California

Where to Go in California

Warner Bros. Studio Tour is a tour of a Museum cum Studio. Visit some sets, costumes and learn about film making. However no kids under 8 are allowed. Summer timings are 9am to 3: 30pm and in winter are 9am to 3pm. Booking in advance is recommended.

If you want the luxury of an old ship, come to Queen Mary Seaport. It offers transatlantic historic ship walk tours, unique shops, an elegant restaurant, art deco saloons and on board hotel.

Six Flags Magic Mountain / Six Flags Hurricane Harbor offers you a thrill of a lifetime with its exciting and thrilling rides for the whole family. The Hurricane Harbor is open during summer time only, from May to September.

Disneyland Resort was created by Walt Disney himself offering great rides for all people of any age. It has now grown up to be the largest theme park in the world.

An island made from a Volcano’s lava spit, Ahjumawi Lava Springs State Park, is in the middle of a big lake. The place is accessible by boat only. The park is surrounded by lots of rivers and lakes, the cold water that flows into comes from Tule lake, on the Northern side.

From the park you get a stunning view of Mount Shasta. It offers hiking, fishing and a wonderful site for wildlife watching. Canoeists, boaters and hikers can explore this 6000 acres park.

With four miles of riverfront Bidwell- Sacramento River State Park, the park offers boating, canoeing, kayaking and river rafting to tourists. In this 180 acres park you can enjoy fishing, boating and picnicking.

From Fremont Peak you can watch the magnificent views of Gavilan Range, San Benito Valley, Salinas Valley and the Santa Lucia Mountains. The park also has an astronomical observatory, which is open to public on selected evenings.

The park’s elevated peak is 3,169 ft and has pine and oak woodlands. It is home for many birds and small animals.

California’s last major free flowing river runs through Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park which was established in 1929 and spread over 10,000 acres.

Dense ground cover has lots of variety of bushes, shrubs, ferns, flowers, lichens and mosses. Most of the park is watershed from the Smith River and Mill Creek, an important tributary.

With six miles of Sonoma Coast, Salt Point State Park, offers an elegant view ranging from sandy beach coves to steep and sandstone cliffs.

At the coastal edge it has a pigmy forest in which you’ll find wild pigs, brown pelicans, long tailed weasel, black tailed deer, coyotes, raccoons and variety of rodents. The park is a place where you can go hiking, horse riding and even diving too.

With the oak-forested slopes, Verdugo Mountains has lots of trails along with sycamore-lined streams. From its peak (3,126 ft) you see beautiful views of surrounding Mountains like San Gabriel and the San Fernando Valleys and the plains of Los Angeles.

Located on the Western slope of the Sierra Nevada, Calaveras Big Trees State Park has two giant groves with the oldest redwood trees of California. The immensely tall trees have even survived the heavy logging in the 19th century.

The state parks in California offer all visitors places for picnicking, hiking and fishing – so try to get there if you can.

California

Summer Fun Along the Southern California Coastline Road Trip

Last time, we cruised along the Northern California Coastline; now it’s time to rev up your Road Trip Planner and zip along the southern coastline to complete your own California Cruisin’ Dream Trip.

We left off in one of my favorite areas, Big Sur. Simply put — and the main reason to include this in your road trip planning — Big Sur offers stunning views. It’s that stretch of highway where land meets sea in a jaw-dropping way because the Santa Lucia Mountains rise like colossal sentries from the Pacific Ocean.

I recommend staying on Highway 1 for an unforgettable coastal road trip. This way, your Road Trip Planner will include highlights like hiking at Limekiln State Park, and treasure hunting at Jade Beach, one of the few places in the world where you can find quality Jade strewn about like pebbles.

Settle into your road trip with a scenic drive along the Cabrillo Highway till it turns into the San Luis Obispo North Coast Highway. Soon you’ll find San Simeon, home of the opulent Hearst Castle. Hearst Castle is the palatial estate built by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst. It’s one of the largest of historic house museums in the U.S. and well worth the ticket price for the informative tour.

From here, suggested places to add to your road trip planner are Morro Bay, San Luis Obispo, and Pismo Beach (a popular ATV camping spot because of all the sand dunes).

Now here’s where I’ll recommend cutting over to Highway 101 to discover a California city with a decidedly Danish twist, Solvang. I found it utterly charming, with stores offering delicate lace and handmade quilts, Danish cuisine in quaint restaurants, and a European flavor to the buildings lining the main streets. Of course, you’ll see the ocean again once you head into Santa Barbara, a quintessential California coastal city.

Below Oxnard, you’ll find the sexy city of Malibu, full of opulent homes on the lolling hills and beautiful bodies on the beaches. Be sure to enjoy the Santa Monica Pier as you continue south. It’s a fun place to spend the evening. But you’ll definitely daylight to people-watch the myriad of characters found at Venice Beach.

By now, you’re in the thick of Southern California, a region where sunglasses, shorts, and flip-flops are the main attire. Another well-to-do city is Newport Beach, worthy of inclusion in your road trip planner. A delightful surprise on my last trip south was the Dana Point Harbor, one of the prettiest harbors I’ve come across in my journeys. Nearby, you’ll find San Juan Capistrano, another great cultural stop, this time with a Spanish twist, as you stroll the grounds of the California icon, Mission San Juan Capistrano.

If you want to taste the salt air & be completely surrounded by water, then add to your road trip planner a stop near Newport Beach and hop a ferry to Santa Catalina Island & explore the appealing city of Avalon. This is a popular cruise stop destination so you can enjoy glass-bottom boat rides, take a trolley car up to some lush gardens, or enjoy snorkeling to the left of the pier (on the pier, facing land).

Now it’s San Diego time, the biggest southern city before you hit the Mexican border! There you’ll find a thriving city with distinct areas like Little Italy, the Gaslamp Quarter, and Balboa Park. Include in your road trip plans a fun side trip by driving to an island, compliments of the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge. You’ll easily spot the famous Hotel Del Coronado, a sprawling white and red-roofed resort, which housed Presidents, movie stars & tycoons in its illustrious past. From there, scoot along the Silver Stand Highway just for the sheer enjoyment of cruising a highway flanked by water on both sides. For even more fun, enjoy a sunset gondola ride and pretend you’re in Venice, Italy! From there, you’re less than 5 miles from the Mexico border with San Ysidro being the southernmost community.

So there you have it. Between this blog and Cruisin’ The California Coastline Road Trip – Part I, you’ve now hugged the California coastline from stern to bow, complete with side-trips only the locals know about. To do this road trip justice, I’d recommend at least two weeks. But however you fill your Road Trip Planner, you’re guaranteed awesome photos, spectacular sunsets, and a lot of cool cruisin!

California

How much is the rent for just one bedroom in California?

I am planning to move out of my parents, and I want to just rent a bedroom, in the southern California area, preferably the San Fernando Area, and since I’ve never had to pay rent here, I want to plan out how much I will have to set apart monthly. I just need a bedroom with a closet, where my full bed and vanity fit. Thank you. Your answers will be greatly appreciated. Have a great day…

California

Fire Lookout is the Ultimate California Getaway

If you’re the type of traveler who truly likes to get away from people – who puts a high premium on quiet, uninterrupted peace, and who will not go into withdrawal if you have to go a night without television – then have we got the place. The Morton Peak Fire Lookout is now booking overnight stays for people just like you.

You could hardly find a more unique getaway than staying in a working fire lookout. During daytime, the lookout is staffed by volunteer lookout hosts who have attended classes to learn just how to spot forest fires. Most likely you, too, will gain a little insight into this valuable Forest Service activity, as well as learn about the animals, plants and features of this particular part of the forest.

The U.S. Forest Service views the lookout rental program as a way to generate a little good PR at a time when they have to keep telling people that services may be more limited or more expensive due to tight budgets. For just $75 a night ($85 on a weekend) you get your own “cabin on stilts” with a zillion dollar view and solitude to match.

We called the Big Bear Lake Resort Association to reserve our night and found out this is the only lodging of its kind in Southern California. The lookout actually is just at the edge of the San Bernardino Forest and, if you’re coming from the Los Angeles area, it will save you about 45 minutes off the normal two-hour drive to Big Bear.

We picked up our keys and signed our waivers at the Mill Creek Ranger Station in Mentone, only about five miles from the tower. The forms tell you that a trip to the tower is “inherently dangerous” – although if you can climb a steep set of stairs, you’ve eliminated about the only real danger we could see.

The last three miles up to the lookout were on a steep, rutted road – perfect to at least get some use out of your SUV’s 4-wheel drive – you know, the 4-wheel drive you paid thousands extra for just because it seemed cool. We should admit, though, it probably wasn’t even necessary to kick it into 4-wheel; 2-wheel drive will get you there, too.

At the end of our journey was a small clearing on a mountain top with, as advertised, a 30-foot tower and a 14X14 “cabin” on the top. Maybe a more apt description would be an aircraft control tower on stilts, as the cabin had windows running the length of every wall, looking in every direction.

We climbed the short two flights of stairs – they’re steep, but not especially challenging – and were greeted by Jeff Palmquist, the Morton Peak Lookout Leader. It’s Jeff’s job to recruit and help train an all-volunteer force that operates this lookout in addition to six other towers in the San Bernardino Forest. We learned from Jeff that this particular tower, elevation 4624 feet, was built in the 1930′s, then burned down and rebuilt in 1960. It eventually went out of service and into disrepair as the Forest Service cut back on its paid lookout program, but was rebuilt in 2001 with a $5,000 government grant and a volunteer work force.

On our visit, Palmquist was part lookout host, part activities director as he prepared us for our night in the wilderness. He talked about the animal sightings in the area – ground squirrels, mountain lions, bobcats, road-runners and “a bear that we think lives right over that knoll” – many of which have migrated to this area because of fires in nearby parts of the forest. He showed our six-year-old the fine art of chasing tarantula spiders from their ground holes. He demonstrated the use of the Osborne Fire Finder, a device used to plot on a map where you are seeing smoke or a fire. He showed off a compost outhouse that he calls “the best toilet in the national forest.” Oh, and he showed us how to secure the lookout so no person or animal could ever visit us in the middle of the night.

Soon we were ready for our night at the edge of the world. About 5 p.m. – the end of his shift — Palmquist drove down the windy road, locked the heavy tubular gate behind him, and we were on our own in the forest. There was an awesome silence, then a slight breeze rustling the two pine trees next to our tower. As the sun dipped slowly, the nearby mountains darkened while, at the same time, the city lights below us came alive. The juxtaposition seemed unusual – here we were perched on a mountainside all by ourselves, yet below us were the lights of nearly the entire Los Angeles basin.

The lookout is small, but comfortable for a couple or perhaps a couple with one or two small children. There are just two twin beds, but space enough to roll some blankets out onto the floor if you need to. There’s no running water in the cabin, no refrigeration, no power. Cooking is restricted to the picnic table outside and you must haul in your own gas stove because fires and charcoal briquettes are not allowed.

As the sun set, we found ourselves playing a family game, a rewarding alternative to the usual time spent in front of a television. Soon it was dark – or as dark as it was going to get with nearly a full moon – and we spent some time studying a sky where constellations and planets were as clear as we could ever remember. A satellite moved slowly overhead. Soon it felt like time for bed, even though it was just 9 p.m. We drifted into a restful sleep as the cool summer air flowed through our screened windows.

Morning came early to a lookout with shade-less windows on all sides. We were up and hiking by 6 a.m., enjoying the 70-degree temperatures that on this August day were sure to reach the mid-90′s later in the day. Soon it was time to pack up and head down the long, winding dirt road to the bottom of the hill just as the next day’s volunteers were headed up to the lookout to act as sentinels for yet another day in the forest.

In a half-hour we were back in busy city traffic – we had felt like we were so far away, yet we never really left civilization.

AT A GLANCE

WHERE: The Morton Peak Lookout is located off Highway 38, overlooking the cities of Yucaipa and Mentone. It has views of Mill Creek, Forest Falls, Mt. Palomar, Keller Meadows, Keller Cliffs and the San Bernardino Valley.

WHAT: A fire lookout station that is still used to watch for forest fires in the San Bernardino Mountains.

WHEN: Year-round, weather and fire-permitting.

WHY: If you’re looking for a totally remote location, an unusual getaway experience and spectacular 360-degree views, you’ll understand why as soon as you arrive.

HOW: For more information on reservations at Morton Peak Lookout, call the Big Bear Resort Association at 1-800-4-BIG-BEAR or visit www.bigbear.com. If you are interested in volunteering for the lookouts, contact Jeff Palmquist at 323-567-1479. Lookout volunteers take 16 hours of instruction and sign up for two four-hour shifts each month during fire season.

California

History of Scotts Valley, California

The history of Scotts Valley, California is a lengthy tale. It is positioned at the bottom of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Archaeological digs have unearthed remnants of the Paleo Indian culture dating back as far as eight to twelve thousand years. Settlements of the Ohlone tribes are thought to date back as far as 2,000 B.C. It was also home to the Shasta tribe and many beaver. Wild produce such as acorns, berries, cherries, and plums made the area attractive to indigenous people. Steelhead fish and salmon supplied many meals for people of the region.

The region was formerly called Rancho San Agustin during the time of the Spanish-Mexican inhabitants. The area extends for over 4,400 acres. It was given to Jose Antonio Bolcoff who was recorded to be residing with his wife there in 1836. Bolcoff was a native of Russia but later became a Mexican citizen. He spent a period of time as a traveling interpreter for Alta, California’s governor, Pablo Vicente de Sol .Bolcoff abandoned his “rancho” and it was then given over to his brother in law Joseph Ladd Majors.

Majors was an American citizen from Tennessee. He had previously earned a living as a trapper. When he came to the area he assisted in the operation of a distillery with Job Dye. He constructed a grist mill where area residents were able to get much need ground wheat. He used the “rancho” to assist in stowing away British and American citizens. They were being threatened by the Mexican government who wanted to banish all of the “foreigners” in the area. Meanwhile, Paul Sweet helped to develop the tanning industry in the region. There was a large presence of tanbark oaks within the Santa Cruz Mountains. He was a native of the state of Rhode Island.

Mayor Joseph Ladd Majors was elected into office, and in later years served as treasurer to the city. He decided to sell his property in 1850. A native of Maine, Hiram Scott, purchased Major’s property. Scott had worked as a seaman but became a gold prospector in the area. His family was the only residents in the area for a long period of time. The city was named in his honor. Quail, deer, coyotes, wolves, mink, and grizzly bears were plentiful and indigenous to the region during that time period. He eventually sold off his land to a few different families as they came into the area.

Locke’s Springvale Dairy was an attraction in the area. The dairy donated some land to the school district. Social activities largely took place within the school which became the social hub. Apples, butter, cheese, grapes, poultry and milk became staples of the areas produce. The beautiful landscape of the region called to tourists from many places, especially after The Great Depression. History of Scotts Valley, California shows that the area did not become incorporated until 1964 and wasn’t truly a city until 1966. The city is now home to many high tech firms.

California

Rving in California: Tips on Rv Camping, Rv Parks and Places to Visit in California

California gets its “Golden State” nickname from the Gold Rush of the mid-1800s – but also deserves the handle because RVing in California offers a golden opportunity for travelers on the go! As the third largest state in the country, California has so many different landscapes it can seem like all fifty states rolled into one. There’s the desert, the mountains, big cities, small towns and more than 1000 miles of breathtaking coastline. This makes for excellent RVing and countless sightseeing destinations – Here are some ideas on how to enjoy your RVing in California.

California RV Camping and RV Campgrounds: Something for Everyone

There’s such wide geographical variety in California that the state is divided into 12 regions. Each has its own unique natural beauty, man-made splendor – and weather! With all the California terrain and weather differences, research California RV camping and California RV campgrounds specific for your RVing journey and prepare accordingly. There is truly something for everyone who enjoys the outdoors – skiing, boating, fishing, hiking and lots of beach RV campsites.

California RV Camping and RV Parks: A State for all Seasons

It’s hard to imagine covering all of California in one journey (there’s more than 150,000 square miles!) So if you’re flexible, think about when you most want to go on your California RV camping trip. If you’re a snowbird on the run from cold weather at home, you probably won’t want to go to the High Sierra mountains in the winter, as you’ll find snow and low temperatures. Looking for a champagne stopover on a beer budget? Prime time to visit Palm Springs is in the winter, with prices to match, but if you go in the summer-time off-season, RV campsites and RV parks are likely to be more reasonably priced and much more readily available. Make sure though that your air conditioning is working and make room for plenty of sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat!

RVing in California: Visit California’s Greatest Places

Because of the state’s generally mild climate, most RV campsites in California are up and running year-round. If you’re planning on RVing to the Golden State, you might want to concentrate on one area. If you’ve never been to California before, start with some well-know highlights: San Francisco and nearby Muir Woods, then venture further north to wine country, or Southern California known for its Hollywood glamour and some of the most popular attractions in the U.S.A., including Universal Studios, the Getty Center, Venice Beach and of course the happiest place on earth, Disneyland. Be sure to research discounts such as AAA, AARP, groups, etc.!

RVing in California: Visit Fairs & Festivals in Every Flavor

Many people associate California with business, Silicon Valley and San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, but did you know California is the nation’s #1 agricultural state? With most harvesting done in the spring and early summer, there’s a bumper crop of festivals celebrating locally-grown fruits and vegetables. Most are cozy, down home events, which benefit regional community organizations. While RVing in California, here’s a tasty sampling:

• Apricot Capitol of the World, Patterson – holds an Apricot Fiesta every year

• Butter & Egg Day in Petaluma commemorates the town’s egg and dairy history

• Gilroy Garlic Festival, in its third decade, attracts over 100,000 visitors a year and

• Asparagus Festival – more than 40,000 pounds of asparagus are consumed annually at the Stockton

Most all of the areas where there are Fairs & Festivals have plenty of RV Parks, RV Campgrounds and RV Camping facilities!

California RV Campgrounds & RV Camping at the Beach!

The beaches of California and the Pacific Coast Highway are world famous, and deservedly so. Beautiful ocean vistas, sand, surf and seasonal glimpses of migrating whales are just some of the more obvious highlights. You can plan an entire California RVing excursion just by driving north or south along the coast. If you’re RVing on the California beaches, consider getting a copy of the California Coast Access Guide, which contains information on more than 890 public access coastal areas, 100+ maps and clear descriptions of RV camping, RV parks, RV campgrounds, trails and recreation areas.

California

Horizon Air’s Winter Service to Mammoth Mountain Resumes Today, December 17 With Flights from California and Pacific …

Horizon Air’s Winter Service to Mammoth Mountain Resumes Today, December 17 With Flights from California and Pacific …
MAMMOTH LAKES, Calif.—-Horizon Air’s winter service to Mammoth Mountain resumes today, December 17, carrying skiers and boarders from Los Angeles, Portland, San Jose, Reno and Seattle to a ski resort that is already reaping the rewards of an El Niño winter with a base of 3 to 6 feet and more on the way.

Read more on Business Wire via Yahoo! Finance

California

Parking ticket in Utah; live in California; supposed to apppear in Utah?

Hey everybody,

Yesterday I went skiing at the Solitude Resort in Salt Lake City, UT. It had snowed the day before and the snow plows had pushed the snow to the side of the road. The parking lot was full so I decided to park along the side of Big Cottonwood Canyon Road just like 100 or 200 other people there because of the full lot. So everyones car was stuck about 6-12 inches over the white line dividing the lane and shoulder because they could physically not park any more to the right because of the snow. Turns out when I got back from skiing (4pm) I, along with everyone else there, had received a ticket for ‘parking in the lane of travel’. The ticket only has my car description and license plate # on it, not any of my personal info (which they cal pull from CA DMV records via the plates). The ticket has no fine amount, it says I have to appear in the Salt Lake County Justice not before Jan. 5th. But, I am leaving to go back to CA tomorrow (the 2nd!). So what do I do?
I forgot to add, I have pictures of the scene and everything and have my defense prepared.

Also, according to section 77-7-21, I am supposed to appear in the correct court. Is this the closest one to my home, or closest one to me in UT, or closest one to the violation?
And yes, it was obvious the officers knew this was goign to happen and were wanting to meet their quota super fast. On the way up the mountain (12 miles in the canyon), at the base I saw 3 SLCounty Sheriff’s Expeditions at a cafe, so they just waiteed until everyone was up there and followed and nailed us.

California

Idyllwild is Easy Mountain Getaway in Southern California

While living in or visiting Southern California, a trip to the mountains is closer than you might think. The San Jacinto range offers a stark contrast to the warm, arid climate just a few miles away and, for that reason, places like Idyllwild have become popular getaways for people who want a taste of the four seasons.

Not too much of a taste, mind you. This is a great place to try out that four-wheel drive and see if it’s worth the extra money you paid for it. The fact is Southern California residents, for the most part, don’t need four-wheel drive.

So up these weekenders go to the windy roads and steep ridges that take them 5,000 feet, 6,000 feet and higher above Hemet, the nearest city of any size in this part of Riverside County. The community of Idyllwild is set in amongst the pine trees that Mother Nature has combined with oak and spruce to create a powerful allure for people who grow weary of what passes for trees in Southern California’s cities.

During winter, most visitors are more than happy to return to warmer climes after their weekend dalliance because shoveling snow is just not one of the things Southern California residents are programmed to do. Many of them think it’s better to get just enough exposure to the snow and frigid temperatures to appreciate why they are willing to pay the high price of living in sunny Southern California – and then go home.

That’s why about three-quarters of the residences in Idyllwild remain vacant most of the time. It’s a city of vacation cabins – most now going for more than $300,000 – and at any given time there are only a few of them being used. Only about 2,000 hearty souls choose to reside on “The Hill” as Idyllwild has become known over the years even though as many as 50,000 visitors on a weekend day can make it tough to find a parking spot anywhere close to downtown Idyllwild. Yet no one seems deterred – people flock to Idyllwild because it’s so close and yet so different.

The “Yosemite of the South,” another common nickname for Idyllwild, has grown up sporadically over the years. There have been a few attempts at major resort developments in the area – ski hills and golf courses were part of some plans – but nothing big has really taken hold. So today you find a mountain village with a few earthy folks willing to brave the elements, and then a whole bunch more of those weekend vacation warriors who turn around and head for sunny L.A. in time for work Monday morning.

There are no big resorts — the accommodations range from smaller motel-type units to “executive’ vacation homes. There are several bed-and-breakfast or country inns as well as cabin motels offering mini-cabins mixed with several others on the same property.

For our recent trip, we chose to rent a three-bedroom “cabin” about three miles outside of Idyllwild. It really was as large as a house, but with its cedar interior, two fireplaces and a free-standing wood stove, this house gave every bit the impression that it was in fact a cabin. It was well furnished with a complete kitchen and all dishware and utensils, a living room with a comfy couch, lounge chair and satellite TV and plenty of deck space to gaze out at the spectacular – albeit slightly obstructed – view of the mountainsides and valley below.

Muir’s Mountain Vacation Rental set us up with a cabin that was exactly what we wanted – a true mountain retreat that was nicely separated from any nearby cabins on wooded property that gave us a true feeling of seclusion. Built just in front of a massive boulder, we hiked just a few yards higher and could gaze out on views that stretched all the way to the Pacific Ocean. The views from inside the cabin were great, too, and enhanced by the ample use of picture windows on the upper two floors.

On this particular trip we were content to spend much of our weekend at the cabin. We spent a lot of quiet time reading and just soaking up the atmosphere, or playing with our five-year-old, choosing to leave the television turned off so we could focus on being a family more than we sometimes do at home.

Even though this was a January trip, we visited Idyllwild at a somewhat atypical time when there was little snow on the ground and no need to crank up our own four-wheel drive. Skies were clear and blue but temperatures dipped down to the 20′s in the evening. We were thankful we had brought lots of warm clothing. Daytime temps were in the 40′s and 50′s, just cool enough to feel like we were a continent away from our home near San Diego.

We enjoyed spending some time in downtown Idyllwild where there seemed to be an endless variety of shops and a steady stream of visitors. There were shops selling anything you can imagine and in some unusual combinations. California Street Collectibles, for example, sells Christmas ornaments, dolls, Harley merchandise, Nascar merchandise and – financial planning.

We enjoyed strolling the streets of Idyllwild, where we discovered such fascinating attractions as the old-time theater – the “Rustic” – which shows just one movie three times a day, but leaves the snack stand open for passersby to enjoy popcorn with real butter. Just down the street is the homemade candy shop which had nearly a dozen people waiting to go inside. Even the ice cream shop a few doors down was enjoying brisk business despite the cool temperatures.

In the town center is the Idyllwild Tree Monument, a 50-foot totem pole that was carved by chainsaw in 1989 as an effort to salvage a dying 400-year-old ponderosa pine. The monument depicts an eagle, mountain lion, squirrel, raccoon, American Indian, coyote and butterfly and, interestingly, is the final resting place of Ernie Maxwell, a longtime Idyllwild civic booster and founder of the local Town Crier newspaper.

Art galleries are also a big part of Idyllwild and there are no fewer than 17 of them for visitors to tour. In fact, Idyllwild is included in a new book “The 100 Best Art Towns in America” by John Villani.

We stopped by the Idyllwild Historic Society Museum, a historic 1920′s summer cabin that now has exhibits pertaining to the Idyllwild area. It turns out that the area was first settled by the Cahuilla Indians some 2500 years ago and followed by the first mining prospectors in the 1850′s. Ranching and farming came a few years later and, by 1875, there was a significant lumber operation in Idyllwild. The museum also depicts more recent history when, from the 1920′s through the 1960′s, several Hollywood films were shot on location in the area.

We enjoyed the La Casita Mexican restaurant, but there were several other dining options. Other choices in the area include Greek and Chinese as well as several steak and seafood restaurants, pizza restaurants and more.

When we go back in summer, we will take advantage of many of the outdoor activities that Idyllwild has to offer. Lily’s Rock – a.k.a. Tahquitz Rock – is a dramatic rock face visible high on the mountainside that symbolizes the rugged outdoor beauty so prevalent in this area. Several hiking trails take visitors deeper into the forest, including the Pacific Crest Trail. There are, in fact, 272,000 acres that have been set aside and designated as the Santa Rosa & San Jacinto Mountains National Monument.

AT A GLANCE

WHERE: Idyllwild is just west of the Palm Springs area and is easily reached on Highway 243, accessible from Highway 10, the main route to Palm Springs.

WHAT: Idyllwild and nearby mountain communities represent an easy-to-get-to four-seasons getaway that is just a couple of hours from Los Angeles.

WHEN: Year-round. Summers are sunny and pleasant. Winters can be cold and occasionally snowy.

WHY: It’s a charming mountain village with a wide selection of accommodations and tourist services. The scenery is spectacular.

HOW: For more information on Idyllwild, visit www.idyllwildchamber.com or phone 888-659-3259. For more information on cabin rentals, visit www.idyllwildcabins.com or phone 877-270-3285. If looking for a room rather than a cabin, the Atipahato Lodge comes recommended. Visit www.atipahatolodge.com or phone 888-400-0071.

California

Top 25 Schools In San Diego County, California – 2006

School quality is one of the most important factors that parents consider when determining where to buy a home, condominium or townhouse. In the past, it was difficult to evaluate the quality of schools because no consistent evaluation standards existed between states, and sometimes between counties within a state. However, federal legislation such as No Child Left Behind (passed in 2002) sought to remedy this situation. But even before 2002, some states anticipated the need for greater consistency and accountability within their schools. For example, in 1999, legislators in California passed the California Public Schools Accountability Act (PSAA). Among many other requirements, the PSAA established a school performance metric known as the Academic Performance Index (API).

The API was designed to measure the academic performance and growth of schools. The API is reported as a numerical score that ranges from a low of 200 to a high of 1000. Schools in California are expected to achieve a score of 800 or higher. The API score is evaluated over a two-year cycle. This first year is considered the Base API Score, and the second year is considered the API Growth Score. To determine if a school has improved from the pervious year, simply compare the base score against the growth score.

In California, the API is calculated based on data from a variety of tests administered at different grade levels. These tests cover a broad range of academic topics such as: English, Writing, Math, History, Social Science, Language Arts, Science and General Knowledge. Results from each of the tests are consolidated and weighted to form the annual API score for a school, district, and county. These tests are administered annually and the API results are reported in late August or early September every year.

If you’re thinking of buying a home or any other type of real estate in San Diego County, you may be interested in knowing which are the best performing elementary, middle and high schools in the region.

Top 25 Public Elementary Schools in San Diego County (2006)

The list below ranks the top 25 elementary schools within the county based on their 2006 API Score. Also listed is the school’s district, their 2005 API score, and the number of students tested within the school. As mentioned above, scores range from 200 to 1000, with a minimum performance threshold of 800 or above.

1.Sage Canyon (Del Mar Union District). 2006 API = 966; 2005 API = 963; Students: 480
2.Creek Side (Poway Unified District). 2006 API = 961; 2005 API = 955, Students: 520
3.Ashley Falls (Del Mar Union Elementary). 2006 API = 958; 2005 API = 943, Students: 439
4.Carmel Creek (Solana Beach Elementary). 2006 API = 956; 2005 API = 946, Students: 288.
5.Solana Pacific (Solana Beach Elementary). 2006 API = 954; 2005 API = 945, Students: 452.
6.Torrey Hills (Del Mar Union Elementary). 2006 API = 952; 2005 API = 950, Students: 531.
7.Solana Highlands (Solana Beach Elementary). 2006 API = 949; 2005 API = 947, Students: 292.
8.Del Mar Heights (Del Mar Union Elementary). 2006 API = 947; 2005 API = 929, Students: 299
9.Deer Canyon (Poway Unified School District). 2006 API = 947; 2005 API = 924, Students: 403.
10.Bird Rock Elementary (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 943; 2005 API = 948, Students: 301.
11.El Camino Creek (Encinitas Union Elementary). 2006 API = 941; 2005 API = 928, Students: 653.
12.Park Village (Poway Unified District). 2006 API = 940; 2005 API = 917, Students: 560.
13.Flora Vista (Encinitas Union Elementary). 2006 API = 939; 2005 API = 912, Students: 346.
14.Olivenhain Pioneer (Encinitas Union Elementary). 2006 API = 939; 2005 API = 928, Students: 555.
15.Rancho Santa Fe (Rancho Santa Fe Elementary District). 2006 API = 939; 2005 API = 942, Students: 571.
16.Solana Santa Fe (Solana Beach Elementary). 2006 API = 938; 2005 API = 934, Students: 284.
17.Kelley Elementary (Carlsbad Unified). 2006 API = 934; 2005 API = 925, Students: 349.
18.Robert E. Dingeman (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 932; 2005 API = 930, Students: 554.
19.Mission Estancia (Encinitas Union Elementary). 2006 API = 925; 2005 API = 922 Students: 382.
20.Chaparral (Poway Unified District). 2006 API = 924; 2005 API = 894, Students: 529.
21.Jerabek (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 924; 2005 API = 928, Students: 545.
22.Scripps -Ellen Browning (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 924; 2005 API = 924, Students: 333.
23.Curie (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 923; 2005 API = 910, Students: 389
24.Painted Rock (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 922; 2005 API = 912, Students 450.
25.Hearst (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 922; 2005 API = 903, Students: 263

Top 25 Public Middle Schools in San Diego County (2006)

The list below ranks the top 25 middle schools within the county based on their 2006 API Score. Also listed is the school’s district, their 2005 API score, and the number of students tested within the school. As mentioned above, scores range from 200 to 1000, with a minimum performance threshold of 800 or above.

1.Carmel Valley (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 API = 941; 2005 API = 931; Students: 1,252.
2.Rancho Santa Fe (Rancho Santa Fe Elementary). 2006 API = 938; 2005 API = 933. Students: 101.
3.Warren (Earl) Middle (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 API = 908; 2005 API = 885. Students: 551.
4.Mesa Verde Middle (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 904; 2005 API = 895, Students: 1,355.
5.Diegueno (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 API = 896; 2005 API = 873; Students: 931.
6.Oak Valley (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 892; 2005 API = Not Reported, Students: 599.
7.Thurgood Marshall (San Diego Unified) 2006 API = 891; 2005 API = 888, Students: 1,075.
8.Bernardo Heights (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 877; 2005 API = 878, Studnets: 1,331.
9.Muirlands Middle (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 877; 2005 API = 860, Students: 1,010.
10.High Tech Middle (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 876; 2005 API = 865, Students: 348.
11.Coronado Middle (Coronado Unified). 2006 API = 874; 2005 API = 872, Students: 671.
12.Twin Peaks Middle (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 873; 2005 API = 868, Students: 1,505.
13.Aviara Oaks Middle (Carlsbad Unified). 2006 API = 872; 2005 API = 864, Students:761.
14.KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 858; 2005 API = 754, Students: 234.
15.High Tech Middle International (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 856. 2005 API = Not Reported, Students: 302.
16.Hillsdale Middle (Cajon Valley Union Elementary). 2006 API = 852; 2005 API = 835, Students: 1,492.
17.Oak Crest Middle (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 API = 852; 2005 API = 851, Students: 959.
18.Black Mountain Middle (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 844; 2005 API = 845, Students: 1,289.
19.Calavera Hills Middle (Carlsbad Unified). 2006 API = 840; 2005 API = 830. Students: 489.
20.Meadowbrook Middle (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 838; 2005 API = 845, Students: 1,370.
21.Mac Queen (Joan) (Alpine Union Elementary). 2006 API = 817; 2005 API = 803, Students: 781.
22.Valley Middle (Carlsbad Unified). 2006 API = 816; 2005 API = 800, Students: 1026.
23.Standley Middle (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 816; 2005 API = 838, Students: 1,297.
24.Wangenheim (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 816; 2005 API = 797, Students: 1,208.
25.Valley Center Middle (Valley Center-Pauma Unified). 2006 API = 815; 2005 API = 762, Students: 642.

Top 25 Public High Schools in San Diego County (2006)

The list below ranks the top 25 high schools within the county based on their 2006 API Score. Also listed is the school’s district, their 2005 API score, and the number of students tested within the school. As mentioned above, scores range from 200 to 1000, with a minimum performance threshold of 800 or above.

1.River Valley Charter (Lakeside Union Elementary). 2006 API = 888; 2005 API = 868, Students: 142.
2.Preuss Model School at UCSD (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 879; 2005 API = 861, Students: 681.
3.Canyon Crest Academy (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 API = 868; 2005 API = 842, Students: 824.
4.Coronado High (Coronado Unified). 2006 API = 851; 2005 API = 838, Students: 745.
5.San Dieguito High Academy (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 API = 836; 2005 API = 814, Students: 1,096.
6.Rancho Bernardo High (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 833; 2005 API = 832, Students: 2,059.
7.Torrey Pines High (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 API = 832; 2005 API = 821, Students: 2,145.
8.High Tech High (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 829; 2005 API = 792, Students: 373.
9.La Jolla Senior High (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 822; 2005 API = 834, Students: 1,235.
10.Westview High (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 820; 2005 API =809, Students:1,594.
11.Poway High (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 815; 2005 API = 829, Students: 2,235.
12.Mt. Carmel High (Poway Unified). 2006 API = 806; 2005 API = 824, Students: 1,620.
13.La Costa Canyon High (San Dieguito Union High). 2006 API = 805; 2005 API = 782, Students: 1,880.
14.School of International Studies at S. D. (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 797; 2005 API = 795. Students:349.
15.Dehesa Charter School (Dehesa Elementary). 2006 API = 793; 2005 API = 785, Students: 376.
16.High Tech International (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 789; 2005 API = 764, Students: 269.
17.Scripps Ranch High (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 789; 2005 API = 799, Students: 1,677.
18.High Tech Media Arts (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 777; 2005 API = Not Reported, Students: 159.
19.Carlsbad High (Carlsbad Unified). 2006 API = 775; 2005 API = 768, Students: 2,145.
20.Escondido Charter (Escondido Union High). 2006 API = 775; 2005 API = 755, Students: 533.
21.Mira Mesa (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 775; 2005 API = 758, Students: 1,795.
22.Julian High (Julian Union High). 2006 API = 767; 2005 API =726, Students: 154.
23.University City High (San Diego Unified). 2006 API = 766; 2005 API = 766, Students: 1,350.
24.Valhalla High (Grossmont Union High). 2006 API = 763; 2005 API = 739, Students: 1,437.
25.Steele Canyon High (Grossmont Union High). 2006 API = 748; 2005 API = 735, Students: 1,501.

The rankings above include only schools that were classified by the California Department of Education as specifically an elementary, middle or high school. Schools classified in the “small” school category (which have less than 100 students) or “alternate” schools were not included in this ranking. Readers should verify the accuracy of the ratings above by visiting the California Department of Education’s Web site.