If you’re looking for the perfect family vacation or romantic getaway, Orange County should be at the top of your list! Originally beginning as a Los Angeles County, the “OC” has grown into it’s own over the last few decades. Here are the top 5 things to do in Orange County.

Things to do in Orange County: Beaches

While the coastline offered by the state is large and each beach boasts of something unique, the Orange county beaches are a ‘must-visit’ for all. When you drive over to Orange County, take time off to visit the Seal Beach, Surfside, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, San Clemente and the Sunset Beach. The beaches in these areas offer the quaint peacefulness and you can avoid the extreme crowds that you may otherwise encounter in other locations.

Things to do in Orange County: Shopping

Some of you might be interested in a shopping break. It is always fun to go shopping somewhere different, find stores, trend, and styles you don’t have at home. Orange County is home of one of the greatest malls of California, Fashion Island. It is a total new experience. The mall is quite elegant, ocean views, great outdoor settings, and more than 200 stores… now that’s shopping in Southern California!

Things to do in Orange County: Theme Parks

When talking about things to do in Orange County, Disneyland cannot be given a miss. At the southern end of LA in Orange County this is a completely different world on its own. Located about 20 miles south of downtown LA in the city of Anaheim, the park stays open from 10am to 6pm almost every day. There are special days when it stays open till midnight in winter too. While you are here, you can also explore California Adventure, a park for the adventurous with an airborne tour of the Golden State.
Disneyland is one of the number one reasons for planning a weekend getaway in Orange County. This can fill a whole day, and assures you a lot of fun. We recommend, if your budget allows it, to get the 2 park pass, so you can also enjoy California Adventure. The Parade at the end of the day is always fun, and if you want to do most of the parks attractions in one day, this will be a late night.

Things to do in Orange County: Sports

Orange County is home to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the Anaheim Ducks. Both teams are former champions and are consistently among the top teams in their leagues. Best of all, their stadiums are only about 10 minutes apart, so it’s easy to catch a game at both!

Things to do in Orange County: Catalina Island

Catalina Island, the romantic island of the coast of Orange County and Los Angeles is another worthy day trip. You can take the regular ferry, a fast boat or even fly in by helicopter to reach the island of Catalina. There are no cars on Catalina, so if you want to explore the whole island, you should rent a little golf cart to drive around. But the main attractions are easily reached by foot. Check out the casino or book an undersea tour, where you can see the amazing fishes and corals without getting wet. You can read more about Catalina Island here!

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

California and the neighboring Nevada are almost always mentioned in any top skiing areas in the world. The terrain offers a wide variety for all kinds of skiers irrespective of whether they are novices or beginners or experts looking for a challenge. The great part of most of the ski resorts in California is that they are accessible by air and by road at most times. Those who are looking at South California for some skiing resorts have the option of choosing between San Bernardino and San Gabriel Mountains and those who live in North California drive to North or South Lake Tahoe is an extremely desirable option.

Skiing in California – Typical Skiing Season

The typical time of the year when skiing is open for all is between the months of November and March. But given the weather conditions in the state, sometimes skiing is possible right up till June in various parts of the mountains. While you may not need to check whether the resorts are open during season time, you may want to make a reservation since the sport is extremely popular among Californians.

Alpine Skiing in California

California offers alpine skiing options and cross country ones too. There are four main areas for skiing in California – Northern California, Southern California, Lake Tahoe and Central California. While Northern California offers popular areas for skiing like the Cascade Mountains, the Gold Mountains, the Cedar Pass, Mt. Shasta Ski Park and Coppervale, Lake Tahoe has the North shore slopes, South shore slopes and the Donner Summit. Central California includes areas like Badger Pass, Dodge Ridge, Bear Valley, June Mountains, Shirley Meadows, Cottage Springs, Sierra Summit, Mammoth and Montecito-Sequoia.

Cross Country Skiing in California

Some of the cross country skiing areas in California include the Lassen National Park, Mt Shasta Ski Park, Camp Richardson, Clair Tappan, Eagle Mountain, Northstar, Squaw Valley, Spooner Lake, Tahoe Cross Country, green Valley Nordic, Rim Nordic and palm Springs Aerial Tram.

Some Popular California Ski Resorts in Detail

The numbers of ski resorts in California are many. Each one has its own characteristics that attract certain people. While some choose the ski resort on the basis of proximity to the place where they stay, others who are more enthusiastic about skiing choose resorts on the basis of the variety of slopes that they offer and the challenges that the slopes present. Below, we have discussed some popular ski resorts in California for your perusal.

Bear Mountain Resort – Twenty four chairlifts, 400 acres of skiing area and over 50 trails is what attracts skiing enthusiasts to this resort. The Park at the Bear Mountain is also a great place to learn skiing and therefore is a great place for beginners too.

Mt Shasta – This is a ski area where you will find trails that are lined with trees giving you a spectacular setting for skiing. At more than 14,000 feet, this mountain allows you to ski, snowboard and snowmobile too. There are also some terrain parks for those who are just beginning to try their hand at the sport too.

Coppervale Ski Area – Slightly south of Mt Shasta is the Copeprvale Ski area that is mainly manned by volunteers. A community supported skiing facility the numbers of jumps in the area, are limited. The attraction of this place lies in the warm comfort and ambience of the place.

Donner Ski Ranch – Known to be one of the first ski resorts of California, Donner Ski Ranch is still a popular destination for skiers. A few chairlifts can provide you access to acres of skiing slopes. The ranch is family run and can provide the perfect family vacation feel to the whole trip too.

Tahoe Donner Downhill – Not to be confused with the Donner Ski Ranch, the Tahoe Donner ski area is great when skiing is not all that you want to do on the vacation. It is a great place to go when you want to take a day off from the tourist activity in the Tahoe region and make a dash for the mountains. There is also the Snowflake Ski School where the instructors provide comprehensive sessions to all who are above 3 years of age. Those interested in cross country skiing can also explore 39 trails that are available.

Snow Valley Ski Resort – Located in the San Bernardino Mountains of Southern California, this is a resort that is only a few minutes away from Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs. So if you want to combine an angling and skiing trip, this may be the place for you. The place has 11 lifts and 30 trails to offer serious skiers.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Planning an elaborate vacation is sometimes so arduous, time consuming and stressful that one prefers to stay at home and chill out rather than take all the tension that comes with flying and flight delays especially during the holiday season. But if you could just drive down to an expansive coastline or take a day trip to the mountains, the whole affair can turn out into an enjoyable few days that you get off from the ennui and boredom.

While it is extremely difficult to choose from among the various beach, mountains and entertainment weekend escapes that California has to offer, here are the top 5 that are a must visit if you have not explored them already.

1.       Lake Tahoe – Top 5 California Weekend Escapes

Lake Tahoe promises to be a great short vacation spot irrespective of the time of the year. The place has a lot to offer in summer and winter too. And this is true for the North side of the lake as well as the South side. The Lake sits on the California-Nevada border and is one of the most popular locations for snow boarders and skiers. There are a large number of ski chalets and after a tiring yet invigorating day of skiing, the casinos offer great night activity too.

2.       California Hot Springs – Top 5 California Weekend Escapes

There is nothing more relaxing than an hour spent in the hot springs of California with mineral water directly from the depths of the Earth. In California there are hot springs that can be found in various styles. There are those that have wooden tubs and those that are created in the Japanese style baths too. Hot springs can be found all over Northern and Southern California. You can check out Drakesbad Guest Ranch at Mt. Lassen National Park, Orr Hot Springs, Surprise Valley, Vichy Springs or Wilbur Hot Springs in Northern California or Agua Caliente County Park, Beverly Hot Springs, Delight’s Hot Springs, Tecopa Hot Springs or the Fountain of Youth Spa in Southern part of the state. There is also the Desert Hot Springs Resorts in the Palm Springs Area too.

3.       Orange County Beaches – Top 5 California Weekend Escapes

No list of weekend escapes of California is complete without a beach destination. While the coastline offered by the state is large and each beach boasts of something unique, the Orange county beaches are a ‘must-visit’ for all. When you drive over to Orange County, take time off to visit the Seal Beach, Surfside, Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Dana Point, San Clemente and the Sunset Beach. The beaches in these areas offer the quaint peacefulness and you can avoid the extreme crowds that you may otherwise encounter in other locations.

4.       Yosemite National Park – Top 5 California Weekend Escapes

With about 761,268 acres of national park area, the Yosemite National Park is another hot favorite weekend escape in California. The park has land at various elevation levels that range from 2127 feet to 13114 feet. It is accessible and open throughout the year though the Tioga Road is closed during the winter. Though the road to glacier point is closed towards the end of November, it is opened later in the year from mid December up till early April for those who want to drive up to the Badger Pass Ski Area. This is a place for the nature lover and one can see various kinds of flora and fauna. Adventure enthusiasts love the place for the numerous trails that it offers.

5.       Disneyland – Top 5 California Weekend Escapes

Many may feel that Disneyland is probably not the best of places for a weekend getaway. But ask any parent and they will tell you the kind of pleasure it gives them when their children squeal with joy on encountering the Disney characters. If you are planning to visit Disney’s California Adventure Park or the Disneyland Park during the Christmas break, make sure that you have reservations in advance since it is likely to be full to the brim.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Holidays in Los Angeles are different and as soon as the holidays start at around Halloween there is a buzz of activity in the city. The city of angels practically turns into a festive pot as Hanukkah, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Christmas and other festivities take precedence over everything else. Large holiday sales, lights, skating and vacations are a part and parcel of holiday in Los Angeles. To make the most of the holiday season this year, here are some events that have been planned. Some of these are eternal and have become tradition in the city too.

Holiday Events in Los Angeles 2010: Pre-turkey boot camp – get fit not fat this holiday

As you wait for the Christmas spirit to hit, knowing that you will not be able to say no to the delectable dishes in front of you, take time off and join this boot camp to get ready to enjoy the festive food without guilt.

Holiday Events in Los Angeles 2010: Annual Winter Holiday Festival at Downtown on Ice

Enjoy the ice all through the month of December at Pershing Square. The place is open Friday to Sunday at 6 to 10 pm on Fridays and 11am to 7pm on the weekends. Some other places where you can enjoy ice skating are LA Kings Holiday Ice at L.A. LIVE from December 3^rd to December 17^th, Redondo Beach till January 18^th, W Los Angeles-Westwood Hotel till January 24^th and Westfield Promenade in Woodland Hills till February 21^st.

Holiday Events in Los Angeles 2010: Los Angeles Harbor Holiday Afloat Parade

A parade where you see boats decked up and dressed to cruise down the Main Channel, this is a great holiday event that is leisurely and relaxed. Take a walk along the town of San Pedro and you will know what a beauty this parade can be.

Holiday Events in Los Angeles 2010: Hanukkah Family Festival

Enjoy the family festival at the Skirball Cultural Center on December 5^th. Jewish families and families of other religion are invited to this cultural gathering for fun, enjoyment and participation.

Holiday Events in Los Angeles 2010: DWP Griffith Park Holiday Light Festival

Open from December 3^rd to December 30^th every year, this display of lights and landscaping will definitely have you going ‘ooooh’ and ‘aaah’.

Holiday Events in Los Angeles 2010: Reindeer Romp at the LA Zoo

Catch this reindeers at the zoo all through December. This is free for anyone who gets a ticket to the zoo. As the reindeers touchdown in the zoo to say hi to the other animals, Santa also comes to check on his helpers and you can get a good photo opportunity.

Holiday Events in Los Angeles 2010: New Year’s Eve Gala

Obviously held each year on December 31^st, this is an event performed at The Millennium Biltmore. The high ceiling of the ballroom is all sophistication and the classiness will definitely make this a memorable experience.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

You do not have to go out of the country for a vacation if you do not have too much time. There are a lot of vacation spots in the United States that are worth seeing before you decide to make a trip overseas. Here are the 10 best holiday locations in the US that you can visit. A great thing about a holiday in the United States is that you can choose to drive down if you care and enjoy the road trip too.

10 Best Holiday Locations in the US – New York

Even though this is the most populous city in the country, the financial capital of the country is worth a visit anytime. Many people like to visit the city after what they see of it in the iconic films. With the designer shops, traditional coffee shops and street shows, the city fails to let anyone down.

There are many attractions in the city that you can look at. The Empire State Building is a great place to visit if only to look at the New York City from one of the highest buildings that is an architectural masterpiece. You can avoid waiting in line for the tickets if you book in advance. The Statue of Liberty is obviously something that you have to see when you are in New York City. Gifted to the united States by France during the French Revolution, this statue is a symbol of a lot of things that the United States stands for. The Grand Central Terminal opened in 1913 and renovated ever since, the place is more than a transportation hub. The Rockefeller Center in Manhattan is a place for viewing the Christmas tree, ice skating, Rock observation Deck and Radio City Music Hall. Other attractions in the city include Ellis Island Immigration Museum, Staten Island Ferry, American Museum of Natural History and Central Park.  Don’t miss the Times Square that has all sorts of fun, exciting and informative tours.

10 Best Holiday Locations in the US – Seattle

The largest city in the Pacific Northwest, Seattle is a popular seaport that brings images of the Space Needle, ferries and fish flying through the air at Pike Place Market. Made popular across the world with the movie ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ the place is a great spot for vacationers.

The Pike Place Market covers 9 acres of shops, stalls, eateries, galleries and more. Just wandering among the colorful flowers, foods and decorations (and of course the seafood) is a pleasure in itself. The Seattle Center is known as the popular site of the 1962 World Fair. Here you can witness the Space Needle, the Science Fiction Museum, Hall of Fame and Pacific Science Center. When in Seattle, it is mandatory that you take a ferry for a day and look at the city from the waterfront. The Woodland Park Zoo and the International District along with the Ballard Locks are worth a visit too.

10 Best Holiday Locations in the US – Phoenix

The capital and the largest city in Arizona, Phoenix is a hub of performing arts, museums, fine arts and great cuisine. Among the places that you have to visit when you are in town are the Heard Museum, the Chase Field, the Desert Botanical Garden, the Climb Piestewa Peak, the Scottsdale Art Walk, the Boyce Thompson Arboretum, the Rawhide Western Town and Steakhouse, the Phoenix Zoo, the Drive Apache Trail and more. Make sure that you visit some of the national parks in the area too and get a taste of the wild west.

10 Best Holiday Locations in the US – Williamsburg

Located on the Virginia Peninsula, Williamsburg is an independent city that makes a good getaway for many attractions like historical sites, amusement parks, shopping and fine dining too. Some major attractions of the city include Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, Water Country, Jamestown Settlement, Yorktown Victory Center and more. Some great food can be found at Chowning’s Tavern, Christiana Campbell’s Tavern, Shields Tavern and King’s Arms Tavern.

10 Best Holiday Locations in the US – Lake Tahoe

You can choose to visit the north side of Lake Tahoe or choose to be in South Lake Tahoe if you wish to. Either way, you shall find that there is enough to keep you occupied when you visit Lake Tahoe during the Holiday Season. The lake itself offers a great range of activities that you can do and this is particularly true for the winter where winter sports are abound. Ice skating, snow mobiling and more are only part of the activities that are available. You can choose to take a boat cruise, or attend the Shakespearean festival if you go at the right time. The fishing and casino scene at the location attracts many tourists and fans too.

10 Best Holiday Locations in the US – Austin

The capital of Texas, Austin has a humid subtropical climate that means mild winters. This is why it makes for a great vacation spot especially in winters. You can choose to make a visit downtown and check out the Governor’s Mansion, the Capitol Building, the Sixth Street, the Lady Bird Lake and Hike and Bike Trail, Austin Children’s Museum and various museums too. You may want to engage yourself with natural springs, rolling hills and gorgeous lakes while you are in this active and outdoor loving city.

10 Best Holiday Locations in the US – San Diego

A great family destination, San Diego is a lovely pace to visit during the Holidays 2010. SeaWorld San Diego is one of the world’s premier marine adventure parks. It has 200 acres of world-class shows and animal encounters that you will not forget in a hurry. A large number of people visit this place every year to check out the animals up close.

This is a place where you can enjoy family time during the day and also dive into the night life when the kids have gone to sleep. The city also has a lot of quality venues that host celebrity shows from all over the world. Some famous landmarks in the place include the Coronado Bay Bridge, Balboa Park, Mount Soledad, Mount Helix and more.

10 Best Holiday Locations in the US – Vermont

Vermont is known for its scenic beauty and the rural charm that it has. The ancient towns and villages of the place have something to offer those who are looking for quaint locations and artifacts. Enjoy the Green Mountains or get active and ski down the mountains when visiting here. In addition to that, a visit to the Vermont Teddy Bear factory is a must.

10 Best Holiday Locations in the US – Salt Lake City

The capital of Utah, Salt lake City has many attractions that can keep you busy all throughout your vacation here. Check out Temple Square, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Assembly Hall, Lion House, Tabernacle, Family Search Center, Museum of Church History and Art, Beehive House, Brigham Young Historic Park and more. The Hogle Zoo is a favorite among children and the Liberty Park and Tracy Aviary is also something you should not give a miss.

10 Best Holiday Locations in the US – Orange County

Known to be the largest county to have gone bankrupt, the place is now known for far better things like the beaches, places to see , things to do and more. The Venice Beach, Disneyland Resort, Universal Studios, Grauman Chinese Theater and Knotts Berry Farm make for great getaways.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

While there are some locations across the world where you could ski and surf on the same day like Chile and New Zealand, the one location in the United States that is the most popular if you want to surf and ski on the same day or during the same trip or holiday, California is obviously a place that will come up and be discussed with regards to the same. There are various combinations of beaches and mountains that you can explore when in Southern California and those who have been extremely adventurous just park themselves in a Beach Resort and then drive up in the snow after a morning of sun and sand and surfing. In most cases, it takes a couple of hours to hit the dense snow from where you can ski down.

Most of the locations in California are apt for the surfing and skiing on the same day because of the proximity of the ocean and the mountains. Beaches like Imperial Beach, pacific Beach, La Jolla reefs, Scripps, Cardiff reef, Tamarack, San Onofre, Brooks Street, The Wedge, Seal Beach Pier, Malibu Beach, Campus Point, Huntington Beach and more are perfect locations because the best cross country skiing trails can be found in areas such as Mt. Pinos Nordic Ski Area, Rim Nordic Ski Area and Green Valley Nordic Ski Area, Montecito-Sequoia Resort Cross-Country Ski and Sequoia Ski Touring Area. There is Mount Baldy, Big Bear and other skiing attractions.

Another area, further up North on the California Coast, where you could ski and then drive down to surf include Lake Tahoe where you can choose any of the ski resorts to ski down from. The beaches that are relatively closer to this area include Fort Point, Dillon Beach, Black Point Beach, Half Moon Bay Beaches, Juan Beach and more.

Here are some options that people have tried and loved. Following these will ensure that you do not go wrong with the timing or land in trouble due to the setting sun.

-          Surf at Seal Beach in the morning and ski at Mt. Baldy in the afternoon.

-          Newport Beach surfing followed by Big Bear skiing at the Wedge.

-          Surfing at Huntington Beach and skiing at Big Bear

-          Skiing at Donner or Squaw in Lake Tahoe and Surfing at Mavericks about three to four hours later.

-          Mountain High and Malibu Surf Shack

If you are looking for ski resorts close to LA, you might want to check out Mt Baldy, Mountain High Resort, Sunrise Ski Area, Snow Valley or Snow Summit. The beaches close to LA are D and W, El Porto Beach, Manhattan Beach, New Jetty and 64^th Place. While Mt Baldy is the largest ski resort in Southern California, Big Bear is also fairly large with 26 serving lifts, and 400 skiing area.

While taking on the ‘Californian Dream’ of skiing and surfing on the same day, remember that you need to first and foremost keep safety in mind.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Thanksgiving is a time that you spend with your family and are grateful for the people that you have who love you. And nothing is more popular than Thanksgiving dinner that is cooked by some special people in your life. While the ritual of preparing for the Thanksgiving dinner may be something that you cherish each year, you may want to thank the one person who cooks you a great meal each year this day by dining out. Spare them the process of cooking all day and then cleaning up later.

There are various things that you can also do in Los Angeles during Thanksgiving especially if you are traveling and are in LA this year.

Thanksgiving Dinner in Los Angeles

Find the perfect Thanksgiving Restaurant in Los Angeles and enjoy your Turkey Dinner!

The Langham in Pasadena offers Thanksgiving dinner each year and ensures that it is made special for those who are missing out on the homemade stuffed turkey. The Ballroom has jazz and you can also choose to dine in the Dining Room or The Terrace too.

The Millenium Biltmore Hotel is also a great place to dine out on Thanksgiving in Los Angeles. The rendezvous Court offers seasonal dishes and also has other Thanksgiving traditional items, all with an Italian swing to them. The turkey with apple stuffing and rich cranberry sauce, caramelized vegetables and roasted potatoes are always a great hit.

Cafe Rodeo at the Luxe Hotel Beverly Hills can offer you a three course meal for a deal and the Whist at the Viceroy has a carving station for the turkey.

Campanile can offer you the award winning Campanile on La Brea. Some interesting traditional fare that you can taste here includes mushroom barley soup, rosemary charred turkey breast and bread pudding.

If you are looking for more than just dinner on Thanksgiving in Los Angeles, check out the The Laugh Factory. This is a place where you can enjoy great food as you witness some of the best comedians go up on stage and perform live. If you find yourself in Los Angeles alone on Thanksgiving for some reason this is probably the perfect place for you.

Volunteering on Thanksgiving in Los Angeles

Spending Thanksgiving by helping others is also something that may give you a lot of satisfaction. Volunteer to help at the Los Angeles Mission and serve Thanksgiving dinner to homeless children, men and women. Located in the middle of Skid Row, this is a mission that is active throughout the year but is a place that is known to serve a good special meal to everyone who arrives at their doorstep on Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving in Los Angeles at Disneyland

If you want to give your children the time of their life on Thanksgiving then you might want to book for the Thanksgiving Family Feast at Disneyland. This place serves roasted turkey, mashed potatoes, ham, salad and dessert in buffet style and you obviously have the Disney characters roaming around the Grand Ballroom all the time. The Bear Country has a turkey on display that was spared at the White house and sent to live at Disneyland. Read the story behind this lucky turkey.

We at Fox Rent A Car wish you a wonderful Thanksgiving in Los Angeles!

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Julian is a small town in California that was created during the one year Gold Rush in 1869. It is a town that is set amidst the mountains and replete with apple orchards. A great thing about Julian is that unlike most other towns that were created during the Gold Rush, it never really became a ghost town. It can easily be understood why.

Julian is an amazingly enchanting place and is so beautiful that none would want to leave it if they could stay on forever. Even today, the place has its charm that has now become manifold due to the friendly folks. Even though Julian is located in California, the Laguna Mountains ensure that the town gets four distinct seasons.

The town is extremely popular among those located in San Diego and others from South California since it gives visitors a peek into rural mountainside lifestyle. Far away from the sand and surf, this quaint little town offers oak and pine forests.

Julian, CA: Getting There

Take Highway 67 towards Ramona and as this highway turns into Highway 78 follow the road up to Julian. Alternately you can take I-8 East to 79 and travel through the Cuyamaca State Park to Julian. If you are coming into Julian from Los Angeles or Orange County, opt for highway 76 East to 79 and then turn right to 78/79 and then turn left for Julian.

Julian, CA: Apple Pie Produce

The town is at its best during fall when the leaves start to change color and the apples ripen. The produce is so large that you can pick apples as you walk or visit some local orchards to taste some varieties that you are not likely to find elsewhere in the world. Freshly picked apples are used to make apple pies in almost every café in Julian and we can bet that you shall not be able to pick a favorite from the many varieties that are served since they are all so great!

The Julian Pie Company offers an enjoyable apple pie eating experience. Whether you pick the Original, Apple Butter, Boysenberry, Dutch Apple Pie, Peach Apple Pie, raspberry Apple Pie, Cherry Apple Pie or the Apple Mountain Berry Pie, you are sure to have a lip smacking, sensuous experience. But there are Apple Pie Bakeries are all around town and every local has a favorite one!

Julian, CA: Other Things to Do

Given the fantastic aura of the place you might just want to take in the town by talking a walk. Pick up a map at the Chamber of Commerce and tread where your feet and heart take you. You will love the antique stores and local fare that you see along the way.

When you are in this Gold Rush town you have to take a peek at the Southern California’s Mother Lode at the Eagle Mining Company. Here you can witness the underground works and recreated gold milling process.

Take a ride and learn all about horsemanship at the Julian Stables or check out a private astronomical observatory.

Even though the 2003 Cedar wildfire did destroy most of the adjacent areas, the town itself was spared the destruction. So take advantage of the fact that this beautiful town still exists and plan a weekend getaway as soon as you can.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Santa Barbara is one of the oldest cities of California. The Mediterranean climate and the red tiled roofs bring memories of small seaside towns in Europe. Located about 90 miles northwest of Los Angeles and 330 miles south of San Francisco, it makes for a great weekend getaway for people living in these cities.

Weekend Getaway Santa Barbara: Getting There

One of the best ways to get to Santa Barbara is to take Highway 101. If you are traveling from the south, then you might want to opt for Highway 217 exit and check for specific directions. If you are traveling from the north, then the Storke Road exit and a drive towards the south is what is recommended.

Weekend Getaway Santa Barbara: Best Time to Go

Santa Barbara has good Californian weather uniformly due to its south facing location and topography. So it makes for a great weekend getaway irrespective of the time of the year that you want to take a few days off. Do note however, that summers are relatively more crowded as local hotels fill up with people who come here for UCSB’s orientation, homecoming and graduation.

Weekend Getaway Santa Barbara: Things to Do

The one thing that you do not want to miss when you drive to Santa Barbara is the arts and crafts show that is held every weekend. This takes place at the Cabrillo Boulevard. The place is always buzzing with excitement, the people are warm and hospitable and the food is excellent.

You may also want to check out the waterfront lined with palm trees. As you take this relaxing walk, take time off to visit Stearns Wharf where you can visit the Sea Center and pick up some souvenirs too. Once you are done with the seaside, take the State Street away from the seaside and you will come across some lively street shops where you can find some great picks. Not many are aware but Santa Barbara produces some excellent Californian chardonnays and pinot noirs. You can go wine tasting on one of the days that you are here too.

Don’t miss the leisurely brunch at the Brown Pelican where you get a great view of Hendry’s Beach. Lunch at Cold Spring tavern is also something that you should try and catch if you have time and are not too full already with the brunch.

For nature lovers, the Santa Barbara Botanical gardens offer a breathtaking view as the flora is mesmerizing. Park your car and hire a bike to be with nature for a while. Nature lovers can also hike on a trail in the Los Padres National Forest.

Weekend Getaway Santa Barbara: Romantic Resorts

While Santa Barbara is an enjoyable getaway for the family, it is also a romantic destination for a twosome. The glitterati have been known to get away from the paparazzi for many years. The private cottages at San Ysidro Ranch are a great place for a private rendezvous.

Some good resorts and hotels include the El Encanto Hotel, Pierpointe Inn, Historic Mission Inn and the Meadowood Resort.

This time of the year we all look forward to trick or treats, wearing costumes, creating jack-o-lanterns, making bonfires, playing pranks and much more. And the fun can be increased manifold if you go to an event where Halloween is being celebrated with horror movies and haunted houses. So Fox Rent A Car will publish a series of blog posts on the best Halloween Events Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, San Diego, Phoenix and Seattle. Here are some of the events that may catch your fancy in Los Angeles.

Halloween Events in LA Universal Studios Hollywood Halloween Horror Nights

All through the weekends in October you can visit universal Studios to get a flavor of what Halloween really is. Walk through mazes that you can get caught up in, scary actors, nightmare 3D rides and other ghoulish shows are what you can expect to see here. The scare event is so spooky that it is not recommended for those under 13 and people with a weak heart are also recommended to refrain.

Halloween Events in LA Disney’s Halloween Time

Check out Disneyland during Halloween and you may not be able to identify what you see. The Halloween makeover makes Mickey Mouse’s head become a pumpkin. But laugh is something that you may not be able to do even at Mickey’s Halloween party. The evenings are more fun with trick and treat stalls, Halloween crafts and scary faces to make it even more spine-chilling.

Halloween Events in LA Knott’s Scary Farm Halloween Hunt

Knott’s Farm hosts a Halloween hunt every year and this year is not likely to be different. Touted as the original Halloween theme park this is a must-go-to place during Halloween. Werewolves, vampires, Dracula and maybe even Voldermort this year are characteristic of this great Halloween haunt.

Halloween Events in LA Knott’s Camp Spooky Costume Party

This one is for the young ones who need to retire early to bed. The daytime celebrations are less spooky but the costumes are great. Activities involved include trick or treating and some theme entertainment for the young ones. The party is on through all weekends in October.

Halloween Events in LA Six Flags Magic Mountain Fright Fest

Bump into a zombie in a scary maze and you could let out a blood curdling scream yourself! Add extra thrills and spine chilling experiences to your Halloween this year by taking a few scary rides too. Located at the exit off Interstate 5 in Valencia, you can visit here every October weekend.

Halloween Events in LA Monster Massive Halloween Weekend

Planned at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, Monster Massive is probably one of the largest Halloween events in North America. This is a place where you can get some decent adult celebrations for Halloween. Multiple rooms and stages adorned by various DJ’s and crazy dancers is what you can expect to see and experience here.

Halloween Events in LA Halloween OC

Taking place on October 30^th, this costume ball will have 4 stages and 2 giant hangars. Special effects that knock you off and sexy costumes with music that continues till breakfast, this event is likely to be the best this year.

Halloween Events in LA Haunted Hotel Halloween Costume Party

If you chance to pass through Crowne Plaza Hotel in Redondo Beach on October 30^th, you will see witches, ghouls, murderers and ghosts entering the Costume Ball.  Dance floors and spooky outfits are sure to chock you out of your wits if something else does not.

We really hope you enjoyed our Halloween Events 2010 Series! If you missed one of our posts, find them here:

Halloween Events in Los Angeles

Halloween Events in San Francisco

Halloween Events in Las Vegas

Halloween Events in San Diego

Halloween Events in Phoenix

Halloween Events in Seattle
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