Palm Desert, CA: Food & Wine Festival

Visitors of the Palm Desert area will enjoy a entertaining weekend as the fabulous three days of the Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival rocks the Coachella Valley later this month. Celebrated under the Big White Tent on Larkspur between El Paseo and Shadow Mountain in sundrenched Palm Desert, the culinary and fine wine event is a Foodie’s dream.

Getting underway on Friday, March 23 the “A Taste of Italy” gourmet luncheon will be the first of multiple events celebrating the glories of gourmet cuisine and the finest winemakers around the globe. The superb four course luncheon will feature champagne from Caposaldo and premium wines by such luminaries as Feudo Maccari and Tenuta. Master of ceremonies Jeff Hocker will oversee the festivities with entertainment provided by Allison Adams Tucker's Italia Quartet.

Brad Schmett, a local real estate agent who frequents the weekend long festival, recently spoke about what is one of his personal ‘fave events’ of the season. “The Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival always brings in the most interesting people from all over the country. It never seems like spring until we see that Big White Tent go up on El Paseo. The three day festival is nonstop fun for all of us and we especially enjoy showing off our beautiful valley to all the new visitors who appreciate the level of life we have to offer.”

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Indeed, the list of participating wineries and esteemed gourmet chefs reads like a Who's Who of the finest in the food and elite beverage industries. In between sampling offerings from the best restaurants in the Coachella Valley expect to enjoy educational food and cooking demonstrations, book signings, gourmet cooking tips from expert chefs, and much more, all set out on multiple stages with something to enchant even the most discerning connoisseur.

Tickets are sold on a day by day basis and you must be 21 to attend the event. For more information on the Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival visit http://www.palmdesertfoodandwine.com.

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Long Beach, CA: Hotel Maya

One of the grandest civilizations in the history of the world is that of the Mayans, the collapse of which is still shrouded in mystery. Beginning in 2000 BC and thriving until 1500 AD, The Mayan culture built awe-inspiring temples, pyramids and cities within their complex social and political order. While the growth of this society was well documented, lost are any details of the decline of their world, with only remnants left behind of this ancient civilization.

Paying homage to this mysterious culture stands the Hotel Maya along the harbor in Long Beach. Complete with the unique and spectacular architectural style of the stepped pyramids, Hotel Maya welcomes guests into their "village" of modern structures assembled to create this luxurious seaside resort. Spacious, well-appointed rooms greet guests with all of the amenities one would long for in a resort stay. Organic yet sumptuous decor and beautiful, comfortable bedding, combined with a stunning terrace view set the mood for a well deserved respite from reality.

Tucked away throughout the resort are hidden cabanas, with intimate seating and built in romance. Along the dramatic poolside, as well as hidden in Fuego Restaurant within the hotel, private love nests await affectionate couples. Perfect for lovers and families alike, Hotel Maya offers fire pits, volleyball, tennis courts, bicycle rental and beach front activities. Just a stone's throw away from the historic Queen Mary, and just moments from Downtown Long Beach, Hotel Maya provides a quiet refuge for vacationers.

Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and sporting an active bar as well, Fuego Restaurant lies perched within the second floor of the Main Building, divided between indoors and out, boasting a dramatic terrace for seaside dining. Opulence abounds in the alfresco dining room, with a staff serving up more than delicious dishes and refreshing drinks, but also a "getaway" atmosphere. The warm surroundings set the tone for the fine dining choices, creating a truly authentic Latin American feel.

Specializing in mariscos dishes, a combination of fish and shellfish, Fuego Restaurant also features a sumptuous array of appetizers and entrées, including steak, carnitas and pasta. The house specialty is the Seafood Crepas, crepes filled with crab meat and rock shrimp, covered lightly with a roasted Poblano sauce. Flavorful, yet delicate, the Crepas are the perfect representation of the mariscos style. The Bone In Rib Eye is a generous portion of excellent beef, rubbed with New Mexico Chili and grilled, served with a tasty Roasted Tomato Pasilla Sauce and fresh roasted vegetables. Thick, juicy and deliciously tender, this rib eye will please the hungriest of men as well as the most discriminating palette.

Whether a guest is in town on business at the Long Beach Convention Center, or vacationing for a lengthy stay on the harbor, Hotel Maya will meet every expectation with a smile. Evident in their graciousness and warmth, the staff at Hotel Maya genuinely want to please each and every guest, on every visit.

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Hotel Maya
A Doubletree by Hilton
700 Queensway Drive
Long Beach, CA 90802

562.435.7676
562.481.3908

Visit their website

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Temecula, CA: Bel Vino Winery Annual Harvest Clam Bake

Bel Vino Winery will host their annual Harvest Clam Bake on Saturday, October 13 in Temecula, CA. Like years past, the Harvest Clam Bake promises celebrating fine wines paired with traditional clambake seafoods, served outdoors with breathtaking views of Temecula Valley Wine Country. The event will be held at Bel Vino’s outdoor concert venue, which allows event-goers to capture some of the most incredible views Southern California has to offer.
The Harvest Clam Bake will gather people outside for an evening of fun, wine and music. Shoot 4 Tuezday will provide live entertainment covering favorite songs by Led Zeppelin, No Doubt, Red Hot Chili Peppers and others spanning from the 1960s to today.
Staying true to tradition, the clam bake will feature a hearty menu including salad, Traditional New England Clam Chowder, Market Fresh Clams and Mussels, Raw and Baked Oysters, Grilled Chicken, spicy sides, delicious dessert choices and much more.
Bel Vino’s Harvest Clam Bake will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, October 13. Tickets for wine club member are $65, non-members $75. Prices include four glasses of wine or beer. Additional Live Main Lobsters are available for purchase for $25. Reservations are required and tickets are non-refundable.

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Bel Vino Winery
33515 Rancho California Road
Temecula, CA 92591

951) 676-6414

amber@belvinowinery.com

BelVinoWinery.com

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San Diego to Paso Robles

Driving from San Diego to Paso Robles, the sights of California. . .

Orange County traffic on a sunny day.

Good Year Blimps drops in for a visit in the O.C.

Weather is Picture Perfect in Burbank

Along the coast, approaching the lovely village of Seaside, CA

The landscape begins to change the further we head up the coast

Where the 101 leaves the Santa Barbara coastline, north of Gaviota

Miles of vineyards, as far as the eye can see

Rustic barns and ranches pop up along the horizon

A 2012 Fiat Abarth, a rarity for these parts

The historic bells hanging from a shepherd's hook line El Camino Real

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Paso Robles, CA: Paso Robles Inn

El Paso de Robles, or "Pass of the Oaks," was originally part of a 25,000-acre Spanish land grant that was purchased by James and Daniel Blackburn in 1857, and was a rest stop for travelers of the Camino Real trail.

Known for its mineral hot springs, Franciscan priests from neighboring Mission San Miguel constructed the first mineral baths in the area. Pioneer settlers to the area would later establish cattle ranches, orchards, dairy farms, and vineyards.

The first Paso Robles Hot Springs Hotel was built in 1864 right next to the natural artesian hot springs well. In 1891, the old hotel was replaced with a magnificent new all-brick hotel. Taking more than one million bricks and two years to build, the new hotel became known worldwide as a health resort.

Situated in the heart of Paso Robles, among the quaint boutiques and antique storefronts, gourmet restaurants, wine tasting rooms, olive tasting rooms, wine bars, and art galleries, lies The Paso Robles Inn. Now home to 98 guest rooms, Traditional Guest Rooms, Queen Garden Fireplace Rooms, Deluxe Spa Rooms and Jesse James Two-Room Suites, The Inn has been named as one of the Historic Hotels of America. The popular Paso Robles Steakhouse, outdoor heated pool and spa, the lovely garden setting, perfect for a leisurely stroll, and spa indulgences from The Spa Central Coast, are among the amenities that keep guests returning.

Upon check in, guests will find the Deluxe Spa rooms and Jesse James Two-Room Suites as honest, genuine to the countrified setting, spacious and serene, cast with a rustic fireplace, and graced with a spa-like bathroom. To each guests delight, positioned on the terrace, is offered the soothing thermal waters of the Paso Robles mineral springs in your own private spa tub. Draw the terrace drapes and sink into the healing waters, in complete seclusion.

The Paso Robles Inn continues to be a cornerstone in the hub of Paso Robles, the perfectly idyllic destination for the busiest and most celebrated time of year, the 2012 Harvest Wine Weekend, October 19 - 21. Harvest in Paso Robles Wine Country is a time filled with the scent of ripened fruit, scenic drives through rolling hills of red and gold, and the culmination of a year of hard work; the anticipation of a new vintage.

Indulge in a wide array of individual events at area wineries in the vineyards, on the crush pad, and in the tasting rooms, including vineyard tours, special tastings, and winemaker dinners. Take part in a blending seminar, or jump feet first into a two-ton grape stomp. Explore more than 120 winery events, as Paso Robles bustles with excitement to welcome the new vintage.

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Paso Robles Inn
1103 Spring Street
Paso Robles, CA 93446

800-676-1713
805-238-2660

www.PasoRoblesInn.com

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Murphys, CA: Murphys Historic Hotel

Haunted!

When you arrive in the authentic town of Murphys, nestled in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, the locals will ask about where you are staying. If your response is "Murphys Historic Hotel," expect the response to be, "Haunted! That hotel is haunted! Did you see Eleanor?"

Legend has it that a former chambermaid Eleanor waited 30 years for her new husband to return from the gold mining hills with their fortune until she died broken hearted at Murphys Historic Hotel. Certainly not the only ghost to haunt these halls, Eleanor has become the most notable of the cast of spiritual characters in permanent residence. Guests enjoy exchanging their encounters with one another and hotel staff, comparing thrilling notes of spiritual intrigue.

The hotel was built in 1856 and has been in service, never missing a day, to hotel guests since opening day. A former Wells Fargo Stage coach stop, Murphys is a registered National Historic Landmark having hosted such notable historic figures as Ulysses S. Grant, Mark Twain, Horatio Alger, Susan B. Anthony, JP Morgan, John Wayne, Sunny Ficus, and Charles Bolton, a.k.a. Black Bart the “Gentleman Bandit. Rich with history, legend, folklore and nostalgia, Murphys Hotel is a "must visit" for travelers with a thirst for yesteryear.

Divided in two sections, historic and modern rooms, travelers have options for their stay. Historic rooms are nearly perfectly authentic. Original hardwood floors, complete with the squeaks, grace each space. Elegant french doors, still fitted with the iron shutters that once saved the hotel from a town-devastating fire, lead to the second story veranda on street facing rooms. Period furnishings lend to the essence of the late 1800's still rich in the air. Equipped with a sink and electricity, these rooms utilize shared bathrooms. The 4 "water closets" are located at the end of a short hall, shared with 9 rooms, as well as 4 showers, all located in small, individual rooms. Lovely and sweet modern rooms come complete with all of the conveniences, for those who prefer to keep the "history" in the quaint town. Impeccably clean, intriguingly authentic and thoroughly enjoyable, even the mildest adventurer will relish their own step back in time.

The town of Murphys is filled with adorable shops and beautiful wine tasting rooms. With 16 tasting rooms within a short walking distance, Murphys Hotel is located in the prime spot for the wine lover. Nestled amongst the tasting rooms, cupcake shops, clothing boutiques, Indian curiosities, consignment stores, and antique dealers line Main Street for a exciting shopping experience. Our favorite find, and quietly deceiving by it's name, Murphys Motorcycle Company, evokes a sense of goods for the hardcore biker. Yet, surprisingly elegant clothing for ladies hangs within; high end, designer brands, beautifully made and so soft to the touch, women who've never touched a bike will find something she can't live without here. While the girls oooo and ahhh, the guys will enjoy the selection of awesome T-shirts and riding paraphernalia as well.

Murphys Historic Hotel serves an array of dining options, from hometown breakfast to elegant dinner dining. The Famous Fried Chicken is "Andy Griffith Mmmmm mmmmm" good! Made by one of the hotel owner's himself, the chicken is amazingly tender and moist, with a perfectly spiced crust that is crispy and flavorful. Homestyle, country mashed potatoes, tender fresh vegetables, and heavenly chicken gravy complete the serving. A House Specialty, diners will long for the Old South with every bite.

Graced with the professional, kind and sincere staff, Murphys Historic Hotel meets every need for visitors, often before a request is made. Mention you're traveling around the state, and the front desk clerk offers a new National Geographic map. Ask a question in the restaurant about your food and the chef comes tableside to answer. Above and beyond expected service, the only disappointment guests will have will be leaving. Some hotels make one's stay lovely. Murphys Historic Hotel makes one want to just stay.

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Murphys Historic Hotel
457 Main Street
Murphys, CA 95247

(209) 728-3444
(800) 532-7684

reservations@murphyshotel.com

http://www.murphyshotel.com/

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Pacifica, CA: Pacific Coast Fog Fest

Born in 1986 and now in its 27th year, The Pacific Coast Fog Fest was created to promote the City of Pacifica & to celebrate its marvelous coastal climate & community. This 2-day event brings in over 100 arts; crafts booths, a parade, a Fog Jog, a photo contest, a family fun area, a marching band competition, 3 stages of live music, tons of food and drink to satisfy any taste and has been known to attract up to 40,000 festival goers each day. Fog Fest has free admission and is always held the last weekend of September, along 8 blocks of Palmetto Ave, one block away from the ocean where the sun, sand and surf await.

This year Pacific Coast Fog Fest is proud to announce actor/comedian, Rob Schneider, as Saturday morning parade's Grand Marshall. Also, the Pacifica will be celebrating a historical milestone; 30 years of Family Fun Fest, which promises extra surprises!

The Family Fun Fest was developed 3 years prior to the creation of the Fog Fest. The two merged together, creating a long lasting partnership. The Family Fun Fest has also laid down the foundation for which many festivals and events today have modeled their family fun zones after.

The Fog Fest is proud to give back to its community organizations that participate and also to the, "Gift to Pacifica Fund." Fog Fest also strives to lessen our environmental footprint by moving towards zero waste. This year they will provide bike valet securing. So, locals are encouraged to ride a bike in, with family & friends and, the staff will take care of the rest! What's not to like? Visit their website or follow the Fog Fest on Facebook for details.

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The Pacific Coast Fog Fest
September 29 - 30, 2012
City of Pacifica, Along Palmetto Ave.
Between Shell Street and Montecito Street

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Long Beach, CA: The California Women's Conference

For nearly thirty years, women in California have enjoyed a conference that provided a forum for building successful businesses, strengthening careers, and positively influencing the world around them. The California Women’s Conference is continuing the tradition of empowering women and providing resources in every aspect of their lives, and embracing philanthropy by donating a portion of proceeds to charitable partners.

This year’s conference is scheduled for September 23rd and 24th, 2012 at the Long Beach Convention Center, and the theme is “The Women’s Economy Starts Here!” It will feature a vast marketplace of ideas, exhibits, and internationally known speakers. Included in the star-studded lineup are Donna Karan, Gloria Allred, Marcia Cross, Janet Evans, and many more top name speakers. For more information on the speaker line-up, please visit the website.

Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity to purchase tickets to a phenomenal conference at a great price! Visit The California Women's Conference and use the discount code: CAROAD to get 10% off your ticket.

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The California Women's Conference
September 23-24, 2012
(949) 218-0866

Long Beach Convention Center
300 East Ocean Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 436-3636

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Orick, CA: Watch Deer Mating From Your Redwoods Cabin

Each autumn, California’s most public display of violent sex occurs at Redwoods National Park and  Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, near Orick, where testosterone-charged male Roosevelt Elk challenge each other for breeding rights to herds of female elk.

The often-bloody mating rituals are most easily seen near the Elk Meadow Cabins, six remodeled cabins within the elks’ mating area, that offer elk viewing packages in October. On lawns and meadows surrounding the cabins, from mid-September through October, male Roosevelt Elk are seen posturing and rising dramatically to lock antlers as they push one another back and forth to exhaustion in order to assert their dominance.

Roosevelt Elk (cervus elaphus candadensis) are the largest specie of elk in North America, averaging 875 pounds (398 kg) and standing 5 feet (1.5 m) tall at their shoulder. Their antlers are thick with vertical points and a distinctive crown or three-point tip. Some antler racks have been measured as big as six feet (1.8 m) and weighing 40 pounds (18 kg). A big rack is what impresses the females, as when it comes to bull elks, size matters.

While male Roosevelt Elk put on a terrifying display, their fury is focused entirely on each other. They are otherwise inquisitive but standoffish to people, which adds to their appeal to wildlife viewers. Rutting behaviors can be watched easily, without disturbing the elk, though viewers are cautioned not to approach the elk.

Elk herds consist of females and their offspring, in groups of 20-30 individuals. During rutting season the cows feed quietly, seemingly uninterested in the bulls until one wins out. He will then herd and mate with the cows while keeping other bulls from the harem.

The rut occurs randomly at any time of day or night, sometimes resulting in guests of the cabins being awaken in the middle of the night as two bulls fight one another. Otherwise, the elk spend much of their day seeking, eating, and digesting food with main feeding times at dawn and dusk.

At Elk Meadow, guests can choose from two October packages. On the “Elk Rut Package,” guests who stay any two nights at the normal rate of $219 per night (each cabin sleeps six), can stay for additional nights at half off, and up to four guests per cabin get a free, naturalist-guided elk tour provided by Redwood Adventure Tours, a local ecotour provider.

Guests who stay any three nights (Monday - Friday) in an Elk Meadow Cabin ($219) during October and who request the “Indian Salmon Package” when making their reservations, get up to four Indian-styled, barbecue salmon dinners with their cabin rental (served Wednesday evenings only). The dinners include fresh salmon barbecued on redwood stakes set around a fire made of local madrone and alder, in the traditional style of northwest California’s native Americans. The salmon is served with fresh salad, fruit, beverages (lemonade, water, coffee) and a cobbler usually prepared from local berries.

The “Elk Rut” and “Indian Salmon” packages can only be obtained in advance by calling (866) 733-9637. Guests must pick one or the other offer, as the packages cannot be combined. More information about the Elk Meadow Cabins is found online at http://www.redwoodadventures.com.

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Redwoods Parks Lodge Company
7 Valley Green Camp Road
Orick, California 95555

(866) 733-9637
info@teamredwood.us

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Napa, CA: Napa Winery Inn

The 59-room Napa Winery Inn, Napa Valley’s newest boutique hotel, opened its doors on July 1, 2012. The hotel offers guests an affordable Napa getaway and is centrally located just minutes from Napa’s best restaurants, wineries and attractions.

The Napa Winery Inn is affiliated with Choice Hotels as a Quality Inn. The hotel is centrally located within the heart of Napa Valley, just minutes from Downtown Napa, nearby Yountville, St. Helena and Calistoga.

The Napa Valley is home to some of the world’s leading cuisine, wine and experiential attractions. The Napa Winery Inn provides comfortable boutique hotel lodging, and a friendly staff provides services to enable guests to enjoy their Napa Valley experience at an affordable price.

“The Napa Winery Inn offers guests the whole Napa wine country experience, as it is close to downtown as well as other popular Napa Valley destinations,” said Rick Swig, the hotel’s principal owner. “The Napa Winery Inn is service-focused to ensure guests a rewarding visit to Napa at affordable room rates.”

The Napa Winery Inn is the convenient location for travelers with business in Napa, while it is the perfect destination for a weekend away, weddings, business meetings for up to 35 persons and other special events. For travelers wanting to experience America’s premier wine, food, arts and wellness capital, the reasonably priced Napa Winery Inn provides a comfortable stay within their budget. Breakfast is included with every overnight stay.

The Napa Winery Inn was acquired on May 1, 2012. Previously, the hotel operated as John Muir Inn. After an investment of nearly $1 million in improvements, the new boutique hotel now features a refreshed interior design with new beds and linens, furnishings, upgraded meeting space, artwork, flat-screen TVs and high-speed wireless technology, plus new landscaping around the swimming pool and the building’s exterior.

To make a reservation for an upcoming stay at the newest boutique hotel in Napa, call 1-800-522-8999 or visit the hotel’s web site at http://www.napawineryinn.com.

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Napa Winery Inn
1998 Trower Ave.
Napa, CA 94558

1-800-522-8999
707-257-7232
inquiries@napawineryinn.com

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