California Luggage Travel Blog

Travel Pillows of All Shapes and Sizes

California Luggage Co. — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 21:10:59 +0000

There is almost nothing worse than waking up early for a flight, getting on the plane, and trying to fall asleep only to find that you can’t get comfortable enough to drift off. A travel pillow is a good thing to bring with you on a trip, as more and more airlines begin charging passengers for pillows. There are a large variety of pillows on the market today, including easy-to-pack inflatable, stuffed, full neck support, and lumbar support pillows. All of these can take stress off of your neck, improve posture, and prevent you from sleeping in a way that will put kinks in your neck. California Luggage Company in Santa Rosa carries a large variety for you to pick from!

Inflatable pillows are a great, compact way to make yourself comfortable on a long trip. There is a huge variety to choose from in this category, pillows can range from very simple U shaped pillows (such as the Comfort Travel pillow by Eagle Creek), to pillows that will provide lateral support for anatomically correct sleeping (Super Snoozer, by DesignGo), to pillows that have adjustable sections to meet your needs (Double-Comfort Travel Pillow, by Samsonite). These are primarily used for long plane, train, and car trips, because of their ability to collapse, and because of their need to be inflated for every use.

If blowing up a pillow on a plane isn’t for you, or you just want a handy neck pillow for around the house, stuffed pillows are a great option. Stuffed pillows are often u-shaped, and are stuffed with poly-fiber, or foam beads, so the pillow can adjust to the contours of your neck and head. Pillows like these are created by Samsonite, the Travel Pillow which is a simple poly-fiber pillow, and the Convertible Comfort Pillow, which will convert from a neck pillow to a lumbar support or leg support. Bucky pillows are different in that they are stuffed with buckwheat and millet husks, which move when you move, and stay in place when you’ve found that one sweet spot. Stuffed pillows offer supreme comfort, with none of the hassle of blowing something up.

For those that worry about neck alignment, full neck support pillows can take some stress off of your neck, and keep your neck straight, even when you’re asleep. Pillows like the Kiro pillow, designed by a chiropractor, and the Neck Rest by Caldera provide support for your chin as well the rest of your head. Full support pillows take the weight and stress off of your neck, and keep your head at an appropriate angle to prevent kinks. The selections that California Luggage Company carries are all very compact, allowing you to take them on the go, although many people use these at home while reading or on the computer.

Those that sit down for the majority of their day, or for long periods of time, need lumbar support. Adequate lumbar support prevents stress of the muscles in the lumbar area, and prevents hunching. Airplane and train seats are decidedly not built with lumbar support in mind, and so for travelers that take long trips, a lumbar pillow (such as the inflatable Comfort Lumbar Pillow by Eagle Creek) may be a great way to keep your back from becoming sore. Office workers who find that their rolling chairs don’t provide enough support may also fine relief in Lumbar Pillows!

Travel Pillows aren’t just for traveling; these pillows can find uses at home or the office as well. Find any of the great pillows mentioned here at California Luggage Company 609 4^th Street, Santa Rosa, either at our website www.califluggage.com , or call us at (800) 528-5799.

The Portfolio or “Notepad Holder”

California Luggage Co. — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 20:11:24 +0000

A must have for job seekers, recent college graduates, and any organized business person is a leather portfolio or note pad holder, with room for a pad to take notes and an inside pocket for extra copies of your resume, business cards, loose papers, etc. Portfolios can come in different sizes to hold different sized pad of paper. Legal Size leather portfolio is perfect for the attorney on the go or the partner of any law firm. Most of them come equipped with pen loops and pockets for files, some notepad holders even come with a small calculator attached to the inside. They range in price as well, usually from as low as $35 to as high as $200. The more expensive notepad holders are usually enclosed with a zipper or made of high quality leather. Whichever size or style you choose, you are sure to look professional and organized carrying one into a meeting, lecture, etc.

The World’s Lightest Luggage!

California Luggage Co. — Tue, 19 Apr 2011 23:05:53 +0000

International Traveller’s IT-0-2 is the next generation of the world’s lightest luggage. The line was designed in London by Landor & Haws. The It-0-2 frame is made using a fiber glass structure. It has smooth rolling corner wheels add stability during, before and after your travel. It also features multiple zip front storage pockets creates space for smaller items. Because it’s primarily made of aluminum, these lightweight totes adds ease to your travel. The interior is very nicely lined as well. The generously-sized front pockets hold all of your last minute travel essentials and the comfortable foam grip on the telescopic handle makes towing this ultra lightweight case a breeze! Also, the IT-0-2 is guaranteed for 10 years against faulty manufacturing and materials!

Lug

California Luggage Co. — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 21:30:59 +0000

Lug hit the scene in 2005, when founders Jason and Ami launched the brand with offices in Dallas and Toronto. Their focus was travel—how to get there smarter and with style. A business based on luggage belts and coordinating tags has grown to bags, big and small, plus a slew of smart solutions that fit for travel, work, play, and everyday. Here at California Luggage, our personal favorites are the Somersault Shoulder Pouch, the Skipper Shoulder Pouch, the Tuk Tuk Carry-All Bag, the Vertical Hanging Toiletry Kit and the Shuttle Bus Weekender Bag. They’re styles and colors are refreshingly simple, and have become one of our favorite brands! Stop by California Luggage to check out our new Lug merchandise now!

A New Addition to the California Luggage Family

California Luggage Co. — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 20:21:12 +0000

Here at California Luggage, we have a sheepdog mascot that stands at the entrance of our store and greets our customers. Although the sheepdog is a stuffed dog, he has never failed to bring a smile to those who pass by. Recently, the famous dog has gotten very old and worn out, so we have decided to replace him.

We searched for a similar stuffed sheepdog, but didn’t find anything suitable. So as of today, April 7th 2011, we have replaced the old stuffed sheepdog with the next best thing… a stuffed sheep! Our new sheep is out in front of the store already and is drawing quite a crowd this morning.

Come on down to 4th Street and check out the new addition to our store!

Ameribags

California Luggage Co. — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 23:19:36 +0000

The “Healthy Back Bag”, by AmeriBag, is the perfect balance of function and style. The Healthy Back Bag is not only the most comfortable bag you’ll ever carry, but it’s also a great bag for the disorganized man or woman on the go. It can be worn over the shoulder or cross-body, and it’s unique shape contours to the natural curve of the spine. The way this bag distributes weight asymmetrically throughout the entire back works with how you pack it. It’s equipped with more than enough pockets and sections to achieve the ultimate level of organization and keeps from letting all the weight drag at the bottom of the bag. It’s ergonomic shape drastically reduces back, neck and shoulder pain. Here at California Luggage (Santa Rosa, CA) we sell the Healthy Back Bag in many sizes and colors. Our favorites are the Classic Microfiber and the Classic Distressed Nylon.

The healthy back bag’s features include: 5-6 interior pockets, 4 exterior pockets, doubler zip main compartment, handy key hook, D-ring for Baglett, Adjustable non-slip shoulder strap, signature easy-see silver lining

We recommend the Healthy Back Bag to anyone who wants a unique look with more organization and less back pain. We also recommend looking at Ameribag’s Baglett which is a smaller complimentary bag to the Healthy Back Bag.

Briggs and Riley

California Luggage Co. — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:48:59 +0000

Briggs and Riley has been a big name in luggage for over 15 years, as a dependable, reliable, and somewhat unique luggage company. What makes them unique is that all of their wheeled bags feature their telescoping pull handle on the outside of the bag, making extra room inside the packing area of the bag, and a lifetime guarantee. The lifetime guarantee that comes with every Briggs and Riley bag is the best in the business; no matter how the bag is damaged, be it be (damage, defect ,or even wear and tear) Briggs and Riley will repair it for free.

The two conventional series of bags that Briggs and Riley carry are the Transcend and Baseline series.

Trancend 22″ Upright, in Sunset

Recently updated, the Transcend series is for a more casual traveler, still providing a robust feature set and durability that will survive even the most brutal TSA baggage handlers.

Transcend’s lightweight nylon comes in two easily identifiable colors: Rainforest and Sunset. Baseline is engineered for the road warrior and business traveler, with a feature set that is geared towards a traveler that needs a bag that can function for work and play. Baseline’s super durable nylon comes in business appropriate black and olive.

Baseline, 27″ Upright

Both series have the “Outsider” pull handle that allows for a flat packing space on the interior of the bag for wrinkle free packing, an interlocking bag system, and a variety of sizes to meet and traveler’s needs. Between these two luggage lines, there are 10 carry-ons pieces!

The newest line from Briggs and Riley is the BRX series. BRX bags are built for people who need their luggage to adventure with them. Large heavy duty wheels ready to take on any terrain and light weight design make this bag ideal for a fast paced adventure. From du

ffels to upright luggage to backpacks, BRX is ready for any traveler.

For the business person, Briggs and Riley makes two series ready to go to work with you, Verb and @Work. Verb is geared towards the tech-savvy , on

–the-go worker, while @Work is designed for the ultra-organized worker. Many bags in both series feature “Speed-Thru” which allows you to carryon a laptop without taking it out of your bag at the security checkpoint. Most notable for workers are the rolling business cases, which also feature the “Outsider” handle, making for a spacious and organized bag interior.

California Luggage Company carries all of Briggs and Riley’s series, and is knowledgeable about each bag. To see our selection at California Luggage Company, visit us at 609 4^th St. Santa Rosa, CA, call us at (800) 528-5799, or visit our website at www.califluggage.com .

Verb Groove Slim Brief

California Luggage Co. — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:47:59 +0000

California Luggage offers an incredible collection of lightweight laptop briefs types for every person. One of our lightest is a laptop bag that will not only carry a laptop, but will carry a charger, a cell, and more. The Verb Groove Slim Brief by Briggs and Riley, one of the lightest laptop bags on the market, not only keeps your laptop protected in style, but is covered by a lifetime warranty against any performance failure ever – even if your dog bites a hole in it!

For the travelers, the Groove Slim Brief will slip over right over the pull handle of wheeled luggage, making your stroll trough the airport a breeze. And, of course, it also comes with a removable shoulder strap.

For those whose first priority is keeping their tech safe, the lightweight Slim Brief provides plenty of padding for any laptop up to 15.4”. With the specialized charger pocket, you won’t have to untangle your charger. The spacious organizer in the front has room and pockets enough for CDs, thumb drives, pocket hard drives, pens, pencils, business cards, and more. It even has a special front panel pocket for your phone.

The Verb Groove Slim Brief is as light as a sleeve, but has room for all your essentials, and some files, too. And remember, the bag is covered by Briggs and Riley’s unconditional lifetime guarantee, so if the bag ever fails in any way, they will repair it free of charge. For more information on this, or other Briggs and Riley products, visit California Luggage company at 609 4th St. Santa Rosa, CA, call us at (800) 528-5799, or visit our website at www.califluggage.com.

Speed Thru Airport Security

California Luggage Co. — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:47:05 +0000

Taking a laptop out of a bag to go through an airport security checkpoint can be a hassle; it’s just one more thing that needs to be removed, (and hopefully you’re the one who picks it up at the other end!). Luggage companies are pairing up with the TSA and have produced new kind of laptop bag. These bags adequately allow the TSA to scan your bag and laptop while the laptop remains in the bag, or attached to the bag. Many brands are beginning to include these adaptations, in briefcases, rolling briefs, backpacks and messenger bags.

Eagle Creek’s Global Commuter bag is a spacious nylon laptop bag with plenty of extra space and a sleeve to slip over a pull-handle of another bag, while still remaining casual. This bag’s laptop compartment opens butterfly style to allow the TSA access without removing your laptop. (An unusual feature in this bag is the option of using the tuck-away backpack straps, instead of the removable shoulder strap – it’s your choice.)

Briggs and Riley makes a variety of bags that feature what they call the “Speed Thru” System. Both their @ Work and Verb series have pieces that use the system in backpacks, messenger bags, briefcases, and rolling business cases. All Briggs and Riley bags are covered by a lifetime, no matter what guarantee, and are a great option for any business person or tech-savvy traveler. (They even cover dog bite!)

Victorinox and Solo both make spacious nylon bags that will hold a laptop, charger, documents, and more. Both of these bags are durable and lightweight, with an easily accessible TSA approved laptop pocket. We also carry TSA approved laptop bags in leather! With several colors, tons of organizational pockets, and the durability that is the result of top grain leather, this bag is a wonderful, enduring option.

For the road warrior, the businessman, or the traveler, a TSA approved laptop pocket can cut down on the hassle at the airport. Come see the selection at California Luggage Company, 609 4^th Street, Santa Rosa, CA, check us out on www.califluggage.com, or call us at (800) 528-5799.

Kids’ Luggage

California Luggage Co. — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 21:28:22 +0000

Children and traveling are two things that don’t exactly mesh, especially with air travel. Most parents carry extra luggage for their kids in the attempt to make long travel easier. However, letting them carry their own luggage can make travel easier for both of you. Air, train, bus and even car travel can be much easier with a suitable backpack or rolling suitcase, fitted for a kid. Kids are smaller than adults, and need their own sized case. Their clothes and other necessities are also smaller and can fit in a smaller suitcase, leaving parents with more room in their own suitcases. We offer a variety of pint-sized luggage, egg-shaped luggage and even light-up Disney luggage! For children, rolling their own suitcase through the airport is fun, and can occupy them when needed. Most kids love our Disney-themed luggage; including Spider man, Iron man, Cars, Barbie, Hello Kitty, Disney Princesses, Tinker Bell, Toy Story and many more.