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.

This Is A Cool Disneyland Item

You may or may not know that when you walk along Main Street in Disneyland, you'll see names lettered in the quaint shop windows as if they are the business owners. In fact this is a way that Disney honors very special employees--by putting their names in the windows of the Main Street shops and pretending like they are store owners. Look for them on your next visit.

Two of the most recent names will be Richard and Robert Sherman. These two gents look nothing like the creative geniuses they really were. You see, they wrote some of the most memorable tunes in the Disney library. Think "It's a Small World After All." How about the songs from Mary Poppins? Jungle Book? Winnie the Pooh? The Enchanted Tiki Room and the old Carousel of Progress were their tunes as well (remember "There's a great big beautiful tomorrow, shining at the end of every day...?").

These brothers are to blame when you spend all day trying to get the "Small World" theme out of your head. But look for their names in a window on Main Street because Disney has finally determined to honor them with one of their highest tributes.

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It's Getting To Be WildFlower Time In SoCal

We've been experiencing a wet winter here in beautiful Southern California. That means that the spring wildflowers are likely to be exceptionally abundant and awe-inspiring this year.

March is perhaps the best month to come for wildflowers. Most of the desert areas bloom this time of year, but they are often particularly prolific in the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park that overlaps between San Diego County, Riverside County and Imperial County.

Gary Warner of the Orange County Register reminds us that this could be one of the best seasons in years for wildflowers in this 600,000-acre State park. The temperatures are nice in March and April.

Check the link for information on tours, although you don't need a tour to find wildflowers. Look first in the washes, as they get the most water and seem to flower first.

Warner says that the next couple of weeks will be the peak of the season, so don't waste any time. Stop in at the visitors center for directions to the best viewing areas.

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Knott's Berry Farm Vacation Planning.

Enhance your Knott's Berry Farm Vacation Planning. The SoCal Guru has tips and wisdom to help you coordinate your Knott's vacation with other Southern Calfiornia attractions!

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Talk About Great Skiing, Come To Southern California

Whereas the heavy snows have caused big headaches in many parts of the country, the Southern California mountain areas are a winter wonderland for snowboarders and skiiers. You can enjoy the sun, mild weather and attractions of SoCal this winter; between San Diego, theme parks, quiet beaches and the energy of Hollywood there's something for everybody, as usual.

But the recent snows have created fabulous skiing conditions in the nearby San Bernardino Mountains, within easy driving distance of wherever else you plan to be in Southern California. So you can spend a few days warming up (if you come from a cold place) and then head up the mountains for a day or two of snow activities.

The mountain ski resorts report a base from 3 feet to 7 feet and many can make snow at night to create a beautiful surface each day. We're talking elevations of 7,000 feet to 8,000 feet with a serious vertical drop.

You can rent equipment up the mountain; just bring along some proper clothing along with the swim suit.

There are not a lot of places where you could be surfing first thing in the morning and then drive up for a half-day of wakeboarding or skiing that afternoon (or night skiing at some places). Or hit Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood or Sea World one day and Big Bear skiing the next couple of days. You can even find cross-country skiing, across from the Snow Valley ski resort.

Whenever possible, you'll find smaller crowds on a weekday. Also, before you drive up the hill on a rainy day call CALTRANS for road conditions at 909/383-4631. Hit the link for lots of great information about all the SoCal ski/snoboard areas.

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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.

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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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