Temecula, CA: The Palomar Inn Hotel

The Palomar Inn Hotel is a 10 room historical landmark hotel built in Old Town Temecula in the 1920's. Two rooms have private baths and full kitchens. In the Hotel is the Temecula House of Wine exclusively offering local wines. The unique setting combines the ambiance of "Old Town Temecula" and that of a small family run inn. Temecula Valley's natural beauty, mild climate, rich history, and convenient location make it a destination worth exploring. The Palomar is located in the heart of what is considered the cultural and historic center of Temecula.

Also in Old Town Temecula is the Garage Brewing Co. It is a state-of-the art 10 BBL brewery and fast casual restaurant serving fast fired pizza in an old automotive center at the edge of town. They offer up to 10 different types of fresh beer with seasonal or specials rotated in. There are also 20 other rotating tap handles so there's always a nice selection of other craft brews along with a few domestics to choose from. 

For a great route into town start in Palm Desert, right off the Route 111 and Highway 74. Keep traveling until it turns into the 371. This route gives you great scenery and a change of pace from riding the highway while still giving access to the wooded areas of Southern California. While riding through Palm Desert, it is primarily desert. At the bottom of the 74 there are switchbacks that are great for sportbikes and cruisers alike. Further in, you will come upon lush trees and foliage surrounding the road. The 371 takes you through the hills and down into the flat lands of Anza as well as bringing you to the hills just outside of Temecula. It is a great route for those who are bored of seeing the desert and like a calm ride.

For more information, visit The Palomar Inn Hotel and Garage Brewing Co. online. 

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Carlsbad, CA: The Pelican Cove Inn Bed and Breakfast

Start in Murrieta at Clinton Keith Rd which is off Interstate 5 just north of Interstate 5 and 15 junctions. This route covers a rise from the freeway up and through the Cleveland Forest then down a very steep hill to winding roads through orchards and ranches of Fallbrook. Continue on to more hilly, winding roads all the way to Carlsbad on the coast. This road is suitable for all bikes but is best enjoyed at a leisurely 40-50 mph.

Carlsbad is a relaxing vacation destination with a quaint Village which offers numerous unique shops and restaurants for you to experience. The Pelican Cove Inn Bed and Breakfast is located two blocks from the beach and three blocks from the Village of Carlsbad.  There are 10 guest rooms, all with fireplaces, featherbeds, private entrances and private bath. They serve a hot breakfast every day during your stay and you are welcome to eat in the inside parlor, take a tray to your room, the garden-patio or the sun porch.

Spend some quality time at the Coyote Bar and Grill right up the street in the Village of Carlsbad. Come and enjoy the live entertainment every night; bands, DJs and karaoke on Mondays and Tuesdays. Delicious lunch special and an extensive dinner menu are prepared nightly. Happy hour is from 4pm to 6pm every day.

For more information, visit Pelican Cove and Coyote Bar andGrill online. 

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Healdsburg, CA: The Honor Mansion

Right off the 101, just past Sonoma and deep in the heart of wine country in Sonoma County is the beautiful city of Healdsburg, CA. Take a stroll around Healdsburg and discover the riches and treats of small town individuality that make it so special.  Drop in on some of the world class shopping, renowned art and sculpture, wines and cheeses, independent bookstores, treasure troves of antiquing and so much more. There is truly something for everyone.

For a place to stay the night, visit The Honor Mansion. Vacation in one of the thirteen luxurious rooms spread over a four acre property. Every morning there is a breakfast buffet for all guests to delight in. If you are looking to stay on the property for the day, enjoy the lap pool, competition croquet, PGA putting green, tennis, basketball and bocce ball courts as well as spa services.

But being in wine country gives many opportunities for fun. Stroll through some of the art galleries in town or take a hot air balloon ride over the vineyards. There are a multitude of wine tours for tasting and food pairings. If you want some beer instead, visit the Bear Republic Brewing Co. Brewpub in Healdsburg. They have signature burgers and their beer is used in many of the recipes on site. Appreciate the locally produced artisan cheeses and charcuterie plates as well.

For more information, visit The Honor Mansion and Bear Republic Brewing Co. online. 

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Livermore, CA: The Purple Orchid

Right off the 580 Freeway, near the end of the Mt DiabloSummit Run, is a beautiful wine country in Livermore, CA. There you will find Concannon Vineyard celebrating their 130^th Anniversary of making award winning wines.  Come and enjoy their newly-renovated tasting room and historic winery. Taste some of the most delicious and elegant wines in California during a guided private tour of the winery, barrel room and historic vineyards. Their wine bar patio offers a global cuisine in a casual ambiance overlooking the vines.

If you prefer the taste of hops over grapes, you can visit Eight Bridges Brewing also in Livermore. The tasting room is there for you to enjoy their beers, tour the brewery, meet the brewer and even take beer home for later. From time to time they hold special events and have special beer releases that will be available only in the tasting room. Eight Bridges Brewing focuses on providing both your favorite brews and a variety that will keep you coming back for more.

After a long day of riding and drinking, you will want to rest at The Purple Orchid. They have ten modern country suites complete with fireplaces and private Jacuzzi tubs, with breakfast the next morning included. Take a walk through the beautiful rose garden or socialize with others in the common areas with wine and cheese. Their spa has a large selection of services to help relax your body and mind.

 For more information, visit Concannon Vineyard, Eight Bridges Brewing and The Purple Orchid online. Pictures courtesy of their websites. 

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Diablo, CA: Mt Diablo Summit Run

Take the Mt Diablo Summit Run, starting at the North Gate entrance of the mountain right off of Ygnacio Valley Road, and ending at the south gate in the town of Diablo near the 680 freeway. It is filled with twists and turns for the more advanced rider.The Summit Run offers a stop off at the top for a beautiful 3800 feet view of the Bay Area. On a clear day you can see the Golden Gate Bridge. This 22 mile ride will take you about an hour and on your way up and down, watch out for rapid altitude changes.

You also have the option to take the Marsh Creek Road around the back side of the mountain for a casual cruise.  The Marsh Creek Road has some tight 5mph turns for a short 7 mile ride from Clayton to Livermore.

 

And while in Livermore, stop off for a taste at the Working Man Brewing Company. Working Man Brewing Company is a micro-brewery dedicated to hand crafted artisan beers. The tasting room is officially open to the public and visitors are able to sample a variety of beers and have growlers filled fresh while you wait.

For more information visit Working Man Brewing Company online.

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Hollywood, CA: Hollywood Wax Museum

The world famous Hollywood Wax Museum is located off of Hollywood Blvd, near Mulholland Drive and is a great place to go for a pit stop. It is the only wax museum in the country devoted entirely to celebrity figures meaning it puts you face to face with some of your silver screen favorites. Everything from Hollywood stars, television personalities to characters from your fa

vorite movies. There are also sets devoted to the scariest and most memorable horror movie villains and blockbuster moments from the top 100 movies of all time.

When you are done there, take a walk across the street to the Pig N’ Whistle for a drink or two. One of the few remaining staples in Los Angeles that still offers patrons a true taste of “Old Hollywood” since opening its doors in 1927, the Pig ‘N Whistle has remained a cultural landmark. In addition to the comprehensive menu and bar, they feature Live Entertainment every Wednesday through Saturday in the Back Room along with Karaoke in the Main room every Wednesday and Thursday.

For more information on these places and special events, visit their websites. Pictures courtesy of Pig N’ Whistle. 

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Los Angeles, CA: Mulholland Drive and The Rock Store

If you are looking for a cruise this weekend, take a trip into Los Angeles and ride Mulholland Drive.  This 21 mile, mostly two lane road runs through the east side of the Santa Monica Mountains. Just off the 405 Freeway, filled with beautiful California landscapes, it has stunning views with some turn offs to enjoy the  Los Angeles Basin, the San Fernando Valley, and the Hollywood Sign. And while you are on your way stop off halfway between Malibu and Calabasas, enjoy a brew at The Rock Store.

The Rock Store is one of the most famous motorcyclist and biker hangouts in the world.  It's the perfect place to come by bike or by car for breakfast or lunch and a drink on Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays. Among the attractions are the rustic settings, celebrity sightings, hundreds of bikes to look at and the food and drinks. The Rock Store is most popular for their hefty breakfasts, BBQ tri-tip sandwiches, teriyaki chicken sandwiches, homemade chili and more and don't forget those ice cold beverages.

For more information, visit The Rock Store online. Pictures courtesy of their website. 

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Boonville, CA: The Anderson Valley Brewing Company

Founded in 1987, the Anderson Valley Brewing Company brews some of the smoothest ales around in the small town of Boonville, CA, less than 150 miles north of San Francisco or west of Sacramento. It is a great ride either right up the 128 Anderson Valley Highway or the 101 freeway to the winding 253 Highway to get into town.

In 1996, the Anderson Valley Brewing company built their current 30-barrel facility at the corner of Highways 128 and 253, a mile from the center of Boonville. They give daily tours of the brewery and the three-story Bavarian-style brew house every afternoon. And don’t miss the Tap House open daily from 11am to 6pm (7pm on Fridays). In addition to the brewery grounds, which include picnic groves, horse pastures, and a famous disc golf course, the Tap Room is where Anderson Valley residents and friends of the brewery come to meet. The Tap Room has beers you won’t find outside of the brewery too.

If you want to stay the night, look up the Boonville Hotel. With fifteen unique rooms, from family suite to just-for-two, top floor of the hotel or set apart, there is something for everyone’s needs. Visit their family style restaurant, Table 128. They serve family style, prix fixe meals that delight and satisfy with menus inspired by whim and season. The wine bar has a number of unique and reasonable wines from abroad. The bar opens daily at 11am so stop by for a hot or cold drink, by the fire or in the garden.

For more information about Anderson Valley Brewing Company, their events and where to find their brew, visit their website. Also, to find more information a room at the Boonville Hotel, visit them online. Pictures courtesy of Anderson Valley Brewing Company. 

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Huntington Beach, CA: The Cruise of Lights

For those of you in the holiday spirit, take a trip down the Pacific Coast Highway to the Huntington Harbour.  On December 13 and 14 they will have the 52 annual Huntington Harbour Boat Parade, themed “Music in Paradise” this year, kicking off the annual event, The Cruise of Lights.

From December 17 to the 23, take a ride on a boat through the harbor and see the entire glory.  Hundreds of boats, decks, docks and homes decorated in thousands of lights all through the holiday season.  A 45-minute narrated boat tour through the sparkling waterways of Huntington Harbourwill take you what is called one of the most remarkable holiday light shows on water and voted Top 10 by Coastal Magazine.

And while you are there, stop into the Red Table Gastrobar, with their edgy interpretation of comfort food. The menu is comfortably priced with interesting yet approachable items intended to share and savor. Craft beers and outstanding wines have been selected to compliment the distinctive menu items and enhance the dining experience.

The tours leave from the parking lot of the Huntington Harbour Mall. For more information visit the HuntingtonHarbour Boat Parade, The Cruise of Lights and Red Table on their websites. Pictures courtesy of The Cruise of Lights. 

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Folsom CA- Folsom Historic DIstrict

If you are looking for a nice ride off the beat and path, take a trip to Folsom, CA. Johnny Cash once wrote of this town in his album "At Folsom Prison" to regain popularity in his career, but there is much more than a correctional facility there now. The Folsom Historic District has more than 80 businesses, including restaurants, art galleries, live theater, museums, antique stores and specialty shops. With at least one event happening every month, Historic Folsom is the place to visit for events and festivals! The diverse event schedule includes Live Entertainment, Art Walks, Car Shows, Antique Fairs, Craft Fairs and wonderful community events throughout the year!

For example there is the Folsom History Museum. The Museum is operated by the Folsom Historical Society, located in historic downtown Folsom. It is the home to a wonderful collection of artifacts and treasures that chronicle the settlement and development of the Folsom area. You'll see fascinating and educational exhibits throughout the year along with special events highlighting the Gold Rush era and Folsom. The History Museum focuses on exhibits about Folsom's native people, the discovery of gold and the formation of mining camps, ethnic groups who contributed to the area, the formation of the town, railroad, prison, powerhouse, and later efforts at gold mining.

You might also like the stay a night at the Folsom Hotel and Saloon. This hotel, previously named the New Western Hotel, was built by Charles Zimmerman. The hotel’s Completion was marked by the installation of the back bar mirror. Samuel Levits, the maker of the mirror, accompanied it on it’s journey to California. Eager to start his new life in the silver mines of Virginia City, he persuaded Zimmerman to give him the hotel keys so that he could work through the night to install the mirror. While cutting the mirror, Levits was cut severely and he died before dawn. Although dead, he still resides in the hotel. Many nights, Levits can still be heard in the bar kicking the keys toward the locked front door in an effort to get out and get help. Levits is not alone in the Folsom Hotel either. Camille, an aloof woman who once served Zimmerman as a maid and cook in payment for her son’s education, is still present. She continues to help the present owners tidy up in the early morning hours, spending most of her time in the dining room and kitchen.

Come enjoy entertainment, history and fun in Folsom. For more information about the Folsom Historic District, Folsom History Museum or the Folsom Hotel and Saloon, visit their websites.

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San Diego, CA: Beerology and Craft Beers

In San Diego craft beer is a prevalent part of the dining culture. Nothing represents this better than the Beerology exhibit at The Museum of Man in Balboa Park which is running through the Summer of 2014. This is evidenced by the booming number of local craft breweries in the area pumping out beers from special blends and labeled with enticing names. On any night of the week local beer drinkers can enjoy Double Bastard, Pearl Necklace, Belching Beaver, Satanic Chimp, Red Headed Hop Child, or Old Viscosity.

Ancient Egyptians, Sumerians, Chinese, and other cultures are represented in this exhibit and their strange, albeit clever brewing arts. The headhunters from the Amazon, chewed poisonous cassava root to create their unique beer (although the exhibit points out they rarely go headhunting any longer). Women of one tribe chews roots and spits them back into a bowl, which is then fermented and brewed to create the special "craft" brew.

The history of beer is quite fascinating dating back to the beginning of recorded history. The production of beer is credited with the creation of mathematics, property ownership, record keeping, and medicine. From Mesopotamia to San Diego, California, beer has been a healing and convivial part of our culture for over 10,000 years.

After enjoying the exhibit, one can travel to a number of local breweries to imbibe. Monkey Paw Brewery, Mission Brewery, Stone Brewery, Green Flash, Alesmith, Acoustic Ales and Ballast Point, all have tasting rooms within a short drive of Balboa Park. Most serve only beer, no other drinks or food, and are designed for the taste buds of the true beer connoisseur. But to enjoy a variety of beers in one location, and perhaps some delicious cuisine that compliments the local frothy broths, plenty of restaurants keep a good reserve on hand.

57 Degrees carries a nice variety of beer as well as being a wine retail store, wine bar, wine storage facility, and restaurant. Scrumptious selections of food, wine and of course, beer are available in this contemporary and lively venue. Serving also as an event facility, there is no shortage of vibrant and stimulating energy among the patrons and staff. To enjoy the perfect beverage while taking in the perfect sunset, overlooking San Diego Bay, 57 Degrees is the best location for a laid back vibe to end the day.

Another fantastic brewery that has it all, delectable food, a variety of drinks and of course, some of the finest craft beer, is Hillcrest Brewing Company. Touted as "The World’s First Out and Proud LGBT Brewery", HBC is located next door to the iconic Hillcrest Pride Flag and serves some of the best pizza one can find in San Diego. Hillcrest is known for it's wide variety of open-minded lifestyles and HBC seems to be a central location for locals and visitors alike to let their hair down and be real. The raucous laughter of the beer and pizza consumers is consistent from open to close here.

For more information on the Beerology exhibit visit their website.

San Diego Museum of Man
1350 El Prado, Balboa Park
San Diego, CA 92101
(619) 239-2001
http://www.museumofman.org/

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San Francisco, CA: Hotel Fusion & Infusion Lounge

The Hotel Fusion and Infusion Lounge have teamed up to create a '4D' experience that is unmatched anywhere else in San Francisco. Offering tempting Drinks, fine Dining, high-energy Dancing, and Dreamy accommodations, the stylish boutique hotel and adjacent award-winning restaurant and nightclub provide everything that's needed for a night of romance or revelry, all in one exciting location.

Reflecting the diverse cultures of the Pacific Rim, the Hotel Fusion is a rich blend of contemporary American and traditional Asian influences. The 124 guest rooms and suites each feature a soothing color palette with warm wood accents. Thoughtful in-room amenities include flat screen televisions, snack bar and mini fridges, in-room safes, and complimentary Wi-Fi Internet connections. With a friendly and knowledgeable staff dedicated to providing personalized service, the Hotel Fusion is a fashionable, convenient, and affordable alternative to much higher priced options in the area.

On the subterranean level of the hotel is Infusion Lounge, the dazzling Asian-inspired ultra lounge and restaurant that Condé Nast Traveler named as one of the World's Hottest New Nightclubs. Exotic signature cocktails and premium sprits are skillfully prepared by expert mixologists, and Executive Chef Evan Turner has earned rave reviews and a distinguished OpenTable Award for his mouth-watering cuisine that blends fresh local ingredients with the flavors and intrigue of Asia and the Americas.

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In the club's North Lounge, glowing glass light towers illuminate an expansive dance floor where world-class DJs keep the party going with an electrifying mix of the latest dance hits. Chic fashionistas and international hipsters circle the block Tuesdays through Saturdays, but guests enjoying the 4D experience receive complimentary cover charge and avoid the wait outside.

Off-season rates at Hotel Fusion start at $129 per night and include special "summer and winter" getaway rates, available only by booking directly with the hotel. Call 415-568-2525 or toll free at 866-753-4244 for preferred rates or visit www.hotelfusion.com.

The Infusion Lounge website includes upcoming entertainment calendars, menus, and dining reservation information: www.sf.infusionlounge.com.

Hotel Fusion & Infusion Lounge
140 Ellis Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 568-2525

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