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