GadlingTV’s Travel Talk – Zip Lining on Catalina Island

by Stephen Greenwood on

GadlingTV’s Travel Talk, episode 21 – Click above to watch video after the jump


In part one of our Catalina adventure, we surprised Aaron with a trip to the island for some quality undersea exploration. Now, join us as we explore more of the island for some zip lining, a tour of the famous Casino in Avalon, and yes, more scuba diving.

Located 22 miles southwest of Los Angeles, Catalina Island has a rich history as a private island and as a tourist destination. On the couch, we’ll talk about some of the many people who have claimed ownership to the island and why Avalon’s iconic casino isn’t the gambling type, and how Catalina is looking to boost their tourism industry once more.


If you have any questions or comments about Travel Talk, you can email us at talk AT gadling DOT com.

Subscribe via iTunes:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V).
[RSS M4V] Add the Travel Talk feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.

Links
Read the full backstory about James Lick right here!
Read up on Catalina’s biggest developer – William Wrigley, Jr.

Interested in escaping to Catalina? Book your passage on the Catalina Express from Long Beach!
Where to stay – Avalon’s recently renovated Pavilion Hotel.
What to do – take a ride on Catalina’s brand new zip line course!
Love to scuba dive? Check out Catalina Scuba Luv.


Hosts: Aaron Murphy-Crews, Stephen Greenwood

Produced, Edited, and Directed by: Stephen Greenwood, Aaron Murphy-Crews, Drew Mylrea

GadlingTV’s Travel Talk – Catalina Island

by Stephen Greenwood on

GadlingTV’s Travel Talk, episode 20 – Click above to watch video after the jump


This week we have an extra special episode – it’s Aaron’s birthday and we’ve decided to surprise him by going to one of Southern California’s best escapes for diving, watersports, and all things adventurous.

Located 22 miles southwest of Los Angeles, Catalina Island has a rich history as a private island and as a tourist destination. On the couch, we’ll talk about some of the many people who have claimed ownership to the island and why Avalon’s iconic casino isn’t the gambling type, and how Catalina is looking to boost their tourism industry once more.

Stay tuned as we take you zip-lining, scuba diving, show you Avalon’s newest hotel, and finally settle some leftover golf wagers from Orlando. Enjoy!


If you have any questions or comments about Travel Talk, you can email us at talk AT gadling DOT com.

Subscribe via iTunes:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Show directly in iTunes (M4V).
[RSS M4V] Add the Travel Talk feed (M4V) to your RSS aggregator and have it delivered automatically.

Links
Interested in escaping to Catalina? Book your passage on the Catalina Express from Long Beach!
Where to stay – Avalon’s recently renovated Pavilion Hotel.
What to do – take a ride on Catalina’s brand new zip line course!
Love to scuba dive? Check out Catalina Scuba Luv.




Hosts: Aaron Murphy-Crews, Stephen Greenwood

Produced, Edited, and Directed by: Stephen Greenwood, Aaron Murphy-Crews, Drew Mylrea

Photo of the day (12.20.09)

by Grant Martin on

For a person who has never been too fond of Southern California, I’ve recently found myself drawn to the region. Perhaps it’s because the weather is good — or maybe it’s because the girls are so much prettier and because I don’t have to think of home.

Either the way, in my last three visits to the area I’ve lingered longer every time. On Saturday, I took an early ride up the coast line from Marina Del Ray up past the Santa Monica Pier to visit an Ultimate Frisbee tournament. Afterwards in Venice Beach, where this photo was taken, I had breakfast on Washington. At home, the high temperature on Saturday was 12°.

mce323‘s picture of Venice reminds me of the parts of the city that I really love, the boutiques along the PCH, the cliffs in Malibu and the California style burritos. It makes me almost want to move to SoCal. Almost.

Have any cool photos you’d like to share with the world? Add them to the Gadling Pool on Flickr, and it might be chosen as our Photo of the Day. Make sure you save them under Creative Commons though, otherwise we can’t use them!

Southern California’s best hotel Christmas light displays

by Neil Woodburn on

I’m a big sucker for Christmas lights. Not the simple ones hanging on family homes, mind you, nor the ostentatious ones the shove Christmas down your throat. No, I love the classy displays found so often at major hotels.

For whatever reason, high-end hotels in Southern California seem to go bonkers with lights at this time of year but they do it so tastefully and with so much class that I usually find myself visiting at least one local hotel every year to simply soak up the spirit.

For those that feel the same way I do, and plan to be in Southern California for the holidays, Valli Herman has penned a nice article for the LA Times detailing the very best light displays at local hotels and resorts.

I was very happy to see that my favorite, the Ritz-Carlton, Huntington Hotel & Spa in Pasadena was included on her list. But don’t be intimated by these high-end, pricy resorts–you don’t have to check in and spend the night, just swing by the bar for a drink and enjoy.

Ritz-Carlton, Huntington Hotel & Spa – Pasadena
The Mission Inn – Riverside
St. Regis Resort – Monarch Beach
Four Seasons Hotel – Westlake Village
Bacara Resort & Spa – Santa Barbara
Montage Resort & Spa – Laguna Beach