Archive of ‘Travel’ category

Escape to the Oaks at Ojai

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Have you been dreaming of a girlfriends getaway? A spa weekend, a weekend full of fun hikes, classes, and healthy food? Look no further because I have found it all in the beautiful town of Ojai, California. The Oaks at Ojai has been around for 40 years and has served many women looking for a healthy getaway.

A couple of weeks ago I was treated to a full weekend getaway for my birthday with a girlfriend. The weekend included our stay in a luxurious suite, fitness classes, evening entertainment (who knew bingo could be so fun) and all of your meals and snacks for the entire stay.

The Oaks offers a portion conscious meal plan with special attention to good fats to fuel your mind and body.  A sample of some of the delicious food you will enjoy during a stay include soups and salads, shrimp and pasta and even desserts. Yes, you will even be able to eat desserts!

After a day of hiking, and water classes you will be thrilled to relax and restore your body in the over-size bathtub. I took advantage of a good long soak in the tub, although I may have added too much bubble bath.

If you have time step out and enjoy the quaint little town of Ojai, the shops offer a wide variety of special one of a kind products. I was able to pick up a few hard to find items for gifts.

The must visit part of the property you will not want to miss is of course the spa, it is a destination spa after all. There is a full menu of body treatments, skin care treatments and a full salon. We were lucky enough to enjoy 75-minute Aromatherapy Swedish Massages with organic lavender essential oil. The treatment concludes with the relaxing effect of a lavender eye pillow while your feet are massaged which to me was Heaven on Earth.

To book your spa getaway or for more information on special weeks and room rates visit the Oaks at Ojai here. 

 

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Behind the scenes at SeaWorld San Diego

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A few weeks ago, my son and I were lucky enough to experience a behind the scenes tour of SeaWorld San Diego. Prior to visiting, I had no idea how much SeaWorld does for its marine life. If you have grown up in San Diego you no doubt have seen members of the SeaWorld team at a beach either helping to rescue an animal or release one back into the ocean. SeaWorld has rescued over 30,000 animals and 17,000 of them have been healthy enough to be released back into the wild – and the numbers keep growing everyday!

The day we visited was a unique one even for the SeaWorld crew because they had recently rescued a pregnant sea lion from the Oceanside Harbor. She gave birth the day before we arrived and we were able to see the one day old seal lion pup up close in the animal hospital. While we were visiting the state of the art facility, we also saw a penguin being checked out, which was particularly special for my son, because penguins are his favorite animal. And what’s even cooler, all of this is done on-site at SeaWorld, and their animals really have the best of everything, including their food. For example, just the penguins themselves eat over 700 pounds of  high quality fish per day!

We were also able to venture behind the scenes of the Penguin Encounter and come face to beak with a penguin. And not only did we get to meet a penguin we found out so much about them. There are five different types of penguins at SeaWorld, and over 400 penguins total. Everyday inside the Penguin exhibit they make fresh snow, that’s over 4,000 pounds of snow a day!

Want to see more of SeaWorld? Check out this FUN video from the Murray family made by WomensForum and SeaWorld San Diego.

Spending the day with my son at SeaWorld San Diego may have been one of the best days we have ever had. For more information or to purchase tickets visit SeaWorld’s website here.

This post was created in partnership with WomensForum and SeaWorld San Diego, but all opinions are my own.

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Visiting Rancho Valencia

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Rancho Valencia is a beautiful resort set on 45 acres of gardens and olive groves, in Rancho Santa Fe, a 20-minute drive north of San Diego. A few years ago the property underwent a 45 million dollar renovation, and there is not one stone that when unturned. Most recently Rancho Valencia was voted #1 resort in the U.S. by U.S. News & World hotel rankings. It is no surprise as everything at Rancho Valencia is 5 star down to the heated toilet seats, and all is perfection. The resort features a spa, fitness center with exercise classes, sports facilities (including tennis, croquet and bocce ball), 2 heated pools and hot tubs (1 adults-only), 2 restaurants and a wine bar, plus complimentary use of luxury cars.

Rancho Valencia PatioRancho Valencia really does stand apart from most 5-star hotels, you will find everything has been perfected. There are no resort fees, no parking fees, complimentary WiFi, and waiting for you in your room are delicious snacks and drinks to enjoy during your stay at no extra charge. In the morning any newspaper you would like will be delivered to your door along with fresh squeezed orange juice. Enjoy coffee on the private patio, while reading the newspaper.

Rancho Valenica Fireplace

Suites feature flat-screen TVs, stereo systems and private patios, plus high-thread-count linens, espresso machines, designer toiletries and 24-hour in-room dining. My husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary at Rancho Valencia during this trip. The resort knowing it was a special anniversary celebration for us, had a bottle of wine and an artisan cheese plate with dried fruits and nuts upon arrival.

Rancho Valencia Hot Tub

After we were settled in, we hopped down to the Pony Room for a drink by the outdoor fireplaces while watching the sunset. For dinner we decided to opt for in-room dining and we ate out on the private patio. The patio hosts an outdoor fireplace, and a two person hot tub, perfect for a romantic getaway.

Rancho Valencia

After dinner we took a stroll around the property and found the beautiful brick lined Wine Room. The room is perfect for an intimate birthday dinner or just nice dinner for a small group of friends. The wine cave has over 250 of some of the finest bottles of wine I have ever seen, the sommelier is one of the best in California. With wines from France, Italy, Turkey, Mexico, South Africa and of course California you will be able to find a perfect wine for the occasion.

IMG_1651For breakfast we went to Veladora, one of the two restaurants on property. Veladora is beautiful and refined without being over the top, although can you really have too much luxury? We enjoyed latte’s and fresh pressed slow juices, as well as the famous fresh squeezed orange juice. My husband ordered the crab Benedict with vine ripe tomatoes, grilled asparagus, country bread with a chipotle hollandaise. I ordered the California breakfast panini with free range eggs, smoked bacon, avocado, white cheddar and herb roasted potatoes, it was divine! The only problem with breakfast is we couldn’t finish it all, but they were nice enough to box it up for us and had it waiting for us to pick up after we dined.

Rancho Valencia Bedroom

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa is offering an exclusive offer right now of 15% off room rates. During the summer and during Del Mar Race season the resort will be booked solid, don’t wait make a reservation to visit this beautiful resort now!

Accommodations, meals, and spa treatments were complimentary, all thoughts and opinions are my own. See full disclosure policy for more information.

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Pony Express to Del Mar Races *special discounts*

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Del Mar

Traffic in Southern California is brutal in the summer and getting to the Del Mar Racetrack is not always fun. This year try taking the Pony Express! Not only will you be able to enjoy getting there with a nice view of the ocean, but you won’t get stuck in horrible traffic. Parking at the Del Mar Racetrack is $10 for general parking or $20 for valet. There is no better way to get there (unless by limo) and the Pony Express ticket includes your admission to the races.

Through a combination ticket called the “Pony Express,” travelers can purchase a round-trip fare on the Coaster, Sprinter and Breeze, along with Stretch Run admission a free shuttle service between the Solana Beach Coaster station and the racetrack. Cost for the ticket remains at only $11, a $6 savings to racegoers. Additionally, those using the service save the $10 auto parking fee, allowing for a total savings of $16.

Tickets for the “Pony Express” special are available at all ticket vending machines at every NCTD station by pressing the “Current Promotions” button. Additionally, they can be pre-purchased on-line at http://www.GoNCTD.com/Races. “Pony Express” riders will be able to pick up their admission tickets at the track’s Diamond Club booth near the Stretch Run gate in close proximity to the double-decker bus stop.

Take the Shuttle from Solana Beach Station to the Track
Transit riders can take the COASTER or BREEZE bus route 101 to the Solana Beach Transit Station. From there, double-decker buses sponsored by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club will shuttle race fans to the Del Mar Racetrack for every race.  Show your Pony Express ticket at the Diamond Club booth near the Stretch Run gate at the track to receive your race admission ticket.

The Double-Decker shuttle is FREE and leaves the track 15 minutes after every race ends.

Concert Admission
On concert days, you must enter the track gates with your Pony Express ticket before the last race.  If you do not enter before the last race, admission is $20.

Do not forget to sign up for the Diamond Club, it is free to sign up and you received discounts and special offers which include half price beer!

 

National Parks free this week!

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Each spring, the National Park Service and the National Park Foundation invite everyone to celebrate National Park Week. Which means you can visit one of over 400 national parks for FREE!

From April 16 – 24, you are invited to celebrate all that America’s more than 400 national parks have to offer. And in honor of the National Park Service Centennial this year, all parks are offering free admission the entire week. From diverse wildlife and iconic landscapes, to vibrant culture and rich history, our National Park System has something for everyone.

This year join in the fun at a National Park Week in-person! There are special events and online, and when you visit be sure to share your memories with using #FindYourPark and #EncuentraTuParque!

 

Celebrating 100 Years

2016 Centennial

The National Park Service turns 100 on August 25, 2016! Please join our Centennial celebration.

Learn more »

A park can be different things to different people. Find yours. It might be closer than you think.

Find your park »

Explore Your National Parks

Calendar of Events

We’ve got fun National Park Week events in national parks all across the country. Find an event near you!

View Calendar of Events »

Travel Ideas

Get the inside scoop on what not to miss, discover hidden gems in your national parks, and more!

View Travel Ideas »


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Coaster Holiday Express – Ride with Santa 2015

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The 2016 Holiday Coaster Express information may be found here

COASTER-Holiday-Express-Banner-20151

You and your family are invited to ride on a magical holiday train with Santa Claus and his friends. North County Transit District’s Coaster Holiday Express is a specially decorated train that features photo opportunities with Santa and his friends, classic carol singing for children of ALL ages. Each 65 minute Coaster Holiday Express ride will travel non-stop and roundtrip from Oceanside to Solana Beach. The ride is recommended for families with children between the ages of 3 and 10. Tickets go on sale Thursday, November 12 at 8 a.m. and are $8 per passenger (all ages) and must be purchased in advance.

We took our child when he was 6, along with another family with a 5-year-old, and the kids loved it. The parents had hot coffee and we brought some snacks for the kids. I love the pictures on the Holiday Express because there is no extra charge, and you take the pictures yourself. Below is one of the pictures I took of my son with Santa.

orion and santa

The details: The Coaster Holiday Express is ONE day only on Saturday, December 12th. Families will board the train at the Oceanside Transit Center, and all passengers must have a ticket regardless of their age. Tickets sell out very fast and are not available for purchase on the day of the event. The first day to purchase tickets is on Thursday, November 12th.

There are two ways to buy your tickets: Online at GoNCTD.com/eticket or In person, CASH ONLY, at Oceanside Transit Center Customer Service Office
205 S. Tremont St., Oceanside, Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sales are “first come, first served.”
Each person may purchase up to six tickets.

Tips:

Plan on eating before the 65 minute train ride; however, small snacks and drinks are permitted. Water bottles are allowed.
• Bring a camera to capture your child’s meeting with Santa.
• This event is recommended for families with children between the ages of 3 and 10.
• Plan on arriving at Oceanside Transit Center at least 20 minutes before the train departs to secure parking.
• Strollers and/or bicycles will not be permitted on the train.
• The COASTER Holiday Express will operate rain or shine.

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