We took Southwest airlines because for me there is no better way to fly. You get two bags per person checked for free, one carryon and one personal item. You also have the advantage to gate check your car seat and stroller at no cost as well. We took a connecting flight from Kansas City to Phoenix. Our layover was delayed about an hour due to a mechanical issue, but once cleared up we were on our way.

Lucas (my son) did wonderful during flight. We made sure to have plenty of snacks and toys to keep him entertained. The attendants were so friendly during flight they even gave us a handful of snacks for after the flight and his first pair of airplane wings! After arriving at LAX we made our way to the rental car shuttles and picked up our car from ALAMO. I used the quick check in kiosk that made the process very smooth, however when we went to get our rental there were no cars available. Not hard to believe with the rate I received. They had run out of the vehicle size we rented so we had to wait about twenty minutes until one was ready.

After getting our car we were on our way to the hotel. We stayed for the first two nights at the Sheraton Four Points in Culver City, conveniently across the street from the Westfield shopping mall. The rooms were very comfortable and the staff was very friendly and professional. The large heated pool was a plus for the young kids. During our first day in Los Angeles we visited Marina Del Rey and went to the beach. The beach was very low key and unpopulated and offered beautiful views of the sunset.The water temperature a cool 60 degrees was not very welcoming. So we stuck to the sandy beach. At first Lucas was unsure of the sand but after we sat down with him to play he became more comfortable and did not want to leave. Later that evening we visited Santa Monica Pier and enjoyed a wide variety of shops and dining. Make sure to bring a jacket as the pier can cool off at night.

On our second day in Los Angeles it was Mommy & Lucas time. I took him to some of my favorite spots in LA. We first drove twenty minutes north to the LA Farmer’s Market and enjoyed an omelet for breakfast. After strolling through the Farmer’s Market we crossed into The Grove. The Grove is a family friendly shopping area with several upscale shops and movie theatres. The landscaping at The Grove is beautiful and you may even eye a celebrity while you are there. On this particular day we ran into Mario Lopez (host of Extra/A.C. Slater from Saved by the Bell). Extra now tapes segments at The Grove so if you visit during the afternoon hours you may be lucky enough to be an ‘extra’ on the show or catch a glimpse of the star appearing on that day’s taping.

After shopping till I dropped we hit up Hollywood and Highland and the Walk of Fame. Lucas got his photo with his own star, became a Pepsi spokesperson and saw some very entertaining acts along the way. The day was coming to an end and it was time to return to Culver City. After picking up my husband from training we visited Venice Beach. The Venice Boardwalk is full of sights and sounds that can’t be missed. After walking the boardwalk we walked down to the skateboarding area. Lucas loved watching the skateboarders as they zoomed up and down the ramps.

Heading into dinner time it was time to find a good family place to eat. After much searching on Urban Spoon we decided to try Casa Sanchez. Upon arrival we felt out of place as valet parking was the only option. We were wondering what kind of restaurant this would be. But once inside we felt very comfortable. The restaurant was bustling with patrons celebrating graduations and a live mariachi band. Lucas loved the band! It was the highlight of his dinner. The food was a little overpriced but had great flavor and there was plenty of leftovers for lunch the next day! The service was a little slow at times but with so many large groups dining at once I figured this was not the norm.

The next day was relaxed as we shopped the mall adjacent to our hotel and made the drive down to Anaheim for our next two nights. We checked into the Ramada Maingate which is directly across the street from the Disneyland Resort and Theme Park. The Ramada Maingate could not have been nicer. The rooms were clean and large for families. They offer roll away cribs free of charge which was an added bonus. Along with free WIFI and continental breakfast this was a great family oriented hotel. I can’t say enough nice things about the Maingate. The pool had to be the best bonus. It was large and our son loved it. He was able to walk in the water of the shallow end and they have spray park area for additional fun. When dinner rolled around it was time for no other then In n Out burger. That place is still the best on the West coast! The burgers can’t be beat.

Saturday was time for the Magical Kingdom. Can’t visit Los Angeles without a trip to Disneyland! We took Lucas for his first Disneyland visit and I was hesitant as he was so young and did not think he could ride anything. But after researching he was able to ride almost all the rides and I am so glad we took him. He loved every second of it from meeting Mickey Mouse, crawling around Toon Town, riding in the Tea Cups and finally the fireworks. Disneyland is a magical resort that every family should be able to enjoy. Every cast member (employee) makes you feel so special and treats the children as if they were their own. The admission price is high, but for Lucas being less than three he was free. The souvenirs were reasonably priced as well which made it nice to have some Mickey memorabilia to take home. Lucas’ adorable Mickey ears that were personalized were less than $15. That is a bargain to me.

It was our last day and time to say goodbye. Nobody wants a vacation to come to an end but they all do. We packed up and headed home. We took a late flight this time and after a bottle Lucas was knocked out the entire flight. We had a blast and California was a perfect family getaway for my family and maybe for yours as well.

In final my review would be:

SWA – Always perfect flights! Bags fly FREE. Family friendly flying. If you want to risk it don’t purchase a seat for your infant under two. If there is room on the flight they can have their own seat for free. I have been lucky enough to take advantage of this on three occasions.

Farmer’s Market/The Grove – Tons of shops, MUST visit. Great celebrity look out.

Hollywood Walk of Fame – A wide variety of entertainment.

Venice Beach Boardwalk – Entertainers and souvenir shops galore. Parking will run about $10 and shops close at dusk. Skateboarders are awesome to watch.

Casa Sanchez – Great Mexican dining with live entertainment that the kids will love.

Santa Monica Pier – Nostalgic pier offering beautiful views of the ocean & city. Great shopping and dining West of the pier. $10 parking down by pier.

In-N-Out Burger – Old Fashion Burger joint that is superb every time! Try your’s animal style and make sure to get your In-N-Out hat!

Alamo Rent A Car – Great rates. I booked about 3 months before trip and rebooked 10 days before our arrival and saved almost $100

Ramada Maingate – Less then 10 minute walk to Disneyland that was a superb family hotel.

Disneyland – High priced admission that is well worth the experience. Children of all ages will treasure it. I know it is a magical experience I will never forget.

Director Jason Reitman (“UP IN THE AIR”) is offering a contest to all tweeters. In the next 24 hours tweet your personal travel rules using #MyTravelRules…

Example:

“Never check a bag. It adds thirty minutes to your flight. #MyTravelRules #UpInTheAir”

Jason Reitman will select his 5 favorite tweets. The selected winners will receive travel pro luggage (each worth $500). A great prize just in time for the holidays!

MUST ENTER BY 6:00 AM PT ON 12/9/09.

OFFICIAL RULES

Paramount Pictures UP IN THE AIR will be in theatres everywhere on December 25, 2009

Upon our arrival on our first evening we made a stop at Osceola Cheese factory for some snacks. This must see is located off of Highway 13 in Osceola, MO, conveniently located on our way in and out of Branson. They offer a wide variety of cheeses, nuts and general snack foods; with samples being offered on pretty much everything. After collecting our cheeses we were on our way and finally arrived. After grabbing some dinner we headed to Grand Village.

Grand Village is THE Christmas store to visit. They have several stores that sell only Christmas ornaments and decorations. My favorite store in this area is Kringles, who also offers personalized ornaments. Grand Village is always one of my favorite places to see. After collecting my latest ornaments the second stop was the dollar store. Yes most of it is junk but you can find some things you may need for only a dollar. They do carry some Christmas gift wrapping, so it is a great place to stock up on that.

Finally it was time to return to the hotel, to get some sleep before our shopping extravaganza. The next morning after a quick breakfast at the Plantation (affordable $3 buffet), we headed to the main outlet Tanger. They were packed! We made the most of it. Doing preparation before heading to Branson we researched online and had plenty of coupons for discounts off and found many deals. I got part of my Christmas shopping done and had a great time doing it. The last stop that evening was for dinner at Shorty Smalls. Shorty Smalls is always a fun place to eat. They specialize in barbeque. This time I decided to try their pasta. I ordered some noodles that were served with Alfredo sauce. It was so overwhelmingly cheesy that I needed some meat with it. I ordered a side of grilled chicken that was $5! Can you say overcharge…Other than the financial disappointment it was delicious. Look in local Branson magazines for a coupon for a free onion loaf at Shorty Smalls, always a superb appetizer.

After dinner we visited The Landing. Branson’s newest shopping district downtown that is all outdoors. It is a beautiful location that is festively lighted and features a fire & water fountain show. One of my favorite additions to Branson. After finishing up our shopping it was time to head home. It is always a nice short getaway and that is what a lot people need in today’s world. 

In final my review would be:

Driving is the best way to travel affordably. You may be able to get roundtrip on a full tank!

Cobblestone Inn – Older hotel kept rather clean. Indoor pool offers something for the kids to enjoy. Centrally located to everything

Plantation – Terrific and affordable buffet. Avoid the drinks as they will rack up your bill.

Tanger Outlet– Great outlet mall featuring Gap, Old Navy, Nike and many more!

Shorty Small’s – Overpriced in food, but offers an entertaining dining experience.

The Landing – Greatest addition to Branson offering a welcoming shopping experience outdoors.

We decided to explore the St. Pete’s Pier area prior to checking into our hotel. We drove down to the pier area and parked a few blocks away by a shopping center for free. It was 3 hours free parking street side. Walking down the pier was breezy but the sun was blazing hot. If I could do it over again I would have parked closer. The pier was full of people fishing. Once inside the pier’s center there were a few unique stores, but nothing mind blowing. After a long day of traveling we were hungry and decided to grab a bite at Captain Al’s Waterfront Restaurant & Bar. It was affordable and seemed to have a pretty good selection for lunch. Due to the humid conditions we decided to eat inside. I choose the buffalo chicken sandwich and my husband ordered a shrimp wrap. Chicken sandwich was average, but the shrimp wrap was great! The service was below average. It took forever to get our food and our server was lacking in checking in on us. I could not understand why as the restaurant was pretty slow at this time.

After lunch we headed to the rooftop for a view from St. Pete’s pier. Offering stunning views of the city this was one of the best things about the pier. Following a rather dull experience on water we headed to our hotel. We took lodging in at the Helmsley Sandcastle Resort. Upon arrival I checked and found the lobby very appealing, complete with a tropical fish tank as a backdrop to the guest services counter. The staff was very friendly and efficient. I had booked us a standard room for two nights for only $260 (including taxes). A great bargain for a beachfront resort. After checking into our clean room we headed to the beach. We walked down the hallway and found sand. Literally only 50 steps from the beach. It was perfect.

The beach was very clean and the waves were mighty. A storm had just passed through and it made for an exciting day in the water. After a fun afternoon in the sun we headed out for dinner. Choosing a waterfront bar & grill known as The Old Salty Dog. A dog friendly outdoor bar that sits on the water. Feeling homesick from my own pets I saw a bull dog, lab and poodle that made me not so homesick. We ordered shrimp poppers and crab legs for dinner. They were excellent and the service was A+. I also tried the specialty drink and it was $10 but oh so delicious. Looking for some night life action we wound up at the Gator Club. Cover charge was $5 and it was a two story bar that had a live band downstairs and pool tables upstairs with a DJ. A very energetic club that had reasonably priced drinks. After a long day we headed back to the hotel to turn in for the night.

The next morning was our beach day. Before hitting the beach we ate breakfast at our hotel. It was only $9 per person for the buffet and it was very filling. After eating we headed to the beach and grabbed our complimentary lounge chairs and basked in the sun for the most part of the day. Later in the afternoon we headed to the local mall known as Westridge. They have most of your average stores plus a few extras. Shopping completed it was time to head back to the room and get ready for a night out. Looking for my favorite style of food (Mexican) we choose Two Senoritas to dine at. They offered a wide selection of food, even puffy tacos which are very hard to find back home. The food was delicious and the salsa was very fresh. Service was good and the interior of the restaurant was very low light and romantic. It was a perfect dinner for our last night in the city.

Heading to Siesta Key was next on the venue. Once there we found several night life spots with bars and live music. Our first stop was into the Daiquiri Deck, a bar with over 13 daiquiris to choose from. I settled on the pina colada and it was superb, one of the best drinks I had on the trip. It is a non-smoking establishment that also serves food. Offering some great happy hours between 3pm – 7pm. We decided to head down Ocean Blvd and visited the Beach Club. Another great nightlife spot with a live reggae band. This club seemed to have a larger following with people of all ages. It turned out to be a great spot to hang out and drink.

We finally awake to our final day on the beach. It didn’t start out great as it was raining non-stop till 11am. I was worried about the weather as we were planning to parasail. Finally the weather subdued and the clouds cleared to sunny skies and we set off to Anna Maria Island. My favorite secret spot in Florida where the beaches are crystal clear and wonderful. We decided to hit up our favorite dining spot in Anna Maria the Gulf Drive Cafe. Home to some of the best pancakes. This place is on the beach, offers outdoor seating and has some of the best food and service I have found. If you ever visit Anna Maria you HAVE to dine here and try their pancakes. After a late breakfast it was time to parasail.

We used YOLO (You Only Live Once) parasailing. At an affordable $60 per person we were suited up and ready to fly. I was nervous at first but once you are up in the air it is so peaceful, all your cares just brush away. On our parasail trip we took off and landed from the boat. The expenses included 1 hour on the boat, 15 minutes in the air and a souvenir CD of photos from the day. It was so worth it and I would do it again.

After spending a few more hours beachside it was time to head home. As much fun as I had and as sad as I was to head home I know I will be back. This is one of my favorite spots to visit. The beaches are beautiful and the weather was perfect for our weekend.

My final review would conclude:

Southwest Airlines – transports you right to Tampa Bay only 30 minutes from all beaches
St. Pete’s Pier – Not worth the drive and rather disappointing
Captain Al’s Waterfront Restaurant & Bar – Average food & Poor Service
Helmsley Sandcastle Resort – a stunning resort that is very affordable and beachfront. Offering a gorgeous pool with poolside bar.
The Old Salty Dog – Outdoor bar & grill with fresh seafood; dog friendly establishment
Gator Club – Two story bar with live music; Cover charge
Siesta Key – perfect spot for nightlife action
Daiquiri Deck – Great selection of Daiquiris and perfect spot for sports watching
Beach Club – Fun with live entertainment and energetic bar patrons; NO cover charge
Anna Maria Island – white sandy beaches; great destination for dolphin and whale watching
Gulf Drive Cafe – Pancakes that are superb and inexpensive
YOLO Parasailing – Offering an affordable new view of the beaches.
Westridge Mall – Average shopping experience on the outskirts of town
Weather – temperatures in the upper 80’s and sunny; storms will likely hit the area but are scattered and only last 30 minutes or less

On our first night we visited the Mirage. After a late flight we were starved. We choose California Pizza Kitchen to dine at. I know it is a chain restaurant and we have one here, but my family had never tried it and I had to show them how great it was. I ordered the Chicken Tequila Fettuccine. This was my first time trying it and it was very flavorful, cheesy and delicious. My family tried the Jerk Chicken Pizza and the chicken on the pizza could not compare to anything we have had before. It was a perfect dinner. After dining we tried our luck at the slots…Turned out to be an ok night.

The next afternoon we visited Caesar’s Neptune Pool. The main pool offered a stunning circular wading area with many fountains. Unfortunately it was very windy and chilly so swimming was not called for. Another unfortunate event is the construction going on at Caesar’s. During the week they are rebuilding around the pool. During this time you will be deaf from the loud noises and expect to get flying debris in your eyes, hair, clothing and the numerous amount of it in the pool. So BEWARE! After basking in the sun for a few hours we headed to lunch at the always entertaining Margaritaville. I settled on the Coco Cabana drink. It was a definite quencher and had a great splash of summer style. For lunch I decided on the Mexicali burger. It was a great burger served with fries. The bartender was very friendly and we enjoyed the entertainment the hula dancers offered on stage. Another great meal!

We headed down the strip for some evening fun, stopping to visit the older digs: Imperial Palace with musical impersonators as card dealers, Casino Royale and the $1 Beer and cheap Margarita pitchers. New places we visited included Palazzo and Wynn. After researching dining in Vegas we decided to have one nice dinner. We choose Dos Caminos in the Palazzo hotel. A very modern dining atmosphere, but quite overrated. We ordered the table side guacamole dip. I am not sure how they make table side guacamole where you are from, but they usually don’t bring it out from the back in a bowl already made. Not to mention appetizer size tacos were $20! I guess economy has not affected these outrageous prices. The food was good, but the price is not justified. This was one of our disappointing dining experiences.

The next morning we set our sights on the other end of the strip, including the Miracle Mile Shops. Before leaving Caesar’s we grabbed a bite at Augustus Cafe. Service was average. Our waitress was not very friendly and the food consisted of your basics and was unimpressive. The coffee was horrible. We had them make three pots and every time it got worse, like hot water. Following the horrible brunch we hit the strip. We walked by Serendipity, Caesar’s new outdoor restaurant, consisting of burgers, ice cream and hot dogs. Eventually we wound up at the Miracle Mile Shops, connected to Planet Hollywood Hotel & Casino. We visited some great stores including H&M, Urban Outfitters, Victoria’s Secret, GAP, Bath & Body Works and many more unique shops.

After shopping and a little gambling it was off to dinner. This time at Harrah’s, finding a great dinner special at the Cafe, steak & shrimp with veggies & baked potato for $8!! Available from 2pm to 1am. Not only affordable, but the steak was very tender and shrimp could not be better. A dinner I could eat again and again. Heading back to our room we packed our bags in anticipation for our final day. I contacted Caesar’s guest services and got a late checkout since our flight did not leave until 7pm.

The next morning we awoke and decided to eat breakfast at the Flamingo buffet, however on the way we walked by Maragaritaville and saw that they now served breakfast and that if you use your Total Rewards card you receive a 20% discount off your total bill, which included beverages. It was a deal we could not pass up, and we were pleasantly surprised. I ordered the avocado omelet and it was perfect sided with toast and hashbrowns. We dined on the third floor in the outdoor area on a beautiful sunny day.

We were down to our final hours. I played a couple hours at Flamingo and had the best odds there, taking in $500 on my final day! After leaving with my winnings I checked out of Caesar’s and enjoyed my final hour’s poolside on the hot sunny day. I ordered a couple drinks, but at $8 – $15 a drink you are better off mixing your own drinks in your room and taking them with you.
The weather was disappointing, but a fluke. I have been to Vegas several times in June and temps usually are in the 90′s, so for it to be 65 it was very strange. Aside from that my final review would be:

Park Air Express – New efficient valet parking to KCI
Southwest Airlines – Always offering discounted direct flights to Vegas.
Caesar’s Palace – Over-rated, expensive and the pool is under construction now to August. Wear your protective goggles while there.
California Pizza Kitchen (Mirage) – Delicious in any city!
Margaritaville – Perfect Drinks, Superb Entertainment and now serving Breakfast.
Dos Caminos – Catering mainly to the upper class. Nothing to be overly impressed by.
Augustus Cafe – Average food, TERRIBLE coffee, and slow service.
Harrah’s Cafe – Steak & Shrimp special a must eat for only $8!
Weather – partly cloudy, chilly (65 degrees) & windy. Below average for June.

1. Nassau, Bahamas
2. Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
3. Las Vegas, NV, USA
4. New York City, NY, USA
5. La Jolla, CA, USA
6. Chicago, IL, USA

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This year I visited Las Vegas over Valentine’s Day weekend. Flying in on Southwest we arrived early Thursday morning. As usual the airport was very busy, but we quickly gathered our luggage and exited to catch a shuttle to our hotel. The shuttle will cost you a lot less than a taxi. This year it is $8 off strip and $6 to the strip. I have been to Vegas many times and have learned the only way to successfully travel if you are staying on the strip is to use public transportation. There are trolleys, buses and the monorail that run pretty much all day & night to take you to your destination.  On this particular stay we were off strip. We took lodging at the Rio – all suite hotel. Rio offers a variety of dining choices, beautiful large rooms, a lively casino with plenty of excitement and entertainment, and a free shuttle to the strip.

Highlights that we visited on this trip were The Venetian where Madame Tussauds wax museum is. Instead of paying the entrance fee you can find various wax figures outside to take photos with. We had the pleasure of seeing the wax figures of the men from Blue Man Group. These wax figures were very life like, so much so I felt like I needed to ask to take my photo with them. On Valentine’s Day I treated my husband to a concert at the House of Blues, located inside Mandalay Bay. The House of Blues offered a small musical stage with open standing, and some seating for the VIP. Drinks were overpriced which was to be expected. The sound quality was perfect in this small lounge setting. Be forewarned if you attend any concerts at this location no cameras are allowed and you will have to check it at the door where you will have to pay a fee.

There were many changes to the strip since my last visit. Planet Hollywood had finished there renovations and finally opened the Miracle Mile Shops. Trump Towers were in the process of going up and The Palazzo was newly opened. All of course very beautiful sky scrapers, but the old time feel Vegas use to offer can only be found miles down the strip. But even those are in danger of being closed down. At last note Circus, Circus was scheduled to be demolished in the near future.  Once this occurs the only old time Vegas you can visit will be the downtown area, which we were unable to visit on this particular trip.

The weather was a true disappointment in February. The temperatures were as low as 55 and no higher than 65. When we arrived winds were gusting upwards of 75MPH. Our shuttle driver told us the last time that winds were that strong a construction worker was badly injured when he was blown by a gust of wind from a building site. The winds were so strong that night that all the fountains on the strip were closed down and the Sirens Of TI at Treasure Island were not performing. They even had to close the airport temporarily until the winds died down. Even with the winds gone the temperatures did not improve. Not the warm climate I was expecting.

My final review would be:

House of Blues – excellent concert venue, but be prepared to bring some cash
Rio Suites – a luxurious hotel with plenty of shazam to offer it’s guests
The Venetian – fabulous pina coladas
Weather in February – cold, windy and should be avoided