Travelrific® Travel Journal
Picture postcards in prose.™ Check out the blogroll on the front page for official merchandise and other resources!Archive for california
The Del Celebrates 125 Years
By Linda Tancs
Not far from San Diego, California in nearby Coronado, the Hotel Del Coronado (the “Del”) is an iconic red-turreted Victorian hotel built in 1888. Part of Historic Hotels of America, this National Historic Landmark’s Hollywood connections (helped by its proximity to Los Angeles) draw many a curious visitor. If only the walls could talk. Notable guests have included Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra and Clark Gable, along with a variety of political figures and royalty. The Del is celebrating 125 years with a series of special packages this summer, like a fourth night free or an upgrade to a cottage or villa at Beach Village. Look for the festive gold bow atop the turret, and say ‘happy birthday’ to the grand dame of beachfront luxury.
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California’s Cleanest Beaches
By Linda Tancs
The beaches at Point Reyes National Seashore in California are frequently cited as some of California’s cleanest beaches. But it’s the views that undoubtedly impress visitors the most. Some beaches are just a spit of sand like Limantour Beach, but you’ll find a bountiful array of seasonal inhabitants like ducks, seals, gray whales and shorebirds. And then there’s Kehoe Beach, a mix of dunes and cliffs made of sandstone and granite. Some beaches even have drive-up access, like Limantour, Drakes Beach and Great Beach. The lure of heavy surf is particularly strong at Great Beach, a misnomer considering that they’re all pretty great.
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Disney’s Land of Cars
By Linda Tancs
Children of all ages, rev your engines. Tomorrow marks the debut of Disney’s Cars Land. The newest addition to Disney California Adventure Park brings Radiator Springs to life, providing head-to-head racing through the spectacular Ornament Valley. If that’s not enough of a rush for you, then head to Luigi’s Flying Tires, where you’ll literally float on air on an oversized flying tire. In true Disney fashion, the streets of Radiator Springs will come alive with music and lights once the sun sets.
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An Artist’s Cottage
By Linda Tancs
What does a spa experience evoke for you? A facial, massage, aromatherapy–maybe some hot stones? Add an artist’s cottage to that. That’s right: at Ojai Valley Inn and Spa in southern California, your Shangri-La includes the Artist’s Cottage and Apothecary. There guests will team with artists to learn the skills required to work in media such as oils, pastels, watercolor, and precious metals. Add to that the Apothecary, where you can create your own personal scent for inclusion in lotions, gels and creams that will carry your own name. As you settle into the pink glow of an early evening in the valley, surely you’ll find the surroundings to be inspiring.
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California Dreamin’
By Linda Tancs
In the ultra luxe enclave of Belvedere Island, California, a one-square-mile suburb of San Francisco, stately homes command spectacular views of San Francisco, Angel Island, the Golden Gate Bridge, Sausalito, and Mt. Tamalpais. One stunner is Locksley Hall, a 10,000-square-foot house that sits at the tip of Belvedere Island. On offer for a mere $65 million in 2005, its wraparound veranda with Corinthian columns affords a 360-degree view of the above-named sights. Belvedere is derived from the Italian expression for “beautiful view.” Yes, indeed.
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Horsing Around in Norco
By Linda Tancs
The City of Norco in southern California promotes itself as Horsetown U.S.A. That would be an apt description, considering that there are more horse trails than sidewalks. A central part of residents’ lives is the George Ingalls Equestrian Event Center, featuring an assortment of equestrian events and rodeos. Of course, they celebrate National Day of the American Cowboy at the Center (this year on 28 July). This got me thinking about equestrian terms found in everyday English. Here’s a handy list.
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To Sur With Love
By Linda Tancs
Big Sur is a popular tourist destination in California, a coastline stretching along Highway 1 generally between San Simeon and Carmel. The stunning vistas afforded by the Santa Lucia Mountains’ dominance over the Pacific Ocean and the rock formations at sunset on the beach are a shutterbug’s dream. But don’t forget about the redwoods, conifers, oaks, sycamores, cottonwoods, maples, alders, meadows, water ouzels and belted kingfishers in Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, just 26 miles south of Carmel. Open one half hour prior to sunrise until one half hour after sunset, this Central Coast treasure beckons hikers and campers. There’s even a 61-room lodge with a conference center, Wi-Fi, cafe and grocery store.
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Trash Into Treasure
By Linda Tancs
As the saying goes, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. That’s particularly true at Glass Beach, a beach in MacKerricher State Park near Fort Bragg, California that is abundant in sea glass created from years of dumping garbage over the cliffs into what became a public dump. Over many decades the sea and surf has molded an array of household garbage (including obviously lots of glass) into curious colorful trinkets. Tread carefully.
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America’s Luckiest City
By Linda Tancs
San Diego, California bills itself as “America’s Finest City.” Turns out, it might also be the luckiest according to Men’s Health magazine. The editors analyzed such data as debt levels, the most hole-in-ones on the golf course, the fewest lightning strikes, and the least deaths from falling objects. Apparently, residents of the southern California city enjoy their sunny clime with low debt, little lightning and even fewer mulligans. Where does your city fall on the list?
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Moonlight Escape in Napa
By Linda Tancs
You’ve probably heard of the harvest moon, the full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox. You might have seen a red moon, caused by the particles in the Earth’s atmosphere. How about a snow moon or a wolf moon? Full moon names come to us courtesy of Native Americans. You can experience each one of them on the Napa Valley Wine Train’s Moonlight Escape tour in Napa Valley, California, one of the top wine growing regions in the world. Who could resist dinner for two in a private booth under the light of the full moon, two glasses of house wine, and the adventure of a train traveling through the night over the silver vineyards? Pick your favorite moon, relax, and enjoy the ride.
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