CaliforniaTravelExpert.com

Room With A View: Campton Place Luxury Suite

Thu, 09 Sep 2010 06:14:27 PST

The view from Campton Place's Luxury Suite, overlooking the always entertaining Union Square, belies its boutique hotel stature.

This 2,500 square-foot penthouse, located on the full 17th floor, was designed by Sylvia Chang in 2002, and equipped with a formal dining room table that seats eight. Executive Chef Sri Gopinathan will prepare a special menu for Luxury Suite guests, tailored for any occasion.

Amenities include Frette linens, Molton Brown, Ploh bathrooms, 24-hour room & butler service, concierge, and complimentary bottle of wine/liquor (based on guest preference.) Starts at $3,000 a night.

For more information, visit www.tajhotels/camptonplace.

Moonridge Animal Park Flashlight Safaris

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 18:48:50 PST

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

Gold Country Video

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 09:25:24 PST

California travel expert Veronica Hill tours the sights and attractions of California Gold Country in this episode of "California Travel Tips."

Highlights of the video include peeks at El Dorado County, Gold Country hotels, Georgetown and historic Coloma — home to Sutter's Mill and Marshall Gold Discovery State Park. Other Gold Country travel attractions include white water rafting on the American River and wine tasting in El Dorado County.

To learn more about Gold Country travel, watch our river rafting video, or go to http://www.CaliforniaTravelExpert.com

Foodspotting with California Travel Expert

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 13:21:28 PST

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!

California Craftsman Tour

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 08:29:18 PST

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.

San Luis Obispo Wine Events

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 05:47:17 PST

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

Car Show Video

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:48:51 PST

California travel expert Veronica Hill of http://www.CaliforniaTravelExpert.com visits the Wrightwood Mountain Classic Car Show in this episode of "California Travel Tips." Free to the public, this is one of the hottest Southern California car shows, drawing more than 250 cars (and countless spectators) every August. The car show schedule includes a Friday night preview and reception, followed by a wide range of events from 10-4 on Saturday. Custom cars, antique cars, muscle cars and vintage cars compete for your attention at this fun annual car show, and there are usually more than 40 car show winners. This car show video shows just a few of the fun activities found at the Wrightwood car show. For more information about Wrightwood, go to VisitWrightwood.com

Food Trucks

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 08:07:45 PST

The first time I ever ate from a food truck was on the North Shore of Oahu. The white catering food truck, covered in graffiti, looked scary. But once I tasted the hot and greasy garlic shrimp — served with a side of white rice — I knew what all the fuss was about.

When we returned back to California, my husband chef Jason Hill, was determined to start his own food truck business, selling hot soups to hungry skiers and snowboarders. Unfortunately, we couldn't find any food trucks for sale, and the county nixed the idea.

Los Angeles is another story. Today, its mobile food truck business is a thriving venture, drawing business away from frou-frou restaurants and back to the streets.

Last month, during a visit to the La Brea Tar Pits on Wilshire Blvd., I stopped by my old office on Miracle Mile to discover about 20 mobile food trucks swarming with office workers. Back in the early 90s, our lunch options within walking distance were only Marie Callendars and Al Amir.

Today, the concession food truck business rules — with more varieties and styles of cuisine than you can imagine. During our visit, guests had several hot food trucks to choose from. Burgers? Check. Brazilian? Check. Fresh-made Japanese sushi? You bet.

Since the local restaurants suffer from this take-away business, the LA food truck scene is always changing. Many of the best food trucks are savvy to this, posting their latest locations on Twitter or Facebook. The mobile food truck business is certainly booming, with a Aug. 28 "OC Foodie Fest" food truck convention at Honda Center, and a new Food Network TV show titled "The Great Food Truck Race."

Following is a list of some of our favorite LA food trucks, along with links to their current locations and their LA food truck menus. To learn more about the vending food truck business, check out Road Stoves or Frysmith for the latest food truck rules and regulations. There's an App for LA Street Food available on iTunes, but you can get most of the information here for free!

We welcome your suggestions and votes for the best food trucks in LA (along with your favorite dishes) at CaliforniaTravelExpert.com!

Be sure to bookmark this page, as we'll be updating this content often.

LA Food Truck Guide

Ahn Joo LA Truck
This mobile take on Korean pub grub includes everything from Robata skewers and Korean potstickers with housemaid kimchee to spicy chilled buckwheat noodles and Fuji apple egg rolls. Interesting takes on the Ahn Joo menu include Korean Nachos (topped with smoky chile queso, soy braised pork and kimchee salsa) to the Mama Lee's Meatloaf (filled with ground rib-eye steak, soy-onion demiglace and crispy shiitake mushrooms. Start with their Curry Bean Hummus served with Wonton Crostinis, and finish with the Grilled Nutella Bhang, topped with seasonal berries.

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Baby's Bad Ass Burgers Truck
Serving up "doubly delicious" burgers, hot dogs and chicken sandwiches for a hungry crowd. Specialties include the Cougar Burger (served with aged beef, St. Andre cheese and black truffles), the Original Beauty (with Swiss cheese, grilled onions, sauteed mushrooms and special sauce) and the She's Smokin' Chicken Sandwich (served with BBQ sauce, smoked cheddar and crispy onions).

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Barbie's Q Truck
Blues and BBQ truck serving up their famous hand-pulled sandwiches (your choice of pulled pork, shredded bbq beef, chopped smoked chicken and veggie BBQ), their famous St. Louis Ribs, and down-home side dishes like grits & greens, cheesy grits, collard greens and Mac & Jack. Their BBQ beans, potato salad and cole slaw are also good.

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Bool BBQ Truck
Korean BBQ, tacos and pastels on the go. This fusion-style cuisine takes its inspiration from the staples of central and south America.

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Buttermilk Truck
Buttermilk is the key ingredient in every dish on the truck, from their savory buttermilk biscuits and savory pastries, to their buttermilk pancakes, waffles and donuts. Other breakfast items include Hawaiian Breakfast Sliders (stuffed with Portuguese sausage, sauteed onions and shoe scrambled eggs) to their Southwest Veggie Omelet, stuffed with cilantro, jalapenos, tomatoes and sauteed onions. They also have a late-night dinner menu featuring buttermilk fried chicken.

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Border Grill Truck
“Too Hot Tamales” Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feniger have taken their haute Mexican cuisine on the road with a tasty selection of gourmet tacos, quesadillas and ceviches. Start with one of their tortilla "cones" filled with a Peruvian ceviche, lime, aji amarillo chiles, pickled onions and ginger. All of the tacos are great, whether you choose their Yucatan Pork, Cilantro Chicken, Potato Rajas or Carne Asada. Their crispy Baja fish tacos are topped with a creamy salsa fresca and chipotle honey. Be sure to ask for a side of parsley and cumin-scented fries, served with chipotle ketckup. The dulce-de-lechue Churro Tots, dusted with cinnamon sugar and whipped cream, are a sweet finale.

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Burger Bus Truck
The Burger Bus Truck has the same philosophy as In-N-Out: keep it simple with only the freshest local ingredients. All of their ground beef is 100 percent grass-fed, hormone-free beef from the Shalhoob Meat Company. Their cheese comes from the Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, and their bread (made by Our Daily Bread in Santa Barbara), is a fresh-baked ciabatta. All of their produce, from the ripe red tomatoes, to the sweet grilled onions, come direct from The Berry Man. The Burger Bus menu includes their signature CB&J (a 1/3-pound hamburger patty topped with sweet grilled onions, melted cheese and fruit preserves), a Falafel Sandwich (made with fresh garbanzo beans and topped with cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce and a creamy peanut sauce), and The Pesto Burger (topped with grilled onions, tomatoes, cheddar cheese and homemade pesto). Be sure to order a side of their yam fries or fried pickle chips.

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Cart For a Cause Truck
Top celebrity chefs prepare the meals for this non-profit organization supporting St. Vincent Meals on Wheels. Participating chefs have included Brandon Boudet of Dominicks/Little Doms (serving up spaghetti and meatballs; baby heirloom tomato and burrata cheese bruschetta and sabe-glazed beef brisket with Tuscan Kale) and Chef Michael Fiorelli of Terranea Resort's Mar'sel restaurant. Your $10 includes the meal, drink and a cookie. What's best? Your money helps to feed one homebound senior for an entire day.

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Canters Truck
The mobile version of LA's famous Canter's Deli serves up an abbreviated menu of Jewish food including their famous matzoh ball soup, potato pancakes with sour cream or apple sauce, and lox and bagels, topped with cream cheese and onions. Sandwiches, like the pastrami, corned beef and reubens, are served with a pickle and your choice of potato salad and cole slaw.

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Comfort Truck
Chef Brian Hill specializes in California comfort food, serving up seven types of beef or chicken sliders (served fried or sauteed), along with a few wraps. Mary J. Blige raves about their golden fried chicken wingettes and homemade tortilla chips.

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Calbi BBQ Truck
Fusion tacos and burritos are on the menu here. Their signature dish is the Calbi BBQ Taco, filled with grilled marinated Korean short ribs, fresh vegetables and Romaine lettuce with a secret house sauce. Tofu and shrimp tacos are available for vegetarians. Be sure to also try the Kimchee Quesadillas.

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Chili Addiction Food Truck
If you like chili, you will certainly get a spicy kick out of the Chili Addicition truck, serving up more than 90 types of chili to the adoring masses. Everything is made in-house, from their homemade hot dogs and chicken sausages, to their gourmet ice creams and sorbets. In addition to their traditional Chili Addiction menu, there are always new surprises, from the Aztec Gold Chili, made with chicken hominy and Chimayo chiles, to the vegan "Habanero Habit," made with habaneros, mangoes, bananas and other tropical tastes. Think you can handle the heat? Try their Dish Wish Chili, made with the Ghost Pepper (the world's hottest pepper). Chili Addiction has become so popular that they opened their first brick-and-mortar location at 408 N. La Cienega Blvd. (323) 203-1793.

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Cool Haus Truck
Choose your favorite cookie and favorite ice cream and then make an ice cream sandwich at this cool ice cream truck in Los Angeles. Cookie flavors include chocolate, chocolate chip, ginger, oatmeal, snickerdoodle and brioche, while the ice creams might include a sea salt caramel, brown butter with candied bacon, cabernet/Lambrusco, matcha green tea or chocolate chipotle. You can't go wrong with any of the choices.

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Crepes Bonaparte Truck
Whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner, you'll find a crepe for the occasion at this popular crepe food truck. Try the Ranchero Breakfast Crepe (stuffed with eggs, chipotle, mozzarella, grilled onions and bell peppers) or go big with the Baby Bleu Crepe (stuffed with chicken, blue cheese, spinach and raspberry vinaigrette). Sweet dessert crepes include the Spicy Apple Bottoms (filled with cooked cinnamon apples, caramel and whipped cream) or the PCH (stuffed with peanut butter, chocolate or Nutella, and honey).

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Crepen Around Truck
Operated by Eileen and Joan DeLeoz, who got their inspiration for the truck while eating crepes under the Eiffel tower, this food truck specializes in crepes of every variety. Savory crepes include teriyaki flank steak, maple braised pork, and chicken pesto. For a sweet treat, try the S'more crepes, banana nutella crepes, or strawberries and cream.

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Cupcakes A Go Go LA Truck
Pretty much every incarnation of cupcake you can imagine is served in LA's "cutest cupcake truck," ranging from spiced carrot cake with cream cheese frosting and chopped walnuts to rich dark chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream frosting and a raspberry.

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Dogtown Dogs Truck
Gourmet hot dogs rule at this Venice-based food truck. Try the Trailer Trash Dog (topped with beef chili, nacho cheese and Frito's corn chips) or the Spicy Angeleno Dog (wrapped in bacon with tomatillo sauce, salsa fresco and topped with fried jalapenos).

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Dogzilla Hot Dogs
Venice-based hot dog truck serving up unusual creations like Furikake Hot Dogs (served with teriyaki sauce, nori, grilled onions and furikake) and their signature Dogzilla dog (topped with bacon bits, Japanese mayo, caramelized onions, avocado and furikake).

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Derb's Gourmet Treats Truck
Specializing in Pacific Rim cuisine, the menu includes pork tenderloin sandwiches, Killer Shrimp served in a spicy broth with bread, and Killer Kobe Beef Burgers, served with your choice of toppings.

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Don Chow Tacos Truck
The spin here is Chinese-Mexican cuisine, namely tacos. Featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," the Don Chow Taco menu includes clever takes on tacos, burritos, tortas and quesadillas. Choose from traditional (carne aside, al pastor and lengua) or fusion (Chinese BBQ pork, soy ginger tofu, kung pao chicken or soy ginger shrimp). For something unique, try the Chimale, a Chinese-Mexican tamale stuffed with your choice or kung pao chicken or Chinese BBQ pork.

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Dels LA Truck
Del's Frozen Lemonade Truck specializes in the best lemonade in LA — made with an Italian family recipe of filtered water, fruit juice and sugar. Del's LA lemonade flavors include lemon, watermelon, cherry, peach-mango, blueberry, pomegranate and grapefruit.

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Dim Sum Truck
Enjoy Chinese dim sum on the go at this popular Chinese food truck in LA. Menu items include pan-fried pork spare rib buns, shrimp har gow dumplings, lotus-wrapped sticky rice, Chinese chicken salad and Peking duck tacos. Order the lunchbox with a selection of up to four dishes, including dessert.

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Dosa Truck
The Dosa Truck specializes in "Ommmm good" Indian dosas, which are South Indian sourdough crepes made from lentils and rice flour. Take your choice of fillings, from smashed curried Indian potatoes, spinach, mushroom and cheese, to sweet potato masala. The Dosa Truck menu also includes samosas, masala fries, mango lassos and homemade ginger limeade.

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Eat Phamish Truck
Vietnamese home cooking is the specialty of the house at Eat Phamish, which is famous for its Banh Mi sandwiches, Vietnamese spring rolls, pho and iced coffee.

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Fishlips Sushi Truck
Enjoy fresh sushi to go at this popular LA sushi truck. The Fishlips Sushi menu includes standard favorites along with a few signature dishes. The Fish Lips Roll is served without rice in a soy protein sheet, stuffed with a mixture of avocado, asparagus, crab, tuna, cucumber, white fish and salmon. It's topped with tamari sauce, hot sauce and mayonnaise.

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Fry Smith Truck
Craving French fries? Well, good. Because this French Fry food truck specializes in some of the best fries in LA, from Vegan Chili Fries made with soy chorizo, smoked paprika and organic tomato-based beans, to Kimchi Fries, topped with Kurobuta pork belly, grilled onions and melted cheddar cheese. The Fry Smith Menu also includes Chili Cheese Fries, made with their own beer and chocolate scented angus all beef chili atop sweet potato fries. The Poutine, made with Ballard Family Farms cheese curds, features a different rib-sticking gravy each day. For something for substantial (as if fries weren't enough) try the Triple Sesame Steak and Fry Wrap, which features marinated skirt steak and French fries wrapped in a lavash tortilla with baby spinach, pickled red onions and Jack cheese. It's topped with tahini-sesame sauce and sesame seeds.

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Flying Pig Truck
I was expecting this food truck to serve up Southern-style pulled pork, but actually it's known for its Asian-French cuisine. Run by two Le Cordon Bleu graduates, The Flying Pig menu includes Peanut Butter Carnitas (featuring slow-cooked pork butt with cilantro, scallions and red curry satay in a tortilla), Tamarind Duck with pickled red beets, toasted almonds, radish sprouts and Tamarind Gravy, and Beef and Pork Sliders, stuffed with red onion escabeche, pickled sesame cucumber and banana mustard on a toasted Hawaiian roll.

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Franken Stand Truck
This spooky Frankstein-themed food truck specializes in plant-based gourmet franks topped with your choice of trimmings. Choose from jalapenos, sauerkraut, diced onions, chopped cilantro, pickles and more, along with your choice of sauce (ketchup, Vegenaise, spicy brown mustard, yellow mustard or hot sauce). The Franken's menu has such fun offerings as "The Wolf," a zesty frank made with chipotle peppers, or "The Witch," made with tofu and Full Sail Ale. Their signature "Franken" dog features a blend of sun dried tomatoes and basil.

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Get Shaved Truck
This LA shaved ice truck specializes in a simple menu with multiple flavors. Choose from espresso coffee, coconut pineapple and macadamia nut ice creams (among many others) or fruit fruit shaved ice in all the flavors of the rainbow, from blueberry and kiwi to mango, pineapple and raspberry.

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Greasy Wiener Truck
All beef hot dogs topped with gourmet ingredients. Try the Bacon Chili Cheesy, a greasy dog wrapped in hickory smoked bacon and topped with homemade chili, cheese sauce, mustard, sauteed onions and pickles. The Greasy Hippie features a veggie dog.

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Grill Em All Truck
With "two dudes, a truck and a megaphone," this mobile food truck certainly commands attention. Painted with heavy metal Hessian art, the black truck looks ominous, but the food is simple and good. The Grill Em All menu of burgers includes the Molly Hatchet (topped with seared fennel smoked sausage gravy, applewood smoked bacon and maple syrup), the Blue Cheer (with cranberry gastrique, maytag blue cheese spread, and Munchos potato chips) and the Behemoth (topped with smoked cheddar, applewood smoked bacon and and beer-soaked onions.

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Grill Masters LA Truck
This gourmet food truck specializes in corn-fed, free-range rotisserie chicken, along with several other gourmet meals, ranging from filet mignon to pan-seared salmon.

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Green Truck
A favorite of movie producers and film crews, the Green Truck serves up organic gourmet food in a solar powered commissary. The Green Truck menu includes their signature Vegan "Mother Trucker," served on a whole wheat bun with their signature sauce; an Israeli Falafel Wrap, served with fresh cut tomatoes and cool cucumber tzatziki, and sustainably harvested fresh fish tacos, topped with avocado creme and pico de gallo.

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Great Balls On Tires Truck
For some of the best meatballs in LA, check out this mobile food truck, which can be found cruising around locations from Miracle Mile through Century City. The Great Balls on Tires menu, at under $7 per meal, caters to meat-eaters and vegetarians. Try the IncrediBall (made with ground kobe beef, applewood smoked bacon, gruyere cheese and garlic aioli on a toasted brioche) or the Ballywood (a mixture of garam masala chicken with coconut Madras curry, crispy fried onions, tomato and cilantro chutneys and saffron basmati rice).

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Grilled Cheese Truck
Who doesn't love a grilled cheese? This mobile grilled cheese truck specializes in America's favorite comfort food, made several ways. The Grilled Cheese Truck menu serves up classic grilled cheese (with your choice of American, sharp cheddar, double cream brie or gruyere) between French or wheat bread. But for something different, try their gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches, which include the Cheesy Mac and Rib (served with BBQ pork and caramelized onions), the Brie Melt (with sliced pears, honey and smoked turkey on cranberry walnut bread) or the Harvest Melt (with roasted butternut squash, sauteed leeks, balsamic vinegar and agave syrups). Their Dessert Melt is stuffed with roasted bananas, Nutella hazelnut spread and melted marshmallows. Yum!

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Gourmet on Wheels Truck
Enjoy cheese and charcuterie from around the globe at this gourmet mobile food truck. The Gourmet on Wheels menu includes free-range local poultry from Jidori, grass-fed beef from Estancia, and natural free-range pork, and lamb cuts from Niman ranch. Ask them about their mobile cheese tasting events, which includes a presentation of cheese history and facts along with a sampling of 5-7 cheeses and charcuterie.

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Gastro Bus Truck
The Gastro Bus Truck, run by a former Wolfgang Puck chef, is often found throughout Studio City, UCLA, Hollywood and Los Feliz. The Gastro Bus Truck menu is a basic blend of soups, salads and sandwiches, prepared to order. Choose from their tuna melt, made with rosemary, sweet onions and Swiss cheese, or the Thai Chicken Wrap, stuffed with Romaine lettuce, spinach, mint and basil. Be sure to order a side of sweet potato fries with honey mustard sauce.

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Hot Peppa Steppa Truck
This Jamaican LA food truck, also known as "Granny's Truck," specializes in mobile Caribbean cuisine, from brown stew fish and Ital stew to Jamaican Jerk Chicken and a variety of Caribbean patties topped with fire sauce.

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India Jones Truck
The India Jones Chow Truck is all about Indian food, serving the greater Los Angeles area and beach communities. You can't go wrong with anything on the India Jones menu, from Chef Sumant's samosa springs rolls and mango baby back ribs, to their "Frankie" roti roll, stuffed with chopped onions, egg, cilantro-tamarind chutney and your choice of lamb, chicken, beef, shrimp, paneer or mushrooms and cheese. Be sure to order a mango lassi to wash it all down.

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I Heart Schnitzel Truck
This LA Schnitzel wagon serves up fresh, made-to-order schnitzel, an Austrian specialty of fried and breaded cutlets served with a side of lemon wedges and Austrian potato salad.

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Kabob N Roll Truck
Fresh Mediterranean food is the focus of the Kabob N Roll food truck, which offers both vegetarian and vegan cuisine. Specials include the kabob plates (made with beef, chicken, shrimp, lamb or falafel) and served with a side of green salad, grilled vegetables, hummus, basmati rice and pita bread. For something light, try the Mediterranean Salad, topped with mandarin orange, walnuts, feta cheese and balsamic vinaigrette, or order a side of appetizers. Choices on the Kabob N Roll menu include hummus, baba ganoush, mini meat pies, triple-cheese cheesy rolls, dolmas and tabouli.

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King Kone LA Truck
The King Kone ice cream truck specializes in soft-serve ice cream, dipped cones and milkshakes — perfect for hot LA summers or cold and rainy fall days. Operating out of a butter-yellow truck, King Kone has a loyal following of business people and movie folk. The King Kone menu sometimes varies by the season, but you can always count on such specialties as their Oreo Sundaes, Espresso milkshakes, banana splits and ice cream sandwiches. Try the Avalanche (which combines your choice of ice cream with Hawaiian shaved ice) or their Rocky Mountain Cone, featuring your choice of ice cream in a chocolate-dipped cone that's rolled in almonds. Seasonal favorites include their campfire (toasted marshmallow) and Mint Everest milkshakes.

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Kogi BBQ Truck
The Kogi BBQ truck specializes in a fusion of Mexican and Korean cuisines, from their shortrib kimchi quesadilla to their calamari tacos. Simple and delicious, the Kogi BBQ truck menu is divided into tacos and burritos, prepared with your choice of short ribs, spicy pork, chicken, or tofu. Some of their specialties include the Black Jack Quesadilla (filled with spicy pork, caramelized onions, cheddar and jack cheeses, and salsa verde) and the Sweet Chili Chicken Quesadilla (made with caramelized onions, grilled chicken, and sweet Salsa Naranja). During the morning hours, ask for their special breakfast burritos, made with your choice of meat, plus hash browns, soft scrambled eggs and shredded cheddar and Jack cheese.

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Komodo Food Truck
Serving up "dangerously good food" is the motto of this LA food truck, which specializes in tacos and burritos. Take your pick of the Komodo menu items, which include Fish N' Grapes (deep-fried Alaskan cod tossed with fresh grapes), the Blazin' Shrimp (spicy Singapore shrimp with sour cream salad) or the Java (Indonesian beef rendang with fresh cucumber salad), all wrapped in a tidy tortilla. Decadent side dishes include the garlic fries dusted with parmesan cheese, or the truffle fries, tossed in Italian truffle oil.

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La Galette Creperie
This popular crepe food truck is known for its savory and sweet crepes. Try the Kansas City Chicken (made with maple barbecue sauce, roasted chicken breast, cilantro, caramelized onions, and jack cheese) or the Farrallon (made with sauteed mushrooms, sliced chicken breast, herbed potatoes and honey-rosemary sauce). For breakfast, the Sunday Brunch Crepe is filled with smoked salmon, fresh dill, creme fraiche and slivered red onion. Sweet crepes include your choice of duche de leche, nutella, molten chocolat and berries and cream.

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Longboards Ice Cream Truck
This Orange County food truck, which makes appearances in LA, serves up popsicle-style ice creams (think Fudgsicles) in flavors including strawberries n cream, mango, lime, cookies n cream, chocolate and coconut. Just look for the vintage VW bus with the longboard on top. You can't miss it.

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Lake Street Creamery Truck
This mobile gourmet ice cream parlour boasts only the freshest ingredients in their ice creams, sorbets and gelatos. Try a triple-scoop cone, served in a waffle bowl. Flavors are creative and inspiring. Try the donut (a cake donut in the form of ice cream), the Aztec Sacrifice (made with Ghiradelli chocolate, chiles and cayenne pepper), the Pancake Breakfast (tastes just like flapjacks, complete with maple syrup, real bacon and fresh-ground peaberry coffee!) Brave souls can try the Black Jack, made to taste just like black licorice. The ice cream floats are just as exciting. We're partial to the Jelly Donut, made with their donut ice cream and black cherry soda!

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LA BBQ Guy Truck
The Spring Street Smoke House truck is all about the barbecue, serving such delights at the Pulled Pork Sandwiches (slow smoked with hickory and served with Carolina barbecue sauce), the BBQ sirloin sliders (topped with cheddar cheese, Romaine lettuce and smokehouse BBQ sauce) or the spicy, smoky Louisiana Chicken Links. All sandwiches are served on a toasted French bread roll with homemade corn bread slathered with honey butter and a side of sliced pickles. Be sure to save room for the Bourbon Bread Pudding, mixed with a sweet custard and topped with warm bourbon sauce. To cool off, be sure to add an order of their sweet iced mint tea.

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Lees Philly Truck
The owners of Lee's Philly Gogi Truck were trained in Philadelphia to bring you their gourmet philly steak sandwiches. Other items include gogi-style tacos and burritos, so there's a little something for everyone. Loyal fans rave about their cheesesteak sandwiches, Korean philly cheesesteak and the bulgogi burritos, stuffed with kimchi, fried rice and melted cheese and topped with an avocado lime salsa.

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Louks To Go Truck
This Greek food truck has a loyal following, serving up a menu that includes gyros, lamb chops, kabobs (chicken, pork or beef) and Greek salads. Try the Loukaniko Plate (made with Greek sausage and Feta cheese on a bed of fries) or the Loukomades (tiny donut balls topped with Nutella, powdered sugar, honey or strawberries). It's all good!

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Lomo Arigato Truck
This Japanese-Peruvian food truck, run by chef Eric Nakata, is known for its passionate creations of mobile street food. The signature dish here is Lomo Saltado, so be sure to check it out.

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Mandoline Grill Truck
Serving up gourmet Vietnamese food, the Mandoline Grill Truck always aims to please. In addition to great Vietnamese cuisine, the Mandoline Grill menu includes several vegan-friendly dishes. Start with their Vietnamese Iced Coffee, and then follow with some of their Vietnamese Nachos, made with grilled meat (or tofu), scallions, jalapenos, chopped mint, cilantro and Sriracha aioli. Oh yeah! Tacos, Bun and Banh Mi round out the menu, made with your choice of lemongrass-marinated grilled pork, beef, Hawaiian BBQ chicken or Tofu.

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Manila Machine Truck
One of LA's few Filipino food trucks, the Manila Machine aims to please with its delightful mix of lumpia, sisig and adobo dishes. Try their Original Manila Dip (a slider made with shredded chicken adobo, caramelized onions and adobo dipping sauce) or their Pork Belly and Pineapple Adobo (featuring braised pork belly in a vinegar-soy-pineapple sauce). For breakfast, you can't go wrong with their Pan Del Sal French toast, soaked in vanilla and orange custard. And yes, there's plenty of Spam on the menu.

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Mattie's Kitchen Truck
The Mattie's Southern Kitchen Truck boasts a nice assortment of Southern cooking, made to order.

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Munchie Machine Truck
The Munchie Machine food truck reminds me a lot of the Green Machine on those old "Scooby Doo" shows. In any case, the Munchie Machine menu features some great grub, ranging from hearty grilled deli sandwiches and their Croque De Munchie (filled with honey-glazed ham, fried egg, Dijon mustard and mayonnaise) to the PB2J (filled with peanut butter, jelly and sliced bananas). Sides include hot chili cheese fries or house-made S'mores, made with your choice of caramel, coconut or cinnamon marshmallows.

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Mrs. Beasley's Bakery Truck
Founded in 1978, Mrs. Beasley's is a gourmet gifting company of Fresh Baked muffins, cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and cakes. Check out their mobile van for a delicious assortment of cupcakes and mini muffins.

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Nana Queens Truck
This mobile dessert truck specializes in 10 flavors of banana pudding, including Carnana (caramel and banana), Strawnana (strawberry and banana) and Nana Oh's (Oreo and banana). Start out the gluttony with a big batch of hot wings. It's all good.

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NomNom Truck
This female-owned mobile food truck specializes in Vietnamese-inspired dishes throughout West Los Angeles and the greater Los Angeles area. The Nom Nom Truck menu is perhaps best known for their Banh Mi Vietnamese sandwiches and tacos, made with grilled pork, lemongrass chicken and vegetarian tofu.

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No Reservations LA Catering Truck
This "bistro on wheels" is a gourmet food truck catering to the show biz scene. They are perhaps best known for their California-French fusion wraps, made with a variety of delicious fresh ingredients. You can't beat their unique names with dishes like "Silence of the Lambs" and "Rosemary's Baby."

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Organic Oasis Truck
This organic food truck is the world's first solar-powered organic smoothie truck, featuring USDA certified organic raw and whole food ingredients. Try the frozen yogurt from Straus Family Creamery in Marshall, Calif., or their acai bowls. Flavors include red velvet, peanut butter cup, orangesicle and lemonberry. What's best? Proceeds benefit Heal the Bay.

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Papas Tapas Truck
This Spanish food truck serves up tempting Spanish tapas to the masses. The menu is a veritable smorgasbord of Spanish cuisine, from their house-made paella to their patatas bravas with spicy sofrita. Loyal fans rave about their creamy croquetas and Spanish potato omelets. Try their bocadillos, a Spanish-style sandwich made with your choice of tri tip, chorizo or vegetables. Olé!

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Patty Wagon LA Truck
This vintage-styled food truck only uses 100-percent grass-fed beef raised in Teton Valley, Idaho. Start with their homemade organic French fries, tossed with sea salt, garlic and rosemary; or check out the homemade dill pickles, marinated in their own house brine. Each slider has a clever and cute name inspired by a 1930s song. Try their La Vie En Rose Burger (made with melted gruyere and vermouth/thyme-scented caramelized onions) or "I Get a Kick Out of You" Burger (made with roasted jalapenos, pancetta bacon and provolone cheese). The Keep Your Sunny Side Up Burger is topped with homemade gremolata (made from garlic, lemon and parsley butter) and served on fresh toasted ciabatta.

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QZilla BBQ Truck
The Qzilla truck specializes in St. Louis-style wood-fired barbecued meats, including smoked brisket, ribs and pulled pork. Each rack of ribs is hand-rubbed with a secret blend of spices, and their brisket is marinated for two days, then smoked on low for 16 hours.

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Shrimp Guys Truck
If you've been to Giovanni's Shrimp Truck on Oahu, then you'll probably like The Shrimp Guys Truck. They have two familiar favorites — the garlic shrimp served with white rice, lemon wedges and roasted garlic bits; and the spicy garlic butter shrimp, given some heat with Thai chilis. But The Shrimp Guys Truck takes it one step further with a few more surprises, ranging from a Hawaiian Loco Moco (beef patty topped with an over-easy egg, sautéed brown onions and brown gravy) and the spicy coconut lime shrimp, scented with coconut milk, Thai chiles and lime juice. For a South of the Border touch, try their Tequila Lim Shrimp Tacos, topped with homemade spicy mango salsa.

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Shrimp Pimp Truck
This gourmet shrimp truck, run by former New York restaurateur Neil Macleod, uses the highest-grade sustainable shrimp and sashimi-grade tuna on the market, all approved by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program. The Shrimp Pimp menu is described as Asian-Latin fusion, with such delights as drunken shrimp tacos, sashimi tuna tacos, shrimp po boys and other fresh seafood dishes. Don't miss chef Neil's "Frylander" Fish and Chips, made with Guinness beer batter.

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Slice Truck
This edgy mobile bus, which claims "Raves and Slice Truck go together like Movies and Sour Patch Kids," specializes in homemade New York style pizza. Boasting fresh ingredients, homemade sauce, and dough that's hand-tossed on the truck, Slice Truck pizza always draws rave reviews. The Slice Truck menu is kept simple, usually with about four types per day. Try their sausage and peppers with fresh basil, or their pepperoni and basil, all washed down with a cool IBC root beer. Slice Truck delivers in downtown LA, and you can buy the whole pizza if you're really hungry.

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SoBe Squamata Truck
This colorful mobile truck, decorated in greens and blues with a big gecko on the side, serves up a wide range of SoBe drinks and ice cream to the hungry masses.

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South Philly Experience Truck
This mobile catering food truck is famous for its Philly cheese steak, made in a variety of creative ways. Choose from the traditional Philly Cheese Steak, or try out their Italian Steak (provolone cheese and broccoli rabe), Pizza Steak (provolone cheese and marinara sauce) or Buffalo Steak (buffalo sauce and blue cheese. You can order them with or without onions. If you're not a fan of fresh rib-eye steak, you can order everything with chicken breast as well. The Veggie Italian Cheesesteak is filled with broccoli rabe, roasted peppers, onions and provolone. Wash it down with a cool Hank's Soda or a side of Wiz Fries.

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Sweets Truck
The Sweets Truck brings "sweets and coffee to the streets" with its mobile gourmet coffeehouse and bake shop. Owner Molly Taylor chooses the specials daily from the best bakers in LA, throwing some nostalgic candy into the mix. Choose from a variety of premium teas and fresh roasted coffees and espressos, made at Jones Coffee in Pasadena. The Sweets Truck menu includes such delights as chocolate brownies from The Farm Beverly Hills, red velvet cookies, "Crack Bars" made from chocolate fudge and cookies, whoopie pies and gourmet cupcakes from Auntie Em's Kitchen.

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Sprinkles Mobile Truck
Credited with started the world's first cupcake bakery, this Beverly Hills company has a huge list of celebrity fans. Only the best ingredients are used in Sprinkles cupcakes, from sweet cream butter to fresh grated lemon zest. Choose from traditional cupcakes, or more imaginative creations, such as the Madascarn Bourbon Vanilla Cake with Coconut Cream Cheese frosting. There are even gluten-free and vegan versions of their famous red velvet cupcakes.

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Starry Kitchen Food Truck
The Starry Kitchen truck serves up some hearty Asian fare, from their to-die-for Vietnamese Egg Rolls (served with garlic fish dipping sauce) to their heavenly crispy tofu balls. To order, you first pick your protein (a choice of free-range Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken, Braised Coconut Pork, Japanese Sesame Fried Chicken or Vegan Stirfried Kimchi) followed by your "vessel," whether it be a wrap, chopped salad, Thai Cobb Salad or Banh Mi Sandwich. Light eaters will enjoy the Seared 8-Spice Tuna Salad, served over baby greens with cucumbers, red bell peppers and citrus-mango vinaigrette. Feel free to add a side of coconut rice, or Korean glass noodles.

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TaBom Truck
In case you were wondering, "Ta Bom" is Portuguese for "It's Good," and this Brazilian food truck has a loyal fan base to prove it. The Ta Bom Truck menu includes some delicious options, whether you choose their Coxinha croquettes filled with shredded chicken and cream cheese, or their crisp-fried pastels, filled with your choice of cheese, ground beef, chicken or sliced bananas. Try their Brazilian Chorizo Tacos, stuffed with onions, cilantro and homemade chili sauce, and finish with a sweet chocolate fudge Brigadeiro.

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The Place LA Truck
Serving hot pastrami on wheels, The Place LA food truck can always be seen rolling about town, whether it's outside the office buildings on Miracle Mile, or at a downtown art festival. For a mobile food truck, the Place LA menu is quite extensive. Take your pick of the Pastrami Melt or Sandwich, or be more adventurous by mixing the meat into a hot dog, quesadilla, cheeseburger or egg burrito. The Hot Pastrami Cheese Fries are always a hit, as are their Carne Asada fries. Phone orders and delivery are available.

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TN BBQ Truck
Tacos, burritos and Korean BBQ are the focus of this Korean taco truck, which offers free kimchee on request. Both tacos and burritos are made with your choice of beef, chicken, spicy pork, shrimp or tofu. You can also thry their Korean Style Prime Burger, or their hot rice bowls, topped with beef bulgogi or marinated beef short ribs.

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Tropical Shave Ice Truck
Southern California's first Hawaiian shave ice truck specializes in fluffy white shaved ice topped with homemade simple syrups. Their Fusion Shave Ice mixes shaved ice with fresh fruits and sweetened condensed milk.

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Vesuvio LA Truck
This Italian food truck serves up great comfort food, ranging from Arancini (Italian rice balls mixed with salami, parmesan cheese and flat leaf parsley) to a mean eggplant parmesan, marinara pasta or bowl of meatballs. You can choose any entree (chicken parmesan, meatballs, sausage & peppers, eggplant parmesan) as a sandwich, topped with ricotta cheese and served on a fresh-baked Italian roll.

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Vizzi Truck
"Visionary Cuisine" is the motto of this gourmet mobile truck, which can be found anywhere from CBS Studios to Santa Monica. Start with their White Truffle Popcorn (topped with sea salt) or their Organic Chickpea Sliders (drizzled with a chimichurri-creme fraiche sauce). Vizzi menu items, which are coastally inspired, include Maple & Balsamic Braised Wagyu Beef Sliders, Lavosh Chicken Piadinas, or their Statham Spaghetti, topped with garlic cream and black forest ham reduction. For the ultimate protein punch, check out their Metro Mix, which includes an assortment of raw dried fruit and nuts accompanied by local buckwheat honey.

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White Rabbit Truck
Enter the rabbit hole and discover a wonderland of Filipino fusion cuisine, ranging from Pork Sisig (mixed with jalapenos, garlic and onions) to their slow-braised Chicken Adobo, Citrus-Marinated Beefsteak or Sweetened Cured Pork Tocino. All of their meats are available as tacos, burritos, rice bowls and quesadillas. For dessert, try their white chocolate champorado or creme brulee toast.

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World Fare Truck
You can't miss the World Fare BusTauraunt, housed in a vintage double-decker bus, (complete with rooftop dining on the top level!) Aiming for a global approach to food, the World Fare menu includes everything from wine-braised short ribs with polenta fries to buttermilk-dredged rock shrimp lettuce cups, topped with house-made remoulade. They are perhaps best known for their Bunny Chows, a South African street food made with hollowed-out rolls filled with chicken curry. Chef Andi uses Piedmontese beef and organic Jidori chicken in all of her dishes, which include such delights as "The Original Bunny," made with a mixture of chicken curry, coconut milk, cashews, chick peas and cilantro. Be sure to try a side of their Truffle Mac and Cheese Balls, or French Fries served with a side of mustard creme fraiche or spicy remoulade.

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Yalla Truck
Falafel fusion is the name of the game at Yalla Truck, which is known for its vegetarian chick pea balls, fried and mixed into a variety of delicious sandwiches. The Yalla Truck menu starts with their famous falafel balls, which are stuffed into such specialties as The Persuasion (made with green cabbage salad, onion salad, carrots, pickled cucumber, bean sprouts, peanut sauce and sesame seeds), The O.G. (made with red cabbage salad, tomato/ cucumber salad, onion salad, lettuce, pickled turnips and tahini sauce) or the Falapolous (dressed with tomato/cucumber salad, onion salad, black olives, pepperoncinis, green cabbage salad and tzatiki sauce).

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Yatta Truck
"You Be the Chef" is the motto of this mobile food truck, which allows you to create your own sushi rolls on the streets of LA. If you choose to have them do the work for you, there are several good choices. Try the Poki Roll, which begins with a California Roll and is then topped with fresh ahi tuna, Poki sauce and sesame seeds. Other choices on the Yatta Truck menu include the cheeseburger-inspired All American Roll (stuffed with beef and melted cheese) or the Sweet Aloha Roll, filled with Hawaiian BBQ beef and fresh pineapple. The sushi is anything but ordinary.

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Z Little Frenchie Truck
This charming mobile French cafe packs all the wonderful foods from Southern France into a mobile food operation. Start with a pain au chocolate pastry or delightful French onion soup, then move on to more hearty fare, such as the Croque Monsieur (made with ham or turkey with Jarlsberg cheese) or the Pan Bagnat (stuffed with tuna, tomato, hard-boiled egg, olives and mixed greens on ciabatta). More than five savory crepes are also on Z Little Frenchie menu, along with eight delightful dessert crepes. All sandwiches and crepes come with your choice of mixed green salad, fresh fruit, pasta salad or chips.

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Wrightwood Mountain Classic Car Show

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 07:40:01 PST

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

Venice Art Crawl

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 18:18:45 PST

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.

Disneyland Flight and Hotel Package

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:32:58 PST

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.

American River Inn

Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:43:33 PST

It's not often you get to stay in a haunted hotel, which is why I was so intrigued by the American River Inn, a former miner's boarding house turned B&B in California's gold country.

Truth be told, I didn't know the place was haunted until I spotted the ghost hunter's guide in Maria's boutique, a small gift shop located in the Inn.

The Georgetown American River Inn was built in 1853, enjoying many uses throughout the century including miner's lodging, stage coach stop, brothel, sanitarium, private residence and B&B.

Georgetown, first known as "Growlersburg" because of the gold growling in miner's pans and pockets, was a thriving mining camp with approximately 5,000 residents. By 1853, the town had produced approximately $2 million in gold.

One of the most productive lodes was the Woodside Mine, which produced a nugget weighing in at 126 ounces. Sadly the mine, which runs beneath the American River Inn, caved in, trapping the bodies of several miners who still lie beneath the hotel.

Back during its early days, the American River Inn was known as the American Hotel. It hosted many grand galas and events, including "A Grand Ball" on Dec. 22, 1899. M Millans Orchestra, of Placerville, provided the music. Tickets, including a hot chicken supper, were $2 per person.

I could almost imagine the guests mingling and dancing in the hotel as we enjoyed afternoon wine and hors d'oeuvres in the hotel lobby. Our host, Betty, was welcoming and kind, sharing her love of the hotel with guests, who included some German tourists and a former NFL football star.

Dolly, a black cocker spaniel, kept us company in the sitting room as we nibbled on fresh vegetables, dips, hot cheese puffs and Swedish meatballs. And Betty outdid herself for the morning breakfast, which included plenty of hot coffee, fresh orange juice, toasted bagels, muffins, sauteed ham, and peaches and cream. I absolutely loved her delicate little quiches, made in individual muffin tins.

Georgetown, which sits on about two city blocks, is home to only a handful of restaurants, including Starvin' Dog Pizza, Worton Market, Georgetown Coffee Co., and Camp Virner, which is known for Italian and German specialties.

Take our advice and avoid Marco's Café in Coloma. Though the setting on the outdoor patio was lovely, with plenty of trees and twinkling lights, the service was horrendous. In fact, we waited more than 2 hours for an order of cold Nepalese noodles and a slice of Roman pizza. The place was busy, but not that busy. Apparently we missed the disclaimer that stated: "Slow Food Made With Love." I think it's just to cover up the fact that they have a couple of cooks who have zero experience running a kitchen.

Georgetown nightlife consists mainly of the Miner's Club, which was once home to the morgue during Civil War days. Today you can enjoy a bit of karaoke while learning more about the town's history over a cold brew.

Each of the American River Inn's 13 guest rooms and suites are decorated in Victorian style, in keeping with the turn-of-the-century motif. Furnishings include English antiques and beautiful wooden armoires. You can choose between both private and shared bathrooms.

The Canopy and antique brass beds include feather beds and down comforters, and some rooms boast fireplaces, ball & claw bathtubs and balconies. There are no TVs, but you can listen to old-time radio in your room, or a bit of piano in the lobby.

We stayed in Room 1, which came with a private claw-foot bathtub and shower. As I opened the door with my skeleton key, I definitely felt an eerie presence at the top of the stairs. Turns out that's exactly where The American Inn's resident ghost, Oscar, likes to hang out.

Word has it that he enjoys teasing couples in Room 5, the Honeymoon Suite, by tearing off the sheets, shaking the bed, or switching on the lights. Sometimes he actually appears to guests, smiling and making himself at home. He is said to enter through Room 5's balcony and leave through the upper door outside Room 1 and 5.

According to local lore, Room 5 once belonged to a prostitute who had captured Oscar's heart. During the 1800s, Oscar worked as a carpenter at the American Hotel. He was said to have been killed on the hotel's steps during a brawl with his girlfriend's "client."

Later, in a drunken moment of despair, the prostitute jumped off the balcony to her death. Guests say you can sometimes hear her voice in the halls of the hotel.

American River Inn rates range from $95 per night (for a shared bath) to $110 per night for a private bath. The Haunted Honeymoon Suite, Room 5, goes for $130 per night.

The Historic American River Inn is located at 6600 Orleans Street, Georgetown, CA 95634. For reservations, call (530) 333-4499 or visit them at www.americanriverinn.com

Have you been to the American River Inn in Georgetown? Share your American River Inn reviews with us at CaliforniaTravelExpert.com

The American River Inn in Georgetown, established in 1852, is a B&B with a fascinating history. Photos by Veronica Hill / CaliforniaTravelExpert.com

Georgetown California

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:01:27 PST

Tucked in the middle of Gold Country, at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Georgetown California has a small-town charm that's sure to please vacationers.

When we arrived during mid-July, the town was pumping with hundreds of Jeep owners for the annual Jeepers Jamboree, an off-road adventure that follows the Rubicon Trail.

It looked like fun, but we were here for river rafting. Located just about 15 minutes from the American River and historic town of Coloma, Georgetown makes a fine base for touring Marshall Gold Discovery State Park and the surrounding sights of the Mother Lode.

The entire town (number 484 on the California Historical Landmark list) is located on only about 2 city blocks, so you can easily cover everything in a day. During the height of the Gold Rush, Georgetown was home to about 5,000 residents. Today, only about 962 full-time residents live here.

Georgetown is steeped in Gold Rush lore. Founded by George Phipps in 1849, Georgetown was first named Growlersburg, in reference to the gold that "growled" in miner's pockets and pans. Solid deposits of gold were found throughout town during the 1850s, making it a huge base camp for miners.

To accommodate the growing population of gold-hungry miners, a large boarding house named White's Hall was constructed in 1853. Also known as the American Hotel, the building was burned during a fire in 1897, and was quickly reconstructed. In addition to a miner's home, the hotel also served as a sanitarium and brothel.

With such a fascinating history, we had to stay here. Today, the American Hotel is better known as The American River Inn. This Georgetown bed-and-breakfast, which has hosted stars including David Hasselhoff and Carol Channing, was part of our OARS Wine and Raft Tour. The tour included lodging, a day of wine tasting in El Dorado Wine Country, and a second day of rafting on the south fork of the American River.

Our host, Betty, was accompanied by her adorable black cocker spaniel, Dolly, who offered us a warm welcome upon arrival. Our stay included afternoon hors d'oeuvres and wine, along with a delicious full breakfast of quiche, ham, muffins, bagels, coffee and fruit salad in the morning. The individual-sized quiches, made in a muffin tin, were absolutely delicious.

Each of the hotel's rooms are decorated with old antiques, dolls and Victorian furnishings. In fact, many of the antiques are actually for sale.

I noticed a Ghost Hunter's Guide to California's Gold Rush Country in the hotel gift shop, and couldn't help but wonder if the place was haunted. Turns out, it is.

Word is that not only are the bodies of several miners still buried beneath the basement (casualties of a collapse of the Woodside Mine, which runs beneath the building), but a ghost named Oscar still haunts Room 5, pining for his lady love, a prostitute who used to frequent the room.

Apparently Oscar had planned to marry the woman, but he was shot on the footsteps of the hotel during a brawl with a customer. She was later found dead below the hotel balcony.

I definitely felt a ghostly presence at the top of the stairs, where Oscar (described as a romantic and friendly spirit) is known to hang out. He is said to be fond of honeymooners — shaking the bed, switching on the lights or tearing off the sheets. When he makes his appearance, Oscar is said to enter through the balcony and leave through the door at the top of the stairs.

Room 5, the Honeymoon Suite, is certainly the prettiest room in the hotel. Former NFL football star (and 3-time Superbowl player) John Niland was staying there with his wife during our visit. Niland, one of the top offensive lineman between 1966-1975, came down to join us during happy hour, sharing his stories about the Dallas Cowboys and his six Pro Bowls. He was a super-friendly guy.

If you're looking for more spooky lore, another haunted Georgetown lodging is the Georgetown Hotel & Bar (6260 Main Street; 530-333-2848). Opened on Aug. 7, 1849 by George Phipps, the hotel burned down three times (1852, 1856 and 1896). Among its many uses was a brothel, so it's not surprising that the place is haunted by a ghost named Merna, a lady of the night who was murdered by a boyfriend.

Merna is said to hang out in Room 5, often moving the drapes and turning on the faucet. Former caretaker "Big Dave," who died of a heart attack on the toilet, is also known to haunt the hotel (in a playful way), along with a phantom boy who bounces a ball down the stairs. Other rooms that have experienced spiritual activity include the kitchen, Room 10, Room 1 and Room 11.

If you have time, be sure to explore the Georgetown attractions, which all run along Main Street. The Miners Club (6285 Main Street; 530-333-4766) is a bustling bar where you can grab a cool one and catch up with the local townsfolk. Built in 1862, it operated as a morgue during the Civil War and is still rumored to be haunted. On Fridays, the bar plays host to karaoke parties.

There are several Georgetown restaurants to choose from.

Starvin' Dog Pizza (6297 Main Street; 530-333-1520; www.starvindogpizza.com) is a fun Georgetown restaurant with a full bar and wide variety of pizzas. For something out of the ordinary, try the Feta Spinach Chicken or Hawaiian Chicken Tomato pizzas.

Georgetown Coffee Co. (6259 Main Street; 530-333-2240; http://georgetowncoffeeco.webs.com) serves up breakfast burritos, bagels and biscuits for breakfast, and soups, salads and sandwiches for lunch. To get your motor running, try the Gold Rush, a mixture of coffee and espresso shots. Iced mochas, chai lattes and other coffeehouse treats are also sold here, along with ice creams, shakes and smoothies.

One of the top recommended Georgetown restaurants, Camp Virner (8800 Wentworth Springs Road, Georgetown; 530-333-4674), is an Italian-American-German restaurant with top-notch steaks, soups and other hearty fare. The service is friendly, and locals rave about the food.

At Worton's Market (6274 Main Street; 530-333-1489) you can pick up groceries, espresso, sandwiches and ice cream. The store also sells gifts, fishing and camping supplies. There are a few tables outside, complete with red and yellow umbrellas, where you can enjoy lunch while doing a little people watching.

Georgetown is located roughly 1 hour from Sacramento in California Gold Country. It serves as a fine touring base for American River Rafting Adventures and the Jeepers Jamboree on the Rubicon Trail.

Have you been to Georgetown, California? Share your favorite tips, reviews and memories with CaliforniaTravelExpert.com

Mahe Restaurant - Dana Point Restaurants

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 12:03:16 PST

This weekend, our California travels took us to Dana Point, one of my favorite little beach communities in Orange County.

Not only is Dana Point home to the annual Tall Ships festival, but it also has the Ocean Institute — an amazing ocean education center that also sponsors workshops, sails and whale watching tours throughout the year.

If you're ever in the area, a Dana Point restaurant you must try is Mahé — a great little sushi bar, bistro and teppan grill near Dana Point Harbor.

Celebrating its 2nd year, Mahé Dana Point joins Mahé Seal Beach as the second restaurant location for owner Toby Reece, specializing in fresh seafood, steaks and sushi.

We grabbed a table in the outdoor patio, which is framed by a wall of flames with plenty of outdoor heating lamps. Our server was very attentive and friendly, starting us out with a round of refreshing iced green tea, scented with jasmine and tropical fruits. It was a delightful departure from the standard tropical Paradise iced teas you get at most restaurants, and I'd never tasted anything like it. (If only I could buy some of it to prepare at home!)

Having skipped breakfast, we were prepared with a hearty appetite. First, we dove into an appetizer of Cody's Nachos ($12) — a huge platter of freshly-fried wonton crisps topped with sauteed shrimp, scallops and a fiery Asian pepper sauce. Even the kids were fighting over the last few bites.

Another standout was the "Trust Me" sushi, an elegant tangle of raw scallops and asparagus in a neatly wrapped and cut roll. There's plenty more sashimi and sushi rolls on the Mahe menu, from the Ahi Tataki Wraps ($15) stuffed with seared tuna, avocado, sprouts and dynamite crab & shrimp; to the Mahé, Cabo and Jackie Chan maki sushi rolls. The Cabo Roll ($14) is filled with filet mignon on the inside, and tomato, onion, cilantro and avocado on the outside. The restaurant also has a nice fresh oyster bar, prepared by the dozen either raw or Rockefeller style.

Since it was still chilly (thanks to a gloomy California summer), I started with their New England Clam Chowder ($7), a creamy soup stuffed with perfectly cooked potatoes, generous chunks of fresh clam and bacon, and a sprinkling of chopped fresh parsley. The Mahe clam chowder recipe, originally created by The Glider Inn's chef in Seal Beach, was probably one of the best clam chowders I've had in California, San Francisco included! In fact, I'm dying to get the recipe so I can prepare it back at home.

My friend, Julie, ordered the Mahé Crab Cakes appetizer ($15) as a main course, and there was more than plenty. Julie offered me a bite, and I eagerly accepted. The crab cakes were simply amazing — moist and succulent, fried with a panko crust and a side of honey-wasabi sauce.

The Mahe kids menu includes fish sticks, chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese or teriyaki, and our kids certainly enjoyed their meals. Our 9-year-old splurged on the Orange Peel Shrimp, a delicious mix of stir-fried shrimp, snow peas and cashews with a side of amazing creamy and cheesy polenta.

Rounding out our Mahe lunch menu was an order of Kobe Beef Sliders (topped with melted cheese and grilled onions) and the Mahi Mahi Sliders — served between three Hawaiian sweet bread rolls. Both were delicious and filling, and we'd certainly order it again.

The dessert menu — which included a Tahitian Vanilla Cheesecake — looked incredible, but sadly we were too stuffed to eat another bite. Ah well, there's always next time.

IF YOU GO
Mahe restaurant locations are in Seal Beach and Dana Point. Mahe Seal Beach is open for dinner only at 1400 Pacific Coast Highway, Seal Beach. (562) 431-3022. Mahe Seal Beach happy hour is held weekdays between

Mahe Dana Point is open for both lunch (Friday-Sunday only) and dinner ( 5 p.m. nightly) at 24961 Dana Point Harbor Drive, Dana Point. (949) 240-6243.

Visit them online at http://www.eatatmahe.com

What did you think of our Mahe review? Share your own Mahe reviews with us at CaliforniaTravelExpert.com

San Diego Labor Day Deals

Mon, 09 Aug 2010 17:50:13 PST

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.

San Luis Obispo Hotel Packages - August 2010

Wed, 04 Aug 2010 09:09:13 PST

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

American River Rafting Video

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 07:13:02 PST

California travel expert Veronica Hill of http://www.CaliforniaTravelExpert.com joins OARS on a whitewater rafting tour in this American River rafting video.

American River white water rafting is best between spring and late summer, depending on your level of experience.

American River raft rentals can be found in Coloma, California, which was home to the California gold rush. Most South Fork American River rafting trips also start around here, and are offered by several different rafting companies.

To learn more about whitewater rafting in California, visit http://www.CaliforniaTravelExpert.com/California_River_Rafting.shtml

This is the first in a series of videos about California Gold Country.

Big Bear Lake Wakeboard Tower

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 18:17:06 PST

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

Villains Tavern

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 16:29:39 PST

Heading to Downtown LA? For some fun libations and an ultra-hip vibe, check in at the new Villains Tavern — a restaurant and bar complex owned by Dana Hollister.

In case you don't know, Hollister is a celebrated force in the Hollywood scene, drawing such A-listers as Tom Petty, Tim Burton, Courtney Love, Robert Downey Jr., Madonna, and other luminaries to her LA hot spots.

Her new Villains Tavern, located in Downtown LA's Art District, sits on the railroad tracks, offering sweeping views of 4th and 6th street bridges.

When you arrive, check out the Villains Tavern menu, which offers a tantalizing mix of cocktails and appetizers.

Signature drinks include the Poison Apple (made with Vodka, Fresh Green Apple Juice, and a dash of Bitters); The Bella Donna (a chilled jar filled with shaved ice, Maker’s Mark Whiskey, Mint, Citrus and a Bramble of Blackberries) or The Cerberus, (a Brazilian mix of Cachaça, White Peach and Pineapple).

Chilled jars of beer are the perfect way to cool off, and you can choose from more than 28 brews. Don't miss the Maredsous 10 — a nutty ‘triple’ beer with citrus notes. Enjoy your beer with a flavor-profile matched shot of liquor — called the Villains Mix & Match.

Enjoy your drink on the patio bar, or head outside to the patio, where you can linger on the wooden pews under the canvas awning.

Villains Tavern offers a nice mix of pub grub, dressed up to impress. A few standout offerings include the 1/2-pound Kobe Villains Burger, topped with bacon marmalade, balsamic vinegar, and sour cherry spread; or the Villains Dog — a German Weiner topped with Braised Red Cabbage, Olive Tapenade, Bacon, and Cheese.

Watching your weight? Better stick with the Summer Farro Salad, topped with Roasted Beets, Heirloom Tomatoes, Feta cheese, and Sumac Vinaigrette.

Villains Tavern is located at 1356 Palmetto Street, Los Angeles, at the corner of Palmetto St. and Santa Fe Avenue. It is located just minutes from SCI-Arch, Molino Lofts, and Barker Block Lofts, with plentiful, free on-street parking and a secure bicycle rack for up to 12 bikes. Call (213) 613-0766.

Have you been to Villains Tavern? Share your Villains Tavern reviews with CaliforniaTravelExpert.com

Susie Cakes

Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:51:20 PST

With a nod to retro style, SusieCakes Bakery serves up homemade American confections from scratch — many straight from Grandma's cookbook.

The idea came from Susan Sarich, who opened her SusieCakes Bakery in Brentwood in 2006. Sarich, a graduate of Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration, was an instant success. Her signature layer cakes and custom cupcake creations flew off the shelves — all made in-house with the freshest and finest ingredients.

Today, there are several Susie Cakes LA locations, including Calabasas, Manhattan Beach and Brentwood. Susie Cakes Orange County is found in Newport Beach. And in Northern California, you will find the SusieCakes bakery at Greenbrae in Marin County.

The new, 750-square-foot SusieCakes San Francisco location is found on bustling Chestnut Street, featuring an old-fashioned glass bakery case and a retro-color scheme of seafoam, silver, and chocolate brown. Frosted to resemble a layer cake, a large viewing window offers mouth-watering views into the Cake Finishing Room.

Among the delicious Susie Cakes menu items, all from the Sarich Family Cookbook, are flaky-crusted fresh fruit pies, Frosted Animal Cookies, spongy cream-filled Whoopie Pies and Susie’s Signature Frosting-Filled Cupcakes. During the Christmas season, you can pick up their delightful gingerbread houses and Yule Logs.

Another signature item is the house-made Banana Pudding, served with Vanilla Wafers, Butterscotch Toffee and Chocolate Pudding. Mmmm.

At the Cake Wish Station, you can peruse picture books of custom cake options and work with the in-house cake consultants to create your dream custom layer cake or stacked cake. Susie’s Specialty Layer Cakes come in flavors including Southern Red Velvet and Chocolate Cake with Buttercream Frosting.

For children's birthdays, choose from a variety of themes, from Barbies to playful monkeys.

SusieCakes wedding cakes are artful and elegant, with a distinct retro vibe. You can even order custom-decorated sugar cookies and Whoopie Pies to match the wedding invitations.

Following are the SusieCakes locations in California.

SusieCakes Brentwood, 11708 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 442-2253
SusieCakes Calabasas, 23653 Calabasas Rd., Calabasas. (818) 591-2223
SusieCakes San Francisco, 2109 Chestnut St., San Francisco. (415) 474-2253
SusieCakes Greenbrae, 310 Bon Air Center, Greenbrae. (415) 461-2253
SusieCakes Newport Beach, 2043 Westcliff Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 646-6881
SusieCakes Manhattan Beach, 3500 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 150, Manhattan Beach. (310) 303-3780

For more information, visit the SusieCakes website at http://www.susiecakesla.com/ or www.susiecakessf.com

Have you been to SusieCakes Bakery? Share your SusieCakes reviews with us at CaliforniaTravelExpert.com