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Monterey Bay and Big Sur

A few days on the Central Coast is a wholly different experience for visiting Southern California. Nearby attractions like the scenic drives on coastal byways like Highway 1 take you around the beach and over to Carmel. This is where the beaches are even more lovely, and as a result, the 17 Mile Drive around Pebble Beach and past the world famous Lone Cypress are sights you dont warm to miss. Further south, where San Simeon marks the end of the Central Coast and Big Sur, Hearst Castle is an oasis of luxury that has stood for over 60 years.

The beaches on the Central Coast are delightfully empty, the people warm and friendly, and the scenery so stunning that you will never forget the sunsets over Monterey Bay and Big Sur.

to Monterey State Beach - El Estero Lake

A five-minute stroll to Monterey State Beach and the Pacific Ocean, the Monterey Bay Lodge is a comfortable hotel set in a lush green garden setting. El Estero Lake and Park is a lovely place to visit and one of the most centrally located Monterey hotels. All you have to do is cross the street to get to another park. Schedule a spa treatment, and then relax at the heated outdoor pool. The 45 guestrooms are perfect for couples or families to stay on their Monterey vacation.

Fitting with the old world flavor of historic Monterey, there is an old mansion that is one of the most splendidly restored Victorian mansion, making this one of the most charming and historic Monterey hotels. Hand carved furniture, gleaming hardwood floors, and elegant fireplaces grace the rooms and suites of this lavish hotel. There is no lack of amenities or service; amenities include data ports in the dual-line phones, daily maid service, and the most comfortable beds.

Monterey history hotels

Traces of history are visible all over Monterey. The Old Fishermans Wharf area was the center of the bustling fishing industry that thrived on the fresh daily catches of sardine from Monterey Bay. This was also a transportation hub, with freight and passenger ships arriving four times a week. Nowadays, the Wharf is home to some of the finest California restaurants serving fresh seafood, a Wharf Theatre that stages plays, and a number of souvenir and fishing shops.

With so much to see, you can plan a Monterey vacation and spend a relaxing weekend taking in the beauty of this historic seaside town. Enjoy the personalized service at a local bed and breakfast, or stay at one of the Monterey hotels that are within walking distance to the main attractions.

Monterey

On the gentle slopes above the windswept shores of the Central Coast is the historic seaside town of Monterey. The Spaniard Gaspar de Portola was sent north from Mexico, and in 1770 spotted Monterey Bay. Monterey remained the base for Spanish forces in California. Mexico then claimed California as part of its territory, and war broke out with the United States until Commodore Sloat claimed Monterey for the Union in 1846.

You can see attractions like the Monterey Bay Aquarium on a mile long walking tour of Monterey. This is a take you through a short walk downtown to historic sites like the Custom House, which is the oldest governmental structure in the State of California, and onto other areas like the Wharf and the Marina.

Westin Bonaventure - hotel - spa

A comfortable and conveniently located Los Angeles hotel is the Westin Bonaventure. There are 1,350 rooms, each with the plush Heavenly Bed that is a Westin trademark that you can expect to find when you stay at these hotels. The 35-story Westin Bonaventure is centrally located, so you can access the nearby Los Angeles attractions.

When you factor in the elegant façade and its enormous size covering a whole city block, this recently renovated Los Angeles hotel is spacious and fresh. To accommodate guests, there is an excellent spa onsite, and over 20 bars and restaurants to enjoy. Enjoy the unmatched views from L.A. Prime Steakhouse, which is on the roof level, or the rotating BonaVista Lounge. If you’re looking for something more Hollywood the Four Seasons Beverly Hills Fits the bills. Celebrities frequent this posh Los Angeles hotel that is site of a hot late night scene and a-list gatherings.

From star-studded movie premieres to the famous neighborhoods where celebrities have made their mark, Los Angeles is a place unlike any other. Experience perfect weather, see beautiful people and enjoy the world-famous places in Los Angeles California.

West Hollywood - hot nightlife

With a diverse population, there is a whole side of the city besides the lure of the big Los Angeles attractions. West Hollywood has a hot nightlife and is home to gay and lesbian clubs. You might also catch some actors in the area enjoying VIP treatment at the most exclusive Los Angeles nightclubs.

Anyone who knows about Los Angeles has heard of neighborhoods such as Beverly Hills and Bel Air, which are affluent communities, as are the private areas on Malibu Beach, which are closed to the public. Adding to the unique environment you can enjoy on a Southern California Vacation, these posh, manicured neighborhoods are home to some of the biggest Hollywood stars.

Downtown Los Angeles is the center of it all, and there are a lot of hotels in the area within walking distance to nearby attractions and Southern California Beaches.

Southern California - Disneyland

Southern California is home to mega-attractions and theme parks such as Disneyland and Universal Studios Hollywood. The largest movie studio in the world is Universal Studios, and you can come close to the excitement of movie making when you visit here on a Los Angeles Vacation. Most of the movie theatres are in the Westwood part of Los Angeles, and this is also where major movie premieres are often held.

At night, the near by Universal City Walk comes to life. The bright lights of this glittering promenade advertise the cool stores, nightclubs, eateries and movie theatres. This is an entertaining place to spend a weekend while you visit on your next Southern California Vacation.

If you include the large nearby ocean side cities such as San Diego, and the miles of California Beaches, one can easily understand why a Los Angeles vacation is a fun and family friendly way to spend a week or two.

Los Angeles

Second in size only to New York, Los Angeles is a large, bustling metropolitan area in Southern California. Everything is on the grand scale in Los Angeles and there are so many things to do. This county and sprawling city is situated in an area that has worldwide for its entertainment industry, high-end shopping areas, and theme parks, making this area the setting of the best highlights of a Southern California vacation.

LA is one of 88 cities in Los Angeles County. There are neighborhoods like Beverly Hills and Hollywood that only add to the reputation of this big city. Hollywood, in Northeast Los Angeles is known for Hollywood Boulevard and the famous bronze stars with the name of famous Hollywood actors on them on the Walk of Fame.

Also on Hollywood Boulevard is the Mann’s Chinese Theatre. This is an impressive Asian-styled theatre that has elaborate decorations on its front. The plaza in front of the Chinese Theatre also bears the marks of Hollywood stars. Many of them have their handprints in the cement, similar to ceremonies of the Hollywood Boulevard Walk of Fame. Outside, there are actors dressed in interesting costumes from a movie, or as a star like Superman or Marilyn Monroe. They’re happy to take a picture with you, and they appreciate the tips they get from tourists on a Los Angeles Vacation.

Los Angeles - Magic Castle

Los Angeles is a big city that takes at least a weekend to fully explore. Hollywood is located close to downtown and major attractions like Movie Studios, so it’s a good place to look for a place to stay and turn your trip into a Hollywood vacation. If you’re looking for a cheap Hollywood hotel the Magic Castle gives you great value and comfortable accommodations that are shielded from the traffic on Franklin Avenue. This used to be an apartment building; so all the guest rooms at this Hollywood hotel overlook a courtyard with a pool. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to find a comfortable Hollywood hotel.

A recent facelift to the Hollywood Boulevard is the elegant Renaissance Hollywood Hotel, which was renovated in 2002. Inside, the Kodak Theatre is the famous venue where the annual Academy Awards Ceremony is held. You can see the city and the Hollywood sign from the windows of the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel.

You can feel like a star on your Hollywood vacation as you look across to the Hollywood Hills and imagine what it might be like to have the world at your feet.

Mann’s Chinese Theatre - Museum

Los Angeles also has high ticket shopping areas like Wilshire Boulevard and Rodeo Drive, only adding the mystique and lure of this city. From past to present, you can experience the magic and nostalgia of the big screen in Hollywood CA. The Hollywood Entertainment Museum lets you see famous props like the captains chair from the original Starship Enterprise. Also a major landmark, the Chinese Theatre is an impressive sight that you should forget to include on your Hollywood vacation. Stars of the big screen have made their impression here as well; they flock to this elegantly lit theatre for movie premieres and have their handprints and name on the sidewalk in front of the Chinese Theatre.

Places like Hollywood Boulevard, Mann’s Chinese Theatre, and the famous sign are famous landmarks you can expect to see on Hollywood tours. You don’t have to waste your time reading when there are a number of companies that lead Hollywood tours to the major attractions. You can save a lot of time and get a more enriching experience you will actually learn something at if you take one a the guided Hollywood tours.

Hollywood

Hollywood is a world famous tourist destination in the city of Los Angeles. One of the most famous areas in the Southern California, Hollywood is packed with attractions and world famous landmarks.

Just west of downtown Los Angeles, Hollywood, CA is home to historic places like the big Hollywood sign. The first motion picture studios opened in Hollywood in 1911, and just twelve years later, the sign was erected to announce the new Hollywoodland residential area. You can drive to the 50-foot sign that no longer has the word land, but is still one of the most exclusive areas in Los Angeles to live in. It has lost its 4,000 light bulbs, but it is still a famous part of the history of Hollywood.

Below the eccentric homes with great vistas you can also enjoy from the scenic drive through the hills, the Hollywood Boulevard has no lack of attractions for a visitor on a California vacation. 18 blocks of bronze stars with famous movie stars names is embedded in the cement sidewalks of Hollywood Boulevard.

Marina - Blue Whales

Monterey Bay whale watching is a popular activity in Monterey Bay California. On a Monterey Bay whale watching vacation, you will be able to marvel at the abundance of whales that inhabit the Bay. Watch the magnificent acrobatics of the Humpback Whales. Giggle helplessly at their silly antics.

The Blue Whales in the Monterey Peninsula just happened to be the largest animal that has ever lived on the planet. This includes the dinosaur era. The Gray Whales who inhabit the Monterey Peninsula have the longest migration of any land or marine mammal on earth. They migrate south to the Monterey Peninsula in the winter and north to Alaska in the summer.

Marina - Monterey Bay

The area that we now call the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and State Seashore was once the exclusive domain of the Ohlone peoples. The Ohlone was a tribe that inhabited much of the coastal region of California, especially the Monterey Peninsula. Seafood was an extremely important part of their diet.

Monterey Bay California sits like a jewel on the Pacific Coast. It is the ultimate marriage of land and sea. The best of both these elements unite to create an exquisite vision of natural beauty. You will find yourself astounded by the magnificent plant and animal life. Sea Otters, Harbor Seals, Bottlenose Dolphins and Gray and Humpback Whales make Monterey Bay California. Do you remember the film Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home? It was filmed at the Monterey Bay, California Aquarium.

Marina - history

Marina, California was once home to Fort Ord. which was an army training base. Today, the 8,000 acres of the former base are now considered public land. However, because of its past as a military training base, the area now has an intricate system of trails that can be enjoyed on foot, bike or horse. Fort Ord is home to one of the largest maritime chaparral areas in all of California.

Marina, California is also famous for its fabulous dunes. Back in the 1950s, these Dunes were a major source for construction sand. Today, you can watch the amazing hang gliders depart for their aerial journeys on the cliffs which rise triumphantly above the Pacific Ocean. If you desire, you can go fishing, surfing, bird watching and whale watching activities to keep you entertained. The City of Marina, California is an ecologically sensitive region. It has the privilege of overlooking one of the largest marine sanctuaries in the Monterey Bay California.

Marina

The stunning City of Marina California is an oceanfront city that stands proudly and majestically on the breathtaking Monterey Bay. It is located at six miles north of Monterey Bay, California on California State Highway 1, 108 miles south of San Francisco, 355 miles north of Los Angeles. The City of Marina California has an excellent location. Because of this, it enjoys a Mediterranean climate with average temperatures of between 50º and 70º.

The City of Marina, California fills 9,000 fruitful acres of land. It gracefully extends for five miles along the Pacific Ocean. You can approach the City from either of two harbors or three airports, all within 10 miles of the city.

The City of Marina, California was established in 1918. In the 1930s and 1950s, the area saw a considerable amount of growth and development. Throughout these years, schools, churches, businesses, a Community Center and residential homes were built. A prosperous community gradually began to evolve from this quiet rural setting. The City of Marina California was incorporated in November of 1975.

Monterey Carmel

However, in your Monterey Carmel dining experience, you will probably enjoy the scrumptious simplicity of California's sauces. These often combine the juices that are released with a cooking wine. Butter and other fats are used less frequently. Perhaps this is why Californians look so great. Speaking of looking great, the food at Carmel California restaurants is always prepared with appearance in mind. Entrees, appetizers and deserts are often works of art in themselves. Creative chefs will often design these items in intricate pattern. As a result, they are both feasts for the eyes and feasts for the taste buds.

So what type of feasts should you expect to find when you set out to explore Monterey Carmel dining? Brick-oven pizzas on hand-tossed crusts, mesclun salads with herbs and toasted goat cheese, delicious breads, fresh from the local bakeries, broiled Black Mission figs with locally made honey, sandwiches prepared with sliced avocado and juicy tomatoes and grilled fresh fish and poultry with prepared with a freshly-made piquant citrus salsa. Are you hungry? Let's Go!

Carmel - Mexican - restaurants

The Mexican influence when combined with the traditional style of California Cuisine has been responsible for the Fresh-Mex or Baja-style of Mexican food. This is not your mother's Mexican food! The emphasis in these restaurants is on the use of fresh ingredients and lighter cooking methods.

The Asian population in California has had a significant influence on California's cuisine. As a result, many of the dishes in the restaurants in Carmel are prepared with soy, bok choy, sesame, ginger, tofu and curry. Much of the food served in the Carmel California restaurants is prepared by fast cooking methods such as grilling, steaming and blanching. Fruits and vegetables are often eaten raw. In many Carmel dining venues, rice and pasta replace the typically American corn and potatoes. While wood fired grills are very popular, barbequing, stewing and roasting are far less common.

Restaurants in Carmel California

When you eat at restaurants in Carmel, you will no doubt have a chance to experience the famous culinary phenomenon known as “California Cuisine.” This form of cuisine was made popular by world famous chefs Alice Waters and Wolfgang Puck. Since California is the leading agricultural state in America, they decided to capitalize on the fruits, vegetables and seafood that is available. As a result, Carmel California restaurants are some of the few places in the world where your dining experiences can be described as both delicious and healthy. California cuisine integrates a number of cooking styles and ingredients. Out of reverence for California's healthy traditions, it creates delicious entrees that are fresh and lean as opposed to fatty and fried.

Many restaurants in Carmel will prepare dishes that use locally-grown ingredients, such as artichoke, avocado, mushrooms, citrus fruits, figs, dates, persimmons, pistachios, prunes, lima beans, kiwi fruit, pomegranates, raisins and almonds. Of course, due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, you will always find superb seafood selections in Carmel California restaurants. Many Restaurants in Carmel serve sourdough bread to accompany your meal. Of course, fine California wine will always be an essential part of your Carmel dining experience.

Carmel - Cypress Inn - beach

The Cypress Inn is one of the most comfortable Carmel Hotels. All year round, you will find guests enjoying the convenient location and home-like atmosphere of a fine Carmel accommodation. Carmel CA is a pedestrian paradise; you will enjoy relaxed strolls through the wide, unpaved streets. There are coffee shops, art galleries, and excellent restaurants. Pet lovers will agree that this is animal friendly lodging in Carmel California, since don’t have to leave their pets at home when they stay as a guest.

The Carmel Inn & Suites is an excellent Carmel accommodation. The affordable Carmel Inn and Suites offer spacious rooms inside a two-story inn. A stay in one of this Carmel Hotels 8 spacious suites that are on the second level of this rewards guests with great views of the Pacific Ocean and the Point Lobos State Reserve to the south.

If you are looking for family friendly lodging in Carmel California the Carmel Inn and Suites will not disappoint. This Carmel Hotels rooms are elegantly appointed, with European furnishings with relaxed countryside charm. Schedule an aromatherapy or a facial if you enjoy pampering, and lie back, savoring the comfort of Carmel.

Aside from the town center, visitors come here to admire the pristine beaches. California beaches range from the cold strong currents and sheer cliff faces of the Northern Coast to the idyllic shores of Southern California beaches. The area around the Golden Gate Bridge sees constant fog covering parts of its dramatic profile. An overnight visit to Carmel will show you what life is like for the warm, friendly people that live in this lovely part of California.

Carmel - Walking - Birdwatchers

Walking along one of the many coast hiking trails, wildlife watching from the empty shores beside Carmel CA is a scenic and relaxing outdoor activity. In the month of January, you might see a California Gray Whale as it migrates. In April or May, you can also watch them as they return with their new calves from the birthing and mating grounds down south.

Birdwatchers should bring their binoculars and be on the look out for one of the 250 animal and birds species that live in the area if the Point Lobos State Reserve, which is easily from Carmel. Just drive two miles south on Highway 1. It is open daily in the summer from 9am to 6:30 pm, and the entrance fee is $8 per vehicle, $4 for seniors and $1 trail maps, quite a reasonable price for prime wild life viewing in a beautiful coastal park.

You might want to spend a weekend relaxing by this tranquil, empty shoreline, and there is no lack of excellent Carmel accommodation. With quaint bed and breakfast, charming coastal inns, the fine choices of lodging in Carmel California rewards the visitor with comfort and beauty.

Carmel

Carmel is set on the blissfully empty, wind swept Central Coast of California, where golden wildflowers blanket the coastal bluffs in the spring, and large boulders dot the sand.

Resting on the rise over the coastal shores, Carmel California is known for having a one of a kind ambience. This quiet town has small museums and charming shops to explore. A good drive from most population centers and hugging the coast is a place of respite for the well-heeled owners of the expensive real estate that covers much of Carmel.

The Carmel area of Big Sur and the Monterey Peninsula is an area filled with Marine life and dramatic coastal views. San Luis Obispo, at the southern end of the Big Sur area is where is somewhere in between the two extremes of the hot, sunny beaches of Southern California and chilly waters and strong currents of the wave battered Northern Coast.

Anaheim - shops restaurants

There are excellent shops and restaurants to explore at the park, so that there is plenty of variety on Disney vacations, like the familiar House of Blues restaurant. There are tons of souvenir shops, museums, and interesting places to visit like the ESPN Zone and Raplh Brennan’s Jazz Kitchen.

With cotton candy, popcorn, and fun galore, this is a city made just for children. Adults will have a blast as well seeing the entertaining shows, and taking a spin on the thrilling amusement rides and visiting the arcades. No matter what your age, you are sure to have a blast when you reserve one of the Disney World vacation packages to Anaheim California.

If you spend your whole vacation in an Anaheim hotel you will be missing out. After all, you’re only minutes from Southern California beaches and the scenic California deserts. Anaheim is a great central spot that is a great home base to enjoy your California vacation from.

Anaheim - Disney resort

Every year, millions of visitors come to Anaheim. With so many guests coming to the Disney resort, Disney World Vacation Packages allow one to combine the cost of flight, hotel accommodations, and admission to the park. From the food to the rental car, you can end up spending more than you have planned rather quickly, so Disney World vacation packages can help families save a lot of money and time by paying for most of the major expenses ahead of time, so that they know beforehand how much they’re spent, which can help with budgeting their Disney vacations and save them the trouble of having to find an Anaheim hotel.

The original theme park is filled with classic fun, with familiar favorites like Main Street USA, Adventureland, Tommorowland, and Fantasyland, each of which delights young and old alike. Downtown Disney and Mickey’s Toon Town are two of the newest attractions that continue the old fashioned cartoon theme. If you’re in Anaheim, be sure to visit the nearby attractions in Southern California like Hollywood and the movie studios.

Anaheim - Disneyland

Thirty miles east of Los Angeles is the well-known city of Anaheim California. The tenth largest city in California, and home to the Disneyland Resort and Disney’s California Adventure, Anaheim is a well-known city. Part of this city’s popularity is due to the fact that in the 1950’s,Walt Disney chose to build a theme park on what used to be acres of orange groves.

Disneyland California Adventure opened in 2001, and has since drawn ever-increasing crowds to Anaheim California. There are 27 restaurants, 18 stores, and great adventures like a flight simulator called Soarin over California. There is also a unique ferris wheel, and water rides.

When Disney’s California Adventure theme park opened, visitors flocked to Anaheim to try the rides and games that are themed towards California attractions and cities, like California Screamin, Grizzly River Run, and Mulholland Madness. Often visitors will plan their Disney vacations to include a visit to this 55-acre park, which is located right next to Disneyland.

California attractions

This part of the State of California has the most attractions and diverse populations, so there is no lack of excitement when you choose to take a California tour. The large theme parks in the area are home to some of the top California resorts, which are hotels and amusements wrapped into one. To the east of LA, Palm Springs is home to spas that are built on natural hot springs. You can find some of the most exclusive California resorts in the Palm Desert area if you drive east from Los Angeles.

Northern California has no lacks of sights to see, either. The city of San Francisco alone deserves at least a weekend of you California vacation to fully enjoy its beauty. Attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge, the Cable Car, Alcatraz Island, and Pier 39, set in some of the most vibrant, cultural neighborhoods, make the city of San Francisco an essential stop on your California tour. From the Bay area you can easily reach Napa Valley or the Central Coast, which has the scenic 17 Mile Drive and the picturesque Lone Cypress.

From the state parks, to the beaches, to the ski resorts, a California vacation can include any sort of fun you could possibly want. No matter what type of activity you enjoy, you can experience it in California.

California Southern

If you want to visit Southern California, there are a few places you should visit. Los Angeles is the second largest city in the country besides the Big Apple, so there is no lack of things to do and see in this area, and there are plenty of California resorts centered around theme parks so you can enjoy a hassle free experience, since everything is easy to find. Disneyland and Seaworld are family friendly places to enjoy a California vacation. Neighborhoods in LA are so outstanding that many have their own reputation that overshadows that fact that they are within a larger city. Hollywood, for example, has the Walk of Fame, and is home to the big movie studios.

Beverly Hills is an exclusive community outside of Los Angeles, but when you're down here, there is no end to the cities, so you are never really sure where one city starts and the other one ends. If you're in Beverly Hills, one of the main areas here for seeing and being seen is Rodeo Drive. One of the most high priced areas in the entire world to shop, Rodeo Drive is a three block stretch of high-end shops and boutiques.

California

If you're considering or planning to the State of California, you will very likely be trying to figure out all the different things you want to do. From the amusement parks and sunny beaches of Southern California to the rugged cliffs and deserted beaches on the Washington Coast and everything in between, there is no end to all the things you can experience on a California tour.

Since the early days of the California Gold Rush, people have been coming to the Golden State from all parts of the country. Nowadays, California is known for being the closest thing to a perfect place, whether it be for the sunny vineyards of Napa, the charming small-towns on the Central Coast, or Southern California's miles of flawless, endless beaches.

The State of California is the most populated in the entire country, due to its immense size and its major metropolitan areas of Los Angeles and San Francisco. This is also the third largest state in terms of size, so you could spend weeks exploring the attractions on a California tour.