About California Travel

New Hotel Find: Hotel Parisi, La Jolla

2009-11-11T01:27:15Z

We always love a stay in La Jolla, and now we have even more reasons to want to go back after staying at the lovely Hotel Parisi. The unique style and attention to detail at Hotel Parisi are impressive, even to this travel writer who's spent a lot of time in hotel rooms in the last decade. They offer an unique spa service, too.

And besides all that, it location is unbeatable. You could easily check in here and not need your automobile again until you're ready to go home. That is, unless you want to go to a performance at the Tony Award-winning La Jolla Playhouse.

Read our review of Hotel Parisi

More: La Jolla Weekend Getaway | Pictures of La Jolla

New Hotel Find: Hotel Parisi, La Jolla originally appeared on About.com California Travel on Wednesday, November 11th, 2009 at 01:27:15.

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Great Place to Stay: Sunset Cove Villas

2009-11-09T01:48:42Z

Sunset Cove Villas are the closest many of us will ever come to knowing what it's like to live in a luxurious, oceanfront Laguna Beach home. Bring enough people and they're a good value for money, too, especially this time of year. Situated just a block off Coast Highway in Laguna Beach and right above a beach with private access, Sunset Cove Villas couldn't be much better - or more convenient - for a relaxing stay. It's so close you can walk to town, to dinner, to the Pageant of the Masters and the beach. That is, if you can drag yourself away from the million-dollar views.

Read our review to find out more.

Great Place to Stay: Sunset Cove Villas originally appeared on About.com California Travel on Monday, November 9th, 2009 at 01:48:42.

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Where Does a Pardoned Turkey Go?

2009-11-06T01:00:27Z

Well, if you're the National Thanksgiving Turkey who just received a pardon from the President, you want to get out of Washington before someone changes their mind. For the past few years, the recently-pardoned bird and his backup have hopped onto United Airlines Flight Turkey-1 to Los Angeles, California, and then on to Disneyland, where they take up residence at Santa's Reindeer Ranch.

Where Does a Pardoned Turkey Go? originally appeared on About.com California Travel on Friday, November 6th, 2009 at 01:00:27.

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Forget the Turkey, Go to the Theme Park

2009-11-04T01:52:56Z

If you'd rather do something else with your Thanksgiving Day than tank up on turkey and watch football games, Universal Studios will be open on Thanksgiving Day again this year (Christmas too).

Disneyland will also be open, with hours until midnight all week. Years ago, Thanksgiving was a good day to go, with lighter crowds, but nowadays the place is packed. Even the pardoned turkey from the White House ends up there. If you're going, we suggest buying your tickets online and taking a look at 7 Ways to Stay Out of Line at Disneyland.

Sea World, the San Diego Zoo, Legoland, Knotts Berry Farm, Magic Mountain are all open Thanksgiving, too. Knotts and Magic Mountain closed on Christmas Day, but the rest are open.

Forget the Turkey, Go to the Theme Park originally appeared on About.com California Travel on Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 at 01:52:56.

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Great Ideas for Thanksgiving Weekend

2009-11-02T01:32:00Z

If you need a break during the holiday weekend, we've got some great ideas for you: run off the calories, skate them away, get in the Christmas spirit or just relax with the family.

Great Ideas for Thanksgiving Weekend originally appeared on About.com California Travel on Monday, November 2nd, 2009 at 01:32:00.

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New iPhone App for Disneyland

2009-10-30T01:26:23Z

I'm a self-confessed gadget geek and that snazzy new iPhone I bought quickly turned from an indulgence into a necessity, keeping track of things and getting me back on track when I get lost.

Just when I thought I'd found a place where I didn't need it so much, my friend Annie told me about Wait Watchers. Here's the deal: the app presents a list of rides in the theme park. Individual users post the current wait times as they go around the park and everyone benefits. Safeguards are built in to report and prevent anyone from entering bad data.

I tried it out last month, posting wait times every time I passed a ride or attraction. It's easy to use and doesn't require any advance planning. However, it's still new and not getting enough posts to make it as useful as it could be. The thing that will make it really work is you and me and for now, it's free so you don't have an excuse not to use it.

Wait Watch comes in versions for Disneyland, California Adventure and Universal Studios, as well as most of the Florida theme parks. Sorry, Blackberry users - they don't have this one for your gadget.

New iPhone App for Disneyland originally appeared on About.com California Travel on Friday, October 30th, 2009 at 01:26:23.

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Disneyland Weekend Getaway

2009-10-28T01:24:02Z

Some people go to Disneyland for days on end, but one of the joys of living in California is that you can also go for just a weekend.

Use the Disneyland weekend getaway guide to find everything you need for planning a quick trip in one place.

Disneyland Weekend Getaway originally appeared on About.com California Travel on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009 at 01:24:02.

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Disneyland Hotel Gets an Update

2009-10-26T00:34:28Z

I'm happy to report that the Disneyland Hotel recently entered an extensive renovation that should address many of our previous complaints. They're stripping everything down to the bare framework, putting in more electrical services and making the place more energy-efficient. Both inside and outside will get a new look. Finally, you'll actually be able to have a coffee maker in your room. The picture (courtesy of Disneyland) gives a peek at the new rooms' design. The hotel will be open during renovations, which are expected to finish in 2012.

The Disneyland Hotel spreads over three, twelve-story towers and has close to 1,000 rooms. The complex also includes Goofy's Kitchen, where you can dine with Disney characters and the Neverland Pool, a large swimming pool with themes from the Peter Pan story. I've been frank in expressing my opinion of it, saying it offers Best Western quality at over twice the price. You can read the Disneyland Hotel review to find out what else I had to say.

After Dan and Diana wrote to disagree with my review (read what they said by clicking on "comments" below), I set out to find out what others think. So far, people who have voted in our poll tend to think the hotel is worth the price. Also in the comments see what a former Disneyland hotel employee had to say for a different perspective.

To learn more about the Disneyland Hotel, read Is Disneyland Hotel Worth the Price? to get the scoop on rates and amenities. Make up your own mind and add your voice by voting in the poll there or click on comments below and say what you think. I'm listening (well, actually, I'm reading).

Disneyland Hotel Gets an Update originally appeared on About.com California Travel on Monday, October 26th, 2009 at 00:34:28.

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Enjoy the Arts on a Los Angeles Getaway

2009-10-23T01:02:58Z

If the only thing that comes to mind when you think of Los Angeles involves smog, traffic or Hollywood film studios, it's time to reset your mental image. Did you know that Los Angeles has over 80 stage theaters and 300 museums, more than any other U.S. city?

A weekend getaway in LA can be culturally rewarding. Visit world-class museums, go to the theatre, enjoy the finest in dining and take in some California sunshine along the way using our guide to an Arts Lover's Los Angeles Getaway.

Enjoy the Arts on a Los Angeles Getaway originally appeared on About.com California Travel on Friday, October 23rd, 2009 at 01:02:58.

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California's Tony Award Winners

2009-10-21T01:11:26Z

Besides annual awards to productions and performers appearing in New York City, the prestigious Tony Awards also recognizes one regional theatre troupe each year. Since the Regional Theatre Award was first given out in 1976, eight California companies have won. The area with the most may not be where you think and you may spot a small liberty we've taken with geography, too. Find out who won and where they are.

California's Tony Award Winners originally appeared on About.com California Travel on Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 at 01:11:26.

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