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Waypoints | STOPS ALONG THE WAY
Santa Monica, CA: SMO
For a beautiful place to visit for a weekend or overnight, Santa Monica is the perfect mini-vacation spot. Whether you are looking for a day at the beach or a couple hours of rich diversity and tradition, Santa Monica offers something appealing for everyone.
The world-famous 3.5-mile Santa Monica beach attracts vacationers looking to bike, hike, swim, sun tan, pedal, skate, watch the waves or just relax. This area gives instant stress relief for people looking to kick back for a while and enjoy their surroundings. When at the pier, visitors can spend time at Pacific Park riding the 5-story roller coaster, getting a bird’s-eye-view of the area in the world’s first solar powered Ferris wheel or eating at one of the many colorful, open-air concession stands and restaurants in the area.
Santa Monica is home to many world-renowned artists and has more than 70 galleries, displaying pieces of art in all media. The Getty Center and Skirball Cultural Center are nearby museums that offer everything an art enthusiast could want. Visitors of Santa Monica should keep their eyes open for unexpected pieces of art on buildings, in parks and gardens and on the beach.
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This area has every type of menu imaginable from five-star dining to finger food. Kua ‘Aina and the Sunset Bar & Grill, both located near the 3rd Street Promenade, are well-known in the area for good food and spirits. The Best Western Gateway Hotel, along with many other hotels to fit any budget, is located in the heart of Santa Monica and provides free shuttle rides to the beach and Promenade.
Sandusky, OH: SKY
Sandusky is a resort town on “America’s North Coast,” the south shore of Lake Erie. Popular for boating and fishing, and as a gateway to the Lake Erie islands, the main reason to fly there can be summed up in two words: ROLLER COASTERS.
Sandusky is the home of Cedar Point Amusement park (www.cedarpoint.com). Cedar Point has been voted the best amusement park in the world for six years. They have the highest (420 feet), fastest (120 mph) roller coaster (Top Thrill Dragster). Cedar Point’s Millenneum Force, Magnum XL-250, and Raptor were the #1, #3, and #8 rated roller coasters in the world.
If you like roller coasters, you’ll love Cedar Point. They have more roller coasters than any amusement park in the world, and it’s not just quantity, they are quality rides as well. Especially Raptor; how could this ride, which is, like a world class aerobatic airplane routine, but without the airplane, be only rated number 8 in the world? It boggles the mind.
How to get there: Fly into Griffing Sandusky Arport (SKY) using the SKY VOR, midway between Detroit and Cleveland. For $8 per person, the FBO will take you to Cedar Point, and then come back to pick you up at the hour you pre-designate. Tie-down fee for the day is waived if you buy gas. It’s a friendly, family-owned and operated airport. Also has a great lunch counter with yummy chocolate malts.
—Submitted on aviatorsguide.com by Allen Inks.
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