Solvang California real Estate & Local Area

Named one of the Top 10 Construction Achievements of the 20th Century, Hoover Dam continues to draw crowds more than 70 years after its creation.

Attracting more than a million visitors a year, Hoover Dam is located in Black Canyon, just minutes outside of Las Vegas.

In 1930, construction began on the Hoover Dam, the largest of its kind at the time. Despite the remote location and harsh working conditions, it was completed in less than five years -- two years ahead of schedule -- and well under budget.

The dam is named after America's 31st president, Herbert Hoover, who played a large role in bringing the nearby states into agreement about water allocations, settling a 25-year controversy. The dam has been called Boulder Canyon Dam as well as Boulder Dam, but Hoover Dam was reinstated as the official name by Congress in 1947.

A National Historic Landmark, Hoover Dam is the highest concrete dam in the Western Hemisphere, standing at more than 725 feet above the Colorado River. With 17 generators producing 4 billion kilowatts of electricity a year, it also is one of the country's largest hydroelectric power facilities. Operation and maintenance of the facility are solely supported by revenue from power sales.

A tour of the dam is available and well worth the time and money spent. Called the Discovery Tour, it is broken up into several components at numerous locations, each with its own Hoover Dam expert to guide visitors. The unique tour format allows guests to pick and choose which locations they want to see and the complete tour generally lasts about two hours. The Discovery Tour begins with a brief video show depicting the history of Hoover Dam and how it came to be. Afterwards, a guide will escort you to an elevator for a 500-foot descent to get an up-close look at the power plant generators housed at the base of the dam.

Another interesting stop on the tour is an observation deck set above the dam affording panoramic views of the Colorado River and Lake Mead. The location also provides a bird's-eye view of the Hoover Dam facility, including an unobstructed look at the dam's mechanical components.

The tour continues with several stops along the top of the dam, from the Winged Figures of the Republic to the Nevada Intake Tower. All stops are marked with "Discover Hoover Dam!" signs to ensure that none is missed.

The view from the dam also offers breathtaking views of Lake Mead, the country's largest man-made reservoir. Although water levels have been low recently, Lake Mead can store up to 9.2 trillion gallons of water, equal to two years of the river's annual flow. It also has become a popular recreation area, sought out by more than 9 million visitors each year.

Papillon Grand Canyon Helecopter Tour

275 E. Tropicana Ave., Suite 155
Las Vegas, NV 89109 USA
Toll Free: 1.888.635.7272
Phone: 702.736.7243

Fly, Descend, Land! Exclusive canyon landings! Fly by VistaLiner airplane roundtrip from Las Vegas to Grand Canyon West Rim Airport. Enjoy an exhilarating Papillon helicopter descent of 4,000 feet from the rim to the canyon floor to board your pontoon boat for a short cruise along the Colorado River. Following your helicopter ascent to the canyon rim you will be transferred by motorcoach to Guano Point overlook where a light meal is provided surrounded by sheer rugged cliffs with excellent photo opportunities.

Using a dramatic combination of music, water and light, the Bellagio delivers spectacular performances with its majestic fountains.

Every evening, time briefly seems to stop in front of the Bellagio. Running every 15 minutes or every half-hour, depending on the time of year, the animated fountains are impossible to simply walk past. Cleverly orchestrated to a variety of songs -- from "One, Singular Sensation," featured on Broadway, to "Fly Me To The Moon," written by Bart Howard and made famous by Frank Sinatra -- the fountains appear to come to life with every note.

Spanning across the quarter-mile-long lake in front of the Bellagio, the free show generally lasts between five and 10 minutes. However, performances are hindered by inclement weather.

The fountains were created by WET Design, a Southern California firm responsible for other well-known displays of water and light, including the LeapFrog Fountain at Disney World's EPCOT, the Sky Rockets at Chicago's Navy Pier and the Universal CityWalk Fountain.

The $40 million Bellagio fountain show is equipped with 1,200 nozzles and 4,500 lights, making it the most expensive and ambitious water feature the company ever has done.

The Bellagio fountains have been made famous through appearances on the silver screen. The fountains were most notably highlighted in the remake of "Ocean's Eleven," starring George Clooney, Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts.

To complement the fountain design, provided by WET Design's Claire Kahn, the Bellagio brought in outside professionals to develop the show, including composer/conductor Gerard Schurmann ("Lawrence of Arabia") and choreographer Kenny Ortega ("Dirty Dancing").

The range of movement across the lake is varied; some of the movement is continuous, responding to the smooth passages of music, while other water jets are rapidly pulsing, reaching heights as high as 240 feet.

With a wide array of musical selections and choreography, you could easily sit in front of the fountains all night and never see the same performance twice. Even those in passing cars on the Strip feel compelled to pull to the side and take in the show.

As soon as you step into the Exotic Cars showroom, you feel it. Your heart begins to beat a little faster, you start to feel warm, you're adrenaline kicks in. And they haven't even started the engine. That's the kind of power these cars have.

Located in The Forum Shops at Caesars, Exotic Cars displays more than 40 vehicles with prices more than $1 million. Extremely rare and sought after, they draw thousands of people to the two-story, 34,000-square-foot showroom each day. If you want to discover more about any of the cars on display, vehicle specifics can be checked out on several interactive touch screens readily available around the showroom.

Due to strong demand for these exquisite automobiles, turnover is high and the type and number of vehicles varies. Some vehicles previously housed at Exotic Cars have included the 2005 Lamborghini Murcielago Roadster, the 2003 Saleen S7, the Ferrari 512 TR and the Porsche Indy Car.

If the prices of cars and motorcycles in the showroom are a bit out of your range, don't worry. You can still avoid going home empty handed. A wide range of logo-adorned merchandise is available, from polo shirts and T-shirts to hats and key rings. And for $20, you can have your photo taken behind the wheel of a Ferrari 360 Modena Spider F1 (cars may vary) with one of four unique backdrops.

You can even play with remote-controlled cars on a racetrack (which is also available for purchase). Whether you are window shopping or ready to purchase, a trip to Exotic Cars is one you won't soon forget.

Don't let the pink exterior fool you, the Circus Circus Adventuredome is filled with action and thrills. Housed beneath a five-and-a-half-acre glass encasement, the Adventuredome promises fun for the whole family, young and old.

As soon as you set foot in the Adventuredome, you will find yourself face to face with the park's newest ride, The Sling Shot , which shoots you up toward the ceiling at 4 Gs and brings you back down at -1 G. The ride is fast and packs a powerful punch.

Another ride you can't help but notice is the Canyon Blaster . Far from traditional, the high-speed roller coaster gives riders a 90-foot-high view of the park and boasts the only double-loop, double-corkscrew track in the United States

Two other rides that will surprise you with a number of twists and turns are the Inverter and Chaos . The Inverter takes you 50 feet off the ground as it flips a full 360 degrees while Chaos spins you upside-down, backward and counterclockwise.

If you find yourself breaking a sweat from some of the more extreme rides, take a moment to cool off on the Rim Runner . Riders are left wondering what's behind every turn as they travel downstream, finally plunging down a 60-foot drop and getting thoroughly drenched.

But not all of the attractions are as adventurous: "Fun House Express" is an IMAX Ride Film that takes you on a demented clown's journey through the bowels of a fun house. Other options include a miniature golf course, laser tag, an arcade as well as bumper cars and a number of midway booths.

Amid the neon lights and slot machines, the Flamingo offers a refreshing oasis with its Wildlife Habitat.

Guests will feel as if they have been transported to a tropical island as they take refuge in the habitat, located next to the Flamingo's pool area.

Full of photo opportunities, the habitat is filled with lush foliage imported from around the world including varieties of pines, palms and magnolia. Visitors can take a stroll on winding walkways alongside streams and waterfalls, or on bridges over lagoons and ponds. Benches scattered throughout the area allow guests the chance to sit back and enjoy the view.

The Wildlife Habitat at the Flamingo is home to more than 300 birds, including Impeyn and silver pheasants, Gambel's quail, a Crown crane, two ibis, swans, ducks and parrots. However, the most notable are likely the Chilean flamingos.

But birds aren't the only wildlife that can be seen in the habitat; there is an abundance of turtles and koi as well.

Home to two exciting attractions, Klingon Encounter and BORG Invasion 4D, Star Trek: The Experience provides visitors with a very realistic experience through the use of live interaction and motion simulators. Some may even say chillingly realistic.

BORG Invasion 4D: As unsuspecting visitors tour a research facility, they are attacked by the BORG, who try to capture and assimilate them. The experience is all too real, with the utilization of 3D and 4D effects, as well as live actors. More info .

Tickets are good for the entire day, so you can leisurely stroll through the "History of the Future" exhibit, which displays Star Trek props, weaponry, spacecraft and award-winning masks and costumes.

Klingon Encounter: Visitors are "accidentally" beamed onto the Starship Enterprise, just as it is being attacked by several Klingon warships. In an effort to escape, visitors hurry to a shuttle bay, where they board a 27-car shuttle and attempt to make their way home. More info .

Quark's Bar and Restaurant and Deep Space Nine promenade: Quark's Bar and Restaurant , which can be found in the Deep Space Nine promenade, is a galactic pit stop offering tasty concoctions that are out of this world. The Deep Space Nine Promenade also houses the Promenade shops, where you can check out the world's largest collection of Star Trek memorabilia and collectibles and perhaps purchase a souvenir.

Souvenir photos: Now you can take a souvenir photo in the Captain's Chair on the Bridge of the Starship Enterprise or in an authentic BORG Regeneration Chamber. Photos are $14.99 each or $24.99 for both. Scheduled times for photos are 12:45, 2:45, 4:45, and 6:45 p.m. and participants must sign up ahead of time at the ticket booth.

Star Trek: The Experience -- Secrets Unveiled: Ever wonder how they do that? Visitors can now take a behind-the-scenes tour of Star Trek: The Experience and learn how the Klingon Encounter and BORG Invasion 4D rides make visitors feel as if they have truly been transported to another space and time.

The first of its kind to open in Las Vegas, the Luxor IMAX Theatre features a 7-story screen as well as 30,000 watts of sound distributed across six sets of speakers throughout the theater.

'Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D': Produced and narrated by Tom Hanks, 'Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D' takes guests through an exciting journey on the moon. Walking alongside the 12 Apollo astronauts that have accomplished this amazing feat, passengers will learn firsthand what the astronauts saw, heard, felt, thought and did.

Including never before seen photographs, CGI renditions of the lunar landscape and previously unreleased NASA footage, the film provides audiences with the experience of a lifetime.

'Mystery of the Nile': Over a period of 114 days, a team of explorers journeyed down the world's greatest and most deadly river, the Blue Nile. "Mystery of the Nile," follows the explorers as they face numerous challenges, including dangerous rapids, frightening encounters with crocodiles and hippos, and the fierce Saharan sun. The team also is the first in history to complete a full descent of the Blue Nile and Nile, a distance of 3,260 miles. Throughout the journey, audience members are given a glimpse of the unique beauty of the Nile region as never seen before.

'Deep Sea 3D': Narrated by Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet, 'Deep Sea 3D' is an exciting underwater adventure that will transport audience members deep below the ocean surface. With the help of IMAX technology, moviegoers will be given a unique insight into a mysterious underwater world. The film features some of the most dangerous and colorful creatures found within the depths of the ocean.

'Fighter Pilot': "Fighter Pilot" follows young American fighter pilot John "Otter" Stratton as he makes his way through "Red Flag." Held at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas, "Red Flag" is an international training exercise that brings together hundreds of pilots from the air forces of allied countries. The exercise is the final tune-up training for pilots and their crews before being sent into actual combat and comprises two weeks of training that is as intense and demanding as actual combat.

Recently accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, the Shark Reef at Mandalay Bay encompasses nearly 2 million gallons of water and reaches depths of 22 feet. One of the largest exhibits of its kind, the aquarium houses more than 1200 species of aquatic life including sharks, exotic fish, sea turtles and much more.

The Shark Reef's setting is that of an ancient temple, slowly sinking into the ocean. The exhibit starts with a look at exotic wildlife, featuring a rare display of five golden crocodiles. There are only about a dozen golden crocodiles left in existence, and those found at the Shark Reef are the only ones in the Western Hemisphere. Also in this portion of the aquarium is a male water monitor, a cousin to the komodo dragon. Water monitors are carnivorous and can reach sizes of up to 8 feet.

The Amazon Predators exhibit offers visitors a glimpse into the aquatic ecosystem of the rainforest. Having adapted to the environment, there are a variety of unique species found in this exhibit. The Silver Arrowana, sometimes called the "monkey fish," captures insects and even birds by leaping completely out of the water. The Red-Tail Catfish possesses an insatiable appetite, and eats, among other things, entire ducks whole. The Arapaima Gigas, the largest fish in the Amazon, also is found in this exhibit and can grow up to 14 feet in length.

The next stop at the Shark Reef is the piranha exhibit. Despite their deceptively serene appearance, piranhas can be very aggressive. The largest of the four species at the exhibit, the Black Piranha can grow larger than the size of a man's hand and is capable of devouring a 100-pound animal in less than a minute. The piranhas at the Shark Reef are fed a combination of frozen fish, poultry and beef heart three times a day, as they begin to eat one another when they are hungry.

After passing through the exotic fish exhibits, visitors make their way to the second half of the aquarium through the first tunnel, surrounded by a variety of aquatic life. The tunnel opens up to a "touch pool" in which children and adults alike are invited to pet Southern Rays, Port Jackson Sharks and Horseshoe Crabs. Nearby are tanks filled with an assortment of ocean life, including puffers, eels and a mesmerizing jellyfish display.

The exhibit takes a dark and foreboding turn as visitors then make their way to the heart of the Shark Reef, disguised as a sunken treasure ship. Set up to give spectators the feeling of being at the ocean floor, onlookers are surrounded by plates of glass on each side, as well as above and below. Just on the other side of the glass are a number of sharks, sea turtles, manta rays, fish and more. Visitors can't help but feel a twinge of anxiety and awe as several menacing sand tiger sharks glide by.

One of the largest exhibits of its kind in North America, the Shark Reef was constructed with conservation in mind. Only man-made coral is used as it is an endangered species and was developed in association with the Vancouver Aquarium, one of the world's most respected marine facilities. Even the salt water is manufactured by mixing imported salt with dechlorinated tap water. In addition, 2 million gallons of water from the Shark Reef are filtered every hour.

Following the themes of education and conservation prevalent throughout the aquarium, the Shark Reef offers a wall exhibit explaining what can be done to preserve natural habitats. There also is a classroom for local school groups featuring an aquarium wall as a backdrop.

The Shark Reef employs a staff of 16 naturalists to answer questions. In addition, visitors are provided with audio wands detailing each exhibit. Whether a future marine biologist or simply a curious passer-by, the Shark Reef has something for everyone.

Nestled in the heart of the MGM Grand, the lions of this Las Vegas resort are clearly the kings of this neon jungle.

Separated from the lions by only one and a half inches of glass, visitors can watch as these majestic creatures feed, play, groom themselves and sleep. Informational placards are strung along the glass wall outside the exhibit, offering interesting facts about the lions. For example, did you know that lions sleep an average of 18 to 20 hours a day? And did you also know that, as adults, lions reach 8 feet in length and can weigh more than 500 pounds?

When they're not on display, the lions live on an 8.5-acre ranch located 12 miles from the MGM Grand. They are cared for by exotic animal trainer and conservationist Keith Evans. The lions are bathed and blown dry before being transported in a specially designed van to the MGM Grand each day.

Rotated in and out of the exhibit throughout the day, the lions are kept in the habitat for only six hours at a time. Generally, only a few lions will be on display at any given time, but there are 31 in all -- 20 females and 11 males.

However, some of the lions are no longer permitted to visit the habitat after they gave trainers a hard time about returning to the ranch. Seems they like it so much in the habitat, sometimes they don't want to leave.

Trainers give presentations regularly, but the frequency of the presentations depends largely on the activity level of the large felines. If you are lucky, you can catch the trainers hand-feeding the lions or participating in some playtime.

As you exit the habitat, you'll pass through the retail shop. Here you'll have the chance to pick up a wide range of lion-themed items, from stuffed animals and magnets to a variety of books.

Secret Garden review: Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! OK, so maybe there aren't any bears at the Secret Garden, but with all the lions, tigers and leopards, you won't even notice.

Siegfried Fischbacher and Roy Horn, better known as Siegfried & Roy, have dedicated their lives to the preservation of these unique animals, and it is evident in their "garden." From lush foliage native to the animals' natural habitat to jungle-themed music to the best medical care money can buy, the creatures that call the Secret Garden their home have it made.

The pair's efforts trace back to the early '80s when they began a breeding program with the Zoological Society of Cincinnati with two striped white tigers and a snow-white tiger cub. There are now nearly 40.

In 1995 they partnered with the Johannesburg Zoological Gardens in South Africa to make similar progress with white lions. At the time there were fewer than 10; there are now 23 in the care of Siegfried & Roy.

But white tigers and lions aren't the only exotic animals you'll find in the Secret Garden. Other inhabitants include a black panther, a snow leopard, an Asian leopard and an African leopard. The rarest animal in the Secret Garden is the heterozygous tiger, a golden tiger capable of producing pure white, white striped and golden striped litters.

Dolphin Habitat review: A tropical oasis on the Las Vegas Strip, the Dolphin Habitat at the Mirage provides an entertaining and educational experience for all ages.

Because the research facility is designed to increase public awareness about dolphins, the animals are not trained and there are no scheduled performances. But if you stick around long enough, you may get to see an impromptu trick or two during an "interaction," or playtime, with staff members.

The 2.5-million-gallon facility includes a 22-foot-deep viewing tank, with both an outdoor and underground viewing area. The tanks replicate the dolphins' natural habitat, with an artificial coral reef system and sandy bottom.

The observation center is home to seven Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Duchess, the matriarch of the group, is the oldest dolphin of the pod at 28 years. She also is mother to four of the other dolphins, including Squirt, 13. A video highlighting the birth of Squirt can be seen in the underground viewing area.

The habitat and its staff possess a wealth of information on these amazing mammals. For example, they are warm-blooded, breathe air and actually nurse their newborn calves. They also communicate to one another through a series of chirps, whistles and squeals (which you can hear a recording of as you descend to the underground viewing area). You also will learn how dolphins use their sensitive hearing to locate objects or prey in the water.

No dolphin at the observation center has been taken from the wild; the animals at the habitat were either born in the facility or relocated from other marine facilities.

Private Events at Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat

Never before available to the public, Siegfried & Roy's Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat at The Mirage is now available for private functions.

This unique setting is ideal for those wanting to hold an event surrounded by the beauty of nature. In addition to numerous exotic animals, the habitat is also filled with majestic palm trees and lush foliage and can accommodate parties of up to 650 guests.

Whether you are hosting a reception, dinner, meeting or conference, the unique jungle atmosphere of the habitat is sure to provide an experience not soon forgotten.

For more information contact The Mirage Catering Department at (800) 939-9389.

Have you ever dreamt of being a race car driver? Do you have the need for speed? Sahara Hotel and Casino has just what you're looking for.

Las Vegas Cyber Speedway is the next best thing to the real experience. In fact, with simulators enabling drivers to customize tire pressure, aerodynamic wing angles, horsepower, braking response, transmission torque and suspension, you may forget that it's a simulation at all.

Located in the NASCAR Cafe, the 35,000-square foot attraction offers visitors the chance to compete with up to seven other drivers in pursuit of the checkered flag.

Drivers can choose between zipping around the Las Vegas Motor Speedway or hurtling down the Las Vegas Strip, all realistically depicted on a 20-foot, wraparound screen. The cars are 7/8 the size of authentic stock cars and mounted on hydraulic bases. Both automatic transmission and stick shift are available.

Reaching speeds of 220 mph, racers will issue pit crew instructions while enjoying the sounds of the speedway through a 15-speaker sound system.

Current speeds and placement are displayed throughout the race for onlookers and final results are available once it concludes.

Soar off into space and be one with the astronauts as you're launched 160 feet in a mere 2.5 seconds at 45 mph, getting a taste of weightlessness as 4 Gs of force lift you literally off your seat. (Astronauts experience about 3.2 Gs on lift-off.)

Riders then drop to 0 Gs and bungee up and down the mast three times and practically float back to the launch pad one minute later.

Reaching a maximum height of 1,049 feet (including the Stratosphere Tower ), the Big Shot is the ultimate rush. You'll want to ride it over and over again -- and if you do, be sure to take advantage of the half-price deal for second-time riders.

But beware, this ride is not for the faint of heart.

Escape the hustle and bustle of the Las Vegas Strip with a relaxing gondola ride at the Venetian.

From the soothing sound of water lapping the sides of the gondola to the eloquent singing of the gondoliers, passengers will feel as if they have truly been transported to Italy.

Modeled after authentic Venetian gondolas, there are several gondolas on the canal and in the lagoon at any given time. Each gondola seats four, so smaller parties may be paired with others. There also is a wedding gondola, elaborately decorated in white and gold, that serves as the site for numerous wedding ceremonies.

The indoor gondolas make their way through the Grand Canal Shoppes, beneath bridges and below the quaint shops and cafés that line the canal running through the Grand Canal Shoppes.

The half-mile ride lasts about 14 minutes and is a great way to get a unique view of the shops. Surrounded by a ceiling emulating blue sky as well as architecture inspired by Venice landmarks, a gondola trip down the Grand Canal delivers a unique Vegas experience.

After a trip down the canal, riders return to dry land to explore the different shops and cafés that caught their attention along the way.

Outdoor gondolas take the authenticity of the Venetian gondola ride one step further. Although two minutes shorter at 12 minutes long, the views afforded on the outdoor version more than make up for the shorter ride.

With the warmth of the sun overhead and sparkling water below, passengers glide along a 31,235-square-foot lagoon located at the front of the Venetian resort on the world-famous Strip. Watch out for winds or rain, the outdoor gondolas are subject to closure due to inclement weather.

If you have a chance, get to the canal or lagoon 15 minutes before the gondolas open for business and you may catch the gondoliers as they begin their day with a song.

A longtime fan of the exquisite craftsmanship of Ferraris, Steve Wynn has created the ultimate tribute to the Italian carmaker with the opening of Penske Wynn Ferrari Maserati.

Located in Wynn Las Vegas, the Ferrari-Maserati showroom is Nevada's only factory-authorized Ferrari and Maserati dealership and displays more than a dozen vehicles exceeding prices of $700,000. Extremely rare and sought after, they draw thousands of people to the 10,000-square-foot showroom each day.

Some of the vehicles found at the showroom are the 2003 Ferrari 360 Spider F1, the 2005 Maserati Coupe GT and the 1995 Ferrari F50. You can even see Wynn's $1.4 million Enzo Ferrari, which is not for sale. Placards in front of each car provide further details (it cost $60,000 to register Wynn's Ferrari in Nevada) including prices.

The showroom draws quite a crowd, and less than 35 visitors are allowed in at one time, so be prepared to wait in line for a few minutes.

Adjacent to the showroom is North America's first Ferrari store. The 3,500-square-foot shop offers visitors the chance to purchase any number of items emblazoned with the Ferrari logo, including coffee cups, tote bags, books and toys.