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Articles for ‘Beach Vacation’ Category

In the pipeline: cheap Hawaii vacations for surfers

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

You won't be surfing Oahu's Banzai Pipeline like the pros, but that doesn't mean you can't get your feet wet. Credit: surfglassy.

By Amy Drew Thompson

Okay, sure. It doesn’t hurt to be born and raised in Hawaii (or blessed with natural talent), but Oahu native John John Florence — at 19, the youngest-ever champion of the Vans Triple Crown of Surfing — still had to practice. Where can you get your start? On a cheap Hawaii vacation, of course, learning from natives in the waves where many believe the sport was born.  You might want to avoid the monsters at Sunset Beach and the Banzai Pipeline for now, but there are plenty of kinder, gentler beaches for beginners getting their sea legs. And it never hurts to get a lesson.

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Spotting the spouts: Whale watching tips from an expert guide

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

Gray whales near Baja, Mexico that interact with humans are called "friendlies." Credit: Jim Dorsey.

By Blane Bachelor

When it comes to whales, especially gray whales, Jim Dorsey knows his stuff. The Los Angeles-based naturalist is trained by the American Cetacean Society and for 15 years has been the resident naturalist in the Gray Whale Nursery of the pristine San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja, Mexico. A popular destination for cheap Mexico vacations, the Baja Peninsula also boasts some of the world’s best whale watching, as its warm, protected waters draw thousands of once-endangered gray whales from January through April. Here, Dorsey offers his years of experience on how to get the best out of any whale watching excursion. (more…)

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Year of the Dragon: Chinese New Year in Paradise

Thursday, January 5th, 2012

The Chinese New Year Parade is just part of the month-long celebrations in Honolulu. Credit: Valdezign.

By Erin Behan

Hear that roar? It’s a month of Chinese Lunar New Year festivities in Honolulu getting off to a good start. The year 2012, of course, is the Year of the Dragon, and the celebrations run from Jan. 6- Jan. 21 in Chinatown. The best part about entrance to each of the month’s Chinese New Year events (besides getting in touch with both Chinese and Hawaiian culture)? They’re all free. (more…)

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Free local flair and cheap eats at Wailuku’s First Fridays

Thursday, December 29th, 2011

Local restaurants cook up specials for Wailuku's monthly street party.

By Erin Behan

There’s nothing wrong with feeling like a tourist in Hawaii, but every once in a while it’s nice experience something like a kama’aina or local, and Wailuku First Friday fits the bill with plenty of local flair. (more…)

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Posted in Beach Vacation, Events, Food and Drink | No Comments »

Road-trip Oahu: One-tank adventures from Waikiki

Thursday, December 15th, 2011

Pretty in paradise: Explore Kualoa Ranch's lush landscape via horseback or ATV tour. Credit: mporter5.

By Amy Drew Thompson

Recent weeks have seen gas prices dropping, even in the Rainbow State — where fuel costs rank among the country’s highest. In Honolulu, prices have dipped below $4 per gallon, making conditions ripe for cruising the scenic Kamehameha Highway to hit out-of-town attractions on a self-guided loop that’ll have you back on the beach for dinner. Fuel up and say aloha to cheap Hawaiian vacations with these Oahu attractions:

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Budget travel: Holiday vacation in St. Thomas?

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

Make the season merry and bright with a cheap Caribbean vacation to Point Pleasant Resort.

By Valerie Moloney

A girlfriend spent the days after Christmas and before New Year’s with her entire family — 2 brothers and their girlfriends, 3 sisters and their husbands, parents, 2 nieces and a nephew –  in a Los Cabos hotel. While my first instinct was shock at the thought of all of them traveling at the most stressful of times, she countered with, “It was the best vacation of my life.”  No baking. No cleaning up after themselves. Just sun, sand and catching up. (more…)

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Beach bars & bike paths: What to do this fall in the O.C.

Tuesday, October 25th, 2011

A shore thing: The laidback charm of artist enclave Laguna Beach. Credit: Lavender Dreamer.

By Stephanie Toller Negrete

Seaside mansions. Tan, buff bodies. Convertibles and high-end boutiques. Sure, they’re all part of the California dream, but only part of the reality. In the O.C., embrace a more laidback lifestyle, especially in the fall when the summer crowds are gone and the weather is just gorgeous. Enticing lodging rates help, too, so that we can all coast to a cheap Orange County hotel during one of the best seasons of the year. (more…)

Posted in Beach Vacation, California, Tips & Advice, Travel | No Comments »

Life is sweet in NoCal: An indian summer in Santa Cruz

Thursday, October 20th, 2011

See why Santa Cruz consistently earns accolades for its seaside amusement park and boardwalk.

By Stacey Meyer

It wouldn’t be a proper California vacation without the beach, the boardwalk and a magnum of wine. But here’s a local secret: One of the best spots to live out that fantasy – minus the crowds from summer – is Santa Cruz, Calif. (more…)

Posted in Beach Vacation, California, Tips & Advice | No Comments »

Aloha, autumn: 5 Hawaii events to catch this fall

Friday, October 14th, 2011

Watch in awe as titans shred giant waves during Van's Triple Crown of Surfing. (Credit: Karen Chan 16.)

By Jeff Helminak

Hawaii, known for its aloha spirit, beautiful beaches and Hawaii 5-0, will play host this November to dignitaries and guests from around the world at the 2011 Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation in Honolulu. Don’t worry if you’re not attending –  there’s still plenty of to do during the next few months. Here’s a list of a few favorite events coming up: (more…)

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Summer vacation in Bald Head Island, NC

Tuesday, July 5th, 2011


Created with Admarket’s flickrSLiDR.
By Derek Brown

Bald Head Island, NC is an escape to tranquility and ocean breezes.  There are no cars just golf carts and bikes.  The island is at the mouth of the Cape Fear River and is steeped in naval history, including the Revolutionary War, Civil War and sunken ships.  Golf, tennis and beach walks are popular activities.  The more active set will enjoy fishing, stand up paddling (SUP) and even kite surfing.  In addition, it is a favorite destination for sea turtles to lay eggs.

Bald Head Island is accessible by a ferry from Southport, N.C., a short drive from Wilmington.

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Derek Brown, a member of the Orbitz editorial team, just returned from vacation in Bald Head Island, N.C.  He’s off to New York City this weekend.

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