I Picked Up Some Interesting Summer Travel Ideas Not Long Ago!

All work and no vacation is not good, even in a recession. I spent some time doing research to see if I can arrange a nice trip while saving money in the process. As I’ve searched the web, I found that the big-name websites can all find some good travel deals.

When you select from among the various online travel companies, you are looking for the best price for car rental, hotel rooms and airline tickets, and also a trip without logistical problems.  I can look for the best prices on airfare and hotel rooms, but if I find a travel destination where I can drive my own car, it might save me even more. I should point out that Southern California might be a great choice.

One website I found with some great information on Southern California is the SoCal Vacation Guru site.  It presently places most of its attention on Los Angeles and Orange County, with a modest but growing emphasis on San Diego County and San Bernardino and Riverside Counties. For local insight and wisdom about Disneyland, Universal Studios, Knott’s Berry Farm, beaches, shopping, dining and other activities, the SoCal Vacation Guru is a great source.

The SoCal theme parks include Disneyland (with Disney’s California Adventure), Knott’s, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Universal Studios Hollywood, SeaWorld and Legoland. If you were really energetic you could fit all of those parks into a very busy vacation, but it would not be an inexpensive trip. This is probably a good time to take a vacation and find great deals on hotel reservations if your budget allows for it, as a lot of hotels and attractions are looking for business.

In slow economic times the theme parks tend to offer more discounts, as to the museums and other activities. Despite increases and fluctuations in gasoline prices, a driving trip to So Cal might well be a cheaper vacation option for many Americans than flying to another vacation destination.

You Can Find Your Favorite Cartoon Characters in Southern California

Recently I’ve had the chance to visit some of the great theme parks in Southern California. Between them all, you can immerse yourself in the world of a bunch of your favorite TV and movie characters.

We know where to find Mickey Mouse and all his Disney friends—in Anaheim. If you’d like some good information about planning a trip to the Disneyland Resort, check out the SoCal Vacation Guru. Disney has no-doubt done the most effective job of bringing imaginary characters to life, much to the delight of us all.

A few miles down the road at Knott’s Berry Farm you’ll find all the Peanuts gang at Camp Snoopy. Knott’s has done a nice job of absorbing Charlie Brown, his faithful pet and their friends into their culture. Do they still have the Camp Snoopy at the Mall of America in Minnesota?

Hit Universal Studios Hollywood and you can find Spiderman, Betty Boop, the Flintstones, Woody Woodpecker and a squadron of other beloved Universal characters; Universal has been at the heart of many television shows as well as famous movies. You can find some good details about Universal Studios Hollywood at the SoCal Vacation Guru.

Before leaving Universal I have four words for you: Homer Simpson. Yes, The Simpsons have been immortalized in their own attraction at this great theme park. That includes Krusty the clown and many other residents of Springfield.

Lastly, we drive up north a ways and stop at Six Flags Magic Mountain. According to the SoCal Vacation Guru, this park is best known for its roller coasters and other thrill rides. But skulking around the place are the nutty characters of Warner Brothers cartoons, notably the Loony Toons guys.

Porky is there, along with Daffy, Yosemite Sam, Tweety and the others. Beep Beep! There’s a nice area for small children; the park management has figured out that not everyone is a teen-age or twenty-something thrill ride fanatic. The characters are very charming and are pretty easy to find around the mountain. This joint may be my favorite.