What’s New in California. Package deals…and signature events. March 2011 news

DISCOVER WHAT’S NEW IN CALIFORNIA
Package deals, new developments and signature events

Sacramento, CA, March 29, 2011—Exciting and affordable packages from Air Canada and WestJet put a California dream vacation within reach for all travelers this spring and early summer travel season. Packages from Eastern Canada start at CA$665 per person for three nights’ accommodation and round-trip airfare.

“With these fantastic packages, we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors from Eastern Canada to experience California this spring and early summer season,” noted Caroline Beteta, President and CEO of the California Travel & Tourism Commission (CTTC).

“Every type of traveler will have something to enjoy. In the mountains, the snow is starting to melt, giving way to fantastic waterfalls, while theme parks are pulling out all the stops to make for an unforgettable vacation. Clear skies along the Golden State’s famed coast provide iconic views, while the deserts offer up hikes accented with blooming wildflowers,” Beteta said.

Travel Deals

Air Canada Vacations:

Three nights in Anaheim via Los Angeles from CA$665 ex Montreal
Spend three nights at the Clarion Hotel. For kids and kids at heart, visit Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. Head out to the region’s famous beaches – learn to surf at Huntington Beach or mix with the stars at Laguna Beach. Enjoy first-class shopping at Newport Beach boutiques or Fashion Island.

Package includes:

– Round-trip flights from Montréal – Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport(YUL) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

– Three nights accommodation at thethree-starClarion Hotel Anaheim Resortin a Double or Twin guest room

– Valid for most travel dates in June from Montreal
 

Three nights in San Diego from CA$835 ex Toronto
Escape to the sun, surf and amusement of San Diego for three nights. San Diego’s golden sands offer the quintessential California beach experience and with a stay at the Handlery Hotel & Resort enjoy a great getaway with diverse activity options. Experience a great game of golf on the 27-hole championship Riverwalk Golf Club and Driving Range, take advantage of courtesy transportation to San Diego’s major attractions including the San Diego Zoo, SeaWorld and Old Tow; or just sit back and enjoy a spectacular fare at the Long Boards Bar & Grill Poolside aside a large heated swimming pool and hot tub.

Package includes:

–  Round-trip flights from Toronto – Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to San Diego (SAN)

–  Three nights accommodation at the four star Handlery Hotel & Resort in a Double or Twin guest room

– Valid for most travel dates in July from Toronto

For more information on the package, call 1-866-529-2079 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1-866-529-2079      end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Prices reflect applicable reductions, are subject to change without notice and cannot be combined with any other offer or promotion. Prices are in Canadian dollars; apply to new bookings only. Prices are per person based on double occupancy, unless otherwise stated, from Montréal – Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, Toronto – Pearson International Airport, in Economy class. Non-refundable. Limited quantity and subject to availability at time of booking. Taxes and applicable fees not included. Not applicable to group bookings. Flights operated by Air Canada. For applicable terms and conditions, consult the Air Canada Vacations brochures or www.aircanadavacations.com.

Air Canada is Canada’s largest full-service airline and the largest provider of scheduled passenger services in the Canadian market. For more information, visit www.aircanada.com.

WestJet Vacations:

WestJet will be introducing a new non-stop service from Vancouver and Calgary to Orange Country – Anaheim, California, beginning May 2 and June 13, 2011, respectively, as part of its summer schedule. Convenient connections to California are also available from other Canadian cities.

Packages on WestJet originating from Eastern Canada are as follows:

Five nights for the price of three in Anaheim via Los Angeles from C$729 ex Toronto
Stay at the Clarion Hotel Anaheim and receive five nights for the price of three in the famed O.C. For kids and kids at heart, visit Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure. Head out to the region’s famous beaches – learn to surf at Huntington Beach or mix with the stars at Laguna Beach. Enjoy first-class shopping at Newport Beach boutiques or Fashion Island.

Package includes:

  • Round-trip air from Toronto (YYZ) to Los Angeles (LAX)
  • Five nights accommodations for the price of three at the three-star Clarion Hotel Anaheim
  • Valid June 1, 5, 8, 19 and 26, 2011

Five nights for the price of four in Orange County – Anaheim from C$769 ex Toronto
Escape to the O.C. and receive five nights for the price of four where you can enjoy the wonderful coastal town that presents numerous opportunities for outdoor adventure, shopping at great boutiques and well known art galleries and enjoying a local fare over the sunset at a rooftop bar/restaurant. A stay at the Castle Inn and Suites presents affordable surroundings inspired by medieval castles, and all within the shadows of Disneyland. The property caters to budget-conscious families and other travelers seeking Southern California fun.The Castle Inn and Suites is just across the street from the Disneyland Resort and California Adventure theme park, within walking distance of the Anaheim Convention Center and minutes from Knott’s Berry Farm theme park. Sports fans and bargain hunters can take advantage of visiting the area’s pro sports and shopping venues.

Package includes:

  • Round-trip air from Toronto to Orange County – Anaheim (SNA)
  • Five nights accommodations for the price of four at the two-star Castle Inn and Suites
  • Valid May 2, 8, 15 and 25, June 1, 5 and 12, 2011

Three nights in Palm Springs starting at C$759 from Toronto
Escape to Palm Springs for a memorable desert getaway. Indulge in a wide array of recreation activities and then retreat to the comfort of the Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa. Experiences range from spa treatments to individual golf lessons and also provide a number of family friendly features for an unforgettable vacation in the desert.

Package includes:

  • Round-trip air from Toronto to Palm Springs (PSP)
  • Three nights accommodations at the four-star Rancho Las Palmas Resort and Spa
  • Valid April 20 & 27, 2011

Three nights in San Francisco starting at C$769 from Toronto
Enjoy a trip to the Bay Area by staying at the Holiday Inn San Francisco Fisherman’s Wharf. An ideal option to explore the Fisherman’s Wharf and the city’s most celebrated shops, attractions, and restaurants. Delight in unforgettable San Francisco vacations as you savor the delicious aromas of saltwater and sweet taffy filling the air.

Package includes:

  • Round-trip air from Toronto to San Francisco (SFO)
  • Three nights accommodations at the three-star Holiday Inn Fisherman’s Wharf
  • Valid May 1, 11, 15 and 25, June 1, 5 and 12, 2011

Note that WestJet Vacations packages quoted must be booked between March 28 and April 25, 2011 (11:59 p.m. MST). Service from Toronto to Los Angeles requires a connection in Calgary, Edmonton or Vancouver. Service from Toronto to San Francisco and Orange County – Anaheim requires a connection in Calgary or Vancouver. Service to Orange County – Anaheim via Vancouver begins May 2, 2011. Service to Orange County – Anaheim via Calgary begins June 13, 2011. Seasonal service to San Francisco via Calgary and Vancouver begins May 2, 2011. WestJet’s non-stop seasonal service from Toronto to Palm Springs ends April 30, 2011, after which time a connection via Calgary will be offered. Other departure cities and dates are available, but prices may be higher. Fares on other days may be higher. Price is per guest, based on double occupancy. Transfers not included. Taxes and fees not included. Fuel surcharge still applies to Air Miles™ redemption bookings. Advance booking required. Non-refundable. Offer limited and subject to availability. Price is accurate at time of submission. New bookings only. Visit westjetvacations.com for details.

For more information on the above packages, contact your preferred travel agent, call 1-877-737-7001 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              1-877-737-7001      end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit www.westjetvacations.com.

About WestJet
WestJet is Canada’s favourite airline, offering scheduled service throughout its 71-city North American and Caribbean network. Inducted into Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures Hall of Fame and named one of Canada’s best employers, WestJet pioneered low-cost flying in Canada. Named a J.D. Power 2011 Customer Service Champion, WestJet offers increased legroom, leather seats and live seatback television provided by Bell TV on its modern fleet of 94 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 41 aircraft through 2018, WestJet strives to be one of the five most successful international airlines in the world.

About WestJet Vacations
Launched in 2006, WestJet Vacations provides guests with a wide selection of vacation packages to popular vacation destinations in North America, Mexico and the Caribbean. Leveraging WestJet’s friendly employees, extensive network and solid value proposition, WestJet Vacations offers guests a fun, friendly and caring vacation experience. For more information, visit www.westjetvacations.com.

What’s New

California’s special events run the gamut from art and film to the outdoors, performances, sports, and wine and dine. CTTC’s events Web site makes it easy to pinpoint special events during the time and location of your trip. Head to www.visitcalifornia.com/events to get started.

A selection of what’s new in California includes:

2011 Amgen Tour of California
The largest cycling event in the U.S., the 2011 Amgen Tour of California is a Tour de France-style cycling road race, presented by AEG, that challenges the world’s top professional cycling teams to compete along a demanding course throughout California on May 15-22. www.amgentourofcalifornia.com

Historical Landmark, Berkeley City Club, Completes Renovations
The hotel’s 36 rooms, each with a private bathroom featuring original tile, have been completely redone from top to bottom. Each room boasts a view of either the San Francisco Bay or the Berkeley hills and the UC Berkeley campus. http://berkeleyhistorichotel.com

Red and White Fleet Launches New Bay Tour
Passengers will have the opportunity to cruise under both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge, each magnificent architectural wonders, where the featured views are up close and personal. The tour includes headphone audio in 12 languages. http://www.redandwhite.com

Seymour Marine Discovery Center Welcomes New Shark and Ray Pool
The Seymour Marine Discovery Center, part of the Joseph M. Long Marine Laboratory, a research and education facility of UC Santa Cruz, announces a new shark and ray pool. This new exhibit gives visitors a chance to see sharks and rays up close and feel the “dermal teeth” that give sharkskin its sandpaper texture. Perched on the edge of the Monterey Bay, the Seymour Center features marine life at seawater tables and aquariums, and marine exhibits illustrating the work of resident scientists. http://seymourcenter.ucsc.edu

Central Coast Region Launches New Web Site
It’s easier than ever before to plan an exciting trip to explore California’s varied and fascinating Central Coast, with the introduction of a new, super-charged Web site that puts maps, itineraries, customized tours and more at the click of a mouse. Each of the four regions – Channel Islands, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo and Monterey Bay – is now totally searchable, with links to local visitor bureaus and even current weather conditions and temperatures. www.tourthecentralcoast.com

NewFilmmakers Los Angeles Film Experiences
Visitors join NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) at the world-famous and historic Sunset Gower Studios in 2011 as they present documentary, short and feature films to the public every month, once a month. Founded in 2007, NFMLA has established itself as a gathering place for domestic and international cinema with more than 6,300 constituents, screening over 198 films from 16-plus countries since its inception. http://newfilmmakersla.com

Let the Memories Begin at Disneyland Resort
A new nighttime experience has begun at Disneyland Resort in Anaheim as part of the 2011 domestic Disney Parks campaign, “Let the Memories Begin.” Disney photographers will photograph Disneyland Park guests enjoying their visit, and later that evening, many of these images will be projected on the iconic façade of “It’s a Small World” using the latest in high-definition projection technology. At Disney California Adventure Park, a new, interactive rock-concert-style show, Disney Channel Rocks!, blasts popular music from a variety of Disney Channel hits. www.disneyland.com

Steel and Shade Exhibit at Palm Springs Art Museum
The Palm Springs Art Museum has a new exhibit opening: “Steel and Shade: The Architecture of Don Wexler,” on display through May 29, 2011. Donald Wexler practiced architecture during what he calls the “golden age” of California architecture from the immediate postwar years through the 1970s. www.psmuseum.org

Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa Receives AAA Four Diamond
Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa in California’s Inland Empire has received AAA Four Diamond Designation for 2011. With this distinction, awarded to less than four percent of the 32,000 properties evaluated by AAA, Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa joins an elite class of hotels, delivering a luxury experience, paired with a high level of service, amenities and extraordinary surroundings. The Lake Arrowhead Resort and Spa, located a mile high in the heart of the San Bernardino National Forest on the shore of Lake Arrowhead, features 173 guestrooms and suites, a full-service luxury spa, acclaimed BIN189 restaurant, and state-of-the-art meeting facilities. www.laresort.com

New Park Hyatt Resort in Carlsbad, CA
In San Diego County, the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort has opened in Carlsbad, on the north shore of Batiquitos Lagoon – a vast protected wildlife sanctuary and an enclave of natural beauty. A true California retreat, designed in the Spanish colonial style, Park Hyatt Aviara Resort is perfectly situated for active and leisurely retreats, as well as business meetings. The resort features a wide selection of culinary delights, including a poolside café, an airy bistro, a contemporary steakhouse and an elegant restaurant serving regional Italian fare. Of the 329 rooms, 44 are suites, and all have a private balcony or a landscaped terrace. The signature spa is 15,000 square feet and includes 20 treatment rooms and a fitness center. A year-round destination for golf and tennis, the resort boasts an 18-hole championship golf course ranked as one of the top courses on the West Coast.http://parkaviara.hyatt.com

Visit www.visitcalifornia.com/events to search California’s diverse range of events from art and film to outdoors, performances, sports, and wine and dine celebrations.

The California Travel and Tourism Commission is a non-profit organization with a mission to develop and maintain marketing programs – in partnership with the state’s travel industry – that keep California top-of-mind as a premier travel destination. According to CTTC, travel and tourism expenditures total $87.7 billion annually in California, support jobs for 881,000 Californians and generate $5.3 billion in state and local tax revenues. For more information about the CTTC and for a free 2011 California Visitor’s Guide and California Road Trips Guide, go to www.VisitCalifornia.com.