2010 June | San Diego Vacation Rentals at Penny Realty

Archive for June, 2010

San Diego’s Tourism Industry in 2010

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

San Diego is widely known as one of the country’s prime spots for tourism. Its bright and sunny year-round weather and beautiful, idyllic beaches make for one of the most pleasant vacation destinations during the summer months. Every year, millions of tourists from all over the world go to San Diego to relax and take some time off from work and the stresses of everyday life. Even San Diego has suffered from the decline in U.S. tourism caused by the current economic recession. In the last couple of years, business owners and vacation rentals had to come up with new methods of attracting visitors who are not eager to spend a fortune. For this reason, a San Diego vacation is now not only one of the most enjoyable options, but also an extremely affordable one.

(Image Source)

One of the biggest strategies for many business owners in the tourism sector was to slash prices, and this did indeed give them an increased spike in the number of visitors. But in 2010, price slashing is no longer enough (and no longer viable for many businesses and property owners). Business owners in the tourism sector this year are relying, instead, largely on vacation package deals to attract vacationer’s attention. Unable to carry the loss of severely discounting their prices, vacation rental owners and business are sometimes offering treats like complimentary food and recreational activities for the children. These “added value packages” also include such things as spa treatments, complimentary museum or zoo visits, and extra-night stays.

Is This a Good Sign?

The fact that retailers, vacation home owners and vacation rental agencies that are part of San Diego’s tourism industry are cutting back on bargains and relying instead on other methods of attracting clientele is, in fact, a good sign. It means that San Diego businesses and individuals are comfortable taking risks and banking on the improved state of the country’s economy. This isn’t to say that discounting will end entirely. There will always be discount rates in the areas that cater to visiting tourists, but these discounts will not be as big as they were in the previous two years. A recovering economy means that people should be willing to spend more on vacations, and relying on attractions other than price cuts is a necessary step in weaning tourists from drastic bargain deals.

(Image Source)

Summer Packages and Attractions

Sea World theme park is one of San Diego’s biggest attractions, and one of the many San Diego enterprises that are relying on special package deals to boost sales this summer. Currently, Sea World is offering a special promotion in which visitors can purchase a child’s admission ticket for only $5 when they purchase a regularly priced adult ticket for $69. The $5 child’s ticket is donated to a wildlife conservation group. The theme park is also offering various vacation packages that give visitors access to other San Diego attractions such as the Hornblower Cruises, Old Town trolley tours, and tours of the Midway museum in the San Diego Bay.

(Image Source)

Aside from the attractions that packages and discount rates offered, San Diego is still banking on its many free attractions to keep visitors coming back. The beautiful year-round Mediterranean weather, the beaches and the surf, the historical landmarks and even some of San Diego’s internationally renowned museums are completely free to the public. As the tourism industry wavers shakily towards recovery, these things will continue to attract people to this southern California city.

(Image Source)

Posted in Activities & Events, General, Travel Deals, Vacation Planning | No Comments »

Underground Activities in America’s Finest City

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Traveling to San Diego over the summer makes for quite an interesting vacation. Not only are there tons of tourists and visitors, but there is also so much for the locals to do! From the famous fair to the world-renowned zoo, and everything in between, San Diego is sure to deliver an exciting vacation experience. For a few options off the beaten path, consider some of these great attractions that America’s Finest City has to offer.

San Diego Fair

For those of you that venture to San Diego during the summer months, you have the option of visiting the exciting San Diego Fair, formerly the Del Mar Fair. Complete with creative fair foods, classic rides, and horse races, the San Diego Fair is a fun day for two, or even a place to take the whole family. There are plenty of events, sampling tables, and animals to visit, as well as deep-fried everything under the sun. The annual San Diego International Beer Festival takes place at the fair, and there are quite a few big-name celebrity acts as well. From comedian Jeff Dunham, to local-based Switchfoot, and the big name country band Lonestar, the shows at the fair this year, as is custom, are sure to attract a crowd.

(Image Source)

Taste of San Diego

If you are lucky enough to find yourself in San Diego during one of the many “Taste of” events, you’re in for quite a treat. From Taste of Downtown, to Taste of Cardiff, many of the neighborhoods and communities are hosting tastings at a variety of local restaurants. They are spread throughout the year, and are a great way to get a taste of tons of different San Diego cuisines. Anywhere from 15 to 80 restaurants open their doors to ticket holders of the event, with small tastes of a variety of their menu items. From frozen yogurt with fresh fruit to a few ounces of beer, these events span a wide range of food items. Be sure to come hungry though, because there are tons of cuisines to entice the palate.

(Image Source)

Hideaway Beach Cafés

One thing you definitely do not want to miss while in San Diego is a trip to one of the many beach cafés. Whether you go for breakfast or lunch, it is always satisfying. From The Beach Grass Café in Solana Beach to Café 976 in Pacific Beach, you are sure to find a filling, healthy, and delicious meal. No San Diego trip is complete without one. For those of you that are health-conscious, San Diego provides some of the most amazing organic and natural options at many of these beach cafés. A few other popular locations include: Pipes in Cardiff, Naked Café in Solana Beach, Kono’s Café in Pacific Beach, and Mission Café with a location in Mission Beach and North Park.

(Image Source)

Grunion Run

A local’s favorite experience, the grunion run is a way to watch nature at its finest. Head down to the beach late at night during high tide (specific times depend on the day of the season) and watch as thousands of grunion fish leave the water to mate on shore. The females burrow themselves in the sand to mate with the males and fertilize their eggs. The eggs are left behind as the grunions head back to the open sea. The slimy creatures are harmless to humans, and are actually caught and consumed by some fishermen. These tube-like fish flop around on shore a few times until they are able to mate and head back home to the ocean. Some of the best locations to watch the grunions mating ritual include Encinitas, Pacific Beach, Mission Bay, and Mission Beach.

(Image Source)

Broadway and Local Theater

The last thing many visitors think of when envisioning a San Diego vacation is a trip to Broadway. However, Broadway San Diego is a huge hit. Shows such as Wicked, The Lion King, and many other popular acts have come through San Diego on their tour, and most of them sell out quite quickly. There are many other theater options if you’d like to leave the beaten path a bit. From Shakespeare in the Park on Coronado, to the Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park, you can certainly get your fix of the bard of Avon’s style. Many neighborhoods also have Community Theaters, and summer stage plays outside. With two large stages downtown and dozens of small community theaters throughout San Diego, you are sure to catch a Broadway-quality show right here in Southern California!

(Image Source)

Posted in Activities & Events | No Comments »

Stand-Out San Diego Attractions

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Though San Diego’s immensity means that some of us have to navigate through sprawling freeways to get to work in the morning, it also makes for an extremely diverse area with activities and attractions for everyone. A broad assortment of beaches, museums, amusement parks, and the absolute best Mexican food above the border makes San Diego the ultimate spot to vacation. Here are some stand-out attractions that any tourist must check out during their stay in San Diego.

Amusement Parks

San Diego has two amusement parks that are sure to please parents and children alike. Sea World is an option that is both exciting and educational. Learn about sea life and arctic birds as you get splashed by Shamu or take a ride down Shipwreck Rapids.

Legoland is another popular amusement park for those who would prefer leaving knowledge of marine mammals to their imaginations. This park totes a greater variety of rides, as well as sculptures and artwork built out of everyone’s favorite childhood play set.

(Image Source)

Museums

Balboa Park is the ideal destination for anyone itching to learn about natural history or Native American cultures, or even just to play a round of Frisbee golf. It is home to 19 different museums and gardens, including the nationally acclaimed San Diego Zoo. It also has regular theater productions at the Old Globe Theatre.

San Diego’s rich history has left it with many notable haunted houses and historic buildings, as well. Among these is the Whaley House in Old Town, the Hotel Del Coronado, Villa Montezuma and the Star of India ship.

(Image Source)

Active Lifestyles

For those of you who enjoy running, swimming, biking and walking, you could not find a better place to do any combination of these activities. Encinitas, in northern San Diego county is considered a Triathlon Mecca for many athletes, while Mission Beach and Pacific Beach offer some great beachside paths for a light or intense run or ride. Even skateboarding and roller-blading are among the popular San Diego activities for visitors and locals alike.

(Image Source)

Beaches

San Diego has a variety of exceptional beaches, though each has its own niche. Mission and Pacific Beaches are popular destinations for those seeking a more cultured experience. Take a stroll down the boardwalk and check out local artists and cafes. If you are around during the evening hours, you will see this area transform into a partier’s Mecca that rivals Manhattan. Oceanside is also known for its boardwalk, as well as the Oceanside Pier with Ruby’s Diner at the end. Carlsbad is famous for its beautifully-kept beaches, while areas just south such as Encinitas and Leucadia, tend to be preferred surfing locations.

(Image Source)

Seasonal Events

One of San Diego’s highest sources for tourism is ComiCon. This is a three day festival held in mid-August where vendors, actors, directors and artists of well-known comic books, animes and cult films gather at the Convention Center. Fans are known for dressing up as their favorite fictional characters and super heroes and gallivanting around downtown.

The San Diego Multicultural Festival, usually taking place in February, is also worth attending. This enormous street fair takes place in the downtown area and showcases many local cultural dance and performance artists.

The city and surrounding area of San Diego are also known for having some of the best holiday-oriented events and fairs as well. From Cinco de Mayo to Halloween, there are festivals to enjoy year-round. The Gas Lamp Quarter hosts a yearly ShamROCK festival and concert for St. Patrick’s day, while Old Town has a lively and vibrant Cinco de Mayo celebration in the oldest part of San Diego. Even Balboa Park livens up for some action with a Haunted Halloween walk in the night.