A Fresh Perspective on Travel Every Day
The following pages will give you an idea of what each part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area is like, with the pros and cons of staying there. Browse around and once you find an area you like, you can review lists of the best hotels in that area.
Often overlooked as a tourist destination, Long Beach offers a central location for exploring other parts of the Los Angeles area. It’s close to major freeways and also has some nice attractions of its own. You can plan your Long Beach day trip or weekend getaway using the resources below.
In Los Angeles, Restaurant Week is a semi-annual dining event. For two weeks every January and July, hundreds of Los Angeles-area restaurants offer fixed-price menus that allow diners to explore new choices or dine at otherwise-unaffordable places for a lower-than-normal, fixed price.
Santa Monica Beach offers a myriad of activities for visitors. Whether you seek relaxation or adventure, this coastal oasis will not disappoint.
Magic Mountain offers 1-day and annual passes, but multi-day discounts are not available. Tickets and season passes without specific dates printed on them are valid during the current operating season, which generally expires on December 31 of the year they are purchased.
These California restaurants not only offer proximity to the ocean but also boast stunning ocean views complemented by delicious food and exceptional service.
A million or more people turn out every New Year’s Day along Pasadena’s Colorado Boulevard. Some of them camp out on the sidewalks overnight. Others get up in the wee hours to get there. They all crowd along the street to watch dozens of flower-filled floats, bands, and equestrian groups in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade.
The Santa Ynez Valley may have gained attention as the setting for the filmSideways, but it was a great place to visit long before that. Separated from the Pacific Ocean by the Santa Ynez Mountains, it’s a broad, scenic valley with a distinctively rural feel—an ideal location for a Sunday drive or a relaxing weekend. It encompasses the towns of Solvang, Los Olivos, Santa Ynez, Buellton, and the area along CA Hwy 154 between the San Marco Pass and US Hwy 101. For a better understanding of its geography,use these maps.
Before you start looking for a place to stay in Mendocino, you need to know which Mendocino you’re going to. Mendocino County is both a coastal and an inland region. Just north of Sonoma County, it stretches from Gualala in the south to just north of the town of Leggett. It’s also a town. Take a look at a map and read the notes below to get the lay of the land before you start searching for accommodation, or you might end up staying somewhere you didn’t really want to be.
From about 1900 into the 1940s, Monterey bustled with sardine canneries. Today, schools of tourists replace the sardines, and the industry’s misfortune is the traveler’s gain. Restaurants and hotels now occupy the spaces where crumbling factories once stood, creating a waterfront tailored for visitors.
Much like other coastal areas in California, Cayucos often experiences cloudy weather in June and July. However, post-summer leads to clearer skies, and hotel rates decrease and remain low through spring.
Two of the most scenic natural areas in northern California are Mount Shasta and nearby Shasta Lake. Mount Shasta is one of the world’s most beautiful mountains and the largest volcanic peak in the contiguous United States, standing at an impressive elevation of 14,162 feet. This towering mountain features one of the highest base-to-summit rises globally, making it a remarkable destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
You must plan ahead.Napa Valley hotels fill up months in advance, almost any time of year except in the winter. Therefore, waiting too long may result in higher prices for accommodations or even an inability to secure a room at all.
Summer has its appeal when it’s hot enough to enjoy a day of water play. However, the weather is optimal in spring and fall, providing a less crowded experience for visitors.
The name won’t give it away: Raymond Vineyards sounds like any of hundreds of other Napa Valley wineries, named after their founders. The tasting room you first enter won’t reveal much, either. It’s a pleasant, sunlit space with a tasting bar and a small gift shop.
Northern California offers numerous exciting locations perfect for a two- or three-day getaway. From beautiful beaches to scenic wineries, the region has something for everyone.
Laguna Beach is perhaps Orange County’s least-overdeveloped beach town and one of its prettiest. Created as an artist’s getaway, Laguna Beach retains its artistic passion, featuring excellent art galleries and vibrant summer arts festivals. You’ll find a wonderful beach atmosphere in Laguna as well.
Knott’s Berry Farm offers one-day tickets and season passes. Admission to their Soak City water park costs extra.
