| This state opens the way for exploration of | | | | a major rehabilitation and redesign. The |
| its newest sights while celebrating many | | | | projected completion and re-opening is slated |
| historic events and traditions. | | | | for fall of 2007. |
| | | | |
| San Diego has one of the fastest growing | | | | In California, water is more precious than |
| cruise ports on the West Coast. It is | | | | gold. Most of the states agricultural lands |
| homeport to Carnival Cruise Lines and Holland | | | | and metropolitan areas are dependent on the |
| America Line, and an embarkation/debarkation | | | | flow of water from the California Water |
| port for Celebrity and Royal Caribbean ships. | | | | Project, built in the 1950-60s. This facility |
| During its primary cruise season, | | | | consists of 33 water storage lakes and |
| September-May, ships docking at San Diego | | | | reservoirs and 20 pumping plants, nine of |
| travel to the Mexican Riviera and Sea of | | | | which are hydroelectric and generate power. |
| Cortez, Hawaii, Vancouver and to the Panama | | | | It also has more than 700 miles of canals, |
| Canal, Central America and Caribbean. | | | | pipelines, tunnels and siphons which deliver |
| | | | water throughout the state and includes 444 |
| Because of this, San Diego is one of the most | | | | miles of the route that parallels Interstate |
| popular destinations for both shore | | | | Hwy. 5. Two important storage facilities, |
| excursions and pre and post-cruise tours. Its | | | | Lake Oroville near the town of Oroville, and |
| port is located at the citys Embarcadero, | | | | San Luis Reservoir near Los Banos, have |
| adjacent points of interest. It is only a few | | | | visitor centers. Each offers exhibits and |
| blocks from downtown, the Gaslamp Quarter, | | | | information about the Water Project and its |
| PETCO Park, Little Italy and many other | | | | respective facility. In addition, there are |
| popular areas. Cruise passengers not familiar | | | | guides and maps to other area sights and |
| with San Diego will want to visit the | | | | points of interest. At the Oroville Center, |
| International Visitor Information Center | | | | there is a 47-foot tower with an observation |
| located across the street from the Cruise | | | | deck that offers panoramic views of the lake, |
| Ship Terminal. Another option for an overview | | | | Sierra Nevada Mountains, its foothills and |
| of the city highlights is with Old Town | | | | the Sutter Buttes. The Feath r River Fish |
| Trolley Tours. It stops at the Cruise | | | | Hatchery is nearby and has visitor services. |
| Terminal every twenty minutes and offers a | | | | The San Luis Reservoir center has |
| narrated two-hour tour of the city with | | | | interpretive guides for groups to learn about |
| on-and-off privileges at Seaport Village, the | | | | the dam project and the areas natural |
| Gaslamp Quarter, Horton Plaza, Coronado | | | | history. The Reservoirs fore bay is a popular |
| Island, Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo and | | | | area for windsurfing and nearby is the |
| Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. | | | | Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge, an |
| | | | important winter nesting area for migrating |
| Universal Studios Hollywood has added several | | | | birds. |
| enhancements to its studio tour. New | | | | |
| attractions showcase King Kong and the new | | | | The Folsom Powerhouse State Historic Park has |
| movie, The Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift, | | | | completed its extensive seismic and |
| which uses advanced robotics to thrust guests | | | | structural improvements and has reopened for |
| into the movies underground world of street | | | | public view. Its massive transformers are |
| racing. Also new is a lively video narration | | | | capable of conducting from 800 to 11,000 |
| by Whoopie Goldberg, Al Roker, Nancy O Dell | | | | volts of electricity. Displays describe the |
| and Billy Bush, who are the studios virtual | | | | working of the fore bay and canal system |
| tour guides. The tour that visits filming and | | | | which carried water from area dams and |
| production locations now highlights the | | | | delivered electricity to Sacramento. Group |
| shows, Crossing Jordan and CSI: Crime Scene | | | | visits and interpretive guides for tours are |
| Investigation. | | | | available with advance reservation. |
| | | | |
| Shakespeare Santa Cruz concludes its 25th | | | | What is in in LA? |
| anniversary season with the world premiere of | | | | |
| Sleeping Beauty, Nov. 17-Dec.10. This lively | | | | Cupcakes and Bowling! |
| and witty musical rendition of the classic | | | | |
| fairy tale is done in English plano style, | | | | LA has become a cupcake capital with its many |
| and is performed at the University of Calif. | | | | specialty bakeries including several that |
| Santa Cruzs Mainstage Theater. | | | | have achieved celebrity status. Introduce |
| | | | your travelers to these tasty cupcake |
| Mountain Mandarin Festivl, Nov. 18-19, is at | | | | experts. |
| Auburns Gold Country Fairgrounds. The area | | | | |
| boasts more than 50 Mandarin growers and the | | | | Sprinkles in Beverly Hills, Oprahs favorite, |
| festival is held at harvest time. There are | | | | has a café, restaurant and a daily cupcake |
| recipe contests, a cook-off and all types of | | | | menu that features a selection of its more |
| mandarin flavored foods ranging from BBQ pork | | | | than 20 signature favored treats. The cake |
| to milkshakes. There are fruit themed arts | | | | flavors range from chocolate and vanilla to |
| and crafts, music and entertainment. | | | | chai-latte and gingerlemon. The topping |
| | | | confections are also exotic and varied. |
| San Franciscos Maritime Museum has closed for | | | | |