Each issue of thetouroperator.com destination magazine will feature what’s new in a region that is featured. This issue, we feature the State of California.
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HOTELS
The new $37 million Burbank Marriott Residence Inn opened for business in November 2007. The 166-suite hotel’s design respects the aesthetic and functional importance to Burbank of its prime location, which neighbors Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros, NBC, DreamWorks SKG and Nickelodeon studios. It sits in the heart of the city’s renewed core at the corner of First Street and Verdugo Avenue. Its interior décor boasts of a Hollywood theme to include a vast sampling of artwork from the 1950s to the 1990s, which was originally produced in Burbank. Contact: www.marriott.com, 818-260-8787.
Opened in August 2007 just one block from San Diego Bay and five minutes from the San Diego International Airport, the Pearl Hotel in Point Loma has 23 vintage-modern rooms with custom floor-to-ceiling mosaic artwork, king- and queen-sized platform beds, wall-hanging fishbowls with tropical fish, 32-inch LCD televisions, designer light fixtures, and vintage lamps. The Pearl’s saltwater swimming pool is surrounded by semi-private poolside cabanas, which can be reserved for outdoor dining and bottle service. The poolside lounge also features an outdoor theater area with a 10-foot projection screen used for “dive-in” movies or special event presentations. Contact: www.thepearlsd.com, 877-732-7573.
The Ritz-Carlton Laguna Niguel has opened ENO, an interactive wine tasting room offering a knowledgeable staff and easily paired selections of wine, cheese and chocolate. There are more than 50 wines by the glass, a rotating selection of 50 artisanal cheeses and hand-crafted chocolates. There are seats for 36 guests. Contact: www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/LagunaNiguel/Default.htm, 949-240-2000.
The Diegan , a 161-unit condo hotel, is slated to open in early 2008 as The Setai San Diego. It will be the first Setai hotel to open since the unveiling of the five–star award-winning Setai Miami in 2005. Its developers call it the first five-star luxury condo-hotel in the city. The Setai San Diego will also have 24 penthouses ranging from 400 to 2,700 square feet. Rooms will have 10-foot ceilings and two operable windows; some units will have balconies overlooking San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter. The 23-story Setai San Diego will also house a restaurant; a lobby bar; a 5,000-square-foot spa; 30-seat private screening room; professional-quality recording studio; state-of-the-art fitness center; 7,000-square-foot pool deck with pool bar and private cabanas. Contact: www.setaisandiego.com, 619-702-6666.
Los Angeles’ famous Bel Age Hotel (actually on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood), which has been closed for a massive make-over, is scheduled to reopen the spring of 2008 as the London West Hollywood. It will have 220 suites styled by David Collins, cuisine by Gordon Ramsay, a full-service Golden Door spa, heated rooftop pool, a fitness center and beauty salon. Contact: www.londonwesthollywood.com, 310-854-1111.
The Hard Rock Hotel San Diego in the city’s historic Gaslamp Quarter opened in November 2007. The property consists of 420 luxury rooms and suites with cutting-edge design by San Diego-based architectural design firm Graham Downes. It will have Hard Rock’s trademark rock ‘n’ roll attitude, 24-7 service and high-octane nightlife. The 12-story hotel houses a world-class spa and fitness center, state-of-the-art screening room, landscaped outdoor pool deck with private cabanas, a music venue, retail boutiques, and banquet and meeting space. The rooms range from studios to rock star suites, all with a hip vibe featuring “floating” cantilevered furniture, state-of-the-art lighting, entertainment centers featuring LCD televisions, CD/DVD and iPod connections, a martini bar, halo-illuminated beds, bathrooms with ceiling-mounted rain showers, large work stations, WiFi Internet access, and a laptop safe. Contact: www.hardrockhotelsd.com, 619-578-2600.
Embassy Suites Hotels in November 2007 opened its first property in California's Santa Clarita Valley, the Embassy Suites Valencia. The hotel is owned by Innkeepers USA and managed by Island Hospitality, marking the first Embassy Suites in the company's portfolio. Embassy Suites Valencia is two miles from College of the Canyons and four miles from Castaic Lake State Recreation Area. Six Flags Magic Mountain and Six Flags Hurricane Harbor are less than two miles away. A complimentary breakfast, cooked to order, is provided each morning. Guests can also dine at the on-site fine-dining restaurant or relax in the lobby bar, which has a fireplace. Room service is also offered. Contact: www.embassysuites.com, 661-257-311.
The Grand Del Mar, Manchester Grand Resorts’ newest luxury property recently opened near La Jolla. The new 249-room resort hotel provides luxury accommodations, including 19 suites; an 18-hole, 400-acre Tom Fazio-designed golf course; a full-service, 21,000-sq. ft. full-service spa; Kid’s Club; Teen Lounge, and four pools. The resort is on the Los Penasquitos Canyon Reserve and next to the Grand Golf Club in Del Mar. An onsite naturalist leads nature walks, canyon expeditions, and mountain bike tours throughout the reserve. Contact: www.thegranddelmar.com, 858-350-7600.
Scheduled to open at any moment is the historic Craftsmen-style 1906 Lodge in Coronado, across the bay from San Diego. The property has 17 guest rooms, including six in the original historic building and 11 rooms that are being added to a bungalow structure around the perimeter of the property. The bungalow rooms will have king-sized beds, spa tubs, private entrances, a private balcony or porch, and fireplace. Period furniture, queen-sized beds and original leaded glass windows will be in the lodge rooms. The hotel will also provide complimentary breakfast and afternoon refreshments, robes, spa services, underground parking, evening turndown service, wireless Internet connection, DVD players, and beach chair, towels, picnic basket, and blanket rentals. Contact: www.1906lodge.com, 619-437-1900.
The Disneyland resort area has nearly 21,000 hotel rooms, but Hotel Menage, a former Holiday Inn that underwent a $5 million renovation and had its grand reopening in June 2007, is designed to appeal more to adults than the children. Said the Los Angeles Times, “The lobby could have been snatched from a W Hotel, with white flowing drapes, lounge-style couches and cool, ambient music." A red room -- which doubles as an office center -- is filled with red leather couches, another red lava lamp and lush, red curtains. Rooms are sleek, with concrete floors, leather headboards and 41-inch plasma-screen televisions.” In addition to having its furniture, fixtures and lobby updated, the 248-room property has a new restaurant as well. Contact: www.hotelmenage.com ,714-758-0900 .
ATTRACTIONS/THEME PARKS
Saratoga's famed Mountain Winery is undergoing a massive redevelopment that will include expansion of the site’s concert-bowl seating area from 1,750 seats up to 2,500. The owners hope to have the facility re-opened in time for the 2008 summer concert series. The winery traditionally has put on about 75 shows a summer with artists performing on several consecutive nights. Contact: www.mountainwinery.com, 408-741-2822.
Universal CityWalk Hollywood has taken extreme to new heights with the opening of iFLY Hollywood, Los Angeles’ first ever indoor skydiving wind tunnel. Housed in the world's tallest and most technologically advanced indoor wind tunnel, thrill-seekers enjoy a close approximation of a true skydiving experience as they are suspended in mid-air at heights of up to 30 feet and wind speeds of more than 125 miles-per-hour, with 360-degree views of CityWalk's pedestrian promenade. The experience replicates skydiving by using two colossal electric fans to give guests of all ages an authentic and intense free-fall sensation. Certified skydiving instructors provide individualized training prior to each skydiving adventure and guests don authentic skydiving gear. Guests receive a Certificate of Completion following their flight. Group rates are available. Contact: www.iflyhollywood.com, 818-985-4359.
LEGOLAND California is adding a new adventure area that is scheduled to open in March 2008. Merlin Entertainments, the second largest attraction operator in the world, has invested more than $20 million in these expansions. The new Land of Adventure contains four new attractions including LEGOLAND California's first-ever dark ride, Lost Kingdom Adventure. Guests board desert jeeps on a journey to recover stolen treasure by blasting targets with laser guns, keeping score along the way. Opening adjacent to LEGOLAND summer 2008 is SEA LIFE is a two-story, 36,000 square foot aquarium with a separate entrance. SEA LIFE is aimed at captivating children on an intimate and inspirational level. The attraction offers a variety of group discounts. Contact: http://www.legoland.com/california.htm, 760-918-5346.
In February 2008, Los Angeles will witness the birth of two major cultural attractions. With the premiere of the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM), the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) will open the first new museum built in LA since the Getty Center made its debut a decade ago. BCAM will feature works by such contemporary masters as Jasper Johns, Jeff Koons, Ed Ruscha, Richard Serra and others. BCAM is the centerpiece of the $156 million transformation of LACMA, whose campus will include new gardens, an entry pavilion, expanded parking facilities and other visitor amenities. Unlike most destinations in the world, Los Angeles opens gardens in the winter. Part of a new, $18 million, 12-acre Chinese garden will open in February at the Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens. Liu Fang Yuan, or Garden of Flowing Fragrance, will be one of the largest classical gardens outside of China. The landscape will include stone bridges, pavilions, a lake and plants native to China. Contact: www.lacma.org, 323-857-6000 and www.huntington.org, 626-405-2100 .
Since Nov. 1, 2007, the Petersen Automotive Museum has been showcasing the historical connection between the automobile and the City of Los Angeles, with “La Vida Lowrider: Cruising the City of Angels.” Dropped as close to the pavement as possible, painted in vibrant colors and creatively customized, lowriders originated in LA’s Latino neighborhoods and are one of LA’s most prominent cultural symbols. The exhibit will run through May 2008. Contact: www.petersen.org, 323-930-2277 .
The San Francisco Ballet, America’s oldest professional ballet company, is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2008. The ballet’s year-long celebration includes a New Works Festival by 10 eminent choreographers; guest performances by international companies, including Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo, The National Ballet of Canada and New York City Ballet; a four-city U.S. tour to Chicago, New York City, Costa Mesa, Calif. and Washington, D.C. in the fall; and special exhibitions at San Francisco International Airport and the San Francisco Performing Arts Library & Museum. The San Francisco Ballet’s 75th anniversary season extends from Jan. 29 to May 6, 2008. Contact: www.sfballet.org, 415-553-4667.
In a city known for its velvet ropes and red carpet award ceremonies, one of the most eagerly anticipated openings took place last October in Los Angeles – the opening of the 7,100-seat, state-of-the-art NOKIA Theatre. The theatre serves as the heart and soul of the new 5.6 million square foot L.A. LIVE sports, residential and entertainment district. Located across the street from STAPLES Center and the Los Angeles Convention Center, L.A. LIVE will ultimately become the primary event center in Southern California. The 27-acre L.A. LIVE campus will also house a 54-story, 1001-room convention "headquarters" hotel (combining JW Marriott and The Ritz Carlton brands and 224 luxury condominiums), The Grammy Museum, Club Nokia, a 2,200 capacity live music venue, a 14-screen Regal Cineplex, "broadcast" facilities for ESPN along with entertainment, restaurant and office space. Contact: www.nokiatheatrelalive.com, 213-763-6030 .
Also from L.A. Live: New restaurant openings include Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar; Katsuya, the ultra-hip sushi and robata bar; the Yard House restaurant and brew pub; New York-based Rosa Mexicano fine dining; ESPN Zone Restaurant and sports bar; a new Wolfgang Puck eatery at NOKIA Plaza; plus a Starbucks, a New Zealand Natural Ice Cream shop and a quick-service restaurant. In addition, the GRAMMY Museum will open in October as part of the GRAMMY Awards 50th anniversary year. The one-of-a-kind museum will include a 200-seat theatre and a rooftop terrace for up to 450 guests. Club NOKIA will open in 2008 with live performances and private events for up to 2,300 guests. Contact: www.lalive.com, 213-763-5483.
Anaheim GardenWalk , an outdoor shopping and dining experience among manicured garden walkways, opened its first phase in November 2007. This includes restaurants such as Bubba Gump, California Pizza Kitchen, Cheesecake Factory, McCormick & Schmick Grill, P.F. Chang's and Roy's of Hawaii. The remaining space will open in May 2008, featuring popular retailers, more restaurants and a few Orange County originals: Aveda, Banana Republic, Bar Louie, Brian Wilson's Surfin' Beach Party, Defy Board Shop, Harley Davidson, Heat Ultra Lounge, OC Gift, White House/Black Market and XP Apparel. Contact: www.anaheimgardenwalk.com,
The Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach has reopened following a $10 million expansion and doubling of its size. The contemporary building has a new permanent exhibit to honor the grand re-opening: “A Bridge to the Americas.” Contact: www.molaa.org, 562-437-1689.
The Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage has opened at the Disneyland® Resort. The all-new underwater adventure is inspired by the Disney presentation of the Pixar Animation Studios film, “Finding Nemo,” and features the eight submarines of the fondly remembered Submarine Voyage attraction. Contact: http://disneyland.disney.go.com/, 714-520-5060.
The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach now has running a new exhibit all about surfing. Visitors can catch a wave around the Pacific Ocean as they explore animals that live in the surf, waves, surf culture, and more. It’s California cool, through March 31, 2008. The aquarium also features over 50 other exhibits, which house more than 12,500 animals. Contact: www.aquariumofpacific.org, 562-951-1695.
Universal Studios Hollywood has opened a House of Horrors. In a simulated Gothic castle, visitors will see some of the 20 infamous characters in theme rooms that includes Dracula’s portal, the burial crypt of The Bride of Frankenstein, The Phantom of the Opera’s lair and more. Some authentic film props are on the route. Contact: www.universalstudioshollywood.com , 800-864-837-725 .
In Sonoma, after 13 years of producing award-winning, Italian and other varietal wines, the owners of Jacuzzi Family Vineyards has opened Jacuzzi Family Vineyards Winery. It is named in honor of Valeriano Jacuzzi and his family of pump and spa fame. The interior of the 18,000-square-foot facility features magnificent pieces of Italian art, Venetian-style glass chandeliers, handmade furnishings, a 17-foot stonecast fountain imported from Italy and an 80-year-old fig tree imported from Valeriano Jacuzzi’s ranch, among other exquisite details. Mature olive trees also from Valeriano’s ranch adorn the entrance.
History is included, too. The second floor of the winery features a museum that chronicles the Jacuzzi family’s immigration from Italy to the United States, and showcases many family artifacts and inventions. Contact: www.jacuzziwines.com , 707-931-7575 .
SHOPPING
Though its fifth anchor tenant, Marshalls, isn't scheduled to open until the spring of 2008, Antioch's Somersville Towne Center in Contra Costa County, already has new high-profile specialty retailers that include Forever 21, Vans, Journeys, Torrid, Wet Seal and Zumiez. All carry apparel and/or sportswear that appeal to the mall's best demographic friend in the 21st century - trend-oriented teens and 20-somethings seeking fashionable garb on a budget. Cross said another new tenant joining Marshalls in the exterior strip structure is the New Oriental Buffet, a 7,400-square-foot Asian eatery. Somersville Towne Center is anchored by Sears, Mervyns, Gottschalks and Macy’s, which built a two-story, 110,000-square-foot store that opened in 2004. Contact: www.somersvilletownecenter.com, 925-778-5055.
South Coast Plaza , one of Orange County’s best-known shopping destinations, recently brought 12 new retailers to its impressive lineup of more than 200 stores. The additions are Bloomingdale’s, H&M (two locations), Allen-Edmonds, Bare Escentuals, CALYPSO, Christiane Celle, Environment Furniture, Marni, Molton Brown, Movado and Simon Pearce. Contact: www.south-coast-plaza.com, 714-435-2000.
DINING
Since it’s opening, Ritual Supper Club in Hollywood has proven to be the “ultra cool” hot spot with visits by A-list celebrities. In addition to its impressive schedule of special events, Ritual features a Pacific Rim men including swordfish, short ribs and the “Mystical Chef Any Cut Roll, a formerly off-the-menu offering that will soon be the decadent staple.” The Ritual is the latest Hollywood happening from the creative group who previously produced the nightclub and fine dining restaurant White Lotus. Contact: www.ritualsupperclub.com or call 323-463-0060.
Santa Maria BBQ , which started out many years ago as a chuck-wagon-style catering operation, gained such a following that it moved in 2007 to a new location in downtown Culver City. It's clear from its name that Santa Maria BBQ specializes in Central Coast-style barbecue: spice-rubbed meats cooked over wood, preferably red oak, and served with salsa, and often with rice and beans. In addition to classic tri-tip, the restaurant offers barbecued pork, sirloin, chicken and baby back pork ribs. Wrote one reviewer who went to Santa Maria with her family: “We have a meal that goes beyond problem-solving – a terrific spread of excellent meats, good sides and a few stand-out specialties.“ Contact: www.santamariabbq.com , 310-842-8169 .
The Encounter Restaurant, located in the heart of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), has reopened after being closed for much 2007 for renovations. Operator Delaware North Travel and Hospitality Services has refurbished the restaurant's interior with new carpeting, repaired its iconic lava lamps and updated other fixtures. With 135-foot high parabolic arches and a futuristic design, the Theme Building has become one of the most recognizable buildings in the U.S. It was designed by architect Paul R. Williams in 1961 at a cost of $2.2 million and it was complemented by Encounter Restaurant in 1997. The restaurant is not within a screened security area of LAX, so travelers may keep their luggage at their table. The restaurant is open for lunch daily from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and dinner on Friday and Saturday from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Contact: www.encounterlax.com, 310-215-5151.
TOURS/GROUND TRANSIT
Starline Tours , which is launching a new service with double decker buses that will run a fixed route daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. at 30-minute intervals between Hollywood, Beverly Hills and the Farmers Market. Tourists pay one price and have the right to ride the shuttles for 24 hours at no additional cost. Contact: www.starlinetours.com, 800-959-3131.
The Catalina Adventure is the newest express service to Catalina Island from Marina del Rey. Designed for fuel efficiency and boasting the latest in technology, this “HYSUCAT” hydrofoil-assisted catamaran has comfortable seating for 149, panoramic views, a sun deck with shade and sun seating, a private lounge behind the helm that seats 20 passengers with its own wet bar and restroom. It also has a large flat screen TV that feeds a GPS navigation map located at the Navigator Bar. Only private charters are available to the island with a travel time of approximately 1½ hrs. Contact: www.pacificadventurecruises.com, 888-880-2628.
The Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) began service from the Anaheim Amtrak station to The Disneyland Resort and Anaheim Resort hotels on Oct. 1, 2007. The shuttle service departs hourly, meeting southbound and northbound Amtrak Pacific Surfliner trains. A schedule is posted on the ART website. The fare is $3 for adults and free for children ages 10 and under. Beginning Jan. 8, 2008, children 10 years and under will be charged $1. A ticket vending kiosk will be available at the station, which is adjacent to the Angel Stadium parking lot. Contact: www.rideart.org, www.amtrak.com, 888-364-2787, 800-872-7245.
Redwood Parks Lodge Company has formed a guided tour operation, Redwood Adventures Tours, for visitors to the Redwood National and State Parks in northern California. The parks are approximately midway between San Francisco and Portland. Five packages have been set up, ranging from a one-hour Orientation Tour covering the “who, what, where, why and how” of the parks to a six-hour comprehensive and flexible full day tour for a close look at sites in the four separate parks. Participants receive an orientation package for each tour. On the longer tours a snack, picnic lunch and interpretive learning packet are also provided. Contact: www.redwoodadventures.com, 866-733-9637.
San Diego’s newest tour company, San Diego Insider Tours, offers thematic group and private tours illuminating the many offerings that make San Diego exceptional. The Surf Culture Safari tour is a four-hour experience where guests get acquainted with four popular beach communities, visit the world’s first engineered surfing park and the California Surf Museum in Oceanside, learn to read surf patterns and how surfers pick their waves, sample fish tacos, and shop for surf gear and beach culture memorabilia. During the Photographic Treasure Hunt, visitors start at the waterfront in downtown San Diego and venture to the botanical offerings of Balboa Park where they visit a grove of redwoods and giant sequoias, a hidden butterfly garden, tropical palm-filled canyon, and one of the top public rose collections in the world –- all while taking photos with the advice from an expert photographer. A gourmet snack is included with all tours. Contact: www.sandiegoinsidertours.com, 858-488-7512.
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