Travel

If you plan on protesting a ban on same-sex marriage, what better place than West Hollywood, a town known nationwide as a center for gay activism and politics? But go there on vacation? West Hollywood -- where more than a third of the population identify themselves as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender -- is well-known to locals and draws many visitors from around the state. But it's not a major national or international destination. Now the city, eager to shore up revenues, wants to expand its reach.

Despite airfares and hotel rates that are among the lowest in over a decade, more recession-battered travelers will forgo the airports, hit the freeways and stay with family and friends to save money during the upcoming holiday season. This Thanksgiving, the number of passengers traveling by air nationwide will be down 4% from last year, according to a report released Monday by the Air Transport Assn., a trade group that represents the nation's leading airlines. The group attributes the drop to declining demand despite air fares that, according to its report, are at the lowest levels since 1998.

Re "Entering the San Francisco Pay Area," Dec. 30, 2008 Presuming that San Francisco's congestion pricing plan is implemented in a logical way, it will work. Tolls will have to be collected electronically, of course, but the economic principles involved are not mere theories. If travelers are forced to pay a toll that accounts for the costs their travel decisions inflict on others, they will not travel unless the benefits exceed the trip's full and true cost. Located on the tip of its peninsula, San Francisco is an ideal location to implement a London-style congestion-pricing zone.

In response to the "prolonged, escalating violence" in Mexico, the commanding general of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force has tightened regulations for all Marines who want to travel south of the border, officials said. Lt. Gen. Samuel Holland has ordered that all Marines and sailors under his command seek a "liberty chit" from a lieutenant colonel. In the past, that regulation has applied only to younger enlisted ranks. Marines and sailors cannot travel alone to Mexico and must use the buddy system.

When we think Colorado, we think Rockies. Missouri? The Mississippi River. And California? Well, we have so many fabulous physical features that it's hard to choose one. But for our purposes, we're concentrating on beaches, if only to rub it in to Colorado and Missouri. The staff has chosen its favorites, which appear below. This may not be the end-all and be-all, and you may even disagree. If you do, let us know at tellus@latimes.com. Coronado City Beach Coronado Bookended by military stations and parading past the storied Hotel del Coronado, this nearly two-mile stretch of Pacific Ocean sand is a great place to hobnob with summer crowds or escape them.

Travel wish lists: An article in the Feb. 8 Travel section about travel wish lists credited Frederic Chopin as the composer of "Claire de Lune." Claude Debussy was the composer.

The Justice Department's Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives has taken the unusual step of urging college students to avoid parts of northern Mexico during spring break. The bureau's Los Angeles field division said Monday that it discourages travel to Tijuana and Rosarito Beach. It noted that both cities, which are just south of San Diego, have had a lot of drug-fueled violence. Rosarito has long been a popular destination for Southern California students on spring break.

Yahoo Inc. is closing a service called FareChase that helped users find travel bargains as part of a plan to tighten the company's focus and cut costs. Yahoo was to shut down the service Wednesday, sending users to its main travel site instead, a spokeswoman said. Yahoo bought FareChase in 2004. The service enabled customers to search for prices on flights, hotels and cars. The company faces slumping online advertising and mounting competition from Google Inc., which dominates the Internet search market.

A museum in Istanbul. A pleasant (and Nice) California town. Caves and rice terraces in the Philippines. And a Nevada park irresistibly named 'Valley of Fire.' Readers have gone global and found adventure, history and, often, peace. Here are some of their discoveries. Mountain province, Philippines Many travelers have heard of Banaue in Ifugao province, the Philippines, home of the rice terraces often dubbed the "eighth wonder of the world." Few have heard of Mountain province, Ifugao's northern neighbor.

They get no respect. At least, that's what the Travel staff thinks about these destinations. So much the better for the crafty traveler who can find a little slice of heaven away from the throngs. Carpinteria, Calif. Why people ignore it: A low-profile beach town, Carpinteria lives in the shadow of Santa Barbara, its glamorous big sister, just 12 miles up the coast. Why you shouldn't: It's a charming, affordable family getaway, where everyone can find something fun to do, less than 100 miles from Los Angeles.