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The 5th Annual San Diego Bay Wine and Food Festival

journeyPod headed to sunny Southern California for the 5th Annual San Diego Wine and Food Festival. journeyPod was there for lip smacking, glass clinking, celebrity watching, swishing, swirling, mouth watering kinds of fun! Held at venues along the stunning San Diego waterfront, the Festival was a sizzling five-day festa that offered attendees everything from cooking classes with celebrity chefs, to wine tastings with Master Sommeliers, to a Reserve Tasting aboard the Hornblower’s Inspiration, and the Final Grand Event –where over 800 wines were poured.

journeyPod caught up with some of the movers and shakers at the festival. We spoke with the Chef of the Fest from 2007, Chef GT, for some real inside scoop on what it is like to be “Chef of the Fest.” We also chatted with the Dan from Redwood Creek Wines, and with Rita from Designo Plus who told us all about sea salts from around the world!

Let’s take a listen straight from this year’s San Diego Wine and Food Festival. And if you’re interested in attending the festival next November, journeyPod highly suggest you make your hotel reservations now—at the Grand Del Mar. That’s where we stayed this year and we couldn’t have been more impressed! Tune in for our podcast on The Grand Del Mar in an upcoming show. You’re gonna love this kitchy piece called “Glass of Wine” by The New Autonomous Folksingers.

The GRAND Daddy of Them All: The Grand Del Mar

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.”

Jennifer Love Hewitt on the Red Carpet at the Oscars

Welcome to Awards Central, West Hollywood, California! It’s Sunday, February 22nd, night of the Academy Awards and West Hollywood is rolling out the red carpet. Located at the base of the Hollywood Hills between Beverly Hills and Los Angeles, West Hollywood is the hip and trendsetting center of Southern California where the stars live, work and play!

As the calendar turns to a new year, the attention of the entertainment community and fans around the world turns to Awards season. Hundreds of millions of movie-lovers tune in to watch the glamorous ceremonies and learn who will receive the highest honors in show business.

journeyPod was there! Listen up for our exclusive interviews with celebs like Candis Cayne, Jodi Lynn OKeefe, Tila Tequila, and Yuvall David.

Santa Monica Blvd Route 66 West Hollywood Walking Tour

Let us guide you with this Santa Monica Blvd walking tour with info on the famous Route 66 and surrounding sites. We take you through beautiful West Hollywood or WeHo as the locals call it so you can experience this hip destination firsthand.

West Hollywood Sunset Strip Walking Tour

Get the real feel of West Hollywood, California with our Sunset Strip walking tour. Highlites include behind the scenes info on the famous Strip. Hear from Roxy owner, Nic Adler.

Rockin’ at the Roxy on the Sunset Strip

Hello fellow jet-setters, we are in West Hollywood! Just a short 20 minute drive from LAX airport and another 30 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, West Hollywood is very accessible. And with so many fun and crazy things to do in West Hollywood, you could spend days here!

As you walk the Sunset Strip—which did you know –that the Strip in Vegas COPIED it’s name from the Sunset Strip? As you walk this historic street, you can literally breathe in history. Take all the many nightclubs for example: The Whiskey A Go Go, which is both famous and infamous, and even the lesser known clubs like the Cat Club. Don’t forget to grab a slice of pizza at Frankie and Johnnies, either!

journeyPod had the pleasure of sitting down with Nic Adler, the owner of the Roxy, who literally grew up inside the Roxy—riding his skateboard across the stage and crashing a Gladys Knight and the Pips show. Wanna hear more? I know you do….so take a listen….

Get ready to “rock on” in West Hollywood! I’ll leave you with the unique song, “Ants in Hollywood” by Francis Collete.“

Celeb Movie Premieres at Hollywood’s Historic El Capitan

Hello fellow jet-setters, we’re on Hollywood Blvd, in Hollywood, California! As we walk down the street we see the famed Kodak Theatre and the Chinese Grauman Theatre. Find your favorite “star” on the sidewalk and say “cheese!” Afterall, you are allowed to be a tourist ever once and again. If you look closely up to the hills, you see the most famous landmark of Hollywood—the Hollywood sign!

If you’re in the mood to see the latest Disney or Pixar film, you’ll find many theatres in and around Hollywood, but if you want to EXPERIENCE a movie, head over to the El Capitan Theatre. This historic landmark is THE place to see a movie—and even see a celeb at their premiere!

journeyPod was given the royal treatment that included a private tour with the executive director, Ed Collins. We learned some inside scoop and then had VIP seats (that included popcorn and soda!) for the new Disney film, Ratatouille. There is no other way to see a movie! We’re believers now! Let’s take a listen… Swing on by the El Capitan Theatre and enjoy the pipe organ, popcorn, and the true experience of “going to the movies.” I’ll leave you with the smooth sounds of Lorena Mire and her song, “Movies in My Head.”

Celebrity Hotspots: The Dolce Group

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

Only in Hollywood will you find the legendary Sunset Strip, and Hollywood Blvd, home to unparalleledd nightlife, innovative dining, and world-class shopping. And in what other 1.9 square mile city will you find 14 distinctive hotels? It’s no wonder it’s the place where the stars come out to play!

Today, we’re at Geisha House, a modern Japanese restaurant, sushi bar and sake lounge that embraces the flavor of traditional Japan while catering to the hip, sophisticated clientele of Los Angeles. At the restaurant today, Barry Levinson is filming his newest film, featuring Robert DeNiro. We visited with Lonnie Moore, partner of the Dolce Group, a Los Angeles-based restaurant and nightlife team whose portfolio includes Geisha House, Dolce Enoteca, Ketchup, Les Deux, and Bella Cucina Italiana.

Check out our Los Angeles Destination Guide for other groovy restaurants like Dolce Enoteca.

Enjoy the unique sounds from Brainpool and their song, “How to Find a Decent Sushi Bar.”

Relax in Luxury at a Lavish South Bay Spa

journeyPod is your guide to luxury travel around the world. Beyond L.A.’s tangle of freeways, you can pedal, snorkel, and kayak your way to a truly great outdoor weekend. Whether it is for a few hours or a few days, we all got to get away sometime. Just beyond the urban sprawl is The South Bay — consisting of the beach cities of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach.

Besides the beautiful beaches, and beautiful people, there is a ton of boutique shopping, lunching, and just plain-old professional athlete sight-seeing to be had. Whether it is watching your favorite professional beach volleyball player spike the ball around, or boutique shopping, the South Bay is a trendy and hip place to be seen. On any given night you may run into Andy Roddick or Nomar Garciaparra at Zinc Lounge in Manhattan Beach.

After all that strenuous outdoor activity, you will be needing some TLC. Head to the place where the local professional athletes go when they need to relax and rejuvenate. You may even run into a certain robe-clad outfielder from the Dodgers, like I did in the Quiet Room at Trilogy Spa in Manhattan Beach. Trilogy Spa is a journeyPod pick for best spa in Los Angeles.

AVP: Beach Volleyball at its best

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

It is beach volleyball season! The AVP tour, established in 1983, is in full-swing, with records already being broken. This year the tour kicked off April 13 in Miami, and now in its 5^th week, it is in Hermosa Beach, CA where journeyPod caught up with some of the great players like second seed Sean Rosenthal, better known by his fans as “Rosie”, had the chance to chat with the “official voice” of the AVP, Chris “Geeter” McGee, and landed an interview with indie band PaperBack Hero who just happened to be doing an acoustic set with their friend Ben Carey of Lifehouse. (Ladies, be sure to listen to find out what accent this Aussie guy prefers.) Hermosa Beach is a favorite stop on the tour for many of the players as they grew up here and this is their “home turf.” Besides, as Rosie said, it’s great to roll out of bed and walk to the tourney!

journeyPod also had the honour of watching the great legend of volleyball, Karch Kiraly, play for his last time in Hermosa Beach and partake in history as Misty May-Treanor (see photo above) beat Holly McPeak’s record for most female wins: 73.

You do not have to live at the beach to experience these amazing athletic contests. The tour continues this coming weekend in Louisville, KY, then makes stops in Tampa, Atlanta, Charleston, Chicago, Boston, Brooklyn, Cinicinnati, and many more. Check out the complete schedule.

And if you are in need of new volleyball apparel or gear, the VB Superstore is your one-stop online shop for everything volleyball.

Check out my new favorite song at the end of the podcast, Comic Book Hero Girl, by PaperBack Hero. If you are in the Los Angeles area on July 9^th check them out in Hollywood at The Key Club, and tell them Andrea from journeyPod sent you.

Sunset Plaza: Fashionable boutiques and celebrity galore

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

If you are looking for the perfect girl’s afternoon out in Los Angeles, journeyPod has found just the place. A chic, little two-block strip of fashionable boutiques and outdoor cafe’s nestled between Hollywood & Beverly Hills, Sunset Plaza’s trendy bistros and boutiques line both sides of the adding a European flair to West Hollywood.

You might think that Sunset Plaza was a recent addition to the area, but in fact this small center was built back in the 1930’s.

The little shops feature the latest and greatest styles and therefore, attract celebs, as well as residents of the posh neighborhoods to the west. Armani A/X, H. Lorenzo, D&G, Nicole Miller and Oliver Peoples are all here. But the journeyPod pick for best boutique in Sunset Plaza is On Sunset, co-owned by fashionista Shauna Stein and The Young and the Restless star, Lauralee Bell.

Besides the shopping, the people-watching here is the biggest attraction. There are more beautiful people (and supermodel wannabes) here than just about anywhere else in town, all part of the passing parade.

Grab your credit card — we are going shopping!

Enjoy the fun sounds of group +nurse and their song, “Former supermodel cocktail waitress.”

Super Model watching while sipping espresso

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

Celebrities pop up everywhere in Los Angeles. If you spend enough time here, you’ll surely bump into a few of them. If you’re in the city for only a short time, however, it’s best to go on the offensive.

The Sunset Strip — a 1 3/4-mile stretch of Sunset Boulevard is a good place to start. That is where you will find The Comedy Store, where Rosanne, Robin Williams, and David Letterman rose to stardom; Dan Aykroyd’s ramshackle House of Blues, where the rock stars still show up for an impromptu show; Johnny Depp’s Viper Room, where River Phoenix overdosed in 1993; Whisky A Go-Go, where The Doors were once a house band; and the Rainbow Bar & Grill, where Jimi Hendrix, Bruce Springsteen, and Bob Marley became legends.

If you like the idea of a sidewalk cafes where you can sit and sip espresso under an umbrella while you watch the Rolls Royces and supermodels cruise by, The Sunset Strip is for you!

You can choose from a number of sidewalk cafe’s including journeyPod pick, Cravings. The hard work of this family-owned business has stood the test of time for two and a half decades and has remained unmoved. Pull up a chair and enjoy the good life while enjoying the fun sounds of group, Buck Brothers and their song “Girls, Skirts, Boots, Bikes.”

Bin8945: Pour it on at this hip modern European bistro

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

As sip becomes hip, more and more wine bars are pouring onto the LA scene. This boom in intimate, dark places to sip Brunello di Montalcino and chat over Petite Syrah, is driven in particular by young people’s enthusiasm for wine, and by a rise in wine popularity across all age groups because of greater availability and affordability.

Wine is undergoing a popularization in Los Angeles that’s making it appeal to a wider range of ages and income levels. Wine bars are becoming a nightlife trend, following the martini and cigar-bar crazes of the last decade.

Many bars and restaurants in the area are making wine a priority. BottleRock in Culver City is a wine bar and shop, offering many interesting, eclectic selections from around the globe. At Lou they have a fun list that changes about every six weeks to reflect the changing seasons. The food is secondary, almost an afterthought.

The journeyPod pick for best wine bar in Los Angeles is Bin 8945. Bin8945 is so much more than a wine bar — it can be described as a hip, modern European bistro designed around the pairing of wine and food. journeyPod sat down with owner, David Haskell, to discuss his new one-of-a-kind experience called Bin8945.

Drink more wine: It’s not just for special occasions; it can be a part of everyday life! And as your sipping, enjoy the smooth sounds of My Virtual Band and their song, Red Wine.

The Fabulous and Fun WeHo Gay Scene

The Fabulous and Fun WeHo Gay Scene

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

Santa Monica Boulevard is named in the Sheryl Crow song “All I Wanna Do” (Is have some fun!) and not surprisingly - this eclectic thoroughfare is one of LA’s largest, connecting the eastside of Los Angeles with the Pacific Ocean.

This area of West Hollywood is home to City Hall and the “largest street party in the world,” the West Hollywood Halloween Carnival.

Santa Monica Boulevard

is also home to the most popular gay & lesbian scene in Los Angeles, sometimes referred to as “Boys Town,” with fun gay nightclubs, bookstores, and cafes all of which are bustling on any given evening. From upscale to low-key, anyone fits in when you are experiencing the WeHo gay scene. If you have ever heard the phrase, “There is not enough variety amongst West Hollywood restaurants.” I can tell you that is certainly Not true! Morton’s, Il Sole, BOA, and Mel’s are just some of the over 150 restaurants. West Hollywood suits everyone’s palate. The journeyPod pick for most interesting restaurant in WeHo is Eleven.If the walls of Eleven could talk, oh the stories they would surely tell! Eleven is housed in a building that dates back to the 1920’s and was once a bank and a recording studio.

Chef Vincent Manna prepared an extensive tasting for us that consisted of a tomato creme soup with an in-season squash blossom, Maui onion rings (Which I must admit were the best onion rings I have had!), a whitecorn puree with truffles, and a unique dish of tuna sashimi with watermelon.

journeyPod then had the opportunity to sit down with owner, Richard Grossi, and learn some interesting tidbits about this restaurant.

Get down to Eleven and grab some onion rings! On your way, enjoy the rock sounds of Backslider and their song, Eleven East.

Fred Astaire Ginger Rogers Royale LA Museums

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

Come along as we explore where Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers used to practice their dance moves. The Royale has plenty of celebrity history to entertain you and great food to keep you coming back for more.

There are an amazing number of museums in the greater Los Angeles area: Historic museums, cultural and art museums, movie and car museums, marine museums - you name it. Many of them are centrally located on Wilshire Boulevard.

There’s something for everyone’s taste. Make a day of it and eat dinner in one of the nearby restaurants.

La Fonda de los Camperos is a Mexican eatery open since 1969 that hosts nightly performances by the Grammy-nominated mariachi band Los Camperos. The heavily local and Latino audience whistles and hollers at the seven-piece group from plush booths on the ground floor and in the cozy balcony. But, the journeyPod pick for best restaurant around Museum Row is hidden inside the historic 1920s Wilshire Royale Hotel. Simply called Royale, this swanky spot features a cool cocktail lounge, a black slate bar, a 35-seat circular booth, and lush patio. The dining room’s soaring columns offset original white Italian marble and hand-carved French oak. Rumour have it that Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers once danced in the Ballroom, which is now the restaurant’s dining room.

Museums and dining await! Sit back and enjoy the sounds of Aubergine, an electronic music trio based in Fort Worth, Texas and their song, Royale.

Sushi and Celebs To Die For

journeyPod is your guide to luxury travel around the world.

West Hollywood’s 1.9 square miles encapsulates the best of all Los Angeles has to offer! Equidistant from both the Pacific Coast and downtown LA, West Hollywood is a visitor’s paradise. Whether your plans include a trip to Hollywood,

Rodeo Drive

or a beachside stroll, WeHo (as the locals say) is ideally situated for both exploring by car or meandering by foot all of the gems Southern California has to offer.

Why not start the day with a tasty LA Breakfast out? Options WeHo-style include local finds such as Dukes Coffee Shop, Hugo’s or Joey’s Cafe, favorite hang-outs for people in the film and music industries. Or visit the Standard Hotel’s Restaurant, with its savvy, Sunset Strip take on coffee shop fare to satisfy your appetite for trendy spots serving great food.

It wouldn’t be West Hollywood without a party! And you’ll find it on the Sunset Strip. Venues range from The Roxy, Whisky a Go-Go, Viper Room, Key Club, House of Blues and beyond. All hotels on the Sunset Strip feature a bar or cocktail lounge with trendy scenes, especially SkyBar at Mondrian, Boa at Grafton and the Lounge at the Standard.

For a great dinner, and a possible run-in with Tommy Lee or Leonardo DiCaprio, head for Blowfish Sushi To Die For. journeyPod enjoyed an extensive tasting and got some inside scoop on this great restaurant. Take a listen…

As Good as it Gets in West Hollywood

journeyPod is your guide to luxury travel around the world.

Just a short 20 minute drive from LAX airport and another 30 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, West Hollywood is very accessible. And with so many fun and crazy things to do in West Hollywood, you could spend days here!

Shopping, dining, celeb watching….West Hollywood has it all. Did you know thatWest Hollywood is one of the top 10 most filmed sites in the world! With over 150 restaurants, 14 hotels, and unique features like the Sunset Strip and Pacific Design Center, West Hollywood shines in front of a camera.

West Hollywood’s 1.9 square miles are home to unparalleled historic venues, incredible views, and access to the most desirable locations in Los Angeles. When in West Hollywood, there are plenty of opportunities to whet your appetite. A few journeyPod picks include: Asia de Cuba at Mondrian, Mels Drive-In, and Sushiya. But the journeyPod pick is The Palm. journeyPod had a lovely dinner with George Gilio, the General Manager of The Palm, West Hollywood, and got the inside scoop!

Enjoy the cool sounds of Caruseo and their song, “Palma Summer Nights.”

Iconic Hotel on Sunset Strip

Iconic Hotel on Sunset Strip

When you think of Rock-n-roll music - The Doors, Led Zepelin, Guns-n-Roses may come to mind. One of the unique things about these bands is that they all started off in West Hollywood, playing at many clubs on Sunset Strip. If you are visiting Los Angeles, you owe yourself a trip to this iconic street. So much history and so many stories…if only the sidewalks could talk.

Some of these “glamorous” nightclubs from the 60’s,70’s and 80’s are still around- The Whisky, for example, is where The Doors started as a house band in the late 60’s.

And speaking of stories, The Hyatt on Sunset, better known as “The Riot House” has many stories to tell. If you want to stay at one hotel with history - you gotta stay here!

The notorious hotel is currently going through a major renovation- which includes replacing the notorious balconies - that’s right no more balconies for Axl Rose to BBQ from and then throw steaks at the people walking below (true story from 1986).

journeyPod had the opportunity to tour this iconic property as is - before the renovation. We were also fortunate to stay in the famed Suite 905 - also known as the “Robert Plant Suite” - one of the most photographed suites in Hollywood. Photographers are happy just to get a picture of the outside of the door. Apparently in 1975 Robert Plant was quoted saying, “I am a golden god!” from the balcony during an interview. One evening Keith Moon, drummer of the Who, climbed from his suite to serve him a cocktail.

Enjoy the appropriate sounds of Indigo Shadow and their song, “Window Riot”.

Paso Robles - The New Hip Wine Country!

Centrally located between San Francisco and Los Angles along California’s central coast, Paso Robles is a four hour drive from Los Angeles. No need to drive 8 hours to Napa or Sonoma and fight the crowds of peoples…no sir!

Diverse soils combined with warm days and cool nights make Paso Robles the optimal area for producing more than 40 wine varieties from Cab Sav, Merlot, and Cab Franc to Zinfandel.

journeyPod recently experienced the perfect weekend getaway to Paso Robles… so all you jetSetters out there, take note!

Hotels to check out include: The Carlton, La Bella Sera, and Hotel Cheval. And for the restaurants get ready to feast at: Artisan, Villa Creek, Enoteca (at La Bella Sera) and Deborah’s Room (at Justin Winery).

Take an educational tour at Steinbeck Vineyards and then head over to Eberle Winery to indulge in the juice…

Read more about about Paso Robles in our Luxury Lifestyle Blog!

In the meantime, sit back and relax while enjoying and the smooth sounds of Peachy Jane and their song “Water on Wine”.

Los Angeles Nightlife, Attractions, Bars and Restaurants

journeyPod has teamed with InMotion Entertainment to offer great travel tips and ideas on fun things to do in top destinations around the globe.

Los Angeles is a city of glitz, glamour, limos and lights. Follow along with us as we explore the perfect beach and hotel pool to spend the day bronzing. Favorite ones include Laguna, Venice, Zuma, Manhattan, Hermosa, Santa Monica and Matador. In case you’re inquiring about those lovely swim-up bars… we highly suggest the ones located at the Standard, Beverly Hills Hotel, Mondrian, Peninsula and Chamberlain Hotel pools.

What they say is true “all the stars come out at night” - so get in your finest gear and get ready for these great nightspots! For a true culinary experience we suggest: Mr. Chows, Koi, Katana, Angelini Osteria and The Ivy. Then get ready to party at Sky Bar, The Whisky, LAX, Formosa and The Rooftop Bar at the Standard.

For a full list of our journeyPod picks visit out Los Angeles Destination Guide!