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	<title>California Blog :: Business &#38; Travel &#187; California Travel</title>
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		<title>Beverly Hills Travel in California</title>
		<link>http://www.greatcalifornia.com/blog/beverly-hills-travel-in-california/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greatcalifornia.com/blog/beverly-hills-travel-in-california/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 04 Aug 2011 06:59:06 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Beverly Hills Hotel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Luxury Boutique Hotel]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greatcalifornia.com/blog/?p=64</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Beverly Hills is a great place to visit. Go shopping or window shopping at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Channel, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Gearys, Polo/Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, Lalique, Tiffany &#038; Co, Robert Clergerie, Barneys New York, Van Cleef &#038; Arpels, La Perla, Hermes, Alfred Dunhill, St. John, Harry Winston, Buccellati, Cole-Haan, [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Beverly Hills is a great place to visit. Go shopping or window shopping at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Channel, Prada, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Jimmy Choo, Gearys, Polo/Ralph Lauren, Giorgio Armani, Lalique, Tiffany &#038; Co, Robert Clergerie, Barneys New York, Van Cleef &#038; Arpels, La Perla, Hermes, Alfred Dunhill, St. John, Harry Winston, Buccellati, Cole-Haan, David Orgell, Salvatore Ferragamo, Hugo Boss, Fendi or dozens of other luxury boutiques, stores and shops.</p>
<p>If you are into luxury cars, you can find almost every type of luxury and classic car there is on the streets and at the dealerships in Beverly Hills.</p>
<p>If you can afford it stay in a bungalow at the <a href="http://www.mybeverlyhillshotel.com/">Beverly Hills Hotel</a> and be treated like a king or queen. There are also the Le Meridien, Four Seasons, Regent Beverly Wilshire, The Beverly Hilton, Raffles L&#8217;Ermitage Beverly Hills hotels as well as several other great hotels.</p>
<p>Have breakfast or lunch and see the stars at the Polo Lounge, eat at Trader Vics, Spagos, Il Fornaio, La Scala, Delmonicos Lobster House, Regent Beverly Wilshire, Benihana, Houston&#8217;s and other fine restaurants. All of them provide excellent service and delicious fare.</p>
<p>All of the businesses and merchants in Beverly Hills are used to serving wealthy and discriminating clientel, therefore almost anywhere you go you will be treated with service that is far above average. Unlike the scenes in the movie Pretty Woman I have never run in to rude or snooty sales clerks. Everywhere I have shopped, stayed or dined in Beverly Hills I have been treated very well. Money is money and it seems that the merchants believe that if you can afford to buy their goods or services you are more than welcome in their establishment. Since nowadays it is hard to tell by looks who has money and who doesn&#8217;t it&#8217;s easier and safer for the merchants to treat everyone as if they are wealthy.</p>
<p>Drive through the residential areas of Beverly Hills. You will find houses and mansions of all architectural styles and sizes beautifuly landscaped with dark green lawns, sculpted hedges, fountains and gorgeous gardens. Even the streets are clean and well tended.</p>
<p>Visit Beverly Hills, if you are rich you will feel right at home and if you are not you will probably, at least for a while, feel like you are.</p>
<p>By the way, even though the city is filled with luxury hotels, shops and restaurants, since not everyone who lives, visits or works in Beverly Hills is rich, there are still plenty of medium to inexpensively priced hotels, shops, restaurants, coffee shops and fast food places.</p>
<p>Experience life in the most glamorous Southern California neighborhood when you vacation in sunny Los Angeles. <a href="http://www.mybeverlyhillshotel.com/">Crowne Plaza Beverly Hills</a> is a famous Beverly Hills hotel located within walking distance of Rodeo Drive, and a short distance from other LA hot spots including the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Beverly Center, Hollywood Bowl, and sun-drenched beaches. This full-service hotel offers newly renovated accommodations beautifully appointed with stylish furnishings. Crowne Plaza Beverly Hills also features flexible meeting and event space, catering service, onsite dining, and recreational amenities including a 24-hour fitness center and heated swimming pool. Looking for great deals for your California vacation? Crowne Plaza Beverly Hills offers an impressive list of vacation packages and the best online room rates guaranteed.</p>
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		<title>What is the California Travel and Tourism Commission?</title>
		<link>http://www.greatcalifornia.com/blog/what-is-the-california-travel-and-tourism-commission/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greatcalifornia.com/blog/what-is-the-california-travel-and-tourism-commission/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Jul 2011 09:04:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>admin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Assessment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tourism Commission]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greatcalifornia.com/blog/?p=59</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) is a private-non profit entity created in 1997 by the California Tourism Marketing Act and approved by the travel industry. CTTC operates under the auspices of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency and the Agency Secretary serves as Chair of the organization. From 1998 to 2003, the California [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The California Travel and Tourism Commission (CTTC) is a private-non profit entity created in 1997 by the California Tourism Marketing Act and approved by the travel industry. CTTC operates under the auspices of the Business, Transportation and Housing Agency and the Agency Secretary serves as Chair of the organization. From 1998 to 2003, the California Tourism program consisted of the originally conceived private-public joint marketing venture partnership of CTTC and the State of California. In the 03/04 and 04/05 FY, the CTTC program operated without the State participation of the public funding – the sole source of California tourism marketing budget was directly derived from the CTTC assessed businesses in the travel and tourism industry. Public funding was again restored 05/06 FY. The sole source of California tourism marketing budget is now directly derived from assessed businesses in the travel and tourism industry.</p>
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		<title>Enterprise Zone Credits For California Corporations</title>
		<link>http://www.greatcalifornia.com/blog/enterprise-zone-credits-for-california-corporations/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greatcalifornia.com/blog/enterprise-zone-credits-for-california-corporations/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Jun 2010 07:37:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kathy Austin</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business & Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California Travel]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greatcalifornia.com/blog/?p=45</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[These are economically challenged areas where there is a desperate need for businesses to come and set up and offer work to people from the area, and in order to attract businesses to a Zone, Enterprise Zone credits were put into place. In addition to a host of state-based Enterprise Zone credits, your company may [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>These are economically challenged areas where there is a desperate need for businesses to come and set up and offer work to people from the area, and in order to attract businesses to a Zone, Enterprise Zone credits were put into place. In addition to a host of state-based Enterprise Zone credits, your company may also qualify for federal hiring credits as well.</p>
<p>Hiring credits are available if you hire employees from certain targeted groups. These may include disabled veterans with qualifications, those who have been recently laid off or been threatened with layoff, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, summer youth hires as well as youth and young adults from designated communities, qualifying ex-felons, people who have recently been on food stamps, SSI or temporary assistance for needy families, as well as other qualified youth. Each of these qualified employees can earn your company that hires them up to $13,000 annually in Enterprise Zone credits.</p>
<p>Other tax credits incentives are available as federal hiring credits. WOTC California is the name of the program, and employees qualify based on similar groups as for the state tax incentive. For WOTC California, your corporation may earn anywhere from $2,400 to $4,800 per qualified employee.</p>
<p>Many of these hiring tax credits may be available to you for previous years as well. If you realize that you could have qualified for them three years or even more in the past, your accountant may file an amended return on your company&#8217;s behalf so that you can claim them. As well, if you want to carry over your tax credits so that they are available for your use next tax season, this may also be possible.</p>
<p>Other Enterprise Zone credits help your corporation save energy. When you purchase hybrid and diesel-powered vehicles for business use, your company may qualify for tax credits. If you install energy-saving equipment or pollution-controlling equipment at your place of business, you may then be able to claim Enterprise Zone credits and significant tax deductions. Companies located in an Enterprise Zone may also qualify for sales and use tax credits of up to ten percent of the purchase cost of research and development or manufacturing and processing equipment, as well as energy conservation or water or air pollution equipment.</p>
<p>You can discuss these and other tax credits incentives with your Long Beach accountant, who can provide more information.</p>
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		<title>Vacation Destinations in California</title>
		<link>http://www.greatcalifornia.com/blog/vacation-destinations-in-california/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greatcalifornia.com/blog/vacation-destinations-in-california/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 10 May 2010 03:33:00 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Arnold Smith</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California Travel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California Vacation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Vacation Destinations]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greatcalifornia.com/blog/?p=39</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[California, the third largest state in the U.S.A., boasts of countless destinations that will surely cater to any traveler&#8217;s discriminative taste. There are numerous theme parks, national parks, historical sites, and natural wonders that span the state&#8217;s entirety. It is a state that can be summed up in one word &#8211; Diverse. Diversity can be [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>California, the third largest state in the U.S.A., boasts of countless destinations that will surely cater to any traveler&#8217;s discriminative taste. There are numerous theme parks, national parks, historical sites, and natural wonders that span the state&#8217;s entirety. It is a state that can be summed up in one word &#8211; Diverse. Diversity can be manifested in the people, tourist spots, climate, and topography. So if you are planning to be in California to spend your vacation days the article may help you a lot! Now let us see some of the excellent vacation destinations of the excellent state called California.</p>
<p>In California one will be able to enjoy natural landscapes of snow-capped mountains, seashore, desert and forest too. Yes! One can find the sea-area of Pacific Ocean in the extreme north of the state and in east of the state, snow-capped Sierra Nevada Mountains. Also the desert area is situated in the southeast and the forest area is situated in the northwest of the state California! Now one has to include Yosemite Valley, Rolling Hills, Central valley, California White Mountains, Sequoia National Park, and Mount Whitney to the natural landscape areas of California. Also some beautiful rivers are located in California. Some names are worth mentioning like, Smith River, Redwood Creek, Klamath River, Garcia River, and Napa River etc.</p>
<p>The special mention of Death Valley of California is obviously needed! If one wants to feel the desert landscapes of California, then the Death Valley is the must-visited place for him. Death Valley recorded the maximum temperature in whole USA!</p>
<p>The first thing comes to mind on this account is obviously the famous Hollywood-sign! This Hollywood-sign is a strange thing! Basically the letter &#8216;HOLLYWOOD&#8217; is spelt and written out in white color with a beautiful landscape in background of it!</p>
<p>Silicon Valley is also an interesting place to visit in California. It is situated in northern part of California. In Silicon Valley one can find a very large number of silicon chip manufacturers. A real hi-tech business area! There is one more hi-tech business area situated in Southern part of California is called Tech-Coast. These places are really worth watching!</p>
<p>Some man-made buildings and monuments are must-visiting place in California. The first thing that comes to mind is the Great Statues of Auburn! The statue seems to be 42 feet tall. The Old Faithful Geyser always seems to be the top attractions of the visitors of California. Also there is a toad traffic tunnel located in California called Toad Hollow. The 36-hole Pee Wee Golf Course in Guerneville of California is also an important tourist attraction. But the most astonishing thing is a huge sized thermometer in Baker of California! Some other interesting Vacation destinations are Monterey Bay Aquarium, California State Railroad Museum, Balboa Firm etc.</p>
<p>And last but not least, the most important attraction of California is coming now! It is none other than the Disney Land! This is basically a cartoon theme park, which is being operated by Walt Disney Company! Lots of fun and entertainment guaranteed with Walt Disney created animated cartoon characters.</p>
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		<title>Coastal California Cuisine</title>
		<link>http://www.greatcalifornia.com/blog/coastal-california-cuisine/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greatcalifornia.com/blog/coastal-california-cuisine/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 24 Apr 2010 04:05:51 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Fred Peters</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Shopping and Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California Cuisine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California Travel]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greatcalifornia.com/blog/?p=36</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Marina del Rey&#8217;s outdoor dining opportunities are sure to tantalize your taste buds, whet your appetite, and satisfy your every culinary desire, all as you enjoy a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean, California&#8217;s beautiful people, or the smiling face of your dining partner. Start Your Day Right Experts all agree that breakfast is the [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Marina del Rey&#8217;s outdoor dining opportunities are sure to tantalize your taste buds, whet your appetite, and satisfy your every culinary desire, all as you enjoy a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean, California&#8217;s beautiful people, or the smiling face of your dining partner.</p>
<p>Start Your Day Right</p>
<p>Experts all agree that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You can get your day off to a delicious start at one of the many outdoor dining establishments. You can enjoy a traditional American breakfast at Cousin Cheryl&#8217;s, where you can also shop for unique gift baskets. If you happen to be aboard one of the many boats that call Marina del Rey home, you can have breakfast delivered from the Waterfront Bar &amp; Grill, otherwise you can make use of their patio for some boat watching as you enjoy your breakfast.</p>
<p>Brunch is a great way to start your day with a group of friends. This outdoor breakfast experience combines morning ocean breezes, soft sunlight, and a delectable smorgasbord of breakfast treats from places such as Stones Restaurant or Jer-Ne Restaurant + Bar. Of course, if you&#8217;d rather grab something on the run, you can get some fresh-from-the-oven baked goods from Noah&#8217;s New York Bagels or a gourmet coffee from Joni&#8217;s Coffee Roasting Cafe before heading to the beach.</p>
<p>Cafe Lunches, California Style</p>
<p>Nothing beats sitting at a waterfront dining facility in Southern California, watching the people pass, checking out the boats, and simply enjoying the good life. There are dozens of cafes in Marina del Rey that can provide you with an excellent outdoor dining experience. Cafe Mermaids offers gourmet toasted sandwiches and fresh salads on their waterfront dining deck. If you prefer spicy Cajun food, The Angler&#8217;s Choice is the place to go. This outdoor dining establishment is located conveniently in Fisherman&#8217;s Village and is also a popular stop for the nightlife crowd. For real California flavor, you can&#8217;t go wrong with the Organic Panifico Cafe. Panifico&#8217;s waterfront dining deck offers a beautiful view as you enjoy organic soups, salads, sandwiches, and Mexican treats.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;d rather be on the water, be sure to try Hornblower Cruises, where you can enjoy lunch, dinner, or even brunch aboard one of their luxury yachts. They also offer wine tasting, jazz, and sunset cruises. There&#8217;s nothing like dancing the night away as you sail through this mecca for movie stars, music legends, and royalty.</p>
<p>Dine In Style At The Water&#8217;s Edge</p>
<p>Waterfront dining brings the beach community into an entirely different light each evening. Boats cruise past, displaying colorful lights that reflect across the water. You can dine elegantly on steaks and seafood at the Chart House, or dine on the freshest sushi available at SugarFISH. If you prefer a contemporary Californian menu, you are sure to enjoy your outdoor dining experience at either the Warehouse Restaurant or the Waterfront Restaurant.</p>
<p>Whichever meals you get to enjoy during your Marina del Rey visit, you are sure to be delighted with all of the waterfront dining possibilities!</p>
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		<title>The California LLC &#8211; Taxed to Death?</title>
		<link>http://www.greatcalifornia.com/blog/the-california-llc-taxed-to-death/</link>
		<comments>http://www.greatcalifornia.com/blog/the-california-llc-taxed-to-death/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Feb 2010 06:17:30 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Kingston J. Amadan</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Business & Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California News]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[California Travel]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greatcalifornia.com/blog/the-california-llc-taxed-to-death/</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[California is renowned for being about as business unfriendly as any state. If you aren&#8217;t getting taxed over here, you are getting hit with some odd fee over there. The weather makes up for it, but sometimes you really have to wonder about whether it is all worth it. This is particularly true for small [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>California is renowned for being about as business unfriendly as any state. If you aren&#8217;t getting taxed over here, you are getting hit with some odd fee over there. The weather makes up for it, but sometimes you really have to wonder about whether it is all worth it. This is particularly true for small businesses who form limited liability companies only to get hit upside the head with a host of surprises.</p>
<p>The first surprise is one you could only find in California. The LLC is charged an $800 annual fee for the &#8220;privilege of doing business in California&#8221;. Oh, joy. The fee is due not at the end of your first year, but within a few months of forming your business. Yes, the door is barely open and you are already getting hit with state expenses!</p>
<p>The next surprise comes when you start bringing in some business. The wicked surprise goes by the name &#8220;gross revenue tax.&#8221; In addition to your $800 annual fee discussed above, you have to pay a tax based on your gross revenues. The tax doesn&#8217;t start until you are bringing in at least $250,000 a year, but it is important to remember what we are talking about here. This is a &#8220;gross&#8221; revenue tax. An example will help explain the significance of this.</p>
<p>Imagine I have a store selling some high priced item. My business plan calls for me to lose money my first three years as business builds up. The first year I bring in $125,000 and lose $10,000 as expected. Then year two rolls around. I bring in $260,000 in receipts and lose another $10,000. Much to my surprise, I own an additional $900 in gross revenue tax. Yes, this is true even though I didn&#8217;t make a profit!</p>
<p>So, should you avoid forming a California LLC? No, not really. It is still a great choice. A corporation in California has to pay the same $800 fee, but not the gross revenue tax. As long as you know what you are getting into, the LLC is still worth the financial aggravation.</p>
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