Southern California - Top 5 Places to Go
by David Bradley

When you think about Southern California, many things come to mind. whether you are coming to Southern California for the first time, have been here a thousand times, or even live here - what are the absolute best places to visit? Here's a list of five must sees:

San Diego Zoo: If you are a nature lover, this is the zoo for you. Consistently rated among the worlds best, California Condors, Giant Pandas and Koalas. Explore animal habitats organized into 10 bioclimatic zones, from arctic tundra to rainforest.

SeaWorld San Diego: a water wonderland well known for its killer whale, Shamu, and its sea lion, and dolphin shows. The park also features Journey to Atlantis, a combination roller coaster and splashdown ride, the Shark Encounter, the Wild Arctic, and the Penguin Encounter, showcasing a variety of penguins.

Universal Studios Hollywood: Universal, always one of the biggest Hollywood studios, has offered tours of its studio since the silent-film era. Universal Studios has a major theme park and includes stunt demonstrations and high-tech rides. Universal City Walk is also close by and features many shops and restaurants.

Disneyland: Disneyland Park, the life long dream of animator and movie producer Walt Disney, has truly become one of the most famous places in the world. The park is divided into separate lands, and includes Fantasyland, Adventureland, Frontierland, Tomorrowland, Main Street, U.S.A., New Orleans Square and Critter Country in Frontierland and Mickey's Toontown. If you've never been to Disneyland, you're missing out on an inexpensive adventure of a lifetime!

Hot Air Ballooning in Temecula: Looking to do something totally new and completely thrilling? Go to Temecula, about an hour's drive from LA or San Diego, to ride in a hot air balloon. The area is simply spectacular to look at from the air, and it has near perfect climate conditions. Want to try something else just as fun while you're there? Try a bi-plane ride - this area is ideal for this type of aerial tour as well!

www.californiadreamin.com

Check for fun San Diego entertainment
aside from the usual events around the area.

Sheridan, Wyoming

If you're still out for cold-weather fun visit Sheridan!

Sheridan and the Big Horn Mountains offer a bevy of outdoor recreation opportunities including ice-skating and snowshoeing. Children and adults both enjoy skating at Whitney Community Ice Rink. The area also offers other winter outdoor activities including ice fishing and wildlife viewing. Wildlife is as abundant as the snow, with large animals such as moose, elk, and deer viewed throughout the winter months.

While in Sheridan, enjoy the evening entertainment, at fun restaurants, specialty shops, a movie, or a live performance at the WYO Theater – all in the original #1 Western Town in America! Embrace the West with a Downtown Walking Tour or at the legendary Mint Bar. Lodging options offering value and comfort at affordable prices are available to groups of any size. If in need, just ask, while experiencing the friendly hospitality here in Sheridan, Wyoming - The West at its Best!

Conveniently adjacent to Interstate 90 in north central Wyoming, Sheridan is 203 miles east of Yellowstone National Park, 240 miles west of Mt. Rushmore National Monument, and 125 miles southeast of Billings, Montana. Explore winter sports, adventures, snow reports, trail maps and lodging.

www.sheridanwyoming.org

Gallup, New Mexico

Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary Offers Unique Adventure

photo courtesy of New Mexico Tourism Dept.

Nestled in the Zuni Mountains in the community of Candy Kitchen near Ramah, along State Road 53 in west-central New Mexico, Wild Spirit Wolf Sanctuary offers New Mexicans and their visitors the experience of a lifetime.

The Sanctuary – a New Mexico non-profit organization - provides habitat and shelter for more than 60 abused and abandoned wolves and wolf-dogs. Come for a tour or spend a peaceful weekend at the fully-wooded, primitive campground, where visitors can hear the night song of wolves under a star-filled New Mexico sky. The Sanctuary provides year-round camping for $10 per night and provides propane grill rentals.

“Start your tour on the patio of our century-old cabin,” says Director Leyton Cougar, “then take an educational walk among our wolves. Our friendly and knowledgeable tour guides will answer all of your questions, while sharing amazing facts about these majestic animals. Because education provides the best possible hope of ending the trade in all exotic species, including wolves, our sanctuary develops unique, interactive programs that give people the chance to develop a richer appreciation for the complexities of wolf behavior.”

More than 15,000 visitors include the Sanctuary in their travel plans annually. It has been featured in newspapers nationwide and on Animal Planet, Outdoor Life Network, CNN, Finnish and German TV, CBS, and ABC TV shows, and many others.

And, while you’re in the “neighborhood,” don’t miss the El Malpais National Monument, Ice Cave and Bandera Volcano, El Morro National Monument, Ramah Lake, Zuni Pueblo, and the Ramah Museum.

For more information, visit www.wildspiritwolfsanctuary.org

Southern Nevada

photo courtesy of Las Vegas News Bureau/LVCVA

Diversity in the Desert

Cultural diversity is evident all along the world-famous Strip, with attractions representing the far corners of the globe - from the deserts of Egypt to Monte Carlo, from Paris to Venice, from the wonders of the South Seas to the skyline of New York City. But diversity doesn't stop there. It's also reflected in the rich history of Southern Nevada and its residents. The dynamic multicultural lifestyle of Las Vegas, far from the mystique of the Strip, helps contribute to the destination's uniqueness and appeal.

Native American Heritage

The history and heritage of Native Americans, the first settlers in Southern Nevada, add texture to Las Vegas' rich cultural tapestry. Native American contributions to the region's culture are found in a variety of attractions and recreational areas in and around the region. American Indians currently account for 1 percent of the Clark County population.

Explore ancient Native American artifacts and petroglyphs at:

• Lost City Museum - Built by the National Park Service in 1935 to exhibit artifacts that were excavated from Pueblo Grande de Nevada. These Anasazi Indian sites were threatened by the waters of Lake Mead as it backed up behind the newly built Hoover Dam.

• Red Rock Canyon - Several tribal groups have lived in the Mojave Desert within the past 2,000 years. The northern and eastern portions, for example, were occupied by the Kawaiisu, Kitanemuk, Serrano, Koso and Southern Paiute bands including the Chemehuevi.

• Valley of Fire - Prehistoric users of the Valley of Fire include the Basket Maker people and later the Anasazi Pueblo farmers from the nearby fertile Moapa Valley. Fine examples of rock art left by these ancient people can be found at several sites within the park.

American Indian Associations:

• Inter-tribal Council of Nevada
• Las Vegas Indian Center
• Nevada Urban Indians
• Snow Mountain Pow Wow
• Valley of Fire and Moapa Tribal Office

For additional information please visit www.VisitLasVegas.com