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Hawaii Vacation Things to do

September 18, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Hawaii is a gorgeous place for any family to visit for vacation.  The fiftieth American state, Hawaii consists of the islands of Hawaii (the Big Island), Maui, Lanai, Molokai, Oahu, Kauai, and Niihau, plus many smaller islands and islets.  Of these islands, the Big Island, Maui, and Oahu are probably the most popular vacation destinations for family vacations to Hawaii.

Here are a few ideas to get you started when planning your Hawaiian vacation:

Surf Family Style

During your family vacation to Hawaii, you can get surfing lessons on Oahu’s north shore from Surf Hawaii 4 U.  Professional surf instructors can teach your whole family how to surf while on your vacation to Hawaii.  Group lessons with at least three people participating start at $300 for a three-hour surfing lesson.  So catch a wave, cause surf’s up, dude!

hawaii-beach

Visit the Volcanoes

You probably already knew that volcanoes in the Pacific Ocean formed Hawaii.  But did you also know that your family could take a helicopter tour over the still-active volcanoes on the Big Island while on your family vacation to Hawaii?  Or, if your family would rather see the volcano from the ground, Big Island Volcano Tours will take your family on a volcano and waterfall sight-seeing tour.  Make sure your family wears comfortable shoes for walking or hiking, and that all the members of your family will be happy walking at least a mile to see Hawaii’s lava flows and rainforest’s.

Learn about Culture

To educate your family about Hawaii’s unique culture and history, visit the Polynesian Cultural Center during your family vacation on Hawaii’s island of Oahu.  Your family can enjoy the Polynesian Night Show there, learn the history of the luau, and the younger members of your family can attend one of the Ohana Adventures – shows and hands-on activities designed specifically for children.

Stargaze

Atop Mauna Kea, a snow-capped Hawaiian mountain on the Big Island, your family can visit the Onizuka Center for International Astronomy.  Visit at night for a stargazing tour with your family on your vacation to Hawaii, where you can use one of the telescopes already atop the mountain to pick out famous constellations, nebulae, distant galaxies, and other glimpses of the heavens.  Astronomy center workers are available to answer your family’s questions and point out where to look for certain stars.

A family vacation to Hawaii is sure to impress both the kids and the adults in your family.  Whether you are interested in the unique culture, ecosystem, and volcanic activity, or you just want to hit the beach, Hawaii is a family vacation crowd-pleaser.

I found the following information from Stacie Haight Connerty who is a writer for the Examiner.com

Filed Under: Hawaii

Hanauma Bay – How to see it all

September 12, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Hanauma Bay
Hanauma Bay

Hanauma Bay is one of the great natural places that has been turned into a tourist spot that I have ever been to. Traveling to Hanauma Bay takes a few minutes but is an all day adventure that everyone in the family will love. There is very shallow water that you can stand in, no waves and lots and lots of fish to see in the water with just a mask and snorkel. To me this is a giant aquarium that is very safe, easy to swim in and gives you memories that will last a lifetime.

Where is Hanauma Bay?

Hanauma Bay is about 30 minutes east of Waikiki and is a coral bay that is millions of years old but is perfectly suited for people to enjoy tropical fish in a wild setting and still be completely safe. You will be able to find all of the services that you need including food, soft drinks, masks and snorkels and even liefeguards if you get a little disoriented in the water.

There is a cost to go to Hanauma Bay and it is a bit of a commute from the hotels of Waikiki. On the main strip of hotels on Kuhio Avenue you have to find an eastbound bus 22 which runs every 20 minutes or so and this will take you to Hanauma Bay. The bus trip takes about 30 minutes or so.

One thing to realize before you take the time to go out to Hanauma Bay is that they are closed on Tuesdays and it is best to go earlier in the morning as it does get full later in the day and you will not be able to get down to the beach. There is a cost to enter the beach $5 per adult and children under 13 are free. Also there is a shuttle down to the beach from the info center for $1 and back up for $2. Food is essential to bring I think. We forgot to pack a lunch and spent $25 for hot dogs, chips, and drinks for the four of us.

Snorkeling is actually a very easy thing to do. In the salt water of Hanauma Bay you can get your mask on and have the snorkel sticking out of the water and you just float along (stay away from touching the coral) and just admire the fish. The water in most of the area is less than 6 feet deep and acutally my eight year old daughter was having trouble with the snorkeling part so she would just squat down and hold her breath underwater and saw litterally 100s of fish in almost no time.

There are plenty of fish of various sizes to see and they range from little 2 inch long fish to longer 12 or 15 inch long fish in other schools just swimming around. One of the things that some area of the world do is bring food to attract the fish, this is not allowed at Hanauma Bay but hte fish are very easy to see and are completly used to people so they will swim up to you and kiss your fingers if you hold them out.

Filed Under: Hawaii

Romance In Newport Beach

September 7, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

It’s no secret that finding a honeymoon location or
a place to take your sweetheart is important. With
many places to choose from, you may be surprised to
hear that Newport Beach is actually one of the most
romantic – yet also one of the most overlooked areas
in the entire United States.

For honeymooners or those in love looking to re-kindle
the flame, Newport Beach has a lot to offer when it
comes to romance. The entire environment and setting
around the Beach is romantic, with romance budding at
each and every turn.

On a hot day, walking hand in hand down Marine Avenue
on Balboa Island is enriching. You and your mate can
check out the sites and talk about things. Then, you
can head over to Balboa Fun Zone and play games together,
enjoying the best life has to offer. To show her that
you care, you can even win her a stuffed animal – one
thing that all females seem to love!

On the harbor of Newport Beach, a romantic gondola ride
remains one of the most romantic things to do. A gondola
ride is great to relax, sitting back with one and another
and enjoying the best of the beach. Sometimes, nothing
beats just enjoying the presence of one another and
taking in some of the best sites that vision has to offer.

Once night begins to set in, nothing is more romantic
than a trip to the Bayside Restaurant or the Aubergine,
two of the most romantic restaurants in Orange County.
Both you and your partner will enjoy the setting here, as
well as the food.

After you have enjoyed a romantic dinner, you can watch
the sun rise on the beach. Both sunrise and sunset is
breathtaking at Newport Beach, something each and every
couple should experience at least once in a lifetime.

Before you call it a trip, you should also make sure to
get pampered at a local spa. The spa’s around Newport
Beach are exhiarating, something your whole body will
find superb. As a couple or a separate trip, a relaxing
day at the spa is very hard to rival.

When it comes to a honeymoon or a trip as a couple,
Newport Beach is one location you’ll remember the rest of
your lives. There is so much to do here as a couple,
you’ll probably want to come back again and again. As
time goes by and you get older, you’ll find that Newport
Beach is the perfect place to come back to – no matter
where the road of life takes you.

Filed Under: San Diego

Newport Beach Shoppers Paradise

September 6, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Although the area of Newport Beach is known for
the harbor and love of the water, it also contains
a hidden shoppers paradise. With the infamous
Fashion Island and Balboa Island nearby, Newport
does wonders for those who like activities yet
enjoy shopping.

Fashion Island is one of the best areas of Newport
Beach, containing over 200 stores. The Island
has everything you could ever want, from toys to
expensive clothes. If you’ve ever tried Fashion
Island before, you’re probably aware of just how
great it can be. With over 200 stores, it’ll take
hours and hours to explore everything here – and
possibly even days.

If you happen to be looking for an inexpensive, yet
excellent experience, Balboa Island is where you
should be going. The Island is accessible from
Palm Street by ferry at the Balboa Peninsula, or
by car/foot from Jamboree Road at the Pacific Coast
Highway.

With its great location and environment, the
community is home to more than 80 galleries, gift
shops, and fine restaurants. All along the streets
on the island, you can find locals selling great
merchandise, along with vendors selling superb
sweets and hot eats.

When walking on foot on the island, you’ll notice
that there are wonderful views of the extravagent
homes, harbor, and even the bay. Passing the street
signs, you may notice that they are indeed named
after precious stones, which is quite different.

Once you pass Turquoise, Topax, Diamond, and Sapphire,
you’ll reach the popular Marine Avenue, which is
where shoppers will fall in love. With unique and
attractive gift shops and sidewalk cafes, it’s easy
to spend hours here looking at everything you can
purchase.

The heart of the Balboa Island’s shopping and apparel
district, Marine Avenue has many unique boutiques
and galleries as well. If hunger strikes, you can
lose yourself in the tastefully impressive Balboa Bar,
a bar made of vanilla ice cream that is dipped in
chocolate.

With restaurants on the Avenue as well, you can enjoy
everything from a simple meal to some of the best
Italian food in Newport Beach. Offering you plenty of
things to see as well, Balboa Island gives you more
than just shopping – although the shopping here is
something you must experience.

If you enjoy shopping and seeing beautiful views,
Newport Beach is truly the shopping paradise you’ve
been longing for. As a family vacation, Balboa Island
and the surrounding areas can provide everything you
need for fun and entertainment. For shopping lovers
everywhere, Newport Beach provides the type of
shopping you won’t find anywhere else.

Filed Under: San Diego

Pelican Hill Golf Course

September 6, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

On the Newport Coast, standing high above the Pacific
Ocean is one of the best golf courses in the California
area. Boasting a very nice golf course, the finest
services and amenities, and superb dining, Pelican
Hill Golf Course provides one of the best experiences
of golf and after golf.

With 2 golf courses, the course will provide challenges
to beginners and avid golf players alike. While both
are great courses, the toughest decision you’ll make
is deciding which one to play first. Even though you
can go back and play the course you didn’t select later,
choosing the one to start with is almost as fun as
playing.

The North Course
The North Course of the Pelican Golf Course reflects
a classic Scottish style, almost floating around an
elevated plateau. The drastic elevation changes help
to create spectacular views of both the Pacific Ocean
and the Newport Harbor.

Staying true to the ingenious design philosophy, the
landscape here plays a major role in the challenge and
the overall beauty of the North Course. Golfers all
around the world enjoy playing the North Course, as
the design here is better than most golf courses out
there.

The South Course
Set high above the Pacific, the South Course is also
ranked among the top golf courses in the entire Newport
Beach area. The South Course offers breathtaking ocean
views, pine trees, manicured fairways, and a nice
soaring eucalyptus.

On the South Course you’ll also find challenging greens
submerged by strategically placed bunkers. The design
of the course here included rolling terrain, canyon
crossing tee shots, and holes that border the cliffs
of the California coast.

Both courses are very set in their unique designs, using
the terrain and topology to golf players challenges
they simply won’t find elsewhere. While many golf courses
use the field to add to the playing experience, Pelican
Hill uses many different tools. The result is a game
of golf that will leave you wanting more.

If you enjoy playing golf, Pelican Hill Golf Course in
Newport Beach provides the golf you crave. There are
plenty of other things to see and do in Newport Beach,
from kids to grown ups. Whether your on vacation or
a local, Pelican Hill can help you to enjoy playing
golf for the first time. All you need to do is play a
few games on the course – then you’ll discover the
way golf was meant to be played.

Filed Under: San Diego

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