| California Connection January 2010
California Connection – January 2010  | | High Winter Surf | San Diego - One of my favorite events takes place this month. Plan to attend San Diego Restaurant Week January 17 - 22. Over 200 top dining establishments offer three-course dinners for $20, $30 or $40 per person. It’s a great way to sample signature dishes at bargain prices. For locations, menus, reservations, etc., log on to www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com. Note: some of the restaurants extend the promotion beyond January 22nd. Also, this year, gift cards are available. In the longest annual mammal migration known (5,000 miles), the peak of the gray whales’ journey south occurs in mid-January. Up to 200 whales per day have been seen along the coastline on their voyage from the cold waters of Alaska, heading to the warm lagoons of Baja California. There they give birth and begin to raise their calves. The Birch Aquarium at Scripps, www.aquarium.ucsd.edu, offers educational programs and whale exhibits. Call 1-858-534-3474 or visit www.aquarium.ucsd.edu. The Second Annual Big Bay Whale Days will be celebrated at the Embarcadero, January 23 - 24. The USS Midway and San Diego Maritime Museums will reduce admissions. Merchants and restaurants will offer various discounts. Check www.sandiego.org for all of January’s events.  Pasadena – It’s all about parades and pigskin this month. On New Year Day, at 8 AM, the 121st. Rose Parade begins. As always, it features fabulous marching bands, fantastical floral floats and top notch horsemanship. At 1:30 PM, the “Grandaddy” of all post-season college football games, the Rose Bowl, kicks off. First played in 1902, it has featured 18 Heisman Trophy winners, 28 national champions and 197 all-Americans. This year’s matchup will pit the nationally ranked #7 Oregon Ducks vs. #8 Ohio State Buckeyes. For further information, check out the website at www.rosebowlstadium.com. These classic events are followed on January 7th. by the 2010 Citi BCS National Championship game, featuring the top two ranked football teams in the country. Number one Alabama meets number two Texas at 5 PM. For details, go to www.tournamentofroses.com/bcs.
Up and Down the Coast - “Some of the best surf happens in the winter months along the California coastline,” says California State Parks Aquatic Specialist Alex Peabody. Even when water temperatures are in the 50’s and big waves crash ashore, surfers, swimmers and sightseers head to the beach. Visitors and residents should be aware that there are dangers from rip currents in the winter surf and fewer on-duty lifeguards. In fact, statewide, there are only about 70 permanent lifeguards and supervisors covering the entire coast. After heavy rains, water contact in lakes, bays, lagoons, the ocean, storm drains, etc., should be avoided for 72 hours, because runoff increases the risk of bacteria. “When in doubt - don’t go out,” advised Peabody, who is a surfer. Sound advice. For more information, go to www.parks.ca.gov/aquaticsafety. Safe travels, happy New Year and enjoy the journey… Howard Hian www.Travels-with-Hian.com Thanks to the various websites for information and photos. Before you go please check details, dates, rates and availability; some restrictions may apply.
January 7th, 2010
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