

3.     
Wend your way through Pier 39’s new mirror
maze.

4.     
Board one of Red and White Fleet’s vessels for a California Sunset Cruise
or one of the city’s “original bay tours.”

  1. Walk the decks of the tall
    ships and s
    troll
    along the Hyde Street Pier, home of the world’s largest collection of historic
    ships by tonnage, where visitors can board several National Landmark
    vessels

  2. Explore the National Maritime Museum (www.maritime.org)
    and the USS
    Pampanito Submarine Museum www.maritime.org/pamphome.htm
  3. Take a thrilling adventure on Turbo Ride through
    the magic of films and sophisticated simulation technology where the hydraulic
    seats move in sync with the action on the big-screen at Pier
    39

  4. Take a 30-minute flight-seeing tour of the bay
    with San Francisco Seaplane Tours

  5. Rent
    bikes or roller blades and head out to the 240 miles of scenic
    Bay
    Trail

  6. And, to chill out from all the exploration
    at any point of the day, hang out at the Hyatt at Fisherman’s Wharf’s outdoor
    swimming pool, one of the only hotel pools in the
    city.

Newport Beach holds photo contest

A photo might be worth a thousand words, but now it’s also worth thousands of dollars in prizes at www.VisitNewportBeach.com.
Visitors who share their photos accompanied by a short story have an
opportunity to win a variety of prizes, including a vacation to relive
unforgettable moments created in Newport Beach. 

Your
Story Awaits Story and Photo Contest encourages travelers to get
creative and make us laugh, cry or gawk over the memories they’ve
created in Newport Beach,” says Kim Severini, Senior VP of Marketing at
Visit Newport Beach, Inc. “Once you log on and submit your story, you
can see how your anecdote measures up with other adventurers and you
could win an opportunity to create new magical memories in Southern
California’s favorite beach town.” 

Visit www.VisitNewportBeach.com/VNBContest to upload your photo and submit your story. The contest is also live on the Visit Newport Beach Facebook Fan Page
where more than 15,000 fans can share their memories of visiting
Newport Beach.

By entering, each contestant receives a $50 discount code
on Travelocity for a future trip to Newport Beach.  For 10 consecutive weeks, a weekly winner will be announced with prize packages through Oct. 5. 

The
grand prize winner will receive two roundtrip Southwest tickets to
Newport Beach, two nights at the Hyatt Regency, $100 gift card to
Fashion Island, a dinner cruise for two onboard the Hornblower and two
rounds of golf at the OCC Gold Coast Coyote Hills.

Winners are based on
public votes so entrants are encouraged to spread the word to rack up
votes for their story.

Sounds of Summer Festival at Orange County Great Park

Sizzling summer nights heat up with dance parties and concerts under the glow of the Orange County Great Park Balloon when the Flights & Sounds of Summer Festival returns to the Orange County Great Park. Flights & Sounds of Summer Festival is
an exciting and diverse eight-week line-up of music and dance parties
on Friday and Saturday nights beginning August 6th and continuing
through Sept. 25.  The festival also includes live stand-up comedy
and art exhibitions.

On Friday, Aug. 6, swing into the Great Park with Swingtown,
the 11-piece band filled with brilliant horns, trumpets, trombones,
saxophones and vocals galore as they launch Friday Night Dance Parties. 
The big band dance sounds of Swingtown
will perform in front of historic World War II Hangar 244 beginning at
8:00 p.m.  Don’t know how to boogie-woogie? Dance instructors will get
you up and on your feet starting at 7:30 p.m.  

Then on Saturday, Aug. 7, come back and enjoy the dynamic expression and intensity of Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles the
first all-woman professional mariachi ensemble in the United States as
they kick off this season of Great Park Saturday Night Concerts.   Mariachi Reyna de Los Angeles
will instill an exceptional taste of mariachi with passion at 8 p.m.   The evening kicks off at 7 p.m., with local comedians Patrick
Keane, Eddie Barojas and Tim Chizmar.

 “We are proud to present Flights & Sounds of Summer Festival
exceptional music and dance concerts including proven favorites and new
discoveries,” said Larry Agran, Chair of the Orange County Great Park
Corporation.  “More than 25,000 people enjoyed last year’s concert and
dance series and we look forward to welcoming even more people this
year.”  

Upcoming 2010 summer performers include a wide variety of first-rate artists, featuring a return engagement from Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, one of last year’s most popular performers.   Other upcoming performers include the five-time Grammy Award-winning, Blind Boys of Alabama local surfing champion and artist Donavon Frankenreiter, ScrapArtsMusic,   Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite-Boys and  BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet with Big Chief Monk Boudreaux and the Mardi Gras Indians.

Flights & Sounds Summer Festival is presented by the Orange County Great Park Corporation in partnership with Irvine Barclay Theatre.
Concertgoers can watch the show from chairs provided in a temporary
concert pavilion or bring their own chairs to listen to the music from
the Great Park Lawn.

Before
each performance, Hangar 244 is transformed into the Hangar Caf, a
lounge-like dining area serving up everything from snacks to full
dinners, along with refreshments. The menu features themed items
inspired by the global mix of musicians, and visitors can choose to also
pre-order their picnics by visiting www.ocgp.org.

The
Orange County Great Park is located off the 405 or 5 Freeways at Sand
Canyon and Marine Way in Irvine. Admission to Flights & Sounds
Summer Festival dance and concert series is free, and parking is just
$10.

The
Orange County Great Park and its 1,347-acre master plan is the focal
point of the redevelopment of the 4,700-acre former Marine Corps Air
Station, El Toro. The Great Park is currently built out to 27.5 acres
and includes an iconic tethered helium balloon that rises 400 feet in
the air, providing an aerial view of Park development. A $65.5 million
development plan to expand the Park to 200 acres is currently underway.
The plan will build out a core section of the Park for the most
immediate and wide-ranging public benefit, including a sports park,
agricultural area and an art and culture exhibition space.

 For the entire festival line-up and more information, go to www.ocgp.org.