Costa Mesa, California is so quiet these days that the city's tourism bureau is giving out $25 dining coupons and $25 gas credits for every night visitors stay. Stay three nights and you'll get $50 for gas. One local hotel exec even says $100 vouchers aren't far off.
The California Travel & Tourism Commision says thats a symptom of a nation-wide cutback in travel, though a recent survey on travel habits revealed that only 40 percent of people would change their summer plans because of gas prices. Instead, they're traveling, just closer to home, which in SoCal means heading to Disneyland.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that the theme park is sucking up plenty of business thanks to expensive gas, but the company doesn't divulge attendance figures. Also undoubtedly taking advantage of Disney this summer? European tourists, drunk off the power of their euros.
If you can't decide on a place to celebrate the Fourth of July this year, then give Southern California a chance to impress. It's probably the only place where you can see some fireworks, hit a beach celebration, catch a baseball game and stop at an amusement park.
Start out the SoCal celebrations at the July 4th Fireworks Spectacular: A Ball at the Bowl with the LA Dodgers. The Los Angeles Philharmonic celebrates the team's 50th anniversary with greats from team history along with baseball music. They also welcome special guest Randy Newman. The festivities take place July 2-4 and each evening ends with, what else, fireworks. Tickets will run you at least $10 for this one.
It's been a hard week for San Diego, what with raging wildfires and subsequent evacuations. Our hearts go out to all those who were forced to flee or lost their homes this week. We hope you'll be able to come back soon because someone to love is waiting for you at one of these places:
RT's Longboard Grill -- Ron Trenton was a surfer who vanished on a flight from Catalina Island. Let someone with a beautiful smile find you at 99-cent taco Tuesdays. 1466 Garnet Ave.
Yard House -- This restaurant and pub may be great to work for, but even the full-time guest can appreciate the choice of over 100 beers on tap and delicious appetizers like Thai pizza. 1023 4th Ave.
Cafe Forte -- A cute guy (or girl) drinking coffee could make your day, but even if you're not looking for someone you can browse the gallery attached to this vegan-friendly cafe. 3139 University Ave.
Six Flags Magic Mountain sits dangerously close to Santa Clarita fires.
Naturally the wildfires raging through Southern California are putting a damper not just on everyday life but on tourism.
While most hotels in downtown San Diego are open, they are housing a lot of evacuees. Qualcomm Stadium, home to the San Diego Chargers, is being used as a shelter for thousands of people and SeaWorld is closed. Also closed is the San Diego Wild Animal Park, which is part of the San Diego Zoo. The world-famous zoo, however, is still open.
Other attractions and museums are closed due to wildfires. Before you go (if you must go), check the San Diego tourism site for further updates.
Up north in Los Angeles County, none of the major amusement parks have been closed. Although Six Flags Magic Mountain is literally next door to a wildfire, its not officially closed down because the park is only open on the weekends. Come Friday, we'll see if the park opens.
Meanwhile, luxury hotels in the area are booking up fast with evacuees and celebs. HotelChatter has the scoop.
Fires are still tearing across Southern California, charring Malibu, Orange County and San Diego. Malibu's famous Castle Kashan was destroyed and the LG Beach House was damaged in the fires. But all the destruction isn't scaring "Californication" star David Duchovny, who's yet to evacuate his place. David Geffen is putting up firefighters for free at his Malibu Beach Inn.
In San Diego, most attractions have closed down as residents evacuate. The zoo has suffered some damage, and officials say the animals "are alert but are not showing behaviors of concern. The animals seem to know when they are in immediate danger and when they are not." Meanwhile Qualcomm Stadium is becoming a latter-day Superdome, as locals and tourists alike wait out the fires burning all around them.
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