Jetsettersblog

Key Largo Bay Marriott Resort, located at mile marker (MM) 103.8 bayside, is offering Key Largo’s only Swim with the Dolphins hotel package through Dec. 31, 2010. The package combines accommodations with a dolphin swim for two at either Dolphins Plus or Dolphin Cove, two of Key Largo’s marine mammal education and research facilities.

The Swim with the Dolphin Package includes guestroom, a dolphin swim for two and daily breakfast for two. A two-night minimum stay applies and reservations must be made seven days prior to arrival.

Both Dolphins Plus and Dolphin Cove offer structured and natural dolphin swims in a natural lagoon. Swimmers take turns entering the water and interacting hands-on with dolphins while activities are mediated by an experienced dolphin trainer.

For details, visit www.marriott.com/specials/mesOffer.mi?marrOfferId=510898&displayLink=true.

Ocean Dawn Suites, an eight-unit luxury property at MM 82.9 in Islamorada, recently became a certified member of the Florida Green Lodging Program.

The Green Lodging Program was created by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection to recognize and reward environmentally conscious lodging facilities in the state.

Husband-and-wife team Hal and Suzy Miller began the resort’s facelift with energy-efficient appliances and water-miser toilets. An overall landscaping renovation is expected to be complete in May with drought-tolerant landscaping and native flora to cut irrigation needs.

The resort was awarded “one palm” certification for its environmental commitment after meeting DEP guidelines for adopting cost-saving practices that reduce waste and conserve natural resources, as well as demonstrating goals for continued improvements that can earn “two palm” and “three palm” certification.

For a complete list of green properties in the Florida Keys, visit the Green Travel section of the Florida Keys Web site at www.fla-keys.com/greentravel/designated-properties.cfm.

Islamorada’s landmark Cheeca Lodge & Spa, a 27-acre property at MM 82 oceanside, has equipped its new 5,700-square-foot spa with organic sustainable luxury. New treatments at the Spa at Cheeca use pure, high-quality, sophisticated beauty products from sustainable farms and fair trade sources. These include an innovative range of certified organic, hand-harvested seaweed-based products; luxurious organic vegan products for body, feet, hands and nails; a holistic botanical skincare line and a mineral-based, allergen-free cosmetic collection originally designed for post-cosmetic surgery.

Guests also can enjoy custom organic facials, revitalizing massage and body treatments and Calusa Healing among other offerings that combine neuromuscular, myofacial, Thai and sports massage techniques. Prior to each treatment, guests are treated to footbaths in healing copper bowls in the spa’s Ritual Room.

In addition, a variety of relaxing, detoxifying, mineralizing and skin-softening spa baths are available in-suite in terrace open-air bathtubs for two, a signature feature of the resort’s new Premier Spa Suites. Other attractions include poolside cabanas, a Tahitian-style spa lagoon, an outdoor sundeck and an adults-only lap pool and secluded oasis Jacuzzi.

Private yoga and Pilates sessions, personal training, acupuncture, the services of a naturopathic physician, nutritional consultations and wellness coaching also are available at the spa. For more information, call 305-517-4485 or visit www.cheeca.com.

Midway down the Florida Keys is one of America’s newest and best kiteboarding scenes, fueled by the region’s energizing breezes, shallow-water flats that allow plenty of room to ride and subtropical climate that means year-round boarding.

The recently launched Kiteboarding Shop at Hawks Cay Resort is located at MM 61 oceanside on the secluded 60-acre island of Duck Key. Owner and program director Aaron Osters, certified as an instructor by the Professional Air Sports Association, is skilled in guiding boarders of varying ages and experience levels.

Among the shop’s offerings are one-hour trainer kite lessons and three-hour beginner and intermediate courses. Courses are tailored to meet individual needs and equipment rental is included. More experienced riders can enjoy downwinders, day and night kiteboarding trips with equipment rental included.

For more information, visit www.HawksCay.com

Sundance Watersports, operating at Hawks Cay Resort since 1995, now offers personalized Segway tours that provide a unique and environmentally friendly way to glide through the resort grounds and surrounding areas of Duck Key.

Guests can admire the island’s beautiful homes, tropical foliage, warm weather and waterfront views from their personal Segways. Fun, safe and memorable, the tours include a 10-15 minute orientation and introduction class. Up to six people can take a tour, and the minimum age is 12. Cost is $99 per Segway.

To book, call 305-743-0145 or visit http://experience.hawkscay.com/sundance-watersports.

Couples eager to marry who book five nights or more at Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, located on a private island three miles off Little Torch Key at MM 28.5 oceanside, now can tie the knot on the luxurious property for no extra cost. The complimentary wedding package is good for ceremonies throughout 2010.

The resort, which consists of 30 thatched-roof bungalows surrounded by lush landscaping, is only accessible by boat or seaplane. Among its featured amenities are the sybaritic SpaTerre, acclaimed dining and a private marina.

Package highlights include the couple’s choice of island locations for the ceremony, an official to perform it and a guarantee that no other weddings will take place at Little Palm that day.

The package is based on a Sunday or Monday arrival. It must be purchased by May 30, 2010, for reservations until Dec. 20, 2010. For more information about weddings at the exclusive resort, visit www.littlepalmisland.com

Key West’s Sunset Key Guest Cottages, A Westin Resort, recently underwent a major renovation that included the addition of a new spa and full-service restaurant overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Located on the 27-acre island of Sunset Key, the resort is reached by a 10-minute ferry ride across Key West Harbor from the Westin Key West Resort & Marina, 245 Front St.

Comprising 39 custom-designed and fully equipped two, three and four-bedroom cottages, the property also offers attended beach services with tiki hut cabanas, a free-form, zero-degree entry pool, two tennis courts and more.

The new boutique spa features three spacious treatment suites with private patios and a menu of traditional and tropical body treatments, facial and touch therapy options including couples massage. Hair styling and nail services are offered in a hair and nail suite, while a spa relaxation room includes comfortable seating and a tea bar.

The new Latitudes restaurant and lounge specializes in Caribbean-flavored casual island fare and panoramic views of the Gulf of Mexico. Guests can dine indoors or outdoors, selecting from a menu that spotlights local fish, fresh produce and island classics alongside traditional meats, poultries and pasta. Breakfast, including a selection of nutrition-packed superfoods, and lunch are served as well. Creative tapas-style cuisine is available all day in the lounge, and cocktails and wines round out the offerings.

For more information and reservations, visit www.WestinSunsetKeyCottages.com

The Key West home where author Ernest Hemingway lived from 1931 through 1939, now the Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum, has been designated a literary landmark.
Hemingway worked on many of his best-known manuscripts in a second-story writing studio adjoining the Spanish colonial villa at 907 Whitehead St. They include “For Whom the Bell Tolls,” “The Snows of Kilimanjaro” and the Key West-based “To Have and Have Not,” his only novel set in the United States.

The Pulitzer and Nobel prize-winning author owned the property until his death in 1961, and it became a museum in 1964.

Literary landmark designation is conferred by a division of the American Library Association. The Ernest Hemingway Home & Museum is Key West’s eighth literary landmark, joining the former homes of playwright Tennessee Williams and poet Elizabeth Bishop among other sites.

Guided tours of the Hemingway house and grounds are offered daily. For more information, visit www.hemingwayhome.com.

A $3.5 million wharf replacement project recently was completed at Mallory Square Dock, one of the Port of Key West’s three docking facilities directly adjacent to the island city’s historic downtown area.

According to Doug Bradshaw, port project manager for the City of Key West, the construction included replacement of pilings as well as the portion of the wharf overhanging the water for maximum stability and structural soundness. In addition, the bollards that ships tie their ropes to are now significantly larger with increased capacity. The project took approximately six months.

The site of Key West’s internationally recognized nightly Sunset Celebration, Mallory Square was the center of maritime commerce early in the seaport city’s history. It became a cruise ship docking facility in 1984.

Visitors interested in Key West’s cigar-making history can find a memorial to the once-flourishing industry in the Gato Village Pocket Park at 616 Louisa St. The park is located on the site of a cigar-maker’s cottage in what was once Gatoville, a housing community built by cigar baron Eduardo Gato for workers at his Gato Cigar Factory.

The park’s creation was spearheaded by Patricia Madiedo, a third-generation Key West resident and Gato descendant whose grandfather once lived on the site, and her husband Bruce Neff. The park was established with the assistance of Keys Energy Service and more than 30 other companies, individuals and organizations.

Visitors to the park can see the re-created façade and front porch of the cigar-maker’s cottage that stood there in 1897, aged to simulate its appearance at that time.

Complementing it is a 13-foot-tall metal monument in the shape of a cigar, featuring four feet of sculpted smoke and a cigar band with the Gato family crest etched into it, crafted by artist Reen Stanhouse. Park signage tells the story of Gato Village and the Gato family.

The Key West Chamber of Commerce Visitor Information Center has relocated to the first floor of the island city’s Old City Hall building at 510 Greene St., approximately one half-block from Duval Street.

Formerly located adjacent to Mallory Square, the center is open seven days a week until 6:30 p.m. and welcomes approximately 10,000 people per month. Staff members with a broad knowledge of Key West and its offerings are on hand to answer questions and provide information and assistance.

Visitors to the center also can pick up brochures, flyers and promotional materials about local lodging, attractions, watersports, tours, museums, restaurants and more.

For more information, visit www.keywestchamber.com

Forget boring lectures and inflexible class schedules. California’s learning vacations are all about hands-on educational study.

“From the culinary to the artistic to the recreational and cultural, California’s learning vacations offer visitors the opportunity to broaden their horizons and learn something new – all while taking in the beauty of the Golden State,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Caroline Beteta of the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) and the national chair of the U.S. Travel Association.

Travelers learn more about Sonoma County from the ground up in the North Coast Region. During the fall crush, guests take part in harvesting grapes at Sonoma County Grape Camp in Santa Rosa by spending three days, September 27-29, picking grapes and making wine with their own hands. Travel correspondent and journalist Peter Greenberg ranked this event as one of the “10 Culinary Festivals for the Gourmet Traveler.” As part of the Weekend Along the Sonoma County Farm Trails, rural farms open their gates every September (2010 dates TBA) for a weekend of activities and informational tours. Visitors can milk a goat, learn how to make artisan cheese, and taste freshly picked fruit and vegetables, while coming away with a better understanding of how food is grown in this region.

On California’s northern coast, Cook Mendocino County teaches the novice to the gourmet chef how to prepare delicious and economical dishes using seasonal and local ingredients. Guests arrive on a Friday in the coastal village of Fort Bragg, and after checking in at The Beachcomber on the Beach, join fellow classmates and the Assaggiare Mendocino team for sunset wine and hors d’oeuvres overlooking Pudding Creek Beach. The weekend is spent visiting local food producers and wineries, then back to the teaching kitchen to prepare a fabulous menu based on the ingredients gathered.

The Cedar House Sport Hotel in Truckee is also an inspiring venue for those gastronomically inclined. This stylish boutique hotel in the High Sierra Region offers cooking classes through their onsite Stella Cooking Club. But activities here aren’t just limited to the kitchen. As the “Sport” in Cedar House implies, adventure is also foremost, such as the hotel’s guided moonlight snowshoe tours that teach guests about the stars.

Aspiring writers get an insider’s scoop on what it takes to make it in the literary industry at a three-day seminar held at the quaint Hotel Charlotte in Groveland, located just minutes from the magnificent Yosemite National Park. New York Daily News columnist and author of six published books by major New York houses, Bill Manville, hosts “Writing to Get Published” March 23-25. This hands-on workshop gets students writing with a new assignment doled out every night.

There is no better endorsement than media guru Oprah Winfrey – just ask Artista Creative, based along the white sandy beaches of Carmel in the Central Coast Region, which was written up in O, The Oprah Magazine for their innovative vacations for women. Guests immerse themselves in a variety of creative sessions, including acrylic and encaustic painting and artistic collaging in an inspiring studio built by master American photographer and environmentalist Ansel Adams.

Travelers say “yeehaw” when stepping back in time to experience California’s Old West with Harris Stage Lines. Located just 4 miles north of Paso Robles, cowboys and girls learn how to ride a horse, drive a stagecoach, harness and farm with horses.

Aspire for seafaring legs in California. Visitors can experience deployment nautical-style aboard the USS Midway, the longest-serving aircraft carrier in Naval history, in San Diego with its “Live It and Learn It” program. Guests stay overnight, sleeping in enlisted crew berths and eating their meals on the mess deck, in addition to touring the ship. The USS Midway is located in the San Diego County Region.

No experience is required to take part in the elite sport of polo at San Diego Polo Club’s Polo Player for the Day program. Professional instructors teach students on specially selected horses to ensure safety and fun, while they learn about the fundamentals of horsemanship, hitting techniques and game strategy.

Fishing just got a whole lot more interesting. In Oceanside, guests signed up with OEX Oceanside can take part in an introductory class to kayak fishing. The class consists of one seminar, where all aspects of kayak fishing are presented, including basic fishing and paddling techniques, as well as specialized fishing methods.

California wouldn’t be California without its world-renowned surf and beach-friendly lifestyle. For some of the best waves, aspiring surfers can head to the Orange County Region for JP’s Surf Camp in North Beach or Endless Summer Surf Camps at San Onofre State Beach in San Clemente. Both offer guests personalized instruction on the beach and then how to hang ten in the water at day or overnight camps.

Visitors can also take to the skies, while keeping their feet firmly on the ground. The Palm Springs Air Museum houses one of the nation’s largest collections of World War II flying aircraft in modern, well-lighted, air-conditioned hangars.

The museum’s theater, named Buddy Rogers, shows daily documentaries about aviation in the military with an emphasis on World War II. There is also a library onsite with 6,300 volumes related to aviation and American military history. Many Saturdays, the museum, which is located in California’s Deserts Region, also hosts exhibition flights.

Owning a restaurant isn’t limited to celebrities and eminent chefs. The University of California, Los Angeles Extension program in the Los Angeles County Region now offers a two-day seminar that teaches students the nuts and bolts of “Opening Your Own Restaurant.”

Knowledgeable experts share strategy concepts, site location and building requirements, dining room and kitchen design, menu planning, financing, budget analysis, sales and marketing, management systems, advertising and public relations tips.

Change the world one neighborhood at a time. Adults and youngsters learn how to work together to transform areas into sustainable ecosystems at the new TreePeople Center for Community Forestry at Los Angeles’ Coldwater Canyon Park. This 4-acre, $10-million campus is a public education facility and meeting place that teaches about bringing the forest and its many benefits into the landscape of the Los Angeles region through exhibits, design features, educational programming, tools and volunteer opportunities. The center supports the creation of Functioning Community Forests in every neighborhood in greater Los Angeles.

Visitors can get their creative juices flowing at the Institute for Mosaic Arts, located in Oakland in the San Francisco Bay Area. Started in 2005, this school offers classes for beginners as well as professionals, such as architectural applications for mosaic floors, exterior and garden applications.

To accommodate out-of-town visitors, many classes are scheduled over single weekends, making them perfect for a short visit.

Run off and join the circus – for a day, anyway. Trapeze Arts, also in Oakland, offers a 10,000-square-foot training center with skilled professionals that teach adults and children flying trapeze, trampoline, circus classes and Chinese acrobatics.

There is another kind of gold in California – black gold or oil, with 64 percent of California’s oil production taking place in Kern County, located in the Central Valley Region. The Kern County Museum teaches guests how oil is created, different methods of discovery and extracting oil through history, and the changing role of the oil industry on workers and their families at a permanent $4 million science, technology and history exhibition called “Black Gold: The Oil Experience.” The 9,640-square-foot exhibition in Bakersfield features learning environments for audiences of all ages, with highlights that include simulated travel under the sea in a diving bell to learn how oil is formed.

All aboard in the Gold Country Region – with historic facilities and unique attractions at Old Sacramento’s California State Railroad Museum.

Visitors experience the magic of railroading with authentic train rides, and explore lavishly restored trains and engaging exhibits. Through February 15, travelers can take in “The Trail Splitter and the Railroads: Lincoln, the Union and the Golden State,” an exhibit that demonstrates how Lincoln was instrumental in determining the role of American railroads in the transportation and early movement of crops and, eventually, even California gold.

Visitors to the Golden State trace California’s fossil history and the anthropological work conducted at the Calico Early Man site at the San Bernardino County Museum in Redlands. This storehouse of regional cultural and natural history is located in the Inland Empire Region of California. Family activities are many and include a hands-on weaving seminar February 20, when visitors learn how to weave a cloth.

Unlock the mysteries of volcanic activity at the Lassen Volcanic National Park in the Shasta Cascade Region. Visitors apply knowledge gleaned at the park’s new Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitors Center as they navigate past steaming mud pots, roaring fumaroles and hissing vents in the town of Mineral.

CTTC is a non-profit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry – that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. According to the CTTC, travel and tourism expenditures total $97.6 billion annually in California, support jobs for 924,000 Californians and generate $5.8 billion in state and local tax revenues.

For more information about the CTTC and for a free California Visitor’s Guide as well as California Road Trips 2009, go to www.VisitCalifornia.com

Vacations can be good for the heart and the body! According to the U.S. Travel Association, an annual vacation can cut a person’s risk of heart attack by 50 percent. Additionally, blood pressure, heart rate and levels of epinephrine – a stress hormone – decline on holidays of only one or two days. In California, where the natural landscape is incredibly diverse, ranging from forests and mountains to deserts and beaches or rivers and paved paths, it’s easy to eat well and stay fit by heading outdoors.

“So much of the California lifestyle is about being healthy and active,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Caroline Beteta of the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) and the national chair of the U.S. Travel Association. “Travelers to the Golden State easily adopt that way of life, with many pursuing recreational activities throughout their visit that lead them to the state’s natural wonders.”

Four million people visit Mariposa County every year to see its star attraction, Yosemite National Park, which sits 8,800 feet above sea level. One of the best ways to stay in shape is the intense 14-mile roundtrip hike to the park’s Half Dome, giving visitors a bird’s-eye view of the Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra (there’s also a 16-mile option). Rock climbing enthusiasts often attack El Capitan, a 3,000-foot vertical sheer-granite rock that offers dozens of climbing routes – all of which are lengthy and challenging. For less demanding outings, families can walk the county’s trails, where 50-60 different species of wildflowers can be found from late February to May; bicycle through scenery on 8 miles of paved roads; or go white-water river rafting. Mariposa is located 165 miles (266 kilometers) southeast of San Francisco.

Half Dome is to Yosemite what the lake is to Lake Tahoe. Home to the largest alpine lake in the country, a visit to this side of the Sierra Nevada isn’t complete without getting wet in Lake Tahoe’s crystal blue waters, which have a visibility depth of 70 feet.

For the out of the ordinary, try standup paddle boarding on a long surfboard-type piece of equipment that, along with an extended paddle, will take you out on the lake, giving you one of the best core abdominal workouts of your life.

The best hiking trail? Hands down, the Tahoe Rim Trail, a 165-mile loop that follows along the ridges and mountaintops of Lake Tahoe, is a sure bet for outstanding views, serene meadows and challenging terrain. Looking for a great view without the hiking? Check out the Eagle Falls area off Highway 89 for a great view of the famous Emerald Bay. Lake Tahoe is located 200 miles (322 kilometers) northeast of San Francisco.

It’s the birds that take center stage in Clear Lake, where up-close wildlife viewing is offered on seven water trails. Visitors can leisurely paddle out and around Rattlesnake Island, navigate the Tule Maze at Anderson Marsh, float past the hot springs in Soda Bay and venture out to Rodman Slough. It’s easy to get around in a kayak or canoe, as the seven trails are mapped and available online for download.

Best trips are during the winter and early spring months when a wider variety of birds are present – more than 300 species throughout Lake County, with the Clear Lake area designated “An Important Bird Area” by Audubon California for its diversity of birds and valuable bird habitats. Clear Lake is located 126 miles (202 kilometers) north of San Francisco.

Think of the desert, and pictures of swimming pools and golf courses come to mind. But adventure? For that you can take the 10-minute, 2.5-mile Palm Springs Aerial Tram ride, which begins at Valley Station, an elevation of 2,643 feet, and ends at Mountain Station (8,516 feet), the gateway of Mount San Jacinto State Park and Wilderness Area in Palm Springs. During the summer months, when it’s 100 degrees in the desert, this mountaintop oasis offers temperatures in the 60s, along with 54 miles of hiking trails, camping and guided nature walks. Trails range from the awe-inspiring 5.5-mile trek to the peak of San Jacinto, at 10,834 feet (the second tallest mountain in Southern California), to the 1-mile nature walk through the picturesque Long Valley, just behind Mountain Station. If more desert scenery is what you seek, try one of the individual or ranger-led hikes through Indian Canyons. Palm Canyon, Andreas Canyon and Murray Canyon offer horseback riding, picnicking, foot trails and birding for even the novice hiker. Palm Springs is located 107 miles (172 kilometers) east of Los Angeles.

Oh-so-very Californian is the paved bike path in Santa Monica that runs right along the ocean. You’ve probably seen movie scenes with people biking, jogging and roller-blading this famous stretch, which meanders from Santa Monica into Venice. It’s muscles galore at the original, and recently restored, Muscle Beach in Santa Monica. The combination of the gorgeous location and a wide array of gymnastic and balance apparatus has drawn suntanned fitness experts and novices alike since 1930. Walkers take to Palisades Park, a 26-acre park overlooking the Pacific Ocean, which connects with the broad Santa Monica beach made famous in TV’s “Baywatch.” Santa Monica is located 16 miles (26 kilometers) west of Los Angeles.

You simply can’t talk California without talking surfing. For many Californians, it’s part of everyday life, especially in Malibu where the mountains meet the sea. Surfrider Beach, formally known as Malibu Lagoon State Beach, is a hot spot for surfers because of the perfect swells created by Malibu Point. For those eager to hang ten, seasoned riders offer up essential information.

First, grab a long board, 8-11 feet in length, which provides extra stability as you get used to being on a wave. Opt for a wetsuit.

You’ll stay in the water longer, especially if it’s cold, and have a better overall experience. Don’t forget a surfboard leash, unless you want to take a spill and have your board show up a half-mile away.

Surf wax is also crucial, as it provides traction on an otherwise slick board. Take to the imperative pop-up strategy, because it’s that moment that makes or breaks a ride.

Keep your hips centered over your feet, giving you the best point of balance – and don’t look down or you’ll understand the true meaning of “wipeout.”

Try your hand (or foot) at surfing at Malibu Longboards Surf School, offering group and individual lessons year-round. Surfing L.A. also offers instruction seven days a week, 365 days a year. Malibu is located 37 miles (60 kilometers) west of Los Angeles.

Think you have to leave the big city to discover the sights and sounds of nature? Think again. Based in Oakland, the East Bay Regional Park District spans more than 100,000 acres with 65 parks and more than 1,100 miles of trails, making it the largest regional park district in the nation. Some half-dozen parks, including those with soaring sequoias, peaceful lakes and spectacular waterfowl, are less than 30 minutes from Oakland International Airport. Don’t miss Redwood Park – in addition to its signature trees, the 1,829-acre park also contains other evergreens, chaparral and grasslands; Temescal – located just 10 minutes from downtown, this quiet oasis is popular for swimming, fishing in the stocked lake and picnicking; and Middle Harbor Shoreline Park – a 38-acre shoreline park built by the Port of Oakland with 2 miles of pathways encircling Middle Harbor Basin, with stunning views of San Francisco. Oakland is located 12 miles (19 kilometers) east of San Francisco.

One of the best ways to take in California’s rich agriculture is along the scenic Kern River Parkway in the heart of California. This 30-mile-long paved path is perfect for cyclists as it takes you from the mouth of the Kern River Canyon in the east, through Bakersfield and out to the farming fields in the west near Interstate 5. Sequoia National Park is nearby and offers hundreds of hiking trails for novices to experts. One of the best-known trails in the world is the Pacific Crest Hiking Trail, and it’s just 65 miles west of Bakersfield, making the city a great base camp. Attracting trekkers from all over the world, the famed Pacific Crest Trail is a 2,650-mile national scenic trail running from Mexico to Canada, and through many of California’s most picturesque settings. Bakersfield is located 112 miles (180 kilometers) north of Los Angeles.

Hiking in San Diego is all about the jagged cliffs and dramatic ocean views, including the trails that run through Torrey Pines State Reserve. The reserve is also home to the nation’s rarest pine trees, the Pinus torreyana, which can be found naturally in only one other location. But like Santa Monica, the daily life in this sunny city also means surfing.

At the Surf Diva Surfing School, they combine their love for riding the waves with California zen, offering a special Surf and Yoga retreat for visitors. Participants learn to surf while also stretching out vital surfing muscles with seaside yoga sessions. Healthy meals, rejuvenating massages and facial treatments containing all-natural ingredients are also included in this wellness haven for the complete California experience.

Try sea kayaking in La Jolla as another way to experience an outdoor adventure. Discover the spectacular sea cliffs, the Seven Caves and the Underwater Park with abundant marine life, all while floating on the surface in your kayak. San Diego is located 121 miles (195 kilometers) south of Los Angeles.

Orange County rivals San Diego for some of Southern California’s most beautiful beaches. Crystal Cove State Park and Beach is well known for its rustic setting that stands in contrast to the pristine, new homes and immaculate greens of the Pelican Hills Golf Club overlooking this wilderness refuge. Three beaches below the bluffs include Reef Point, with access to two coves; Pelican Point, a 3.25-mile trail; and Los Trancos, which offers access to a historic district of 1930s-era cottages. Just off the shore is a 1,140-acre underwater park for snorkelers and scuba divers.

On the southern edge of the park is El Moro, a 2,200-acre chaparral canyon with 18 miles of hiking, biking and horse trails. Crystal Cove State Beach is located off the world-famous Pacific Coast Highway and is just south of Newport Beach and north of Laguna Beach. Newport Beach is 42 miles (68 kilometers) south of Los Angeles.

Santa Cruz County has become a veritable mecca for weekend bicyclists. Winding single tracks through shaded redwoods and climbing roads with stunning views of the Monterey Bay provide a full range of trails for all skill levels. Cyclists flock to Big Basin, Nisene Marks, Henry Cowell and Wilder Ranch State Parks for epic biking opportunities for both experienced athletes and novice riders. Bonny Doon Road north of Santa Cruz and Soquel’s Demonstration Forest are also hot spots for passionate bikers. Santa Cruz is located 73 miles (117 kilometers) south of San Francisco.

Mendocino County in Northern California is an unparalleled outdoor playground, with more state parks than any other county, along with more than 30 miles of public coastline and six navigable rivers. Travelers to the area get outdoors at the Pygmy Forest, a magical place full of mini, stunted trees and shrubs caused by a complex ecological condition associated with underlying wave terraces and their unusual soils. You can also stroll through the only coastal botanical gardens in the continental U.S. at Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens. Other favorite pastimes are kayaking down Big River at Northern California’s largest undeveloped estuary, foraging for wild mushrooms with local mushroom experts and horseback riding along the rugged beaches.

A hike to the Sierra Club’s Shasta Alpine Lodge at Horse Camp makes for an enjoyable adventure that will leave your spirit nourished. The trail begins at Bunny Flat (6,860 feet), which is 11 miles up the Everitt Memorial Highway from Mt. Shasta City. The trail is comparable to a well-traveled backpackers trail and is suitable for hikers of all ages, with an elevation gain of 1,000 feet. The Shasta Alpine Lodge is constructed of indigenous materials, including volcanic rock and Shasta red fir.

CTTC is a non-profit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry – that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. According to CTTC, travel and tourism expenditures total $96.7 billion annually in California, $16.7 billion of which is international; support jobs for 924,000 Californians; and generate $5.8 billion in state and local tax revenues.

For more information about the CTTC and for a free California Visitor’s Guide as well as California Road Trips, go to www.VisitCalifornia.com

Beer brewing is as much of an art as it’s a science, and Californians take handcrafted brewing techniques to a whole new level.

“Across the state, California has a wealth of exquisite breweries, where you’re likely to find a head brewer behind the bar who is eager to share his passion, knowledge and experience for making California beer,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Caroline Beteta of the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) and the national chair of the U.S. Travel Association.

The Eel River Brewing Company in the North Coast Region is one of North America’s first certified organic breweries, and won a gold in the aged-beer category and silver in the old ale/strong ale category at the recent Great American Beer Festival.

Situated on the banks of the Eel River in scenic Fortuna, guests drink ales the owner has named after sharks and elephants. The Lost Coast Brewery, which might be best known for its zany logos designed by artist Duane Flatmo, offers up Great White Ale and Indica India Pale Ale in a restored Masonic building in Old Town Eureka. Travelers forgo the swirl mentality of wine tasting at Ruth McGowan’s Brewpub in Cloverdale, which serves a collection of home brews that pair perfectly with fried food. Locals recommend the flagship Cloverdale Ale with taquitos and homemade guacamole. The North Coast Brewery in Fort Bragg is a pioneer in the craft beer movement, where visitors can try Red Seal Ale, Old Rasputin Russian Imperial Stout and Scrimshaw Pilsner.

The Mt. Shasta Brewing Company is the home of Weed Ales & Lagers, which uses fresh Mt. Shasta spring water in its beers. Located directly off the 1-5 corridor in the Shasta Cascade Region, Thursdays are especially lively at the brewing establishment, when crowds gather to take in live acoustic bluegrass music while sipping on Weed Golden Ale, Mountain High IPA and Shastafarian Porter. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. opened in Chico in 1980 with the goal of producing excellent ales and lagers. By demand, it has outgrown its previous buildings and is now producing almost 800,000 barrels every year, making it the second best-selling microbrewery in the U.S. It is also connected to the Taproom and Restaurant, which feature locally grown and harvest dishes on the menu. Guided and self-guided tours are available.

Located next to the famous Mavericks surf break, Half Moon Bay Brewing Company in the San Francisco Bay Area Region offers up the best view for big wave surfing, along with a beer menu that rivals the scenic setting and colorful beach characters, including Pillar Point Ale, Sandy Beach Blonde, Princeton-by-the-Sea, Mavericks Amber Ale and Harbor Light Ale. The Calistoga Inn Restaurant & Brewery is also an ideal stop along your microbrewery venture. The Inn was the first establishment to brew beer commercially in Napa County since the days of prohibition. Those guests who frequent the place recommend the Calistoga Wheat Ale, Pilsner, Red Ale and Porter. Brewery tours are available Monday through Friday with brew master Brad Smisloff.

The Gold Country Region is also gaining popularity for its beer, particularly in Sacramento. The River City Brewing Company is nothing short of a fusion of brewing expertise and culinary artistry served up in a vibrant ambiance with 20-foot ceilings. There are more than 22 different ales and lagers brewed throughout the year, best paired with the restaurant’s signature Eggplant Napoleon appetizer or the Asiago Garlic Crusted Chicken. The Rubicon Brewing Company, right on Capitol Street and in the heart of the city’s trendy Midtown, has a Monkey Knife Fight Pale Ale, made with crystal malts, and a Redbridge Gluten-Free Beer sans wheat and barley.

With a nod to Lake Tahoe’s ski and snowboard culture, FiftyFifty Brewery in Truckee offers a bevy of award-winning brews with names that have humorous local references, such as the Foggy Goggle Belgian White and tasty Donner Party Porter with its irreverent fork, knife and plate label. “Beer as Big as the High Sierra” is the motto of the Mammoth Brewing Company, which is also located in the High Sierra Region, whose Double Nut Brown Ale has developed a cult following. Unusual for a microbrewery, the company puts two of its beers – Real McCoy Amber and High Country Pilsner – in aluminum cans, in addition to bottling them, as aluminum is easily recycled and reduces the fuel needed for shipping. Big Bear Mountain Brewery in Big Bear Lake offers everything from golden lagers to amber ales and creamy stouts. Located in the town of Mariposa, just outside of Yosemite National Park, the Mariposa Brewing Company serves up four types of beer: Prospectors Pilsner, High Country Hefeweizen, Mariposa Golden Amber and Pick Axe IPA.

Farther south is Brewbakers Brewing Co. in Visalia, which has a cigar menu to complement its roster of finely brewed beers, including Sequoia Reds, Indian Pale Ales and stouts. Another favorite microbrewery in the Central Valley Region is the Kelley Bros. Brewing Company in Manteca. The company was founded in 1997 in the historic El Rey Theatre, which burned down in 1977 after its final showing of The Towering Inferno, starring Steve McQueen. Having been beautifully renovated, without removing the historical significance, the building has been a landmark for nearly 70 years. Lengthwise Brewing Company, celebrating 10 years of microbrewing in Bakersfield, was established by two childhood friends, Jeff Williams and Darin Schwicker, and is sure to please the palate of the most demanding beer connoisseur. The name Lengthwise is actually an acronym, standing for “Live Experiences Now, Great Things Happen When Inspiration Silences Excuses.”

In the Central Coast Region, Santa Barbara has gained popularity for its wine, but that’s not the only locally produced beverage receiving rave reviews. The region’s seven microbreweries give beer lovers a tasting trail of their own. On the south side, Carpinteria is home to the Island Brewing Company production facility and tasting room, appropriately situated on the beach. In downtown Santa Barbara, Union Ale, The Brew House and the Santa Barbara Brewing Company are lively, full-service restaurants serving their own beers as well as international brews. Telegraph Brewing Company has a funky tasting room in “SoCo” (south of Cota Street), and is served in many local restaurants and bars. Hollister Brewing Company, an upscale-yet-unpretentious brewpub near UC Santa Barbara, is a go-to destination for artisanal beers, quality food and modern atmosphere. And, in Buellton, Firestone-Walker Brewery’s Taproom restaurant features four award-winning beers in addition to four alternating beers on tap.

In Long Beach, part of the Los Angeles County Region, locals and visitors head to the Belmont Brewing Company, known best for its freshly brewed beer, California cuisine and beachfront setting. Beers are handcrafted onsite and range from Top Sail, an amber ale; Long Beach Crude, a pitch-black stout with a rich chocolaty flavor (not for the weak of heart); and Strawberry Blonde, an exceptional fruity beer that is blonde in color with a fantastic strawberry aroma. Swanky hotspot Ford’s Filling Station in Culver City offers its own beer, Ford’s, a pale ale made especially for the restaurant.

Located 2 miles east of Disneyland Resort, JT Schmid’s Restaurant & Brewery in Anaheim, part of the Orange County Region, specializes in classic California cuisines and an assortment of handcrafted, gourmet microbrews. A sport-themed family restaurant, Oggi’s Pizza & Brewing Company in Garden Grove was the 2004 World Beer Cup Champion for small microbreweries, and offers five locations throughout the county. Providing a taste of San Francisco, the Alcatraz Brewing Co. at the Block at Orange is home to award-winning, handcrafted microbrews, as well as cask ales brewed onsite.

The Inland Empire Region has also garnered its share of accolades. At Omaha Jack’s in Rancho Cucamonga, guests taste some of the state’s best-handcrafted beers, which have received more than 25 medals from the California State Fair and the Los Angeles County Fair. Visitors can also learn how it’s done with a tour of the brewery from the brewer. Take notes from locals, and belly up to the bar for Jacked Up Red, Woodshed Blonde and Pitch Fork Porter.

Although not a microbrewery, Hair of the Dog is the only English pub in Palm Springs. This Deserts Region icon got its name from medieval times, when dog bites were common and could lead to infections and even amputations. It was believed that if bitten, the victim must find the specific dog, cut off some of its fur and mix it into a paste to apply to the wound. Today, the phrase refers to the next morning’s hangover. It is commonly held that a drink of the same kind that “bit” you the night before will help cure your headache. Guests will find California beers on tap, including Sierra Nevada Pale Ale.

With a casual, relaxed atmosphere, and locals who take good beer seriously without taking themselves too seriously, the San Diego County Region is the perfect place to escape for a libation vacation. Most recently, the October 2009 Men’s Journal named San Diego the best beer city in the country, with its enviable number of award-winning breweries and a wide variety of pubs and restaurants catering to those who enjoy unique locally crafted beers. The AleSmith Brewing Company in Miramar is an artisan microbrewery specializing in handcrafted brews, where visitors can find fresh flavors inspired by Great Britain’s and Belgium’s high alcohol content and strongly hopped beers. Ballast Point Brewing Company in Linda Vista began as a home brew mart that expanded into a brewery and tasting room, where guests can tour behind the barrels for tastings. Stone Brewing Company in Escondido brews more than 50,000 barrels of beer annually in its 55,000-square-foot brewery. Stone’s one-of-a-kind Arrogant Bastard Ale is reminiscent of the company’s famous gargoyle mascot, boasting bold, strong and aggressive flavors. Besides being Oceanside’s first brewery, Oceanside Ale Works is also one of the few manual brew houses in the nation, featuring European-inspired brewing techniques and Old World recipes, along with its Southern California flare.

CTTC is a non-profit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry – that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. According to CTTC, travel and tourism expenditures total $97.6 billion annually in California, support jobs for 924,000 Californians and generate $5.8 billion in state and local tax revenues.

For more information about CTTC and for a free California Visitor’s Guide as well as California Road Trips, go to www.VisitCalifornia.com

SPACE COAST, Fla. – Visitors who drive the ocean side road that stretches along the 72 miles (110 km) of Florida’s Space Coast’s untamed beaches quickly realize that this destination is different from any other Florida destination. Located just 35 miles east (56 km) of Orlando – making it Orlando’s closest beach – the Space Coast is a nature-lover’s paradise; home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center; the East Coast surfing capital of the United States; a burgeoning center for the arts and much more!

As the only place in the country where visitors can witness a space shuttle launch, the Space Coast offers once-in-a lifetime experiences for its guests.

Nature enthusiasts can kayak close to wildlife; beach lovers can enjoy endless options throughout the destination; surfers can live the dream of the ideal wave.

A vacation along Florida’s Space Coast is adventure filled with active days and relaxing nights. It is a special place that can suit any vacation preference.

Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is the center of America’s space program. More than 1.5 million visitors come to the KSC Visitor Complex each year to see everything from the Rocket Garden, which displays NASA’s early space crafts, to the Apollo/Saturn V Center, which houses the rockets and equipment from the Apollo missions to the moon.

At the KSC Visitor Center, there are two IMAX theaters; a life-size replica of a space shuttle that guests can tour and the Shuttle Launch Experience, an attraction designed by astronauts which gives guests the feeling they are actually taking off in a shuttle. Additionally, each day, guests get the rare opportunity to meet veteran astronauts from NASA’s Astronaut Corps.

Canaveral National Seashore is the northernmost beach. As one of the last undeveloped beaches on the East Coast, visitors can experience a unique undisturbed ocean side park.

Port Canaveral is the region’s popular home to Disney Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Lines, Norwegian Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. One of the busiest ports in the world, it’s the site where guests from all over the world come to embark on 3-, 4- and 7-day voyages to the Bahamas, eastern Caribbean or Mexico’s Gulf resorts.

The port also provides scenic views and great seafood restaurants such as: Rusty’s Seafood and Oyster Bar, Grill’s Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar and the newest offering, Milliken’s Reef. The area’s Snooze & Cruise program offers convenient parking and transportation for cruise passengers staying over at local hotels.

Cocoa Beach is recognized as the East Coast surfing capital of the U.S.

The beach’s steady waves, warm weather and world-class surf shops attract all levels of surfers year round. Nine-time world-champion surfer Kelly Slater, who was born and raised in Cocoa Beach, learned his craft on these beaches. It also is home to the famed Ron Jon Surf Shop as well as Cocoa Beach Surf Co., the world’s largest surfing complex.

At the Cocoa Beach Pier, where numerous world-renowned surf competitions take place, visitors can visit a variety of restaurants, shops and bars.

Cocoa Village, an 1860s landmark, is a quaint district where shoppers can find everything from antique stores to eclectic clothing. Those who want a culinary treat can sample great restaurants, ranging from upscale to casual.

Art lovers can’t miss the Eau Gallie Arts District. A cozy downtown area anchored by the Brevard Art Museum. The district is the place to find great art, art supplies and adorable antiques.

Trendy boutiques and a cool nightlife define Historic Downtown Melbourne. Since the 1900s, it has been where the young as well as young-at-heart come to have a great time. Pubs and night spots line the downtown, and restaurants are aplenty!

Downtown Titusville, established in 1850, has a range of restaurants and interesting historic markers. One of the oldest communities on the Indian River, this nostalgic area features arts and crafts shops, clothing boutiques and nearby riverside parks. It also features the North Brevard Historical Museum, where visitors can learn about the remarkable first families that settled Titusville and take a unique look into the industries that supported the early Florida pioneers. Within one mile of downtown is the Titusville Municipal Marina, featuring a ships store and a large seawall for viewing manatees and other marine life. Visitors can enjoy a walking tour which reveals the area’s history on descriptive panels located along public walkways.

Families will enjoy an array of activities for the kids, from the expansive “Paws On” exhibit at the Brevard Zoo to hands-on discovery at The Dinosaur Store, complete with an Egyptian-themed dig site. Local museums, including a planetarium, are also favorite stops for those with little ones in tow.

And for nature enthusiasts, the Space Coast is one of the largest intact eco-systems in Florida, with more than 250 square miles of wildlife refuge as well as bird and sea turtle nesting areas and manatee and dolphin habitats.

Foodies can choose from 1,450 restaurants on the Space Coast, offering a range of options from upscale dining on the ocean to cozy hometown eateries.

Including hotels, motels, beach rentals and condominiums, the destination boasts more than 10,000 guest rooms.

And don’t forget the weather! Visitors love the year-round Florida sunshine, which makes the destination an ideal respite from not-too-ideal temperatures at home.

No matter where you turn, there’s something for everyone along Florida’s Space Coast!

Located 35 miles (56 km) east of Orlando, Florida’s Space Coast is home to Orlando’s closest beaches.

A family-friendly destination with more than 10,000 guest rooms, the area is an ideal, value getaway, offering adventure, history and nature. With 72 miles (110 km) of beaches, the longest stretch in the state, and 250 square miles of wildlife refuge, the Space Coast is one of the largest intact eco-systems in Florida. Home to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, it is the only place in the country where one can watch a live shuttle launch, and after the shuttle program ends will continue to offer viewing opportunities for unmanned rocket launches.

Encompassing Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach, Palm Bay and Titusville, the Space Coast also is noted for surfing, its numerous history and art museums, and a popular cruise port, Port Canaveral.

For more information, contact the Space Coast Office of Tourism at (877) 572-3224 or visit www.space-coast.com

Visit www.spacecoastlaunches.com  to learn about remaining shuttle and upcoming rocket launches.

California’s theme parks and attractions are as much of a draw as its surf, mountains and deserts. Now, with many unveiling new rides and shows, there has never been a better time to book a Golden State vacation.

“For many travelers, visiting California’s theme parks and attractions is a dream come true. And with parks always offering something new, we know they’ll come back,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Caroline Beteta of the California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) and the national chair of the U.S. Travel Association.

King Kong, among the screen’s most powerful and enduring icons, will re-emerge this summer as a new signature attraction of the famed Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour in Los Angeles. “King Kong 360 3D,” created by Peter Jackson (and , the first theme park attraction to be directed by the Oscar-winning filmmaker), will combine thrilling visceral effects with the world’s largest Surround Digital projection system to create a next-generation theme park experience.

In the new attraction, guests will be given special 3D glasses as they enter a darkened soundstage aboard the Studio Tour trams and will be transported – via the magic of Surround Digital 3D projection – deep into a tangled jungle location.

They’ll survive a close encounter with a swarm of hungry raptors, only to be confronted by the terrifying presence of 35-foot-tall dinosaur behemoths, intent on attacking the tram and Studio Tour guests. The trams jolt and shudder as the guests find themselves caught in the middle between these carnivorous reptiles and King Kong.

In June 2010, the world’s first LEGO-themed water park will open at LEGOLAND California in Carlsbad. The 5.5-acre water park will feature several attractions, including a Build-a-Raft River where visitors can custom-build their own LEGO raft, several water slides, a 45-foot-tall tower playground and two sandy beach wading areas.

The water park is a separate admission attraction located at the north end of LEGOLAND. LEGOLAND California is San Diego’s only LEGO-themed family fun park, offering rides, shows, shopping, and dining for the whole family.

“World of Color” is the next major milestone in the expansion of Disney’s California Adventure Park. The spectacular nighttime water show is set to debut in 2010, and brings Disney animation to life with powerful fountains that become stars of the show as they create the world’s largest projected water screen.

Guests are taken on an imaginative journey into the colorful worlds of animated Disney classics, such as Alice in Wonderland, The Lion King and Pocahontas, along with Disney-Pixar films Toy Story and WALL-E.

A newly designed 9,000-capacity viewing area provides Disney’s California Adventure guests with the best view in the park for this nighttime extravaganza. The show will last approximately 25 minutes.

“Blue Horizons,” a spectacular new show featuring energetic bottlenose dolphins, Pacific pilot whales and a colorful array of exotic birds and amazing acrobatic performers, opens at SeaWorld San Diego’s completely renovated Dolphin Stadium on May 29.

At the center of “Blue Horizons” is a young girl named Marina, with the show’s action both above and under the water. The set, inspired by elements of the sea and sky along with Marina’s vivid imagination, is a whimsical, yet dramatic atmosphere with an immense rising sun, hundreds of iridescent bubbles and an elaborate 40-foot-high framework, which envelopes the pool and balances divers and aerialists as they plunge from bungees and soar on “cloud swings.”

The Seattle Symphony Orchestra performed the musical score for “Blue Horizons.”

The San Diego Zoo is proud to present Polar Bear Plunge, the newly renovated exhibit that’s an expedition for the whole family. Guests can explore the exhibit, experiencing hands-on what a polar bear’s life might be like in the Arctic. People can also learn about the San Diego Zoo’s ongoing conservation efforts, as well as tips to reduce their own carbon footprint.

This summer, the historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk unveils a new ride, 12 summer beach concerts and a six-week show featuring Brazilian acrobats.

Scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend, the new Haunted Castle, a $9-million-dollar project, utilizes nearly 10,000-square feet of basement space.

In a unique design twist, riders load at Boardwalk level, then spiral down backwards into the basement and glide through dimly lit rooms filled with spooky special effects.

Free Friday Nights Bands On the Beach, the Boardwalk’s free beach concert series, brings top bands from the ‘80s and ‘90s to the park’s beach bandstand from June 18 to September 3. This summer’s lineup includes Blue Oyster Cult, Loverboy, Eddie Money, the Spin Doctors and Starship.

Circo Brazil will perform two free shows each day on the beach bandstand every Sunday through Thursday from July 11 to August 19. The dynamic 30-minute show is geared for families and includes martial arts, soccer stunts and acrobatics.

To celebrate the Peanuts characters’ 60th anniversary, Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park (about 32 kilometers southeast of Los Angeles) debuts a new nighttime light show, called Peanut’s Night-Lightastic, at their Camp Snoopy, starting May 29.

The new performance showcases three-dimensional Peanuts figures, themed music, sound effects, voice-overs and colorful projections of Peanuts’ characters.

The program runs after 8 p.m. every evening that the park is open. At the Charles M. Schultz Theatre, Snoopy take center stage along with world-class ice skaters beginning June 19 in “Everyone Loves Snoopy” (dark Wednesdays). For the younger crowd, “Peanuts Go Hollywood” is a live musical review that tells the story of the Peanuts gang as they try to make it in Tinseltown – the show is held at the Camp Snoopy Theater.

With the much-anticipated “Ecosystems” exhibit opening March 25 at the California Science Center in Los Angeles, guests can experience a flash flood in the Extreme Zone.

They’ll also have the chance to walk through a simulated ocean-floor tunnel and discover what kinds of icky, earthy things happen in the Rot Room.

A major component of the California Science Center’s 25-year expansion plan, “Ecosystems” features dozens of interactive exhibits that take visitors on an ecological quest to uncover the complex relationships between living things and their habitat.

The newest permanent exhibit at the Taco Bell Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana (about 50 kilometers southeast of Los Angeles), “Planetary Research Station” (PRS), is now open.

PRS is a six-foot, 3D globe that is animated to display dynamic images of the atmosphere, oceans, land and solar system.

The exhibit also features a display developed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and is an education and outreach tool used to describe the environmental processes of Earth.

With more than 500 graphic scenarios, PRS features everything from real-time infrared satellite over land, to air traffic control flight paths, to the topography of Venus.

PRS also includes five plasma displays to further expand on the intuitive and compelling images displayed on its suspended globe.

Two new rides for tots – and their families – are now available at Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier.

The 2-acre amusement park is adding Inkie’s Pirate Ship and Inkie’s Wave Jumper to its roster of family-share rides, which will open early June. Inkie’s Pirate Ship is a swashbuckling-themed ship ride that lifts guests to-and-fro in a clockwise and counter-clockwise motion for an all-out, sea-like adventure. Inkie’s Wave Jumper is a pier-top surf ride that rotates in a clockwise motion while riders jump up and down and bounce around, just like riding a wave.

California’s Great America in Santa Clara (70 kilometers south of San Francisco) will kick off its park opening with the new Planet Snoopy at the children’s area, with rides that take kids up and down or round and round.

For an added treat, there are hugs from Snoopy, Charlie Brown and all their friends. Also new is “Snoopy Rocks,” a 35-minute ice skating show.

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Medusa ride, coinciding with spring break this year.

As the first floorless looping coaster on the West Coast when it opened in 2000, Medusa still holds the title as the tallest coaster in Northern California. Celebration activities will be scheduled from March 25 through April 11, and include karaoke, live music, and the Ridiculously Long Lasting Scream Contest.

CTTC is a non-profit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry – that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. According to CTTC, travel and tourism expenditures total $96.7 billion annually in California, $16.7 billion of which is international; support jobs for 924,000 Californians and generate $5.8 billion in state and local tax revenues.

For more information about CTTC and for a free California Visitor’s Guide as well as California Road Trips, go to www.VisitCalifornia.com

Korean Air and sister company Hanjin Travel are for the first time offering visitors the chance to experience a traditional Korean “Templestay.”

The 24-hour overnight visit and two- to three-hour visit to the five most renowned Korean temples allows participants the opportunity to relax, reflect and revitalize themselves in peaceful temple surroundings.

Over the course of 24 hours, visitors can experience and understand inner temple life and discover the day-to-day activities of a Korean Buddhist monk.

They will take part in a “Dado” — an ancient ritual tea ceremony that has taken place for thousands of years — as well as a “Chameson” Zen meditation session.

Guests also will be able to view all aspects of the temple life including the ceremonial chanting service “Yebul,” meditation and tea sessions, and a formal Buddhist monastic meal, “Baru Gongyang,” a silent communal dining experience where not a single grain of rice is wasted.

Korean tourists are familiar with Templestays, but these have only recently been made available to groups from around the world.

Hanjin Travel will for the first time be taking international visitors into the temples in close cooperation with the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism Cultural Corps of Korea Buddhism.

For more information, visit www.hanjintravel.com/english/04temple/tmp01.asp 

A new Chinese startup company, www.Tourboarding.com, has created an opportunity for budget-minded travelers to stay with host families in China for free, in exchange for providing English conversation.

Hotel rooms are expensive during the World Expo from May to Oct. 31 and many are filling up quickly, so founder Ken Chen started the Tourboarding.com service.

More than 1,500 Chinese families have registered to host World Expo visitors for free in their home.

In exchange, the visitors agree to speak to the host in fluent English for two hours a day, to provide their hosts with the opportunity to practice their English language skills.

“There are an overwhelming number of Chinese families willing to host due to the prohibitive cost of private one-on-one English language instruction,” said Chen. Last year,

Chen resigned from his post as logistics director for Nike Sport China after 16 years in the logistics field, including a management role at Wal-Mart, so he could travel the world.

However, he was shocked to find out that tuition at the language school was a minimum of $3,000 for two months of study and private tutors charged $30 per hour.

Chen realized this cost was prohibitively high for most Chinese families, given that a full time IT professional in Shanghai earns approximately $600 per month.

He also knew many visitors to China were looking to cut costs wherever possible, and they would prefer options to finding a hostel or renting a house in China.

That was the inspiration behind the Tourboarding concept, which offers a way for travelers to leverage their language skills in exchange for airport pickup and dropoff, free accommodation with a host family, and two meals a day.

There are other options offered as well, including paid home stays and language lessons in exchange for the host serving as a tour guide.

Many host families have posted pictures of themselves and their homes on the Tourboarding website. Foreign travelers who have joined come from a range of backgrounds, including students, teachers, doctors, engineers, management consultants, and hedge fund analysts.

The Chinese hosts who have registered on the Tourboarding site already have basic English skills so the foreign travelers do not have to know Chinese.

For more information, visit www.tourboarding.com

Celebrate the end of the financial year with free room hire and added bonuses.

Grand Hyatt Melbourne has just launched an unbeatable offer for events held during May and June 2010.

What better way to celebrate the end of the financial year than with free room hire! Simply hold your meeting or event during May or June 2010 in any one of the flexible meeting spaces (Savoy, Mayfair, Connaught, Grosvenor or Bristol) and pay absolutely nothing for room hire.

Plus, we’re giving you the choice of one of three added bonuses – at no charge.

Choose from accommodation vouchers that can be used for an overnight stay in a newly redesigned Grand Suite King Room or a range of fantastic upgrades, such as beverage and canapé packages.

To take advantage of this amazing offer, customers can call the Grand Hyatt Melbourne’s Sales Team on 03 9653 4667.

This offer is strictly limited and dates will book fast – so call today.

Starwood Hotels Japan Company today proudly announces an agreement with Deasung Industrial Engineering & Construction Co., Ltd. to open a new-build Sheraton hotel in Seoul, Korea.

Scheduled to launch in Fall 2011, Sheraton Seoul D-Cube City will occupy a gleaming, 41-storey building at the “D-Cube City” area in Shindorim, Seoul.

The Hotel will be located from floors 27 to 41 of the main tower, featuring 269 well appointed rooms and suites.

There are also about 605 square meters of meeting space, a lobby lounge, two restaurants, a fitness gym, a swimming pool and 800 square meters of spa facilities.

D-Cube City is the new lifestyle hub for shopping, conventions, musical or entertainment, offices and residences, and will be opening in early summer 2011.

It is a prime space interconnected with a major subway station in the Shindorim district, south of Han River in the southeastern part of Seoul, the capital city of Korea.

Shindorim is known as one of sub-centers of Seoul and it is 25 minutes’ drive from the city and 60 minutes’ drive from Incheon International Airport.

The main complex of D-Cube City will hold the new Sheraton hotel, which is a 41-storey tower comprising of office space, commercial mall, theatres, convention space of 46,000 square meters, car parking facilities as well as the capacity to accommodate 1,300 people.

Via the ground entrance on the first floor, there are separate shuttle elevators, loading docks and parking spaces for both the hotel and offices. The hotel main lobby is located on the 41st floor.

“We are delighted to welcome Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel which will be our 3rd Sheraton hotel in South Korea.” said Lothar Pehl, Regional Vice President of Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Japan, Korea and Guam.

“This hotel and the mixed customer centric facilities that surround it, promise guests a whole lot of exciting and interesting facilities to enjoy.

Starwood is the most innovative operator of lifestyle hospitality brands in the world and Sheraton is Starwood’s largest and most global brand with more than 400 hotels in 70 countries worldwide.”

Key features of Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel include 269 elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites, an executive floor boasting the latest in technology, extensive meeting and celebration facilities, the brand’s signature:

The Link@Sheraton℠ experienced with Microsoft®, a unique 3 meal Restaurant FEAST and a state-of-the-art recreational and SPA facility, all designed to provide the signature warmth and services reflective of the global Sheraton brand.

Starwood currently operates 5 hotels in Korea and 4 of them are in Seoul, which are The Westin Chosun Seoul, W Seoul-Walkerhill, Sheraton Grande Walkerhill, Sheraton Incheon Hotel, and The Westin Chosun Busan. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts will also be increasing its worldwide footprint, adding about 50 new hotels and over 20,000 rooms from 2010 to 2012 in 15 countries all over the world.

As the largest international upper-upscale hotel brand in China, Sheraton will nearly double its footprint in the country with the addition of 28 stunning new properties, including the Sheraton Shanghai Hong Kou Hotel, Sheraton Qingdao, and Sheraton Huadu Resort.

Korea is known as the country where numerous attractiveness coexists such as history, culture, entertainment and trend.

They had counted the number of overseas visitors for 7 Million in November 2009 as the first ever record in the past; 39.4% are Japanese as the number one, and Chinese (17.3%) and Americans (7.9%) follows.

From this year to 2012, the Republic of Korea will celebrate “Visit Korea Year” campaign through out the country.

In addition, G20 Summit will be hold and the city of Seoul is scheduling “World Design Capital Seoul 2010” as the main event for the city in the year.

The city of Seoul announced that targeting to welcome 10 million visitors from all over the world in the year of 2010.