A Pacific Gem

When one thinks of California, the metropolitan centers that immediately spring to mind are that pair of cities that so effectively illustrate the differences between Northern and Southern California: Los Angeles and San Francisco. The former a vast, sun-bleached monument to unchecked urban expansion, the latter a foggy, compact bastion of social progress. But there is more to California than these two extremes. Among those many cities that must seemingly always sit in the shadows of the two titans, sitting also along a stretch of coastline overlooking the incomparable Pacific Ocean, is San Diego.

Named for a Franciscan friar canonized for his miraculous healing, the city is the second largest in its state after Los Angeles and enjoys a similar climate dominated by warmth and sun for most of the year. And as a destination for the out-of-towner, the weather is only the tip of the locally unheard-of iceberg.

San Diego finds itself naturally riven into segments by canyons and hills, with pockets of urban splendor broken up by natural formations, woodland and hills. This segmentation results in the city’s having a wide diversity of neighborhoods, areas, and regions each with its own attractions. The following is but a tiny slice of the great variety to be found there.

If you enjoy getting a feel for a city’s architecture to begin your sojourn, one notable place to stop is the Gaslamp Quarter, a downtown district home to dozens of buildings dating from the Victorian era with whom the district’s namesake is so iconically associated. The density of historic edifices in the Gaslamp Quarter is remarkable and very pleasing to the eye as well as the historically curious mind.

For those who enjoy perusing a city’s cultural riches, the Balboa Park area is an ideal destination. The splendor of this park stretches on in a wide variety of beautiful fauna framed in Spanish Revival architecture. The park hosts a wide variety of museums, such as the San Diego Museum of Art, the San Diego Museum of Man, and the Natural History Museum. For theatergoers, Balboa Park also features The Old Globe Theater, a replica of Shakespeare’s immortal Globe where the groundling in us all can see a number of productions over the course of the year.

Of course, one cannot talk about San Diego without mentioning its beaches. Notable destinations to enjoy the sea are the Mission Beach and Pacific Beach areas, although the coastline stretches along much of the city. The two mentioned are both known for their wide, beautiful beaches where countless people go to swim, surf, and bask. There is also considerable nightlife along these coastal areas, with many bars and clubs to flock to and frolic away the night hours after the beaches go dark.

There are many special events to be found in the city, such as the famous San Diego Comic Con, and to enumerate them would be a lengthy and exhausting process. Go and see for yourself why this city is adored by so many. Go and take a look. LA and SF won’t miss you, or you them.

For more information on San Diego Vacations, visit http://vacationssandiego.com

This video is part 2 of a trip to northern California 13, 14, and 15 November 2009. My original goal on this trip was to visit Lassen Volcanic National Park, but, due to recent snowfall, the road through the park was closed. I will return someday. In addition to views of Lassen Peak, this video includes footage of Sutter Buttes, the Sacramento River, Mount Shasta (a stratovolcano located north of Lassen Peak), and the Hat Creek Valley, including the fault scarp of Hat Creek Rim, Bidwell Ranch and Bidwell Pond. The Hat Creek Valley is a graben that is filled with Quaternary basaltic lava flows. I take a short walk on one of these lava flows toward the end of the video (7:03 to 8:50). Lassen Peak erupted last in 1915. Similar to the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens (though not quite as catastrophic), Lassen’s eruption produced a lateral blast, mudflows and pyroclastic flows, and a devastated area with acres of trees felled and a landscape rearranged on its northeast flank. Today, in addition to the devastated area, there are a number of hot springs, mud pots, fumaroles and geysers within the park boundary. Also within the park boundary are numerous cinder cones and other volcanic peaks of varying age. After the 1915 eruption, Lassen Volcanic National Park was created using lands previously within Lassen National Forest. Therefore Lassen Volcanic National Park is surrounded by Lassen National Forest, lands that also contain numerous volcanic features such as cinder cones …

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Any ideas on websites, activities, prices, etc would be great. 2 Adults, no kids. Have been thinking about doing this for a long time, and life’s too short to let it pass by. Thanks in advance !

Hi…Im getting a little break from work/(5whole days! Woo!!) next week.. and my boyfriend and I are thinking of going somewhere for like 2 days for a mini vacation..we live around Sacramento CA.. where should we go.. something 5hrs driving or less would be cool.. Just somewhere fun for a young couple.. Im 20 and hes 24…so nothing that primarily involves drinking cause I still got a couple months to go… thanks

If I can plea it there, and what the difference is from guilty

San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge of Sonoma County

It is true that San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge does not limit its boundaries to Sonoma County alone, but it would be gravely negligent of me to remain silent about its majestic existence along the north shore of San Pablo Bay just because it is shared with two other neighboring counties in northern California; Solano and Napa.

In the not-so-distant past, less than 150 years ago, San Pablo Bay was enveloped by extensive and intricate marshlands perpetually permeated by surging and ebbing tidal waves of the Pacific Ocean and was regarded as one of the largest systems on the western coast of North America. These rich and sprawling swamps provided an ideal environment for aquatic plants which in turn offered safe havens and wealthy feeding grounds for migratory wintering waterfowl such as canvasback ducks, native shore and water birds as well as an abounding assortment of other land and water species.

Spanning over approximately twenty thousand acres, San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge is just one of sixty-seven wildlife refuges in the San Francisco Bay area, that was established in 1974 to restore the delicate equilibrium of the wetlands, to secure threatened wildlife habitats and to protect millions of vulnerable and endangered indigenous species of flora and fauna as well as the countless migratory birds. To accomplish this gargantuan task by attempting to reverse the damage inflicted to the local tidal marshes by expending agricultural, commercial and industrial activities such as hydraulic gold mining in the 1850s at the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, salt harvesting, rerouting and bleeding its waters and constructing dams, the management of the San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge had formed a partnership with the Department of the Interior, the United .States Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Sadly, only fifteen percent of this natural treasure remains unblemished but there is great hope for the future. Presently, San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a protected sanctuary for a thriving year-round local population of the California Clapper and Black Rails, the Salt Marsh Harvest Mice, the Song Sparrows of San Pablo and the Suisun Shrews. Furthermore, San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a welcoming winter resort for various species of birds especially the diving ducks, as well as eleven kinds of fish that annually cross the San Pablo Bay to their fresh water spawning grounds.

Now that we have seen what San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge does for wildlife, let us examine what it can do for you and me and I am please to inform you that it can do plenty with a capital “P.” Being open to the public every day of the year from sun up to sun down it offers: hands-on educational programs for elementary school classes; off-water fishing in the open bay and sloughs accessible by boats; hunting grounds which are subject to State and Federal regulations and seasonal restriction; hiking and walking trails; and wildlife viewing and capturing on film.

And if you wish to turn your visit to San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge into a true vacation, you will find plenty of charming, rustic and beautifully maintained local accommodations such as B&Bs and inns.

Caution Light on Ski Season Snowfalls

While scientists are dipping their thermometers in the ocean currents off South America and studying satellite weather data, are you waxing your skis or snowboard and wondering if you’re going to be able to hit the slopes this winter? How much snow can you expect for the 2009-2010 ski season? Weather forecasters are batting around the term “El Nino,” a weather pattern that usually means less of the white stuff and bleaker snow reports than in normal years. So, when should you plan that anxiously awaited ski trip to the Cascades, California’s high mountain resorts, or the pure powder slopes of Colorado and Utah? Or should you just sign up for indoor tennis lessons and forget the ski season?

The business of long-range weather forecasting isn’t perfect, but the men and women who venture into this difficult field are suggesting there should be sufficient snow. Keep in mind that some of you have been spoiled by the record snowfall amounts from last season. Figures for some regions indicate a decrease of 20 percent in snowfall for December, January, and February. Yet one forecasting group predicts a 30 percent increase in average snowfall for northern California resorts. Ironing out the variations, predictions suggest there’s going to be slightly less snowfall than in a normal year.

Wind and milder temperatures typically accompany these lesser snow amounts during El Nino years. But cold temperatures can break the cycle periodically. These colder periods often occur around the time of the full moon. Book accordingly!

The snow reports should get better by spring. The El Nino cycle is expected to weaken by March bringing more snow to ski country. In the Rockies, March is typically the month with the most snowfall. So if you’re booking your vacation late, it could be worth the wait.

This home is located in Trinidad, Humboldt County, Northern California which is in the center of the Redwoods of Northern California. The town of Trinidad is on the coast, over looking the Pacific Ocean. The house overlooks Trinidad Harbor and down the coast to Eureka. It is a three bedroom, 2 and a half bath, two story house. It rents by the night or by the week. The most restful holiday you will ever have. There are several beaches that are just a short walk away. The house has a fully equipped kitchen or you can walk to local restaurants. Towels and linens are provided. For more info www.trinidadretreats.com

Poison Ivy, Oak, And Sumac

Poison ivy, oak, and sumac are hardy weeds that can be found throughout the United States, except in Hawaii, Alaska, and some desert areas of Nevada, says Epstein. Poison ivy is found east of the Rockies, poison oak grows in the West and Southwest, and poison sumac thrives east of the Mississippi River. All three produce similar reactions, and if you’re allergic to one, you’ll probably react to the others as well. Cases of poison ivy, oak, and sumac affect 10 to 50 million people in the United States each year, Epstein says. In fact, these plants constitute the single most common cause of allergic reactions. A lucky 10 to 15 percent of Americans are tolerant of these plants, but another 10 to 15 percent are quite sensitive to them. The rest of us fall somewhere in between, with varying levels of sensitivity.

What muddies the waters is that a person’s sensitivity can change over time, even from season to season. You could be quite sensitive to poison ivy as a child and carry no allergy to the weed as an adult. “Some people will never get poison ivy, and others may get it at any age,” says William Dvorine, M.D., chief of dermatology at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore. “It a reaction to one of these plants can appear early in childhood, or sometimes it can appear late in life,” Dvorine says. So it’s not safe to assume that you will always be immune if you are now. But on average, says Epstein, a person’s sensitivity tends to decline with age.

Your level of sensitivity determines how bad a reaction you’ll have. Once the oil touches the skin, it starts to penetrate in minutes. With in 12 to 48 hours, a red, itchy rash appears, followed by blisters that may weep and later get crusty. The area usually heals in about ten days. Among the very sensitive population, affected areas will quickly swell up, the rash can be severe and painful, and the reaction may take up to three weeks to clear up if left untreated. For those in this category, Epstein says it’s important to see a doctor as soon as they realize they’ve been in contact with the plant. Even for people who are not that sensitive, a rash from poison ivy, oak, or sumac is no fun. So here are some tips for preventing the problem in the first place and some simple ways to treat the rash if it does occur. (While the remedies often refer to poison ivy, the steps are generally appropriate for poison oak and poison sumac as well.)

Know The Plant So You Can Avoid It : Find out what the plant looks like in your area, because appearance will vary. “Poison oak in Northern California doesn’t look like poison oak in Southern California,” says Epstein. Typically, poison ivy is a vine or a low shrub with grayish white berries and smooth, pointed leaves usually in groups of three. The reddish leaves turn green in the summer and reddel) again by autumn, according to Charlie Nardozzi, an horticulturist with the National Gardening Association in Burlington, Vermont. Poison oak is a shrub or small tree with greenish white berries and oak like leaves usually in groups of three. Poison sumac is a woody shrub found in swampy, boggy areas that has smooth-edged leaves and cream-colored berries. The leaves of poison sumac retain their reddish color and aren’t grouped in threes. Spotting the plants isn’t always easy. Poison ivy can mimic other plants, such as Virginia creeper, and can twine it self around English ivy. “I’ve tried to make myself an expert, yet I’m fooled all the time,” says Hillard H. Pearlstein, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. You’ll decrease your chance of being exposed to one of these plants, however, if you become familiar with their typical appearance.

Cover up : Long pants, long-sleeved shirts, boots, and gloves provide a barrier between you and the plant’s oil. This is especially important if you’re sensitive and you know you’re going to be in an area that might contain poison ivy. “My wife, who is a gardener, is exquisitely sensitive. She’s learned to cover up or suffer the consequences,” says Pearlstein.

Don’t Let Your Pets Romp in Wooded Areas : If you get a rash from poison ivy but can’t remember being near the plant, you may have your pet to thank. “A common way to get poison ivy is to pet a cat or dog that’s run through the stuff,” says Pearlstein. The oil gets on the animal’s fur and can get transferred to you. Epstein also suggests that you be careful with gardening tools, bicycle tires, golf balls, and anything else you use outside that might come in contact with the oil. Once there, the oil can remain active for a long time, so you can get poison ivy again and again without touching the plant itself if you don’t use care when handling these outdoor items and rinse them after each use.

Rinse Your Clothes Outside : If you think you’ve had a close encounter with poison ivy, the oil may be all over your clothes. If you walk inside your home without rinsing your clothes, you may transfer the oil to rugs or furniture. Water deactivates the oil, so once your clothes are soaked, they’re safe. Epstein also recommends rinsing camping, hunting, and fishing gear so you don’t start off your next vacation with a case of poison ivy. Don’t forget your shoes. “Many times, people will step on twigs or pieces of the vine and the oil will get on their shoes,” says Dvorine. At night, if you take your shoes off by grabbing the sole or the heel, you may grab on to more than you bargained for and end up with a nasty case of poison ivy.

Head For Water Fast : This should be your first step if you suspect you’ve gotten into poison ivy. Whether it’s a stream, lake, garden hose, or faucet, if you can get to water with in five to ten minutes after contact with the plant, you may be able to wash the oil off before all of it sinks in. “The sooner you get wet, the better effect you’re going to get,” says Epstein.

Carry Rubbing Alcohol With You : The oil from poison ivy isn’t absorbed in to the skin all at once, it sinks in fairly gradually. If you move quickly enough, you may be able to use rubbing alcohol to extract some oil from the skin, suggests Epstein. If you think you’ve been exposed to the weed and you’re heading back inside for the day, wash down the exposed areas with rubbing alcohol and then rinse well with water. Don’t use a cloth wipe, Epstein cautions, because that may just pick up the oil and put it somewhere else. And don’t use the alcohol near your eyes.

Cool Off The Itch : If preventive steps failed and you’ve got a rash, cool water may help ease the itch. “A cool bath or cool shower is wonderful,” says Pearlstein. Placing ice-cold compresses on the rash may also provide relief.

Smooth On Some Calamine Lotion : “People typically cover them selves with calamine lotion,” says Pearlstein. “That’s the time honored solution.” Indeed, calamine lotion can be mildly soothing and help to dry the rash. Apply it in a thin layer, however, so that the pores are not sealed.

Apply Burow’s Solution : This lesser-known product (sold without a prescription) can soothe and relieve mild rashes when put on compress-style. It’s often sold under the name Domeboro, in a tablet or powder form that you mix with water (according to package directions). Ask your pharmacist if you’re having trouble locating it.

Go Soak Yourself : Bathing in lukewarm water mixed with oatmeal or baking soda may help to dry oozing blisters and soothe irritated skin, says Epstein.

Try Hydrocortisone Creams : Sold without a prescription, these creams may offer some relief for mild rashes. Epstein says that for anything but the mildest cases, however, these over the counter creams are not strong enough to help. If you have a rash that is severe enough to take you to the doctor, he or she may prescribe more potent steroids

Sacramento Train Excursions

Sacramento is a beautiful city located in a leafy valley of scenic rivers and canopies of trees. The city is referred to as the snapshot of Wild West history in a modern world-class city. It has plenty of great attractions and events, and all-year-round recreational activities. What is more, the city also offers incredible shopping opportunities, hotels and restaurants, nightlife entertainment, and above all, superb and exciting tours. So, if you are planning a vacation trip to this exotic and vibrant place, what more can you ask for?

If you can take a ride on the Sacramento River Train, and travel eastward from Woodland to the Sacramento River, and then go on to West Sacramento, then you will pass through the rich agricultural land of Yolo County. Along the way you traverse across an 8,000-foot long wooden trestle, journey through the numerous orchards and the local crops. You can also sample and buy the region produce when the train makes a halt at Uncle Ray Fruit Stand. This entire train journey takes around two and a half hours. Apart from this, you can enjoy various other train excursions offered by the Sacramento River Train such as the Great Train Robbery, the Party of Fools Express, Scottish Highland Train, Murder Mystery Train, Pumpkin Train, Easter Train, Mothers / Fathers Day Trips, and many more. These excursions can be organized either as group trips or as company charters.

Sacramento Great Train Robbery: This delightful fantasy ride begins from Woodland, in which you get to experience a good old-fashioned Western train robbery. A terrific group of magnificent actors dressed in full western wear makes this trip a very entertaining one. This energetic cast encourages all the guests to participate in the shenanigans. Children are sure to derive a kick from this ride.

The train passes through picturesque countryside, making a lunch halt in a park, where you can have a picnic barbeque by the river. The highlight of the trip is a shootout scene staged by the actors at a place called Robbers Roost enroute the journey.

Sierra Railroad Party Train: In this journey, you can enjoy the rich history of the third oldest short line railroad in North America while you travel through 32 miles of countryside which is completely unspoiled, filled with orchards, rolling hills, and farmland. You will enjoy sighting wildlife like egrets and blue herons perched in the near-by streams and ponds, coyotes on the prowl, rabbits nestling near the track, and red-tail hawks hovering in the skyline.

Sierra Railroad is more commonly known as The Movie Railroad. Due to its superb scenery, this railroad is singled out by movie producers from around the world as a preferred location for filming. The train comprises of elegantly refurbished dining cars with various art-decor patterns adorned with delicate sconces, and a lounge car that includes a full-bar with a dance floor. The historic Baldwin Diesel Engine pulls the train.

Mother/Father Day trips: How does this trip sound to you? You can give this wonderful gift to your parents. This is a complete fishing trip combined with drifting through giant redwoods, and maybe also indulging in a little antique shopping. Your parents can enjoy this breathtaking ride down the world famous Smith River.

So what are you waiting for? Whether its a romantic weekend out, or a family excursion, just dial the number and go to the perfect getaway, and create some unforgettable memories. You can also gift these trips to someone special.

Fly Fishing Information and your next trip

Fly fishing is a great way to enjoy a day, weekend, or week long vacation. It takes a little bit of skill and practice but is quite rewarding and relaxing. It is recommended that before you plan a trip with a fly fishing guide, you should practice so that the trip is more enjoyable. That way, the fly fishing guide can help you get to the right spots on the river, but you spend all your time fishing and reeling in trout and bass. If you don’t practice, you could have paid the fly fishing guide to teach your technique in the water and miss out on fishing.

Colorado fly fishing is some of the best in the world. Be sure to look into Aspen fly fishing guides as well as Denver fly fishing guides and Gunnison fly fishing guides. Montana is another wonderful state to fly fish. Bozeman fly fishing guides are a good place to start if you haven’t been. Wyoming also is home to top fly fishing with great fly fishing guides in Jackson Hole.

Don’t miss you on trying fly fishing destinations in other parts of the US and world as well. North Carolina fly fishing guides are top notch and so are fly fishing guides in Northern California and Washington. If you want the total experience, book a stay at a top fly fishing lodge where you will be pampered and fed well. These locations usually offer breathtaking views that are unmatched. The great scenery is great for a relaxing vacation while the fishing provides excitement and adventure. To book your next trip with a fly fishing guide, go to websites that help you gather info on guides and trips. FishingGuidesWorld.com is a great resource that lets you see how other anglers rate fly fishing guides. Fly fishing vacations are a wonderful way to spend your free time they are relaxing but full of activity.

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Such as the Hilton Garden Inn, i know they go through a slow time, but the job is different. I am awaiting a phone call from them and I need a steady paycheck. Please reply soon. thanks.
My bros work at the Hilton and in the winter, sometimes there won’t be work for a week. And I am concerned that the Hampton does the same.