Tag: Mary Herczog

With two of the nation’s largest megalopolises — Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay area—California has the largest, wealthiest, and most urbanized population of any state in the nation. Yet it’s also an agricultural wonderland, a nature-lovers paradise, a wine-lover’s dream, an outdoor enthusiast’s ideal playground, and more. In fact, there’s so much to see and do in California that you’ll probably have to choose. With this guide, you can’t lose. It gives you the scoop on: Northern California, including San Francisco, the Napa and Sonoma Valleys, Redwood Country, Yosemite National Park, and moreThe central coast, including the Monterey Peninsula and the spectacular Big Sur CoastThe Southland cities, including L.A., San Juan Capistrano and Laguna Beach, ritzy Palm Springs, and San DiegoMajor attractions like Hearst Castle, Disneyland, the San Diego Zoo, and AlcatrazActivities like hiking in the Yosemite Valley, biking along the Monterey coastline, cruising Sunset Boulevard, taking in the scenery on the Pacific Coast Highway, and moreAll kinds of dining options, ranging from foodie favorites like the French Laundry in Yountville and Campanile, Patina, and Providence in L. A. to good restaurants for picky eaters, and great places to enjoy a vegetarian meal or incredible Vietnamese, Italian, Mexican, or Thai specialtiesCan’t miss family destinations in various parts of the state, including Humboldt Redwood State Park, the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, the California Science Center, in L.A., and moreAll sorts of accommodations, from new Treebones Resort in Big Sur that houses you in a gorgeous yurt, L. A.’s Chateau Marmont, with its Art Deco and Beaux Arts castle-style main building and individual bungalows, the Grand View and Seven Gables inns in Monterey/Pacific Grove with their spectacular ocean views, Chateau du Sureau in Oakhurst for pure pampering and four-star dining, and moreLike every For Dummies travel guide, California For Dummies, 4th Edition includes:Down-to-earth trip-planning adviceWhat you shouldn’t miss — and what you can skipThe best hotels and restaurants for every budgetHandy Post-it Flags to mark your favorite pagesComplete with all kinds of planning tips plus actual time-tested itineraries, this covers the must-see attractions, suggests things to see or do that are off the beaten path, and answers questions you might not even think to ask, like where to go to get down and wacky the way actual Californians do, where to find great inexpensive, gifts, and even where to find the graves of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. With this guide, you’ll soon be singing, "California, here I come."

Las Vegas can be classy or tacky, cheesy or a bit sleazy, and it's always entertaining. Get ready to cruise the hot spots, test your luck at the casinos, shop the upscale boutiques, take in the spectacular shows, hit the swinging dance clubs, or escape from the glitz and neon and take in natural wonders on refreshing day trips. This guide gives you insider info on where to go and what to do, with great advice on how to: Find the best casinos and play the most popular gamesStroll the strip, where you can watch a volcano explode, see the ancient Pyramids, and explore New York, Paris, Rome, and VeniceDine on delicacies prepared by celebrity chefs such as Joel Robuchon at the Mansion (in the MGM Grand) or Emeril Lagasse at Table 10 (in the Palazzo), load up at buffets like Paris, Le Village Buffet (in the Paris Hotel), or split a sub at Capriotti'sTake in spectacular entertainment from Cirque de Soleil, Blue Man Group, Penn & Teller, and many moreEnjoy performances by big-name stars like Celine Dion or catch the classic topless Vegas revue, Jubilee!See shows like the magnificent Bellagio Water Fountains, hang out with dolphins at Mirage's Dolphin Habitat, or tour the inimitable Liberace MuseumLike every For Dummies travel guide, Las Vegas For Dummies, Fifth Edition includes:Down-to-earth trip-planning adviceWhat you shouldn't miss — and what you can skipThe best hotels and restaurants for every budgetLots of detailed mapsYou'll even find a time-saving "Quick Concierge" section with key phone numbers, addresses, and handy how-to's for getting around so you won’t miss a minute of the Vegas action!