Why People Love Del Mar California

Del Mar is a stylish beach community in north county San Diego, California. Those of us who live here regard San Diego as "paradise." The ocean-side beach towns along the coast north of San Diego - what we who live here call "North County" - is even more heavenly.

Our North County "paradise" is a community of small, quaint beach towns: Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas, Cardiff, Leucadia and Carlsbad all blessed with cooling ocean breezes. Our towns have charming hotels, resorts and inns, unbelievable restaurants and absolutely gorgeous beaches.

Del Mar Ca has a very long record of celebrities living and playing here due to the Del Mar horse racing track built under the guidance and inspiration of Jimmy Durante and Bing Crosby nearly 70 years ago. Their Hollywood star-power put the Del Mar Horse Race Track on the map as one of the most ritzy and prominent associations in the racing world. The Del Mar horse track brought a steady steam of well-known Los Angeles and New York celebrities to the Del Mar hotels and motels, and dozens of Del Mar inns and resorts prospered as a result.

Del Mar lodging accommodations and Del Mar resorts are breathtaking, although they tend to be quite pricey. One of the most exclusive Del Mar hotels is near the beach: it's the famous L'Auberge Del Mar, a fashionable San Diego resort that "Celebrates the extraordinary relationship we all have with the harmony and relaxation of the Pacific Ocean."

Rated among the best five-star resorts in the U.S. by Conde Nast, L'Auberge Del Mar hotel offers stunning views, casual sophistication and unmatched service to create a memorable weekend at a Del Mar resort - for a price.

The San Diego Fair is held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds every summer. We locals call it the fair the "Del Mar Fair" - in fact, I have never heard a local call it the San Diego Fair. The Del Mar location is just right - only a few blocks from the refreshing breezes off the ocean on those blistering summer days. If you plan to visit the fair from out of town, be sure to obtain reservations at one of the Del Mar Inns or Del Mar Ca Hotels.

There are many Del Mar bed and breakfasts, Del Mar Inns and Del Mar hotels, but the one that I find is the most intimate, quaint and near the beach and ocean for under $165 a night is the Del Mar Bed and Breakfast.

Del Mar California is one of few locations in the world where the Torrey Pine grows. The Torrey Pine is the one of the rarest pine trees in the United States - the Monterey cypress is rarer, but it's not technically a pine tree. The Torrey pines along the sea cliffs of Del Mar endure persistent drought and grow in hard sand which can hardly be called "soil". They are blasted by storms, soaked in salt spay and cooked in the sun, but they live stubbornly on.

Mr. Hunefeld relocated to San Diego 15 years ago. He travels the world in search of the perfect Bed and Breakfasts. Terry owns a lovely and romantic Inn in Del Mar across the street from the Pacific Ocean. For more info, click Del Mar Bed and Breakfasts or Bed and Breakfasts in Del Mar.

August 30 2010 | hotels | No Comments »

Fun Outdoor Activities Everybody Can Do While Vacationing In La Jolla

San Diego is often called America's finest city - and La Jolla is the gem of San Diego - a beautiful community situated along San Diego's Pacific Coast. People flock to La Jolla, captivated by its trendy boutique-lined streets gemmed with art, clothing, jewelry, gifts and other shopping destinations. Indulgent soft sand beaches, amazing weather, laid back people and an abundance of activities make La Jolla a visitor's paradise. Here are five activities that should not be missed.

Children's Pool (850 Coast Boulevard) was originally designed as a safe place for children to wade into the ocean; it's now home to dozens of wild Harbor Seals and their pups. Many consider the seals to be one of the most fun sights in La Jolla because the seals are so up-close and persona.. A cement walkway allows visitors to walk out over the ocean while waves and surf crash around them. The walkway provides a wonderful vantage from which to enjoy the antics of the Harbor Seals basking and playing just a few feet away.

La Jolla Cove is a small sandy beach tucked between sandstone cliffs and sheltered from the ocean's currents. Known for its extraordinary beauty, the Cove is the most photographed beach in Southern California. At high tides the rocks near the beach trap water; when the tide goes out tide pools are formed, full of interesting critters. Adults and children alike enjoy exploring the sea-life left behind. Check the tide tables in the daily Union Tribune newspaper; the tide pools are best enjoyed at low tide.

Descend down 144 steps into Sunny Jim Sea Cave, the largest of La Jolla Cove's famous sea caves. You'll find the stairway through a hole in the floor of "The Cave Store" where you can also see lots of historic photographs of La Jolla and browse through unique souvenirs and turn-of-the-century postcards. A trip to The Cave Store provides a fascinating glimpse into what lies under, as well as over, the rugged and scenic California coastline. You can also enter Sunny Jim and six other ocean-carved caves from the sea by kayak, but Sunny Jim is the only sea cave in California that you can access from a stairway

Mount Soledad has the best drive-up views of San Diego. Take Nautilus Street up to the park at the top where you are met with incredible views. On a clear day you can look north along the coast into Orange County or south into Mexico. The park is home to an enormous cross that looks majestically down from the mountain, visible from more than 10 miles away. Interestingly, Mount Soledad holds the last home lived in by Dr. Seuss. His widow, Audrey Geisel still lives on Mt. Soledad in an abandoned observation tower that is referred to as "the Seuss House" by local residents.

Situated over the ocean on sandstone bluffs north of La Jolla, between Torrey Pines Park and La Jolla Farms, The Torrey Pines Gliderport is designated specifically for today's gliders. On days when the winds are just right, gliders line the cliffs, waiting for the perfect gust to carry them into the sky. The graceful navigators riding the sea breezes in their brightly colored gliders attract admiring spectators up and down the Torrey Pines shoreline year-round. You can fly like a bird by going tandem with an instructor after a 30-minute ground school, then up and away off the edge of a 300 foot cliff out over the ocean, a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Following are two websites with helpful lodging information about La Jolla and nearby beach towns and surfing communities: Bed and Breakfasts in Carlsbad and Del Mar Hotels.

August 22 2009 | vacation | No Comments »

Cheapest Hotels in Chicago

Oh the striking city of Chicago. This is one of the top destinations in the land, such magnificent city. Whether you are going to Wrigley Field or the Magnificent Mile you will enjoy Chicago. Each person I know that vacations or just travels to Chicago continually says it is one of their preferred cities to visit.

If you are visiting Chicago a short time in the future, I thought I would bestow you with a few hotels that you can look for to save cash on your trip. These hotels are in no distinct area, they are simply just the lowest rates available in the city of Chicago.

Here are the first 5 low-cost hotels in Chicago:

Super 8 Prospect Heights starts at $41 per night.

Howard Johnson Chicago Lansing starts at $44 per night

Howard Johnson Inn and Suites Elk Grove Village O'Hare starts at $44 per night.

Crossland Chicago Waukegan starts at $45 per night

Howard Johnson Addison also starts at $45 per night.

Chicago similar to other cities you need to be aware of what surrounds your hotel. These are just the cheapest rates offered, but you would need to pay thought to where they are. Chicago is a big city so staying too far away from what you want to visit could cause tribulations in transportation.

The more in demand an area is the more money you are going to disburse. This is because the hotel rates are based on occupancy. If occupancy at a property is better then that directly affects the price which means that the price is also going to go up.

The further in advance that you can actually book your trip, the more you will save, particularly in an area with high demand. If you are going to Chicago in the next 12 months, I suggest you find a website with a low price guarantee and book your reservations promptly. If you find a lower price over the next several months, this website will honor it. Most will honor right up until you check in.

July 12 2009 | hotels | No Comments »

Cheapest Hotels in Atlanta Georgia

Locating a good rate in Atlanta Georgia on a hotel is not a hard chore. You can always find a really cheap hotel in the city. The only item you want to pay consideration to is where you are staying. You don't need to end up staying in a part of town in which you will not be happy.

In this commentary I have paid no attention to location, I am just going to reveal the top 5 cheap hotels that fall within the city limits of Atlanta. You will want to shop through these hotels to make sure they are in an area you want to stay. I also suggest you book in advance, and book with a site that has many hotel chains. The chances of you being moved to a different hotel, if one doesn't meet your standards, are higher if you book with a hotel discounter instead of directly through a hotel.

The principal 5 cheap hotels in Atlanta are:

Hometown Inn starts at just $30 nightly.

Microtel Inn Galleria starts at $32 nightly

Days Inn/Jimmy Carter Blvd. starts at $34 nightly.

Masters Inn Marietta starts at $34 nightly.

The unsurpassed way to save funds is to book at a site which offers a low price guarantee. This means that before your trip if you find a lower price the site will match the price or refund your money so you can book the lesser rate. Most hotel chains do not offer this quality because they actually sell their rooms at wholesale to suppliers and as a result would always be undercut.

Booking in advance is the best way to save cash because as the hotel gets more reservations they will elevate prices. You need to make your mind up when you are going to go and then get your trip booked, you can make changes afterward on most reservations, but you will be subject to the higher rates since it is closer to the time of your trip.

July 11 2009 | hotels | No Comments »