A World of Adventure at Your Doorstep!

What were your 2010 New Year resolutions?  Did you vow to … lose weight … exercise more … improve relationships … eat healthier … return to school?  How many of these resolutions have you actually begun?  How many have you started and already “fallen off the wagon” so to speak?  We begin a new year with great intentions, but like almost everyone, we soon lose interest and zeal for those changes that require more of us than we are really willing to give.  BUT …

AAA Transportation has a New Year’s resolution that EVERYONE can keep and enjoy!  We call it “A World of Adventure at Your Doorstep”. Why not resolve to learn more about California and the Tri-Valley, Bay Areas?  Whether this is your home or a vacation area you plan to visit, we can insure you will learn about new and exciting places and events, visit those special “hidden treasures” known mostly to locals, enjoy the best concerts and shows California has to offer, and take supreme pleasure in those memorable events like weddings, proms, graduations, business meetings, etc.

We also provide the most luxurious, enjoyable transportation for every location and event … and we supply specials and discounts throughout the year! Let’s look at some of the premier tours and events you won’t want to miss in 2010:

Wine Tour Special – Did you know the lush green hills of California’s wine country contain 400 wineries?  Each new year heralds winery tours with exciting tasting rooms and wine/food pairings.  AAA Transportation knows every gentle curve in the many roads that will have your group engulfed in this “fairy land” for six hours for only $299 (plus gratuity).

Concerts and Theatre – Have you ever experienced a concert at the lush Wente Vineyards?  Eight people can experience the excitement for only $260 (plus gratuity).  Our other low rates will whisk you to any of the historic theatres in the area – The Curran, The Osage, The Orpheum, The Paramount, and The Bankhead.  Sense the music and beauty of Broadway productions, operas, staged plays, and more!

Fine Dining and Live Entertainment – Have you ever tasted the ultimate prime rib at Tommy T’s and then laughed until “your sides split”?  What about “Hot Sizzling Thursday Nights” at the Pleasanton Hilton?  Then there’s Pleasanton’s Main Street Brewery, the annual Harvest Wine Celebration, … and any place your heart desires!

Fun for the Whole Family – Spend quality time together at the Renaissance Faire dressed in your favorite costume, enjoy the little known sport of bocce at Campo di Bocci, experience the annual Dry Bean Festival, the Labor Day Harvest Wine Celebration, and other family fun spots.

Business and Leisure – Who wouldn’t enjoy a day of golf and relaxing spa treatments at The Purple Orchid Inn, The Claremont Club and Spa, or the sublime and refreshing Vintage Estates? Treat your clients and employees to the elegant Palm Event Center, and thrill to world-class golf at Crow Canyon Country Club.  Your clients will thank you!

Once-in-a-Lifetime Events – Why not let professionals handle the intricate details (and associated stress) of your wedding, graduation, prom, special Birthday gala, promotion celebration, family reunion, and that long-awaited cruise to … ?  We know the most rewarding places anywhere around, plus luxuriously carry you there with specials and discounts galore!

Any place you desire to go … AAA Transportation takes you there in style and comfort.  Take advantage of our “Go Green” hybrid sedans and SAVE!  Our fleet of sleek, late-model vehicles economically provides luxury transportation for ALL of your personal and corporate events.  With excellence as our standard, you are guaranteed complete satisfaction.  Make your reservations TODAY either online or by calling 866-558-0222.

Hybrid Prius Sedans – Elegant and “GREEN”

AAA Transportation is proud of our efforts to keep Mother Earth “GREEN” and beautiful.  For several years we have included the classy Toyota Prius hybrid (gas-electric) sedan in our fleet of modern, sleek vehicles.  We would like to help you become more familiar with one of the main operating components of the Prius – the battery – to better understand how our hybrids give you the BEST is luxury transportation while also helping the environment.

For many decades, vehicle batteries have contained lead and hydrochloric acid – both of which are highly poisonous substances.  When these batteries reach the end of their usefulness, their disposal becomes the “tricky task” of keeping these caustic materials from leaching into our drinking water, food chain, and surrounding environment.  However, new technology in vehicle batteries is producing new horizons.

The emerging hybrid-electric vehicle market is producing promising results with the nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery.  The advantages of this type of battery are:

• Excellent performance
• Long life
• Reliability
• High energy
• Low cost of ownership

How are NiMH batteries made?

Like former batteries, NiMH batteries consist of two electrodes – one positive and one negative.  The positive electrode uses nickel-hydroxide for the cathode, while the negative electrode uses metal hydride for the anode.  A polymer separates the electrodes to prevent shorting.  A potassium hydroxide mixture with a small amount of water forms the electrolyte within the battery cell.  The cell is then sealed and electrically charged to form a 1.2v electrochemical couple.  Individual cells can then be joined in series to produce batteries in various voltage ranges, with 12 volts being the typical arrangement.

What is the Life Span of these “greener” batteries?

Battery life spans are evaluated in terms of complete discharge cycles.  For example, a standard all electric-vehicle battery can be charged and discharged 1,000 times.  This is equivalent to more than 100,000 miles.  However, in hybrid gas-electric vehicles, the battery is never fully charged or discharged.  Instead, these batteries are cycled in shallow discharges hundreds of thousands of times.  This partial charge/discharge operation enables the NiMH battery to last more than 200,000 miles.

What happens when the NiMH batteries eventually lose usefulness?

These environmental friendly batteries are 100-percent recyclable.  AND … because they contain no toxic materials, they are the only rechargeable battery that can be legally disposed of in a landfill.  However, we understand that simply dumping them into a landfill doesn’t make either economically or environmentally sound sense.  The obvious solution is recycling, which most hybrid vehicle manufacturers make available.

AAA Transportation is serious about keeping our planet “GREEN”.  Our eco-friendly hybrid sedans provide businesses and individuals alike with luxurious transportation while reducing our carbon footprint.  With excellence as our standard, you are guaranteed complete satisfaction.  Make your reservations TODAY either online or by calling 866-558-0222.

“Green” Limousine Service – AAA Transportation

What is your favorite color?  Red … blue … yellow … orange?  AAA Transportation’s favorite color is “GREEN”.  Why?  We care about keeping our beautiful earth GREEN and life-giving!  We also care about helping you see more “GREEN” with our specials and packages on limousine services, airport pickups, pleasure excursions, business trips, and even keeping your non-emergency medical appointments.

Every time you decide to travel in a group instead of individually, the “GREEN” benefits add up:

1. Transportation expenses greatly decrease per person.  The direct costs for gas, oil, and vehicle operation become shared.
   • Remember the sudden surge in gas prices during 2008?  Even though 2009 gave us a little relief as prices lowered slightly, it seems climbing gas prices is here to stay.  Sharing this cost of transportation with a group helps keep Mother Earth “GREENER” while keeping more “GREEN” in your pocket.
   • Oil is a commodity that “drives” our lives in more ways than transportation … gas, energy, industry, beauty and household products … to name a few.  We must preserve this precious commodity.  A trip to your favorite spot uses the same number of roundtrip miles, gallons of gas, and pints of oil whether you travel alone or with friends.  Going in a group, however, not only splits the automotive costs; it multiplies the benefits gained from the same quantity of products.  The commodities that formerly benefited only one person now profit a group at no extra expense.
   • Other direct expenses of operating a vehicle are also lessened proportionately.  Costs such as batteries, brakes, various fluids, tires, etc., are reduced per person plus produce multiplied benefits as well.
2. Group transportation has another “GREEN” benefit that is normally not considered.  Hidden vehicular costs such as normal wear and tear, maintenance, repairs, parking fees, tags, licenses, and insurance practically disappear for you because these expenses are shared by all of our customers.
3. AAA Transportation keeps our fleet in tip-top condition, thus keeping our prices low:
   • Proper tire inflation consumes less gas and oil, provides the best mileage possible, reduces tire replacements, and eliminates repeated tire repairs.
   • Air filters are routinely changed to enhance vehicle performance and preserve precious energy.
   • Regular oil changes and tune-ups keep our fleet at its best while reducing carbon emissions.  We spend a little “green” in this area to save YOU big “GREEN”:

A.  Getting ultimate mileage from the resources used.

B.  Reduced repair expenses that help us keep prices low for you.

C.  Lower carbon emissions that help your earth.

Whether serving you for business or pleasure, AAA Transportation is on the leading-edge of taking responsibility for our planet and providing “GREEN” for you.  Our fleet of sleek hybrid vehicles, limousines, sedans, and vans provides eco-friendly transportation for ALL of your needs.  With excellence as our standard, you are guaranteed complete satisfaction.  Make your reservations TODAY either online or by calling 866-558-0222.

Saving the Earth with “Green” Transportation

While there has been much debate about the reality of global warming, everyone agrees that we need to “take care” of this planet on which we live so that it will continue to be a clean, safe, healthy place in which to raise our families.

“Global warming” refers to the increased average temperature of the air and oceans near earth’s surface that could have future dangerous results.  Our “carbon footprint” refers to the level of greenhouse gases emitted from various human activities that raise or lower our near-surface temperatures.  While many greenhouse gases are being studied, carbon dioxide emitted from vehicles using petroleum-based fuels has been named as a major cause of unsafe global warming.

The solution seems obvious – manufacture efficient, cost-effective vehicles with reduced carbon dioxide emissions.   A two-fold approach holds promise for some encouraging results.

1. Biofuels recently appeared on the market promising not only to reduce carbon emissions, but to reduce our dependence on oil.  Biofuels are derived from the sugar fermentation of plant materials such as wheat, corn, beets, sugar cane, and molasses.  Ethanol is now the most common biofuel worldwide.  Biodiesel fuel is ethanol’s “sister” so to speak, being used as an additive to diesel fuel.
2. Hybrid electric vehicles (HEV’s) are one of the other options manufacturers are taking to reduce harmful emissions.  These vehicles make a gradual transition to less harmful vehicles possible.

Simply put, a hybrid electric vehicle combines the conventional internal combustion engine with an electric propulsion system (power train).  Several types of HEV’s exist and provide these advantages:

• Some HEV’s use their internal combustion engine to generate electricity by spinning an electrical generator.  The generator then can either recharge the vehicle’s various batteries or directly power the electric drive motors.
• Other HEV’s reduce idle emissions by shutting down the internal combustion engine while the vehicle is idling, then restarting it when needed.
• Modern HEV’s often use smaller internal combustion engines, thereby automatically reducing carbon emissions.  The electric power train is then used to supply the additional needed power boost.
• Technologies such as “regenerative braking” slow the vehicle by converting the vehicle’s kinetic energy (extra energy present due to the vehicle’s forward motion alone) into electric energy that replenishes batteries instead of being wasted as heat energy.
• HEV’s provide the opportunity for software to be introduced that adjusts the balance between greater fuel efficiency and added power.  In the future, HEV owners may be able to partially control this balance as they wish.

AAA Transportation is on the leading-edge of taking responsibility for our planet.  We have been using hybrid vehicles to successfully serve both individuals and businesses in the Tri-Valley and Bay Areas since 2001.  Our fleet of sleek, late-model limousines, sedans, and vans provides luxury transportation for ALL of your personal and corporate events.  With excellence as our standard, you are guaranteed complete satisfaction.  Make your reservations TODAY either online or by calling 866-558-0222.

The White Crane Winery – Elegance at Its Best!

Rising majestically above the lush, green Livermore Valley wine country, White Crane ridge has been etched into the skyline for centuries.  Nestled among the fragrant grape vines and roses lies one of Livermore’s premier wineries - The White Crane Winery! 

The White Crane Winery offers ultra-premium wines, breath-taking settings for personal and business events, and fun & laughter for Wine Club members.  Some of the ultra-premium wines include their own estate-grown cabernets and chardonnays, plus a select variety from other prestigious Livermore wineries. 

White Crane’s wines have won over 46 gold, silver, and bronze awards including:

Cabernet Sauvignon – Merlot – Cabernet Franc – Zinfandel – Pinot Noir- Chardonnay – Sauvignon Blanc – Sparkling Wine – Vintage Portuguese Port & Estate Chardonnay Port

White Crane offers their wines through their exquisite tasting room and their exclusive Wine Club.

Tasting Room Hours:  Friday – Sunday from 12 Noon – 4:30 PM.

Wine Club members enjoy these exclusive benefits:

• Free enrollment
• Priority for 1^st release of White Crane’s ultra-premium wines
• Vineyard summer concerts
• Food and wine pairing cooking classes
• Harvest Grape Stomping Party
• Wine maker dinners
• Barrel Tastings

…. and more!

The White Crane Winery also offers romantic, majestic, and refreshing settings for weddings, special events, private parties, and corporate retreats.  Packages include catering, wine, and setup so all you need to do is … RELAX!

• Imagine saying “I Do” in their fragrant, beautiful vineyard and rose garden. 
• Perhaps you and a group of friends would enjoy “stomping grapes” or making memories at wine and food pairings. 
• Your Baby Shower will be “the ultimate experience” at the White Crane.
• Make your next corporate retreat “unforgettable” among White Crane’s pristine vineyard grounds.

The White Crane Winery is also concerned about surrounding families and communities.  Therefore, they are hosting a picnic/concert to benefit students from the Livermore Valley Unified School District (LVJUSD).  Proceeds will be used to buy new instruments and music, instrument repair, and supplies essential for the music program in this district.  When?

Saturday, September 26, from 12 Noon – 5 PM

Tickets include food and the concert by local musicians

Make your online reservations here:  White Crane Winery

AAA Transportation has been successfully serving both individuals and businesses in the Tri-Valley and Bay Area since 2001.  Our fleet of sleek, late-model limousines, sedans, and vans provides luxury transportation for ALL of your personal and corporate events.  With excellence as our standard, you are guaranteed complete satisfaction.  You may make your bookings by calling 866-558-0222 or online at www.aaa-trans.com. 

Wine, Fun, and A Great Labor Day Weekend!

Livermore Wine Harvest Festival

You’ve worked hard all year – now you deserve some FUN, APPRECIATION, and RELAXATION.  The Livermore Valley Wine Association agrees with you!  In your honor, they are hosting The 28^th Annual Harvest Wine Celebration for this coming Labor Day weekend:

Sunday, September 6, from 12 Noon – 5 PM

Monday, September 7, from 12 Noon – 5 PM

Grab your family, friends, lawn chairs, and blankets for a day at Harvest Village in Robertson Park.  Here, you’ll find 20 wineries showcasing fine wines from over 40 Livermore Wine Country wineries.  Each winery will present its own style of music, arts & crafts, food, and much more!

On Sunday only, complimentary shuttles will carry you between wineries.  You will also receive your very own take-home wine glass!

Sunday’s bands are:

Finding Stella, El Desayuno, and Lane Cocker and the Big Delta Blues Band.

Monday’s bands are:

Georgi and the Rough Week and Lane Cocker and the Big Delta Blues Band.

The weekend’s activities include:

* Meeting the Oakland Raiders Raiderettes

* Sparkling Ping Pong tournament

* A book signing by Serena Bartlett

For traveling guests, enjoy the weekend with hotel accommodations included in the Wine Celebration Packages designed just for you!

AAA Transportation is a key transportation provider to the Annual Wine Harvest Celebration.  Let us take care of the driving, directions, and traffic.  In addition, if you’ve never indulged your senses in a tour through Livermore Wine Country’s 40+ wineries, we provide this unforgettable experience year-round.

Radiant COLORS … arousing AROMAS… tingling TASTES… this is the essence of California wine country!  Our tours through the winding lush fields of tender grapes dripping from the vines are relaxing, enchanting visits to numerous tasting rooms and wine/food pairings. Share the excitement with others as you talk the “special language” of wine lovers – swirl, sip, sensual, texture-driven, or flavor-driven.

AAA Transportation provides first-class, luxury transportation to individuals and businesses in the Tri-valley and the Bay Area since 2001. We offer a fleet of late model limousines, sedans, and vans.  You may make your bookings by calling 866-558-0222 or online at www.aaa-trans.com.

Our professional staff is waiting to guide you in selecting the best ride in town!

Concerts and Fine Dining at Wente Vineyards

Concerts at Wente Wineyards

Imagine sitting down with your friends or family to an exquisite four-course dinner surrounded by the elegant ambiance of a vineyard setting.   Add to this delight front-row seats to the most outstanding concert performances around.  You may ask, “Where can I find this magical experience?”  Wente Vineyards in Northern California is the gateway to this fantastic encounter.

Tucked away in 3000 acres of prime vineyard country, Wente Vineyards is in its 125^th year, and is the country’s oldest, continuously operated family-owned winery.  The Concerts at Wente Vineyards bring top-named performers almost “to your table”.   A few of their upcoming events are:

Blondie and Pat Benatar – July 22: Music lovers know the fame of these two performers.  Blondie has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, while Pat Benatar is a Grammy Award nominee.

Kathy Griffin – July 23: Known for her “off-the-wall” comedy, Kathy will have you laughing all through the night.  Rest of the lineup is here.

You choose from front-row seating just 10 feet from the stage, Orchestra seating to either the left or right of the stage front, or a range of group tables elegantly stationed in the middle of lush vineyards and gardens.

Before the concerts, The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards offers superb flavors in four-course meals that feature organically grown local ingredients and a unique variety of wines.

Adding to your enjoyment, The Course at Wente Vineyards provides discounted tee times on their first-class golf course the day of each concert.

Wine-tasting events are offered 7 days a week in their Estate Tasting Room.  For private occasions, you can reserve intimate tables in Wente Vineyard’s wine caves for the most unique wine-tasting experience ever.  Tours of their wines, which are stored and aged in the caves, are also available.

AAA Transportation helps begin your day or evening with the perfect start by our fleet of luxury limousines, sedans, and vans.  We safely transport up to 20 people at a time to the beautiful French doors of Wente Vineyards.  While you are enjoying complimentary sodas and beverages, our professional and courteous drivers are delivering you to this “must-have” opportunity.  Make your reservations in advance by either calling 866-558-0222, or online at www.aaa-trans.com. We provide the personal attention you deserve. As always, AAA reminds you to Not Drink And Drive!

California Wine Country – A Dream Come True

Radiant COLORS … arousing AROMAS… tingling TASTES… this is California wine country! Found in the Northern region of California, the gently rolling hills of wine country contain 400 wineries located just north of San Francisco. Wine-making and viticulture (the scientific study and production of grapes) began in California’s lush valleys in the mid-19th century. Currently, 90% of all America’s wine is now produced from the wineries snuggled within the nine valleys making up California’s wine country.

AAA Transportation serves two valleys – Livermore and Napa. Our tours through the winding lush fields of tender grapes dripping from the vines are relaxing, enchanted visits to numerous tasting rooms and wine/food pairings. Whether you are a new wine lover or a connoisseur, you will delight in every quaint winery visited, each with a personality unique to itself. Share the excitement with others as you talk the “special language” of wine lovers – swirl, sip, sensual, texture-driven, or flavor-driven. Experience a delectable selection of wines from several of the 40+ wineries in Livermore Valley, or pick from the hundreds nestled in Napa Valley. Either way, AAA Transportation promises an experience that seems to step right from the pages of a fairy tale.

Several events can be enjoyed throughout the year in either Livermore or Napa Valley.  For instance, Livermore has an exciting wine tasting & food event coming up on Thursday, July 23, 2009, from 6PM-9 PM.  Named “The Taste of Terroir”, you can indulge in 16 pairings of various wines and foods as AAA Transportation guides you effortlessly from one delight to another.

If wine tasting isn’t something that interests you, Livermore and Napa Valleys offer outstanding recreational activities through the year such as golf, shopping, antiques, artisan crafts, and fine dining to name a few.

Whatever your desires, AAA Transportation knows every acre and exquisite place to visit in wine country. Our 8-passenger luxury limousines with complimentary sodas and water promise 6-8 hours of pure pleasure.

Click here for our limo wine country tour packages. If you’re planning a wedding, we also smoothly arrange transportation to your favorite “I Do” spot in wine country. Click here for our wedding specials.