June 2008 Archives

They're called "Girlfriend Getaways," but don't let the promo title fool you into thinking these are available only to the Carrie Bradshaw sect. These sensory-rich packages are designed around visual, aural and tactile stimulation. You don't have to be a girl to enjoy that.

Pacifica Hotels is offering some very attractive "Girlfriend Getaway" packages at several of their coastal properties. Here's a quick peek at what they're offering. For more specific details and to make reservations, be sure to click the links to each property.

La Jolla: The Empress Hotel in heart of La Jolla's village is offering two girlfriends packages. The Toast to Friendship package features wine and hors d'oeuvres at two nearby restaurants, while the Spa Makeover package includes massages and facials. Both two-night packages include continental breakfast.

Pismo Beach: The Cottage Inn is a quaint, seaside hotel overlooking the ocean. Click the Packages & Specials tab and you'll find the "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" package. This includes one night in a deluxe room and one-hour massage for two, along with wine and cheese in the spa center. The Cottage Inn offers complimentary continental breakfast to all guests.

Cambria: The Fireside Inn sits on the bluffs overlooking Cambria's Moonstone Beach. Check out the "Coastal Calm" package for a $40 voucher for dinner for two at Moonstone Beach Bar and Grill, a half-hour massage for two and a bottle of wine. Continental breakfast is standard at the Fireside Inn.

I've yet to see a promo for a best-bud getaway. The masculine counterpart to girlfriend getaways, shall we call them "Best Bud Breakaways," tend to be paired with golf, fishing, or physical activities.

Cabo San Lucas at the tip of the Baja peninsula is the newest Mexican playground for Americans. It's new, it's hip, it's got lots of sunshine and nightlife. It's easy to fly in and fly out and never have to see any of the more distressed parts of Baja. I call this insular tourism.

What about the rest of Baja? Would you drive down to Ensenada to enjoy the harvest and wine festivals that run the first two weeks of August?

Would you ride your bike from Rosarito to Ensenada in the region's annual 50-mile bicycle ride that attracts more than 7,500 riders?

How about Tijuana? Thought of spending a weekend at one of its upscale hotels, shopping on Avenida Revolucion and dining around the town's amazing restaurants?

When I tell people that I love Mexico they nod and say, "Oh yeah, Cancun is great," or "Cabo rocks." Of course, I love those places too, but Cancun, like Cabo, is insular. You rarely leave the region, you never see the real Mexico outside the tourism zones.

I love Mexico. I love the people, the food, the weather, the diverse geography, the history, the architecture, the Mexico outside the tourist zones.

Am I afraid of being stopped at one of the check-points the Mexican government has set up to halt drug and arms trafficking? I'm careful and concerned, but I'm not afraid.

Am I afraid of being gunned down by a Tijuana drug lord? I don't hang out in the neighborhoods where this occasionally happens, just like I don't hang out in the gang-infested neighborhoods in my own slice of Southern California. So, no, I'm not afraid; I'm wise in my travels.

Am I afraid of being pulled over by a corrupt Federale or Mexican cop, paying an extortion fee or being hauled to jail? One of my American contacts in Mexico recently told me that in his 30 years of frequent travel in Mexico, he's never been pulled over. Not once. While this does happen on some of the roads where the new governmental crackdowns haven't yet been fulfilled, it still doesn't scare me away from visiting Baja.

In yesterday's Destination West feature in the Press-Enterprise I covered Rosarito Beach. My husband and I took our son and five of his college friends from Kansas to Rosarito. We drove straight through Tijuana and down into Rosarito without incident. (Unless you call my missing the turn to the scenic tollroad bypass an incident.)

No one person got hammered by the cops, or by drugs and alcohol for that matter. They played, we played. We ate at the lobster village, shopped the mercado, toured Baja Studios and soaked in the Jacuzzi at the legendary Rosarito Beach Hotel (alas, the Pacific was too cold that weekend).

In coming months, I'll be covering Ensenada's wine and harvest festivals, a tour of the Guadalupe Valley wine country, and a getaway at Rancho Los Chabacanos, one of the most magical nature lodges on earth.

So back to my original question: What about the rest of Baja; would you go to Rosarito?

With more and more airlines announcing cutbacks in destinations, flights and service, some airlines are trying to stay afloat with cooperation, rather than competition. United and Continental have announced a new partnership between the two airlines.

Here is what United announced in yesterday's email to its frequent flyer members:

"...we wanted you to be among the first to hear that Continental and United today [June 19, 2008] announced plans to cooperate globally, linking our networks and services worldwide to deliver new benefits to you. In addition, Continental plans to join United in the Star Alliance®, the most comprehensive airline alliance in the world....

"Second, together with Continental, we will be able to offer you a more comprehensive domestic route network and together with our Star Alliance partners, greater choice of service throughout the entire world."

Pending regulatory approval, this new cooperative will be a win-win-win for all parties involved. Both of the airlines win with strengthened passenger loyalty and individual brand recognition, the passengers win with more options for flights and the ability to accrue frequent flyer points on both airlines. Incidentally, US Airways is also a member of the Star Alliance® network.

Airlines tend to flock together. When one airline makes a change in service or fees, other airlines fly in behind the lead bird and create a trend.

In today's tenuous air travel economy, would this be a good trend, or would it stir up more air turbulence?

Redondo Beach's Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club is offering a host of fantastic specials for overnighters or extended stays at this exclusive beside resort, including a $100 gas credit for a three-night package. Check out the special packages here.

Portofino's award-winning restaurant, Baleen, is also offering some terrific specials, including a Sunday night 50 percent off bottled wine or bring your own (corkage fee is waved) and wine flights on Monday nights for $15.

I just heard from the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) that many of its partners are offering dozens of discounts and special packages for travelers heading to the islands this summer.

Travelers can save at least $200 per person on their trip to the Hawaiian Islands when they book through HVCB's website. The packages include air and accommodations through American Airlines Vacations, American Express Vacations, Classic Vacations, Expedia, NWA WorldVacations, Orbitz, Pleasant Holidays, Travelocity, and United Vacations. The packages include deeply discounted airfare, free hotel room nights, free meals, free rental cars, and free food and beverage dining credits.

You can view and book directly from the HVCB website here: www.GoHawaii.com/summerfun.

Download the Hawaii Official Visitor's Guide here.

I'm working on a feature for the Press-Enterprise about San Diego's fabulous waterfront. There is so much to see and do here and everything's within walking distance. Here's what you can look forward to hearing more about when the story goes to press:

The Manchester Grand Hyatt, the hotel that led the renaissance of the waterfront. With its terrific views, suberb dining and an elegant spa it's no wonder this Hyatt is the top of the class. The central location of the Manchester Grand makes it an excellent starting point for walking tours through the Gaslamp District, browsing through Seaport Village and strolling along the embarcadero.

Hornblower's sunset dinner cruise through San Diego Bay. This 3-hour dinner cruise through San Diego Bay is perfect for anniversary celebrations and dream dates.

Dennis Conner's America's Cup Experience offers an afternoon sail through San Diego Bay on Stars & Stripes, one of the famous yachts sailed by Dennis Connor, the four-time winner of the America's Cup.

The USS Midway Museum is open seven days a week and offers tours of this venerable aircraft carrier that serviced for 47 years. On July 4th visitors to the Midway can view an original copy of the Declaration of Independence, along with an evening fireworks spectacular over the harbor.