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Coronado is home to about 26,000 people. It is connected to San Diego by the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge, with its distinctive curved span. Coronado is surrounded by water — the Pacific Ocean, Glorietta and San Diego Bay. Located about 20 minutes from San Diego International Airport, Coronado Bay is a must-see location!  And….contrary to popular myth, Coronado Bay is NOT part of San Diego. It is it’s own city.

Swim, surf, sail, fish, bike, skate, golf, or play tennis - Coronado is definitely the place to be if you love the outdoors. The city’s Central, North and Silver Strand beaches are ideal for whatever water-related activity you can think of — there’s even Dog Beach, where your pet can frolic with you.

And if you’re looking for a pet-friendly place to stay while visiting beautiful Coronado Bay, Loews Coronado Bay Resort & Spa is just the place! As part of its commitment to the environment, Loews Hotels encourages even its furriest guests to do their part in promoting responsible, sustainable consumption (literally).

journeyPod recently visited Coronado Bay (without our pets) and had the opportunity to experience the the wonderful cuisine (check out our Chef’s Corner with Chef Patrick) and the relaxing Sea Spa.  After our pampering at the spa–it was like tapas at the spa–a taste of everything– we sat and chatted with Spa Director, Krystal Mason, for some inside scoop!

For more luxury travel tips, follow us on twitter - twitter.com/journeyPod. Join the afterparty on our facebook and myspace pages. For your celebrity gossip fill for the week check out the coolest social network on the web at journeyPod.ning.com. Now let’s take a listen to relaxing podsafe song called The Bay by Karl Stephen Brunig.

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Santa Barbara lies on the West Coast of the United States, 92 miles north of Los Angeles and 332 miles south of San Francisco. The area is famous for its beautiful beaches, most of which lie along a unique south-facing stretch of coastline that affords beach visitors sun all day long and greater shelter from winds and surf. But there’s far more here than beaches.

Be sure to check out: State Street, the Santa Barbara County Historic Courthouse, and the Santa Barbara Mission.

Santa Barbara is a very walkable city. You can get everywhere you need to go via foot, the trolley, or public transportation! journeyPod actually took the train—gotta love Amtrak—from Los Angeles. After two hours sipping a nice bottle of Pinot we brought along, the train stopped in the center of downtown Santa Barbara. We walked about seven minutes to our hotel—Hotel Oceana Santa Barbara. (If the name sounds familiar, it’s because journeyPod produced a show on the sister property—Hotel Oceana Santa Monica–last summer. Be sure to check out that podcast as well.)

journeyPod met up with Melissa Treue, the new General manager of this newly renovated beachfront property. Listen up to what she had to say, and then stay tuned for the unique sounds of The Front Street Project and their song, “Nighty Night.”

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San Diego, California. The name conjures up complete bliss: pristine beaches, sunny year round weather, the Zoo, shopping, and of course fine dining and luxurious hotels and resorts. journeyPod has had the opportunity over the past few yeas to cover a few select San Diego area properties such as the Ivy,

The Rancho Bernardo Inn, La Costa, Estancia, L’Auberge, and a few select others. (Be sure to check out our archives for these great podcast shows!) Well, my fellow jet-setters, it’s time to add a new favorite to the list: The Grand Del Mar. As the name suggests, it’s grand. Located in Northern San Diego, this property will make you think you’ve been magically transported to the Tuscan countryside. Really.

Add to the opulent atmosphere of this new destination resort the fact that it’s signature fine dining restaurant, Addison, has earned one of the most coveted awards of all: a Five Diamond rating from the Automobile Association of America (AAA). journeyPod definitely agrees. We had a private tasting with Chef William Bradley and Jesse Rodriguez, Sommelier, gave us the pleasure of a fabulous wine pairing. Let’s take a listen as Tom Voss, president of Manchester Grand Resorts, chats with journeyPod.

And I will leave you with the electronic sounds of amb26 and their song, “The Grand Prize.”

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Welcome to West Hollywood, California! In Los Angeles County, West Hollywood is situated between Beverly Hills and Hollywood and located at the base of the Hollywood Hills. At only 1.9 square miles in size, West Hollywood is one of the smallest and densest cities in California! This exciting destination is home of the world-famous, nightlife hotspot the Sunset Strip. Whether you’re visiting for the hottest shopping, dining, nightlife, spas or luxurious hotels, West Hollywood has it all.

And of all the hotels in West Hollywood….which one is the “sexiest” hotel in West Hollywood? And which hotel does Snoop Dogg stay?

Check out our podcast with Chad Thompson, the General Manager of The Grafton on Sunset to find out… and then chill to the smooth sounds of Diana Rein and her song “So Sexy”.

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San Francisco, the city by the bay, is located about an hour flight north of Los Angeles or a six hour drive from the city of angels. A convenient area of San Fran in which to call home base when traveling is the financial district.The area is marked by the cluster of high-rise towers that lies between Grant Avenue east of the Union Square shopping district, Sacramento Street and Columbus Street, south of Chinatown and North Beach, and the Embarcadero that rings the waterfront. So, while you are only a few walking blocks away from al the hoopla and tourists, you kind of have your open little piece and quite, especially if visiting during the weekend. And if you are visiting during the weekend, do not miss the Saturday Farmer’s Market down on the water at the Ferry Building. journeyPod was in town for the AVP Pro Beach Volleyball tourney–where we saw Olympic Gold Medalists Misty May Treanor, Kerri Walsh, Phil Dalhausser, Todd Rodgers perform on a man-made sand court.

For a real “American” breakfast, our Swiss friends enjoyed Dottie’s True Blue Cafe. While the wait is long–at least 45 minutes–it’s well worth it! The place only has 10 tables. Plenty of locals frequent this place for the homemade foods and flavors. Some other hot spots for breakfast include Sears Fine Foods. It’s always packed with visitors from the US and abroad. journeyPod recommends the famous Swedish pancakes.

The one thing to remember about San Fran is that while it may be 80 and sunny down in Los Angeles on any given August day, it’s probably not the case here. Your journalist has still not learned her lesson. She packed like she was still in LA, and hence added yet another “waterproof SF touristy fleece” to her collection….five in all now. One for each trip to this city by the bay….

The financial district of San Francisco is also home to the city’s tallest buildings, including 555 California Street and the Transamerica Pyramid, with the third tallest building located at 222 Sansome Street–home to the luxury hotel, Mandarin Oriental.

The top eleven floors of this third tallest building in the city are literally rooms in “the clouds.” Every guest room as an amazing view of either the city or the bay. journeyPod stayed in a “Golden Gate King Room” so named because we had views of both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge and everything in between…including Alcatraz! Guests will find a pair of binoculars in every room…and since all the beds have been raised, you can sit in a bed and use the binoculars to see the incredible views! How’s that for some fun trivia!

The Mandarin Oriental San Francisco is the recipient of many awards including, Travel & Leisure US 2008 World’s Best 500, Mobil Guide Four Star 2008 for Hotel and Restaurant, and Conde Naste Gold List 2008.

journeyPod sat down with Michelle Loane, Director of Sales& Marketing, for some inside scoop. Let’s take a listen…

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Located about 35 miles north of San Diego, Carlsbad is one of Southern California’s most popular vacation destinations. The moment you arrive in Carlsbad you magically feel the rest of the world fading away. Whether you’re on a family vacation, a weekend getaway with the girls or guys, or reconnecting with the one you love, Carlsbad has something for everyone, as journeyPod experienced firsthand one delightful weekend in June.

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When you hear Pinehurst, North Carolina? you think golf, right?!  Well journeyPod is here to tell you that this top-notch destination in North Carolina is much, much more than a golf resort.

Located about an hour southwest of Raleigh-Durham airport, Pinehurst is the perfect weekend get-away. Nestled among the Sandhills of North Carolina, Pinehurst is a place where you can experience history and luxury! Whether you’re looking for a great girls weekend or a romantic get-away, Pinehurst has lovely dining, a fabulous spa, and tons of space to relax and do nothing … if you so choose! 

Listen to our podcast with Tom Pashley, the VP of Marketing at Pinehurst, and get the inside scoop on this amazing destination.  Learn about the fox squirrels that sometime tease the golfers, the Annie Oakley connection, and the apparent ghost of the Holly Inn.

Check out the southern sounds of Virgin Tears and their song called “Southern Side”.

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journeyPod is your guide to luxury travel around the world. We give you VIP access to the hippest hotels, hottest nightlife and coolest restaurants.

Marybeth Bond will share her tips on how to plan the ultimate girlfriend getaway. Marybeth is a travel expert who has been featured on the Oprah Winfrey show, NBC, ABC and many other programs.

journeyPod will share some fun destinations where you can reconnect with your closest girlfriends, embark on an adventure and escape reality. From Mexico to Savannah, we’ve got you covered!

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