32 ~ Sunday, September 22, 1991- North Shore News TRAVEL Selling California State pulls out the stops promoting winter tourism TIMING CAN be critical to get the most enjoyment out of travel. Hong Kong, one of my favorite places, is impossibly humid in Ju- ly, P’ve never been disappointed with Hawaii during unfashionable November, and London in January may be damp but it’s a glorious time for bargain air tick- ets, theatre-going, galleries and shopping. Then there’s California, perfect for winter getaways, decent weather, easy to get to, same time zone, and they speak the same language, sort of. Winter, you'd think, would be high’season. Not so. For some reason which eludes me but we'll put it down to goodwill, the California Office of Tourism is once again declaring November to February as California Dream Days, which is the name of a promotional cam- paign to attract Canadians. Incentives include discounts of 20% or more at designated lodg- ing facilities, RV parks, attrac- tions, sightseeing services and transportation companies. Ask your travel agent for the California Dreams Days directory listing 670 participating tourism- related businesses that have a deal for you. Your travel agent will also have details of discounted air fares and vacation packages. Or you might want to do a little reading on the subject first. In that case stop at a bookstore, but do allow plenty of time, because if the shops are stocking the volume of books i've been getting for review then the California section will be huge. A good starter is 22 days in California, by Roger Rapoport. This paperback’s introduction ex- plains that the guide begins at a zoo in San Diego and ends three weeks ‘later in an Oakland ice cream parlor. Along the way the faithful reader/traveller will stand on the point where Cabrillo claimed the land for Spain, see the back lot that was the setting for the movie Casablanca, get tips on lodgings and be shown where to find haute cuisine and hot dogs. ft comes with lots of useful in- formation such as strategy for Disneyland and how to find the Spruce Goose, opening hours and admission prices. California Camping, the Com- plete Guide, is more than a series of listings. It is amusingly written by Tom Stienstra, who has soothing words for those who find camping an ordeal. David Wishart | TRAVEL TIPS As he says, instead of the relax- ing, exciting sojourn it was in- tended to be, a camping tip can easily turn into a scenario called You Against the World. And so he goes on, pointing out that 95% of vacationers use only 5% of the available recreation areas. Tom invites you to discover the other 5%. Top of many shopping lists will be California Golf, the Complete Guide, with articles by Mark Soltau. Some knave (hopefully) had the task of playing the 700-plus courses listed, but the resulting ef- fort will be treasured by anyone who dreams of getting out of the Georgia Street traffic on a wet November afternoon and cream- ing a bail down the first fairway at Pebble Beach. The big paperback is beautifully laid out, carefully detailed with directions and prices, and is a must for any visiting golfer. Then there's the Best Places to Kiss in Southern California, which lists 200 hoteis, restaurants and parks where you can have fun. The idea’s a good one, even if it comes with a hokey title, but 1] cant imagine why the -authors didn’t come across Le Petit Chateau in Palm Springs. This el- egant inn’s clothing-optional poli- cy allows romantics to cut a few corners, The desert is hot, and the mountains are not, and as a result the state has a wide range of hor- ticulture. If this is your interest look out for California Public Gardens, a Visitor’s Guide. And for a good all-round read, there’s Ray Riegert’s Hidden Coast of California, the Adventurer's Guide. All these paperbacks are distributed in Vancouver by Rain- coast Books. Poll Staff required for West Vancouver-Garibaldi Patricia Crawford App ly at 2427 Bellevue Ave, West. Vancouver Hours: gam to 4pm Monday - Friday NORTH SHORE CREDIT UNION 8 6¢ Want to save over $100,000 on your mortgage? — Hi, I’m Terry Kennerley and I, or one of my colleagues at North Shore Credit Union, can tell you how to do that. There’s only one catch — you have to make the first call. Pick up the phone and ask for a brochure, drop by any of our nine branches, or mail in the coupon today. 995 ———— eo Yes! I'd like to know more about your mortgages. Q send me a brochure. QO phone me. POSTAL CODE PHONE DURING DAY Narth Vancouver. B.C. V7M 2H2 :\ [=] NORTH SHORE i \ (=A CREDIT UNION L MAIL TO: NSCU, 301-1112 Lonsdale Ave.. a Fitness inyou Conn Dollarton 929-8111 Bumaby 299-1404 Lynn Valiey Marine Drive 980-6556 986-1116 Park Roval Village 926-8571 985-8221 Lonsdale 986-4321 Pacific Landmark 685-9302 Whistler 932-5314