JOESEPH D’ALESSANDRO APPOINTED to California Travel and Tourism Commission

Joseph D’Alessandro, 51, of San Francisco, has been appointed to the California Travel and Tourism Commission.

Since 2006, he has served as president and chief executive officer for the San Francisco Convention and Visitors Bureau.

From 1996 to 2006, D’Alessandro was president and chief executive officer for the Portland Oregon Visitors Association.

One thing we're not thankful for: holiday travel

The nation's highways and skies will once again be packed with holiday travelers undeterred by high gasoline prices and long lines at the airports. In California, 4.9 million people are expected to spend the long Thanksgiving weekend at least 50 miles from home, according to AAA of Northern California. That's a 1.3-percent increase over last year.

Wednesday is traditionally the nation's busiest travel day of the year, with an estimated 38.7 million Americans set to up and go.

Travelers may not feel very thankful

If you're flying for Thanksgiving, brace yourself.

Beginning today, the busiest period for holiday air travel will be busier than ever, with a record 27 million passengers, up 4% from last year, jamming airports and stuffing planes over a 12-day period.

Spa Luce at Renaissance Hollywood Hotel Announces Product Lines for Grand Opening in March, 2008

Hollywood, CA (PRWEB) November 11, 2007 -- The Renaissance Hollywood Hotel is pleased to announce the three exciting product lines that will be available when the new Spa Luce opens this spring. Among the industry's elite, Sonya Dakar Skincare, the Somme Institute, and Red Flower all represent the spa's complete commitment to all-around natural beauty.

With over thirty years of experience in the business, Sonya Dakar believes all people deserve the chance to achieve great skin. Available at the world's best day spas and resorts, all Sonya Dakar treatments live up to this collective spirit, producing balance and tone in all types of skin, while protecting against a variety of conditions. Sonya Dakar is known the world over for her legendary facials.

California taps tourism to help economic recovery after wildfires

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger said on Wednesday that the state will do all it can to encourage tourism to help in Southern California wildfire economic recovery.

The governor reminded tourists that Southern California remains a beautiful, exciting and safe place to visit.

Schwarzenegger made the remarks while touring popular tourist destinations still open for business after the recent wildfires.

"People heard about the fires and they just assumed most of Southern California had burned down. I'm here today to announce to the whole world: Southern California is still here and it remains open for business," said Schwarzenegger.

California's North Coast: Savor Tomales Bay

You can find good local food in any number of beautiful places, but in Tomales Bay, on California's North Coast, there's a special kind of seamlessness between the act of eating and just being in nature. The loveliness of this landscape, which flanks the Point Reyes National Seashore, is in fact shaped largely by food and the raising of it.

The grassy hills on the bay's eastern shore are pastures for dairy cows and beef cattle.