High Sierras
Off Season Adventures in Lake Tahoe
The period from September to November is known as off-season, or swing season, in Lake Tahoe so it is the perfect time for quiet getaway. Another great time to visit Lake Tahoe is in the spring, from March through May so during these times you will see smaller crowds, less traffic and cheaper hotel rates. Although you might not be able to ski or snowboard, other great off-season activities include horseback riding, camping, fishing, golfing, zip lining and wine tasting.
San Francisco Bay Area
Shoulder Season Visits to Santa Rosa
Santa Rosa, California is blessed with mild weather all year long so visitors are encouraged to visit during shoulder season, around September and October, to experience better hotel rates and less crowded wineries. Sometimes weather can be a problem for curious travelers but in Santa Rosa there is a plethora of indoor activities. Epicenter is a state-of-the-art indoor sports complex with indoor courts, trampoline gym, laser tag, an arcade, food and beverages. Sonoma County's finest live entertainment is found at Santa Rosa's Luther Burbank Center for the Arts, which hosts everything from experimental 60-seat theater to internationally-renowned popular musicians and entertainers.
Central Coast
Virtual Concierge in Pebble Beach
Award-winning resorts, exceptional restaurants and legendary golf courses, partnered with amazing views all around, make Pebble Beach an ideal vacation destination. If you are not from the area, do not worry because thanks to Pebble Beach’s new interactive mobile app built with IBM Watson’s cognitive capabilities, experiencing the resorts is easier than ever. The app includes features like a “Virtual Concierge” that provides local shopping and dining recommendations, an “Explore the Resort” feature that allows visitors to browse different points of interest at their leisure and a “Create My Story” function for instant social sharing.
Inland Empire
California’s Largest Casino
Voted the #1 U.S. casino by USA Today and already the largest resort-casino in the state, Pechanga Resort & Casino is going through a $285 million resort expansion. When done in December, Pechanga will feature 1,090 Four Diamond rooms and suites, 13 restaurants, a luxury two-level spa with fitness center and hydrotherapy pools, resort pool complex, entertainment, golf course, RV Resort, gas station and retail shops. Californians will be able to get a better casino experience without driving through the desert and being in the 110+ degree, Las Vegas heat.
Orange County
All Aboard in Newport Beach
If you are looking for a beach in Southern California to catch sun and surf anytime of the year, make your way down to Newport Beach. With year-round temperatures averaging about 67 degrees and its hottest season being August at 72 degrees, Newport Beach is the ideal beach getaway with less crowds. When visitors have had enough sand, they can head over to Balboa Island for some sweet treats or be the captain of a Duffy Boat to explore the bays of Newport Beach.
Los Angeles County
Inside Scoop on Torrance
One of Southern California’s best kept secrets is the city of Torrance. While conveniently located near all of Los Angeles’ hottest attractions, Torrance is a laid-back city that you might not want to leave. Benefiting from beautiful Southern California weather, Torrance beach is an uncrowded 1.5-mile stretch of pristine coastline that is worth the view. If you are looking to get out of the heat, Torrance has 2.7 million square feet of shopping space at the Del Amo Fashion Center and over 400 eateries offering a wide range of cuisine to choose from.
San Diego County
Why Fall is Great Time to Visit San Diego
While many may see San Diego as the perfect summer getaway, fall in San Diego offers something special: reduced prices, uncrowded beaches, temperate weather and unique arts experiences. Fall marks the beginning of a vibrant season of arts offerings in San Diego, blending culture with coastal views. In October, San Diego becomes a kid’s heaven where some of its largest attractions, like the San Diego Zoo, Safari Park, Sea World and LEGOLAND, are free for kids! More than 100 attractions, museums, hotels and resorts offer some type of freebie for kids, which makes October the perfect time for a family vacation in San Diego.