The SoCal Vacation Guru Mini Blog

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

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 07:20:50 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!

Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights! Here Are The Scary Details!

Sun, 23 Oct 2011 06:12:17 GMT

Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios rank up there with the Knott's Scary Farm Halloween Haunt. Why not visit both? The SoCal Guru has details here!

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

Fri, 21 Oct 2011 05:07:07 GMT

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

Theme Parks Are Scarier Than Ever This Year

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:01:05 GMT

Halloween has always been a very serious time at SoCal theme parks, led by the Halloween Haunt at Knott's "Scary" Farm. In fact they opened the asylum on September 23 and have added new ways to be scared silly. But other theme parks are not to be outdone. The runner-up in Halloween spookiness is Universal Studios Hollywood, with their Halloween Horror nights. And let's face it, Universal Studios knows how to deliver horror, terror, paranoia and other such Halloweenish emotions. So check them out as well. Legoland has Brick or Treat, a more kid-oriented affair, as do Disneyland and SeaWorld. But the scariest "festivities" are at Knott's and Universal Studios Hollywood. They sell out on some nights, so get advance tickets now.

Moving To Southern Calfornia? The SoCal Vacation Guru Has Contacts

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:17:10 GMT

If you are thinking about moving to Southern California that is a big step. The SoCal Vacation Guru can put you in touch with a trustworthy Real Estate Professional.

The Southern California Melting Pot; enjoy the ethnic diversity!

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 22:57:37 GMT

The Southern California Melting Pot makes for wonderful vacation opportunities. The Guru will tell you about Chinatown, Little Saigon, Little Tokyo and other fascinating ethnic neighborhoods!

Surf City gets ready for the U.S. Open. It's This Weekend!

Wed, 27 Jul 2011 18:36:15 GMT

The U.S. Open of surfing is probably the biggest event on the surfing calendar, running a full week of men's and women's events. And it starts this coming weekend (July 31 through August7) at the Huntington Beach pier. It's actually a major cultural event as well as the premier surfing competition; basically they set up for a 14-acre party on the sand and it spills over into the commercial district around the pier. So if you really want to venture into the heart of the surfing world, figure out how to get to Huntington Beach next week. If you don't want to deal with thousands of people in one place, plan to stay away from Huntington Beach between July 31 and August 7. It will be a zoo. For those planning to attend, you might check out the O.C. Transit Authority website (http://www.octa.net/) for bus routes; consider leaving your car a couple of miles away from the pier or at a shopping mall and taking the bus.

I-405 Freeway Closure Could Bring Carmageddon to So Cal?

Tue, 12 Jul 2011 07:08:36 GMT

The I-405 freeway provides an alternative to traveling up I-5 through Los Angeles and Orange Counties. However, in some areas it is about as busy a freeway as they make, with 218,000 cars per day traveling between the 101 Freeway up in Hollywood and the I-10 freeway in Santa Monica. So guess what stretch of freeway they plan to close down for an entire weekend? This same stretch! It will be closed from around 10 pm Friday the 15th of July through 6 am on Monday the 18th. This kind of closure, for such an extended period, is kinda unthinkable, but is necessary for CALTRANS contractors to demolish the bridge at Mulholland Drive. The anticipated chaos has been affectionately dubbed "Carmageddon." If your vacation brings you to Los Angeles this weekend, please visit the link below to learn more about the effects of the closure on your planned activities. If you have reservations to the Getty Museum, the freeway you'd normally take will be closed. Other venues, such as the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) that lie along the alternate bypass routes, will also provide motorists with a particularly challenging trip, so take some time to figure how to get there by surface streets. In fact, travel up to Hollywood and into the San Fernando Valley from Los Angeles will be interesting as well. If you're not going to Los Angeles this weekend, you can feel somewhat superior to the poor saps who must live with this cataclysmic event. Now, if you're coming to Orange County or San Diego, not to worry. In fact, much of Los Angeles will probably be fine, but stay away from the West Side if you can.

Special Shows at the San Diego Zoo's Nighttime Zoo

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 19:54:16 GMT

The San Diego Zoo should be on your short list of destinations if you're headed in that direction for your vacation. It is really a great world-class facility. And now they've added some unique entertainment in the evening--and we don't mean cleaning up after the animals. In honor of the new Panda Trek exhibit that recently opened, they're calling it the China Celebration (BTW, they say pandas "use the bathroom" like 48 times per day). Along with some non-Chinese oldies live music, they offer quite an array of shows and demonstrations for folks of all ages. The major full-length show is called "Tales of the Mandarin Forest," but there are numerous other presentations. Other activities include acrobatic performers, traditional dancing, martial arts demonstrations, trampoline acts and a bunch of other cool options. The Nighttime Zoo ends each evening with a grand finale from 8 to 8:30 and is now running through Labor Day.

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

Sun, 12 Jun 2011 07:41:31 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.!

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

Sun, 12 Jun 2011 06:41:22 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!

Disney's California Adventure Continues Billion-Dollar Upgrade! Details Here!

Sun, 12 Jun 2011 06:23:19 GMT

The Walt Disney Company has decided to invest $1 billion to upgrade the Disney's California Adventure park. We think it will be a great improvement. See what you think; the SoCal Guru has details!

A Little California Freeway Trivia

Sat, 11 Jun 2011 23:52:30 GMT

Yes, folks, freeways are a big part of life in California, and especially here in So Cal. You may be a long-time local, or a vacation visitor, but why not learn a bit of trivia about the method behind the madness of the SoCal freeways? The source of these occasional tidbits is the California Department of Transportation website, so I have reason to believe there is truth in what you're hearing from the Guru. First, class, we're going to talk about the "Sig-Alert." It does not take long to figure out that a Sig-Alert means freeway trouble--a major traffic tie-up of some dire nature. But from whence does the name come? In fact it all started in the 1940s when the LA Police Department got in the habit of alerting a local radio reporter Loyd Sigmon of bad car wrecks on city streets. The name Sig-Alerts came into being as Loyd's involvement continued over the years. In fact, he developed an electronic gadget that officials could use to alert the media of freeway trouble; remember this was way before cell phones, twitter, etc. Nowadays CALTRANS uses the term for an incident that is estimated to tie up two or more lanes of a freeway for two or more hours. I'll pass on another tidbit shortly. In the meantime, there's more about the Southern California freeways at the links shown here.

Disneyland Loses Two Old Timers

Tue, 07 Jun 2011 04:41:21 GMT

This last weekend sadly brought the loss of two famous Disneyland "cast members," Wally Boag and Betty Taylor. Wally played Pecos Bill and Betty was Slue Foot Sue in the beloved Golden Horseshoe Revue from the old days at the Magic Kingdom. Wally came from vaudeville and created his role after being hired by Walt Disney in 1955. Betty came along a year later; each appeared in over 40,000 performances of the daily melodrama that brought hisses and cheers from millions of guests over the years. Actor, musician and comedian Steve Martin credits Wally as being his primary mentor back when he worked at Disneyland with Boag. Wally was also heavily involved in the creation of the Enchanted Tiki Room. The SoCal Guru lived down the street from Pecos Bill in north Orange County for some years, once having the honor of helping Wally drag his heavy suitcase of props and costumes to John Wayne Airport for his trip to London to guest star in the Muppet show. The original Golden Horseshoe Revue ended in the 1980s, which is around when Wally and Betty retired from the Park. If you visit Disneyland over the next few weeks, keep an eye out for tributes to these old timers.

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

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 22:49:01 GMT

If you are looking for fine, original art look no further. Here are samples from Southern California artist Peter Mooney.

Here Are Your Southern California Vacation Planning Videos

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 09:08:36 GMT

Here are videos by the SoCal Vacation Guru to help you with your Southern California vacation planning. We begin with Understanding Disneyland Resort; how to park and get inside the easy way.

Want To Find The Hollywood Celebrities On Your Vacation?

Sat, 20 Nov 2010 04:32:58 GMT

Of course we'll immediately add a disclaimer:

Los Angeles is a big place and, even with thousands of famous and semi-famous folks living and working here, the odds are not really high that you'll cross paths on your vacation. But if you want to increase your odds, you've got to spend some time where they spend time. Here are a few ideas; for fun you could spend a part of a day checking out a couple of these joints:

The Beverly Hills Hotel and Bungalows. 9641 Sunset Blvd, Beverly Hills. Duh.
The Ivy restaurant. 113 N. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills. A cool place but you may have some difficulty getting a table at the noon hour. You might try slinking around outside to see who shows up.
Farmers Market. Fairfax at 3rd in Los Angeles. It's near the CBS Television Studios. Du-par's restaurant is an anchor restaurant that is a favorite of many from the studios.
Pizzeria Mozza at 641 N. Highland Avenue, at Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles. Centrally located for working celebs.
Runyon Canyon, a 130-acre park near Hollywood Blvd near where many celebrities live. Great views of Hollywood even if you don't find anyone famous.

Tell Me About The SoCal Guru

Sun, 31 Oct 2010 00:46:40 GMT

The SoCal Vacation Guru would like to thank these guys for making this possible. Here is more information about the SoCal Guru.

What Do Jeff Foxworthy And The SoCal Vacation Guru Have In Common?

Sat, 30 Oct 2010 06:08:32 GMT

Both Jeff Foxworthy and the SoCal Vacation Guru depend on Steve Bjorkman to bring colorful life to their work.

San Diego Vacations: How Much Time Do You Have?

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 19:17:27 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!

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

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:25:11 GMT

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

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.

Hotels Near Disneyland - Which One 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: Here’s 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.

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!

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.

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.

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!