The Channel Islands are only a 1-hour boat ride from the cost of Southern California but might as well be a world away. 

First, let me introduce myself: I am Bill from Anaheim, California - USA. 

I love to travel, and during my travels, I was always looking for a good source of information about the area I am visiting. I bought travel guides. I searched travel websites looking for information that only the locals would know, and I always came up empty-handed. 

Home to Legoland, the flower fields, a waterpark, an Aquarium and beautiful beaches, this sleepy little beach town is becoming a major tourist attraction in Southern California.

Carlsbad sits between Oceanside and San Diego with a long stretch of beaches, several creeks and lagoons, making it a perfect spot for a weekend getaway or a rest stop on a long journey.  

Most families with children flock to Carlsbad to spend a day or two at Legoland. The theme park is filled with rides and experiences based on the popular Lego toy brand. And if a park full of thrills is not enough, you can go next door to the new Water Park and Sealife Aquarium.  

Downtown Disney district sits in between Disneyland, California Adventure and Disneyland hotel. The area is full of entertainment venues and restaurants.

The best things are free at Downtown Disney: You can stroll around, enjoy the scenery or listen to street performers. At around 9:30 PM you can catch the great fireworks display right from the district. The fireworks are launched above the sleeping beauty castle, but very prominent from several locations in the district.

Walking through the pedestrian-only streets or along the canals of this town, you get the feeling that you stepped back to medieval times. And as you follow some of the canals, you end up at a picturesque lake surrounded by mountains.

The city of Annecy started as a Roman settlement and later became home to the counts of Geneva in the 10th century. In 1400 it became home to the counts of Savoy and in 1860 it became the capital of  Haute-Savoie in France. Read more here.