California Roundup – March 2010 

San Diego – There is a lot going on at the world-famous San Diego Zoo.  It is the first zoo in the United States to be featured on Street View in Google Maps. This allows visitors to virtually roam through a 360-degree ground-level view of the zoo. Go to Google Maps, type "San Diego Zoo" into the search field and drag the little yellow peg-man onto the aerial photo of the park. 

Also at the zoo, a new promotion encourages moms to bring their playgroup to enjoy the Mommy Meetup program that is free for children five and under (Note: paid admission is still required). Participants can enter the zoo early and enjoy a special one-hour program that includes a chance to meet some of the many unique zoo residents up close and personal. The animal theme changes each month and, in March, the focus is on orangutans.  Mommy Meetup is offered Monday through Friday, beginning at 8:45 AM; check for details online at www.meetup.com and search for San Diego Zoo. 

                                                      San Diego Zoo's Petting Paddock

5-1-1 is the newest safety feature for San Diego drivers needing help.  Instead of dialing 9-1-1 or using a highway call box, a motorist in trouble can pull over to a safe place, dial 5-1-1 and say “Roadside Assistance.”  The system will direct the information to the Call Box Answer Center and then transfer to the California Highway Patrol, AAA or other appropriate sources of assistance.  Log onto www.511sd.com to learn more about this free service for commuters, transit riders, carpoolers, visitors, etc. 

Joshua Tree National Park - The Desert Institute has a complete schedule of weekend field classes for adults. Multiple courses are offered with themes including geology, cultural history, archeology, hiking, photography, painting, botany, pictographs and petroglyphs, wildflowers, poetry and the Native American presence in the region.  Contact the Desert Institute at 1-760-367-5535 or online at www.joshuatree.org for further information.

                                                                  Joshua Tree National Park

Safe travels and enjoy the journey… 

Howard Hian

www.Travels-with-Hian.com 

Thanks to the various websites for information and photos. 

Please check details, dates, rates and availability; some restrictions may apply.  Photo of the Joshua tree courtesy of Bill Chappell.  Zoo photo courtesy of Reed Harper.