Author Topic: CALIFORNIA! (Read 201974 times)

Mrs. Hillbilly · « **Reply #120 on:** Mar 26, 11, 10:53:36 AM »

Here is a link to the screen shots and features of the App....

http://www.californiatravelexpert.com/California_Travel_Guide.shtml

Mrs. Hillbilly · « **Reply #121 on:** Mar 26, 11, 11:50:06 AM »

I was wrong about it being up in a week. Sutro just shot Veronica an email saying it's up today!!!!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id428163062?mt=8

Mrs. Hillbilly · « **Reply #122 on:** Mar 26, 11, 12:40:49 PM »

One of the cool things about the CA Essentials App is that it's an interactive travel guide and it can continue to be updated unlike a hard cover/paper back travel guide.

Mrs. Hillbilly · « **Reply #123 on:** Mar 26, 11, 01:35:26 PM »

Here is the newsletter/press release describing the new App. Feel free to always leave suggestions here for places for us to cover.... it's never ending!

I apologize for the delay since my last newsletter. It's been a long, rough year. Our neighbor burned our house down last June, and we have spent the last 6 months rebuilding our home.

Despite the setback, we are now back on track, shooting new videos and traveling the state in search of hidden gems and great deals to post as our Pick of the Day. But what I'm most excited about is my new Universal iPhone/iPad app/iPod Touch app on iTunes. It sells for just $4.99 -- the price of a latte at Starbucks -- and is jam-packed with information, links and awesome finds.

The new app is titled CALIFORNIA ESSENTIAL GUIDE, published by Sutro Media. Whether you're a lifelong resident or first-time visitor, you're sure to find something exciting, fresh and new in this interactive mobile guide.

More than 6,900 full-color photos and 550 attractions are featured in app, along with off-line maps and filters sortable by region, distance and price. The app also includes our 100+ video guides from our YouTube series, CALIFORNIA TRAVEL TIPS, which have now been viewed by more than 6 million people!

Great white shark dives, human "nests," Bigfoot museums and haunted hotels are among the unusual sights you'll find in this app, along with my essential travel tips and city guides.

On each entry you can quickly check an attraction's current hours and admission, get driving directions, or call them direct with the touch of a button. There are also links to handy PDF maps, audio tours and brochures. To learn more, check out our preview in the iTunes App Store.

Here's a sneak peek at what you can expect in the CALIFORNIA ESSENTIAL GUIDE.

* Detailed guides for Northern and Southern California with descriptions, photos, admission prices, hours, phone numbers and off-line maps.
* More than 100 concise video guides produced by the author
* Top California attractions, zoos, museums, aquariums and theme parks
* Multiple entries for Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure, along with dining advice, restaurant/hotel information, and travel tips
* Mini guides to California National Parks including Yosemite, Death Valley and Joshua Tree
* Mini guides to California wine country (including Napa, Sonoma, Temecula and Santa Barbara)
* Individual entries for all 21 California missions and historic El Camino Real
* Essential California events, from the Oscars to the Rose Parade
* Guide to visiting the Channel Islands, including Catalina Island tours and tips
* Guides to popular (and forgotten) California ghost towns
* Route 66 California landmarks and diners
* Haunted California hotels (and houses) open to the public
* More than 10 scenic California driving tours
* California motorcycle tours and biker bars
* Quirky California roadside attractions
* Free California family day trips and activities
* Los Angeles travel guide with essential downtown and Hollywood attractions
* Unique overnights, from tree houses and human nests to luxury campgrounds and celebrity estates
* Historic California hotels and restaurants
* California adventure travel: hot air balloon rides, rock climbing, kayaking, hang gliding, motorcycle tours and surfing.
* California agritourism destinations, from the cheese-makers in Point Reyes to the oyster beds in Tomales Bay
* Dozens of insider California travel tips, discount links and travel advice

CALIFORNIA ESSENTIAL GUIDE can be used offline. After downloading the app, load the content using a WiFi connection (this may take some time on first launch) and you're good to go.

I sincerely hope you enjoy our new app. What's best is that once you download it, you'll receive free future updates! And if I missed something you love, just let me know and I'll try to add it on the next release.

Thanks so much everyone!

All the best,

Veronica

Mrs. Hillbilly · « **Reply #124 on:** Jul 16, 11, 05:29:31 PM »

We went to the Kern River for the first time and camped at Camp James. The place was nice and clean. The river rafting was a blast! From our camp we took an hour drive up the road to the Trail of 100 Giants to see the Giant Sequoias. They are really amazing.... Here's a quick video tour.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lB0naqCWiuQ

Mrs. Hillbilly · « **Reply #125 on:** Nov 29, 11, 08:45:12 PM »

Cool sculptures in the desert...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYAhV3rbKI8

Mrs. Hillbilly · « **Reply #126 on:** Dec 01, 11, 08:33:37 PM »

More on Borrego.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lix8GrUAR4Q

Mrs. Hillbilly · « **Reply #127 on:** Dec 01, 11, 08:41:35 PM »

And if you go to Borrego, you need to check out the town of Julian which is short 40 minute drive...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKfnB5EkQrU

Mrs. Hillbilly · « **Reply #128 on:** Dec 03, 11, 10:00:07 PM »

The Riverside Heritage House is offering a free Victorian Christmas Tour on December 11th.

http://www.riversideca.gov/museum/heritagehouse/christmas-open.asp

If you go, check out the Mission Inn on your way home.
Here's a quick video of the Mission Inn's Festival of Lights.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2c8dLecpV4

ChrisLynnet · « **Reply #129 on:** Dec 04, 11, 07:12:42 AM »

Quote from: Pac-Fan on Dec 01, 11, 08:41:35 PM

And if you go to Borrego, you need to check out the town of Julian which is short 40 minute drive...

My son, I and the dog stayed in Julian a few years ago and really enjoyed it. My dog however was terrified of the cows we encountered on our walk -- standing safely behind fences mind you -- and kept hiding behind me!

Mrs. Hillbilly · « **Reply #130 on:** Jan 05, 12, 08:46:43 PM »

Knott's Berry Farm anyone?

Man, we have not been there in years. Veronica and I joke about the old "Studio K" and "Cloud 9" 80's dance days that Knott's once provided. No, we're not in this picture.... Thank goodness....

I did take our youngest daughter to Knott's back in 06' for a quick toddler tour but had not been back to experience the rest of the park. Disneyland has always been our ticket. And now that our D-land annual passes have expired, coughing up another 1k plus is not an option. Although they now offer monthly payments....

We finally made the trip to Knott's on new years day and I have to say, we were more than satisfied. Knott's was inexpensive, clean and had a friendly staff. The thrill rides were insane! The one that we feared and enjoyed most was the Ghost Rider wooden coaster. I had not ridden a true wooden roller coaster since Magic Mountain's Colossus in the 80's. I forgot how thrilling and scary these big coasters are. The Ghost Rider coaster is currently the longest wooden coaster on the west coast.

This coaster lives up to it's name, as we all turned ghost white after the ride. My kids have been on everything at D-land/Cal adventure, which have there fair share of thrill rides. But, they were not prepared for what this coaster had to offer. Nothing compares to the clickety-clack sound, steep drops and the rougher ride than a true wooden coaster provides.

There is also some good history between ol' Walter Knott and Walt Disney. Veronica will be sharing that in the video.

Bye bye small world

Hello Knott's....

Less money, less crowds makes much more sense for us at this time.

in my dreams · « **Reply #131 on:** Jan 06, 12, 08:36:38 AM »

I have to agree Knott's is an under-rated place to have a lot of (relatively) affordable fun. We go annually because we get a sweet deal on tickets through my husband's work. If it weren't for gas prices, we'd get their very affordable passes. My niece used to practically live at their water park in the summer--another fun thing to consider.

KathySC · « **Reply #132 on:** Jan 06, 12, 08:54:00 AM »

I totlly agree about the value of Knotts vs Disneyland. Sure, Disneyland has the "magic" but at what cost? You can pretrty much get an annual pass to Knotts for the price of a visit to Disneyland. And there is plenty of fun stuff to do. (and, anyway, that's where Chuck and I met each other - a few years ago).

Last weekend we went to Boomers in Upland and had a great time at a very reasonable cost.

ChattyCathy · « **Reply #133 on:** Jan 06, 12, 11:13:51 AM »

I remember Knott's when it was only a ghost town!

The last time I went on Montezuma's Revenge, I ended up in the hospital for 3 days. (My body does not like those rides - bummer, because I used to like roller coasters).

My heart is with Disneyland. I have pictures of me there when it first opened (yes, I am older than Disneyland, but not by much!) My father used to get us in free with his badge (a parole officer), and even though rides required tickets, it never failed that people handed us their unused tickets when leaving the park - even E tickets.

I went to D-land every day for 40 days in a row to collect their 40-year promotion trading cards. My kids actually said, "Do we have to go to Disneyland again?"

But then both kids ended up working there during and after graduating from high school. It was actually, in a round about way, thanks to Disneyland that we ended up moving to Wrightwood. (It really is - daughter was injured while working at D-land, she had to drop out of art school due to her injury, which moved our plan of moving out of Orange County up a few years. The timing was right in selling the house - sold in one day, and the rest is history.)

Their season passes are expensive, but if you look at their site, you can buy a pass and make monthly payments. There is an initial $80 down payment, but then for as low as $20 a month, you have a year of Disneyland. Just thought I'd pass that on.

Wrightwood · « **Reply #134 on:** Jan 06, 12, 11:21:25 AM »

ChattyCathy I also remember Knott's as a ghost town and still have some E Tickets for Disneyland.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E_ticket

ChattyCathy · « **Reply #135 on:** Jan 06, 12, 11:45:35 AM »

Dang we're old!

ForestGal · « **Reply #136 on:** Jan 06, 12, 09:59:10 PM »

Well, I'm older than you! My first visit to Disneyland was for my birthday, December 1955, which was the year they opened.
I've been there many times since, and seen the improvements over the years. It's been 7 or 8 years now since my last visit there.

I've only been to Knott's and to Magic Mountain once each, and those trips were in I think 1976.

KathySC · « **Reply #137 on:** Jan 07, 12, 06:27:41 AM »

I too went to Disneyland when they first opened. The Mouseketeers performed there. We set in bleachers to watch. I leaned forward on the seat and fell through the bleachers. My mom was able to catch my coat to break my fall, but I was taken to their medical center in some sort of "ambulance". Since we didn't get to watch all the performance, they invited us to come back again soon. We did and got special seats up front (I'm sure they didn't want me falling through again). We set next to Jimmy's mom (he was the adult leader of the group) and she bragged about him all through the performance. The Mouseketeers came up and talked to me too. I have very vague memories of this, kept alive by my parents telling of the story.

I always loved having lunch at the restaurant where we could watch the show with Wally Boag pulling things out of his bag and making balloon figures. Disneyland was a once-a-year treat. In high school Knott's was a favorite hang out because it was FREE.

ChattyCathy · « **Reply #138 on:** Jan 07, 12, 10:32:30 AM »

I remember Wally Boag! We'd go to the Golden Horseshoe Review all the time because it required no ticket, and I even shook Walt Disney's hand there.

Even though we could get in free, we only went once or twice a year with my dad's badge, but my best friend's mom worked there, so we went every year for her birthday. It was still a special place to go and I never got tired of it. We also lived much closer to D-land than Knott's.

Does anyone remember feeding the seals at Knott's?

Wrightwood · « **Reply #139 on:** Jan 07, 12, 11:17:49 AM »

Does anyone remember feeding the seals at Knott's?
Now that brings back memories.