Where are you spending your vacation bucks this summer? Are you staying in a budget hotel that isn't as nice as your home? Or maybe you've opted for the "cookie cutter" five diamond resort where staff greets you as Mr. or Mrs. Ho-hum. Pictured is the famous Water Tower House in Sunset Beach seen on far right and middle on photo.

Why not do something out of the ordinary-just once. There are some unique vacation accommodations in California that make the trip a once-in-a-lifetime memory, just for the "wow" factor alone. The water tower house with panoramic 360 degree views of Orange and Los Angeles Counties sits near the sands of Sunset Beach and Surfside, and you can rent the entire four-story Water Tower House for your next vacation, birthday or anniversary.

If the beach and a home that's built inside an actual water tower tank on stilts doesn't float your boat, you can drive up coast 20 minutes to the Queen Mary, an historic floating cruiseliner with hotel rooms in a ship that never moves. The Queen is permanently docked in the Long Beach harbor and renovated the stately rooms last year when the premier property management firm, Delaware North, took the helm.

Are you feeling a little wild, yet you don't want to head for the jungles of Africa which will take you days of travel, lots of shots, passports and huge expense to get to? Head for Santa Rosa, Calif. where the Safari West includes many wild animals and an African tent you can rent. The accommodations are stand alone mini-houses with wooden flooring, front porch/decks, separate bathrooms with showers, animal print sheets, spreads and canvas flaps to cover your windows at night. Equipped with electricity, there are electric blankets and space heaters should you require luxury while roughing it. While visiting, be sure to take the safari!

Finally, no vacation to California would be complete without sleeping in a vineyard. South Coast Winery Resort & Spa in Temecula features stand alone villas with marble and granite counter tops, small kitchens, fireplace, and luxury bathrooms with separate shower and spa baths. There are 76 spacious, richly appointed villas with no common walls. When we checked in, there's was a complimentary bottle of wine waiting on the table. When you open the doors to step out on your patio deck with a table and chairs, you're surrounded by vineyards. Whether you drink wine or not, this is a great vacation!

There are many opportunities to sleep with ghosts, sleep where famous presidents rested and play a game of pool on the same table many have played in places such as Hotel del Coronado in San Diego where you can book the Presidential Suite.

Life is good in California. Live it!