Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Observing Dolphins at Crystal Cove State Park



Visitors to Crystal Cove State Park, located in Newport Beach, CA, can enjoy 3.2 miles of beachand 2,400 acres of inland open space. Beach-goers can take a stroll along the sandy shores, explore the tide pools, build sandcastles, wander through the historic district, rent a beach cottage or hop in the ocean to swim, surf or scuba dive. A popular natural attraction in the area are the dolphins.

Guests staying in the Crystal Cove Beach Cottages are allowed to check out a Dolphin Observation Citizen Science Kit to study and learn and more about the dolphins that frequent the shoreline. The free kits are provided by the Crystal Cove Alliance (CCA), the non-profit Cooperating Association partner with Crystal Cove State Park dedicated to education, conservation, and restoration.

The Kit includes the following:

•   Binoculars
•   Learning about dolphins sticker book
•   Guide to marine mammals of the world
•   Whales and dolphins coloring book
•   Newsletter of the American Crustacean Society
•   Orange County cetacean behavior notebook
•   Coastaldolphinsurveyproject.org

•   Exploring Southern California tidepools booklet

The objectives of the science kit are to collect data for a survey about bottlenose dolphins being conducted by the Marine Science Department of Orange Coast College, in Costa Mesa, CA.Guests are asked to record information such as the weather, date, time of dolphin sighting and for how long, dolphin behavior, number of dolphins, direction of travel, etc.


Not only do guests get to marvel at these marvelous sea creatures, but may also help provide research about the ecology of the dolphins off Orange County's coast. It's a fun and educational activity to do especially with children. Kits can be checked out at the Crystal Cove Beach Cottage registration office. Learn more about the citizen science programs at Crystal Cove offered through the Crystal Cove Alliance.





Five-Star Luxury at The Grand Del Mar, San Diego




Marble, crystal and gold are a common theme that can be found throughout The Grand Del Mar resort located in San Diego, CA. The opulent decor is trumped only by the stunning landscape that surrounds the property. Situated adjacent to the Los Peñasquitos Canyon Preserve, and only a few miles from the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve that hugs the California coastline, The Grand Del Mar is a luxurious retreat.


Whether it's a family vacation that includes hanging poolside, hiking and eating pasta, or a romantic getaway with a fine dining experience, relaxing day at the spa and private golf lesson, you'll find that The Grand Del Mar offers a custom experience that is sure to fit your wants and needs.


Lavish Guest Rooms and Suites at The Grand Del Mar
The resort has 249 rooms and suites that feature lavish Mediterranean decor such as marble counters, showers and floors, crystal chandelier lighting, gold accents, and balconies with impressive views of the scenery.
Most rooms offer the following complimentary amenities:
   In-room wired and wireless Internet access
   Local and 800 number calls
   In-room bottled waters and espresso machines
   Twice-daily housekeeping service
   Bathrobes
   Daily newspaper delivery – choice at check-in
   Iron
   Hairdryer
   Safe
   Mini Bar (prices vary)
   Self parking

Some suites include a gas fireplace, kitchenette, dining room, living room, or outdoor terrace.

From Five-Star Dining to Poolside Fare at The Grand Del Mar
For a five-star dinner experience, Addison offers award-winning contemporary French cuisine paired with private label wines (bottled exclusively for The Grand Del Mar) in an elegant setting.

For an American cuisine menu with a European influence, try breakfast, lunch or dinner atAmaya. With the look, feel, and taste of the Mediterranean, guests can indulge in menu items such Seared Diver Scallop with Duck Confit and Golden Chanterelle Ragout ($15), Center Cut Rotisserie Pork Chop with Mushroom and Potato Hash and Blue Cheese ($32), or Roasted Duck Breast with Spiced Carrot Puree, Smokey Red Cabbage, and Honey-Roasted Turnips ($32). For $55, guests can try the Chef's Tasting Menu that includes a first course, main course and dessert.

A vegetarian menu is also available and includes items such as Tomato Pappardelle with Tarragon, Tomatoes, and Parmigiano-Reggiano ($16) or Goat Cheese-Stuffed Artichoke Hearts with Pistachio-Sweet Pepper Romesco with Crispy Capers and Arugula ($27).

The resort also features the Club M nightclub, afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge, gourmet coffee and artisan cheese at Cent' Anni, and causal dining poolside.

For a private dining event, The Grand Del Mar offers a variety of options, including the Wine Cellar that seats up to twelve guests in an extravagant 3,450-bottle cellar. One-hour private wine tastings are also available for $95 per person and include up to six wines.

Five-Star Spa at The Grand Del Mar
The award-winning spa at The Grand Del Mar provides a relaxing and peaceful environment with custom treatments that embody their theme of "Renaissance" and incorporate resources from the natural surroundings, such as mineral muds, native herbs and healing botanicals.

The menu of treatments includes Wraps, Facial Therapies, Manual Lymph Drainage, Tried Treatments, and Touch Therapies such as a salt scrub, reflexology or Vichy shower.

The signature 90-minute Renaissance Touch Therapy ($325) includes a mineral-rich mud wrap, Swiss shower with multiple shower heads, and relaxing full body massage, but the most unique part of this therapy is the free-floating bed. Guests sink down into this warm waterbed and are then covered with additional warm water flaps on top to provide them with an experience of being enveloped in a fluid yet snug environment. It allows for twenty minutes of deep relaxation and release of tension.

The spa offers the following complimentary amenities:
   Access to the adults-only Relaxation Pool
   Fitness Center use
   Fitness classes
   2 hours of Explorer’s Club use for one
   (ages 5—12)
   Valet parking
   Wet and dry saunas
   Indoor whirlpools
   Separate men’s and women’s Relaxation Lounges with fireplaces
   Plush bathrobes and slippers
   Signature hot teas, seasonal muffins and handcrafted chocolates
   All-natural spa products

Outdoor Activities at The Grand Del Mar
With an abundance of open space near the resort, The Grand Del Mar offers a wide variety of outdoor activities.

The Tom Fazio-designed par-72 golf course is situated on 380 acres of manicured fairways and greens with rolling hills, bunkers, and water features. There is also a 5,000-square-foot driving range and 50,000-square foot Clubhouse. Fees range from $215-$250. Private lessons range from one hour to a full day and start at $175.

With 37 miles of canyon preserve trails nearby, guests can enjoy a complimentary Saturday morning four-mile canyon to waterfall guided hike, or book a private hike ($75) for a longer trek or to explore a different area. Another way to see the scenery is by horse or mountain bike. Bike rentals and guided rides are available.

With the coast located only five miles from the resort, guest can take advantage of the courtesy transportation (within 1 14-mile radius), or the complimentary Grand Beach service that includes transportation to/from Del Mar's 18th Street beach; set-up of beach chairs and umbrellas; beach towels and bottled waters. Sailing, surfing and kayaking excursions are also available.

If you'd rather enjoy the amenities of the resort, guests can lounge by the pool or reserve a tennis court.

Green Initiatives at The Grand Del Mar
Located in a such a beautiful natural setting, it's no wonder that The Grand Del Mar has taken steps to preserve the environment. Beyond the elementary green initiatives such as recycling, using energy-efficient lighting and allowing guests to re-use towels and lines, the resort goes above and beyond by using glass, China, and cutlery instead of paper or plastic service ware, strives to serve organic, local and in-season produce on their menu, and offers chemical-free dry cleaning.

To protect their natural setting, the resort utilizes a three-acre lake to contain the water runoff, uses organic fertilizer for landscaping and moisture sensors on the golf course to prevent over watering. These are just a few of the steps that the resort is taking to protect and preserve the local environment and the planet as a whole.

Contact Information
5300 Grand Del Mar Court
San Diego, CA 92130 USA
858-314-2000