Wyndham Anaheim Garden Grove Close to Family Fun

Conveniently located between Anaheim and Garden Grove, California, the newly renovated Wyndham Anaheim Garden Grove hotel offers guests easy access to theme parks along with family-friendly accommodation. As a Disney Good Neighbor Hotel, guests have can take advantage of the free shuttle to and from Disneyland and California Adventure. After a full day of amusement, families can relax in the heated pool or hot tub, grab a bite to eat at the California Grill & Bar, or book the next day's adventures at the Disney Desk located in the lobby.

Family-Friendly Rooms at Wyndham Anaheim Garden Grove

The eco-friendly and sustainably progressive hotel offers 376 rooms, including three oversized Family Rooms that come with a queen bed and a bunk bed -- perfect for a slumber party atmosphere. Adjoining rooms are available for larger families. On-site and room accessibility features are available for guests with specific needs. The decor is understated with a upholstered furniture and a neutral, white and brown palette, unlike the updated lobby and dining areas that have a more modern look and feel with splashes of color, leather furniture and artistic lighting.

Most of the all non-smoking rooms offer the following amenities:

• Mini-refrigerator
• Bottled water
• Flat-screen HDTV with Cable and satellite
• Coffee/tea maker (Keurig)
• Hair dryer
• iPod docking station
• Iron and ironing board
• Pillow top mattress
• Premium bedding and linens
• Wi-Fi Internet access (fee applies)
• Work desk

In case you forgot anything essential, there is a Target conveniently located across the street from the hotel!

On-Property Dining at Wyndham Anaheim Garden Grove

Guests can indulge in an extensive breakfast buffet, a freshly prepared cappuccino, a scoop of gelato, a glass of Napa Valley wine, a poolside burger, or in-room dessert. These are just some of the many options offered on property at the Wyndham Anaheim Garden Grove.

The California Grill & Bar is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and features California Cuisine with a focus on using the freshest ingredients available. The breakfast buffet (only $14.95) includes a full range of items including scrambled eggs, french toast, potatoes, cereal, toast, muffins, juice and more.  For dinner, the menu has items such as Sriracha Honey Wings with Jicama, Carrot, Celery Sticks and Ranch Dip ($11), Kenter Farms Organic Greens Salad with Mixed Greens, Grape Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Drake Family Farms Goat Cheese, and Balsamic Vinaigrette ($9), Gluten Free Penne Pasta with Cherry Tomatoes, Asparagus, and Roasted Mushrooms ($16), or Mary's Farm Chicken with Smashed Red Bliss Potatoes, Caramelized Shallots, Baby Broccoli, and Mustard Reduction ($22).

Other dining options include:

• Blend Cafe: Serving grab-and-go items such as pastries, coffee, juice, paninis, gelato and more.
• Trinitas Wine Bar: Featuring Napa Valley wines, micro-brews, and light snack foods.
• Poolside Dining
• Room Service

Theme Park Fun Near Wyndham Anaheim Garden Grove

With free shuttle service to Disney theme parks, the Wyndham Anaheim Garden Grove is a convenient location for tons of family fun. Planning a multiple-day stay, check out some other theme parks in the area:

• Knott's Berry Farm
• LEGOLAND
• Universal Studios

Or, for an alternative to the theme park outing, visit the San Diego Zoo, take in an Angels baseball game, hear a concert at the Honda Center, or check out the Aquarium of the Pacific.

Guest Services
The hotel offers the following amenities:

• Business Center
• Fitness Center
• Meeting and Event Facilities
• Technology Services
• Transportation and Parking
• Private Limousine (for an additional fee)
• Concierge Service
• Hotel Front Desk and Bell Desk available for assistance with all directions, boarding pass, and printing needs
• Laundry facilities
• Wyndham Vacations travel planning desk

Contact Information
Wyndham Anaheim Garden Grove
12021 Harbor Blvd.
Anaheim, CA 92840
714-867-5555
www.anaheimwyndham.com

New Vibe at Hyatt Palm Springs

Located conveniently in downtown Palm Springs, the suites-only Hyatt Palm Springs offers guests modern luxury with easy access to shopping, dining and outdoor activities. The resort has recently undergone renovations that included updating the pool area with new splashes of color, additional fire-pits and unique heat lamps to heighten the contemporary lounge-like atmosphere. The entrance now boasts a "Palm Springs" photo mural by local artist Dean Mayo, and don’t miss the Taili Song Roth photo exhibit of celebrities behind the scenes at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

Enjoy the relaxing desert environment with all the conveniences to make your trip comfortable and easy. Whether you want to lounge by the pool, experience the tram, or enjoy fresh and seasonal culinary concoctions, the pet-friendly Hyatt Palm Springs can cater to individual travelers' needs to make each vacation memorable.

Suites at the Hyatt Palm Springs

They Hyatt Palm Springs is the only hotel in the area that offers suites-only rooms, including four large executive suites. All 197 suites are large and comfortable with a separate sitting area for lounging, watching TV, or socializing. The brown and orange color palette mimics the desert environment with a contemporary feeling, but some of the furniture can be a bit worn. The rooms do offer great desert hillside views with private balconies.

Most rooms offer the following complimentary amenities:

• Plush Grand Bed™
• Refrigerator
• Marble bathrooms with Portico Products
• In-Room Safe

The following amenities are available at no charge upon request:

• Baby shampoo
• Deodorant
• Hair brush
• Hairspray
• Lint Mitt
• Mouthwash
• Makeup remover wipes
• Raor
• Slipppers
• Wine opener

On-Property Dining at the Hyatt Palm Springs

Guests looking for creative and delicious cuisine don’t even have to leave the restaurant. At SHARESmall Plate Bistro and Wine Lounge, guests can indulge in fresh, seasonal breakfast, lunch or dinner items. Located just off the lobby, it might not have the ambiance of more upscale restaurants, but your palate will be pleasantly surprised and you won’t bust your budget. The dinner menu includes things such as the Goat Cheese Brulee with Fig Compote Served with Pita Bread ($12), Mushroom and Fig Pizza with Fresh Herbs, Manchego Cheese, and Dried Figs ($13), Sensi Salad with Sun Kissed Baby Greens, Skirt Steak, Lychee, Nuts, Papaya, Manchego Cheese, Pequin Sweet Peppers and Roasted Pine Nuts with Guava Vinaigrette ($15) or Stir Fry Udon with Chilean Sea Bass, Black Beans and Saffron with a Black Beach Garlic Sauce Over Udon ($30).

The restaurant supports local growers and producers, including Suzy Farms, Fillmore Citrus, Harry’s Berries, and more. The compliment the cuisine, SHARE offers more than forty wines to choose from by the glass. It’s a great place to grab a glass of wine and an appetizer, have a full meal with the family, or fill up on a satisfying breakfast before heading out the door.

For those looking for a nightlife hot spot, HooDoo Patio Restaurant & Bar, located on the front patio of the Hyatt Palm Springs, offers live music from 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday through Sunday with a menu offering California cuisine with a South American flare. Handcrafted cocktails and open fire pits make it an inviting place to socialize, but it might not be appropriate for children.

Nearby Activities at the Hyatt Palm Springs

The following activities are worth checking out while in the Palm Springs area:

·      Nearby walking & jogging trails

·      The Palm Springs Aerial Tram

·      The Living Desert Zoo

·      Thursday Night Street Fair

·      Golf Course

·      Shopping – right out the front door

    Guest Services

They Hyatt Palm Springs offers the following amenities:

• Customizable experience with Hyatt e-Concierge
• Underground Parking
• Complimentary shuttle to/from Palm Springs airport
• Outdoor Pool Bar (seasonal)
• 24 hour StayFit™ gym
• In-room Spa Services
• Poolside cabanas
• YogaAway™ (Yoga mat, water bottle and DVD to borrow)
• Heated outdoor swimming pool/hot tub with misters– can get crowded during busy times.

Contact Information

Hyatt Palm Springs

285 North Palm Canyon Dr.

Palm Springs, CA 92262

(760) 322-9000

http://palmsprings.hyatt.com

Family Fun at the Kona Kai Resort & Marina

The Kona Kai Resort & Marina, owned by Noble House Hotels & Resorts, is located on Shelter Island in San Diego, CA and offers guests a true maritime experience with a private beach and views of a marina. The 129-room, dog-friendly resort is book-ended by water and has views of its own marina, where guests can charter private fishing or sailboats, on one side and ocean inlet views on the other, where Shoreline Park is also situated.

Rooms at the Kona Kai Resort & Marina

The newly renovated guest rooms and suites are decorated with neutral colors and turquoise accents, giving them a fresh island feel. All guest rooms are ADA compliant.

Most rooms are 360 square feet  with private patio and offer the following complimentary amenities:

• One king or two queen beds
• Connecting rooms available
• Premium coffee offerings
• Mini Refrigerators
• 42 inch television
• Wi-Fi access

On-Property Dining at the Kona Kai Resort & Marina

In addition to in-room dining, the resort offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the newly remodeled Vessel restaurant. Situated with views of the Kona Kai Marina and decor that reflects the casual, yet chic aquatic venue, Vessel is the perfect place to grab a bite and enjoy the views. In the center, there is a 360-degree bar with golden onyx counters where customers can sit to indulge in the coastal cuisine menu that offers things like the Lobster Slider with brioche, green onions, and friend Jalapeno ($7) or the Garden Lasagna with local organic seasonal vegetables and ricotta marinara ($22). Adults might enjoy a "The Local" Punch Bowl made with Hendrick's gin, St. Germain, pressed lemon and cucumber soda that serves four to six people ($34). Dockside and poolside food and beverages are also available.

Family-Friendly Activities at the Kona Kai Resort & Marina

Families will enjoy the kid-friendly activities the property provides like lounging by the newly renovated pool with views of the marina, renting bikes, SUPS, pedal boats,  jet skis, or kayaks on property, taking a Segway tour of Shelter Island, playing badminton or making s'mores on the private beach, or attending movie nights at the pool. Kids might enjoy walking the few hundred yards to the nearby Friendship Bell. There are no sunset sails or boating activities organized through the resort, but the concierge is happy to provide information for guest to charter a boat privately. Docked at the marina is the former America's Cup yacht, Stars and Stripes. The booking office is located at the resort and guests, even with no sailing skills, can climb aboard for a three-hour interactive sailing experience sure to be a thrilling for all.

Nearby Activities in San Diego

With more that 90 museums in San Diego County, there are plenty of family-friendly excursions that both kids and parents with enjoy. A popular attraction is the USS Midway, a retired aircraft carrier with a 4.02-acre flight deck and multiple levels to explore.

Here is just a short list of area attractions:

• San Diego Zoo

• Children's Museum

• San Diego Natural History Museum

• San Diego Air & Space Museum

• San Diego Model Railroad Museum

• SeaWorld

• Japanese Friendship Museum

• Legoland 

Fall Renovation at the Kona Kai Resort & Marina

By November of 2014, the resort hopes to have finished upgrading the spa and fitness center (currently closed), as well as the main entrance to the hotel.

Contact Information

Kona Kai Resort & Marina


1551 Shelter Island Drive


San Diego, CA 92106

619-221-8000

http://www.resortkonakai.com

Mountain Biking with Leigh Donovan

When Leigh Donovan, American downhill world champion mountain biker and cycling ambassador, retired in 2001, she wanted to use her skills to start a business that would allow her to introduce women to mountain biking in a safe environment. “I wanted to give them skills and confidence to be great bike riders along with gaining a lifetime hobby with biking,” says Leigh. “I want to get the working moms, closet adventure girls, and simply MORE women to join our incredible sport.”

In February 2014, ichoosebikes.com was born. With a mission to educate, inspire and empower women to ride bikes with confidence and joy through private and group coaching, Leigh utilizes her 22 years of riding experience, passion and drive to teach riders the basic skills necessary for mountain biking success.

Leigh chose to partner with Mammoth Mountain to hold a women’s three-day ichoosebikes mountain bike camp. The camp, which took place July 23 to the 26th, 2014, included, not only mountain biking skills clinics, but also hiking, yoga, wine tasting and all meals. Pricing options ranged from $400 to $1,000 depending on meals, lodging (available at Mammoth Mountain Inn), and bike pass options.

She selected Mammoth Mountain due to its extensive mountain biking terrain and facilities and her partnership with Bill Cockroft, senior VP at Mammoth Mountain, who she's known for more than 20 years.

Although she's an ex-pro rider, she caters her clinics to all levels. Leigh says, "Beginners can absolutely do the clinics, that is who my business is focused on. I know most of the riders think because I am a downhiller that the camps are going to be extreme but these camps are focused on making you a better, more confident rider and not the next World Champion."

The Mammoth camp offered skills training for all levels, from those who had never been on a mountain bike to riders that have ridden at a competitive level. “We had riders that could only ride the basic dirt path near the gondola all the way up to the Kamikaze downhill course from the top of the mountain,” says Leigh. “Mammoth has some great trails to learn on and after three days of building on the basic riding skills, the riders found a new confidence and joy on their bikes.” 

With about 20 camp attendees, Leigh enlisted the help of fellow professional mountain bikers Mercedes Natvig and Christine Hirst to assist with coaching the group.

The camp started with a welcome dinner at Mammoth Mountain so that the riders could get to know each other, the coaches, and the program schedule. Attendees had the option to ride their own bike or demo a Liv mountain bike. Liv bikes, manufactured by Giant Bicycles, are designed specifically for women.

Each day included an optional morning yoga class followed by a buffet breakfast. Then the riders met at a central location at the base of the mountain and the group broke into three to four skills clinic groups. “Generally I focus on basic skill building during my clinics, like learning to move around on the bike, neutral riding position, front wheel lifts, cornering, and many other skills important to improving your riding,” says Leigh. 

The group then met up for lunch and afterwards had the option to put their skills to work on the mountain. The coaches set up three “stations” on beginner trails for the attendees to practice what they learned in the parking lot. Even some experienced riders had to relearn the proper way to ride, which proved challenging. Each day ended with a group dinner, which inevitably led to discussions about the day’s ride.

At the end of the first full day, attendees were treated to a wine tasting event, followed by dinner in the Village. On the second day, after lunch at the top of the mountain with gorgeous views, attendees had the option to ride down from the top and then break into small groups (depending on ability and interest) and ride various trails down the mountain, or to take a break from the bike and go on a guided hike in the area. Dinner included a slide show of photos taken during the camp. By the end of the second day, there was a definite camaraderie amongst riders. The final day included small group rides followed by lunch and farewells. 

The camp included complimentary bike valet at the Mammoth Mountain Inn, complimentary bike adjustments provided by a Liv bikes mechanic (who also taught riders how to change a flat tire!), and a pass for local shuttle service.

In the end, Leigh hoped that the women who attended the camp walked away with a little less fear about mountain biking. “The ‘fear factor’ is another reason I chose to launch my business,” says Leigh.” I was tired of hearing how scary mountain biking ‘is’ when I would be in conversation about the sport. When women come to a clinic or event they definitely are taught skills that help to chip away at what scares them and are given new skills to be more confident when riding in the dirt. “

For upcoming skills clinics with Leigh, visit ichoosebikes.com.