Great guides for good-time getaways

So, summer is officially over, the kids are back in school and the

holiday season is still months away. Perhaps you never did go on a

real vacation this summer. What you need is a weekend getaway trip to

unwind and relax. Fortunately, here in Southern California, there are

lots of fabulous destinations within easy driving distance. Even more

choices beckon if you hop on a plane.

Need another excuse to splurge on yourself? Monday is National

Tourism Day. Celebrate it by kicking off the arrival of autumn with a

change of scenery. Everything you need to start planning your fall

weekend getaway awaits you at the Newport Beach public libraries.

You’ll find an extensive collection of guidebooks on the hottest

travel spots in Southern California, the West and beyond.

If you want to get away from the crowds and avoid the usual

attractions, take a look at “Southern California: Off the Beaten

Path,” by Kathy Strong. This guidebook is devoted to travelers with a

yen to discover the unique, hidden spots in Southern California that

most folks miss. Strong invites readers to get off the interstate and

explore tucked- away gourmet bistros, fossil hunts in dinosaur

country and lost gold mines. Seven regions of Southern California,

from San Diego to the Inland Empire to the Central Coast, are covered

in this book. Each section has a map, the author’s top 10 picks,

historical anecdotes and an index of places to stay and eat.

On a limited budget? “Tours for Free California: Southern

California & Las Vegas, Nevada,” written by Jodi Jill, lists more

than 100 fun, free tours available to the public. The free tours Jill

recommends include museums, wineries, and parks, as well as more

eclectic spots, such as the Frederick’s of Hollywood Lingerie Museum.

There is a tour sure to please everyone here.

Of course, if you have kids, you may want to visit some of the

more popular, well-known attractions in Southern California such as

the Disneyland Resort. Corey Sandler’s “Econoguide Disneyland Resort,

Universal Studios Hollywood 2004: And Other Major Southern California

Attractions Including Disney’s California’s Adventure” is an

indispensable guide on how to get the most enjoyment and the best

values at Disneyland, Six Flags California, Knott’s Berry Farm and

other legendary entertainment destinations. This up-to-date book

gives insider’s tips on how to keep kids safe and happy, detailed

information on all the major rides and daily itineraries to help

avoid the crowds.

Another savvy choice for parents is “Baby’s Day Out in Southern

California: Fun Places to Go with Babies and Toddlers” by JoBea Holt.

The author, a stay-at-home mother of twins, encourages parents to

introduce their babies and toddlers to a world of new experiences,

sights, and sounds. Dozens of baby-friendly destinations in Los

Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Ventura and Santa Barbara counties are

referenced in this guide. Included in each listing is a special

accommodations key, which indicates if there is stroller access, a

playground, a gift shop, or other amenities.

Maybe a romantic adventure for two is your idea of the perfect

fall getaway weekend. Bill Gleeson’s “Weekends for 2 in Southern

California: 50 Romantic Getaways” has several excellent suggestions

on where to take your loved one for the ultimate mini-vacation.

Charming inns, cozy bed-and-breakfasts, secluded cottages and upscale

spa hotels in a choice of romantic settings are featured in this

guide. Descriptions include color photographs, and all the pertinent

details you need to plan your own special rendezvous.

Perhaps you’d like to venture beyond Southern California. The wine

country of Northern California is an idyllic location for sampling

culinary delights, viewing autumn foliage, hiking or splurging on a

spa treatment. One guidebook that is especially handy to tuck in your

suitcase is “Access California Wine Country,” by Richard Saul Wurman.

Divided and organized by wine districts with large, easy-to-read maps

and color-coded, numbered entries, this book is packed with advice,

on where to go and what to see in the wine country.

* CHECK IT OUT is written by the staff of the Newport Beach Public

Library. This week’s column is by Tamara Henn. All titles may be

reserved from home or office computers by accessing the catalog at

https://www.newportbeach

library.org. For more information on the Central Library or any of

the branch locations, please contact the Newport Beach Public Library

at (949) 717-3800, option 2.