LOS ANGELES TRAVEL SHOW

FAVORITE THOUGHTS AND IDEAS FROM THE TRAVEL SHOW:

Best Airfares:
Arthur Frommer recommended using the aggregators when looking for the best airfare.  These sites tell you what is available on an impartial basis and then you can go direct to the airline website to book the flight.
Here are the recommended aggregators:
Kayak.com
Momondo.com
dohop.com
skyscanner.com
Vintage Comment: I couldn't help but run a test to see if there was much difference between the aggregators and Expedia and Travelocity -  frankly every one of them gave me about the same airfare.  Of course,  they are all worth checking and the prices will vary at times  but I don't know that there is much difference. I have always preferred booking direct with the airline anyway so for me the aggregators are good way to go. 

Hotels and Rentals:
Arthur Frommer suggested  globalfreeloaders.com  for accommodations.
Frequently mentioned websites:  hoteltonight.com for last minutes hotels at 70% discount
vrbo.com  for vacation rentals by owner which  (Vintage comment:  I have had great luck with this website.)
Rick Steves says he always calls and confirms his reservations verbally before arrival. Vintage comment: probably not a bad idea, especially, with the low cost of Skype calls. 
jetsetter.com for reservations 1-3 months out. 
priceline.com which is unfortunately is in the process of reducing the bidding aspect of it's business.


New federal Transportation Department Rules:
One important new ruling that all travelers should be aware of is the  New Total Cost Airport
rule which is effective today. Also included in this ruling is  "a 24-hour window for passengers to hold or cancel a reservation without payment or penalty for reservations made a week or more before the departure date, although some airlines already have voluntarily implemented this policy for years."


Free Travel with Frequent Flyer Miles:
travelhacking.org   this website charges $15.00 per month ($1 for first 14 days)  for advice on acquiring an incredible large number of free airline miles using credit cards.
flyertalk.com  and webtalk.com   are free websites that also offer advice. 
Vintage Comment:  the websites are of value because they have helped my husband and I acquire over 280,000 frequent flyer miles on American Airlines and British Airways in less than a year.

Other suggestions:
Tripadvisor.com for hotel reviews.
Flighttracker.com to follow flights in the air at any time.
Seatguru.com   Vintage Comment: I just decided to give this a try on my seat assignments to Europe which was fortunate because it turned out that the seats we were assigned in both directions were rated as poor by seatguru.com.   Fortunately I was still able to change them.  
Scan the first 2 pages of your passport and e-mail it to yourself so you always have a copy with you.


Photography:
There was a lot about the new apps available for the iPhone and androids and new camera settings like "vivid color"  and "dreamy filter"  I am always amazed at the great photos people take even with the point and shoot cameras and new camera phones - it just keeps getting better.
Vintage Comment:    I am in the market for a new point and shoot camera and I have my heart set on the newly released Canon - PowerShot S100.  It is rated #1 by PC World and others.  I think is would be a good Valentines' gift - don"t you? 

Favorite Travel Blogs:

Finally,  I love to read travel blogs and one of my favorites, which I have been reading for many years,  is Johnny Jet.  He was one of the speakers at the show and I hope you take time to check out his blog to find out "where in the world"  he happens to be today. 


PHOTOS  of a great walk from the Los Angeles Union Station to the Travel Show at Staples Center.  It's just another 80 degree January day in Southern California.

UNION STATION LOS ANGELES

MARKET LOS ANGELES

MARKET

SKIING HEAVENLY IN JANUARY

LAKE TAHOE ON A JANUARY MORNING

LAKE TAHOE

VIEW OF LAKE TAHOE FROM HEAVENLY SKI SLOPE

HEAVENLY

 

 

   This is our first 2012 adventure--a six-night trip to Heavenly Ski Resort in South Lake Tahoe. The Heavenly ski slopes overlook the sapphire-blue Lake Tahoe, making this one of the prettiest ski areas in the country. Little did we know, at the time we planned this trip, that the entire Lake Tahoe region was going to be without snow in early January.

   We also had no idea that Heavenly Ski Resort has the best snow-making equipment in the West. To my amazement, I was able to ski for miles on the man-made snow. (I didn't even concern myself about accidentally going down an expert run since they were roped off and didn't have any snow on them.) The long intermediate runs, mild temperatures, and spectacular views were very much to this "vintage skier's" liking. One of my favorite runs of the day, was the lovely three-mile scenic ski trail over to the California side from Nevada. This was my end of the day run before taking the lake-view chair lift down.

   The price of lodging in South Lake Tahoe beats most ski areas for economy--the casinos have a lot to do with this. We planned to avoid Friday or Saturday nights when the rates are higher. We paid $79.00 per night at Harrah's for a great room with a view of Lake Tahoe and the ski mountain. The casinos also provided my husband (a non-skier) with some entertainment when he is not working. He particularly liked the 25 cent roulette machines and, of course, the free drinks. We also appreciated the convenience of Starbucks coffee in the lobby (with $1.00 refills.).

   Highly recommended is the Lakeside Casino happy hour for fish tacos--the best ever.

   We flew in and out of Reno, and rode the South Lake Tahoe Express bus round-trip from the airport--spending the last night in Reno. I recommend this bus service.

   There is no problem getting around South Lake Tahoe without a car. The sidewalks are accessible, and there is free local bus service.

 

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS





HOTEL DEL CORONADO

 I missed my Tuesday Journey posting this week, and I will probably be missing a few more because I returned to the Midwest for the holidays.  We actually returned a little early because Ron's dear sister Trudi is seriously ill and we wanted to be close by.  We flew from San Diego to Minneapolis. Fortunately the pilot clued us in to the fact that we were flying over the Grand Canyon - it was a spectacular sunset view which continued for quite awhile as we continued  over Colorado.
It's always a tough adjustment to leave southern California for Minnesota in December.   I can't help but wonder why people live here in the tundra but then again I lived here most of my life and I'm normal - right?   

The weekend before we left California we drove down to Coronado Island to see the  Xmas trees and decorations at the Hotel Del Coronado - they were beautiful as usual and after you add a lovely walk along the beach and dinner with great friends it was a good start for the Christmas season. 

TUESDAY VINTAGE JOURNEY - SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

OLD HOME ON LOS RIOS STREET

It's Tuesday and my bike is ready for a  ride on the Trabuca Creek trail to San Juan Capistrano.  Actually, it's a rather short ride but oh what a pleasure.  The path leads to the Los Rios Historical District.  This street parallels the railroad that offers convenient transportation to  San Diego and  Los Angeles. Los Rios is California's oldest residential street with over 30 structures including 3 homes that were built in 1794.  It's a great street to stroll with interesting old homes and vintage decorations. 

MISSION OF SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

  The most popular tourist sight in San Juan Capistrano is the Mission  which was founded in 1776 by Father Junipero Serra and has the only original Mission church in California.  I am looking forward to the annual Christmas at the Mission event that features carolers and beautiful lights. 

 
Directly across from the mission is a Starbucks which is always busy and great for people watching, connecting and working??
A trip to SJC would not be complete without a visit to the Old Barn Antiques Mall where an antique lover can get lost for hours.  Famous locals have been known to frequent the barn including Diane Keaton who was spotted by my husband.                               

JEAN AND FAMILY AT PETTING ZOO

Recently I had the pleasure of meeting my best friend who I have known since kindergarten and her wonderful family at the San Juan Capistrano Petting Zoo. They all rode a train from San Diego for a visit to the Zoo.   Jean's grandchildren loved feeding the animals, riding the ponies and playing in the corn (not sand) box. 

L'HIRONDELLE RESTAURANT

I need to mention a couple of favorite local restaurants.  Ruby's diner is a favorite with families and my husband and I like the double cheeseburgers with Fit? Fries especially when we sit on the balcony overlooking the main street with all its activity.  My brother is a big fan of L' Hirondelle Restaurant which offers a great Sunday champagne brunch. 

CHILDREN'S AREA -  SJC LIBRARY

The old library of San Juan Capistrano is across the street from the beautiful New Parish Church and it has a warm comfortable children's library that I love. It makes me wonder why we so often replace the old historic libraries with new grandiose structures -  especially when the real value is in the content of the library. 

TUESDAY VINTAGE JOURNEY - OCEAN WALK

VIEW IN FRONT OF THE RITZ CARLTON

SURFERS ON THE BEACH

Once again it's time for a special short journey around Dana Point.  This favorite hike starts at the Dana Point Library where I can usually find parking nearby on the street.  From here I walk across Pacific Coast Highway and enter a public gate that allows entry onto the Ritz Carlton property.  A short walk and you are on the path in front of the hotel with a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean - continue down the path  to the Salt Creek Beach Dana Point.  This is great because it offers a beach walk either direction for variety and is especially good at low tide.  There are always some surfers(not sure when they work or attend school) and an occasional boat and  a view of Catalina Island in the distance. 

HOMES ALONG THE WAY

This is one of the few times I am impressed with the lawmakers of California  because the hotels and expensive homes that have been built on the ocean were required by law to allow for public entrances and usage.

This area like so many around this area is quiet and peaceful with very few people around.  I expect it's different during the summer but for a winter retreat this area rocks.   Of course, I haven't commented about the weather but for me it's perfect because it's never too hot and hardly a day goes by when you can't go for a great hike (not to say anything about the sunshine that is almost inevitable).

TUESDAY VINTAGE JOURNEY - SAN CLEMENTE TRAIL

SAN CLEMENTE PIER

Today is another grand day in Southern California - perfect for another Vintage Tuesday Journey.

One of my favorite walks is a San Clemente trail along the ocean that ends at the the San Clemente Pier.  I usually park free on the street near the Avenida Pico stop light on Pacific Coast Hwy.  From there, I walk toward the ocean and onto the trail.  At low tide I like to walk directly on the beach which is good hard sand for hiking. I always take time to walk out on the San Clemente Pier which  goes out in to the Pacific Ocean 1,296 feet and offers spectacular views and interesting people.  One of these days I'm going to bring my fishing pole and pretend I know how to fish just so I can sip coffee and sit on the pier for hours with the locals.  Not sure what I would do if I caught a fish but I bet one of the locals would help me. 
From the Pier you can continue walking for miles at low tide passing the former Nixon west
coast White House.
My husband and I frequently return to San Clemente for dinner at Selma's.  Ron needs to eat gluten free and Selma's serves a highly recommended gluten free pizza and the very best gluten free beer on the market which is Green's (made in Belgium and not easy to find). 

VINTAGE TUESDAY JOURNEY - DANA POINT

TRAIL & SALT WATER LAGOON

VIEW FROM PUERTO PL.

 Todays' Vintage Tuesday Journey features a bike ride to Dana Point.  I jumped on my bike and rode the Trabuco Creek Trail to Dana Point.   As the trail approaches the ocean there is a lovely salt water lagoon which is home to 100's of birds - mainly western gulls but also numerous others like pelicans, great blue herons and sanderling.  It is also a popular bird watching site.  At the ocean I turn right and continue along Little Doheny Beach  observing some volleyball players and beachcombers along the way.   At one time this beach was  very popular with the California surfers including the Beach Boys.  This all changed when the Dana Harbor  and island was built starting in 1963 - danapointhistorical.org.   You still see surfers  but not the experts.
I love the short detour out to the end of Puerto Pl. which allows a great view of the beach and San Clemente.  From there I continue on to the Dana Cove Park and the Ocean Institute, which allows a great view of Dana Point, white water, dolphins and a lonely seal on one of the rocks.

DANA POINT

OCEAN INSTITUTE

As usual I enjoy a few moments sitting on the bench looking at the ocean before heading back.   I decided to stop along the harbor for a coffee on my way back.  The marina is home to hundreds of boats (yachts) with unique names like Stripper and Last Chance.   It is also a popular walking area for all ages and every kind of dog imaginable. 

DANA POINT MARINA

My Tuesday ended at Hennessey's Tavern for the famous 2 for 1 Tuesday hamburgers - highly recommended.