CULTURAL LA DEALS!

December 29, 2010

By Sheryll Alexander Ever want to visit LA’s cultural attractions and get a deal at the same time? From Jan. 5 to Apr. 30, you can enjoy exclusive deals at more than 30 of LA’s most acclaimed cultural venues and 10 premier hotels with the Discover the Arts program. Created by the Los Angeles Convention and Visitors Bureau (LA Inc.), Discover the Arts offers deals such as two-for-one general admission, complimentary gifts and services and discounts of up to 50 percent off regular prices. Below is a sampling of the cultural highlights. (Remember: Black out dates may apply so check…

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A EURO HOLIDAY AT WESTLAKE VILLAGE INN

December 16, 2010

By Sue Facter You feel like you are strolling through Europe and forget that you are just 75 minutes north of the OC at Westlake Village Inn. A quiet treasure during the holidays, Westlake Village Inn first opened in 1968. Founded by Swiss-born developer John L. Notter, Westlake Village Inn originally had 75 simple rooms. Today, the resort has expanded to seven buildings that house 141 European-style rooms in which no two are the same. Yes, if you want to get away from OC and LA holiday madness, Westlake Village Inn can be your private escape. Housed on 17 acres,…

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MONTEREY FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

December 13, 2010

By Holly Wong Looking for a place to relax and decompress this holiday season?  Consider taking a drive towards the Central Coast where California’s scenic shores can work wonders for clearing one’s mind.  And once you arrive at the sunny seaside city of Monterey, you’ll know you picked a fantastic destination to unwind. Artsy and bohemian, yet sophisticated too, Monterey is akin to OC’s own Laguna Beach with the distinct advantage of being home to the world-renowned Monterrey Bay Aquarium – a destination that makes this seaside locale excellent for family trips.  Site of the famous aquarium, the all-encompassing Cannery…

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AHWAHNEE FOR THE HOLIDAYS!

December 12, 2010

By Carolyn Burns Bass Say Yosemite and images of Half Dome and camping along the Merced River fill the minds of most people. The concept of comfort and luxury rarely combine when discussing California’s spectacular National Park to the north. Yet tucked away in Yosemite Valley, just down the lane from the rustic cabins of Camp Curry, is the Ahwahnee Hotel. An eclectic mix of Arts & Crafts/Craftsman, Art Deco and Native American design, the Ahwahnee is palatial both in scope and soul. The Miwok people who once flourished in Yosemite Valley called the site where the hotel now sits…

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GET AWAY 2 GIVE!

December 08, 2010

By Sheryll Alexander Want to give your friends and family a cool seaside vacation for the holidays AND give to others? With the “Getaway 2 Give” package from Orange County’s OCeanfront resort properties, you can give and give again! Here’s how it works. Book a “Getaway 2 Give” package through Mar. 31, 2011, at one of the OCeanfront’s seven fabulous resorts and 10 percent of your purchase goes directly to four major charities (Lupus LA, Make-A-Wish Orange County and Inland Empire, Oceana and Special Olympics Southern California). Packages start at $205 per night (rates vary by property) and include a…

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