Vacations Blog

The Santa Clarita Valley is just over the side of the Santa Monica Mountains that form the north ridge around Los Angeles, where “the valley” actually means the San Fernando Valley, and Santa Clarita is a place that people hear of and say “What?  Where’s THAT?”  It’s pretty much famous among locals for Magic Mountain and housing subdivisions and really, really bad traffic when there’s an accident on I-5.

You may have actually seen the SCV more times than you realize, however.  Calling itself “Hollywood’s Backlot,” the area is home to many sound stages and faux-western town sets, and its rugged rocky desert terrain makes it a perfect stand-in for places from Vegas to Afghanistan.  One of these locations is Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio, which is also the setting for the 16th Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, happening this weekend, today through April 26.  

Daily tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for kids ages 3-11, free for under 3, and weekend passes are $30 and $15.  Attractions and events include tours of the ranch, cowboy poetry, music, roping shows, old-timey medicine man shows, and even something called “Cowboy Church.”

Photos from Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival and Melody Ranch

Coronado, California

From its cool touch, salty smell and mighty power, introducing a small child to the vast Pacific ocean for the first time can be an amazing experience for both the parent and child. What better place than the sandy shore of Coronado in San Diego, California.

Silverado Mansion

Now this is a contest.  If you have a love for all things spa, wine and blogging with just a pinch of the misandry, then the “Spa Girl Package” is the prize for you!

UpTake has partnered with the Silverado Resort in beautiful Napa Valley for a blog contest with the prize being a “Spa Girl Package” for you and three of your friends.

It’ll be just like Silverado the movie, but without Kevin Costner acting all goofy.

Prize
One winner will receive a “Spa Girl Package for Four” (valued at $1,140.00.) This is the perfect Napa Valley spa package for you and three of your closest friends. Enjoy all that Wine Country has to offer with this Napa Valley vacation package.
Package includes (per person):

• Shared accommodations in a spacious fireplace suite with kitchen, living room and dining area
• One 50-minute Spa treatment and full use of The Spa at Silverado and 20% off additional select 50-minute spa services
• Wine Tasting at Black Stallion Winery
• Silverado Resort tote bag
• Breakfast in either of our cafes
• All taxes, service charges and Resort Fee

Cheers! It's the wine country.

Deadline
The blog contest begins at Midnight on April 15, 2009 (PST) and ends at Midnight on May 15, 2009 (PST).

Submission

1. Write a post about why you deserve a getaway on your blog and include a link to the UpTake.com homepage (www.uptake.com.) Linking to the home page on the UpTake site is a requirement for entry.
2. You must also tell us you entered by commenting on this post. Please include your email address in the comment field. We will contact you using this email address if you are the winner.

Requirements & Criteria

1. The winning post will be judged upon the quality of its writing, its originality and how well it conveys why you and three of your friends deserve a getaway more than any other entrant. Since UpTake is a family-friendly site, we require the post be “family-friendly” and reserve the right to reject unsuitable or pornographic material.
2. Only one entry per day per blogger. Each entry must be associated with a new blog post. Each participant may submit up to ten posts total.
3. Entry materials may not infringe on any third party rights and you must have obtained permission from the third party if their property or image appears in the text of the post or in any photos included with the post. We can disqualify the entry at our sole discretion if we cannot obtain the necessary permissions for any element or component of the post.
4. Prize must be claimed within one year of the contest conclusion. Accommodations and Spa appointments are based upon availability at time of booking.”

Judging
The winning post will be selected by the Silverado executive team by May 22nd, 2009. Winner will be selected on the above criteria.

Terms and Conditions
Since UpTake is a family-friendly site, we reserve the right to reject unsuitable or pornographic posts or images.

Copyright

1. Copyright for any of your original posts will be licensed to UpTake under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/).
2. Copyright of the post remains the property of the blogger.
3. Entries must be submitted by the original author. Only posts submitted by the original author will be considered. Do not submit a post written by someone other than yourself. You must be the sole owner of the copyright of any post submitted. Your submission of the post is your guarantee that you are the author and copyright holder of the post.

Official Rules

Please go here for the official rules.

Antelope Valley

In Los Angeles we have the unique opportunity to stand in one place and see the ocean and snow-capped mountains at the same time.  Even with the insane population growth of our area, we are surrounded by natural beauty.  Because many of the naturally beautiful places are only accessed by short day trips out of the city, there are certain phrases you hear around here that you wouldn’t hear many other places, such as “Go to the snow” in the winter or “Go to see the flowers” in the spring.

March and April are the prime months when the desert hills surrounding Los Angeles and San Diego explode in bloom and show off their amazing array of colors.  The most famous flower of the area is the California poppy, which festoons the hillsides and valleys with its bright orange brilliance.  “The poppies are blooming!” is another exciting exclamation you might hear an Angeleno say, prompting weekend planning of a drive up to the mountains, complete with picnic gear and photography equipment.

California Poppy

By mid-April the poppies give way, however, to their supporting cast, and the once brilliantly-blooming valleys direct your attention higher in the hills, where viewing nature’s spectacle is as easy as pulling over to the side of the road.  From Los Angeles, take I-5 North and head east on Highway 138.  The most recent wildflower reports – yes, these do exist, creating another local phrase – list brilliantly blooming bands of “sunflower, lupine, poppy, phacelia, fiddleneck, red maid and goldfield.”

More than poppies

Owl's Clover

Guided tours of the area are available at the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve if staff is available, and a system of easy access trails is in place which might be easier for families with young children.  But Mother Nature is not one to be confined by the boundaries of a state reserve, so the wildflowers are on display all around the drive up to the park itself.

Roadside viewing

Typical nature warnings apply if you head to the area:  take only photographs, leave only footprints.  However, try not to trample the wildflowers themselves, because it takes years for them to regenerate.  Also, up the high Mojave desert, the wind can come swooping down on you with great force, so check weather conditions before making the trip, and bring lots of water.  If the desert makes you thirsty and your cooler is empty, urban sprawl has got you covered.  Lancaster and Palmdale are pretty close by, and word has it there are tasty margaritas to be found which you can enjoy while you review the amazing pictures you took.

Author was arrested by Wildflower Police shortly thereafter

My son Lucas and I, at our local spot - South Ponto beach, north San Diego county.

There’s a saying among veteran surfers: if you don’t surf, don’t start. I was told that several years ago, didn’t listen, and became hopelessly addicted to the greatest activity known to man. (Well, the second greatest.) I’ve ridden waves all up and down the California coast, from warm summer Pipes to the frigid and spooky waves a few hundred miles north of San Francisco, and while I’d never tell someone to not learn how to surf, I’d certainly give them an earful about the right way to go about it. As we head into spring, many people will be traveling to America’s Finest City and the place that I call home, San Diego. And quite a few of them will be thinking about paddling out for the first time. If you are, here are some tips that will make your experience a fun and safe one, for you and the other people you’ll encounter in the water.

The Ocean Can And Will Kill You If You Aren’t Careful And Prepared

Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you. Well, no, actually I did. Go to any southern California beach on any busy summer weekend and you’ll get to watch the lifeguards earn their pay, plucking hapless swimmers (of ALL abilities) out of the water left and right. The ocean’s a living thing: there are longshore and rip currents that will pull you up and down and out to sea before you know it, there are holes and rocks and stingrays and jellyfish waiting to mess up your feet and ankles, and there are waves that look manageable but have the power to drag you down to the bottom and keep you there. It’s not, as many non-beach people assume, a big pool, or even a big lake. Assuming that you are a strong swimmer, keep in mind that while it helps, paddling a surfboard is a strenuous task that works muscles that you probably never knew you had. So two things: get yourself in surfing shape (two surfing-specific fitness books I highly recommend: Surf Flex by Paul Frediani and Force of Nature: Mind, Body, Soul (And Of Course Surfing) by Laird Hamilton and if you can’t get those? Pushups, pullups, and crunches. Lots of ‘em.) and when you do head down to the beach, make sure that you read the update boards that are posted on the lifeguard towers; they’ll give you all kinds of info on the current conditions.

My surfboards; different boards for different waves.

Go To A Beginner-Friendly Beach

All beaches are not the same. For beginners, picking a good spot to surf is crucial for both physical and mental health. On the physical side, bouncing off of a rocky reef is rarely enjoyable; on the mental side, trying to paddle out through and then catch challenging surf is immensely frustrating (as well as extremely tiring). In San Diego county, there are miles and miles of surfable beach – but there are very few surf breaks that are beginner-friendly. The absolute best beginner spot in the county (apologies to the locals, but they’re painfully aware of this) is La Jolla Shores. The waves are small, and the vibe is friendly (we’ll talk about that in a second); it’s the perfect place for newbies. Be warned: parking is a nightmare. Another good choice is south of the Shores; Mission Beach is a long, sand-bottom stretch of beach that sees it’s share of beginners and surf camps and classes. It can get crowded during the summer, and the waves can be bigger and trickier than La Jolla Shores’, but it’s usually a good bet.

Dry-land practice: a surf class learning how to get to their feet.

Take A Lesson. Or Two. Or Three.

Yes, there are surf schools and camps, and yes, I highly, highly recommend taking lessons. Put it this way: would you try to go skiing without taking a lesson? Surfing is infinitely more difficult than skiing or snowboarding. Yes, I’ve skied and snowboarded, and I stand by my statement – think of surfing as similar to both, but you start your run by lying face down on your skis or snowboard and have to get up and stand on them and stay standing without the aid of straps while flying down the slope, which by the way is moving up and down and sideways underneath you. San Diego’s best known surf school is Surf Diva; yes, they allow guys. Another recommended surf school is Pacific Surf School. Along with teaching students the basics of the sport, a good surf school will instruct students on how the ocean “works” (tides, swells, wave mechanics) as well as provide guidance on surfing etiquette (yes, there are unspoken rules, and it’s crucial to know them for safety reasons as well as common courtesy). You’ll learn a lot more and have a lot more fun if you take a lesson – it can take days or even weeks for a novice to catch their first wave without someone showing them the ropes. (Full disclosure: it took me exactly one month, from my first paddle-out to catching and actually riding my first wave.)

Finally, surfing requires commitment; it takes years to master, and many people, even those who surf daily, never do. But there’s no better way to spend a summer day than out in the lineup with friends, soaking up the sun and hanging out with the dolphins. (More full disclosure: I can walk across the street from my house and be at the beach, and right now I’m gazing out the window and it looks like there’s no wind and a bit of a swell, so…)

Ah, spring has sprung, and there are many more beautiful days than crappy ones here in the Southland.  I’m loving it.  One of our family’s favorite things to do here during nice weather is explore the hiking trails within the city.  You don’t have to go too far to find a lovely trail because there are pockets of greenery hidden (or not so hidden) within a quick drive of most areas of Los Angeles.  If you’re visiting from out of town and you’re sick of pounding the pavement or sitting in traffic, why not try some of these local natural oases?

Franklin Canyon:  Deep within the hills between the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles, Franklin Canyon park is 605 acres of hiking trails, meadow, lake, and chaparral.  Several trails with varying degrees of difficulty, including one that is very easy and suitable for families with young children.  Close by is Coldwater Canyon with similar terrain but a lot more hippies:  the Tree People have a mission to keep Los Angeles green and make you hike in the dark.  Join them for full moon hikes once a month.

Franklin Canyon

Griffith Park:  The Central Park of Los Angeles, Griffith Park itself is a must-visit spot if you are a tourist and want to see some of the city that doesn’t have much to do with Hollywood.  Or the beach.  Many hiking trails have been blazed throughout.  The most popular and spectacular is the Griffith Park Observatory loop which offers breathtaking views of the city below.  I will second the website by warning you to be aware of local wildlife.  We spotted a coyote just last night, strolling along the edge of the upper road, just yards away.

Runyon Canyon:  Here’s where you can combine outdoor exercise with celebrity hunting.  Located at the edge of Hollywood, Runyon Canyon is a busy trail that serves as a regular workout spot for the 9-5 crowd and a perfect location for journalists to stroll with the celebrities they are interviewing, so they can comment in their articles about how that movie star loves to play with his dog, or that socialite is self-conscious about being spotted in public.  You get there by driving up Fuller Ave. north of Hollywood Blvd. and parking where you can.  Casey Schreiner of Modern Hiker has a great realistic guide to Runyon Canyon as well as hundreds of other Los Angeles hikes, near and far.

Topanga Canyon State Park:  What is it about the hills of Los Angeles that attracts hippies?  I once visited a hidden commune of travelers and artists nestled in the woodland hillside up on Topanga Canyon.  They all lived out of rusty old Airstream trailers and shared a single electrical outlet and one lightbulb.  But they were happy.  Every time I hike in Topanga Canyon I’m happy, too, so whatever is in the air up there seems to work.  This park has a network of trails with varying levels of difficulty and plenty of room for children to run wild without risking traffic danger.  It’s not too far out of the city, either, and if you visit during a weekday but outside of rush hour, you shouldn’t have any trouble getting there or leaving.  On your way back down to the beach, stop by the Reel Inn for some fresh seafood or a cheeseburger to enjoy on the picnic tables and continue breathing the fresh air.

Escondido Canyon and Falls:  I’ve lived and hiked here for almost 14 years, and I didn’t know that there was a waterfall within a not-too-hard hike of Pacific Coast Highway.  Wha?  That goes to show you that as battered and sordid as Los Angeles is, she still has a few secret gardens for us to visit and marvel within.  Check out the top 5 list of Discover Los Angeles for a guide and directions to this hidden gem.

Photo credits: Runyon Canyon – Casey Steiner.  Escondido Falls – Roy Randall.

Do you hear that sound?  Do you smell that smell?  Do you see that long slow line of traffic ahead of you on the 101?  Oh yeah, that means Dodger Stadium Opening Day is coming up – Monday April 13, 2009.  Getting tickets to the event is tricky, but the Dodger corporation is trying to make it easier for Joe Baseball Fan to get them by registering here.

Even if you don’t make it to Opening Day, the fact that it’s coming means you have months of baseball stadium goodness opportunities ahead of you.  Los Angeles may not have much in the way of football, and Lakers tickets might be completely out of the question for most people, but there’s always Dodger Stadium.  As locals will tell you, getting there is no joke.  The famous Los Angeles traffic snafu is made worse every time there’s a game, so luckily there are traffic and entry tips on the team’s website.

Not being a huge baseball fan myself, I go for the excitement – the roar of the crowd, the music, the expensive beer and snacks .  This will be the year our family brings our two young sons to their first professional baseball game, so I’m psyching myself up and breaking out some insider tips from last year’s 50th anniversary PR movement, courtesy of Dodgers Ambassador Corey Eisner.

TOP THREE PLACES TO SCORE AN AUTOGRAPH

The stadium gates open two hours before the game, giving your family a chance to enjoy the sights and sounds of the ballpark. There are three great places around the ballpark where you can bring the kids to get autographs.

1. Out behind the centerfield wall there is an area known to fans as Autograph Alley. Each game, a Dodger Legend signs autographs for youngsters and adults alike. All you have to do is hop in line and you will receive the autograph of Dodger greats such as Ron Cey, Bobby Castillo, or Tommy Davis. The Alley gives fans of all ages a chance to converse about Dodger history and start their autograph collections.
2. Also out in centerfield, Dodger fans have the opportunity no other fans have, they can step out onto the warning track. At Chavez Ravine, fans can walk out onto the dirt, behind a blocked off area, and enjoy batting practice with the big leaguers. Make sure you bring your baseball gloves, as home runs fly into the area during batting practice, giving your kids a great opportunity to catch an official Major League baseball.
3. Another great place to start your child’s autograph collection is on the field level at aisle 27A. All children are allowed to come down next to the Dodgers dugout where they have the opportunity to get autographs from current Dodger superstars. The key to autograph success is to come early!

Between each inning there are bloopers, highlights, and interactive games that appear on the Dodgervision scoreboard to entertain the fans. Also, feel free to pick up a Dodgers Magazine which includes a scorecard so that you can teach your kids all about baseball.  Attending a Dodger game over the summer is a great activity and something your family can get excited about together. If you can’t make it to a game, go for a behind the scenes tour.

For discounted tickets visit the E-saver page on the Dodgers website. Promotions change almost weekly with different discounts on tickets. Also, children 3 and under are free!

[photos courtesy of Dodgers.com]