DISCOVER WHAT’S NEW THIS WINTER IN CALIFORNIA
Package deals, new developments and signature events
Sacramento, CA, November 30, 2010—Exciting and affordable packages from Air Canada and WestJet put a California dream vacation within reach for all travelers this winter, no matter the size of their pocketbooks. Packages from Eastern Canada start at CA$440 per person for three nights’ accommodation and round-trip airfare.
“With these fantastic packages, we’re looking forward to welcoming more visitors from Toronto and Montreal to sunny California this winter,” noted Caroline Beteta, President and CEO of the California Travel & Tourism Commission (CTTC).
“Every type of traveler will find something exciting here – from festivals and events to fabulous accommodations and world-renowned dining. And, of course, we have plenty of sunshine to make you forget all about the snow at home,” Beteta concluded.
Winter Travel Deals
Air Canada Vacations:
Three nights in Anaheim via Los Angeles from CA$440 ex Toronto/CA$550 ex Montreal
Spend three fantastic nights in the famed O.C., enjoying a visit to Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure, the region’s famous beaches, or the posh shopping at Newport Beach boutiques or Fashion Island.
Packages include:
– Round-trip flights from Toronto Pearson (YYZ) or Montreal Trudeau (YUL) to
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
– Four nights’ accommodation at the Holiday Inn Anaheim (Toronto) or the Knott’s Berry Farm Resort Hotel (Montreal)
– Valid for most travel dates between January 17 through February 28, 2011
For more information on the Toronto package, call 1-866-529-2079 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-866-529-2079 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit
http://bit.ly/gkcZfY.
For more information on the Montreal package, call 1-866-529-2079 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 1-866-529-2079 end_of_the_skype_highlighting or visit
http://bit.ly/gxnXIE.
Prices are per person/double occupancy from Toronto International Airport or Montreal International Airport. Taxes and fees not included. New bookings only. Subject to availability. Not applicable to group bookings. Other restrictions apply.
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:
Get four nights for the price of three in Palm Springs starting at CA$959 from Toronto
Escape to sunny Palm Springs for a desert getaway this winter. Play world-class golf courses, browse incredibly chic shopping, enjoy some spa therapy or relax by the pool. A stay at the Riviera Resort & Spa in Palm Springs offers magnificent hiking, unique jeep tours and 365 days of sunshine and starry nights.
Package includes:
– Round-trip air from Toronto (YYZ) to Palm Springs (PSP)
– Four nights’ accommodation for the price of three at the four-star Riviera Palm Springs
– Valid January 13, 20 and 27, 2011
Get five nights in San Diego starting at CA$819 from Toronto
Enjoy San Diego’s sun and surf for five nights. Mission and Pacific beaches’ enticing golden sands offer the quintessential California beach experience. Ride the rollercoaster at Pacific Ocean Park Amusement Pier; walk, ride or rollerblade the Mission Beach boardwalk; or sit back under a beach umbrella and soak in the warm California sunshine. SeaWorld offers a fun-filled day for adults and children alike, and there’s world-class dining in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.
Package includes:
– Round-trip air from Toronto (YYZ) to San Diego (SAN)
– Five nights’ accommodation at the three-star Holiday Inn Express Old Town
– Valid January 16, 23 and 30, 2011
Get four nights in Anaheim via Los Angeles starting at CA$819 from Toronto
Stay at the Anaheim Fairfield Inn by Marriott and receive four 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)
– Four nights’ accommodation for the price of three at the three-star Anaheim Fairfield Inn by Marriott
– Valid January 9, 16, 19, 22 and 26, 2011
WestJet Vacations packages quoted must be booked between December 5 and December 11, 2010 (11:59 p.m. MST). 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.
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 preferred 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. WestJet offers increased legroom, leather seats and live seatback television provided by Bell TV on its modern fleet of 91 Boeing Next-Generation 737 aircraft. With future confirmed deliveries for an additional 44 aircraft through 2017, 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
A selection of what’s new in California includes:
California Tourism Launches “Misconceptions” TV Ad
California is the land of legend: doesn’t everyone drive a convertible, own a winery, surf, live in a bikini or act like a rock star? Well, not everyone – and the California Travel and Tourism Commission’s new “Misconceptions” television ad pokes fun at many of these stereotypes, while showcasing the state’s abundance of attractions for visitors. The ad again features an all-star cast including Betty White, Kim Kardashian, Olympic skier Shannon Bahrke, chef Michael Chiarello, LA Philharmonic conductor Gustavo Dudamel, and musicians the Jonas Brothers and Jason Mraz. Launched across the United States and Canada in October, the ad features locations around California from Squaw Valley ski slopes to San Diego beaches, the Golden Gate Bridge to the redwoods, and wine country to Venice Beach. And, get ready for the “Good Life,” premiering in February!
Walk the Trail to Outdoor Adventure
In the Shasta Cascade Region, Redding is proud to announce the completion of the Sacramento River Trail, a National Recreation Trail that connects the world-famous Sundial Bridge to the Shasta Dam. Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy 35 miles of walking, jogging, cycling or horseback riding. There are 15 miles of paved trail on the west side, which pass through old railroad tunnels, and 20 miles of unpaved trail that cross old wooden bridges. www.shastacascade.com
New Truckee Donner Lodge
Truckee Donner Lodge in California’s High Sierra has completed a $700,000 remodel, including guest rooms and lobby renovations. All of the newly renovated rooms feature local art. www.truckee.com
New Micro Pub on the Redwood Coast
In the North Coast Region’s hub of outdoor adventure, the “Ski Lounge” opened in November at the Far North Climbing Gym in Arcata, hosting a cafe, lounge and micro pub. www.redwoods.info
Ivy Hotel Napa Is Reinvented
Dramatically poised at the gateway to Napa Valley’s famous wine region and hot springs, the Ivy is an opulent avant-garde boutique hotel, with intimate accommodations: an oasis for relaxation, reflection and rejuvenation. www.ivyhotelnapa.com
New Integrative Medicine Program at Cavallo Point Lodge
Cavallo Point Lodge launches this first program of its kind at a full-service hotel spa in the Bay Area. Designed and directed by Bradly Jacobs, MD, MPH, a leader in integrative medicine, the diagnostic and therapeutic plans are customized to individual needs, combining modern and alternative medicine practices, centered on his “Five Principles for Healthy Living”: finding purpose, connection, stress awareness, active living and healthy eating. www.cavallopoint.com
“Dropped and Chopped” Opens at CA Automobile Museum
In Gold Country, Sacramento’s California Automobile Museum’s newest exhibit, “Dropped and Chopped,” explores the next era in the history of hot rods, following the museum’s 2010 exhibit, “Drive Fast, Take Chances: Birth of the Hot Rod.” The new exhibit explores the classic years of traditional rods and customs—between 1946 and1960—including examples of notable Sacramento cars as well as historical information about Sacramento’s legendary customizers. www.calautomuseum.org
New Santa Barbara Tasty Cupcake & Wine Tour
On California’s Central Coast, Santa Barbara Adventure Company paired two favorite treats to create a new, mouth-watering adventure: the Tasty Cupcake & Wine Tour. Guests tour the Santa Ynez Valley tasting wine, learning the difference between a pinot blanc and a pinot gris, as on a typical wine tour. But the icing on the cake is a stop at Enjoy Cupcakes in Solvang, where guests sample six miniature wine-infused cupcakes with incredible flavors, such as Pomegranate Mango Chardonnay and Chocolate Blackberry Syrah. Available Thursday through Sunday, the tour includes wine tasting at three locations, cupcake tasting, shuttle service, deli lunch and a knowledgeable guide. www.sbadventureco.com
Chamberlain West Hollywood Completes New Redesign
In Greater Los Angeles, The Chamberlain West Hollywood boutique hotel has completed its first renovation and redesign since its opening in 2005. The 114-room property, part of the Viceroy Hotel Group’s premier Urban Retreats portfolio, offers tranquility and comfort just steps away from some of West Hollywood’s most exciting attractions. The redesign boasts an extensive remodel of all guestrooms, suites, bathrooms, fitness center, and the rooftop outdoor pool deck, which offers stunning panoramic views of the Hollywood Hills, city skyline and West Hollywood. www.chamberlainwesthollywood.com
Pacific Edge Hotel Opens in Laguna Beach
In Orange County, Joie de Vivre, California’s largest boutique hotel collection, is adding a fifth southern California property with the newly renovated Pacific Edge Hotel, a boutique property in the heart of the famed downtown district of Laguna Beach. Set on a pristine white sand beach, the 132-room property is in the final stages of renovations. Pacific Edge boasts uninterrupted ocean views just blocks from the chic shopping, arts and dining enclave of Laguna Beach. With modern amenities, casual residential touches, and a tinge of retro-chic attitude, it is an ideal beach destination for both business and vacation travelers who are looking to retreat, but not unplug from society. Pacific Edge features 28 comfortable suites, one Villa, a multi-purpose cottage called “Hide” and 104 deluxe guestrooms. www.pacificedgehotel.com
Palm Springs Air Museum Hosts Ending of World War II Celebration
In the Deserts Region, a series of Saturday lectures, films and flight exhibitions will commemorate the 65th anniversary of the end of World War II at the Palm Springs Air Museum through February 26, 2011. World War II veterans are honored at each program and are most of the featured speakers. The programs are included with regular admission to this aviation museum that houses more than 28 flyable vintage aircraft, within 75,000 square feet of exhibit and hangar space. www.palmspringsairmuseum.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, the 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
Sampling of Signature Events December 2010 through March 2011
At the Mammoth Film Festival December 8-12, find film screenings, parties and music at multiple venues in the beautiful Eastern Sierra. Over 60 films will be screened at this fourth annual event. Categories include documentary, foreign film, comedy/musical and drama. www.mammothfilmfestival.com
Universal Studios Hollywood, December 11 through January 2, 2011, prepares for a lively holiday season with the Grinch, his faithful dog Max, tons of fresh snow and a “Whoville Whobilation” at the original movie set where the classic Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas was filmed. This “Grinchmas” experience includes nightly tree-lighting ceremonies and celebrity readings of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”; encounters with a “Who’s Who” of Whoville characters will be part of the celebration! www.universalstudioshollywood.com
The first California Restaurant Month launches January 2011. The California Travel & Tourism Commission has a New Year’s resolution everyone can stick to this January—eat, drink and be merry with healthy and delicious cuisine during California Restaurant Month. More than 20 destinations across California have created special restaurant week or month-long promotions, featuring incredible offerings such as gourmet prix fixe menus, wine pairings and chef talks throughout January. www.visitcalifornia.com/restaurantmonth
The Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival in Nevada City January 14-16 is one of the largest environmental film festivals in the country. The festival features over 120 films, workshop center, 90 guest speakers and seven venues, all within walking distance of each other. Each year, the festival gathers the best environmental films from around the globe illuminating the urgency of direct action, profiling the courage of passionate activists and inspiring everyone to lead a more examined life. www.wildandscenicfilmfestival.org
Entering its 12th year, Mendocino County Crab & Wine Days celebrates locally harvested Dungeness crab and local wines with a festival that delights foodies and oenophiles alike. Event highlights include gourmet, crab-themed dinners in four-star restaurants; family-style cioppino feeds; a wine competition that showcases local wines that pair well with crab; and the ever popular Crab Cake Cook-off featuring local Mendocino chefs. www.mendocino.com/mendocino-crab-wine-days-festival.html#CrabandWineDays
Laguna Beach Music Festival, February 7-13, 2011 is a week-long event co-presented by “Laguna Beach Live!” and the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. For a full list of performances, visit http://lagunabeachmusicfestival.com/concerts/.
Celebrating its 22nd anniversary, the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will include over 400 screenings of more than 200 films from approximately 60 countries. www.psfilmfest.org
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 California Visitor’s Guide and California Road Trips 2010, go to www.VisitCalifornia.com.