The Moonridge Animal Park Flashlight Safaris begin Oct. 2, continuing every Saturday night through Oct. 30, 2010.

During the evening exhibition, you'll see the nocturnal activity of many local forest animals, including mountain lions, bobcats, foxes, raccoons, skunks, beaver, black bear, owls, coyotes and wolves.

“This zoo turns into a party of sorts. We get the coyotes howling at one end of the zoo, which in turn triggers the wolves to howl back, making it an absolute howling fest,” says Moonridge Animal Park Curator Debbie Richardson. “Then we hear the owls hooting, foxes scratching and mountain lions chirping. There’s a lot more activity happening at night, that’s for sure.”

Flashlight Safaris are held from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Moonridge Animal Park, located at 43285 Goldmine Drive in Big Bear Lake. Doors close promptly at 7 p.m. Admission is $9 for adults and $6 for seniors and children ages 3-10. Children under 3 are free.

Be sure to bring a flashlight and wear warm clothes. For more information, visit www.moonridgezoo.org or call 909-584-1299.

To learn more about Big Bear Lake, make lodging reservations or request a free Visitors Guide log on to www.bigbear.com or call 1-800-424-4232.

Watch our Big Bear Video, one of many California travel videos from CaliforniaTravelExpert.com

Mountain Lions are among the wild animals you'll encounter during the Moonridge Animal Park Flashlight Safaris. Photo courtesy of BigBear.com

I have to admit it. Foodspotting is my new guilty pleasure.

I've always been a foodie at heart, so when I heard about Foodspotting.com, I had to check it out.

Like Twitter and Facebook, Foodspotting is a social network. But instead of talking about your day, it's all about the food. Here's how it works — you take a photo of your favorite restaurant dish, write a description, and share it with the world.

So next time you're at a restaurant and wondering about the seared scallops, you just may find a picture of that dish on your phone. Or, if you try something amazing at a new restaurant, you can take a picture and share the love with fellow Foodspotters.

Currently, we have 30 sightings up on the site, ranging from the Salmon Bannock at Pier Market in San Francisco, to the John Wayne Omelet at Broken Yolk Cafe in Pacific Beach. We've been photographing our favorite foods for almost 15 years, so be assured that we'll have plenty of great dishes to recommend!

Right now, the app is only available on iPhone, but Android is promised soon. If not, you can simply share your digital food photography via your desktop computer.

We will be adding some of our favorite food trips in California to foodspotting, so be sure to follow us. If you spot five of the foods on our Top 10 list, you'll earn a cool California Travel Tips badge!

You can find us at http://www.foodspotting.com/californiatravelexpert

This is the cool badge you'll earn by spotting 5 of our 10 favorite dishes on Foodspotting.com!

Fans of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture shouldn't miss a special California tour called "Wright Way California: Beaches, Bungalows and Wright," planned for Oct. 12-18.

Sponsored by the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust, the tour will highlight Southern California's most stunning scenery, art and architecture.

Priced at $3,595 per person, the tour includes two nights double occupancy at Casa del Mar in Santa Monica, one night at the Canary Hotel in Santa Barbara and three nights at the Westin Pasadena; three breakfasts, four lunches and three dinners; all guide and entrance fees; and transfers by luxury motor coach.

Your private architectural tour begins at Richard Meier’s Getty Center (1997), followed by a visit to Frank Lloyd Wright’s seminal Hollyhock House (1919-1921), Wright’s first project in southern California.

You'll also explore Wright’s Samuel Freeman house, which has been described as the clearest expression of Wright's development of the textile block construction system. Travelers will also enjoy an in-depth bus tour of Los Angeles featuring designs by Frank Gehry, Richard Meier, R.M. Schindler, Lloyd Wright and I.M. Pei.

Next up is a spectacular drive up the Pacific Coast Highway to Ojai. Here, you will explore the magnificently restored Arts and Crafts home by Greene and Greene, Casa Barranca, otherwise known as the Pratt House. Following the private tour, enjoy a group lunch on the Estate’s veranda followed by a wine tasting at the Casa Barranca Certified Organic Winery.

Further up the Pacific Coast Highway, travelers will explore beautiful Santa Barbara highlighted by a visit to the Historic Santa Barbara Mission for an in-depth art and architecture tour.

In the verdant hills of Pasadena, visitors will view the Gamble House (1908), widely acknowledged as Greene and Greene’s defining masterwork, and the magnificently restored Greene and Greene Laurabelle Robinson House (1905) with an exclusive tour led by the current homeowners.

Finally, guests will receive a special tour and reception at the privately-owned Blacker House (1907), by Greene and Greene.

The festivities continue with Pasadena Heritage’s Annual Craftsman Weekend, including lectures, tours and shopping from leading Arts and Crafts artisans and galleries.

Visitors will have a full day to enjoy the annual Craftsman Weekend Bungalow Walk featuring six of Pasadena’s most lovely, privately-owned bungalows.

The excursion concludes with a tour of the Sam Maloof Historic Residence and Woodworking Studio. Nestled in a lemon grove near the San Gabriel Mountains, the residence is filled with Maloof furniture and one of America’s most outstanding arts and crafts collections.

Visit GoWright.org for details.

Enjoy wine tasting in San Luis Obispo during California Wine Month, held throughout September 2010.

Harvest wine season stretches into November and features numerous individual winery events such as barrel tasting, winemaker dinners, blending seminars, and grape stomping, and other celebrations.

While touring the San Luis Obispo wine region, which includes Edna Valley and Arroyo Grande appellation wineries, take advantage of some San Luis Obispo hotel packages.

Sands Inn & Suites offers a Vineyard Limo Tour Package, Courtyard Marriott offers a Wine Tasting with Wine Line Tours Package, and the Embassy Suites offers a Wine Wrangler Tour Package.

A selection of San Luis Obispo wine country events is highlighted below. For a more comprehensive listing of wine country events, go to www.SanLuisObispoVacations.com/Events.

September Wine Events:

September 3, Tolosa Winery “Friday Focus Tasting: Pinot Noir”: www.tolosawinery.com

September 10 – 12, Edna Valley Vineyard's 30th Anniversary Celebration: www.ednavalleyvineyard.com

September 11, Eberle Winery, Paso Robles, Bocce Ball Tournament:  www.eberlewinery.com

September 11 & 25, October 9, Talley Vineyards “Pinot Noir Experience”: www.talleyvineyards.com

September 15, Taste of San Luis, San Luis Obispo: www.downtownslo.com

September 19, Taste of the Central Coast, Arroyo Grande: www.fcni.org

September 19 – 20, Pallet to Palate, Shell Beach: www.pallettopalate.com

September 30 – October 3, Savor the Central Coast, San Luis Obispo County: www.savorthecentralcoast.com

Throughout September, Robert Hall Winery, Paso Robles, 15% off purchases and complimentary tasting for California residents: www.roberthallwinery.com

Harvest Wine Events:

October 9, Annual Wine and Roses Bike Race, Templeton: www.templetonchamber.com

October 15 – 17, Harvest Wine Weekend, Paso Robles: www.pasowine.com

October 22, CRAVE wine event, Paso Robles: www.pasowine.com

November 5 – 7, Harvest Celebration Weekend “SLO Wines Rock,” San Luis Obispo: www.slowine.com

Find more individual winery events at www.SanLuisObispoVacations.com

The 16th Annual Wrightwood Mountain Class Car Show arrives on Saturday, Aug. 21, featuring an appearance by Hell's Kitchen chef and winner, Holli Ugalde.

The show, which is open to all pre-1973 American-made rods, customs, classics, muscle cars and trucks, runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Park Drive in Wrightwood.

If you plan on arriving the night before, don't miss Friday's no-host preview reception at the Wrightwood Inn, featuring complimentary hors d'oeuvres from 5 to 7 p.m. and live music by Gayle and Company between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m. The Parade of Cars takes place at 7:30 p.m.

The Wrightwood Car Show begins on Saturday with a pancake breakfast sponsored by the United Methodist Church between 7 a.m. and 11 a.m. at the Wrightwood Community Building, followed by the car show in the village.

Events include drawings, live music, poker walk, open header contest, 50/50 drawing, pinewood derby, whack attack, pit alley and trike drags. The vendor village will be offering crafts and other items.

Registration for the event is between 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. Cost is $25 for pre-registration, or $30 at the gate. The fee includes a dash plaque and event T-shirt. Spectator Admission is Free.

For more information, go to http://visitwrightwood.com

Photo by John Aziz

The first monthly Venice Art Crawl will kick off Thursday, Aug. 19, and continue year-round every third Thursday in Venice Beach.

The monthly event will take place from 6–10 p.m. to celebrate the Venice artist community and spirit. More than 20 businesses will participate, including Hotel Erwin, James Beach, The Canal Club and Danny’s Deli. Each venue will house a different artist and offer discounts on food and drinks.

Venice Beach has a long history as one of the LA's most creative and historic areas. In the 1950’s, Venice became a center for the Beat generation, leading to an explosion of poetry and art with world-renowned participants including Ed Moses, Robert Graham, Saul White and Larry Bell.

The artistic force continues today. Recently, numerous local artists voiced frustration with the lack of exhibition spaces in Venice, especially 
on the Venice Boardwalk, a traditional area where artists have shown their art.

The goal of the Venice Art Crawl is to provide artists with an avenue to showcase their work and the Venice art scene.

The Art Crawl will take place between North Venice Boulevard and along the Boardwalk, Speedway and Pacific, ending at Westminster Avenue. The center of the Art Crawl will be on the historic Windward Avenue, home of the “Venice” sign and Windward circle, considered the heart of historic Venice.

For more information, go to www.veniceartcrawl.com

The Venice Art Crawl takes place the third Thursday of every month.

Southwest Airlines is offering a flight-plus-hotel Disneyland Vacation Package, with booking required before Sept. 30, 2010.

If you book your vacation package, including flight plus hotel, at one of the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort, you'll save up to $189 per night on the hotel accommodations. The package is good for travel Oct. 1 through Dec. 16, 2010.

The Disneyland Vacation Package includes:

• Round-trip flight via Southwest Airlines to Disneyland Resort via Los Angeles (LAX), Burbank (BUR), Ontario (ONT), or Orange County (SNA)
• Hotel accommodations (including taxes)
• Rapid Rewards credit on flight portion
• 24-hour traveler assistance
• First and second checked bags are free (weight and size limits apply).

Blackout dates apply November 24-26, 2010. Applies only to standard and concierge level rooms. Limit two rooms per reservation and five people maximum per room. Seven-day advance purchase required.

For complete details on this offer, visit http://www.southwestvacations.com/specials/special.asp?special=FS0657 or call 1-800-423-5683.

With Labor Day weekend fast approaching, San Diego hotels are offering great deals to help travelers save money and celebrate with an end-of-summer getaway.  From romantic Coronado to dynamic downtown to luxurious La Jolla, hotels throughout the region are rewarding a year's worth of hard work with incredible savings and great value for visitors. 

A "HISTORIC" PRICE

• Available September 2-8, 2010, downtown's Westin San Diego is honoring 1882, when Labor Day was first celebrated.  Stay two consecutive nights at a rate of $199 per night, plus tax, and the third night costs $18.82 , plus tax; based on availability.  A three night minimum stay is required; the offer is only valid for arrivals on Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 2-5.   Book by calling 1-800-Westin-1; use promotional code LBRDAY. www.westin-sd.com

FREE NIGHTS

• Available Sept. 3-6, 2010, Point Loma's Best Western Island Palms Hotel & Marina is celebrating with a Labor Day Getaway deal.  Guests stay Friday and Saturday nights at a rate of $219 per night, plus tax, and Sunday night is free.  This offer is valid only for stays of three consecutive nights arriving on Friday, Sept. 3. Book online at www.islandpalms.com. 
  
  
• Available Sept. 3-6, 2010, The Dana on Mission Bay is having a Labor Day End of Summer Finale .  Guests stay Friday and Saturday nights at a rate of $219 per night, plus tax, and Sunday night is free with a complimentary room upgrade at the time of check-in, subject to availability.  This offer is only valid for stays of three consecutive nights arriving on Friday, Sept. 3.  Book online at www.thedana.com.
  
  
• Available Sept. 3-6, 2010, Humphreys Half Moon Inn & Suites in Point Loma is offering a Labor Day Summer Sendoff .  Guests stay Friday and Saturday nights at a rate of $219 per night, plus tax, and Sunday night is free with a complimentary room upgrade at the time of check-in, subject to availability.  This offer is only valid for stays of three consecutive nights arriving on Friday, Sept. 3.  Book online at www.halfmooninn.com. 
  
  
• Now through September 30, 2010, the midcentury modern Pearl Hotel in Point Loma is offering a Buy Three, Get the Fourth Night Free deal.  Guests stay three consecutive nights, and the fourth night is free.  Rates start at $129 per night, plus tax, based on availability.  Book by calling 619-226-6100.  www.thepearlsd.com
  
  
• Now through December 30, 2010, The Grande Colonial in La Jolla is offering a Stay 3 Nights for the Price of 2 deal. Guests stay two consecutive nights, and the third night is free.  Rates start at $269 per night, plus tax; based on availability. Advance reservations required.  Book online at www.gclj.com or by calling 888-530-5201; use promotional code 3FOR2. 

DISCOUNTED RATES

• Available Sept. 3-6, 2010, the Days Hotel - Hotel Circle in Mission Valley is offering a Labor Day Savings Package.  Guests stay Friday and Saturday nights at a rate of $105 per night, plus tax, and get a 50% discount on Sunday night ($50.25 after discount).  This offer is valid only for stays of three consecutive nights arriving on Friday, Sept. 3. Book online at www.dayshotelhc.com.
  
  
• Now through December 30, 2010, Loews Coronado Bay Resort in Coronado is offering a Loews Long Weekend deal.  Guests stay three or more nights and receive a 20% discount on room price.  Rates start at $225 per night ($180 per night, after the discount), plus tax; based on availability.  This offer cannot be combined with other discounts or promotions.  Book online at www.loewshotels.com/ coronadobay or by calling 800-81-LOEWS.

This August, many San Luis Obispo hotels are offering some great travel packages, perfect for the romantic couple’s getaway, a fun-filled trip with friends, or the budget-hunting family’s summer vacation.

San Luis Obispo is a beautiful coastal getaway, located halfway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

Following are a few of the San Luis Obispo hotel specials. For more information, check them out at SanLuisObispoVacations.com.

Garden Street Inn - Romance On The Beach Package
One night from $329 (Call 1-800-488-2045 for reservations)
Accommodations in one of the B&B’s nine guest rooms and four suites

• A bottle of sparkling wine from a local vineyard, two wine glasses and two roses
• Pre-lit private bonfire in Avila Beach, by Beach Butlerz, furnished with two luxury oak lounge chairs, table and blankets
• Two Amy Bakes Cupcakes
• A glass ships bottle containing guest’s pre-determined special message on parchment
• Extra bonfire wood

Sands Inn & Suites - Vineyard Limo Tour Package
One night from $297.50 (Minimum seven days advance booking required)

• Accommodations
• Four-hour limo tour of San Luis Obispo vineyards in a VIP Chrysler 300 Limo
• Picnic deli tray of meats and cheeses with sourdough bread
• A bottle of local champagne and bottled water

La Cuesta Inn - Stay Two Nights, Get the Third Night Free Package
Three nights from $238 (Free night not available on Friday or Saturday)

• Accommodations
• Deluxe Continental Waffle Breakfast
• Heated Pool
• Complimentary Wi-Fi

For more California travel tips, advice and videos, log on to CaliforniaTravelExpert.com

If you've ever wanted to learn how to wakeboard, kneeboard, waterski or wakeskate, Big Bear Lake may have what you're looking for.

The Big Bear Lake Cable Park, with a 500-foot cable pulley system set between two 20-foot towers, opened in July 2010 in Metcalf Bay, known for its glassy water conditions.  For an extra thrilling experience, check out their extra features, which include sliders, boxers and jibs.

“Anyone who has ever dreamed learning how to wakeboard can now do so,” said Desi Hauer, owner and operator of the Cable Park at Big Bear Lake. “That includes beginners who want to learn the sport, and advanced riders who want to hone their skills."

Hourly wakeboarding lessons are priced at $25 per hour (compared to private wakeboard boats that charge $150 per hour). You need to bring your own wakeboarding helmet, but the Coast Guard approved life vest is supplied.

Big Bear Cable Park is also open for Big Bear kneeboarding, Big Bear wakeskating and Big Bear water skiing. And with its diesel-powered generator, the Cable Park is also eco-friendly.
 
“The Big Bear wakeboarding community now has a place to hang out. It’s going to be a great vibe!” " said Hauer, who is also offering DJd music on the weekends and professional wakeboarding demos.

The Cable Park at Big Bear Lake is located at 603 Landlock Landing Road at Pleasure Point Marina in Big Bear Lake.

Hours: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Saturday and Sunday.

Cost: $25 per hour, $40 for two hours, or $60 for half-day (4 hours).  The cable park is also available for private parties up to 20 people for $250 per hour.

Call 909-556-3345 or visit www.designatedwakesports.com. 

Learn more about Big Bear Lake attractions by watching our video from CaliforniaTravelExpert.com