Ojai -Weekend Getaway

Walking into the picturesque lobby of the Ojai Valley Inn, our girls noticed a glass container filled with nostalgic candies. Mary Jane's filled with peanut butter and colorful Necco wafers. Our youngest took the last Mary Jane and enjoyed every bite. A staff member presented our daughter with a penny to make a wish and throw into the lobby fountain. She wished for more sweet treats while at the resort. Her wish came true! Our weekend was filled with sweet memories.

Ojai Valley Inn is a family and pet friendly resort that caters to everyone. Since our room wasn’t ready, we lunched at the Oak Grill patio overlooking 200 year-old Oak trees and a championship golf course. The food was superb.

Afterward, our girls swam in the main pool. Colorful flotation rafts and tubes kept smiles on little ones faces. My husband and I took turns visiting the Spa to gently dissolve our knots and tight muscles with a deep tissue massage. For adults and children over 16, the pools next to the spa are quieter than the main pool and a great area for laps.

We all reunited and walked into town along the wide and smooth walking/bike path. Bike rentals are available at the resort. A trolley stop, across from the lobby, transports families into the center of town. Along the walk we checked out the tennis courts. Nearby is Camp Ojai for youngster’s ages 5 to 12. They offer a morning session, half-day and full day programs.

Walking further on the path we stopped at Libbey Park to climb on the play structures and admire an art show and music festival. Afterwards, we walked to the Ojai Historical Museum to enjoy at art, artifacts, and photos of early Ojai and Chumash Indians.

Our room was ready when we returned to the Inn, so we jumped into a golf cart and arrived at Casa Loma 367. The spacious room overlooked the golf course and had a large-tiled patio, ideal for breakfast in the morning.

For dinner, we decided to go into town and try a French/Italian restaurant, Suzanne's Cuisine. Inside this remodeled home it’s filled with amazing flower arrangements and an innovative menu. The food is fresh and comforting.

Upon returning to our room, we walked out onto our patio and looked up at the stars. They were spectacular. We pointed out both dippers and Orion’s belt easily.

Sunday morning we checked out of the Inn and had brunch at Boccali’s for salads, pasta and pizza. While looking at the magnificent mountains, we all agreed that Ojai was worth another family weekend getaway to unwind and enjoy each other.

For reservations and Information on the Ojai Valley Inn call, 888-697-8780, or go to: http://www.ojairesort.com/
Ojai Historical Museum 130 W. Ojai Ave. Open until 4 pm from Thurs thru Sunday.
Suzanne’s Cuisine – 502 W. Ojai Ave., (805) 640-1961
Boccali’s – 3277 E. Ojai Ave. (805) 646-6116

The "New" Solvang

After the movie "Sideways" was released, Solvang was invaded by wine

aficionados and tourists who wanted to experience a meal at The Hitching Post

and see the movie landmarks throughout the town. Solvang still has a Danish bakery

on every street, however things are

changing in an exciting way.

As I sat down in the lovely English garden with Paul Navratil, owner of the Solvang Gardens Lodge, I learned that the city recently hired an outside consultant to create a study on how to direct the quaint and charming old fashion town of Solvang to become more progressive in today's ever changing world.

One recommendation: Attract a more affluent clientele. The Chumash Indians bought the old Royal Scandinavian Inn and renovated it into the premier boutique hotel Corque. Then they lured acclaimed chef from Caesars Palace in Vegas, Bradley Ogden and opened root 246, a restaurant unlike any other
in Solvang.

While Danish meatballs and red cabbage are tasty, the area longed for Ogden's simple approach of using the freshest ingredients in the region to make simple farm-to-table dishes. With decor like no other in the quaint village, this restaurant is packed every weekend.

Across the street from root 246 is Paul's charming Inn. He purchased this property three years ago and maintains this intimate European bed and breakfast beautifully. Each room is unique and filled with antiques. Outside guests can hear the trickle of water from fountains throughout the property. Flowers, gardens and mini-waterfalls create a park-like setting.

Paul shared with me that he is booking more weddings this year, due to the economy. “Instead of having a wedding at a big hotel, couples are looking at properties like mine to have a more intimate wedding.” His wife is a wedding planner and transforms the gardens into a magical setting. Guests may reserve a wing of rooms for their guests. A cozy honeymoon suite is located upstairs.

The property also has a Spa Cottage for guests to relax and unwind with a soothing massage.  Located at: 293 Alisal Road ,Solvang CA 93463 - Phone: 805-688-4404 - Toll Free: 888-688-4404 or info@solvanggardens.com

Central Coast's Friendliest Farm

The Avila Valley Barn is a great stop while travelling up the Central Coast. Not only do they have farm animals that families can pet and feed ($1 bag of lettuce), but they bake delicious and fresh fruit pies daily. The open-air market also sells colorful fruits and vegetables.

Little one's can stretch their legs running through a hay maze or take a tractor pulled hay ride. There are picnic tables and restrooms.

560 Avila Beach Drive • San Luis Obispo CA 93405805.595.2810

Family Friendly Central Coast Escape

Driving up the Central coast and before arriving in San Luis Obispo, is one of the safest beaches in California. Located near Point San Luis in a secluded bay is Avila Beach. Due to its locations, it's sunnier here than other coastal communities.
The Inn at Avila Beach offers oceanfront units with balconies. Upstairs is a rooftop sundeck with BBQs, wet bars, televisions, couches, tables, and hammocks. The sunsets from up here are spectacular.
There are two piers. Harford Pier is a commercial fishing pier with pelicans, sea lions, and tanks filled with oysters, crabs and lobsters. You can purchase the freshest seafood in town and take it back to the Inn to cook on the grill.
Kids love to swing on the beach, play in the whimsical playground with a pirate ship and dolphins, and visit Avila Farm to feed cows, pigs, and donkeys. Don't forget to buy a freshly baked pie and some of their fresh fruit and vegetables. The Inn at Avila Beach - (805) 595-2300, 256 Front Street, Avila Beach.

The RALEIGH Hotel

My FAVORITE hotel in South Beach is the authentic art-deco resort, RALEIGH. One step into this perfectly preserved 1940 masterpiece is like stepping back into an elegant and relaxing lifestyle.

Walking up to the hotel from Collins Street, the lush trees and cruiser bikes near the front door, set the mood. As we walked towards the pool, we walked by the romantic terrace restaurant canopied under old Sea grape trees. Hanging basket lights and nearby orchids growing on trees gives this area a fun, funky, yet elegant feel. The pool is stunningly beautiful. Large black inner tubes floating on the pool allow guests to sit and capture the sun rays. The tubes match the elegant pool design trim. A raised sunning area with daybeds allows guests to view the Atlantic Ocean.
Raleigh – 1775 Collins Ave. Miami Beach, (305) 534-6300,

New Cruise Ships Worth Exploring

Often we are asked which cruise line is our favorite? “All of them!” Each line is unique and offers innovative features to lure passengers onboard.

My article on New Ships Sailing our Seas was just published in the September issue of Not Born Yesterday. To read the article go to: Family Travel Outings - www.familytraveloutings.com.

Learn about the new features on the Carnival Dream, Ruby Princess, Holland America Eurodam, Celebrity Equinox and the much anticipated Cunard Queen Elizabeth. Scheduled to be launched in October 2010, the Queen Elizabeth sold out her maiden cruise in a record 29 minutes.

One of Nature's Spectacular Wonders

The first time we hiked up to the top of Half Dome, we saw the identical view Ansel Adams must have seen when he said, "Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space."

Yosemite is a great family destination to experience the natural beauty of this unique National park. Located in California, about four hours from Los Angeles, the park is about the size of Rhode Island with over 840 miles of hiking trails winding through breathtaking vistas of sculpted mountains and valleys carved from masses of granite.

We enjoy staying at the rustic Curry Village, or the Yosemite Lodge directly below the Yosemite Falls. For those who want to splurge, the Ahwahnee is a world-class resort.

Don't forget to bring your camera. Yosemite provides spectacular photo opportunities of wildlife at every turn. For more information go to http://www.yosemitepark.com/.