Driving from metro Detroit into Quincy, Mass., I will update this blog as the trip goes on, taking in all that I see and do, which is quite a change from past posts.

In the light of Spirit Airlines now charging for carry-on bags, yet another charge they slam their “guests” with, I thought I would post a little rant/theory/make me feel better post.

I happen to be one of the not-so-lucky future passengers of a Spirit Airlines flight and have been on their whirlwind scheme for some time.

Ahh, it all started when a friend told me to look into their super fabulous, can’t beat it, special, $9 fare club, in which nothing is EVER $9. Fantastic! Oh wait, it costs around $40 a year to be a member of this club…and it renews automatically…surprise! Whatd’ya save? NOTHING! I said Whatd’ya save? NOTHING! So glad I’m a member, should rename it $9 Fake Club.

So a good friend of mine is getting married in Las Vegas this October and a fellow bridesmaid and I wanted to get a head start and book our flight now so we are paid in full and ready to enjoy the wedding and not have to worry about extra costs etc. right before the wedding. So I found what I thought was a good deal on a Spirit flight and thought I’d put that elite membership to use at least once for the $80 I’ve already spent on the pointless thing.

I picked out our departure and arrival times, got to the screen where we had to pay to check bags, erg, $20+ each way, I’ll carry mine on, it’s a long weekend and we get our dresses pressed for free, I’m golden (hahaha, if I only knew what Spirit had in store for me in a few months). So I got my two flights, checked a bag for my friend there and back and get to the next screen, book flight right? NOPE. Want to pick your seat? It’s going to cost you! It was a great spread, like a baseball game, where the seats in the front are highly priced, about $32 each, then you move to the exit rows, where there is more leg room for about $20 each, then you have your middle rows ranging from $12-$16 and finally your back few rows for $8 each. If I wasn’t already, now I am thinking…what did I pay for in that first fee when I booked my departure and arrival? I was nervous to click continue, but I was already so far in and had another traveler in toe, so I couldn’t back out now (wishing I would’ve). So I clicked continue and it asked me if I’d like to breathe on this flight and that would be an additional $57 per person, per hour of the flight, just kidding, but it wasn’t too far off considering all of the other charges they had segmented out. Only to find out now they will be charging for carry-ons too…not so golden anymore, I’m thinking.

Ok, so I’m a little peeved about all the charges and how it ended up costing $40-$65 more than what was listed after we picked all of our necessary accommodations.

Not done yet!

So, I’ve booked travel quite a bit for myself and others in the corporate setting and have received updates when booking in advance that there are changes in your itinerary, usually a 5-10 minute flight time difference. I received a few notices and went to read through them all the other day and the last one gave the departure time 4 HOURS LATER THAN WHEN I ORIGINALLY BOOKED MY FLIGHT!! This has got to stop! Haha, not yet! I can see little Spirit Sprites dancing with glee as I am getting put through the ringer, not very nice if I might add. They will be hearing from me.

I’m not even sure how many strikes they are at, but good ol’ CNN reports…Spirit Airlines to charge for carry-on baggage! Again I ask myself, what am I paying for in the initial cost? I guess gas, payroll, fees from airports, parts, ?, ?, couldn’t tell ya.

A stupid policy move if you ask me, what in the Hell are we paying for in the first place? Their PR people must be short on oxygen, must not be able to afford it on their flights. From someone in the PR field, a consumer, traveler and blogger , I think they should add this charge in the beginning, in the initial ticket price, and boast how you DON’T charge for carry-on bags and people will like you…look at Southwest, I’m sure they are calculating in baggage fees to their ticket prices somehow and telling people they love bags and that bags fly free, like little stowed away pets or something and look how people are raving…it’s all psychology. People don’t want to pay more than what the initial cost is, whether it ends up being more or less one way doesn’t really matter. This goes back to the KISS concept, Keep It Simple…Stupid!

On that front I did get some good news, which is also good news for the customer service rep who will get to hear these complaints when I call to see if I am even flying in the same week as I wanted to before…

Dear Jennifer,

Earlier this week Spirit Airlines announced new policies that affect carry-on and checked baggage.  The new policies will go into affect for travel after August 1st, but for customers such as yourself that purchased before April 6, 2010 you will still receive one free carry-on bag in addition to a free personal item, checked bags can be pre-purchased online for a discount, and as a special one-time privilege you will be granted Zone 1 boarding for all of your flights that take place on or after August 1st.  For more details on the new policies, please click here. As always, we thank you for your business and look forward to serving you on your upcoming Spirit Airlines flight!

Wow-wee! Shucks, they really DO care! Sure. They are looking forward to serving me? Really? Looking forward to serving me a hot, steaming, pile of

–towels–

Come on, I’m not that crude…well I’m sure this isn’t the last of it and I will probably get served what you were thinking I was going to type before this roller coaster flight experience ends. What is Zone 1 by the way? I get to sit on the stuffy plane for longer than everyone else? No thanks. I only have enough money to pay for air during my flight, not before!

I will keep you posted, but in the mean time, in Ineedtojetset fashion…

(TIP: Beware of the Spirit Sprites that lurk on pages 3-47 of their booking process!)

I hope they get this figured out for the sake of all those other helpless travelers out there.

Happy 2010 New Year!

So the holidays have definitely consumed me and I’ve neglected my postings…sorry! On a good note there have been tons of great deals being posted on discount travel sites on travel in 2010. Ring in the new year by saving money and loving your chosen destination…be sure to check into the many discount sites before booking.

Priceline, Expedia, Travelocity, Cheap Tickets, Hotwire, Kayak, Orbitz, Travelzoo, Booking Buddy, Sherman’s Travel and so many more!

Safe & Happy travels to all, I will be back in 2010 with more great tips and insight on some of the worlds best travel locations.

Jen

So I took a little detour in writing about some of the large cities I’ve been to in order to bring some attention the small details that make trips last forever.

I enjoy scrapbooking and the hobby has gotten very popular over the years, so whether you are an expert or just a beginner trying to figure out how to organize and display your photos in a special way, there are resources, workshops, camps and online tutorials to fit any time allotment you may have. Though I’ll admit I’m a few years behind on documenting my trips as far as photo scrapbooks go, it is exciting to get to some of the trips or in between family moments I may have forgotten about as life flies by at supersonic speed.

I just returned from a camp experience that I go to at least twice a year at a Camp Ozanam, a Christian Youth Organization camp in Carsonville, Michigan. Here a group of scrapbookers of all experience levels get together to share memories, ideas and the many tools that give your pages that extra pop.

I imagine there are camps/retreats, day-long sessions and even shorter classes giving inspiration to interested scrapbookers all over the U.S. and the world. Since scrapbooking can bring together so many other crafting hobbies such as stamping, card/invitation making, album making and even jewelry making, there are a lot of creative juices flowing at these events that you should definitely get a taste of.

A few sites to try :

http://www.stampinup.net/esuite/home/crazyboutstamps/

http://www.mycmsite.com/sites/sjudd

http://www.cyodetroit.org

http://www.scrapbooksetc.com/retreatfinder/

http://www.michaels.com/scrapbooking

http://www.hobbylobby.com/departments/scrapbooking/scrapbooking.cfm

http://joann.com/

(TIP: Sign up for their newsletters & bogs if they have them to stay current with products, ideas, tricks & tips)

These camps can be at actual youth camp locations, like mine are (all indoor lodging & crafting areas, don’t worry!), or they are often at halls, hotels and even host residences.

(TIP: Check with the organizer to see if there will be electrical outlets available for lighting, Cricut machines, phone chargers, radios etc. Also check to see if any food or drink will be included in the price as scrapping can surely make you work up an appetite!)

Here are a few photos of the camp I was at on an unusually warm and sunny November morning in Michigan’s Northern Lower Peninsula. I only hope you have such a great view at your camp as well!

Camp Ozanam

Scrap Camp

Scrap Camp

Lake Huron from Camp Ozanam

Stretching after lots of scrapping!

Lake Huron from Camp Ozanam

Speaking of higher education, I will be discussing one of the most historic cities recognized for its high concentration in superior colleges and universities…Boston, Massachusetts.

This city definitely made me appreciate the preservation of architecture and lifestyle of old town USA. The history this city emanates is closely followed by its obvious emergence of new technology and groundbreaking design. It is an inspiring place for the artistic of all fashions and quite an enjoyable place to visit, attend school or call home.

Downtown Boston, MA

Downtwon Boston, MA with Charles River

Crossing the newly remodeled bridge into the city you would expect skyscrapers and buses and something similar to New York City, (they are there) but soon enough you feel the rumble of the cobblestone, see the streetcars and are surrounded by antique buildings, boutiques and chain stores adorn with the historical facade this city is known for.

(TIP: Driving can be a bit confusing as many of the streets are one way, there are streetcars passing through main streets and have their own rules, but a lot of the streets pretty much make a circle and the people there are very helpful. You can also take iPod guided tours, visit www.cityofboston.gov/visitors for more information.)

Driving may be a little confusing, but no matter where you are headed, there is always something wonderful to look at, so get lost and take soak up the city, the riverfront and the suburbs which are scattered with some great bed and breakfasts.

Scenery in Harvard Square

Night Scene on the Charles River

I actually stayed in the Boston suburb of Lawrence and partook in the Feast of the Three Saints, a fairly small Catholic festival celebrating their community with some of the most delicious Italian food!

Feast of the Three Saints Parade

Feast of the Three Saints at Night

(TIP: There are many festivals and outdoor events during summer and fall months as the Boston area celebrates its heritage. Go to http://www.cityofboston.gov/visitors/ for the event calendar and listings of inexpensive and free events to attend.)

Chicago and its thriving shoreline

The weather is much like most midwestern states and has the joys of having 4 seasons. Soaking up the freshwater as it is located on Lake Michigan, the evenings tend to get a bit cool and sometimes breezy, hence the nickname “windy city” so be sure to pack accordingly.

There are an over abundance of places to reside while in this active city, so do some research and check out the travel deal web sites to reap the benefits of staying in a 4 or 5 star hotel for less. I stayed in The W Hotel not too long ago and was thoroughly impressed. It was a modern hotel with glam and sophistication, yet the actual hotel rooms were very comfortable and inviting. The accommodations and staff were very polite and helpful as well. If it is in your budget, or you find a great deal on a stay there, I would definitely recommend it and stay there again myself.

Let’s get out of the hotel and into the streets, there is much to see and do!

I usually spend only a long weekend in Chi-town, because it is only a few hours from home and easy to travel to, but there is so much to do, I’m sure I could spend weeks here.

(TIP: I always like to take a tour bus to get the layout of the land before I do some sight seeing and Chicago has a great tour where you are able to hop on and off all day at their most famous attractions and eateries. If you are pressed for time or are traveling with someone with disabilities or who has a hard time walking long distances, I would definitely look into something like this.)

Chicago from the Skydeck

Another way to get a great view and map out your route to the best music, entertainment, attractions and activities is by traveling up to te 103rd floor of Skydeck Chicago and peering out at the city from Hancock Observatory. Even those who are afraid of heights can appreciate the views from up top.

Navy Pier from the window of The W Hotel just as the sun sets behind the city

So now that you have seen Chicago from many different angles, it’s time to dive in and really experience this city. I think it may be a law that you cannot visit Chicago without going to Navy Pier and why wouldn’t you want to? With spectacular views and photo opportunities of the lake as well as carnival attractions including a gigantic ferris wheel, a stained glass museum and delicious snacks, Navy Pier has something for everyone and you could spend hours here, if not a whole day. Walking along the lakefront is great exercise and a great way to see the sights.

Gate Cloud at Millenium Park

Getting back into the city, Millenium Park showcases one of the largest, shiniest kidney beans known to man…just kidding it is the Cloud Gate which reflects the scenery and all around it. There is also an interesting architectural concert stage where you are able to enjoy shows nightly or on special occasions.

Shoping on The Magnificent Mile

They don’t call it magnificent for nothing, The Magnificent Mile makes you feel like you are in New York, shopping ’til you drop! I am convinced that there is just about every genre of store, boutique and restaurant and I try to take advantage of browsing and participating in the excitement of finding a great deal or a unique piece every time I’m there.

 Strapped for cash, but want to do it all? Many of these attractions are free as they are situated in the city and are open to the public to wander and enjoy as they please. The Oprah show is taped here, though tickets are in very high demand, you are sometimes able to get a last minute ticket in on the day of the taping if others didn’t show up to claim their spot.

(TIP: Look into the latest rules and procedures of getting a ticket to Oprah if you are interested in doing so while you are here as she only tapes on certain days of the week and may or may not be offering tickets to the public on certain taping days.)

Lions at Lincoln Zoo

Giraffe at Lincoln Zoo

 The Lincoln Zoo is free to the public and is great for animal lovers of all ages to take a break from the city life and soak up some “Vitamin Z” (this is actually a Detroit Zoo initiative, but I love the creative phrase).

If you do have a few bucks to play with and didn’t get your fill of the aquatics at the zoo, I highly recommend visiting the educational and breathtaking exhibits at Shedd Aquarium.

Sea Turtle at Shedd Aquarium

Dolphin show at Shedd Aquarium

(TIP: Shedd Aquarium is a high traffic attraction, so if you are in town during a weekday, I would choose that day to visit and make sure you have plenty of time to take in all that there is to see here.)

There is a beautiful light and fountain display at Buckingham Fountain upon nightfall if the energetic nightlife is not your thing. It seems a bit off the beaten path, but it is definitely worth seeing. I like going and doing just about everything there is to do in a city like Chicago, so would recommend seeing a comedy show at Second City Comedy Club or lavishing in the fantastic talents of a musical.

Buckingham Fountain

Wow, I’ve touched my favorite attractions and now I’m hungry…gotta have a Chicago-style hot dog at Portillo’s or get criticized while I eat at Ed Debevic’s, good times!

Chicago-style hot dogs at Portillo's

I hope I didn’t miss too much, but if I did and you know of more great things to see and do in Chicago, please share as I would love to visit them on my next trip.

Outside? Nope, inside The Wynn.

Pretty much everything I mentioned above you can do without being 21 (minus the bars), for free or at a very low cost. If you do have some extra time I would definitely take a tour of The Grand Canyon and The Hoover Dam, they are magnificent and are not too far from the strip. If you have the resources, or are lucky enough to gain some resources while you are in Sin City (woo-hoo!) I would look into taking a helicopter ride over The Grand Canyon, it is truly breathtaking.

Suited up and waiting for The Blue Man Group to start! Very interactive.

(Really my computer crashed and I had a hard time back-tracking to find all of my photos sorry, I guess you will have to take my tips and run to Vegas yourself!)

(TIP: This locale is pretty far north and tends to be a bit chilly, so be sure to pack a sweater and an umbrella if you are interested in visiting the majestic, yet misty waterfalls or shoreline tours by boat that are so famous in this area).

Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (often called the U.P. for short) is home to the Mackinac Bridge (which connects the upper and lower peninsulas), Mackinac Island, Tahquamenon Falls, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Oswald’s Bear Ranch, Shipwreck museums, glass boat viewing tours and much more.

(TIP: visit www.puremichigan.org or www.nps.gov for more attractions and information on this area that would suit your travel ideals.)

Mackinac Bridge, crossing from the lower to the upper peninsula of Michigan.

I tried to take advantage of the lush green landscape and beautiful lakeshore activities while I was there and crossed the Mackinac Bridge to visit Tahquamenon Falls, Oswald’s Bear Ranch the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and Mackinac Island.

A good place to stay if you would like to bunk up near the Tahquamenon Falls is the Tahquamenon State Park Campground. There are public restrooms, bathing facilities, water and electrical hook-ups for a less rustic camping experience.

(TIP: Try to reserve a spot before you leave as they fill up pretty quickly, especially in the summer months.

Tahquamenon Falls consist of both upper and lower falls (within driving or hiking distance of each other). According to state park literature, the falls get their copper color from plant tannins (proteins) that seep into the Tahquamenon River from its surrounding shores. They are sometimes called “Root Beer Falls” because of their coloring. There are paved walkways through the woods and photo platforms to get you very close to the falls. The photos on the overcast day hardly do them justice.

Distant view capturing all of Lower Tahquamenon Falls.

Distant view capturing all of Upper Tahquamenon Falls.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

About 20 minutes from the falls is Oswald’s Bear Ranch where you can feed and get your photo taken with a black bear cub! They are darling, but their great strength and intelligence is obvious, even at a young age of 6 months. There were also 27 other bears on the ranch, separated by age and sex in their large roaming area, which you are able to walk around and view them eating and playing bearish games with each other.

Jeff and I at Oswald's Bear Ranch with Mary, a balck bear cub at the ripe age of 6 months.

Mary must have liked the smell of my hair!

(TIP: This attraction is a little tricky to find, so keep a good eye out and don’t give up, it is worth every minute for animal lovers and those who would like to have an experience of a lifetime. Also, remember that these bears are cubs & are very playful!) 

The U.P. is rich with spectacular waterfalls and gorgeous lakeshore views, making the power of one of Michigan’s natural resources obvious in the formation of this peninsula. The majority of the waterfalls can be hiked or driven to by car. There are some limitations to handicap accessibility for some of the viewing sites, but there is plenty for all to see at any level.

View of Lake Superior from the Holiday Inn Express.

The next stop was Munising, Michigan. I stayed at the Holiday Inn Express and was very happy with the microwave and refrigerator in every room, wireless Internet access and a guest computer center, deluxe continental breakfast with eggs, biscuits and gravy, french toast and danishes, cereals, yogurt, bagels etc., indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, nearby casino and the best part was the view of Lake Superior, wow!

Just a small sample of the Pictured Rock Lakeshore framed by the heavily wooded hiking area above it.

Miners Falls a part of Michigan's Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Miners Castle a part of Michigan's Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

The beach at Miners Castle. (photo by Jeffrey Woehler)

 (TIP: When you are hiking, it is always wise to carry a bottle of water with you so you do not become dehydrated. The hike can become more strenuous than you first thought so play it safe and take as many breaks as you need along the way, the view when you arrive will be much better if you can enjoy it!) 

If you would like to see the lakeshore and its many beautiful landmark sites, but cannot physically make the hike or do not have enough time to hike the shores, there are waterbound cruises available at a reasonable price, though most of the waterfalls do require at least a little walking to see.

Since I was a bit pressed for time myself and wasn’t interested in making long hikes on this trip, I did not get to see all of the waterfalls this area has to boast, but I did get my share of quite a few of the amazing views that were sometimes right on the side of the road! Below are some more views of this naturally wonderful area.

Munising Falls.

Alger Falls, this waterfall was right alongside M-28, the main highway leading into Munising.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mackinac Island is easily accessible by ferry and can definitely keep you occupied for days with its bike rentals to tour the island and take in the beautiful views of its share of Lake Superior. There is also many unique restaurants, fudge shops, horse drawn carriage rides, souvenir shops and boutiques to cater to all interests.

A quaint island, yes, but the continuous festivities and tourist hospitality is grand in the warmer months of the midwest. When deciding to take a trip to Put-In-Bay, I recommend you look into the activities that are taking place on the island at the time you are going and plan ahead as much as possible, because some events are very popular and it can be hard to find lodging given the size of the island.

(TIP: Rent a golf cart for transportation, it makes it much easier to get around, find parking and it’s fun to feel the cool breeze as you scoot around the island to and from each interesting place to visit. Delaware Cart Rental has a variety of sizes available and rental durations and is located in the heart of the island. If you want to keep your cart overnight, or for a few days that you are there, I believe Delaware is the only place this is possible. Please drive safely as these are motor vehicles and all safety and law regulations apply the same as if you were driving a car.)

Some excited golf cart riders.

Let’s back up a bit, we covered that this is a island and transportation by car is frowned upon, so how do you get there and go about getting a golf cart? Well, there are two ferry’s not too far from each other that you can either use to transport your car and yourself or you can park your car in the ferry lot and walk on as a pedestrian and take a shuttle to your lodging. (there are free lots and there are also lots with a one-time parking fee where you are able to park for as many days as you are on the island)

(TIP: The ferry pricing is slightly different at each location, so make the decision based on where you are staying on the island, how much time you are spending on the island and if you need a quick entrance/return voyage to mainland Ohio.)

Let’s not forget our beloved boaters! There is a harbor available for boat parking if you would like to arrive via your own floatable vessel This harbor is located in the heart of the most populated area of the island where there are shops, nightlife, restaurants and great people watching.

It is a great tour around the island, dining at some great restaurants unique and delicious, traveling up into (NAME!) the tower/lighthouse and learning about colonial wars and weapons, visiting a retired ship which has been made into a house, swimming at the beach, watching planes land at the airport (yes this small island actually has an airport) wine tasting and touring at Heinnemans Winery(?), taking a tour of a chocolate museum, visiting a butterfly house, walking through a real cave, playing put-put golf and listening to local bands play a variety of music at one of the many bars and restaurants. It is a great place to get a group of friends or family together and enjoy a long weekend seeing the sites.

View from the lighthouse overlooking the bay and harbor area of the island.

(TIP: Put-In Bay hosts many themed weekends, such as Christmas in July, where attendees dress in santa suits and elf costumes and get together for a few festive nights in the town. If you are interested in attending one of these themed events, I recommend booking a campsite, house or hotel a few months in advance as well as a golf cart with enough seats for yourself and your travel mates.)

Life-sized letters spelling California in front of Disney's California Adventures.

The home of Hollywood, gigantic Redwoods and Sequoias and a beautiful coastline, California has a lot to offer any traveler, whether you are looking for nature, nightlife, educational opportunities, breathtaking views or a night in the limelight.

I’ve had the opportunity to spend some time in quite a few cities in the Golden State of California as I took a road trip from north to south, stopping at all of the famous tourist spots and finding a few hidden gems along the way. Each city has its own special charm that keeps me begging for more. I will start in the north and work my way down, leaving no stone unturned or tip untold. Whatever you do, make sure to bring a camera and/or video camera to soak in the views, they are out of this world. I’ve included just a few to give you a hint to what’s out there.

Crescent City, CA
At the northernmost tip of California is Crescent City, a quiet fishing town with amazing views of the rocky shores of the Pacific Ocean and easy accessibility to  Highway 101 (follows the coast of the state all the way down–amazing views).

(TIP: It is a bit chilly here, even in the summer, so be sure to pack a long pair of pants and a jacket.)

The shores of Crescent City with unfamiliar seaweed and loads of smooth driftwood.

Klamath, CA
Not too far from Crescent City is Klamath, a small town with rolling green hills right off of Hwy 101, where you can actually drive your vehicle through a tree, yes I did write tree, these redwoods are ridiculously big! The attraction is called Tour-Thru Tree.

(TIP: This attraction may just seem like a person’s home, and it is, but arrive in the morning to avoid congestion at the attraction. There is also a more well known and similar attraction called Shrine Drive-Thru Tree in Myers Flat and there is a few more attractions there where you can drive on a giant redwood and play in a redwood treehouse.)

Driving through the Tour Thru Tree in Klamath, something you can't do many other places.

Another “must do” is the Redwood National Park. Though you are driving through the redwoods on Hwy 101, which I recommend, you should make multiple stops and take it all in, which is hard because there is so much to look at! 

Northern shores of California off of Hwy 101 throughout Redwood National Park.

Myself in comparison to a gigantic redwood at Redwood National Park.

There is also an area to pull off and you will hopefully get to see some elk eating, bucking or just hanging around. Let’s just say within these few miles I felt very small compared to my surroundings.

Bucking Elk off of Hwy 101 in Redwood National Park. (about 100 feet away)

(TIP: Be very quiet so you do not spook the elk and of course do not get too close, though they are probably used to humans to a certain extent, these are still wild animals.)

San Francisco, CA
I love nature, the serenity of the ocean and towering redwoods, but it was invigorating to get into the city, especially when that city is a lively harbor like San Francisco! There are plenty of hotels within walking distance of the harbor with stops for the trolly, tours of the city and Alcatraz, access to shopping and fairly inexpensive, yet delicious dining with great sunset views at the piers and photo opportunities of the barking sea lions who mate and rest there during the summer; and of course The Golden Gate Bridge. Be sure to visit the Boudin bread factory and restaurant as well as Lombard Street, between Hyde and Leavenworth streets to travel down “the crookedest street in the world.”

The Golden Gate Bridge in all its glory on a misty Summer morning.

Sea lions in the harbor of Pier 39 in San Francisco.

Lombard Street on Russian Hill, "the crookedest, most winding street in the world."

(TIP1: Book your tickets to Alcatraz before you arrive and make sure you are at the pier/loading dock early in order to get a good spot on the ferry to take pictures of this landmark attraction. Purchase the extra audio tour, there are some fascinating information and tips for taking great scenic photos.

Alcatraz Island

San Francisco Trolly and city tour with many facts about the city, great views of the steep streets and stops in well known shopping districts.

(TIP2: When on a city/attraction tour of any sort, give your tour guide & driver a small tip when you get on so they know they will be taken care of and will usually throw in a few extra jokes and tidbits about the location–ask questions too! At the end of the tour you can decide if you really enjoyed the tour and give a little extra, or simply say thank you and step off, knowing you already gave something. Keep in mind what you would like to receive if this was your job.)

Yosemite, CA
A national park that is righteously famous for its spectacular Sierra Nevada Mountain views, hiking, wildlife and waterfalls. There are many modern hotels in the park as well as a small grocery store, restaurant, camping areas and cabins. I took the mid ground and rented a cabin from Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders, which turned out to be more like a house and had a wonderful time. I even found pine cones over a foot long! I guess everything is bigger in California.

View of one of many valleys of Yosemite National Park.

One of many waterfalls in Yosemite Valley.

(TIP/WARNINGS:
1. Make sure to keep your food and garbage in provided lockers if you are camping, as there are bears and wildlife that are interested in what you brought.
2. If you are staying somewhere a little off the beaten path, like I did, be careful driving at night on the mountain as there are little to no streetlights, we city people are so accustomed to to guide the way.
3. If you plan on hiking make sure to bring plenty of water, hiking 1 mile may not seem like a lot to some people, but with heightened elevations, your body needs many pit stops and water breaks.)
 

Motown's own, Aretha Franklin, one of thousands recognized in the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Los Angeles, CA
The true home of Hollywood, downtown L.A. where the tourist attractions are, is a lot smaller than I first imagined, but there is a ton to do in such a compact area, that’s for sure. The walk of fame lines Hollywood Boulevard and Vine streets and features over 2,000 stars for those who impacted the entertainment industry. Mann’s Chinese Theater and Kodak theater are real movie theaters! They are quite elaborate and offer much more than say an AMC or MJR, but they play movies like any other theater, which I was surprised by. The Hollywood sign is short drive up Mulholland Highway where there is a lookout point where you can see the sign as well as much of the L.A. basin. (The sign is off limits to hikers and is guarded by a fence and alarm system to avoid vandalism.)  It is interesting to take a guided tour to stars homes up Mulholland Highway as well (tickets available at Mann’s Chinese Theater courtyard and many other locations, but I bought my ticket at this location and loved the tour my driver gave we even saw a few stars hanging out in their driveways with their kids!). Get in line for Jimmy Kimmel, all you have to do is sign up during the day outside the studio and return back at night for the taping to be a part of the in-studio audience, but arrive early in the evening to get a good spot in line, it’s first come, first served.

(TIP: CBS and other larger networks do tapings within a few miles of this area and you could be a part of their in-studio audience as well, but again, it is always first come, first served so plan on waiting a long time in line depending on the show even if you have ordered placeholder tickets online or by mail at times. (I had to spend the night on the street in line twice, in order to get on The Price Is Right, but it was worth it!)

There is also a Ripley’s believe it or not museum, The Guinness Book of World Records museum and the Hollywood Wax Museum on the strip for things to do. Some things I need to go back and see are the L.A. Zoo, The La Brea Tar Pits, UCLA’s campus and to spend more time on the warm, sunny beaches that are so close to the city as well.

(TIP: There are many hotels within a block or two from the Hollywood limelight of attractions, but I was on a small budget for a weekend trip once and stayed in  the Liberty Hotel; it was a small, low frills hotel, but it was literally right behind the Kodak theater for under $100 a night (depending on the season and yearly rates), so it was very convenient).

Hollywood Sign from Mulholland Highway lookout.

Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse at the entrance to Disneyland.

Anaheim, CA
Mickey Mouse’s first celebratory home–the home of Disneyland, which celebrated 50 years in 2006 is a great place for kids from 1-100 years old. I enjoy staying in the Disney themed hotels as they are very convenient to get to the park and it gets me excited to be there. As a Disney hotel guest, you also get the added perk of “extra magic hours” where you simply show your room key and get a wristband to either arrive a few hours early or stay a few hours later than guests who don’t stay at a Disney hotel. I stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, where there was a Neverland themed pool with Ariel’s Grotto and a pirate ship shaped slide into the pool (of course I had to try it just once).

(TIP: Extra magic hours are different each day and some rides may not be open for these extra hours, so be sure to check with the concierge or front desk. Also check for any attraction delays and show times to be able to get the most out of your visit in the time you are there.)

Disney’s California Adventure is more for adults, with a little higher fear tolerance needed when riding these rides, such as the giant ferris wheel that loops and swoops you over a large bay, yikes! Both of these parks are fairly small and weren’t too crowded when I was there in the beginning of August, so you could probably get by with spending one day there and still get to see everything at both parks. I am pretty well versed on everything Disney, so you may want to take a day for each park to really soak in all of the magic and pixie dust . There are many interesting shows with talented characters, enjoyable rides and fantastic parades, but the nightly fireworks show over Cinderella’s Castle is always a must for me–amazing!

Fireworks over Cinderella's Castle at Disneyland.

San Diego, CA
A culture rich environment with a lively nightlife and the best zoo I’ve ever been to! 

(TIP: There are many hotels near The San Diego Zoo in this historic city, so be sure to do a bit of research before you select your resting place as some are less modern and a bit more eerie than others. Park Manor Suites is a fairly nice hotel, but didn’t have the charm and modern accommodations its Web site boasts, nice restaurant with nightly entertainment though.) 

Though I have not spent much time in the city itself, I do know The San Diego Zoo is overwhelmingly interesting and educational. I tried to visit all of the 4,000 animal exhibits and see a few of the educational animal interactive shows and demonstrations, but one full day is definitely not enough even with the “Skyfari Aerial Tram” taking you from one end of the zoo to the other. Not only is it a great zoo to see a ton of animals, there is also lush vegetation, sculpted shrubs and large statues adorning the walkways and exhibits that are sure to please the eye.

(TIP: Bring comfortable walking shoes and take hydration breaks if you aren’t able to spend more than one day at the zoo, there is A LOT of ground to cover!) 

Not positive on the exact species of this primate, but he/she sure is cute!

Panda sleeping in the tree.

Playful polar bear.

If you are already on an animal kick, you should definitely check out Sea World as the bond between the animal trainers and their aquatic companions is very touching and they put on phenomenal shows together.

(TIP: Sit a bit higher in the grand stand if you do not want to get wet, or soaked really, by these massive killer whales and spunky dolphins. You will still get to see a great show and can walk away comfortably.)

Shamu!

Dolphin jumping high for the flag.

At the bottom of the state already? Yup! If you have any questions on any area I’ve covered or have any other insight to offer, please let me know, I’d be happy to update.