While the summer is almost coming to an end for school kids ready to return to "work", how can it have gone so fast? Time simply sped through this summer of staycationing. Honestly, I spent more time at home than I can ever remember, and I did make the dollars (or lack of them) stretch. But it was a bummer!
Many look to this time as the mad rush and dash to grab those last few ounces of vacation before parents especially get strapped down for another eon (so it seems). But me? I am gleefully waiting for the kids to head back to school so I can begin my travel. I wait for the prices to go down, availability to go up, and my favorite beaches, theme parks and tourist rides to provide smooth sailing on open seas. Catalina Island is one of my autumn faves.
For those who see the cup half empty as the summer nears its last days, I see the cup filling up as I find more hotel rooms, and truly believe the prices will go down on some of my favorite hotel destinations in California after the summer's gone.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Top Vacations before the summer fades
Vacations in California are nearing their summer's end, and as the sun now sets earlier in the night, so the days of summer wane. Where are people going for their last summer hurrah on Calif. Vacations? Central Coast Cambria is a popular spot. San Diego vacations is usually tops for the weekend exodus or for the last great escape before summer departs us. Orange County's Laguna Beach never ceases to exceed expectations. If you're looking for a great vacation or even a weekend getaway, there's plenty of availability in the largest cities such as San Diego and Los Angeles. The beach weekends in Orange County and on the Central Coast do fill up. San Francisco has plenty of hotel rooms this summer. It's a good time to see the city by the bay for one of the better deals in the state.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Vacations are changing this year
What an odd year for California vacations! August has fizzled when it normally sizzles. Everyone we've spoken with in the industry and outside it say that this year will be the most depressing year seen in most people's lives, especially in the U.S. Shopping on what's normally busy Belmont Shore is like a ghost town on a warm August afternoon. The malls--how are these businesses lasting so long?
And yet in the restaurant business there's expansion amidst the depression. People are out eating. Some high-end restaurants aren't making it and even some budget spots.
The difference I am seeing most is that people who would normally go to Europe and enjoy international travel are staying closer to home. And those who normally do drive trips, are staying more often with relatives, or shortening their vacations--and booking last minute.
And yet in the restaurant business there's expansion amidst the depression. People are out eating. Some high-end restaurants aren't making it and even some budget spots.
The difference I am seeing most is that people who would normally go to Europe and enjoy international travel are staying closer to home. And those who normally do drive trips, are staying more often with relatives, or shortening their vacations--and booking last minute.
San Francisco is the Top Vacation Spot--So What?
If you leave you pocket book at home, you can still have a wonderful time in San Francisco, where pandhandling reigns supreme. Sorry to be so brutally frank, but there are probably more panhandlers in San Francisco than any city in the US, short of New York.
Having just returned from the city by the bay, I noticed more panhandlers lately than I've ever really seen before. The city never really lost that raw edge and melting pot look and feel that tourists love (in addition to the great attractions and bay views), but it's returning to the heydey of the 60's with its look and feel.
A friend who has a gay kid is totally immersed and accepting of the gay lifestyle but on her recent visit, she said it was a bit overwhelming how many lesbians she saw--everywhere she looked.
These are just a few slices of life and things that stand out on trips to SF.
But for the average tourist who can play like you don't speak San Franciscan, when being pan handled just pretend you don't understand and you should be fine. Beach hotels near the city include some south of there such as my favorite luxury beach resorts, the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay and The Beach House.
There are plenty of affordable digs (hotels) in San Francisco and outside. But do explore and head for the coast. It's the pause that refreshes.
Having just returned from the city by the bay, I noticed more panhandlers lately than I've ever really seen before. The city never really lost that raw edge and melting pot look and feel that tourists love (in addition to the great attractions and bay views), but it's returning to the heydey of the 60's with its look and feel.
A friend who has a gay kid is totally immersed and accepting of the gay lifestyle but on her recent visit, she said it was a bit overwhelming how many lesbians she saw--everywhere she looked.
These are just a few slices of life and things that stand out on trips to SF.
But for the average tourist who can play like you don't speak San Franciscan, when being pan handled just pretend you don't understand and you should be fine. Beach hotels near the city include some south of there such as my favorite luxury beach resorts, the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay and The Beach House.
There are plenty of affordable digs (hotels) in San Francisco and outside. But do explore and head for the coast. It's the pause that refreshes.
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Vacations, staycations, relaxations in California
If my nose for news is correct, people aren't sitting still this summer. The beaches in California have reached an all time high and people are out there enjoying them, thanks to a little help from the deals category. The hot new trend in travel is packaged deals that combo your trip with an extra night stay, coupons, cards from theme parks and other perks. If you add the separate fees and find that you save more through these packages, then by golly, you've got yourself more money to spend on another great trip.
What's changed this year in California travel and elsewhere is the concept of vacation. Back in the Leave it Beaver world of the 1950's, the family packed up their bags and escaped for a week, a month, or some other getaway time to explore the USA. My how things have changed! That beloved tradition of a summer family vacation is but a memory to most. Women and men both work and can't juggle their schedules to travel together. Now couples may head their separate ways on trips, going with friends instead. And kids are often going to school, booked into a youth camp that watches them while parents work, etc.
Life has changed, as has the concept of a vacation. But one thing remains. The tantalizing vision of escape, of a new place, of packing up, leaving routine behind and doing something different is enough to keep tourism going. While some hotels have seen a troubled year, this summer isn't that bad in its bookings during the months of July and August. Things will pick up. Maybe one day people will be able to take those longer trips. For for now, grab what you can, be it a day or two, and just get out and relax. Here's a fun assignment: Stay at a beach in Los Angeles.
What's changed this year in California travel and elsewhere is the concept of vacation. Back in the Leave it Beaver world of the 1950's, the family packed up their bags and escaped for a week, a month, or some other getaway time to explore the USA. My how things have changed! That beloved tradition of a summer family vacation is but a memory to most. Women and men both work and can't juggle their schedules to travel together. Now couples may head their separate ways on trips, going with friends instead. And kids are often going to school, booked into a youth camp that watches them while parents work, etc.
Life has changed, as has the concept of a vacation. But one thing remains. The tantalizing vision of escape, of a new place, of packing up, leaving routine behind and doing something different is enough to keep tourism going. While some hotels have seen a troubled year, this summer isn't that bad in its bookings during the months of July and August. Things will pick up. Maybe one day people will be able to take those longer trips. For for now, grab what you can, be it a day or two, and just get out and relax. Here's a fun assignment: Stay at a beach in Los Angeles.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Time to take an excellent road trip in Calif.
The gas prices seem to be holding steady and the hotel rates are not too shabby, so it's not a bad tiime to take a road trip in California. Coastal drives are hot this summer, as is the weekend traffic. Interstate 5 will get you there faster but the drive can be boring in some sections of highway, especially in the Central Valley.
Where's the most popular vacation? San Diego is hot! Orange County beaches are popular, as is Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Central Coast and San Francisco. History tours to the capitol are always in vogue, though we hear from our friends in Sacramento that hotel bookings are down.
Wherever you go, drive safe, have fun, and learn about California's good points (there are many.)
Where's the most popular vacation? San Diego is hot! Orange County beaches are popular, as is Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Central Coast and San Francisco. History tours to the capitol are always in vogue, though we hear from our friends in Sacramento that hotel bookings are down.
Wherever you go, drive safe, have fun, and learn about California's good points (there are many.)
Sunday, July 5, 2009
If there's a vacation going on this year in California....
If there's a vacation going on this year in California, some say it's our legislators who must be at the beach, taking a nap and getting some zzzzz's. The government can't close in on a budget and they can't figure out how to make it all work. As for vacations at our hotels, the bookings are way down. No surprise. Thank goodness for international travelers who are coming and buying the deals during our distress sales!
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Vacations at Temecula
My travel story for Temecula is being savored, like the fine wines and gourmet foods I sampled on a recent journey. What can you do in Temecula? Ditch the kids for a weekend or weekday trip and head for Pechanga Casino.
Next, go sample some wines--there are over 30 wineries in the region. Take a hot air balloon ride and share a champagne toast afterward.
Play golf at Temecula Creek Inn or Pechanga's new Journey Course, now fourth ranked in the nation.
Is that enough for you to chomp on? Secret tip: Eat beef at Pechanga. In all the restaurants, they serve the cattle raised on the Pechanga ranches. The quality control for such large quantities of food served was tough to come by, so Pechanga went and bought its own cattle ranch to maintain its high standards.
Next, go sample some wines--there are over 30 wineries in the region. Take a hot air balloon ride and share a champagne toast afterward.
Play golf at Temecula Creek Inn or Pechanga's new Journey Course, now fourth ranked in the nation.
Is that enough for you to chomp on? Secret tip: Eat beef at Pechanga. In all the restaurants, they serve the cattle raised on the Pechanga ranches. The quality control for such large quantities of food served was tough to come by, so Pechanga went and bought its own cattle ranch to maintain its high standards.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
June Gloom Gives Way to Sunshine
You can't help but notice the sunshine and blue skies as California enters yet another season of doom and gloom, according to State officials. Schools districts, colleges and universities are scrambling in emergency meetings to figure out how to survive the budget cut threats. It's as if everyone just sits back and waits for the next shoe to fall.
How many bankruptcies do I recall? One or two so far. And did anything seem to change? Not really. In Orange County where I live, we're told that we need to scale back water use, yet they keep building houses and high rise buildings. Is anybody held accountable for planning our future? It doesn't seem that there's much thought going into the future. I could think that it's because I'm getting older that I don't feel much hope, but I read that surveys of college aged adults and teens also show a gloomier picture than in recent decades.
While we still have our sunshine and beaches, and I have a mortgage on a house that sits in a flood plain smack dab on the Newport Inglewood fault, the weather is fine, my computer works today, and I must keep on keeping on. Life is good...sort of. As long as you don't analyze things.
How many bankruptcies do I recall? One or two so far. And did anything seem to change? Not really. In Orange County where I live, we're told that we need to scale back water use, yet they keep building houses and high rise buildings. Is anybody held accountable for planning our future? It doesn't seem that there's much thought going into the future. I could think that it's because I'm getting older that I don't feel much hope, but I read that surveys of college aged adults and teens also show a gloomier picture than in recent decades.
While we still have our sunshine and beaches, and I have a mortgage on a house that sits in a flood plain smack dab on the Newport Inglewood fault, the weather is fine, my computer works today, and I must keep on keeping on. Life is good...sort of. As long as you don't analyze things.
Monday, June 1, 2009
California Is Still a Deal
While California vacations offer thousands of opportunities in every price range, summers are the toughest time to find a deal. And that would be now! Nevertheless, with a bit of checking around and flexible travel, you can find some cheap rooms, affordable hotels and vacations that are pretty nice.
Where you won't find a deal: Yosemite National Park in the Summer isn't that cheap. But there are some cabins outside the park that are offering decent rates.
Santa Barbara (or Solvang) on weekends it not too cheap, so check out hotel rooms at Ventura or Oxnard instead.
Week day deals out in the desert aren't that bad. Why? It's too darned hot.
For history tours, gold country, etc., try some hotels outside Sacramento in Rancho Cordova, for instance.
Southern California isn't cheap, but there are soft spots. One deal we've been seeing is in the renovated Hotel Maya in Long Beach. It's perfect for a jaunt to Catalina Island or a weekend of nightlife on Pine Avenue.
Have you heard of Vacaville & Fairfield? Check them out for Jelly Bean Tours, Six Flags, Wine Country and more.
This is the start of your thinking outside the box this summer. Believe it or not, you'll find some unique, worthwhile destinations you never considered till now, when the money is tight.
If you read our blog posts about some crazy summer events, you'll find a whole lot going on, some for free, in towns and cities such as Tulare, Santa Maria and San Juan Bautista.
Where you won't find a deal: Yosemite National Park in the Summer isn't that cheap. But there are some cabins outside the park that are offering decent rates.
Santa Barbara (or Solvang) on weekends it not too cheap, so check out hotel rooms at Ventura or Oxnard instead.
Week day deals out in the desert aren't that bad. Why? It's too darned hot.
For history tours, gold country, etc., try some hotels outside Sacramento in Rancho Cordova, for instance.
Southern California isn't cheap, but there are soft spots. One deal we've been seeing is in the renovated Hotel Maya in Long Beach. It's perfect for a jaunt to Catalina Island or a weekend of nightlife on Pine Avenue.
Have you heard of Vacaville & Fairfield? Check them out for Jelly Bean Tours, Six Flags, Wine Country and more.
This is the start of your thinking outside the box this summer. Believe it or not, you'll find some unique, worthwhile destinations you never considered till now, when the money is tight.
If you read our blog posts about some crazy summer events, you'll find a whole lot going on, some for free, in towns and cities such as Tulare, Santa Maria and San Juan Bautista.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
California cheap vacations
In a recent post about California cheap vacations, the focus on cheap beach vacations offered a synopsis of what's available on the 1000 miles of California coastline. Lodgings this summer appear to be a mixed bag of cheap to normally inflated summer prices, depending on where you look. The report offered some deals I was not aware of, but certainly worth checking out if you can go the distance or look right under your nose in areas you wouldn't suspect.
Here's the full report.
Here's the full report.
The earthquake was great... now that it's over.
The L.A. / Orange County Earthquake:
Our household didn't handle the earthquake real well on Sunday night (May 17, 2009). We jumped off our computers and ran to look at each other in dismay. It was not totally unexpected nor unpredictable. It's just that when an earthquake happens, you forget the routine. The scary shaking, the unknown, and the waiting to see if that's all that will happen. When you get a shaker, you think, is this it? Is it finished?
I looked on the internet as the local TV stations that will cut into tv programming for most anything at all didn't even flicker and say hello. I went to the radio, which was slow to spring to action as well. So I went to the Internet and my favorite source, a map with reports of who felt the quake, where did they feel it, and how strong was it.
I heard the report come trickling in mentioning Lynwood, a city near Inglewood. Oh great! It's the Newport-Inglewood fault, the very one my house sits on, I thought. They say this fault line has not been active for a long time and should start to get busy shaking any time from now till the next few decades. They just don't know when. Because it partially sits on a wetlands and houses built on liquefaction areas (former swamps), the tsunami signs and possibility of houses sinking are just one more reason to feel unassured that we're living in the right place. Yet the houses are cheaper than the $2 million houses on the hill (also on the fault line), and as the crow flies, the ocean is just a short breeze away.
We survived another quake and nothing broke. However, this wasn't the big one that we all know is overdue and expected to come any time now.
Our household didn't handle the earthquake real well on Sunday night (May 17, 2009). We jumped off our computers and ran to look at each other in dismay. It was not totally unexpected nor unpredictable. It's just that when an earthquake happens, you forget the routine. The scary shaking, the unknown, and the waiting to see if that's all that will happen. When you get a shaker, you think, is this it? Is it finished?
I looked on the internet as the local TV stations that will cut into tv programming for most anything at all didn't even flicker and say hello. I went to the radio, which was slow to spring to action as well. So I went to the Internet and my favorite source, a map with reports of who felt the quake, where did they feel it, and how strong was it.
I heard the report come trickling in mentioning Lynwood, a city near Inglewood. Oh great! It's the Newport-Inglewood fault, the very one my house sits on, I thought. They say this fault line has not been active for a long time and should start to get busy shaking any time from now till the next few decades. They just don't know when. Because it partially sits on a wetlands and houses built on liquefaction areas (former swamps), the tsunami signs and possibility of houses sinking are just one more reason to feel unassured that we're living in the right place. Yet the houses are cheaper than the $2 million houses on the hill (also on the fault line), and as the crow flies, the ocean is just a short breeze away.
We survived another quake and nothing broke. However, this wasn't the big one that we all know is overdue and expected to come any time now.
Friday, May 15, 2009
California Vacation Plans are Heating Up
The troops on the homefront are starting to rally. The foot soldiers of California vacations, millions of tourists, are beginning to look, book and hit the road. In one week alone, we saw the prices skyrocket from available rooms at Yosemite National Park to availability nearly gone on many in-park hotels during the height of the season.
San Francisco stats came in with reports that tourism (hotel rooms booked) has barely been impacted during this down cycle. That's simply amazing! Many cities are doing great. But not all are weathering the storm and that includes the likes of Huntington Beach, which had close to a 30% drop in hotel rooms bookings from Apr. 2008 compared to Apr. 2009. That city is requesting (like many destinations) extra money from the city coffers to promote their destination offerings.
Here are some great places to look for deals this summer: San Diego...prices won't be cheap, and they won't be great everywhere you look. But there are some soft spots on smaller hotels and some deals to be had on packages.
Best advice: Look at prices before you go. Sometimes a big event can really take up the hotel rooms. Also, with the gas prices half of last year's prices (not quite, but almost), there are going to be a lot more people driving on vacation. This means that you should expect crowds everywhere. Californians, alone, will be scouring the state for things to see & do. Then add the foreign travelers recognizing their money is worth a lot here, and you'll find that this is going to be one of the busiest summers in California travel.
San Francisco stats came in with reports that tourism (hotel rooms booked) has barely been impacted during this down cycle. That's simply amazing! Many cities are doing great. But not all are weathering the storm and that includes the likes of Huntington Beach, which had close to a 30% drop in hotel rooms bookings from Apr. 2008 compared to Apr. 2009. That city is requesting (like many destinations) extra money from the city coffers to promote their destination offerings.
Here are some great places to look for deals this summer: San Diego...prices won't be cheap, and they won't be great everywhere you look. But there are some soft spots on smaller hotels and some deals to be had on packages.
Best advice: Look at prices before you go. Sometimes a big event can really take up the hotel rooms. Also, with the gas prices half of last year's prices (not quite, but almost), there are going to be a lot more people driving on vacation. This means that you should expect crowds everywhere. Californians, alone, will be scouring the state for things to see & do. Then add the foreign travelers recognizing their money is worth a lot here, and you'll find that this is going to be one of the busiest summers in California travel.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Vacations in California in Mariposa County
Having just returned from a wonderful vacation to Mariposa County, I can honestly say that I knew very little about this place, but I sure found out!
What is a Mariposa, and where can you find this place? Mariposa in Spanish means "butterfly". Mariposa, the town, and Mariposa, the county are both in California's gold country and are considered the Gateway to Yosemite National Park. Have I lost your attention? Yosemite National Park is the place with huge waterfalls, Half Dome rock and a valley where bears, birds, bees, butterflies and deer roam, along with tons of people.
Getting there: Head for Central Valley, Calif., and outside of Fresno you are on your way (roughly takes about 6 hours to get there from L.A.)
What's the pay-off? Mountains, waterfalls, butterflies, beautiful scenery, and pure escape!
How much does it cost? There's rustic camping, and hotels start around $150 in the summer season upwards (the hotels outside the park). Hotel availability in the park is limited in the summer months.
What is a Mariposa, and where can you find this place? Mariposa in Spanish means "butterfly". Mariposa, the town, and Mariposa, the county are both in California's gold country and are considered the Gateway to Yosemite National Park. Have I lost your attention? Yosemite National Park is the place with huge waterfalls, Half Dome rock and a valley where bears, birds, bees, butterflies and deer roam, along with tons of people.
Getting there: Head for Central Valley, Calif., and outside of Fresno you are on your way (roughly takes about 6 hours to get there from L.A.)
What's the pay-off? Mountains, waterfalls, butterflies, beautiful scenery, and pure escape!
How much does it cost? There's rustic camping, and hotels start around $150 in the summer season upwards (the hotels outside the park). Hotel availability in the park is limited in the summer months.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Spring into Spring With Waterfalls
Many of the mountain destinations have sprung into action, touting their springtime attractions, waterfalls. Water is certainly on everyone's mind in California where the majority of the population is being asked to cut consumption and water use right now. That's why the state's waterfalls are so interesting and important. They tell the story of water availability.
Several great blogposts have listed the places to watch these waterfalls right now. One post if for Lake Tahoe waterfalls, and the other includes Shasta and Yosemite.
Several great blogposts have listed the places to watch these waterfalls right now. One post if for Lake Tahoe waterfalls, and the other includes Shasta and Yosemite.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Tennis Anyone
Some say the tennis vacations are passé. I saw the local Hyatt Regency Resort where I live in Huntington Beach take out their courts and replace them with a new themed attraction, Slyders, a water park allowing locals to play for a fee when the pool is not maxed out by tourists staying at the hotel. Now that's good use of land, and an added source of revenue, I presume.
Meanwhile I drive around each day between four tennis courts, hoping to snag one for some play. In the winter the courts were readily available, which hooked me into a routine. We'd take a broom and sweep off the water left in puddles on the courts from Southern California's few mild rains.
Now it's a whole new game. I have to get out there before the kids get out of school, hoping to find a court. I have developed a system that starts from my home near Central Park, then heads up Edwards Hill to one of the newer parks where there's only one court that's often taken. Next I drive down Seapoint to Pacific Coast Highway for a 10 minute cruise to Seal Beach's Marina Park courts. Those have been taken lately by individuals just practicing hitting balls. From there I sometimes head to the park near Long Beach Marine Stadium, but that's often in use, as well. If I really want to play, I continue onto south Huntington Beach to Edison Park. The courts there look like an earthquake rolled the ground underneath. The courts slant so much that you have to continuously play uphill. It's strange.
So if tennis is so undervalued in California and the U.S. and we've not produced many quality players in recent years, I predict there will be some up-and-comers in the next generation. If not, then at least there is still strong interest.
Here's a list of tennis hotel resorts in California, though from what I am experiencing, I may need to make a few calls and re-visit this list.
My favorite beach tennis courts include the courts at Hotel del Coronado, for a fee. For free, head for Seal Beach's Marina Park, or there's a nice little set of courts on Balboa Island in Newport Beach.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Are You Ready for SPRING BREAK?
While the vacation season in California ebbs and flows throughout the year with spring break, summer, Thanksgiving and Christmas, the spring break is really the launch of the California beach vacations
All winter long the mountain resorts enjoy their peak season with snow attracting guests from all over the place. The primary ski regions are in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in places such as Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes and Bear Valley, while Southern California's very own Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino mountains offers snowtime play and skiing that most snowboarders say you can get your thrils on.
But when spring comes along, stir-crazy Californians are ready to cut their teeth on some beach relaxation and much to the ire of the surfing crowd, those easy-to-find parking spots aren't quite as abundant. Well, guess what? It's spring now and the license plates from all over (yesterday I saw Missouri, Oregon, Baja California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona and Washington) are migrating to our hallowed shores of the Pacific Ocean for a little R&R.
What do I recommend for a Vacation in California this spring? If you are a skiier, you probably know that there's still snow in the Sierras, and the skiing is fine. Go and have a good time. If you're a flatlander, then you may want to check out some special treats that happen only once each year in California. One is the spring bouquet of flowers that hit the desert floor, the gold country hillsides and the central valley meadows. Go look at the colorful feast and take lots of videos.
If you are a beach junkie, the water temps in the Pacific are starting to rise ever so slowly. Along the coast the temperatures now range from around 52 in the north to 60 in the south. It's a little cool for a warm swim, but most tourists don't get in the water anyway. They go to Florida beaches for that. In California, they come to see the natural beauty, the open spaces, Big Sur and redwood coastal trees and enjoy the Hollywood scene.
Where should you go? Major airports to check into include LAX and SFO (Los Angeles and San Francisco). From there, the sky's the limit this spring.
All winter long the mountain resorts enjoy their peak season with snow attracting guests from all over the place. The primary ski regions are in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in places such as Lake Tahoe, Mammoth Lakes and Bear Valley, while Southern California's very own Big Bear Lake in the San Bernardino mountains offers snowtime play and skiing that most snowboarders say you can get your thrils on.
But when spring comes along, stir-crazy Californians are ready to cut their teeth on some beach relaxation and much to the ire of the surfing crowd, those easy-to-find parking spots aren't quite as abundant. Well, guess what? It's spring now and the license plates from all over (yesterday I saw Missouri, Oregon, Baja California, Florida, Nevada, Arizona and Washington) are migrating to our hallowed shores of the Pacific Ocean for a little R&R.
What do I recommend for a Vacation in California this spring? If you are a skiier, you probably know that there's still snow in the Sierras, and the skiing is fine. Go and have a good time. If you're a flatlander, then you may want to check out some special treats that happen only once each year in California. One is the spring bouquet of flowers that hit the desert floor, the gold country hillsides and the central valley meadows. Go look at the colorful feast and take lots of videos.
If you are a beach junkie, the water temps in the Pacific are starting to rise ever so slowly. Along the coast the temperatures now range from around 52 in the north to 60 in the south. It's a little cool for a warm swim, but most tourists don't get in the water anyway. They go to Florida beaches for that. In California, they come to see the natural beauty, the open spaces, Big Sur and redwood coastal trees and enjoy the Hollywood scene.
Where should you go? Major airports to check into include LAX and SFO (Los Angeles and San Francisco). From there, the sky's the limit this spring.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Keep Smiling, Life is a Vacation
The tourism stats produced by compiler companies such as PKF Consulting show that they were almost as bullish as Wall Street traders in missing just how deep the recession would be. Their recently-released figures predicting the percent of decline in vacation and business hotel bookings from 2008 to 2009 were under by a few points, as were their estimates on the speed of recovery. In previous news this consulting group predicted hotel bookings and revenue would turn around in late 2009, while their updated predictions take most destinations out to 2011 for a turn around in revenue and occupancy. While they broke down the numbers and pointed to a few high performers they expect to see weather the storm better, their outlook was somewhat gloomy, though not completely dismall for those able to tighten belts.
As a tourism pro writing about and selling products such as theme park tickets and hotel packages, my sales numbers haven't exactly matched the data for percentage of change shows. I have often pondered why this is so, but much like the past year when I waited for the shoe to fall and only heard "great news". I don't trust the numbers much.
Several theories I have to account for the discrepancies include the possiblity that while hotels and cities are reporting reductions of around 8 to 15% in TOT, their losses in profit may be in larger ranges of up to 50%, especially if they are giving rooms away for near break-even prices. A hotel can be bringing in similar revenue to before the recession hit like a brick, but maybe this property is having to sell 100 room nights now instead of 50 to make the same revenue.
While the TOT should go down when you're bring less money in (most TOT taxes are tacked on your bill when you pay for a room and the fee usually ranges from 6 to 15 percent.
Whatever is going on, the one thing you can count on to entertain you are your region's museums and natural assets. From free events to free museum admission, and those beloved free summer concerts, it's a great time to learn what's going on in your destination, and how you can participate and feel like you are on a vacation. Travel really is about perspective. The excitement is the "new" feeling. Once that wears off, then you often are in a rut. With the right framing of your experiences and perspective, you can participate in things that tourists would actually fly or drive a distance to enjoy. So Keep Smiling. That costs you nothing!
As a tourism pro writing about and selling products such as theme park tickets and hotel packages, my sales numbers haven't exactly matched the data for percentage of change shows. I have often pondered why this is so, but much like the past year when I waited for the shoe to fall and only heard "great news". I don't trust the numbers much.
Several theories I have to account for the discrepancies include the possiblity that while hotels and cities are reporting reductions of around 8 to 15% in TOT, their losses in profit may be in larger ranges of up to 50%, especially if they are giving rooms away for near break-even prices. A hotel can be bringing in similar revenue to before the recession hit like a brick, but maybe this property is having to sell 100 room nights now instead of 50 to make the same revenue.
While the TOT should go down when you're bring less money in (most TOT taxes are tacked on your bill when you pay for a room and the fee usually ranges from 6 to 15 percent.
Whatever is going on, the one thing you can count on to entertain you are your region's museums and natural assets. From free events to free museum admission, and those beloved free summer concerts, it's a great time to learn what's going on in your destination, and how you can participate and feel like you are on a vacation. Travel really is about perspective. The excitement is the "new" feeling. Once that wears off, then you often are in a rut. With the right framing of your experiences and perspective, you can participate in things that tourists would actually fly or drive a distance to enjoy. So Keep Smiling. That costs you nothing!
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Beer, booze, and sexy girls on St. Patty's Day!
Beer, booze, and sexy girls on St. Patty's Day! Perhaps that's the reason I don't get too excited about the event, being female, myself. In looking over the celebrations, I especially liked the news coverage of the Chicago tradition of pouring green dye into the waterways of the city. Now that's something special!
I've been told I'm part Irish, which would explain the thirst for Guinness Stout. My grandpa drank whiskey, himself, and celebrated being Irish daily. He was actually part Irish and part American Indian (Cherokee), which is why we feel our family got the double whammy. Yes, some of us like to consume beverages with alcoholic content.
On St. Patrick's Day in California, people line up outside the bars with Irish names...Muluckay's, Gallaghers, Killarny, Fitzgerald's, Irish Mist, etc. I am not certain, but I think San Francisco has the most Irish bars & pubs in the state. For those who don't have to work (going to be a lot more of them this year), the party begins around 11 a.m. when the doors open.
While Mardi Gras and Brazilian Carnaval are growing in popularity here in Calif., I still think St. Patrick's Day is the biggest cultural event going on. Most the time I consider myself a Heinz 57, but on this special day, I enjoy being 100% Irish, and proud of it!
But that's only till Oktoberfest arrives and my German heritage has me waving a flag and eating sauerkraut.
I've been told I'm part Irish, which would explain the thirst for Guinness Stout. My grandpa drank whiskey, himself, and celebrated being Irish daily. He was actually part Irish and part American Indian (Cherokee), which is why we feel our family got the double whammy. Yes, some of us like to consume beverages with alcoholic content.
On St. Patrick's Day in California, people line up outside the bars with Irish names...Muluckay's, Gallaghers, Killarny, Fitzgerald's, Irish Mist, etc. I am not certain, but I think San Francisco has the most Irish bars & pubs in the state. For those who don't have to work (going to be a lot more of them this year), the party begins around 11 a.m. when the doors open.
While Mardi Gras and Brazilian Carnaval are growing in popularity here in Calif., I still think St. Patrick's Day is the biggest cultural event going on. Most the time I consider myself a Heinz 57, but on this special day, I enjoy being 100% Irish, and proud of it!
But that's only till Oktoberfest arrives and my German heritage has me waving a flag and eating sauerkraut.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
PR 101: Timing!
How sad that I opened my email this a.m. and discovered a school is sending me a fundraiser event happening today that someone hopes I will post!
I post hundreds of event items each week, but I ask for four weeks notice before an event. Does my little calendar of events help groups and companies? H**l yes! I know it does because I hear about the results often.
I also get requests from hotel marketers, Internet marketers and media op companies promoting a special event, special price, new amenity and to my pleasure, lots of designer liquors.
If I receive notice at least a month before some special event happens, then the public can take advantage of a deal and at least have a chance to arrange their schedules if interested. But what's surprising is that close to 30% of the event submissions I receive are promoted just days or weeks before the event occurs. And in many cases, they've had the event date planned for half a year or more.
How can something so basic, so free and so effective as the Internet buzz be overlooked? Public relations practioners will have many answers to this one, I am sure. The most common is that volunteers are assigned to promote and market events. At hotels, a person answering phones often is tasked with doing the marketing between calls. In my experience, the majority of these types of workers and promoters do a one time request with an 80% drop-off for a follow-up contact. It's pretty easy to understand why I or anyone else willing to help them would do nothing.
If you are not tapping into this special events market for non-profits, high schools, etc., or working to promote hotels with their events menus, etc., I recommend you begin researching and pitching plans during times when you have no work coming in. It wouldn't be hard to prove your value. Just keep the project simple and within an affordable budget. Why? You can build a client, or build leads from the inside.
This also applies to your search for jobs. If you are making only one attempt at physical contact with a target audience, you aren't doing enough. Treat your job search like your job. Make the contact list. Start up an e-newsletter as a soft sell, and repeat, repeat. Timing isn't everything, but it is a key element in the buy and sell.
I post hundreds of event items each week, but I ask for four weeks notice before an event. Does my little calendar of events help groups and companies? H**l yes! I know it does because I hear about the results often.
I also get requests from hotel marketers, Internet marketers and media op companies promoting a special event, special price, new amenity and to my pleasure, lots of designer liquors.
If I receive notice at least a month before some special event happens, then the public can take advantage of a deal and at least have a chance to arrange their schedules if interested. But what's surprising is that close to 30% of the event submissions I receive are promoted just days or weeks before the event occurs. And in many cases, they've had the event date planned for half a year or more.
How can something so basic, so free and so effective as the Internet buzz be overlooked? Public relations practioners will have many answers to this one, I am sure. The most common is that volunteers are assigned to promote and market events. At hotels, a person answering phones often is tasked with doing the marketing between calls. In my experience, the majority of these types of workers and promoters do a one time request with an 80% drop-off for a follow-up contact. It's pretty easy to understand why I or anyone else willing to help them would do nothing.
If you are not tapping into this special events market for non-profits, high schools, etc., or working to promote hotels with their events menus, etc., I recommend you begin researching and pitching plans during times when you have no work coming in. It wouldn't be hard to prove your value. Just keep the project simple and within an affordable budget. Why? You can build a client, or build leads from the inside.
This also applies to your search for jobs. If you are making only one attempt at physical contact with a target audience, you aren't doing enough. Treat your job search like your job. Make the contact list. Start up an e-newsletter as a soft sell, and repeat, repeat. Timing isn't everything, but it is a key element in the buy and sell.
Do You Remember When?
One of my friends talked about the satellite technology that made cell phone service possible. I assured her that even though I was much younger, I did remember the first cell phones that came as a big metal box you had to lug around in your hand. Of course that sort of phone didn't last long, and we quicky moved into the world of smaller, faster and better.
Do you remember dial-up? Oddly enough, I still go to places during my travels that don't have Internet service. And MANY hotels claim to have wi-fi, but the signal strength always shows up on the meter as poor to low. I've maintained a dialup service connection as back up for that very reason, and have used it in hotels time and again. Just recently at Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park I sat in my hotel suite wishing I could check my email. I guess when you have bears outside the door scavenging for food, you have to put this technology into perspective and realize that not everybody in the world expects to be connected to their business 24/7.. or even 7.
If you think you remember when something was slower, older and less high-tech, listen to this. Last year I visited Columbia State Historic Park in California Gold Country. I stayed at the Fallon Hotel and was shocked to discover that I had to carry my heavy suitcase up a flight of stairs. When I got to my room and looked around, the shock became even greater. There was no TV, no shower and pretty much just a bed, sink, toilet and old fashioned balcony overlooking the highway. Did anyone say prison? The hotel was absolutely, beautifully decorated to historic standards, but had no cell service, no Internet, no phone, no TV, and the town was so tiny, there was nothing to do. No store, no movies, no shops, no liquor markets, no nothing.
It proves that you really don't have to remember when times were simpler. Sometimes you just need to get out and travel to recognize that if you didn't have all your high tech gadgets you would 1. be out of business as you know it, and 2. be forced to acquire skills with only electricity as your friend. Can you imagine such a place actually exists? It's true.
Do you remember dial-up? Oddly enough, I still go to places during my travels that don't have Internet service. And MANY hotels claim to have wi-fi, but the signal strength always shows up on the meter as poor to low. I've maintained a dialup service connection as back up for that very reason, and have used it in hotels time and again. Just recently at Wuksachi Lodge in Sequoia National Park I sat in my hotel suite wishing I could check my email. I guess when you have bears outside the door scavenging for food, you have to put this technology into perspective and realize that not everybody in the world expects to be connected to their business 24/7.. or even 7.
If you think you remember when something was slower, older and less high-tech, listen to this. Last year I visited Columbia State Historic Park in California Gold Country. I stayed at the Fallon Hotel and was shocked to discover that I had to carry my heavy suitcase up a flight of stairs. When I got to my room and looked around, the shock became even greater. There was no TV, no shower and pretty much just a bed, sink, toilet and old fashioned balcony overlooking the highway. Did anyone say prison? The hotel was absolutely, beautifully decorated to historic standards, but had no cell service, no Internet, no phone, no TV, and the town was so tiny, there was nothing to do. No store, no movies, no shops, no liquor markets, no nothing.
It proves that you really don't have to remember when times were simpler. Sometimes you just need to get out and travel to recognize that if you didn't have all your high tech gadgets you would 1. be out of business as you know it, and 2. be forced to acquire skills with only electricity as your friend. Can you imagine such a place actually exists? It's true.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Vacation or Work?
It's a good time to travel in California since gas prices are low. But when I discussed the options of traveling with friends, I put it to them this way: What am I gonna do? Write another story about a town I've already visited which will still cost me around $100 in gas? It's cheaper to stay home and work.
The trouble with that philosophy is that you can easily burn. I lost an entire day of work yesterday just playing. I went to Corona del Mar and wandered around Inspiration Point, the beach below in the cove where they've filmed lots of movies, and discovered it's now the climbers' favorite to prepare for the big trips.
I didn't sit down at the computer till after 11 p.m. and felt really frustrated, knowing there's so much to do. But I had such a great day. Sure you can work yourself to death. But when you do, you're dead sooner and for what?
The trouble with that philosophy is that you can easily burn. I lost an entire day of work yesterday just playing. I went to Corona del Mar and wandered around Inspiration Point, the beach below in the cove where they've filmed lots of movies, and discovered it's now the climbers' favorite to prepare for the big trips.
I didn't sit down at the computer till after 11 p.m. and felt really frustrated, knowing there's so much to do. But I had such a great day. Sure you can work yourself to death. But when you do, you're dead sooner and for what?
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Travel and See the World
Lets hear it for the Thundering 3rd Marines! Some of them showed up at the beach this a.m. for a worthy cause, raising money for their families. It was a beautiful morning at the beach and spirits were high as the Huntington Beach Fire Department nonprofit org showed up to cook food. For photos and videos, follow the links to the posting of this story, which didn't fully make it to this site as it is more of a beach-focused gathering than a travel story. Of course you can try to qualify for the Marines and then you will be traveling, most likely.
Not enough to make you crazy?
I just joined twitter after I managed to get my old blog working. Then I checked into LinkedIn to see what my network is up to...Joe Shaw, Patty Roberts, and Denise Morrison, to name a few.
It's 2 a.m. and I've not even touched on the edits of the Southern California Strong Man competition from Saturday, while just hours away, the Marines will be marching on the beach, providing me with a whole new set of images and videos to contemplate. Since all these events are time sensitive, I am actually posting events for April right now, and am hoping to start working on the winter 2009 season.
For those who live in my region (California), I recommend you check out some of the free summer concerts this year. Nearly every city has them this summer. And the farmer's markets number in the hundreds, with many starting up in approx. one month for their summer run. I'll be heading on the road soon, visiting the Central Valley, California, and hoping to make it to the Shasta Cascade and Northern Coast regions to my favorite spots such as Bigfoot Country -- Eureka, and my favorite hotel up there, the Carter House Inn. The world's tallest redwood trees live in the region, and after just visiting the world's oldest redwoods in Sequoia, I have a basis for comparison.
I hope your spring is shaping up. When times get tough (and they are for most of us), at least the gasoline isn't too high, and the hotels are still offering deals, so you can get on the road and spend a few hundred bucks, well worth it if you can spare the time and the dime.
It's 2 a.m. and I've not even touched on the edits of the Southern California Strong Man competition from Saturday, while just hours away, the Marines will be marching on the beach, providing me with a whole new set of images and videos to contemplate. Since all these events are time sensitive, I am actually posting events for April right now, and am hoping to start working on the winter 2009 season.
For those who live in my region (California), I recommend you check out some of the free summer concerts this year. Nearly every city has them this summer. And the farmer's markets number in the hundreds, with many starting up in approx. one month for their summer run. I'll be heading on the road soon, visiting the Central Valley, California, and hoping to make it to the Shasta Cascade and Northern Coast regions to my favorite spots such as Bigfoot Country -- Eureka, and my favorite hotel up there, the Carter House Inn. The world's tallest redwood trees live in the region, and after just visiting the world's oldest redwoods in Sequoia, I have a basis for comparison.
I hope your spring is shaping up. When times get tough (and they are for most of us), at least the gasoline isn't too high, and the hotels are still offering deals, so you can get on the road and spend a few hundred bucks, well worth it if you can spare the time and the dime.
Mission San Juan Capistrano Events
Mission San Juan Capistrano - Mission Fine Art Gallery, "Lasting Impressions"- San Juan Capistrano runs through March 30, 2009.
Mission San Juan Capistrano's Lasting Impressions, an art exhibition featuring the work of 13 local artists who operate the Mission Fine Art Gallery in San Juan Capistrano, is featured through March. If you've not been to the mission, it celebrates the return of the swallows in March, as well. The colorful past is remembered with fountains, architecture and a simple lifestyle beyond the gates of this charming establishment set in an historic district.
Exhibit is free with paid admission to the Mission.
LOCATION:
Mission San Juan Capistrano
26801 Ortega Highway
San Juan Capistrano
INFORMATION:
(949) 234-1317
Mission San Juan Capistrano's Lasting Impressions, an art exhibition featuring the work of 13 local artists who operate the Mission Fine Art Gallery in San Juan Capistrano, is featured through March. If you've not been to the mission, it celebrates the return of the swallows in March, as well. The colorful past is remembered with fountains, architecture and a simple lifestyle beyond the gates of this charming establishment set in an historic district.
Exhibit is free with paid admission to the Mission.
LOCATION:
Mission San Juan Capistrano
26801 Ortega Highway
San Juan Capistrano
INFORMATION:
(949) 234-1317
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Balboa Island in Newport Beach
Oh Balboa! "There's no place like this that I know," said a friend, as we walked along the waterfront on Balboa Island yesterday. Personal boats tied up to the docks of multi-million dollar homes (even in a down cycle they cost millions) stood dry dock as the tide was low. There are not hotels on Balboa Island, a manmade island created in the early 1900's as a dredged out area that a developer tried to get people to invest in for a few hundred dollars per lot. 'What a joke!' many said. Yeah, it's a joke allright. Kind of like the joke on the hill near my home where no one thought people would actually buy on lots that were previously home to oil derricks. Now the houses are worth millions.
In Balboa they have that same old dredging problem rearing its head again, and as we walked along the bay after hopping off the Newport Beach ferry (now costs $1/each way on foot), the big tug whistled a warning as it pushed its huge bin field with dredge material to an offshore dumping ground. It's costing Newport Beach a lot of money to get the harbor dredged.
What's especially noticeable, however, is that somebody has money. I counted at least four homes totally torn down and in states of building as new waterfront mansions. And this is during a the economic meltdown.
Balboa Island has no hotels, no fast food chains (except Starbucks), and the two access points are over a bridge or via the ferry boats. It offers quaint charm with streets named for gems, and many European style houses with doors that open on the top to let the fresh air in.
Balboa Island attracts thousands of people during the day to shop and dine. There are many super restaurants ranging from affordable to upscale. And there are lots of cute boutiques, kids stores, and gift shops.
The next time you visit Southern California, be sure to check out the island charm of Balboa, just a stone's throw (22 miles) from an island offshore, Catalina.
In Balboa they have that same old dredging problem rearing its head again, and as we walked along the bay after hopping off the Newport Beach ferry (now costs $1/each way on foot), the big tug whistled a warning as it pushed its huge bin field with dredge material to an offshore dumping ground. It's costing Newport Beach a lot of money to get the harbor dredged.
What's especially noticeable, however, is that somebody has money. I counted at least four homes totally torn down and in states of building as new waterfront mansions. And this is during a the economic meltdown.
Balboa Island has no hotels, no fast food chains (except Starbucks), and the two access points are over a bridge or via the ferry boats. It offers quaint charm with streets named for gems, and many European style houses with doors that open on the top to let the fresh air in.
Balboa Island attracts thousands of people during the day to shop and dine. There are many super restaurants ranging from affordable to upscale. And there are lots of cute boutiques, kids stores, and gift shops.
The next time you visit Southern California, be sure to check out the island charm of Balboa, just a stone's throw (22 miles) from an island offshore, Catalina.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Better Travel Photos
I just filled out one of those Knols, the new beta from Google. I thought I knew some tips about travel photos, so I supplied a four-points "how-to" story of improving your images you take on vacations or journeys. Here's what I wrote. When something is second nature and you do it day and night, all your life, the words don't always translate the knowledge bank you may have on a subject. I do recommend that others dive in and talk about their expertise in some subject, be it real estate or cooking. It helps you examine how well you are communicating with others and in my case, I don't spend much time doing that.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Cigarette Beach Ban Bill
I am a proponent of clean beaches. Who isn't? I don't know anyone who actually prefers to find syringes, coke cans, cigarette butts and tons of plastic on the beach after a typical rain storm washes the stuff from the rivers into the ocean, then back again onto a beach. With that in mind, I had to ponder a recent email from Surfrider foundation, asking me and anyone one their autosend email list to support SB 4: Keep our beaches cigarette butt-free! Provided a ready-made letter to email to my congressional representatives, the letter supports efforts introduced as No Smoking at State Parks and Beaches Act (SB 4) by Senator Oropeza.
While I live in a beach destination that has already outlawed smoking at the beach, is adding photo cameras to major streets for red-light runners and enacting more and more legislation removing my rights as an individual, I am becoming weary of yet another law to chip away at any freedoms that remain. I do not smoke, and it angers me to see people through trash of any kind on the ground. But being the logical sort of person I am, I don't hold any false illusions about trash. I was actually paid by the American Plastics Association once or twice to cover a few beach events such as beach clean-ups, in which their representatives participated. How many of us do not buy orange juice or milk in a plastic container, own plastic trash bags in our home or use plastic of any sort? That's impossible, of course. And yet, plastic consumption by animals and fish outnumbers cigarette butts by quite a large sum, as I recall. But who among us can ask for a ban on plastic? My beach, alone, requires all soft drinks and other consumable beverages not be brought onto the beach in glass containers. So, there's not much choice to avoid taking the number one polluter onto the beach for most citizens.
That brings us to cigarette butts. Should people smoke at all? No, of course they shouldn't, but they do. Legislators are working hard to increase taxes on cigarettes so that the average person will spend a larger chunk of his or her income buying this legalized drug proven to be highly addictive. Am I for outlawing cigarettes? No.
As for beaches, if the solutions my city and others create to monitor citizen behavior have any impact, maybe they can create a smoking section for smokers, along with video cameras that take pictures of cigarette butts hitting the ground. The offender can go online and look at the photo, then send his $500 to the courts for this offense. Creating regulations don't always work if there aren't people to regulate and police activities. The best solution might come from education, but the tobacco companies can easily outspend the school systems in educating youth to smoke or not.
From my perspective, we should not focus on one item such as cigarettes, but look at a big picture in which plastics, the number one invader should be factored into this equation. So am I for this bill or not?
Here what the Surfrider Foundation tells me is At Stake:
"Cigarette butts are frequently cast onto the sidewalk and streets, and then pushed into storm drains that flow to streams, rivers, bays, lagoons and ultimately the ocean. Unfortunately, this means ecosystems have a higher chance of being impacted by cigarette butts. Many smokers incorrectly believe that cigarette filters are made of biodegradable cotton. In fact, cigarette filters contain a type of plastic (cellulose acetate), which slowly breaks down, but unfortunately never fully decomposes.
Cigarette filters are designed to trap toxic chemicals. When submerged in water, the toxic chemicals trapped in the filter leak out into aquatic ecosystems, threatening the quality of the water and aquatic life. Biologists have also found butts in the stomachs of young birds, sea turtles and other marine creatures. Studies indicate the chemicals in cigarettes are leaching into our water ways and are deadly to water fleas (a small but important microorganism that lives in most lakes and streams and the ocean).
Cigarette butts may seem small, but with an estimated 4.5 trillion butts (worldwide) littered every year, the toxic chemicals can add up quickly! Cigarette butts can cause other environmental problems, such as fires.
In a recent press release, Senator Oropeza cited several reasons to support her bill:
* The US Environmental Protection Agency has determined cigarette butts to be the most frequently found marine debris item in the United States .
* Smoking-related debris poses a persistent and serious threat to marine life and beachgoers over California ’s 1,100 miles of coastline.
* Ingestion of cigarette waste by marine animals interferes with their ability to eat and digest food.
* According to the Ocean Conservancy, in 2003 smoking-related items (in the form of cigarette filters, cigar tips, tobacco packaging, and cigarette lighters) accounted for 38 percent of all debris items found on beaches in the United States .
* Cigarette butts are not biodegradable and can harm the ecosystem as they contain more than 165 toxic chemicals.
* According to the California Department of Forestry (over a five-year average), smoking has been found to annually cause more than 100 California forest fires and more than 3,400 acres of damage.
* Smoking has caused four of the 25 worst wildfires in California, from 1929-1999, including the 1999 Jones wildfire, which destroyed 964 structures and the 1999 Oakland Hills fire, the largest dollar fire loss in United States history. The $1.5 billion blaze destroyed 3,354 homes, 456 apartment buildings and 2,000 vehicles.
Numerous local governments have already imposed bans on smoking, including bans in local parks, beaches and piers in Huntington Beach , Laguna Beach , Long Beach , Los Angeles , Malibu , Newport Beach , Redondo Beach , San Clemente , Santa Monica , Seal Beach San Diego, and Solana Beach."
Friday, February 27, 2009
Great Travel Deals
The travel deals that are available right now are simply incredible--or cheap if you prefer. The catch is that they are time-sensitive, and require mid-week stays in off season. I try to steer more travelers to these deals I find, especially in California where prices tend to be a bit higher, but alas, those with time on their hands are less willing to spend their precious dollars on deals just yet. What a shame!
With summer arriving in the U.S. soon, I suspect the prices will be soft, though last year's travel should have been a tip off to the coming storm. Staycationing turned popular, local destinations into cattle calls for those sleeping at home at night, then going on drive tips during the day. This year should provide more of the same. Places where the prices are trying to hold include the new luxury resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, where they've yet to release their hotel inventory to the online booking services. With rooms and packages hovering around $700-1000 per night, its clear to see they are targeting an audience not impacted by the economy.
There are some tips that will help you find nice rooms at low prices. Location is not worth the sacrifice of quality, so we tend to shop for nice places with great locations--and explore them more. One soft spot in the armor for now is in Carmel Valley at Carmel Valley Ranch. You just can't beat their renovated rooms, luxury golf, great chefs on site, and oak-studded hills for a getaway to sweep you away. It's on my short list of places to go this spring. But spring is coming fast and all bets are off for our summer tourist season.
With summer arriving in the U.S. soon, I suspect the prices will be soft, though last year's travel should have been a tip off to the coming storm. Staycationing turned popular, local destinations into cattle calls for those sleeping at home at night, then going on drive tips during the day. This year should provide more of the same. Places where the prices are trying to hold include the new luxury resort at Pelican Hill in Newport Beach, where they've yet to release their hotel inventory to the online booking services. With rooms and packages hovering around $700-1000 per night, its clear to see they are targeting an audience not impacted by the economy.
There are some tips that will help you find nice rooms at low prices. Location is not worth the sacrifice of quality, so we tend to shop for nice places with great locations--and explore them more. One soft spot in the armor for now is in Carmel Valley at Carmel Valley Ranch. You just can't beat their renovated rooms, luxury golf, great chefs on site, and oak-studded hills for a getaway to sweep you away. It's on my short list of places to go this spring. But spring is coming fast and all bets are off for our summer tourist season.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Strange Travel in California
The much overlooked traveler that the conventional CVBs (convention and visitors bureaus, or marketing bureaus & associations) don't account for is the spiritual traveler or one on a mission, attending events or places to learn and enhance their well-being with knowledge.
I became aware of this type of traveler when delving into research topics 15 years back. I met a few rock solid people, such as Dr. Bob Wood, a nuclear physicist, who spoke on the topic, "The ET Hypothesis is Not that Bad." This esteemed and respected individual had a unique assignment at one time, he said. While working at the former McDonnell Douglas facility, he created a division to research back-engineering of alien space craft, he said. He and a number of individuals from such companies have a life-long interest in the subject of space travel and et visitation. For the purpose of this blog post, I only mention it because individuals spend billions of dollars traveling the planet to learn more about a variety of subjects that enhance their well being on earth. This is one of the trends in tourism and should not be overlooked in your attempts to recognize and target niche markets.
I became aware of this type of traveler when delving into research topics 15 years back. I met a few rock solid people, such as Dr. Bob Wood, a nuclear physicist, who spoke on the topic, "The ET Hypothesis is Not that Bad." This esteemed and respected individual had a unique assignment at one time, he said. While working at the former McDonnell Douglas facility, he created a division to research back-engineering of alien space craft, he said. He and a number of individuals from such companies have a life-long interest in the subject of space travel and et visitation. For the purpose of this blog post, I only mention it because individuals spend billions of dollars traveling the planet to learn more about a variety of subjects that enhance their well being on earth. This is one of the trends in tourism and should not be overlooked in your attempts to recognize and target niche markets.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Travel Industry in US Scratching Heads to Make Sales
Americans have reduced, removed and foregone the family vacations and weekend getaways, a natural by-product of the sinking U.S. economy and the numbers aren't looking too rosy for travel industry pros who sell everything from hotel rooms to theme park tickets, to vacations and tours. With well over half of the population stating in Februrary that they are going to sharply reduce their vacation expenses, some studies show nearly a 10% drop in leisure travel, but we believe those figures are far too conservative, and think the numbers will be lower.
Hotels, airlines, theme parks, restaurants, meeting planners, cruise lines, and car rental companies are all feeling the pinch. While some wholesalers and retailers are pushing "deals", it turns out the deals are the same sorts of promotions you can find on your own according to travel industry analyst Debbie Stock, publisher of travel websites.
At Disneyland theme park you can get in free on your birthday--and many people are going it alone. By parking in the free three hour parking lot and staying a short time, local residents in California are saving money on entry into the park in Anaheim, Calif., on their birthday and not spending a dime, for instance.
How low can you go? We have seen places such as Carmel Valley Ranch reach their lowest prices since 9-11, said Stock, publisher of VacationTravelChannel.com, Californiabeaches.com, and many other sites. Search for weekday specials before summer arrives, and you'll get the same vacation minus the crowds. You just have to be flexible, the 10-year travel veteran recommends.
Hotels, airlines, theme parks, restaurants, meeting planners, cruise lines, and car rental companies are all feeling the pinch. While some wholesalers and retailers are pushing "deals", it turns out the deals are the same sorts of promotions you can find on your own according to travel industry analyst Debbie Stock, publisher of travel websites.
At Disneyland theme park you can get in free on your birthday--and many people are going it alone. By parking in the free three hour parking lot and staying a short time, local residents in California are saving money on entry into the park in Anaheim, Calif., on their birthday and not spending a dime, for instance.
How low can you go? We have seen places such as Carmel Valley Ranch reach their lowest prices since 9-11, said Stock, publisher of VacationTravelChannel.com, Californiabeaches.com, and many other sites. Search for weekday specials before summer arrives, and you'll get the same vacation minus the crowds. You just have to be flexible, the 10-year travel veteran recommends.
Huntington Beach Uproar over Mechanical Bulls
Huntington Beach's Black Bull Chop House is trying to settle with the city for a plan of operations that will fit the local scene. In this latest rendezvous, the City of Huntington Beach Planning Commission holds a hearing with officials with debates and disagreements over whose responsibility it is to watch patrons' drinking habits, overcrowding, bull-riding raucous behavior and even one complaint of an assault. The HB City Planning Commission could pull the permit that allows this Main Street downtown HB steak joint from selling liquor beverages, play music with DJ's, allow dancing and riding the mechanical bull advertised by the restaurant on cable tv advertisements.
Owner, Cesar Pena, says he wants to focus on the business (profit) and reconcile the disagreements over the way his restaurant is run. Police reports, neighbor comments and a 6-month review of his business operations all led to the concept of taking away his liquor license. Soundproofing of walls, separation of dance floor from fire exits, and other complaints have been examined and may be recommended to Pena and his attorney. It is no surprise that Pier Colony condominium residents that face the venue would not be happy with a new business in this spot, especially one of the hottest new watering holes serving affordable cocktails and entertainment. Several other such restaurants have tried in the spot and failed due to similar complaints and other factors. While mixed use developments seem to bring the downtown regions to life, there's a need for compromise and in this case, the condo owners have to fight for rest and relaxation in their Surf City abodes that overlook the restaurant and have partial views of the Pacific Ocean and famed Huntington Beach Pier (some may).
Owner, Cesar Pena, says he wants to focus on the business (profit) and reconcile the disagreements over the way his restaurant is run. Police reports, neighbor comments and a 6-month review of his business operations all led to the concept of taking away his liquor license. Soundproofing of walls, separation of dance floor from fire exits, and other complaints have been examined and may be recommended to Pena and his attorney. It is no surprise that Pier Colony condominium residents that face the venue would not be happy with a new business in this spot, especially one of the hottest new watering holes serving affordable cocktails and entertainment. Several other such restaurants have tried in the spot and failed due to similar complaints and other factors. While mixed use developments seem to bring the downtown regions to life, there's a need for compromise and in this case, the condo owners have to fight for rest and relaxation in their Surf City abodes that overlook the restaurant and have partial views of the Pacific Ocean and famed Huntington Beach Pier (some may).
Cheesecake Factory, and its California Cheesecake Factory locations offer some of our favorite dishes in prices that are considered mid-range. From Mexican-themed corn breads, to Chinese chicken salads, I've never had a bad meal there yet. The popular chain is growing its offerings by including some delivery options to your home, that is if you live in Orange County. Restaurants on the Run will deliver meals from 850 or so restaurants in Southern California (for a fee, of course).
Based in Aliso Viejo, the delivery I live in includes Huntington Beach, Newport, Balboa, Fountain Valley, and Westminster. For more information, call 949-951-2500.
Not your momma's vacation
When you think of the traditional vacation in Calif., you may think of Ward & June Cleaver with Beaver, Steve Erkel, or the Ozzy Osbourne family going hand in hand into the ocean. I've seen a lot of travelers & tourists, and trust me, the picture I'm getting isn't like that at all!
Take for instance the extreme sports events that attract people to Calif. to compete. Paintball, BMX, skateboard and surfing are a few of the many draws that attract large crowds. What can you expect to see when you visit? Probably anything at all. While California's free for all image is more of a myth than reality, there's still an edge to the ennvironment and hopefully a few suprises will welcome you on a vacation in California.
What you might find appealing is the weather which is generally awesome till you get to the North Coast where it rains over 40 inches per year. That's kind of bummer if you prefer sunshine. And you'll find extremes. From the highest mountain west of the Continental Divide (over 14,000 feet), to the lowest point (below sea level), California does have a variety of things to check out.
When I said it's not your momma's vacation, I was referring to things that suprise conservative destination management organization specialists, especially. If you work in hotels or on the battle line of tourism, you quickly learn to throw the stereotypes out the door. For instance, I got such a kick seeing white-haired grandmas come from Indiana, New Jersey, Minnesota and other parts of the country to a paintball event, to watch their grandkids shoot it out on the beach. Perhaps it's just a new version of cowboys & indians, but still, the tourists aren't as conservative as you may imagine.
Momma may come to your city to attend at a Tattoos & Brews convention (Santa Rosa). I sincerely hope momma shows a little restraint and doesn't get a tattoo on you, kid. Maybe the parents are in town for the UFO convention in Los Angeles, or San Francisco, where they talk to other abductees who have implants and life-long visits from the grays or Nordics. Or maybe your dad is out with the Harley club riding to Cook's Corner for the time-honored Sunday cruise. From surfing santa that rides into town on a surfboard in Santa Cruz, to the surfing priest who blesses the waves in Huntington Beach, you really don't know what to expect in California. And a vacation will hopefully offer up some of the unexpected, pleasant journeys that avail themselves during your visit.
When California Tourism decided to brand the state as a destination a few years back, a theme kept repeating itself. Nutty, like fruits & nuts, hedonistic (as in wine, beer and booze), eco-centric as in green, no smoking, and save the Monarch, and star-crazy as in Hollywood, were bundled in advertisements and print collateral to show that California isn't your momma's traditional vacation.
Take for instance the extreme sports events that attract people to Calif. to compete. Paintball, BMX, skateboard and surfing are a few of the many draws that attract large crowds. What can you expect to see when you visit? Probably anything at all. While California's free for all image is more of a myth than reality, there's still an edge to the ennvironment and hopefully a few suprises will welcome you on a vacation in California.
What you might find appealing is the weather which is generally awesome till you get to the North Coast where it rains over 40 inches per year. That's kind of bummer if you prefer sunshine. And you'll find extremes. From the highest mountain west of the Continental Divide (over 14,000 feet), to the lowest point (below sea level), California does have a variety of things to check out.
When I said it's not your momma's vacation, I was referring to things that suprise conservative destination management organization specialists, especially. If you work in hotels or on the battle line of tourism, you quickly learn to throw the stereotypes out the door. For instance, I got such a kick seeing white-haired grandmas come from Indiana, New Jersey, Minnesota and other parts of the country to a paintball event, to watch their grandkids shoot it out on the beach. Perhaps it's just a new version of cowboys & indians, but still, the tourists aren't as conservative as you may imagine.
Momma may come to your city to attend at a Tattoos & Brews convention (Santa Rosa). I sincerely hope momma shows a little restraint and doesn't get a tattoo on you, kid. Maybe the parents are in town for the UFO convention in Los Angeles, or San Francisco, where they talk to other abductees who have implants and life-long visits from the grays or Nordics. Or maybe your dad is out with the Harley club riding to Cook's Corner for the time-honored Sunday cruise. From surfing santa that rides into town on a surfboard in Santa Cruz, to the surfing priest who blesses the waves in Huntington Beach, you really don't know what to expect in California. And a vacation will hopefully offer up some of the unexpected, pleasant journeys that avail themselves during your visit.
When California Tourism decided to brand the state as a destination a few years back, a theme kept repeating itself. Nutty, like fruits & nuts, hedonistic (as in wine, beer and booze), eco-centric as in green, no smoking, and save the Monarch, and star-crazy as in Hollywood, were bundled in advertisements and print collateral to show that California isn't your momma's traditional vacation.
My First Vacation in California
My first vacation in California was as a teenage girl, visiting a friend for a couple weeks.
I stayed with her in her mom's apartment in Hollywood. It was our home base for teenage wandering-- and enjoying our summer days without any pressures of school. We took many trips to California beaches (which takes a long time on public transportation,) but the memories of California certainly stayed with me, especially after returning to my home in the midwest U.S.
I have traveled all over the world, but have called California my home for many years. Still, living here is a vacation. Every day I ask myself, "When will I feel like I own this place--like I can call it my home and be a resident that really knows it?" That time has not come yet, and for that, I still wake up and find the same enthusiasm that brought me here so many years ago, lingering, staying on, and finding out I really couldn't go back to wherever I came from.
California has its downfalls and problems, but a friend who I've helped train to become a travel writer went on some press trips and wrote stories for me, then returned to California and decided to only travel outside the state on rare occasions when the destination is great. I asked her why she came to this state of affairs after only one year. Her answer was fairly simple, and easy to understand. She said, "I've decided that life in California is a vacation. If I have to downgrade my living standards to travel and write stories about other places, it's not worth it to me. I'm staying in California."
So as you can see, many of us find that California creeps into our blood, and like it or not, we're kind of hooked on this vacation lifestyle we live.
I stayed with her in her mom's apartment in Hollywood. It was our home base for teenage wandering-- and enjoying our summer days without any pressures of school. We took many trips to California beaches (which takes a long time on public transportation,) but the memories of California certainly stayed with me, especially after returning to my home in the midwest U.S.
I have traveled all over the world, but have called California my home for many years. Still, living here is a vacation. Every day I ask myself, "When will I feel like I own this place--like I can call it my home and be a resident that really knows it?" That time has not come yet, and for that, I still wake up and find the same enthusiasm that brought me here so many years ago, lingering, staying on, and finding out I really couldn't go back to wherever I came from.
California has its downfalls and problems, but a friend who I've helped train to become a travel writer went on some press trips and wrote stories for me, then returned to California and decided to only travel outside the state on rare occasions when the destination is great. I asked her why she came to this state of affairs after only one year. Her answer was fairly simple, and easy to understand. She said, "I've decided that life in California is a vacation. If I have to downgrade my living standards to travel and write stories about other places, it's not worth it to me. I'm staying in California."
So as you can see, many of us find that California creeps into our blood, and like it or not, we're kind of hooked on this vacation lifestyle we live.
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