The SoCal Vacation Guru
Mini Blog

Sometimes we come across a juicy morsel of Southern California culture that can't wait for a full web page. This tidbit might be a great vacation suggestion or tip, or it might be some wild and crazy event that you'll find interesting. It might give you a brainstorm for something you should include in your next Southern California vacation. So we hope you enjoy the Guru's mini blog.

Tour Orange County Beach Cities Online. Learn Where To Best Spend Your Vacation!

There are so many great ways to enjoy the Orange County beach cities. The SoCal Guru can help you sort it out. Take this brief online tour of the O.C. coastal communities.

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Orange County Beach Camping... Where Are The Best Beach Campsites?

The SoCal Guru can help you know all about Orange County beach camping. O.C. has many of the nicest Southern California beaches and some of the best beach campsites. Come take a look!

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Do A Good Deed, Save Big At Knott's

Every now and then one of the SoCal theme parks will team up with a local charity and offer a special offer. For example, Six Flags Magic Mountain has often offered free admission the day before Thanksgiving for guests who bring a small number of canned goods for the needy.

Right now through January 31, Knott's Berry Farm is offering park admission of $23.99 for guests who bring two non-perishable food items, which Knott's will donate to the Orange County Food Bank. You save $30 off the regular admission.

This is the slower time of year for Knott's so it makes sense for them to offer a low price now, combined with a very inexpensive donation requirement.

My college-age daughter is going today, likely with food from our pantry.

You can find out more about Knott's Berry Farm at the link below, and more specific information on the special offer can be found at knotts.com.

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Some Crazy O.C. Christmas Lights!

Some people in Southern California make up for a lack of snow by creating the most amazing displays of Christmas lights on their homes. How amazing? Would you believe 25,000 lights with a $1,200 electric bill?

Some of the displays started modest and grew over the years. People drive from miles away to catch these demonstrations of creativity, money, time and a touch of insanity.

The Orange County Register had a contest where readers and online visitors could vote on 55 entries for the coolest (or hottest) holiday light shows. You can visit the link to see photos of the nominees.

But if you're in town at some point over the next several days, why not drive over and experience the top winners. According to the O.C. Register contest, the top four homes are:

1884 N. Diamond Street, Orange (35,000 lights; you can see the glow from your house!).

12812 Wheeler Place, Santa Ana with its 300 bears (Santa and his Reinbears?).

26152 Cordillera, Mission Viejo brings you Whoville.

3011 E. Craig Drive, Orange, which is the Judges' Winner.

For a few more days you can catch these beautiful Christmas displays. You could visit all four winners in an hour or two.

Click for more info

Visit Seven Amusement Parks In One Vacation. Only in Southern California!

The challenge with so many world-class amusement parks in Southern California is finding time for them all, or deciding which ones to leave out. The SoCal Guru can help you decide.

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Discover Orange County Activities Beyond Disney, Knott's and the Beaches!

There are dozens of Orange County Activities to enhance your Southern California vacation. Check out museums, sports events, arts, parks, you name it! The SoCal Guru will help you learn about it!

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Gondolas In Naples--California, That Is!

One of the most charming neighborhoods in Long Beach is the community of Naples. Sound Italian? Well, this area was built from the mudflats of Long Beach in 1904, with a system of canals just like its European namesake.

Prospective buyers were transported in gondolas brought in from the 1893 Chicago World's Fair. Very charming! But somehow the gondolas disappeared for decades (after the develooper sold all the waterfront lots, no doubt...).

Fast forward to 1981 when a guy named Mike O'Toole acquired one boat and started up Gondola Getaway (562/433-9595). Today there are nearly a dozen boats offering a romantic, relaxing 1-hour tour of these quaint, multi-million-dollar waterfront homes. Some of the gondoliers will sing for you.

The homes are always extensively decorated during the holidays, so this might be a good time to bundle up for a gondola ride.

One Of The Finest Southern California Artists! Meet Peter Mooney.

If you are looking for fine, original art look no further. Here are samples from one of the most creative of Southern California artists.

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Your Best Los Angeles Vacation: Plan It Here

Let SoCal locals help you plan your best Los Angeles vacation. It starts with the right planning and a little insight. See what the SoCal Vacation Guru has to say!

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Your Best Disneyland Resort Vacation--Here are Tips from locals!

Let SoCal locals help you plan your best Disneyland vacation. Learn what to do and what not to do at the Disneyland Resort.

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Train Travel: Southern California Fits Right In To Your Plans

Are you considering a vacation that includes train travel? Southern California is a natural destination. The SoCal Guru has some ideas for you!

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There's Persian Food And Shopping In Westwood

One of the many attractions that draw people to Southern California is the tremendous diversity in ethnicities and cultures to be found here. Check out our Melting Pot page for some ideas, but here we wanted to point out a concentration of Persian culture on the West Side of Los Angeles.

Specifically, the community of Westwood lies in the shadow of the UCLA campus. There you will find many Iranian immigrants; in fact Southern California is home to more people from Iran than anywhere else in the country. Their native culture--and cooking--is the potential source of a nice adventure on a SoCal vacation.

Get off the San Diego Freeway (I-405) at Santa Monica Boulevard and go east a short distance. Turn left (north) on Westwood Boulevard and drive a few blocks to Ohio Avenue. That should put you right in the middle of a bunch of shops, bookstores and restaurants guaranteed to give you a delightful dose of Persian culture. These locals sometimes refer to this area as Tehrangeles. Many of these immigrants came here after the 1979 upheaval in their country.

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