Better Than the Rose Parade
Yes, we know it's half a year away, but this an event you have to start planning for early. Southern California's New Year's Day tradition, the Rose Parade is one of the country's most beautiful. People camp out all night along Colorado Boulevard for the best viewing spots or get up before daybreak, pay big money and endure traffic snarls to sit in the grandstands.
If you're like me, you'd probably rather sleep comfortably at home, get up late and keep your money in your wallet. Take a look at our tips for seeing the Rose Parade the cheap, easy way.
Eleven Roses Ranch
Eleven Roses Ranch lies in an unspoiled hillside valley just east of Clear Lake. The owners are passionate, convivial hosts and a day out at their ranch is a rare treat. It's a beautiful property with native trees and flowers galore, and enough wild animals to fill a small zoo: turkeys, elk, bears, deer and plenty more. Eleven Roses Ranch
Russian River Rose Company
But they don't stop there. Take one of their unique Perfume Rose Oil Harvest Tours and you will gather fragrant rose petals, then watch as they are transformed into rose water and rose oil.
Tours run mid-April through May, with many special events, and their nursery and display garden will also be open.
Wine Country Classic Historic Car Race
Infineon Raceway between San Francisco and Sonoma is a world-class racing venue, attracting big NASCAR races and other top events, but every June, it sponsors an event that's a bit quieter and more mellow. The 2008 Wine Country Classic Historic Car Race will be held May 31 - June 1. We attended this event two years ago, and it was one of the highlights of our summer.
We're not normally racing fans, but I do love to see classic cars of all kinds and the Wine Country Classic is perfect for that. With light crowds, it's easy to wander over the complex, watching the classic racing cars compete from different vantage points. The race has an open pit, so you can see the preparations, cars and owners up close. And finally, the associated food and wine festival gives a taste of Napa and a touch of class.
California in Summer
After the winter rains end, the grass on California hillsides turns a golden color that intensifies in the late afternoon, giving credence to the theory that California's nickname "The Golden State" comes from the color of its hills. There's plenty to do on a California vacation during this golden season, and you can use our guide to California in summer to check them out.Summer Music Under the Stars
Yosemite in Summer
If you plan to travel to Yosemite this summer, discover what's open, where to keep cool and the best picnic spots (with no crowds!). We even know where to find wildflowers, which keep blooming through most of the summer.Too Cute
Too Much Fun
To tell you about this, I have to be sure you know what a Segway is. The "human transporter" as it's called is a two-wheeled contraption that looks a little bit like a skinny vacuum cleaner with two big wheels. The Segway is just as much fun to ride as it looks like, and surprisingly easy. These days, a lot of companies are offering Segway tours, including San Francisco Electric Tours.
Angel Island is one of our favorite places and among those that offer a Segway tour. It's a great way to see the island. The island and a Segway ride alone make for a really fun day.
This summer (2008), Angel Island Segway Tours is offering special tours whose topic changes monthly. On Mondays and Wednesdays in May, you can take a special wildflower tour. June and August tours feature the island's military history and in July, it's the "Five Bridges" tour which includes a hike to the top of the island's only mountain.
The guided tours costs $70 ($5 of that helps support Angel Island State Park) and last three hours. The fee includes a box lunch. Reserve online or call 415-897-0715.