Day Tripper

The greater Palm Springs area is an oasis of resort cities including Palm Desert, La Quinta, Indio, and Rancho Mirage. The area offers sumptuous hotels, award-winning gold courses, and luxury spas. The weather this time of year averages 73 degrees-still warm enough for golfing, swimming, and tennis for which the area is known. There are countless ways to enjoy the desert. The Living Desert Museum is a must-see, filled with unique desert wildlife and plans. Or, explore the artistic side of the desert with a visit to a gallery or stroll along El Paseo, with its fascinating public art and unique shops and boutiques. Take in a show: the McCallum Theatre for the Performing Arts offers musicals, concerts, dance, opera, and more. The desert is threaded with wonderful trails that reward hikers with spectacular views of the Coachella Valley. And of course, no trip to the desert would be complete without a challenging game of golf. The Palm Springs area is a wonderful day trip that will enhance your Southern California vacation. With so much to do, see, and enjoy, Greater Palm Springs is a perfect oasis.

Los Angeles is the west coast home of larger-than-life movie stars, sports figures as well as the rich and famous. The cultural hub of Southern California, visitors are amazed, delighted, and even perplexed by the varied artwork in the cities many renowned museums and galleries. A shopper`s paradise defined by the glitz and glamour of Rodeo Drive. A city that is exhilarating, exciting, and occasionally exhausting experience that you simply cannot miss when you make a visit to Southern California. But like the plots explored in so many movies bases in LA, there`s is so much more to this city than meets the eye! Because Los Angeles is so vast, you`ll want to narrow down your options before you go. Here are a few ideas to get you started: The Getty Center, where visitors take a tram to the hilltop museum to see European paintings, sculpture, and European and American photographs; Old Hollywood standbys like the TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Walk of Fame, Universal Studios Hollywood and the famous Hollywood Sign. Discover Griffith Park, one of the largest urban parks in North America, and its many fun activities for the kids, along with adult -oriented attractions like hiking, golf, and horseback riding; and the Griffith Observatory which offers education and romantic city views. Los Angeles also boasts world famous beaches, including surfer`s mecca Malibu and funky Venice Beach. No matter how often you visit you`ll always find a fresh perspective in this exhilarating and electrifying city. www.101LosAngeles.com

Years ago, a popular television show called "The O.C." put Orange County on the national map in a way no one could have imagined. Almost overnight, Orange County became a place where rich people enjoyed constantly sunny days, sailed on yachts while sipping the finest champagne, and had so much money that it was fluttering from their pockets as they strolled the wrap-around deck of their oceanfront mansions. The real Orange County couldn`t be further from this image (although the sunshine-y days are a true thing). The real "O.C." is a richly diverse county that incorporates 34 individual cities, each with their own unique flair. And you"ll find something to love in every one of them. While Disneyland Resort, Knotts Berry Farm, and the beach are the most well-known Orange Count draws, there are many not-to-be-missed activities the whole family will love. With 60,000 miles of trails, Orange County id ideal for biking a hiking. If getting close to nature means spending time on the links, you have your choice of award-winning gold curses. For art lovers, there are many fabulous venues featuring musicals, theatrical plays, and dance productions. Orange County is not one experience; its several authentic experiences that you will treasure for years to come. And in just a little over an hour drive from San Diego, you can start your Orange County adventure. We look forward to your visit to the real O.C. www.101OrangeCounty.com