June is the month for arts, birds, cars, crabs, fairs, festivals and travel deals galore.
San Diego: June 12th. is opening day for the San Diego County Fair. It features top performing artists and popular attractions, e.g., carnival rides, livestock exhibits, home and hobby displays, woodworking, an award-winning flower show and food galore. Go online to www.sdfair to find out more. Throughout June the SD REPertory Theatre is presenting the San Diego Jewish Arts Festival. The event includes theatre, music, dance and visual arts. For further information go to www.sdrep.org. On June 21 and 22, the annual La Jolla Festival of Arts and Food Fair hosts over 190 award-winning local and national artists displaying paintings, sculptures, fine jewelry, photography and more. There is also live entertainment and a children's area featuring interactive booths, hands-on games and activities. Information can be found at www.lajollaartfestival.org. The La Jolla Festival of the Arts is a non-profit organization that raises funds that support disabled San Diegans as well as wounded warriors returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.
The San Diego County Fair
Arcata: The Crabs are the oldest semi-pro baseball team in the U.S. Their season begins June 1 and runs through August. This season, the Crabs join a new league, the West Coast League Tri-State. The Crabs will face a dozen new opponents, along with old rivals like the River Dogs, Mudcats and, of course, the dreaded Steelheads. It’s inexpensive, old fashioned family fun. Call 1-707- 826-2333 for tickets or go online to: www.humboldtcrabs.com.
Crabs Baseball
Santa Cruz County: The Santa Cruz County Conference & Visitors Council recently announced that the second edition of the popular Birding and Wildlife Watching Kit is now available. Contact them at www.santacruz.org or call 1-800-833-3494 for your free copy. The State Parks will be busy on June 6th. From 6:30 PM – 9 PM, it’s Full Moon Madness Astronomy Night at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton. Tour the forest and gaze at the moon through telescopes. Activities also include music, a multi-media presentation about the park's nocturnal critters, crafts for kids and refreshments. Phone 1-831-335-7077 for further information. At Seacliff State Beach in Aptos the Festival of the Cement Ship will be held from 11 AM – 9 PM. There’s music, dancing, a cakewalk and games. Call 1-831-685-6444 or go online at www.santacruzstateparks.org to find out more.
The SS Palo Alto, A Cement Ship, Built in 1918 in Alameda, CA During WW I
Costa Mesa: A new promotion, “2009 Fly/Drive & Dine on Us” offers valuable travel and dining incentives along with competitive room rates. Ten hotels are offering $25 per night dining certificates per reservation for each night redeemable at participating Costa Mesa area restaurants. Additionally, a $25 reimbursement on airfare or gas purchase will be mailed to guests after their visit. For three or more consecutive nights, the amount amount rises to $50. Guests also receive a VIP Passport from South Coast Plaza filled with valuable special offers from leading retail establishments. The special runs through September. Call 1-714-435-8530 or visit www.TravelCostaMesa.com for details.
Shopping is the Number One Vacation Activity
Santa Barbara: The city is committed to car-free trips. The “Take a Vacation from the Gas Pump” promotion offers savings up to 50 percent at 42 hotels, restaurants and activities around town just by showing a current Amtrak ticket. Their “Celebrate Car Free-dom” vacation packages feature ways to contribute to cleaner air and a healthier planet. They include: “Paradise Package with Wine Tour, Sunset Sail & More” at Santa Barbara Hotel Group properties, “Coastline Cruise and Trolley Tour Package” at Hotel Santa Barbara, “Farmer's Market Package” at Inn of the Spanish Garden and “De-Stress on Foot, by Bike or Electric Shuttle” at Old Yacht Club Inn. For complete information on the “Santa Barbara Car Free-dom Packages” and hundreds of car-less options including a free, colorful map, log onto www.SantaBarbaraCarFree.org.
Water Taxi Santa Barbara Style
Safe travels and enjoy the journey…
Howard Hian
www.Travels-with-Hian.com
Thanks to the various websites for information. Before you go please check details, rates, etc., availability and restrictions may apply. Photos courtesy of the CVBs, Crabs by Matt Filar..
