Archive for February, 2010

San Diego Bike and Kayak Tours

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

The best parts of San Diego can’t be experienced by car or tour bus; they need to be experienced up close. The easiest way to do so is on a bike or by kayak. Luckily, you can readily get a guided tour on one of San Diego’s many bike trails, or out on the water, depending on your preference. Either way you go, you are sure to experience the hidden beauties of San Diego you don’t often see from the road. Be sure to talk with the townspeople and take it all in; San Diego is waiting for your own personal discovery.

Kayaking and Snorkeling the Beauties of the Ocean

You can experience the thrill of ocean kayaking with a Kayak Tour of the 7 Caves and Ecological Reserve of La Jolla. Spot Sea Lions, colorful fish, Leopard Sharks, and even a few dolphins up close and personal inside the waters of the Clam’s Cave.

There’s nothing more adventurous than experiencing the sea on the level of the fish and seeing the natural splendors of the underwater world.  Swim with seals and experience the wonders of wildlife in a completely new way. Open up your San Diego experience. The sea is waiting for you, whether from the vantage point of a kayak or deep in its depths with a snorkel and a mask.  You can get a nose-to-eye view with rented snorkeling gear and other tours.

Exhilarating Bike Views

Biking is a beautiful way to get some exercise, yet experience the nature and beauty of San Diego in a more personal way than with a car. You can talk with people better and experience the natural wonders of sightseeing on a whole different level. Take a day on a bike and have an adventure. The future is waiting for you.

Take the La Jolla Freefall Bike Tour, a scenic ride that features breathtaking 360 degree views from the top of Mt. Soledad. There’s an exhilarating 4-mile descent down to the Crystal Pier and the famous Pacific Beach boardwalk. Peddle cruise the Mission Bay, a perfect place for biking with its relaxed streets that are biker friendly and scenic. Check out the beautiful Windansea surf break, the Harbor Seals at Children’s Pool and the beautiful La Jolla cove. You can also check out Sunny Jim’s Cave, a historical hideaway during the Prohibition era. Maybe you’ll even get to taste the secret batch.

There are also beautiful bike tours of Coronado, La Jolla, or downtown San Diego during the sunset on a Sunset Bike Tour. San Diego is famous for enjoying the outdoor life. It’s a perfect way to enjoy the beautiful scenery in lush weather that feels great from the back of a bike.

Swim with Sharks on the Kayak and Snorkel Tour

In the warm Summer months, don’t miss out on the chance to swim with the sharks in and around sea caves with this wonderful touring opportunity. Snorkeling makes it possible to experience the wonders of the underwater world up close like you’ve never witnessed it. Swim with California Sea Lions, harmless Leopard Sharks, a Shovelnose Guitarfish, and the Garibaldi. You’ve never truly experienced sea life until you are close enough to chew it.

Kayaking and biking tours are great opportunities to stay active while discovering the beauty of San Diego in a more personal way than can ever be had with cars or buses. It’s an adventure of nature, a way of seeing it up close where you can almost taste it.

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Explore San Diego on a Budget

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

Doing San Diego on a budget really helps you get the most of San Diego for your money. When you consider the cost of living as well as a higher sales tax, California can be expensive, but there are ways to save costs if you look out for them. These savings can buy you dinner at a nice restaurant, save more dollars for souvenirs, and even get you to some of the finest sites on the beach. Make your dollar stretch with these tips to explore San Diego on a budget.

Free Museum Tuesdays

Nothing spells cheap quite like free. Tuesdays at the following museums at Balboa Park are completely free. If you happen to be a San Diego city and county resident, or active in the military, you can enjoy these free museums any day of the week, or at least until 2011.

1st Tuesday – check out the Model Railroad Museum, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, the Natural History Museum and the Centro Cultural de la Raza.

2nd Tuesday- Get in free to the Museum of San Diego Arts, the San Diego History Museum, and the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center.

3rd Tuesday- Enjoy the San Diego Art Institute, the Museum of Man, the Museum of Art, Mingei International Museum and the Japanese Friendship Garden all for the price of free.

4th Tuesday- Try out the Hall of Champions, the House of Pacific Relations International College, the Air and Space Museum, and the Automotive Museum without paying a dime.

5th Tuesday- you are on your own as all museums are regular admission.

Check Out a Band with Twilight in the Park

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 6:15 to 7:15 features free music programs from military bands, Dixieland jazz bands, great salsa bands and swing bands. Get your ears on with a free music concert in the park, perfect for enjoying the enchantment of San Diego.

See a Movie with Screen on the Green

Every Thursday until the end of August features free movies. It’s perfect for the entire family, whether you are grandpa or still wearing diapers.

Get Some Great Exercise

The Morley Field Sports Complex features beautiful San Diego scenery that’s great for exercise. Try your hand at tennis, archery, swimming, disc golf, velodrome cycling and bocci ball for only $5. It’s an affordable way to get your blood flowing and enjoy an afternoon.

Have a Ball at the Beach

San Diego is all about beaches, and it features some of the best in the world. Enjoy surfing, biking, sailing, swimming and diving for just a taste of all there is to do. The best beaches include Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, La Jolla Cove, La Jolla Shores, Windansea Beach and the Children’s Pool. Kick some sand and enjoy some rays.

Enjoy a Day’s Drive Through Julian

This small town features a string of beautiful shops. You can also check out the Julian Doves & Desperados historic comedy skits, performed on the street every Sunday at 1 p.m., 2 p.m., and 3 p.m. between the Cabbages & Kings and the Julian Market and Deli. Don’t skip out on a slice of their famous apple pie. If you want some wine to wash the day away, the area features some of the finest wineries in the state.

Kayak San Diego Bay

There’s no better way to truly experience the majesty of the San Diego Bay than by kayak. Allen’s Kayaks, located in Mission Bay, have good rates and are very friendly. Kayaks rent for $10 an hour for a single or $15 for a tandem. It’s the perfect way to experience the bay up close and personal.

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Traveling on Budget

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

budget-travelThe New Year is under way, and even though we’re still fresh off the holiday season, it’s never too early to start planning your spring and summer vacations. Now, you might be thinking to yourself, “There’s no way I can afford to go on a big, expensive vacation this year.”

The recession, after all, has had an effect on a lot of people’s budgets and made everyone a little wary of spending too much. But not to worry: if you know where to look for savings, you can still have a great vacation without ruining your budget. Here are a few tips that will help you save big and enjoy your vacation.

Luggage: Pack Light

In most cases, what you need to bring is usually about half as much as what you think you need to bring. Pack light, and only bring the essentials. Plan out what you’re going to need for each day of your vacation and save yourself some money at the airport’s check-in station. Getting around in public transport once you get off the plane is also easier if you pack light. Take only one check-in bag if possible.

Airline Tickets

The best way to get cheap airline tickets is to shop around and do it as far ahead as possible. Check discount ticket websites as well as the actual airline’s site, airlines usually have special deals advertised only through their site. Flights with layovers are usually cheaper than non-stop flights. Also, consider leaving or arriving from smaller nearby airports. Yes you’ll have to pay taxi or take some form of public transportation to get to your destination, but the money saved on tickets might just be worth it.

Getting Around

Once you arrive at your destination, avoid taking taxis. When trying to save money during your next vacation, public transport is the way to go, so take advantage of all the options available. If you’re traveling to Europe, chances are that getting around by train will be the most convenient thing, so invest in a pass. Many cities also have good bus systems and ride share communities.

Accommodations

Conventional hotels are not the only lodging option you have. If you want to save money on accommodations, here are a few tips to consider:

If you’re traveling to a big city or place where there’s a definite main attraction where most tourists crowd around, consider staying in a nearby town. Hotels will be much cheaper, and the ride in and out of the main destination can be a pleasant activity.

Arranging a home exchange is another option. Home exchanges can be unique and enjoyable experiences and are very popular in Europe. You can also save money by renting a vacation home. This is especially true if you’re planning to stay for several days and there’s a solid group of people. Vacation homes also tend to be more comfortable.

Avoid Tourist Spots

Tourist spots are not always the best places to go. Often, the truly enjoyable experiences in your vacation will be found elsewhere. Tourist areas tend to be way overpriced. Go to local stores and see what is out there beyond the tourist spots.

Go Off-Season

If you can schedule the days right, try to take your vacations during the “off-season”. Resort destinations tend to get super crowded during their main tourist seasons, and prices consequently tend to be higher as well. Taking that ski resort vacation or visiting a national park during the off season can save you money, and also the hassle of having to deal with huge crowds.

Book Package Deals

Booking a vacation bundle deal can save you a lot of money. The more business you give a travel company, the more discounts they’ll provide you, and if you’re already in need of their services, there’s no reason not to go for the packaged deal.

Buy Local

If you travel outside the country, you’ll find that imported products tend to be a lot more expensive. Try out the local drinks, food, and other products. You’ll experience the place more and you’ll find that the local products tend to be cheaper as well.

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The Benefits of a Vacation Home-Cooked Meal

Saturday, February 6th, 2010

mission-beach-californiaThe economic recession has hit a lot of people and businesses hard, and vacationing has become a much more financially cautions affair for a lot of us. If you are thinking about taking a vacation this year, but are afraid of over-spending, not to worry; there are a lot of things you can do to make your next vacation affordable and inexpensive. One of these is booking a hotel room or vacation rental that includes a kitchen for cooking your own meals, rather than eating out at restaurants every day. This trick not only saves you money, but it lets you experience the local culinary culture. Eating home cooked vacation meals makes it a lot easier to continue regulating your eating habits if you’re on a diet. Here’s a brief outline of just some of the benefits of vacation home cooked meals

Makes it Easy to Set up a Food Budget

Home-cooked vacation meals work only if you set up a food budget for each day of your vacation. Having a budget for your food items is a great advantage if your goal is to save money. When eating out at restaurants, people have a tendency to spend a lot more than they originally intended to. Having a documented food budget lets you keep track of your expenditures and avoid excessive or impulse food purchases.

Don’t Pay for Expensive Restaurant/Hotel Meals

If you are staying in a place with high tourist density, restaurant prices in destinations tend to be overpriced, and hotel restaurants are not much better. If you order food via room service, it’s even worse. By cooking your meals yourself, you can eat in the comfort of your room without having to pay extra. Have breakfast in bed whenever you want, and save some money while you’re at it.

Makes Sticking with Your Diet Easier

If you’re trying to stick to a strict diet, cooking your own meals while on vacation is a great way to do so. When you eat out at a restaurant, it can be much easier to stray. By shopping for ingredients on your own and cooking at your hotel or vacation home accommodations, you get to be fully in control of what you eat and what you don’t.

Experience the Local Market

Part of truly getting to know a place involves simply walking around town and seeing the shops that local residents visit every day. Shopping for groceries at the local market gives you the perfect opportunity to do just that. Be a little adventurous and try out some of the native ingredients. If you’re in a foreign country, you’ll get a chance to non-traditional foods. Shopping for your own food in a foreign place can actually be a really fun and enriching experience.

Take Advantage of Vacation Home Savings

Vacation home rentals are the best places for home-cooked meals. They come with full kitchens, tend to be cheaper, if you’re staying for several days and with a group of people. Professionally managed rentals provide guests with full kitchens, stocked clean pots, pans, plates, cups, eating utensils, refrigerators, cabinets and storage spaces. In other words, the perfect set up to plan out your home made vacation meals.

So next time you go on vacation, skip the restaurants and go for the savings. You’ll be surprised at what a huge difference budgeting your food expenditures makes. Cooking your vacation meals at home lets you keep track of your food costs and avoid overly pricey hotel room service as well as expensive restaurant meals. Planning out your home-cooked meals will let you experience more of the local culture and keep a closer track of your diet. Opting for home-cooked vacation meals is just one of the many ways you can save money and avoid breaking your back on your upcoming vacation, because even in tough times, it’s nice to take a few days off and enjoy a relaxing vacation.

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