Fortuna Cooks

Earthquakes In the rare event of an earthquake, you should know about a few simple precautions that every California schoolchild is taught: If you’re in a tall building, don’t run outside; instead, move away from windows and toward the building’s center. Crouch under a desk or table, or stand against a wall or under a doorway. If you’re in bed, get under the bed or stand under the doorway, or crouch under a sturdy piece of furniture. When exiting the building, use stairwells, not elevator.

If you’re in car, pull over to side of the road and stop, but wait until you’re away from bridges or overpasses, as well as telephone or power poles and lines. Stay in your car.

If you’re out walking, stay outside and away from trees, power lines, and the sides of buildings.

Emergencies      To reach the police, ambulance service, or fire department, dial  911. No coins are needed at pay phones for 911 calls.

Liquor Laws       Liquor and grocery stores, as wells as some drugstores, can legally sell packaged alcoholic beverages between 6am and 2am. Most restaurants, nightclubs, and bars are licensed to serve alcoholic beverages during the same hours. The legal age for the purchase and consumption of alcoholic beverages is 21; proof of age is strictly enforced.

Taxes      California’s sales tax is 7.25%. Some cities include an additional percentage, so tax varies throughout the state. Hotel taxes are almost always higher than tariffs levied on goods and services.

Time        California and the entire West Coast are in the Pacific time, 3 hours earlier than the East Coast.

March

•Return of the Swallows, San Juan Capistrano. Each St. Joseph’s Day (March 19), visitors flock to this charming village for the arrival of the mission’s loyal flock of swallows that will nest and remain until October. The celebration includes a parade, dances, and special programs. Call  949/248-2048 for details. March 17 to 19, 2000.

• Santa Barbara International Film Festival. For 10 days each March, pretty Santa Barbara does it’s best impression of Cannes. There’s a flurry of foreign-and-independent-film premieres, personal appearances by noted actors and directors, and symposia on hot cinematic topics. For a rundown of events, call  805/963-0023. March 2 to 12, 2000.

• Nabisco Dinah Shore, Rancho Mirage. This 31-year-old LPGA golf tournament takes place near Palm Springs. After the celebrity Pro-Am early in the week, the best female pros get down to business. For further information, call  760/324-4546. Other special-interest events for women usually take place around the Dinah Shore, including the country’s largest annual lesbian gathering. Last week of March.

• Redwood Coast Dixieland Jazz Festival, Eureka. Three days of jazz  featuring 12 of the best Dixieland groups, including a variety of jam sessions. Call  707/445-3378. Late March.

April

? San Francisco International Film Festival. One of America’s oldest film festivals, featuring more than 100 films and videos from more than 30 countries. Tickets are relatively inexpensive, and screenings are very accessible to the general public during 2 weeks early in the month. Call  415/931-FILM.

• Toyota Grand Prix, Long Beach. An exciting weekend of Indy-class auto racing and entertainment in and around downtown Long Beach, drawing world-class drivers from the United States and Europe. Contact the Grand Prix Association at  800/752-9524 or 562/981-2600. Mid-April.

? Renaissance Pleasure Faire, San Bernardino. One of America’s largest Renaissance festivals, this annual happenings is set in Glen Helen Regional Park in L.A.’s relatively remote countryside. Performers (and many attendees) dress in 16th century costume and revel in this festive re-creation of a medieval English village. For ticket information, phone  800/52-FAIRE. Weekends from late April to Memorial Day.

• Ramona Pageant, Hemet. A unique outdoor play that portrays the lives of the Southern California Mission Indians. The play was adapted from Helen Hunt Jackson’s 1884 novel Ramona. Call  909/658-311 for details. Late April to early May.

• Del Mar National Horse Show. Horse-and-rider teams compete in national championships at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Call  858/792-4288 or 858/755-1161 for more information. Late April to early May.

May

? Cinco de Mayo. A week long celebration of one on Mexico’s most jubilant holidays takes place throughout the city of Los Angeles. The fiesta’s carnival-like atmosphere is created by large crowds, live music, dances and food. The main festivities are held in El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historic Park, downtown, with other events around the city. Phone  213/485-6855 for information. There’s also a Cinco de Mayo celebration in San Diego, featuring folkloric music, dance, food and historical reenactments. Held in Old Town. Call  619/296-3161 or 619/220-5422 for more information.

Fortuna Cooks

• 2011 Meaford International Film Festival, Meaford's biggest event of the summer   MIFF is back!   We would like to invite you to the 2011 Meaford International Film Festival, Meaford's biggest event of the summer. MIFF runs from Thursday, September 1 through to Sunday, September 4, and is always a great way to celebrate the (almost) end of summer.  ......
• The Complete Guide to California Fishing Download Your 32 Page FREE eBook Did you know that there is a reason fish can so easily evade your hook? Find out why this happens and how to prevent it! Sick of hooking a fish only to lose them? We'll show you how to catch and hold on to......
• Alameda County Marinas Part 2 Union Point Basin 2301 East Embarcadero Oakland, California 94606 Phone: 800.675.DOCK Average water depth? 13 feet, but this is subject to change. Please call ahead for exact levels before you arrive. Is there a marine stand by channel? No, not at this time, but you can reach the marina by......
• The Greenbrier Classic The final week in July supplied golf lovers with The Greenbrier Classic, held at the Old White Course in White Sulphur Springs, W. VA. The winner of this tournament stands to gain over $1 Million and 500 FedEx Cup Points. Some of the big names in this year’s tournament included......

If you’re travelling by rail along the California coast, extending as far north as Seattle, treat yourself to a ride aboard Amtrak’s luxurious Coast Starlight. In an effort to recapture the glory days of 1940′s Streamline luxury liners, Amtrak is pulling out all the stops on these double-decker Superliners, complete with gourmet dining car, first-class and couch lounge cars, standard and deluxe sleeping compartments, and enough diversions (including feature-length films, live entertainment, games for kids and adults, and a full bar) to make the overnight, 2-day trip a pleasure. All sleeping-car fares include three meals daily, prepared fresh on board with emphasis on regional flavor – wines from vintners in Washington, Oregon and California, as well as seasonal specials from along the Coast Starlight’s route.

The highlight of the journey is the exceptional scenery you’ll enjoy from the upper-level, panoramic windows of the coach and observation cars. Sweeping views of lushly green Washington State, California’s rugged coastline, rural farmland, bucolic rolling hills, sparkling beaches and charming railroad stations all provide a memorable travelogue. For travelers who believe the journey itself is as important as the destination, this excursion fits the bill perfectly.

While coach tickets are comparable to airplane fares, the surcharge for sleeping compartments adds considerably to the cost of the trip. All fares quoted are for one-way adult tickets. Children ages 2 to 15 travel for half price, and seniors 62 and older receive 15% discount. Coach fares buy assigned seating in surprising comfortable upper-level reclining chairs. Blankets and pillows are offered in the evening, and fold up leg rests help make sleeping more comfortable than you might imagine. Between San Francisco and Los Angeles, one way adult coach fare ranges from $54 to $77; between Seattle and L.A., its $102 to $170. Based on travel between Seattle and L.A., a standard sleeping compartment for two adds $255, a deluxe with private bathroom is $525, and a family sleeper for two adults and two kids (no bathroom) is $485.

It’s advisable to book several months ahead for peak periods (summer, weekends, and holidays). Since the splendid views depend on daylight, also consider carefully before travelling during the very short days of winter. For information and tickets, call Amtrak  ( 800/ USA-RAIL) or visit it’s special Coast Starlight Web site at www.coaststarlight.com.

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coverage varies according to the company policy and state law, but the minimum is usually at least $15,000. If you are at fault in an accident, however, you will be covered for the full replacement value of the car but not for liability. Some states allow you to buy additional liability coverage for such cases. Most rental companies will require a police report in order to process any claims you file, but your private insurer will not be notified with the accident.

BY PLANE

In addition to the major carriers listed above in “Getting There,” several smaller airlines provide service within the state, including American Eagle ( 800/433-7300), Skywest ( 800/453-9417), Shuttle by United ( 800/241-6522), and US Air-ways Express ( 800/428-4322). The round-trip fare between Los Angeles and San Francisco ranges from $79 to $200. See “Orientation” in each city’s chapter depart.

WHEN TO GO

California’s climate is so varied that it’s impossible to generalize about the state as a whole. San Francisco’s temperature marine climate means relatively mild weather year-round. In summer, temperatures rarely top 70°F (pack sweaters, even in August), and the city’s famous fog rolls in most mornings and evenings. In winter, the mercury seldom falls below freezing, and snow is almost unheard of. Because of San Francisco’s fog, summer rarely sees more than a few hot days in a row. Head a few miles inland, though, and it’s likely to be clear and hot.

The Central Coast shares San Francisco’s climate, although it gets warmer as you get farther south. Seasonal changes are less pronounced south of San Luis Obispo, where temperatures remain relatively stable year-round. The North Coast is rainier and foggier, winters tend to be mild but wet. Summers are refreshingly cool around Lake-Tahoe and in the Shasta Cascades – a perfect climate for hiking, camping and other outdoor activities and a popular escape for residents of California’s sweltering deserts and valleys who are looking to beat the heat. Skiers flock to this area for terrific snowfall from late November to early April.

Southern California – including Los Angeles and San Diego – is usually much warmer than the Bay Area, and it gets significantly more sun. This is the place to hit the beach. Even in winter, daytime thermometer readings regularly reach into the 60s and warmer. Summers can be stifling inland, but southern California’s coastal communities are always comfortable. The area’s limited rainfall is generally seen between January and mid-April, and is rarely intense enough to be more than a slight inconvenience. It’s possible to sunbathe throughout the year, but only die-hard enthusiasts and wet-suited surfers venture into the ocean in winter. The water is warmest in summer and fall, but even then, the pacific is too chilly for many.

The deserts including Palm Springs and the desert national parks, are sizzling hot in summer; temperatures regularly top 100°F. Winter is the time to visit the desert resorts (and remember, it gets surprisingly cold at night in the desert).

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The Best of California

•Pacific Groove: You can escape the  Monterey crowds by heading just 2 miles west to Pacific Groove, which is known for its tranquil waterfront location and quiet, unspoiled air. Thousands of monarch butterflies flock here between October and March to make their winter home in Washington Park. See chapter11.

•Cambria: Near Hearst Castle, Cambria benefits from a constant stream of visitors, who bring the right amount of sophistication to this picturesque coastal town. Moonstone Beach holds a string of seaside lodges; farther north are dozens of sunbathing elephant seals, while the village itself is filled with charming B & Bs, artist’ studios and galleries, and friendly shop. See Chapter 12.

•Ojai: When Hollywood needed a Shangri-La for the movie Lost Horizon, they drove north to idyllic Ojai Valley, an unspoiled hideaway of Eucalyptus groves and small ranches warmly nestled among soft, green hills. Ojai is the amiable village at the valleys heart. It’s a mecca for artists, free spirits, and weary city folk in need of restful weekend in the country. See Chapter 12.

•Ventura: This charming mission town is filled with colorful Victorians. It’s also home to a pleasantly eclectic old Main Street lined with thrift and antiques shops, used-record stores, friendly diners, and even old-time saloons operating beneath broken-down, second story hotels. Don’t miss the historic mission on its landscaped plaza, and the deco era Greek Revival San Buenaventura City Hall looming over the town, bedecked with smiling stone faces of the founding Franciscan friars. See chapter 12.

• Avalon: This crescent-shaped hamlet on idyllic Santa Catalina island may welcome the summer influx of city-savvy tourist, but off-season visitors get to see a close-knit community that cherishes its isolation. Phone numbers are given in four digits here (the entire island shares a single exchange), and many residents rarely bother travelling to the mainland. There are very few cars, lots of cozy cafes and friendly pubs, a charming art-deco history, and the sparkling blue Pacific everywhere you look – you might not want to leave, either!. See chapter 14.

•Julian: This old mining town in the Cuyamaca Mountains near San Diego is well known today for it’s wildflower fields, the apple harvest, and tasty flavored breads from Dudley’s Bakery. There’s plenty of pioneer history here, too, including a local-history museum, a circa-1888 schoolhouse, and mining demonstrations. A smattering of antique shops, plenty of barbeque, and an old-fashioned soda fountain operating since 1886 round out the experience. See chapter 16.

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BEST FAMILY-VACATION EXPERIENCES

•San Francisco: The city by the bay is filled with unexpected  pleasures for every member of the family. Ride the cable cars that “climb halfway the stars” and visit the Exploratorium, the California Academy of Sciences (which includes the Steinhart Aquarium), the zoo, the ships at the National Maritime Museum, Golden Gate Park, and much more. See chapter 4.

•Lake Tahoe: California’s Disneyland of outdoor adventure, Lake Tahoe has loads of family-fun things to do. Skiing, snowboarding, hiking, tobogganing, swimming, fishing, boating, water skiing, mountain biking – the list is nearly endless. Even the casinos cater to kids while mom and pop play the slots. See chapter 8.

•Yosemite National Park:  Camping or staying in a cabin in Yosemite is a premier family attraction in California. Sites are scattered over 17 different campgrounds, and the rugged beauty of Sierra Nevada surrounds you. During the day, the family calendar is packed with hiking, bicycling, white-water rafting, and even mountaineering to rugged, snowy peaks. See chapter 9.

Fortuna Cooks

• San Francisco Tips for Traveling If you are planning on experiencing everything that San Francisco has to offer, then it would benefit you to have some San Francisco travel tips under your belt before you get the ball rolling on your travel. Here is a brief list of some of the most important San Francisco......
• Flying by the Seat of Your Pants (literally) and some Carnivals JC Penny is running an outstanding promotion that ends today! The skinny is that you spend $125 on pants and get a round trip ticket. Destinations are limited, but it includes a lot of major cities (including Boston and San Francisco, where I would use it). Check out the details......
• Our Buy vs. Rent Situation In 2006, I wrote about how my fiancee (my wife now) got a great job promotion in San Francisco. Somewhat reluctantly, I agreed to live more than 10 miles away from my birthplace for the first time in my life. I was 30 years old. I considered it a short-term......
• Californias Low Income Car Insurance Program Something fairly unique to the State of California is that the area offers its residents a low income car insurance option. While there are plenty of ways to save costs on an auto insurance policy, many drivers end up opting for liability coverage only or even take the risk of......