Hello, Big Sur: Pfieffer Beach offers plenty of eye candy on the California coast. Credit: Ed Bierman.
By Jennifer Olvera
All beaches share one common trait: They border a body of water. But that’s where the commonalities can end. Beaches comes in many forms – and plenty of strange colors. From Hawaii to Harbour Island, we’ve rounded up some of odd arcs of sand to consider when planning beach vacations. (more…)
By Vince Font
For as much as people await the arrival of summer with bated breath, it sure has a way of sneaking up on us. And if you’re not careful and if you don’t act fast, it’ll pass you by the way it’s done in years past. With that in mind, here’s a rundown of three of the best last-minute beach vacations: east coast, west coast and in-between (the Gulf Coast, in case you didn’t catch it).
Savor the crisp ocean air at your alfresco table at the Sheraton Atlantic Beach Oceanfront Hotel.
Moonstone Beach
By Lena Katz
This California vacation installment was originally slated “Valentine’s Candy” because it features some of the sweetest destinations in the state. But the weather was still a bit chilly back in February, whereas now, temps are back to the beautiful mid-70s … perfect for a sunset stroll or a morning searching for sea shells in the one-of-a-kind California towns spotlighted below.
Cambria actually is at its best in springtime, though summers are pretty darn beautiful too. This tiny coastal art colony is about 40 minutes west of Paso Robles wine country, and is one of the friendliest places for a California vacation for all sorts of reasons. First of all, there’s the food and wine. Organic, affordable gourmet is the Cambria way, not just in restaurants, but also in the stores. Newcomer Sweet Offerings offers artisan chocolate, while Cambria Wine Shop specializes in sweet wine including a “chocolate-infused” vintage. Cambria is right by two one-of-a-kind attractions: Hearst Castle and the Piedras Blancas elephant seal colony. It’s nestled in pine trees and fronted by Moonstone Beach. I think few beaches are as magical as this one, especially when it catches the sunlight and sparkles from a million angles. (more…)
Homewood Suites La Quinta
By Joe Brancatelli
Throughout 2009, the hotel industry was awash in waves of property openings just as occupancy rates and nightly room rates were collapsing. That was an accident of timing since the hotel pipeline tends to be planned 2-3 years in advance and can’t be plugged when business turns south.
But 2010 will be much different.
A lot of projects have been halted in the planning stage, and there are some empty holes out there that were going to be hotel foundations. And the flow of properties has definitely slowed down.
Here’s what’s new lately:
A 129-room Homewood Suites La Quinta, California, has reopened after closing in August due to financial problems.
Joe Brancatelli is editor and publisher of JoeSentMe.com, a non-commercial Web site for business travelers. Copyright 2009 by Joe Brancatelli. Licensed by contract for Orbitz use.
View from the Pacific Coast Highway (Photo: California Travel & Tourism Commission)
By Ari Bendersky
I’ve been taking you on a virtual California vacation, with articles about wine country in various parts of the state. I started in the north (Beyond Napa … ); then moved to central California (Monterey, Paso Robles … ). Now, in this third and final story, I offer tips for wine tasting on a Southern California vacation.
As you head south along Pacific Coast Highway, you’ll notice things start to get a little lighter. The air feels warmer and you’ll notice a change in the overall vibe. Southern California is a different world from the north — and you’ll see this in the wine as much as in the people.
Santa Barbara County
As soon as you enter Santa Barbara you’ll notice the style of architecture brings this city together. Spanish style is the norm throughout the area, and you’ll fall in love with the Colonial architecture. (more…)
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (Photo: Santa Cruz County CVC
By Ari Bendersky
In my first story about wine-tasting on a California vacation (Beyond Napa … ), I focused on wineries and hotels in Northern California — in Sonoma, Mendocino and beyond. This time we travel south of San Francisco to Central California wine country.
Santa Cruz
Getting to Santa Cruz from San Francisco or San Jose is an easy, breathtaking drive over the mountains or down Highway 1 — with a quick stop in Los Gatos, Calif., to sip a few acclaimed glasses of Pinot Noir at David Bruce Winery or to San Martin, Calif., to the sprawling mission-like Clos la Chance for some beautiful red blends and citrusy Chardonnay.
The bohemian town of Santa Cruz is a hippie haven and a bastion of liberalism — and has some fantastic attractions. If you like the beach and a boardwalk, Santa Cruz is a must for your California vacation. You could spend an afternoon in SC en route to Monterey, but make sure you swing by Bonny Doon to indulge in the creative craftiness of winemaker and owner Randall Gramm. He’s known for deep, rich Syrah and other Rhone varietals (like Grenache and Mouvedre), but he’s also quite the court jester — just look at his wine labels. (more…)
Fun on the Wine Train. Copyright Napa Valley Wine Train
It’s harvest season in California wine country. Between the crush of people in the tasting rooms and the crush of grapes in the fields, there’s never a moment of downtime for Napa’s winemakers between August and the of October. And this is just how they like it. If you haven’t taken your California vacation to wine country yet, here are some reasons to plan one before the season ends.
By Lena Katz
No destination outperforms Southern California when it comes to great family vacation offerings. Okay maybe I’m a little biased, being that I’m a Cali girl whose first vacation ever was to Disneyland. (I remember clearly: Minnie Mouse gave me a hug, it was the greatest moment in my six-year-old life.) But all you need to do is count the sheer number of world-class attractions — from the Mouse Kingdom to the San Diego Zoo, to the Santa Monica boardwalk to Knott’s Berry Farm and Universal Studios — to prove it. Or, if you don’t have time to go tallying up all of them, just head to my personal "can’t-miss" ones listed below:
Orange County
Obviously if you’re visiting for the first
time with small children, Disneyland is going to be the first — and
possibly the only — stop on your list. Still magic after all these
years, the park requires at least two days to fully appreciate,
especially when you’re waiting in summer lines. Get ready for modern
enhancements and an updated look at the recently reopened Small World ride and “reawakened” Sleeping Beauty Castle.
Shows are better than ever: In the daytime, “Celebrate! A Street Party”
turns the Disneyland parade route into an all-ages festival with DJ
music, Disney characters and dance lines. And after dark, new fireworks
show “Magical” makes every night as special as the 4th of July.
By Lena Katz
Most parts of the country are just catching a first glimpse of spring, but in the desert, it’s in full and glorious bloom — which means if you need a quick dose of Vitamin C, the ideal weekend getaway is a golf/spa or art/food Southern California vacation. Here’s 2009 news from the bustling town of Palm Springs and the more laid-back outlying regions of Palm Desert and Coachella Valley.
If you’re a foodie who appreciates a meal deal, definitely book your California vacation for the first half of June: Palm Springs Restaurant Week kicks off May 31st and runs through June 19th. More than 100 participating restaurants in the desert cities will offer up three-course prix-fixe menus for either $24 or $36.
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