Celebrate with The Three Little Pigs

DISNEYLAND Resort rings in the Year of the Pig this Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure Park, Friday, January 25 to February 17. During the 24 days of celebration, live entertainment and musical performances, including an enhanced "Mulan's Lunar New Year Procession," can be enjoyed. Even the Three Little Pigs join in the fun with a rare appearance.

Experience Asian culture through inspired food, music and entertainment all to welcome another year of good fortune. Lunar New Year, traditionally celebrated within Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures, commemorates the moment when both the sun and the moon begin their journey for another year.


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Forces of mass construction

VOLCANOES 3D: THE FIRES OF CREATION, blasts into the California Science Center IMAX theater on January 21, 2019. Join intrepid explorer Carsten Peter as he dodges boulders at the edge of an active volcano in Indonesia, descends to a boiling lava lake in Vanuatu, and visits incredible acid ponds, geysers and mineral deposit fields in Ethiopia.

Peter also explored the archeological ghost town of Pompeii, hydrothermal vents at the bottom of the ocean and witnessed the devastating effects of the 2018 Kilauea eruption in Hawaii. With over 500 active volcanoes, Earth is bursting at the seams with these forces of mass construction. The story of volcanoes is the story of the planet's creation, and the story of us.

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And a dash of pixie dust

WHETHER at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, or Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, World of Disney is the ultimate shopping destination for all things #Disney. Now these two dynamic retail experiences are unveiling complete transformations that make shopping easier and more fun.

More than a year in design and development, the makeover has touched every feature and function in the store, as if the Fairy Godmother outfitted the store herself. From displays to signage to lighting and much, much more, guests discover magical Disney storytelling wherever they look.

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Below the surface

RECENTLY named one of the Best Small Towns in #California by Country Living Magazine, the charming town of #MorroBay offers visitors some of the most breathtaking coastline and unspoiled open spaces in the state. But search just under the surface, or along Morro Bay beaches etched with tide pools, and find lingering living species that are uncommon to most—creatures that you cannot find everywhere. Here, kayaking and paddle boarding provide up close encounters with these underwater residents in their natural environment.

"Morro Bay is a very biologically diverse place," explains Mary Robinson, owner of Morro Bay Stand Up Paddleboarding. And she should know. Mary leads tours that focus on nature and animal life inside the Morro Bay harbor. "The harbor is not only home to a multitude of birds and marine mammals, but hundreds of species of the lesser known invertebrates, which are as biologically important."


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Picture credit: GComS 109111216@N05/42354492245 Sun stone wave via photopin.com

Air Travel News & Views

STRONG growth in passenger volume at Ontario International Airport (ONT) continued in September as the number of air travelers who passed through the airport rose 14%, while passenger numbers increased more than 13% in the first nine months of the year.

JetBlue launched nonstop service to New York City in early September. A month earlier, Frontier Airlines began daily service to Florida. Last week, Delta Air Lines announced it will add nonstop service to its Atlanta hub in the spring. Meanwhile, the completion of multi-million dollar upgrades of the airport's dining and retail concessions has brought new, popular amenities to ONT passengers.



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United Airlines gets on board

TO celebrate #California recently naming #surfing as the state's official sport, United Airlines, California's global airline, is getting on board and removing the service fees for surfboards for customers traveling to or from California. 

Effective October 5, customers traveling with a surfboard, wakeboard or paddleboard on direct United Airlines or United Express itineraries that originate or end at any California airport will not have to pay the previous $150 or $200 service fee to check these items. The regular checked-bag fee will apply.

To help preserve California's coast and oceans, United is donating $50,000 to Sustainable Surf, a California-based environmental nonprofit that operates as an innovation lab using surfing as a force for good—to solve the ocean health crisis by 2050.

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Morro Bay's Secret Season

RECENTLY named one of the Best Small Towns in CA by Country Living Magazine, Morro Bay is an Instagramers dream, especially in October and November, aka Morro Bay's Secret Season. 

With miles of beaches and an unavoidably beautiful 576-foot tall volcanic rock sitting at the front of a bustling harbor of sailboats, kayakers, otters, pelicans and sea lions, Morro Bay is the place to stay this time of year. Morro Bay's Secret Season also coincides with Central Coast wine harvest found in nearby award-winning wine country.

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Yosemite Valley reopens following recent wildfires

CONDITIONS in California's High Sierra region around Yosemite National Park have allowed Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias to reopen to visitors with vastly improved air quality.

Visit California President & CEO Caroline Beteta today issued the following statement regarding wildfires in the vicinity of Yosemite National Park:

"Today's reopening of Yosemite Valley is immensely encouraging – both for the thousands of travelers with plans to visit the area this summer and the communities that rely on visitors to fuel their economies.

"Yosemite is one of California's most iconic experiences for residents and visitors alike, and now is the time to visit.

"Though other wildfires continue to burn in some remote areas of the state, California is safe to travel to and travelers can access information about all Golden State destinations at VisitCalifornia.com"

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Picture credit: By Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=30101374

Did you know . . .

THIS summer, wildfires have burned out of control in California and Greece. Leading travel insurance comparison website, Squaremouth, says whether your home or travel destination is in the fire's path, travel insurance may be able to help. But before buying a policy, here are 3 things travelers don't know about coverage for wildfires, but should.

1. Cause of the fire determines coverage - Most Trip Cancellation-style travel insurance policies will reimburse you if a natural disaster, such as a wildfire, prevents you from taking your trip as planned. However, travelers may not be aware that the original cause of the fire can dictate if this coverage is available.

In general, travel insurance policies consider a "natural disaster" something that occurred "due to natural causes". Meaning, if arson or other human error is to blame, the event may not be considered a "natural disaster", and coverage may not be available at all.

2. Cutoff date for getting coverage can be complicated - In order to have travel insurance coverage for any event, a policy must be purchased before the event occurs. Unfortunately for natural disasters like wildfires, and other events under investigation, it can be difficult to pinpoint the date it first occurred. As a general rule, travelers should remember that by the time an event is in the news and commonly known, it is too late to buy a travel insurance policy for any coverage related to that event.

3. Coverage available if home is in danger - Most travelers associate travel insurance coverage with a problem at their destination, however most don't know coverage can be available if your home is affected. Most Trip Cancellation-style policies cover travelers whose residence becomes uninhabitable or inaccessible by a natural disaster, such as a wildfire. This benefit covers the cost for the traveler to cancel their trip, or return home early, as well as any unused expenses due to the early return.


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Climb the iron road

A North Lake Tahoe area-based guide service, will soon begin construction of two Via Ferrata climbing routes up Tram Face at Squaw Valley Resort. The routes will allow even those with no climbing experience the opportunity to safely scale the iconic rock face, exploring high alpine terrain while taking in the beautiful vistas.

Via Ferrata, an Italian term meaning Iron Road, is a protected climbing route with permanent steel anchors and cables that allow participants to be safely connected to the rock 100% of the time. All climbs will be led by Alpenglow Expeditions' experienced team of AMGA (American Mountain Guide Association) trained guides who will teach participants how to navigate the rock face while introducing basic climbing techniques.

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Award for Channel Islands Harbour

CHANNEL Islands Harbor has been awarded a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence, the Ventura County Harbor Department announced.

As the first recreational harbor in Ventura County, Channel Islands Harbor has become one of the largest in #California. It now includes over 300 acres of land and water, but the initial development included only a small portion of the current harbor area. 

Additional construction took place over the years, with eight marinas comprising over 2200 boat slips, two hotels, two yacht club buildings, two boat yards, three shopping areas, restaurants, a Maritime Museum, over 100 condominiums and 485 apartments. 

www.channelislandsharbor.org

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VIP Disneyland

SOUTHERN California Private Tours to offer increased availability of its coveted & exclusive #Disneyland VIP Tours to guests visiting the Disneyland Resort this summer.  Greater availability means guests will have more choices when it comes to choosing VIP Tours of Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure.

Increased availability, combined with its real time tour availability and booking system, allow for an enhanced booking experience. 

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Information at the touch of a virtual button

LOS ANGELES International Airport (LAX) is offering guests a fun and innovative way to stay informed with the launch of self-assistance kiosks in two of LAX’s terminals, Terminal 2 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal. The AskLAX kiosks provide a wealth of information at the touch of a virtual button across a 36-inch touch screen. 

This includes terminal maps, concession and retail information, emergency information, transportation options, and traffic conditions. Guests can even take email-able selfies. Additionally, guests can speak directly with a knowledgeable LAX GEM (Guest Experience Member) over video chat in real-time. 

The kiosks are another way LAX is providing information to travellers during the busy travel season, complementing our Guest Experience Members and Volunteer Information Professionals, who can be found throughout LAX’s nine terminals.

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Mammoth Mega Zipline

THRILL seekers will find extreme fun flying down the biggest vertical drop of any zip-lining experience in North America at Mammoth Mountain, California. Hit speeds up to 97 Km/has you plunge over 2,100 ft down Mammoth Mountain on two separate spans. 

Choose a Superman or seated-style harness before loading the gondola for a scenic ride up to the summit, where our safety experts will get you ready to soar. Zippers can descend side-by-side on parallel cables, gliding more than a mile back to the Adventure Center below.

www.mammothmountain.com

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Audio Road Trip on Highway 1

BIG Sur Road Trip, a Los Angeles-based company, has produced and launched a narrated audio guide for travelers to listen to while driving along California’s Highway 1. The first-of-its kind guide features 21 unique audio tracks that recommend where to go and what to see on the 85-mile drive between San Simeon and Monterey, including famous landmarks such as Bixby Creek Bridge, Hearst Castle, McWay Falls and Pebble Beach’s Lone Cypress tree.

The guide is designed for the growing community of travelers seeking immersive and local experiences. It complements Big Sur’s postcard- and Instagram-worthy moments with storytelling that helps travelers form a meaningful connection to the region’s colorful history, culture and people.

Historically, #Big Sur attracts more than three million visitors a year, according to the Monterey County Convention & Visitors Bureau, and with the re-opening of Highway 1 expected this month, visitors will once again be able to complete the coastal drive without a detour between San Simeon and Monterey.

The Big Sur Road Trip Audio Guide is available in CD format at select gift shops along Highway 1, or from bigsurroadtrip.com, where it is also available as a digital download.


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Explore like never before

EXPLORE the Disney theme parks like never before with the Play Disney Parks mobile app, a transformative new digital entertainment offering that will make its official debut on June 30 at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.

The Play Disney Parks app will bring to life unique interactive experiences that enable guests of all ages to access a wide range of activities including themed games, Disney trivia, digital achievements, music and so much more – whether they are playing on Main Street, U.S.A. or waiting in line at beloved attractions.

Play Disney Parks was designed for families and guests to enjoy together, with group play options that enable everyone to join in on the fun while staying fully engaged in the immersive environments of Disney parks. The app will be available for iOS and Android platforms and will be free to download.


The new Play Disney Parks app is the latest addition to the Disney Parks digital app portfolio. Play Disney Parks complements the popular My Disney Experience app at Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland App at Disneyland Resort, the convenient places for guests to plan their visit, access important information such as attraction wait times and park hours and utilize services like mobile food ordering.

And this is just the beginning. Play Disney Parks is planned to grow and evolve over time with new experiences and offerings at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, including at the eagerly anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, coming to Disneyland Resort in summer 2019 and Walt Disney World Resort in late fall 2019.

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And California's best beach is . . .

HUNTINGTON Beach has got it going on! Surf City USA is named The Best #California Beach by USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Huntington Beach’s shoreline stretches for 16 uninterrupted kilometers of wide opened sandy beaches making it a paradise for families, couples, dogs, and surfers. 

Where perfect waves are born, Surf City USA attracts professional surfers and World Surf League contests. The endless summer weather offers both relaxation and outdoor activities year-round. Some visitors favorites include: volleyball courts, bonfire pits, concerts and movies on the sand, and of course the iconic Huntington Beach Pier spanning 1,850 feet in length. The iconic pier sits in the heart of Huntington Beach and allows visitors and locals alike to experience the the breathtaking views amidst the sounds of crashing waves and the ocean breeze.

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The wait is over

THE wait is over for guests who are ready to ride the groundbreaking new single rail steel coaster, RailBlazer, at California's Great America. Opening to the public on Thursday, June 14, the much-anticipated coaster is the first of its kind on the West Coast, featuring a single rail track.

Features of the ride include, A maximum height of 106 feet, a 90-degree, face-down first drop, over 1,800 feet of track, a top speed of 52 miles per hour and three inversions, including a zero-gravity roll.

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Recreation on the water

AS the first recreational harbor in Ventura County, Channel Islands Harbor has become one of the largest in #California. It now includes over 300 acres of land and water, but the initial development included only a small portion of the current harbor area.

Development of the harbor has been largely accomplished through leases with private developers, who have constructed eight marinas (not including the three constructed by the County) comprising over 2200 boat slips, two hotels, two yacht club buildings, two boat yards, three shopping areas, restaurants, a Maritime Museum, over 100 condominiums and 485 apartments. In addition, public agencies have provided parks, restrooms, the public launch ramp and parking for the public. 

www.channelislandsharbor.org

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Discounted San Francisco

SHORT stay and weekend travelers can now experience the benefits of the original San Francisco CityPASS program—deeply discounted prepaid admission to premier visitor sights—with San Francisco C3 tickets, customizable mobile tickets that allow entry to three top attractions.

San Francisco C3 tickets allow users to select any three attractions from a curated list of eight options:

• California Academy of Sciences
• Blue & Gold Fleet Bay Cruise Adventure
• Aquarium of the Bay
• Exploratorium
• San Francisco Museum of Modern Art 
• Bay City Bike & Parkwide Bike Rentals
• de Young Museum + Legion of Honor
• The Walt Disney Family Museum

Unlike the original San Francisco CityPASS ticket booklet—which is available for those enjoying a longer stay in the City, San Francisco C3 tickets aren't booklets at all. Available for purchase only through citypass.com, they are mobile tickets delivered directly to the purchaser's email. The email can be saved to a smartphone and easily scanned at each attraction. Designed to be flexible, the tickets do not require the buyer to pre-select the attractions that will be visited; travelers are free to choose as they go.


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