The SoCal Vacation Guru Mini Blog

Tall Ships and Model Railroads in Socal

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 07:59:41 GMT

There's a lot going on in Southern California on any given day. Besides the beaches and theme parks, there are all kinds of interesting events and destinations for a variety of interests. Here are a few details on two cool opportunities. First is the San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park (not far from downtown and easily reached by public transit). Imagine over a half-acre of layouts, depictions of landmark depots and recreations of famous sections of track. Want to see a scale layout of the Tehachapi Pass? How about an interactive toy train gallery? If you're a train buff this might be worth part of a day in San Diego. Find more info at www.sdmodelrailroadm.com or call 619/696-0199. This museum is open on a pretty regular schedule (confirm before you go) and is celebrating its 30th year. Not going to San Diego? How about the 26th annual Toshiba Tall Ships Festival planned for September 10-12 at Dana Point Harbor in Orange County? Check out the link below to get the schedule; you can take in the sight of a fleet of tall ships sailing into the harbor. Spend a few bucks and you can experience a cannon battle or ride escort to one of the parades. There will be at least 6 of these majestic vessels over the 3-day event. Free parking and shuttle service will be available. This will appeal to kids from 3 to 103.

SoCal Weather Better Than Hawaii?

Mon, 23 Aug 2010 19:50:14 GMT

I got to thinking about the weather, as we're finally starting to see some serious summer climate here in Southern California. It's been beautiful, but very mild so far this summer. That's excellent if you are visiting theme parks; 82 degrees is better for the kids than 95 degrees. But beach trips are better when it's hot inland because the beach communities are always cooler. To get 78 degrees at Newport Beach it may be 89 degrees in Anaheim. So this got me thinking about comparisons between the weather in Southern California and our westerly neighbor, Hawaii. I love the Aloha state, but if you've been to Hawaii in the summer months it can be very hot-- very sticky and humid. Too hot and too humid to enjoy yourself outdoors for very long. Sometimes it does not even cool down much at night. The Hawaiian sun is nice if you are right next to a pool or the ocean, but you'll begin to wilt if you're doing any walking, sightseeing or hiking in the sun. On the other hand, a midsummer day in a Southern California beach community is heaven on earth in terms of climate. Relatively speaking, the humidity is way less, the sun angle is less intense and you could spend hours enjoying the day even if you are not in the water. Save your Hawaii trip for winter or spring. This is the time of year to be in Southern California, no doubt about it.

Seeking Hotels Near Universal Studios? Look No Further!

Sat, 14 Aug 2010 01:13:54 GMT

There are a few hotels near Universal Studios, with many others easily reached by automobile, or by the Los Angeles MTA subway system. Here are some details.

Magic Mountain Hotels: Where To Stay Near Six Flags

Fri, 13 Aug 2010 20:44:00 GMT

There are several convenient Magic Mountain hotels. Should you stay near Six Flags Magic Mountain or elsewhere in Sourhern California? The Guru has some ideas for you.

Which Of The Hotels Near Disneyland Should You Choose? Ask The Guru!

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 07:07:17 GMT

Ask the SoCal Guru which hotels near Disneyland are your best bet. Should you stay within the resort or at a nearby Good Neighbor hotel?

The Best Southern California Hotels; Here Is A Great Resource

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 06:37:28 GMT

The SoCal Vacation Guru offers the best deals on southern California hotels, and you don't pay until you stay

John Wayne Airport Hotels: Heres What Ya Need Ta Know, Pilgrim!

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 04:54:52 GMT

There are many John Wayne Airport hotels easily reached from the Airport. The SoCal Vacation Guru has the inside scoop to make it simple for you.

L.A. Beaches Are Great For Nature Walks!

Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:20:59 GMT

There are a multitude of great reasons for spending vacation time in Los Angeles--the beaches, Hollywood, theme parks, restaurants, shopping, etc. Nature hiking is usually not at the top of the list, but you'd be surprised at some of the opportunities available to serious pedestrians. Along with the likes of Griffith Park, other destinations for hikers include the Westside Beach communities of Santa Monica, Hermosa Beach, Pacific Palasades, Malibu and Playa del Rey. With some planning you could literally spend days hiking among the Ballona Wetlands, the Santa Monica mountains, the Venice canals, Marina del Rey and a couple million Angelenos going about their daily routines. One such intrepid soul is Jamie Stringfellow, who has a website (check the link) with additional details on her 4-day, 38-mile trek through the Los Angeles coastal areas. You can spend the day walking (concrete/asphalt) and hiking (dirt, sand) whilst eating at beachfront restaurants and sleeping in virtually any type of hotel. What a combination of nature and civilization! Of course you can choose to do only a portion of what Stringfellow hiked, to suit your interests, schedule and physical condition.

Your Coolest Southern California Vacation. Locals Tell You What You Need To Know

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 06:07:50 GMT

What the Locals know, where the Locals go! Let the SoCal Guru enlighten you in the planning of your Southern California vacation travel. Local insight on beaches, attractions, etc.!

OC Fair and Disneyland Celebrate Milestones

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 05:35:17 GMT

Well folks, it's summertime and Southern California is hoppin'. Two Orange County landmarks are celebrating special birthdays this year. Disneyland opened in July of 1955, and has been evolving and growing ever since. This year the park celebrates its 55th birthday, with a bunch of special events and shows. Of course D-land always finds an excuse to have big summertime events and shows, but it is kind of cool that it's been around for 55 years. Think of how the world has changed since popular celebrities like Ronald Reagan and Art Linkletter helped open the park in 1955. Of course, the Orange County Fair was 65 years old when Disneyland opened its doors. Located on 150 acres adjacent to the city of Costa Mesa, the Fair is now open until August 15 and is celebrating its 120th birthday! You need to hit the link I've provided below to get the full scoop on the Fair, a tradition for many thousands of families throughout Southern California. I will tell you that they have Weird Al Yankovic's brain at the Fair (it's OK, it's educational), along with deep fried Oreo cookies and a new music venue called The Hangar. Plan on a good chunk of a day (or a full day if you're a fair nut) at the Orange County Fairgrounds.

Laguna Beach Is Center of the Art World In Summertime

Tue, 06 Jul 2010 07:43:16 GMT

This headline may be a slight exaggeration, but there is no doubt that Laguna Beach becomes a true art haven in the summer months. Even if you have only a passing interest in art (whether it be fine art or crafts), consider spending a portion of a day at one or more of the four major art happenings in this beach community. The most prestigious event is the Pageant of the Masters, an international favorite for something like 77 years now. It is an amazing presentation of famous artworks, brought to life on the stage in 3-D by real actors made up to duplicate the originals. The theme is "Eat, Drink and Be Merry." Check out www.pageanttickets.com for more information. In addition to the Pageant of the Masters are three hugely popular festivals that target different interests and types of artistic creation. The Festival of Arts is a juried show displaying works from over 140 artists from the beach area. (foapom.com) Another option is the Art-A-Fair, a gathering of another 120 national and international artists as well as local artists. Look up www.art-a-fair.com for information on location, times, costs, etc. Finally is the Sawdust Festival, a slightly more casual environment of at, crafts, music, food and workshops just down the road from the other nearby festivals. (www.sawdustartfestival.org) The city of Laguna Beach offers a great trolley service and a couple of decent pay lots. You can park and visit the festivals as well as the beach in one fulfilling afternoon and evening. There are also many galleries and shops in downtown Laguna Beach, also reached by the Trolley.

Now Is The Time To Get Great Deals At SoCal Theme Parks

Wed, 26 May 2010 04:30:21 GMT

We've written elsewhere about how just before summer can be a great time to visit Southern California. The weather is usually cooler than in the heart of summer, but we are past the rainy season. A few colleges are finishing up classes, but elementary schools and high schools still have a couple more weeks before they release the hordes for summer vacation. That means the lines will be shorter--for awhile longer (and excluding the upcoming Memorial Day weekend). Another advantage is that we're seeing a number of parks offer sweet deals on admission. Sea World, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios Hollywood, Legoland and Six Flags Magic Mountain seem to be dealing to varying degrees. You might even find a better pre-season deal at Disneyland, or at least on a package that includes lodging and park admission. Sometimes the deals relate to an annual admission for the price of a day; if you're coming from New Zealand that might not work for you. But it is still worth checking out the discounts if you can come over the next couple of weeks. Visit the websites or do a search on your favorite search engine. SoCal is ready for you.

Technology Can Enhance Your Amtrak Vacation To Southern California

Sun, 16 May 2010 20:47:28 GMT

Taking the train to SoCal can be a wonderful way to turn mundane transportation into a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Even if you fly home afterwards, spending a couple of days to see our great country from the big windows of an AMTRAK train is something not to be missed. In an effort to make your trip even more meaningful (and to increase sales no doubt) AMTRAK has teamed up with the National Park Service and a department of Texas A & M University to bring you a downloadable travel podcast. Specifically, if you ride the Sunset Limited route from New Orleans to Los Angeles, you can download a podcast that presents 100 three-minute audio presentations about destinations along that route. That will make the trip much more interesting and will add some variety for children. According to the Orange County Register, the podcast includes information about Creole cultures in Louisianna, information about the oil business and other features of Texas, the influence of Mexican heritage on New Mexico and other southwestern states, interesting historical information about Arizona and California, and many other topics. The AMTRAK site will provide more specifics; if successful we'd expect this treatment of other routes in the future.

Visit The Historic USS Midway Carrier in San Diego

Thu, 06 May 2010 02:21:30 GMT

On April 30, 1975 at 7:53 am the last helicopter lifted off from the roof of the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, South Vietnam. This was the last of the trips carrying a total of 7,000 people out to American aircraft carriers waiting offshore. Half of those folks found themselves being dropped off on the USS Midway. Most of those people were just beginning a whole new life halfway around the world. Since then the USS Midway has been retired and is now the centerpiece of a museum with over 60 exhibits. That includes an exhibit covering this life-altering event. The US Midway was one of America's longest-serving carriers and was first commissioned at the end of World War II. Nearly a quarter-million sailors have served on the ship. You might want to include a visit to the ship in your upcoming San Diego vacation, as it is likely to be one of the more-memorable activities of your trip.

Considering an AmTrak train vacation to SoCal? Here's What You Should Know!

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 23:05:36 GMT

Southern California is a great destination for an Amtrak vacation. The SoCal Vacation Guru has some tips and ideas to make this the best possible trip!

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

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 22:32:57 GMT

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

Disneyland vs Walt Disney World

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 06:23:33 GMT

Having been to both parks relatively recently, I have several opinions on both. Disney World is MUCH larger and easily fills up a week. However, it seems

Yummy Lebanese Food!

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 06:17:46 GMT

There is a GREAT little Lebanese Restaurant on Sunset Blvd called Pi (yes, like the mathematical Pi). If you're looking to try something exotic this is

iPhone Applications Will Enhance Your Disneyland Resort Experience

Sun, 18 Apr 2010 22:59:04 GMT

It should be no surprise to any of us that there are now a bunch of iPhone "apps" that allow you to use your phone as a vacation tool. With your iPhone in hand you can get up-to-the-minute information on waiting lines, engage in treasure hunts throughout the park, with clues given you you based on your GPS position within the park; get the latest calendar information about shows and park restaurant menus, and a whole lot of other stuff. Here is a brief introduction to two of those tools; you can find others by searching on your favorite search engine. First is Wishing Stars. This app offers a series of quests for fun treasures located throughout the Disneyland park (the treasures are not something you take with you but objects and places you find). You can choose the level of difficulty for kids or MENSA members. It can read your actual location in the park and know whether you've really found the answer to a given clue. The app is free for a certain number of quests, with upgrades to more sophisticated versions. This might be a distraction for children on their first trip to the park, so keep it mind for repeat trips where you want to add a new element of fun and creativity. App #2 is called MouseWait, also free. This is more of a utility application, giving you information on waiting lines, webcams and other information provided by followers on Facebook and Twitter. Some people enjoy this app at home, even when not on vacation, as it includes lots of feedback from others who are in one of the parks (includes Disneys California Adventure and Downtown Disney). Again, spending your entire day looking at your iPhone could be a distraction from the real fun, so check these out and consider if they are for you. You can search on terms like "Disneyland iphone apps" to find other options. P.S. By the way, today, April 18, 2010 is the last day the Main Street Electrical Parade will be run at the Disneyland Resort. They are packing it up, possibly for a move to Florida but that is uncertain. Last parade is at 10:30 tonight according to MouseWait.

San Diego Vacations: How Much Time Do You Have?

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 07:50:12 GMT

The problem with San Diego vacations is that you could spend 3 weeks here and still be busy with new activities. The SoCal Guru has information and advice to help you plan your best trip!

California Vacations and Hawaii Vacations Compared: Which Are The Best Choice?

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 07:09:14 GMT

Compare California vacations and Hawaii vacations based on weather, beaches and attractions: make a better choice about your vacation. The SoCal Guru will help you understand the differences!

Train Travel: Southern California Fits Right In To Your Plans

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 06:09:47 GMT

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

Six Flags Magic Mountain: Roller Coasters and Looney Tunes!

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 05:51:10 GMT

Six Flags Magic Mountain is THE premier theme park on the West Coast for roller coaster fans. You also get to spend a day with Looney Tunes characters. The Guru has insight for you.

More WildFlowers- This Time In Orange County

Sun, 21 Mar 2010 07:28:04 GMT

Recently we gave you some tips on how to catch amazing wildflowers out in Riverside and San Diego county desert areas. You don't need to go that far, as winter turns to spring on the heels of an abundant rainy season. There are a number of areas in Orange County where you can be looking for wildflowers to bloom over the next few weeks. The Fullerton Arboretum at California State University Fullerton has a good portion of its 26 acres devoted to natural flora. Although the back-country may be a first choice to see the visual power of wildflowers, a trip to the arboretum will give you a great taste. Other places are recommended by Bob Allen, biology professor at Irvine Valley College and Santa Ana College as reported to the Orange County Register. Here are a few of Allen's favorite places to see amazing displays of natural color: Along Ortega Highway in southeast Orange County. You'll see California buttercup, chaparral pea and fiesta flower. The Laguna Coast Wilderness Park and Caspers Wilderness Park should be two other great choices with considerable variety in colors. Also check out Harding Canyon near the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary in the hills east of the city of Orange. You may see California poppies on some of the private acreage that fronts to Santiago Canyon Road out in the canyon areas.

This Is A Cool Disneyland Item

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 08:24:02 GMT

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.

It's Getting To Be WildFlower Time In SoCal

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 20:56:50 GMT

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.

Knott's Berry Farm Vacation Planning.

Sun, 28 Feb 2010 08:54:22 GMT

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!

Talk About Great Skiing, Come To Southern California

Sat, 13 Feb 2010 20:19:23 GMT

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.

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

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:37:25 GMT

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.

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

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 19:28:37 GMT

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!

Do A Good Deed, Save Big At Knott's

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 19:22:48 GMT

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.

Some Crazy O.C. Christmas Lights!

Sun, 27 Dec 2009 07:16:01 GMT

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.

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

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 19:21:58 GMT

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.

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

Sat, 12 Dec 2009 18:56:10 GMT

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!

Gondolas In Naples--California, That Is!

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 01:34:14 GMT

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.

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 09:28:31 GMT

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

Your Best Los Angeles Vacation: Plan It Here

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:46:12 GMT

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!

There's Persian Food And Shopping In Westwood

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:14:52 GMT

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.

Legoland California Vacation Planning Strategies--What Do the Locals Know?

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:21:51 GMT

How does a visit to Legoland fit into your Southern California vacation? Here are strategies to plan the best trip.

Legoland California Resort-- A Wonderful Park For Kids and Families

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:11:37 GMT

Nestled above the Pacific Ocean at Carlsbad is Legoland California. This cool theme park specializes in kids from 2-12, but offers fun for older brothers and sisters also. The Guru has the scoop!

Here Are Legoland Discounts And Planning Tips!

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 07:43:21 GMT

Finding Legoland discounts can result in significant vacation savings. You need to know where to look; the SoCal Vacation Guru knows where to look. Planning tips also!

Legoland Hotels And Dining Options-- What Do You Need To Know?

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:43:31 GMT

Want to find the best Legoland hotels? What should you know about eating in the park? The Guru has answers!

So Many Hollywood Attractions, So Little Time: What You Need To Know!

Sun, 18 Oct 2009 20:41:42 GMT

Which Hollywood attractions will you include in your Southern California vacation? The SoCal Vacation Guru has some helpful information, tips and wisdom to help create the best Hollywood vacation.

It's A Good Time Of Year To Be In San Diego

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 18:20:43 GMT

The summer weather has cooled off a bit but there is plenty to do in sunny San Diego. Here are just a couple of the upcoming special events, realizing that there's something happening pretty much all the time. The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival takes place on November 18-22, with celebrity chefs, wine tasting and a host of related activities. The 10th Annual San Diego Asian Film Festival is from October 15-29. And of course there's Sea World, Legoland, the Zoo, the Wild Animal Park, the Gaslamp District, Coronado, etc., etc. Click on the link for more information and some links related to how you can set up very fun Fall weekend (or longer) in San Diego.

Knott's Scary Farm Halloween Haunt. Here's What You Need To Know!

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 01:30:26 GMT

Knott's Scary Farm is the best scare-fest in the country. The SoCal Guru has great information on Knott's Halloween Haunt!

Oktoberfest Ist Hier In Das Orange County

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 16:30:57 GMT

Get Yer Beer And Polka Here! The Phoenix Club of Anaheim is opening the kegs and bringing out the tubas. This well-known German club offers an authentic Bavarian celebration every year at this time. Between now and October 31 they expect to draw maybe 10,000 party goers to enjoy the music, traditions and, yes, plenty of good German beer. They stay pretty close to tradition, but also offer hamburgers and other,less-traditional items for folks who aren't into sauerkraut. There is a "Kid's Fun Zone" on Sundays; children's admission is free. It's $5 for adults. So if you are in SoCal during the month starting this weekend and through October, consider spending a couple of hours in Anaheim; the Phoenix Club is like 5 minutes from Angel Stadium. There are additional details at the link.

Santa Monica Pier Is Celebrating 100 Years!

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 18:12:23 GMT

One of the highlights of a SoCal vacation is a visit to the famous and historical Santa Monica pier. The pier is celebrating the beginning of its 100th year with many special events in coming months. For example, for the next few weeks they are showing free Movies On The Pier on Friday evenings. Gates open at 7pm and the movie starts after dusk. The next 3 weeks will offer Hairspray (Sept 18), Fuel (Sept 25) and Ferris Bueller's Day Off (Oct 2). Although the movies are free, you do need tickets, so click on the link below and go to the "Things To Do" page. Scroll down and you'll see the flyer for the movies and places where you can get tickets. They may sell out so move on this if you're interested. There will be many other fun activities over the next year; in fact there's always something interesting going on down at the Santa Monica pier.

Shrek, Kobe, Marilyn and Beyonce Are Waiting For you

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 04:15:01 GMT

Madame Tussaud knows how to do wax! If you are planning a trip to Hollywood, you can mingle with the stars to your heart's content at this wonderful museum. After being greeted by President Obama's wax twin (and Marilyn Monroe out front) you can see a population of 115 (and growing) famous personalities in their native habitat. Tussauds creates a whole atmosphere in which they present their amazingly lifelike figures. Charlton Heston is next to the Red Sea. Whoopi Goldberg is shown in "Sister Act." Koby Bryant of the Lakers is shooting hoops in the sports room with Tiger Woods. The figures are amazingly realistic; would you believe the designers actually get permission to obtain dental records from the real celebrities? No kidding! One of the most recent additions is skate board guru Tony Hawk. The museum adds 8-9 new residents per year and you can vote on your way out of the place. Madame Tussauds Museum is next to Grauman's Chinese Theatre and not far from the Kodak Theatre. It's in the path of the Hollywood Walk of Fame. So it would be easy to add it to a day of Hollywood activities. Check out the link for additional activities in Hollywood.

Cruise The Palos Verdes Peninsula

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:13:16 GMT

The Palos Verdes Peninsula is a well-known Los Angeles fixture, rising above suburbia west of San Pedro. It is home to many multi-million-dollar estates (and once was home to Marineland Park long ago) with panoramic ocean views and close proximity to the South Bay beaches like Hermosa Beach. But, whereas it might cost you a few hundred dollars to play golf at the Trump National Golf Club, there are numerous free destinations that can make for a nice half-day or more of exploration. First, you get to P.V. by getting off the I-405 freeway at Hawthorne Boulevard (exit 42) and drive south for a few miles. You'll want to check this out on a map before you go. Find Palos Verdes Drive; it basically is the loop around the western protion of the peninsula. You'll find Starbucks and a couple of other choices for snacks or lunch. The Point Vicente Interpretive Center is way out on the tip, and will give you a chance to watch for whales, learn about the history of the area and buy trinkets no doubt (310/377-5370). The Starbucks is near the Center. Further to the southeast is the Wayfarers Chapel, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Continue and you'll get to the gold-plated golf course. The nice thing is that they offer free coastal access, so plan on spending some time there. I would not spend a whole day on this outing but you'll be able to see why so many upper-income Angelenos live on the Palos Verdes peninsula.

The Monsters And Zombies Have Been Auditioned

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 05:50:28 GMT

Recently a bunch of folks interviewing for jobs at Knott's Berry Farm gave their best shot at snarling and screaming at their potential employers. No, these were not prospective IRS auditors. Around 200 people showed up hoping to become "street monsters," the wandering zombies, ghouls and evil cowboys whose sole purpose for not living is to scare the boysenberries out of visitors to the Knott's Halloween Haunt. These seemingly normal people would enter the interview rather calmly, but in seconds--on command-- they became writhing howling wraiths. There will be more of these fun folks than in the past, so guests won't have to go far to run into somebody with a knife in their head or who really needs a haircut. You need to know that the actors, as well as the Knott's producers, really get into the spirit of the Halloween Haunt. The interviewees were given scenarios to act out. You know, the usual stuff like having voices in your head telling you to light yourself on fire, or being attacked by killer skin-eating bacteria. The best of the actors passed the audition and will be there waiting for us starting around the second week of October.