Cruising Newport Harbor

Cruising the harbors lining the coast of Southern California makes for an enjoyable way to see some of the Golden State’s most beautiful areas. You don’t have to own a boat – there are places in various beach towns to rent a small electric boat, known as the Duffy, named after the man who invented it – Marshall Duffield. The boats are quite quaint – going only 5 mph and topped with a canvas canopy, ranging from 14-22 feet in length.

All aboard!

Just last week a group of about 20 of us was down in Newport Beach, California, for our daughters’ soccer tournament. Between games, the families rented a couple Duffy boats from Duffy Electric Boat Company ..where you can see in the photo below, they have quite a few boats.

Duffys at Duffy Electric Boat Company in Newport Beach

We then journeyed out on Newport Harbor. Our Duffy fit about 10 adults comfortably….and they come with Ipod hook ups, life jackets for kids, and a map to help you navigate the waterways…which is very helpful.

There are tables on board for food and drinks…came in handy to hold the “adult beverages,” or wine. Note: A cocktail cruise at sunset is highly recommended.

The kids on the other hand, appreciated the novelty of the whole outing, and used the table to complete a game and some challenges based on what they see in the harbor – provided by the Duffy Electric Boat Company.

What you see in the harbor is picturesque… I grew up right in this part of the state, and still don’t get tired of the view or the experience. If you love real estate you are in for a treat because you cruise by lovely homes… some famous owners are pointed out on the map – i.e. the former home of John Wayne. It may inspire you to rent a home in Newport for the summer.

If you appreciate the beauty of nautical architecture, it is interesting to look at the private yachts and sailboats docked here in the marina. The kids enjoyed the marine life along the way.

There are public docks in front of some restaurants where you can pull up and eat… but since you are renting by the hour, you may want to maximize your time on the Duffy, unless you are willing to pay more and rent for a longer amount of time. I wouldn’t rent for less than two hours. I’ve seen rental prices vary from $75-99 an hour.. so if you have a large group, or a bunch of couples, it can be as low as $15 per person for a two hour tour. Worth every penny too. Peaceful and pretty, the cruise relaxes you (or is it the wine?), melts all your troubles away, and makes you appreciate life. How often can you say that?

Here are some rental companies for Oceanside, Long Beach, Marina Del Rey, and Newport Beach. Summer books up, and so does Christmas in Newport Beach, so book ahead.

http://adventuresboatrentals.com/
http://boats4rent.com/
http://www.duffyofnewportbeach.com/  (Duffy Electric Boat Company where we rented.)

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Why would I share this? Catharsis. Analyzing my melancholy over holiday music is making me more melancholy. I can’t seem to figure it out, because the holidays have always been a source of joy, but I am sure others experience this.  One explanation is that at this time more than any, we think of people who are not with us, either by death, distance, or duty.

So do we ever get over it? When will I ever be able to keep “White Christmas” on the car radio?

It is almost impossible to conceive things will change – especially if you have reached a point in your life where you find you certain traditions have taken place for years…only building on the nostalgia, reminding you of  decades past, and where the time has gone. One tradition that recently sparked this feeling is an annual holiday dinner I have with three close girl friends that we have done for 10 years. It is always a fun time; Proof: A few tables away from us was an “Only-In-LA” comedic ensemble of Larry David, Billy Crystal, and Martin Short all dining TOGETHER. Truth is, there was more laughter at our table.

There are also places that can make us nostalgic – unrelated to holidays. Here are some travel destinations that may make you long for something past:

National Pinball Museum, Washington, D.C.

1) The National Pinball Museum in Washington, D.C. – Relive your youth and forget your troubles for one afternoon while you revisit a childhood game. The museum just opened and is more than 14,000 square feet of pinball machines dating all the way back to the 19th century. There are more than 850 games here. http://www.nationalpinballmuseum.org/

Other must sees for pinball aficionados: Pacific Pinball Museum in Alameda, CA… and the Pinball Hall of Fame in Las Vegas – more like an arcade, but you probably won’t lose as much money as you would at the casinos since we are dealing with quarters here

Hearst Castle, San Simeon, CA

2) Hearst Castle – Relive the indulgent 20s and 30s when newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst entertained all the movers and shakers up at his San Simeon mansion. Taking some of the tours here will make you appreciate the castle’s history, and bring you back, even if you aren’t old enough to remember the times. Also- if you make it to Santa Monica ever, tour the guest house of Hearst mistress Marion Davies. This was the spot of their vacation home, but all that remains is the guest house, which is open to the public. It is not as ornate or glitzy as the castle, but once again, the history and stories of Davies and Hearst are fascinating. Marion Davies is an interesting woman in her own right.

http://www.santamonicalandmarks.com/landmk12.html

http://www.hearstcastle.org/

Freedom From Want, Norman Rockwell

3) Norman Rockwell Museum, Berkshires, MA – His work is iconic…for years on the Saturday Evening Post… reflecting family life and holiday celebrations that can make anyone nostalgic for old-fashioned values. Right now at the museum through Jan. 16, 2011, a special exhibition titled “Home for the Holidays” might put you over the holiday-nostalgia edge.:) www.nrm.org/

4) San Diego Model Railroad Museum in Balboa Park offers a great glimpse at different model trains – and even offers a summer camp for kids. Also the Twin City Modern Rail Museum in Minnesota is another option if you are in the Mid-West..and there are others across the country.

For many, this has always been the childhood toy that brings back memories. I still have one grown up friend who spent a fortune on a model train to go around his Christmas tree…

http://www.sdmodelrailroadm.com/#, http://tcmrm.org/

Of course, you can always climb aboard a train yourself and travel North by Northwest style… There are many amazing train travel tours – the Orient Express is one well-known company, and I’ve always wanted to travel across Canada by train – www.canadiantrainvacations.com, www.orient-express.com

Enjoy.

Even though I can’t listen to the music, I can still appreciate the lyrics… so to borrow a line from Bing  – ” And though it’s been said, many times many ways… Merry Christmas to you.”

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So this leads me to my travel tip: Anyone considering a trip to Southern California..or many parts of the West Coast for that matter (Nor Cal is just plain foggy…and Oregon gets some gloom also) avoid June, even though it is tempting to come right when the kids are out of school.

The gloom mostly hangs around the coast – this photo is Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica along the beach. This means Disneyland may not be affected…but there is still a fair amount of gloom there also.

Think San Diego is immune?  June is San Diego’s gloomiest month.

September is the best time to travel to Southern California – it is perfect. So if your kids start school mid September, might be a good time to come …fewer crowds at Disneyland and the beaches, and sunny, happy weather.

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Don’t get me wrong – I love it. Love the other families… love the sport…love watching my kids play. But, c’mon…I am also in the  mood for a true So Cal summer kick off.

There is one place that comes to mind for that no-other-like-it-summer-feeling. It is the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club near San Diego, CA.

It is a fun family get away. Located on La Jolla Shores, the beach is totally gentle yet fun for kids to boogie board also.

And some of the hotel rooms are right on the beach, which is convenient – especially when you have younger kids who need a diaper change or can’t nap on the beach. (Funny, that is NOT a problem for many adults…)

The rooms are VERY casual so you  don’t have to worry about dragging in sand (if you are used to only 5 star resorts, this may not be for you)..and some come with kitchenettes. Which leads me to my favorite thing about the hotel – at night the staff will set up a beach bbq for your family and friends if you want. Literally – tables, linens, chairs, and a bonfire right on the sand.You can grocery shop yourself and bring the food and drink, or you can order through the hotel. Key to the kids’ enjoyment: Definitely order s’mores stuff from the hotel or buy it yourself.

The dinner can be as casual as you want it….(my friend’s kids climbing on the chairs…)

Or nicer for a special occasion.

If you are on the beach and want lunch, simply raise a flag on your beach chair and a hotel waiter will come and take your order for lunch then deliver it to you beachside. Nice.

The hotel has other amenities that make it stand out – a great tennis program, with courts right there. A pool, so kids can go back and forth between sand and swimming. And a par-3 golf course, really great for the kids.

You never have to leave the hotel, but if you do, there are a number of great things to do in nearby San Diego – Zoo, Sea World, and Legoland in Carlsbad which is a little farther away.

Important tip: June can be very gloomy and cold – it is a gamble. You may get lucky. September is most beautiful.

If I may continue with the theme of MY upcoming weekend, a short stay here is a home run.

Have a safe and happy holiday weekend….

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For a fresh perspective on where we can still go at this last minute, I spoke with a fabulous travel agent whom I have recommended to some of my BFFs, and now HE is one of THEIR BFFs!

Luxury travel consultant and family vacation planner John Clifford, President of  International Travel Management.com shared with us his picks for the best under-the-radar, family Spring Break getaways. ,

He says : “Spring Break 2010, will offer unprecedented bargains as the global economy continues to improve, while new hotels open in popular destinations and the travel industry seeks to entice holiday makers with bargains galore.”

“Families traveling this year stand to gain the most as discounts for adjoining rooms, value added amenities like free meals and upgrades abound.”

Forget Vegas, Florida and overdeveloped, mass-market destinations overrun with breaking revelers. John says savvy families this year will be enjoying such locales as….

Santa Fe, NM

http://santafe.org/Visiting_Santa_Fe/Things_to_Do/Kids_Activities/index.html

The city is celebrating its 400 year anniversary this year highlighting the city’s rich tri cultural heritage and designation as the oldest continually inhabited capital city as well as the highest in the U.S.

Aside from being an art mecca, Santa Fe boasts Indian markets & pueblos, historic Spanish colonial sites along with an amazing bounty of outdoor activities from ballooning to canyoneering mountain climbing and more.

Not only did artist Georgia O’Keefe call this place home, but today, the city boasts family favorite museums, one featuring O’Keefe’s works, and others such as the Museum of International Folk Art and the Wheelright Museum of the American Indian which are favorites to kids and families.

But wait, kids actually get their own museum here, the Santa Fe Children’s Museum (www.santafechildrensmuseum.org) full of interactive exhibits & special events.

Hop aboard the Santa Fe Southern Railway (www.sfsr.com) and ride a vintage rail car to the abandoned, ghost town of Lamy.

Or take in the Casa Grande Trading Post a combination, kitschy petting zoo and turquoise mining museum.

Don’t miss an excursion 45 minutes from town to Bandelier National Monument (www.nps.gov/band) to experience ruins and cliff dwellings, ceremonial caves & petroglyphs of the Anasazi culture that was thought to have inhabited the area seven or eight centuries ago.

Insider’s Tip:  www.sfaol.com/books/littour.html Families love local writer and bibliophile Barbara Harrelson’s 2-hour walking tour of downtown Santa Fe which explores the history, personalities, the legends and the lore of the area through its stories and its literary landmarks.

The Mayan Riviera, Mexico (Tracy’s pick also! Want to go!)

www.rivieramaya.com

No matter what you think about the Mayan Riviera, it is not Cancun.  It’s the anti-Cancun. So close and yet so far.  Even though this stunning, Caribbean coast starts just south of the 17-mile SoBe like hotel zone, The Riviera Maya is anything but.

With a slew of new resorts welcoming families from all inclusives to boutique gems, powder white beaches and unrivaled history, this locale never fails to impress.

From ancient Mayan sites & pyramids to underground rivers offering tubing exploration like those at Rio Secreto, to colonial Spanish towns such as Valladolid, it’s a treasure trove of discoveries with a MexiCaribbean flair!

Water sports galore delight young and old along with a coastline that is full of natural beauty including the Mayan ruins of Tulum, built atop the ocean’s bluff, still standing today as well as the UNESCO’s Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve.

Insider’s Tip:  www.alltournative.com/tours-products/maya-encounter Families love the all-in-one adventure run by tour company/conservationists, Alltournative who work with Mayan communities to preserve their heritage. The “Maya Encounter” excursion, includes whizzing through the jungle on a zip line, rappelling into a cenote (deep water filled sink holes), and kayaking on a lagoon.

After the elders offer a ceremonial blessing, village women serve a full lunch rounding out with a trip to the ruins of Cobá.

Costa Rica

www.visitcostarica.com

Don’t let the exotic name, or flip-flopped seasons fool you. The Northern Hemisphere is starting Spring, while Costa Rica is enjoying the last of their Summer, which is the driest overall, lasting through April.

That being said, the country is a tropical paradise boasting one of the 20 countries with the highest biodiversity in the world.

Though it seems a world away, it is closer to the mainland U.S. than Hawaii and boasts incredible value and endless family friendly activities, sites, resorts and destinations.

Though the Pacific & Caribbean coasts are lush and tropical, the real excitement takes place in its many National Parks and wilderness reserves, which span over one third of the entire country. Young & old will be mesmerized by the stunning variety of flora, fauna and landscapes with diverse microclimates and untouched wildlife viewing. Numerous species of birds, monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, insects & amphibians abound.

A live volcano? Yes, Vulcan Arenal is one of the most spectacular, active volcanoes in the world, and the locale alongside Lake Arenal is sublime and exciting.

Active adventures dot the map from cave exploring to horseback riding, river rafting, zip lining, canopy tours amidst the tree tops, and off road exploration through virgin forests.

Many who visit believe it is a paradise like none other on the planet, making for lifelong, family memories.

Insider’s Tip:

www.leatherback.org/lasbaulas/costa-rica/Las_Baulas/Project/Index.html

Killington, VT aka “The Big K” at Ramshead (If watching the Olympics got you in the mood to ski..we like this suggestion)

Killington Vermont boasts the largest ski area in the state, as well as Eastern North America. Unknown to many, it also offers the longest ski season in Vermont which can last as long as May, sometimes June.

Families love a winter break here, with 200 trails, 31 lifts, and the new Skye Peak Express. They’ve even got a ski and snowboard school for all ages.

Insider’s Tip: www.killington.com/winter/mountain/lodges/ramshead/index.html. With an entire lodge dedicated to families & kids, Ramshead, you can’t go wrong, especially with record snows this year.

San Diego, CA

www.SanDiego.org

San Diego is not as sleepy as it once was, formerly being referred to as Des Moines by the sea.

This coastal gem has grown up and now boasts not only the world’s best Zoo, Sea World, The Wild Animal Park and Legoland, but its communities are bustling as well.

The city boasts hip uptown neighborhoods and a renewed, historic, downtown Gaslamp District with luxurious, hip new hotels alongside the new Petcoballpark, as well as 52 miles of great beaches complete with boardwalk fun in ‘PB’ Pacific Beach.

Coastal, cosmopolitan community La Jolla showcases a European feel, stunning, natural bay with upscale shopping and the MoMa.

And don’t forget world famous Balboa Park ( www.balboapark.org)  boasting 15 major museums, renowned performing arts venues, beautiful gardens.

Families love San Diego because of the friendly people, year round spring like weather and a comfy, casual flair.

Insider’s Tip:  www.gosandiegocard.com The Go San Diego Card gives you 50 parks, museums, tours, and attractions in one ticket.  You pay one low price and admission to EVERYTHING is free for the number of days you select.SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, a whale watch, the Science Center, The Midway, LEGOLAND, and 45 more are all included.

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