CATHERINE EBERHARD -- Retail Roundup

It’s summer now, the weather’s warm, the kids are out of school, and

many people are itching to take a vacation. I know I’m counting the hours

to the start of my upcoming trip. While trying to figure out how to be a

“selective” packer and not take everything I own in my suitcase, I

decided to write my column this week on businesses that can help you

experience the vacation of your dreams.

Perhaps you are like most of us and desperately need a vacation, but

you have no idea where to go or what kind of trip you can afford. A great

way to start your trip planning is to meet with a travel agent.

An often overlooked place to help with your travel needs is the

Automobile Club of Southern California. Most people belong to the

automobile club because of the 24-hour roadside assistance program that

can come to your rescue in the event of a flat tire or a dead battery, or

if you lock your keys in your car. However, the club also has a

full-service travel agency in the Huntington Beach office with many

travel agents to help you plan your vacation. The club also offers

airline, rail, hotel and car rental reservations, and the agent I spoke

to on the phone was friendly and helpful when I asked her for a quote on

air fare.

The automobile club membership entitles you to discounts at many

hotels, car rental agencies, restaurants and attractions. By showing your

card at participating locations, you can save money while you’re on

vacation. Plus, you can get substantial discounts on the actual booking

of your trip with the club’s promotional packages.

Through Sept. 1, you can take part in the club’s special Oasis

Getaways program, which offers several choices of destinations in the

scenic desert areas of California and Arizona. The Oasis Getaways program

includes a great deal on hotel rates and lets you enjoy fitness

facilities, discounted gourmet dining, greens fees on select golf courses

and a variety of activities.

A popular destination for families is Disney World in Orlando, Fla.

AAA Travel is offering a Disney Land and Sea Vacation that combines a

stay at Walt Disney World Resort with a cruise on the Disney Cruise Line

to the Bahamas. Each cruise also includes a day at Castaway Cay, Disney’s

private island paradise. A vacation like that would provide plenty for

the kids and adults to enjoy.

Other cruise options include Mexico, Alaska or Europe, and the

automobile club frequently offers discounts on major cruise lines to

these destinations. The club has a special running now on a seven-night

Northwest Waterways cruise along the beautiful coast of British Columbia,

Canada. For a limited time, you can save 50% off your companion’s fare

and receive free air fare from Los Angeles International Airport on

select departure dates.

If you prefer to stay on dry land, a road trip though the U.S. could

be your ideal getaway. The automobile club has reserved discounted hotel

rooms inside several national parks, such as Bryce Canyon, Yellowstone

and Yosemite. The famous spiral-bound “TripTik” routing maps will let you

navigate easily to your destination with narrative, detailed directions

and scenic detour options. In addition, you can pick up any of the

various Tour Books to get hotel and restaurant ratings and information on

popular attractions along the way.

For details on AAA Travel Services and membership, call (714)

848-2227, visit the Huntington Beach office at 16160 Beach Blvd. or visit

the automobile club on the Web at https://www.AAA.com.

***

Once your trip is fully planned, make sure you don’t leave home

without a quality camera to capture some priceless memories of your

summer vacation. Bill’s Camera, at 6022 Warner Ave., is just the place to

fill all your photographic needs. The owner, Bill Ventura, has been in

business there for 30 years. He is an enthusiastic Huntington Beach

resident who enjoys the community and has no plans of ever moving his

shop or his home elsewhere. Bill and his son, Todd, run the business and

pride themselves on their personalized service and getting to know their

customers on a first-name basis. They sell several types of cameras with

brand names such as Canon, Olympus and Minolta. They can even meet the

needs of professional photographers with high-quality equipment,

specialized film and processing. Their prices are competitive on digital

and still cameras, camcorders and photo processing. If you’re traveling

internationally, Bill’s Camera can also be of service with its instant

passport photos.

Also, if you should ever have a problem with your camera, camcorder or

projector, they offer full-service repairs as well. Slide processing is

available and videotape transfer from photos, slides or old home movies

is another way to preserve your precious memories.

Once you get home from your trip, your film can be developed by Bill’s

Camera, and they have their own lab and are fully capable of enlargements

or any other customized processing. You can also pick up some frames or

photo albums there to showcase your best pictures. More information can

be obtained by visiting the store or by calling Bill or Todd Ventura at

(714) 842-8801.

I hope you find these Huntington Beach businesses useful in preparing

for your summer travel adventures. Now I’m off to start my vacation.