5 Days in San Diego

By the same author as my last post comes:Fodor's Travel Wire | 5 Days in San Diego. The San Diego area is an amazing place to visit, and a guest can spend weeks with something new every day, and a resident can spend a lifetime exploring. This article does hit some highlights:
San Diego Zoo (AAA or Entertainment Guide for discounts) and Balboa Park
Seaport Village (this carousel originates from Salsbury Beach in MA) and Sea World (get the feeding schedules before you go and discounts from AAA)
La Jolla Cove and the Sea Lions - I would add the Birch Aquarium at Scripps as well
Cabrillo National Monument -provides a days worth of browsing and a lovely view of the city of San Diego - stop in at the WW II Museum and visit the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetary - take a hike as well
Old Town - when you go come back here and post a comment - I've yet to visit this renowned spot!
Legolad CA - is best for the under 10 crowd, and only a few minutes from my beach condo
Mission San Luis Rey - in Oceanside - all the missions in CA are worth a stop - not one has ever failed to impress and teach adult and child alike.

Some of Southern California's Best Shores

I love water, I love sand, I love waves, I love boats, I love sun...Well you get the picture - so I am a sucker for anything that says " Southern California's Best Shores."

Do I agree that these are the best? Nope, but are they good? Yup. They are far too heavily focused on LA and San Diego, and forget about Orange County. They left out the coves of Laguna Beach, The fine sand and waves of Salt Creek in Dana Point, and the world class surfing of Trestles in San Clemente/San Onofre, and in San Diego county: Oceanside.

Listings of Vacation Rentals, Hotels, and other Lodging with Free Wireless Now Available

I don't know about you but I need more vacation than my work and my husband's work allows me to take. Are you with me? Then take a look at this site for vacation rentals with free wi-fi wireless high speed internet. This site provides a directory of rentals, hotels, and other places that supply free wireless access. In addition they talk about wireless security, products, how to guides, and the latest information on wi-fi.

With a laptop, cell phone, and handy dandy notebook (yes I still find paper useful for some things), I can work almost anywhere. Which means, hey I can go almost anywhere...so why am I writing this blog from my desk on a Saturday night?!

Yes, my 2 California vacation rentals have free wireless access!

Have a "Home Base" with a Vacation Rental or Holiday Home

I'll skip reinventing the wheel on this one as the author of: Have a "Home Base" with a Vacation Rental or Holiday Home did a nice job of explaining some of the advantages of staying in a vacation rental instead of a hotel. Though keep in mind, I've never heard of the web sites he refers to, and I've been doing this 7 years - that doesn't mean they aren't valid resources though! If you still need convincing that a vacation rental or holiday home is right for you - read his article.

If you aren't staying in one of my vacation rentals in CA or ME, check out more vacation rentals in AL, FL, HI, NJ, RI, and TX, or general vacation rental listing sites.

San Diego Zoo - Visiting with the Mobility Challenged

I've been to the San Diego Zoo dozens of times: with toddlers, my husband, nephews, neices, visitors, and even with twice with a dozen Brownie Girl Scouts each time, but never before with anyone who faced any physical handicaps, until today. After convincing my mom to move to southern CA from NH, and of course promising her a trip to the world famous zoo more than 6 months ago, we finally came through on our promise. Mom is in decent health, but cannot walk 25 yards without severe shortness of breath. Anyone who has ever been to any zoo knows that walking around is a major component to the trip; San Diego zoo is notorious for its sprawling campus and steep grades. So how to do this?

Stop 1: Before leaving home check the San Diego Zoo website for information on enjoying the zoo with people with handicaps.
Stop 2: Check on the internet for specials both at the San Diego Zoo website, but also at Entertainment and AAA. We were able to get 10% of with our AAA card.
Stop 3: Check the weather, calendar, and set your alarm clock. We have trouble getting go in the am, and unfortunately hit traffic from Orange County. You could also stay closer to San Diego. Pick a cool day if you can, even better one that threatens rain to keep the crowds down. Summer, school vacations, and weekends are most crowded in that order. If you do get a late start, just stay until they kick you out (evening and early mornings are the best times to see active animals).
Stop 4: Remember your handicap placard, but don't count on parking close. They don't have enough handicap spots, and you will likely need to drop off your party at the entrance. Send them directly to guest services to chose their entrance package.
Stop 5: Either go to security to arrange free shuttle transportation or go directly to the guided tour bus for a 30 minute drive around the zoo to get your bearings.
Stop 6: Go back to security and rent a foldable wheel chair - only $10. Bring at least two people who can push your person, the hills get a bit tiring. You can arrange free handicap shuttles, or ride on and off the express buses to your locations, or do as we did, and mosy around on foot taking turns at the wheelchair. There is no where you can't go with a little will and elbow grease.
Enjoy!!
Stop 7: Don't forget to go see the mamma and baby pandas. We poked our noses in at 4:45, 15 minutes after official exhibit close, and the wonderful docent/keepers, still allowed us our own private viewing - amazing!

New at California Adventure

I've been planning an article here about California Adventure and Disneyland, but since this popped up today I just couldn't wait. We went on this new ride during its soft opening this winter, and guess what, it was mediocre at best...Fine for the younger set and to sit for a few minutes, but just seemed like the old rides in Fantasyland at Disneyland.

Not a bad way to rest on the "backlots" section,which is pretty lame with the exception of Tower of Terror anyway.New at California Adventure

Washington DC - No Need to Stop and Ask for Directions

It's been over 15 years (I feel old!) since my one and only pleasure trip to Washington DC (I cannot wait to get back there - it just hasn't happened). My memories of that DC trip include the monuments, a taste of the Smithsonian, the National Zoo, and lots of walking - I can still feel the pain from the blisters in my mind. Now the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority home offers not only their popular trip planner feature, but also this nifty walking maps tool. Next time, I'll wear better shoes (one of the pluses of getting older), and I'll walk smarter thanks to Metro.

Costa Rica

This article caught my eye :Fodor's Travel Wire | Just Back from Costa Rica because my one trip to Costa Rica 5 years ago for my 10th anniversary is one I'll never forget, and hope to expand upon sooner rather than later. Like my feelings for the southwest of Puerto Rico, this place is somewhere to enjoy.

The Fodor's art director gets the feeling just right: no matter how long you stay, or how much you do, you know there was more and that Costa Rica would deliver to your expectations and beyond.

I must second her regrets:
-go to Arenal - the volcano
-Arenal is the place to see and hear those howler monkeys (stay at the former observatory)
-do the canopy tour (I didn't and I regret it)
-hike as much as you can in the rainforest (I want to do more)
-enjoy San Jose - it's demise is over reported - our short time was rewarded with great food and accomodations
I would add: Go white water rafting! What a treat in warm water - now I'm hooked - once I realized I wasn't going to die (a good fall out of the boat, and my rescue did that for me).

Flip Flops, Slush, and Gloves or Travel Attire Made Simple

The headlineABC News: Of Bikinis and Blizzards certainly caught my attention...how about yours? You can read the whole article from ABC and John Nance, or you can take some simple advice about airline or even land travel: (in fact if you are a mom like me you probably tell your kids numbers 1, 2, 4, and 5 each and every time they leave the house!)

1. Wear comfortable but suitable clothes (shorts & halters suddenly look unsuitable among a see of business suits or winter coats at your destination).
2.ALWAYS bring a jacket, sweatshirt, or light sweater on board.
3. If traveling to a colder climate pack gloves and your heavy coat in the top or outermost part of your luggage and pray that it arrives with you.
4. Wear sensible shoes for walking and for the weather of your destination. For example: we wear flip flops year round here in Southern California. Those would not be sensible for a trek to visit family in Massachusetts until next June!
5. Pack snacks and a water bottle.