You do not want to miss out on when you drive to Denver are the museums in the city. Denver is known to have a large number of museums and on last count there were about 40 museums that are located in and around the city. From the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Museum of nature and Science to others like the Denver Firefighter’s Museum and the Denver History Museum, each hold something amazing and mesmerizing within its walls. While it may be a tough one to visit each of these 40 museums, here are the top 5 that you just cannot miss.

1.       Denver Art Museum

Located on 100 West 14th Avenue Parkway, the museum operates between Tuesdays and Sundays and is closed on Mondays. The operating hours from Tuesday to Thursday are 10am to 5pm. On Fridays the museum is open for the public from 10am to 10pm. Saturdays and Sundays are shorter and the place is open from 10am to 5pm and 12noon to 5pm respectively.

This museum now presents an interesting mix of pre-impressionist art forms and modern art forms in two separate wings. The latest Hamilton wing is extremely modern and one would not imagine the historical treasures that lie within. Some of the specific displays that you should not miss include the sculpture deck on the third level and the African Art Exhibits on the fourth level of the Hamilton building. The Palettes restaurant is a good place for a quick bite to take a break from the breath taking exhibits. Get some more details at the site.

Tickets are required to be purchased for entry but the costs are different. Adult tickets are priced at $10 and kids and seniors are charged $8. Students can show a student identification card and get an entry for as low as $3. Out of state residents pay slightly higher so make sure that you have your resident proof with you if you are a resident of Colorado.

2.       Denver Museum of Nature & Science

On Colorado road, you can hardly miss the Nature & Science museum that sprawls the road. Known as the Denver History Museum, this is a place that you just have to visit if you are in the city with your family and kids. Founded by naturalist Edwin Carter, the displays are bound to have your kids screaming with pleasure and mesmerized by the fountain of information.

The museum is open all seven days a week between 9am to 5pm. Admissions for adults are at $11 and seniors and children get to enter with a $6 ticket.

Expedition Health on level two allows people to check their fitness levels and the Egyptian Mummies exhibit has one that is 3000 years old. Other exhibitions include Gems and Minerals, Discovery Zone, Wildlife Exhibits, Prehistoric Journey, Space Odyssey, North American and Indian Cultures and the popular Amazon Voyage. These exhibitions are changed from time to time and so do check the latest ones that have been put up at the official Denver Museum of Nature & Science site. The museum also has a 3D theater where documentaries like ‘Under the Sea’ and ‘Hubble 3D’ are shown. The Planetarium at the center also promises a lot for kids who can see the ‘Journey to the Stars’ and learn about the Black Hole and cosmic journeys. There are also programs for kids that you should check up before you visit the center to make the most of your visit.

The great aspect of this museum at Denver is the interactivity that it offers. This is definitely not a museum that your children will get bored at because there is a lot more to do than to just look at some exhibits.

3.       Wings Over Rockies – Air and Space Museum

Located on East Academy Boulevard in Denver this museum is open from 10am to 5pm from Monday to Saturday. The place is open to the public on Sundays between 12noon and 5pm. Admissions for adults is at $9. Seniors can get a ticket for $8 and children can have a field day for a ticket priced at $6. Museum members can come and go as they please with no tickets required.

At the museum you can see various kinds of aircrafts and space and rockets. The sprawling museum covers an area of 150,000 square feet and includes exhibits like the B-18A Bolo, Century Series Fighters, RF-84K Thunderflash, Alexander Eaglerock and a B-1A Lancer too. There is a Space Station Module that has real life mock ups of the Apollo Command Module and a 16 foot model of Titan II launch vehicle. Some of the other models include the Avionics and Radios Exhibit, the Colorado Air National Guard, the Colorado Aviation Heritage, the Eisenhower Dining Room and the Howard Model Collection.

Check out the Wings Over Rockies site for information on the upcoming featured exhibits, summer camps and other events.

4.       Forney Museum of Transportation

If you are interested in understanding the history of transportation, then this is the museum that you should go to. Antique cars, locomotives, motorcycles, exotic wheels and buggies are the kind of stuff that you will find here.

The museum includes the world’s largest steam locomotive, the Big Boy. It has over 500 exhibits that relate to the manner in which transportation grew over the years. Some interesting automobiles and antique cars that you can see here include the Amelia Earhart’s Gold Bug Kissel, the Case Steam Tractor, the Detroit Electrical, the Skidoo and more. And if you are an antique car enthusiast you could also look up the cars for sale.

The museum is open from 10am to 4pm from Monday to Saturday and it is located on Brighton Boulevard. Admissions for adults are at $8, seniors can pay $6 and children need a ticket for $4. Children below the age of 3 are allowed free entry.

Check out the events planned in the museum before you leave at the site.

5.       Children’s Museum of Denver

If you are travelling with younger kids, then this is the museum that you have to visit while in Denver. This museum is a hub of interactivity where the children can play and grow as they learn. Here is a place where the children of Denver interact with exhibits all year round. There are special showcase events organized on special days and the holiday season sure promises to be fun.

Kids can enjoy the Alphabet Soup, ARTS a la carte, Bubbles, CMD Fire Station No. 1. Ready Vet Go, My Market, WillitWork, and The Assembly Plant too. There are special classes organized and there is a monthly theme that everything is reorganized around. There are programs like the Backyard Explorers and Afternoon Adventures. Make Believe Matinee is a time for costumes and drama to let imagination fly.

A museum where travelers would love to go to each time they travel, this museum has a large number of events that are planned throughout the year. These can be checked at the Children’s Museum of Denver site.

Some of the other museums around Denver that you should also consider if you have the time are the El Pueblo Museum in Pueblo, The Fort Vasquez Museum, Colorado and the Georgetown Loop Historic Railroad. Others that may require a day trip from Denver include the Healy House/Dexter Cabin Museum, the Fort Garland Museum, the Pike’s Stockade and The Trinidad History Museum.

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.

Covering an area of more than 650,000 acres, the San Bernardino National Forest is managed by the Federal government of United States.  The forest includes the San Bernardino Mountains on the Transverse Range and the San Jacinto and Santa Rosa Mountains on the Peninsular Range. It also has five wildlife areas that include Cucamonga, San Gorgonio, Santa Rosa, San Jacinto and Bighorn Mountain. The forest has an elevation that ranges from 1000 feet to more than 11000 feet.

Created as San Bernardino Forest Reserve in 1891, the place was rechristened as San Bernardino National Forest in 1907. Not only does the place provide a great spot for adventure and recreation, it is also critical in providing watershed protection for California.

San Bernardino National Forest: Getting there

Driving up to the San Bernardino National Forest is a good idea since you can enjoy the scenic beauty along the way and you also get to use the vehicle inside the camping grounds if you are using an RV. It takes about 5 to 6 hours to get to the National Forest from LA. The recommended route is to take I-10 E from LA and then move on to the CA-60 E road.

San Bernardino National Forest: Special Places to See

The sprawling forest has many places to offer you. Some of those that are a must see when you go there include the following.

Palms to Pines Scenic Byway – From the snow peaked mountains of Palm Desert to the Banning pass, this byway covers about 67 miles and is a trail that is not to be missed. Imagine going from desert palms to an ecosystem of conifers and mountains in a matter of these few miles. Once at the topmost elevation, you can look at the civilization below and wonder why you live in a crowded place at all.

Rim of the World Scenic Byway – Covering the mountainous route from the San Bernardino Mountains from Cajun Pass to San Gorgonio Pass, this is a trek that will give you more than a 100 miles of sheer scenic pleasure and delight.

Cucamonga Wilderness – If you are in this wilderness, you could be at an elevation of anywhere between 4000 and 8500 feet. Check out the dangerous slopes, remnants of landslides and earthquakes and the tough terrain in the area.

Hangmans Tree – A large stately Juniper tree in the forest has been there since the days of the Holcomb Valley. It is called the Hangmans tree because it was the location of some of the most significant punishments and justice in the area.

Gold Mountain “Lucky Baldwin” Mine – This is a mine that marks the last major gold discovery in the area by Barney and Charles Carter who accidentally hit upon the mountain while searching for some silver.

San Bernardino National Forest: Things to Do

The San Bernardino National Forest is an adventurer’s delight. Not many are aware but the national forest receives more visitors than the Yosemite National Park today. A large number of activities are possible in the forest in summer and in winter too. Some of the outdoor fun that you can enjoy here includes the following:

Biking - Mountain biking has its share of thrills and scares. Biking is allowed on specific routes like the forest road and the trail network. The pacific Crest Trail is off limits for bikers as is any trail leading into the wilderness.

Camping – An option for those who want to escape the traffic and the noise for an extended weekend, camping at San Bernardino is a pleasure with facilities like picnic tables, restrooms, fire rings and more. It is advisable to make reservations, especially during the summer time when camping is an all time favorite activity at the higher elevations. At this forest you can choose to camp at campgrounds or indulge in some dispersed camping as well if you would rather have more privacy.

Nature Viewing – There is nothing that bewitches the soul more than to watch the ever changing flora and fauna of the San Bernardino Forest. Plant lovers can see special wildflowers in the Front Country, Arrowhead and big Bear Mountaintop and at San Jacinto too. There are some specific plant watching areas that have also been designated like Heaps Peak Arboretum Sequoia 3W05, Heaps Peak Arboretum, National Children’s Forest, Woodland 1E23, Ernie Maxwell Scenic Trail 3E07 and Indian Vista. Deer, squirrels, bears or bighorn sheep can be spotted at various locations like Chaparral Neighborhoods Native Plant Garden, Mormon Rocks Interpretive Trail 6W04, Santa Ana River, Thurman Flats, Big Bear Lake, Heaps Peak Arboretum Sequoia 3W05, Heaps Peak Arboretum, Silverwood Lake State Recreation Area and Woodland 1E23.

Fishing – Another all time favorite at the location is angling. While there is a license that needs to be purchased on almost all days, there are 2 days that have been designated by the Californian Department of Fish and Game as free fishing days. However, fishing regulations that include proper gear, specific fishing timings, size limits and more apply even on these days.

Hiking – Set off on a long trail after you confer with the forest map in the morning. You can do day trips or choose to camp in a camping ground at nightfall too. Checking with a local ranger station to ensure that you are taking a trail that you can manage may be a good safety idea.

Hunting – Popular animals like mule deer, quail, turkey and water fowl are some of the most common game sport that takes place here in the San Bernardino National Forest. You can also find band-tailed pigeons, jackrabbits, cottontail rabbits and black bear.

Winter Sports – The kind of thrill that skiing, sledding, snowmobiling and snowshoeing can give on the slopes of these mountains is unparalleled. There are slopes for beginners, intermediaries and experts too.

Needless to say you can also have a picnic in the area with kids running around in meadows and enjoy a scenic driving experience anytime.

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.

Located in the South Platte River Valley, Denver is the capital city of Colorado, one of the most populous states of United States. It is situated on the western side of High Plains and is on the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Often called the ‘Mile-High City’ due to its elevation that is about a mile, the place has a semi arid climate that sees four distinct seasons.

Winter in Denver is considered to be cold and dry but the city is shielded from precipitation due to the mountains. The warm Chinook winds also ensure that the snow melts faster than in other places, making the winters relatively mild.

The great thing about Denver is that the mountains are only about 30 minutes from the main city and therefore there are many things to do in the area in winter. But when you pack your bags and set off on that road trip, do make sure that you make the most of the vacation and visit each one of these winter attractions while you are there.

1.       Ski Resorts – 10 Best Winter Attractions in Denver

Denver boasts a large number of ski resorts that are located in the mountains. A list of some 26 resorts can be found on the official site of Colorado that provides details of these resorts in and around the city. You can also find the latest details of the snow levels and weather details here so that you can plan your trip accordingly. Enjoy skiing, snowboarding, snow shoeing, sleighs and more as you book yourself in one of these resorts. The nine resorts in Denver that are often called the 9 gems include Arapahoe Basin, Ski Cooper, Echo Mountain, Eldora Mountain Resort, Loveland Ski Area, SolVista Basin, Monarch Mountain, Powderhorn Resort and the Sunlight Mountain Resort.

2.       Red Rocks Park and Amphitheater – 10 Best Winter Attractions in Denver

Stunningly beautiful, the Red Rocks come alive in winter when they become even more spectacular to watch. The Red and Rocks and Amphitheatre is a great place to view sandstone formations some of which are more than 300 feet high. If you come to the place with the whole day in mind you can also enjoy some concerts in the Amphitheatre in the evening where some of the greatest stars have performed. The place is open from 5am in the morning to 11pm in the evening but if you want to check out the visitor’s center, the timings are 9am to 4pm in the winter.

3.       Denver Zoo – 10 Best Winter Attractions in Denver

irrespective of whether you visit Denver in the winter or the summer, the Denver zoo should not be given a miss. Even though the zoo started small with a black bear being gifted to the mayor, the zoo is today an 80 acre refuge for more than 4000 animals. Here you can see primates, cats, birds and elephants too. The zoo is open from 10am to 4pm in the winter and admissions for adults are at $12. Children below the age of 2 are allowed free while those between the age of 3 and 11 are charged with an entrance fee of $7.

4.       Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center – 10 Best Winter Attractions in Denver

If you are an animal lover then apart from the zoo you should also visit the Butterfly Pavilion and Insect Center. It is probably the only exclusive insect zoo in the world. Here you will find more than 7000 free flying butterflies along with frogs, fishes, scorpions, giant millipedes, tarantulas and more. While the place is open from 9am to 5pm, the butterflies are released between 12:30pm and 3:30pm every day.

5.       Denver Art Museum – 10 Best Winter Attractions in Denver

On a particularly cold Denver day, you can choose to visit the art museum in the city. The museum has contrasting wings of the medieval fortress and the modern Hamilton building. Adults are charged $10 while seniors and children can enter with a ticket that costs $8 and $3 respectively. Admission for children under the age of 5 is free but visitors from outside Colorado are charged slightly higher rates.

6.       16^th Street Mall – 10 Best Winter Attractions in Denver

Winter or summer, the 16^th Street Mall is definitely a place to visit if you are in Denver for a few days. From restaurants to high end boutiques and Barnes and Nobles, there is something for everyone in this place. There is also a Coyote Ugly bar and a Lucky Strike bowling alley too.

7.       Washington Park – 10 Best Winter Attractions in Denver

If you feel that parks are best viewed in Spring then you have to visit the Washington Park (or the Wash Park for short) in winter to see the 165 acres with popular trails and 2 of the best lakes in the city.

8.       Coors Field Baseball Stadium – 10 Best Winter Attractions in Denver

A sight for the sports enthusiasts, this baseball stadium is home base for the Colorado Rockies, one of the youngest teams in Major League Football. The stadium can seat more than 50,000 fans.

9.       Mystery Dinner – 10 Best Winter Attractions in Denver

While in Denver, don’t miss the opportunity of having a mystery dinner at one of the many such diners. You can choose from the Lumber Baron Murder Mystery Dinner theater, the Adams Mystery Playhouse or The Diner Detective. You will get to enjoy dinner as you get engrossed in solving a mystery, a typical characteristic of these mystery diners.

10.   Rocky Mountain National Park – 10 Best Winter Attractions in Denver

The popular Rocky Mountain National Park is located extremely close to Denver and you can drive up to the place within an hour. In winter, it offers the best skiing and snow shoeing experience along with some great cross country hikes.

When you have planned to go on a winter vacation and want to have a great time involved with various activities like skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and more, you wonder what the kids will do all the time. The last thing that you want to do is to leave them indoors with a caretaker cooped up inside a room or a hotel playpen. Just make sure that your kids are properly attired and covered so that they are not cold and let them out to play. In fact, get going yourself and have some kiddie fun without kids with these popular and interesting snow games.

1.       Snow Games – Strike Out

One of the most popular snow games that can be played if there are a few children around, strike out requires you to first create three bases and a pitcher’s mound too. Ensure that they are about 20 feet apart and at least 2 feet high. Build a pyramid of tin cans (probably all that beer that has been consumed on holiday). The game involves knocking the tin pyramid starting with base one and then proceeding to base two and three. This has to be done from the pitcher’s mound using snowballs. He who strikes out all pyramids in the least number of snowballs wins.

2.      Snow Games – Snowball Wars

This may sound like the most boring of snowball games but it can be made into a thrilling experience with some creativity and innovation. First of all ensure that the texture of the snow is not too hard or else it might hurt the younger kids. If that is not an issue then start by splitting up into two teams and building a snow fort. Make sure that the forts are at least 10 to 15 feet away from each other. You can keep a higher distance if the kids are older. Allow for some time to collect ammunition and get ready. War begins after the prepare time is over and the objective is the break the fort of the other team.

3.     Snow Games – Ring the Snowman

A great game that first requires you to create a snowman. If you already have a snowman in the area, you could use the same or else it might be a good activity to build the snowman before you can start. The idea is to get a hula hoop and try and throw it over the snowman from a set distance. If you do not have a hula hoop you can still play this game using a hat that you need to land on the snowman’s head.

4.       Snow Games – Hunt in the Snow

A great game for younger kids that probably needs some preparation. Before the kids get out, hide a few objects in the snow. These could be coins, marbles or even frozen ice pops. You can play this game by creating a hint map for them to discover or let them scavenge the loot. If you have only a single kid playing this game, allow for hints like ‘hot’ and ‘cold’ if the child gets near the loot or away from it.

5.       Snow Games – Biggest Snowball

Divide the kids into two teams and give them a specific time limit. The team that has the largest snowball in the time provided wins.

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.

Now that the worst of the economic slowdown is over, everyone is looking forward to spending this holiday season with a lot of merriment. While there are many who are still recovering, the upward trend is making everyone feel optimistic about the future. And after having spent so many months trying to save money and be careful with expenditure, this is one time when splurging may well be justified. With everyone rushing to travel and go to popular destinations, a good holiday can turn into a nightmare if some care is not taken. Here are some great travel tips for this holiday season.

1.       Plan Ahead – Tips for Traveling during the Holiday Season

There is not better advice for holiday travel than to plan ahead. And this is especially true for the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Years. There are many things that you can avoid by planning your trip ahead of time. Once you have chosen the location that you want to visit, you can book the flight tickets and make arrangements for the stay too. Holiday travel deals start to appear months before the actual dates of the holiday season and the sooner you book you can avail of the benefits. Some holiday packages also provide early bird discounts that can be extremely lucrative and attractive.

2.       Be Flexible – Tips for Traveling during the Holiday Season

Allowing for flexibility can help in ensuring that you get the most optimum of rates for the travel that you plan. Since the children anyways have their vacations, it does not matter whether you are traveling on the weekend or the weekdays. So make the choice based on the dates that allow the lowest fares. If you plan a vacation during a dead week (week right after thanksgiving or right after New Year) you can save a significant amount of money.

3.       Compare – Tips for Traveling during the Holiday Season

If you decide the days that you shall be traveling, you can avail of the ample time that you have to compare and contrast various deals across travel sites, travel agents and airlines. There are also some auction and comparison sites that you can use to get good deals too.

4.       Flight Woes – Tips for Traveling during the Holiday Season

The holiday season makes airports become a place of chaos. You only have to check out the movie ‘Home Alone’ to know the kind of chaos that takes place on airports during the holiday season. If you are judicious you will be careful enough to choose airports that you are familiar with when planning your route. Keep the weather in mind because some of the locations can land you in trouble if they are snowed in. If all this sounds too much of a hassle for you, just decide to drive down and avoid the complications. Only make sure that you have your winter tyres on or rent a good car for winter driving.

5.       Packing – Tips for Traveling during the Holiday Season

Make sure that you check the weather of the place that you are traveling to. Not only must you check the current weather but have a look at the weather forecast for the days that you are likely to be there. This is necessary to plan appropriate clothing so that you can pack them in. if you are traveling with kids, then you need to make sure that you have some of their favorite toys with you as well. You may want to keep in some of your favorite music, crosswords and more too. Other things that you may want to keep include medication candy and nicotine patches (for smokers who have a tough time on a long non smoking flight).

6.      Don’t Wrap Gifts – Tips for Traveling during the Holiday Season

If you are likely to be traveling to visit family and friends, make sure that you do not gift wrap the presents since they can be opened during the baggage security check. Opt for fancy bags instead.

7.       Bonus Advice – Tips for Traveling during the Holiday Season

Make sure that your cell phone is completely charged, in case your plane is delayed or if you are traveling without a charger in your car. Make the pet hotel reservations for your beloved cat, dog or hamster early on during the holiday season, since space is in high demand to check in pets. Take all the phone numbers including those of the airlines, the pickup, the hotel and all family and friends too. Never forget to buy travel insurance for everyone who is traveling.

If all this talk about planning is making you nauseous then you might just want to pick up a car, throw in some clothes and get some adventure. This might not be the kind of holiday that you may have imagined, but it might just turn out to be interesting.

Even though traveling during the Holiday Season can be quite exhausting, don’t lose your Holiday Spirit and stay relaxed. This is why you are going on vacation for anyways, right?

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.

Travel insurance can help in various situations including a medical condition while you are abroad or canceled flights. Traveling overseas can be an expensive affair and it is foolhardy to assume that nothing can happen to you or your companions as you travel. Just as the other insurance policies that you may have explored, travel insurance can also get complicated at times. Here are some of the things that you need to know to ensure that you are sufficiently and adequately covered.

1.       Check what you have – Travel Insurance

Before you start to reach out to travel agents to get new travel insurance, it is wise to check the polices that you have to see what they cover. It is important to know that Medicare does not provide coverage outside of the United States. Check your personal medical insurance, if you have one, and ensure that it takes care of overseas medical needs. Print out a form and take it along with you when traveling. Overseas medical coverage is also included in some International credit cards as well.

2.        Types of travel medical insurance –Travel Insurance

While the specific items covered and the amount that you can claim differs across insurance companies, there are essentially 2 kinds of travel insurance policies – Travel Medical Insurance and Travel Evacuation Insurance.

3.       Coverage –Travel Insurance

Along with the medical coverage that travel insurance provides, other items such as trip cancellation and interruption is also covered. This is actually the most common kind of travel policy that is sold since international medical coverage is provided by some form of insurance that people already have. The cancellation and interruption travel policy comes into action when you cannot travel after booking your tickets due to some unforeseen circumstances like illness, debt, a jury duty call or cancellation of the flight by the carrier. In addition to that travel insurance also covers accidental death, trip delays, baggage insurance and emergency assistance too.

4.       Costs –Travel Insurance

The amount that you will need to pay for travel insurance depends on various factors. These include age of the traveler, trip length, trip cost and the specific areas that you want covered (medical, baggage, trip cancellation etc). Typically, travel insurance costs hover between 4 percent and 8 percent of the total trip cost. It is judicious for frequent travelers to get annual travel insurance to save costs. The difference can be significant and will depend on the number of trips that you are likely to take in a year.

5.       Insurance policy –Travel Insurance

It is necessary to carry the travel insurance policy with you along with the booklet that outlines procedures and places that support the policy. It is also wise to keep a photocopy back home in case you may lose the original. In case of an accident or emergency inform the authorities at once and get the case recorded. And as you spend your money on the medical situation or the booking of extra tickets, make sure that you keep a copy of all the receipts as you do so.

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.

Kings Canyon is located midway between Los Angeles and San Francisco and is about a five hour drive from each of the cities. It is a one-hour drive from the city of Fresno. This makes Kings Canyon the perfect Weekend Camping and Hiking getaway from to major metropolitan areas in beautiful California.

Other than the fact that the place provides grand scenery and serene atmosphere, the fact that the national park is relatively less crowded as compared to say the Yosemite National Park makes it a hot favorite among nature lovers, adventurers, trail hunters and animal lovers.

Kings Canyon: Getting There

You can get to Kings Canyon by taking Highway 245 or 180. Highway 245 is also mentioned as the shorter route in many maps. However, the drive is a 31 mile drive on winding road that has a speed limit of 15mph. Taking Highway 180 is probably better since it is a relatively easier route and one can speed up to 55 mph.

Kings Canyon: Best Time to Go

Kings Canyon is open throughout the year. Since it is relatively less crowded you can find a place to stay even if you book a day before in most cases. While you can enjoy the wildflower blossoms and the waterfalls in summer and spring, visitors in winter cane experience the canyon in its snowy beauty. Fall visitors are typically those who prefer to go after the hot sun has become more generous.

Kings Canyon: Entrance Fee

Entrance to the park is at $20 per vehicle. Cyclists and pedestrians are charged $10 per head. The entrance fee includes parking charges for up to 7 days. Commercial vehicles are charged an entrance fee based on the capacity of the vehicle.

If you are an avid outdoor person and see yourself driving to this amazing location more than once a year, the Sequoia/Kings Canyon park pass at $30 may make better money sense. If you opt for the National Park Pass you shall be able to visit all national parks for a year. This is priced at $50. Please note that the entrance fee includes that for the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National park.

Kings Canyon: Lodging and Camping

You can register and check in at Cedar Grove Lodge if you are visiting Kings Canyon between April and October. But if you are going there earlier or later in the year then you might want to stay at the Grant Grove Cabins & John Muir Lodge that is open throughout the year.

If you are looking for some camping fun, then you may need to check about the camping grounds too. The camping grounds are located in the most amazing oak woodlands and then there are some that are located higher up in the conifer forests too. Remember that the camping grounds are likely to be cooler than the resort lodging and so do come prepared. Do check whether the  camping ground you are booking allows RV’s if you are driving into the national park in one.

Kings Canyon: Things to do

The giant redwood trees are a feature that you should not miss at any cost even if you are here for a day. The General Sherman Tree and the General Grant Tree are favorites. If you are staying for longer there are various things that you can do including a visit to the other areas of the Sequoia park too.

- Crystal Cave – Visit this stalactite and stalagmite beauty that you may be able to access only in summer. Tickets here include a guided tour of 45 minutes through numerous rocky surfaces.

- Moro rock – When you are on the top of this monolith you will be able to see the Great Western Divide on one side and the Central Valley on the other, a sight that you will not forget in a hurry. You can get to the top via the 400 steps and reach a level of 300 feet. The round trip may take about an hour.

- Buck Rock – Created as a fire lookout, the highest point is at 8500 feet.

- Hume Lake – Created to supply water to the flume where logs floated, the Hume Lake is now used for water recreation like swimming and paddle boating.

Kings Canyon: Best Hiking Trails

Some of the most popular trails at Kings Canyon include:

-          Hotel Creek Trail

-          Mist Falls Trail

-          Redwood Mountain Grove Trail

-          Lady Bug Trail

-          Atwell-Hockett Trail

-          Tar Gap Trail

-          Mosquito/Mineral Trail

-          Farewell Gap Trail

-          Sawtooth Trail

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.

A great way to celebrate the otherwise spine-chilling festival of Halloween if you do not really fancy gory sights and blood stained apparel is to choose to get some pumpkin picking and pumpkin carvings activities. For a change you may want to try having some pumpkin picking fun with your kids this Halloween rather than attend that nightmarish club party that leaves you sleepless for night later. Here are some options that you have in Phoenix for a great pumpkin Halloween.

Halloween Events in Phoenix Papago Park

A great pumpkin patch where all children under the age of 12 get to pick their own free pumpkin during festival time. Huge hay bales and mazes adorn the area as do barn animals and petting places. The best place to visit this park is between October 21 and October 24, this year.

Halloween Events in Phoenix MacDonald’s Ranch Pumpkin Patch

While this pumpkin patch has its share of the regular petting animals, hay mazes and pumpkins, it also has sack racing, gem mining and horseshoe pits. Children can get on to a pony or a horse and go around picking the pumpkin that they want. If your children are fond of eating what mum cooks up, you can bring in your own picnic basket or packed lunch.

Halloween Events in Phoenix Schnepf Farms Pumpkin and Chili Party

For more than just a animal farm with hay rides and mazes and petting, choose Schnepf Farms that will have your children begging for more after a ride. Check out the carousel rides, Hillbilly Bob’s Pig Races, Witch Mountain giant slide, Rock climbing wall and bonfires and marshmallow roasting.

Halloween Events in Phoenix Tolmachoff Farms

A farm that spans 6 acre, the place is full of family corn maze. This Halloween there is a scarecrow theme that you will need to carry out the hunt in the haunted corn maze.

Halloween Events in Phoenix Great Arizona Puppet Theater

Once you have had enough of the pumpkin patch you can move towards the puppet show in the evening. The puppet show is titled ‘Little Bunny’s Halloween’ and is most appropriate for children in the age group between 2 and 10 years. A good show to take your children to so that they can learn more about the significance of Halloween and also the various activities that are conducted during this time of year.

Halloween Events in Phoenix Boo at the Zoo

The zoo in Phoenix organizes an event just for the kids. There are games, educational instructions about recycling and being ‘green’, albeit with the help of a worm bin. Some special Halloween exhibits include eerie spiders, screechy owls and slithery snakes. Expect this event to take place on the last weekend before Halloween every year.

Some of the other pumpkin patch options that you have include Brooke’s Pumpkin Patch at Mother Nature’s Farm, Tolmachoff Farms, Agua Linda Farm, Apple Annie’s Produce & Pumpkins and Freeman Farms Pumpkin Festival. So if you want a clean and less horrifying Halloween, this is your best bet. If your children insist on something nerve chilling, make sure that you choose a haunted house or park that is age appropriate.

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

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.