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.

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.)

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!