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San Diego Holiday Vacation Ideas

Monday, November 28th, 2011

If sunshine alone isn’t enough reason to vacation in San Diego this year, there are plenty of holiday-themed vacation ideas to justify a visit to America’s Finest City. Whether you are looking for some spectacular light shows, want to root for your favorite team, or are more interested in the arts, you will be hard-pressed not to have something fun to do during your stay in San Diego this holiday season.

Parades: The holiday season always guarantees a handful of parades that are both fun for the entire family and free, making them the easiest events to attend this year. Extravagant floats, marching bands, Santa Claus, and classic cars are all basics you can expect at San Diego’s finest parades.

  • North Park Toyland Parade, Dec. 3 @ 11am: The 48th annual parade has over 70 entries to keep you and your young ones engaged when it passes by on the streets of North Park.
  • La Jolla Christmas Parade, Dec. 4 @ 2pm: The theme of the 54th annual La Jolla Christmas Parade this year is “Classic Christmas.” The event will set itself apart from the others with an antique aircraft flyover along with the traditional equestrian marchers and decorated floats.
  • Big Bay Balloon Parade, Dec. 28 @ 10am: Just before the kickoff of the Holiday Bowl in San Diego is the biggest balloon parade west of the Mississippi. New York City has nothing on San Diego; our balloon characters are just as amazingly large. The streets get crowded for this spectacle so show up early and pull up a chair.

Light Shows: Every town has their annual light show but San Diego adds a twist to the traditional show by doing it on the water and creating a 1.5 mile long drive-through light show, to name a couple.

  • Del Mar Holiday of Lights: Stay in your car for this grand show because it is a drive-through light festival. The Del Mar Fairgrounds are turned into a 1.5 mile long pathway consisting of 400 light displays. It took the staff one month to setup and will take you 15 minutes to drive through.
  • San Diego Bay Parade of Lights, Dec. 11 and 18 @ 7-9pm: Don’t let the word “parade” confuse you; the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights is not your typical show. The parade creates new meaning for the word “float” by taking place on the bay itself. Boats are decked out in light displays and slowly cruise close to the shore for onlookers to admire.
  • Oceanside Harbor Parade of Lights, Dec. 10 @ 7-9pm: If you can’t make it downtown or want to see even more boats covered in Christmas lights, head up to Oceanside Harbor for a similar show to the San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. The best part is that Oceanside Harbor has fire pits on the beach so you can watch the parade while roasting marshmallows with the family.

Holiday Theater: Planning a vacation around some of your favorite plays is a perfect holiday treat for the family. San Diego has it all with musicals, comedies, and heartwarming stories.

  • How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Dr. Seuss and San Diego go hand in hand so it is only right that we host one of the most spectacular renditions of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. You might still think you are still in Whoville when the curtain closes.
  • It’s a Wonderful Life – A Live Radio Play: The final year of the beautiful story on stage in San Diego at the Cygnet Theater. The classic Christmas tale of an angel getting its wings is brought to life on stage in San Diego.
  • The Santaland Diaries: David Sedaris is not the traditional playwright you are used to during the holidays, but the Santaland Diaries offers a little comical relief to the insane shopping environment around the holiday season. This show isn’t suited for kids but adults will get a kick out of how a man takes an elf job at Macy’s to pay the bills.

Amusement Park Holiday: If you are bringing kids along for the vacation then you must stop by a Christmas celebration at one of the popular San Diego amusement parks.

  • SeaWorld: SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration really takes holiday spirit to a whole new level. Shamu has a Christmas show, the sky tower is decorated with lights, you can watch the Polar Express 4-D experience, and they even installed a new snow exhibit where kids can actually play in the snow.
  • San Diego Zoo: The safari animals enjoy the holidays too and the zoo is putting on a “Jungle Bells” celebration this year. Watching the nightly tree lighting or the Dr. Zoolittle “Night Before Christmas” show are sure to get you and the animals in the holiday spirit.
  • LEGOLAND: The “Holiday Snow Days” are a kid’s favorite in San Diego because they can go build real snowmen, view the world’s largest LEGO Christmas tree, watch the nightly tree lighting, and even try their hand at throwing snow balls at targets.

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Thanksgiving in San Diego: Freshen up the holiday with a weekend getaway!

Tuesday, November 1st, 2011

Every year the entire family gets together for a day filled with food preparation, a big feast, a little football, and a huge nap afterwards. Maybe your Thanksgiving Day varies slightly, but there are plenty of ways to spice up the holiday usually focused solely around delicious turkey legs and gravy. San Diego is lucky enough to have great weather at the end of November—clear, sunny skies with that nostalgic autumn crisp in the air—which creates a lot of great opportunities for changing up how your family celebrates Thanksgiving. Here are a few San Diego-inspired ideas to add a unique twist this year and bring the family closer together with new memories.

Run a Turkey Trot: A popular new way to spend Thanksgiving morning is to head out and go for a run with thousands of other people for a good cause. All of the local turkey trots are charity events raising funds for causes like feeding the poor (such as Father Joe’s 5k Run). Bring the entire family for the short run with your local neighbors and spread the love this Thanksgiving. There will still be plenty of time to head home and cook the turkey; plus, with those extra calories burned, you can help yourself to another slice of pumpkin pie!

Mother Goose Parade: If running isn’t your cup of hot apple cider or you have young kids in tow, the Mother Goose Parade in El Cajon is one of the most popular Thanksgiving Day events in San Diego and is a perfect family festivity. You can spend time with your family enjoying the dozens of beautiful floats, marching bands, celebrities, and even wave hello to Santa Claus when he shows up to kick off the most wonderful time of the year.

New Turkey Recipe: Have you baked your turkey in the oven for several hours every single year since you can remember? While that’s always delicious, there are a few new trends gaining popularity in San Diego that will completely change your opinion of a Thanksgiving turkey.

  • San Diego is the perfect place to try your first barbecued turkey. Spend the day cooking outdoors and taste one of the most delicious turkeys you’ll ever try.
  • Some people will even deep fry their turkey which makes it crispy on the outside and really juicy on the inside, often an impossible task when baking it all day.
  • You can intertwine the local Mexican culture by taking the traditional turkey and combining it with the famous Mexican mole sauce that will give it a slightly sweet and rich, spicy flavor when all is said and done.

Creative Ideas to Give Thanks: It is never too late to start a family tradition. Thanksgiving is centered on giving thanks for what you have, no matter how small or big. Sometimes we all get wrapped up in our own lives throughout the year and forget to acknowledge what we are thankful for. Get some crafty, festive paper from an art supply store, and cut autumn leaf-shaped pieces for each person at the table. You can decorate them however you wish (glitter, rhinestones, colorful ribbon). Include the leaf and a pen with each person’s table setting. Everyone can take a moment to write down what they’re thankful for, and then you can go around the table and give everyone a turn to speak. This is especially fun for kids to help out with, and brings Thanksgiving back to the basics for a few minutes—spending some time listening to one another and feeling grateful for life’s blessings.

Family Football Game: Instead of sitting around the TV and watching the Cowboys and Lions play yet another Thanksgiving Day game, your family can burn a few calories and get a little competitive with your own football game. Head down to your local high school or park and you will find several families and friends enjoying a morning game. After a good game of family football you will have earned the right to stuff your face with stuffing and mashed potatoes later that day.

Dine Out or Take Out: While it seems somewhat non-traditional to dine out or order take out for the big family meal, the stress it will take off of people’s shoulders (or should we say, Mom’s shoulders) will free up a lot of time to enjoy each other’s company. The entire day can be spent playing football, running a turkey trot, going on a family bike ride or run down to the beach, and spending quality time together. This is an especially good idea for those holiday vacationers enjoying a San Diego beach rental—why spend the day in the kitchen during your time off?  Just make sure to do your research in advance to find the restaurant that will best suit your taste buds.

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Organizing a Family Reunion? Make San Diego the Destination!

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

Organizing a family reunion can be a challenge. After all, each member of your family is a unique composite of interests, lifestyles, preferences, and generations.  You must find a destination that has ample space, predictable weather, and entertainment for all. If you’re looking to pull off a reunion that will be talked about for years to come, make San Diego a family affair.

As one of the top vacation destinations in the country, there’s no shortage of fun activities for visitors of this southern California paradise.  With its beaches, mountains, deserts, and palm tree-lined streets, there is an exciting atmosphere for everyone. With dozens of distinctive neighborhoods to explore, the possibilities are limitless.

Beaches

Mission Beach

The best places to stay in San Diego are those that are steps away from entertainment. Group rates at beachside accommodations can cater to any age group, and Mission Beach is the perfect area to seek out fun in every direction. Family members can lie on the beach, stroll the boardwalk, or head to the Belmont Park beachside amusement park to take a ride on the Giant Dipper rollercoaster.

Those interested in trying their hand at water sports can take a surf lesson at the Surfari Surf School or simply hop across the boardwalk to rent a paddleboard and get a workout in the bay.

Pacific Beach

The boardwalk that starts in Mission Beach runs all the way up to “PB” where your group can grab a bite to eat at one of the many beachside restaurants and pubs. Pick up picnic fare at the Pita Pit or grab the kids (and adults) a cool treat at Yogurtland. Hop a couple blocks east and amble through a long line of eclectic shops with everything from high-class dresses to tiki bar trinkets.

Pacific Beach also has some of the best vacation rentals in the city. With breathtaking views and ample patios, patrons can sidle up to a grill or spill out onto the boardwalk and into the sand.

Coronado Beach

Coronado Island is one of the secret gems of the city. With gold-flecked beaches and the Hotel Del Coronado (A National Historic Landmark), Coronado is a spectacular oasis with a village-like feel.

La Jolla Cove

Grab the gang and head up to La Jolla cove where the group can take the steep trek down into the La Jolla Cave, visit shops, rent a kayak and paddle along the coast, or watch jovial seals take over the sand.

Ocean Beach

You’ll find the most laid-back souls of San Diego in the Ocean Beach neighborhood. Walk the pier and watch as surfers duck-dive through the waves below you, or roam around Newport avenue, which hosts many small local shops with beachcomber wares. Drop the kids off at Claytime for ceramics painting, and sample the food at South Beach Bar & Grille for the best fish taco in San Diego (and arguably even the world).

Parks and Attractions

If you’re looking to catch some local attractions, take a day and get the whole family together to explore the life of the ocean up-close and personal at Sea World, trek the expansive San Diego Zoo where the panda bears and the elephant exhibit are big winners, or zip line over the wild animals at the Safari Park.

If you’re looking for something even more exciting, you’re also close enough to take the short trip up to Disneyland, Legoland, and Knott’s Berry Farm.

With its South American charm, Old Town is another favorite place to let a large group run amok and find a little souvenir from their experience.  Another popular destination, Torrey Pines State Reserve hosts a web of trails through one of the wildest stretches of land on our Southern California coast. Those looking for a steeper challenge can face Cowles Mountain for a thigh-burning trek up to a beautiful view of the city.

Parks

A family reunion isn’t complete without a day at the park. Luckily enough, San Diego has parks covered…expansively. Choose from a long list of gorgeous parks to set your reunion up for success. Some of the most popular include:

  • Scripps Park – La Jolla hosts one of the most amazing parks in San Diego. Right on the coast, Scripps Park offers views of the ocean, and plenty of sun and shade for large gatherings.
  • Kate O. Sessions Park – A great bet for large parties, this 79-acre park offers beautiful views of San Diego and plenty of space for activities such as barbecuing, picnics, and kite-flying.
  • Balboa Park – Situated in the heart of the city, Balboa park is an amazing expanse of activities. Surrounded by the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park has lush gardens, a multitude of museums, a science center, and many hiking trails for trekking around amongst eucalyptus trees above and San Diego squirrels below.
  • NTC Park – This park is one of the biggest oceanfront parks in San Diego. A great gathering place for families, it includes two ball fields, basketball courts, two picnic areas, playgrounds, and more to give you everything you need for a perfect daytime gathering.

For a reunion organizer in need, there’s nothing that San Diego cannot deliver. With sun, sand, and parks, the city offers each individual a wide variety of options at prices ranging from upper echelon services to the free entertainment of the nature surrounding. Those looking to make waves in their family’s history books will not be disappointed.

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Catch the Action at the Del Mar Racetrack this Summer!

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

Horse racing is a longstanding tradition in America. Its roots run deep, and at one point, horse racing was second only to major league baseball.

The Del Mar Racetrack has been party to the history of the sport as well as its fluctuating trends and changes over the years. The racetrack is part of the Del Mar Fairgrounds, just twenty miles north of San Diego proper.

Let’s take a brief look at the history of this notable landmark as well as some of its upcoming events this summer.

A Brief History

The Del Mar Racetrack was built as a joint venture between Bing Crosby and several other close actors, musicians, and personalities of the time. The idea was to have a place where people could play all day, party all night, and forget all the worries of the world.

When the track opened in 1937, Bing Crosby himself stood at the gate to personally greet fans and horse racing enthusiasts. The Del Mar Racetrack was the first to make use of the photo-finish camera, which has now become a staple of just about every racetrack in the world.

The racetrack gained much popularity in Hollywood and the surrounding Del Mar area, drawing large crowds every race.

In 1938, the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club hosted a $25,000 match race between the American handicap champion Seabiscuit and the South American challenger Ligaroti. The race was widely publicized and talked about, becoming the first nationwide broadcast of a Thoroughbred race on NBC radio. The historic race drew 20,000 fans, cementing its popularity and success.

By 1940, the Del Mar Racetrack was a summer playground for Hollywood’s finest. In 1946, The Santa Fe Railroad built a train from Los Angeles to Del Mar, allowing all the Hollywood stars and late-running horses an easy way to travel to and from the racetrack. The train was where the festivities began. Often, if the train was late, the entire race was delayed.

Del Mar Today

Del Mar Racetrack has not lost any steam over the years, still hosting some of the nation’s best horses and horsemen to record crowds each summer.

The track opens every mid-July, starting the 37-day summer racing season.

Although traditions evolve, change, or expire over the years, the track still has the longstanding tradition of wearing a hat on opening day and holds its annual One and Only Truly Fabulous Hats Contest that same day.

Summer and Upcoming Events

Aside from the annual hat day, the draw of the Del Mar Racetrack is, of course, the horse races. The track holds races every Wednesday through Sunday and is usually closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, with a few exceptions.

The number of races wavers between 7 and 9 with the exception of opening day when the track holds 10 races, along with the feature handicap and stakes races. To keep up with the schedule, it’s best to check the Del Mar Racetrack calendar on their website.

The Del Mar Racetrack is also known to hold numerous events and promotions aside from the horse races. This includes:

  • Family Fun Days
  • Daily seminars for newcomers and handicappers
  • Chili cook-offs and salsa contests

A fairly new event is the Del Mar Summer Concert Series. Beginning in 1994, Del Mar played host to free concerts every Friday evening. Del Mar became a live music venue for some of the greatest musical acts in history. In 2001, singer/songwriter Jack Johnson put the Del Mar Racetrack on the musical map. The concert series continues this year, so remember to find your way to the Seaside Stage each Friday.

The Del Mar Beer Fest will give you a chance to sample over 60 different flavors of brews from some of your favorite breweries, including

  • Ballast
  • Coronado
  • Firestone
  • Full Sail
  • Left Coast
  • Green Flash
  • New Belgium
  • Lagunitas
  • Palm
  • Pyramid

Despite the passage of time, the Del Mar Racetrack has held up amazingly and is still home to thrilling races and roaring crowds, and the idea for a horse palace by the ocean where guests could play all day, party all night, and enjoy the fruits of life

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From Trestles to South Bay: A Guide to San Diego Surf Breaks

Thursday, June 30th, 2011

With summer upon us, nothing would be better than a visit to the beach to enjoy the sun and the surf. Cooling off in the ocean is a common, popular form of summer fun in Southern California, especially San Diego.  If you are staying in Pacific Beach or Mission Beach, don’t be afraid to venture further south or north to find more of San Diego’s famous surf lineups.

San Diego has a deep-rooted surf culture that spreads all through the county, up and down the coast. Let’s take a look at some of the best surf breaks in and around the San Diego area.

Trestles

Trestles is a world famous, river-mouth point break located right on the county line between Orange County and San Diego, attracting professionals, amateurs, and first time surfers all at once.

The area is broken up into many different breaks, most notably Upper Trestles, Middle Trestles, and Lower Trestles (more commonly referred to as just “Lowers”) with Lower Trestles consistently having the best waves. An ASP World Tour surfing competition is held at the Lower Trestles on an annual basis, the only ASP tour stop held on the North American continent.

Be prepared to walk a ways to get to Trestles, with the parking lots being 15 minutes from the break or more.  Even after your hike to the lineup, Trestles is often busy 7 days a week. With 60+ surfers in the lineup to catch a wave, avoiding collisions with others often becomes part of the ride.

Despite all the difficulties presented in making it out to Trestles, the area is famous because it continually provides some of the best swells with consistent long rides.

Del Mar

Del Mar has become one of the most reliable surf spots in San Diego. Featuring great exposure to all swell directions, Del Mar is popular all year round. The crowd can spread from the river mouth to Torrey Pines State Beach, giving you the chance to find your own wave without worrying about crashing into other surfers.

The best breaks tend to be in South Del Mar, from 15th Street to 29th Street.

Swami’s

Swami’s in Encinitas is known internationally and has a well-defined peak with a crowd beyond capacity. The break is named after an Indian-style Self Realization Fellowship complex on the bluff.

Swami’s has a bend in the coast, helping it pick up extra swell energy. This means bigger, better waves than its neighboring breaks. Of course, this also means larger crowds, but it’s worth it for the great waves.

La Jolla Shores

La Jolla Shores is one of the most popular beaches in San Diego, in part because of its proximity to UC San Diego. The beach is often crowded with college students and locals. A line divides the surfing section and the swimming section, ensuring that surfers do not crash into unaware waders.

The beach also has year-round lifeguard services, facilities, and fairly good parking.

The waves here are generally fairly gentle and safe, making it a prime spot for beginners and seasoned veterans alike. Most surf schools operate here, so those who would like to learn to surf should definitely start here.

Black’s Beach

Black’s Beach, in another part of La Jolla, is one of the best surf spots in California and arguably has the best waves in San Diego. Consistent and great all year round, Black’s Beach features breaks in long, organized lines.

The walk to Black’s Beach is a bit of a hike, though you can arrive either by stairs or by a trail from the neighborhood. Black’s Beach is also a nudist beach, so try not to be too surprised when you arrive.

Paddling out takes a bit of extra work and effort, but it pays off. The waves here are huge, well into the 10-12 foot range. Unlike La Jolla Shores, Black’s Beach is definitely for experienced surfers.

The South Bay

The best place to surf in Coronado is Outlet, a shore break by the North Island Naval Air Base. Outlet faces south and picks up the hurricane swells from Baja in the summer.

Aside from Outlet, Coronado and the rest of the coast all the way south to Imperial Beach are filled with numerous sloping beach breaks with fun, forgiving surf. However, the offshore sand bars at the mouth of the Tijuana River are completely unsurfable.

If you are looking for a surfing destination this summer, we recommend booking a San Diego vacation rental where you will find the best spot to surf and enjoy the break!

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Off the Beaten Path in San Diego

Friday, April 29th, 2011

Off the Beaten Path in San Diego

The greater San Diego area has a population of over 1.3 million residents and receives more than 30 million visitors annually. People love to visit San Diego and then never want to leave. Luckily, there are an endless number of things to do in San Diego, especially if you know where to look. While the famous attractions like Sea World, San Diego Zoo, Wild Animal Park, Legoland, and the gorgeous beaches are all well known and have a lot to offer, they are all typical destinations for visitors. If you want to get away from the crowds and see what really makes San Diego a unique city, head off the beaten path.

1.       Temecula Wine Tasting: San Diego is not yet world famous for their wines, but they are the fastest growing wine region in the U.S. Gather some friends and make it a day trip out to the Temecula wineries where you can pick one favorite and spend all day there or hop from place to place. Bring a designated driver or hire one of the tour busses in the area. You’re bound to find a new favorite wine.

2.       Unique Hikes: San Diego isn’t just an urban city; there are plenty of natural preserves, rivers, parks, and even mountains nearby. Blue sky ecological preserve, Cedar Falls, Iron Mountain, and Palomar Mountain state park are just a few of the local’s favorite hiking spots.

3.       Old Town: Although it is a well known town that gets a lot of tourists, it still shows a lot of San Diego’s history and beats all the other areas for best Mexican food restaurants. Visit El Agave for the largest selection of tequila in all of San Diego (and probably California). For some good shopping, check out the Bazaar Del Mundo.

4.       Julian Apple Pie: If you have a car or are renting one, it will be worth your time to make the trip into the mountains to the small town of Julian. They are world famous for their apple pies. When you visit, stop by Mom’s for a taste of the freshest and best apple pies around. There are plenty of unique stores and restaurants to keep you busy all day.

5.       San Diego Gliderport: Some people like a little adventure and this is the best place to get it in San Diego. The Gliderport in Torrey Pines is a great place to experience Hang Gliding or Paragliding; especially since you are flying high above the beaches and Pacific Ocean. The views are amazing and you will get that adrenaline rush you are craving. You don’t have to try the sports, watching from the sidelines is a lot of fun too. http://flytorrey.com/cms/

6.       The Topiary Gardens: If you enjoyed the Edward Scissor Hands movie, you will love Harper’s Topiary Gardens. Edna Harper turned her lush backyard into an outdoor museum of sculptures. She has carved more than 50 creatures out of the gardens including a dinosaur, elephants, surfer, and even Buddha. The most surprising thing about the gardens is that they are located downtown near the airport. http://sandiego.about.com/od/thingstodo/a/topiary_garden.htm

7.       Cinema Under the Stars: Located in the back of Doug Yeagley’s Tops hair salon in Mission Hills, the Cinema Under the Stars is a perfect way to spend an evening during the warmer months in San Diego. If you are looking for a good addition to a romantic date night, this is a must stop. This isn’t like your typical drive-in theater; it is a classy venue with comfortable seats, service, and classic films like Casablanca. http://www.topspresents.com/

8.       ARCO Olympic Training Center: Not many tourists have heard about the Olympic training center in San Diego and it is a little out of the way, but the 20-30 minute drive is worth the unique experience. Located down south in Chula Vista, the center is for prospective Olympic athletes of almost every sport; even bobsledding. There is housing on site for the athletes but the center is also a good resource for local athletes looking to make it to the next level. There is a good visitor center and a lot of ways you can enjoy watching the training. http://www.teamusa.org/about-usoc/u-s-olympic-training-center-chula-vista

9.       Unique bars: If there is one industry that is booming in San Diego, it is craft beer. Instead of trying to stop in all 45 different breweries around the county, just visit the best and most unique beer bars in town. The Blind Lady Ale House and Toronado are two local favorites; though busy, they are absolutely worth the wait. They offer some of the world’s best beers on draft, so plan on spending the entire evening tasting a few brews.

10.   Kate Sessions Park: Last but not least is San Diego’s favorite park. Kate Sessions sits atop a hill that overlooks Mission Bay and downtown San Diego. You can see for miles on a clear day. The park always has active groups playing sports, friends and families having barbecues, and kids’ birthday parties. The sunsets are especially amazing from Kate Sessions.

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Top 3 Annual San Diego Events

Thursday, March 31st, 2011

America’s Finest City is not just a hot spot for surfers and scantily-clad sunbathers; it also hosts some of the nation’s most popular events that bring in people from all over the world. San Diegans love to celebrate music, movies, food, and even comic books, among other things. The top three annual events may be different in each person’s eyes depending on what interests them, but there are several that stand out as the most popular every single year. For the top three, we chose events where both the locals and visitors have a great time. From dressing up in star wars costumes at the San Diego Comic Con to wagering the last of your savings and wearing ridiculous hats at the Del Mar Races, San Diego knows how to put on a great show.

Top 3 Annual Events in San Diego

  • San Diego Comic-Con International: Comic professionals and fans have been filling the San Diego Convention Center to its max every year since its beginning in 1970. The event had over 130,000 in attendance in 2010 and all of downtown was packed with additional visitors just coming to look on at the spectacle. Everyone gets in their best comic outfit and heads down to the world’s fourth largest comic convention where they hope to rub shoulders with famous artists, actors and characters throughout the day. Visitors can catch a glimpse of upcoming feature films, get autographs from comic professionals and actors, stop by workshops and seminars, and all meet up for one crazy night at the Masquerade. The event usually takes place every July but the past few years have sold out far in advance. Plan on buying tickets a year in advance and if you don’t get them in time you can still head downtown for some great sightseeing with Klingons roaming the streets.
  • Del Mar Racing Season: The famous summer race track down in Del Mar draws horse racing fans from all around the world. The summer series runs for 37 days starting in mid July and consistently sees crowds of 40,000 or more. “Where the turf meets the surf” is the slogan for a race track that was started by Bing Crosby in 1937 and has a history of hosting famous horses from Seabiscuit in 1938 to Zenyatta in 2010. Opening Day is a local favorite where everyone gets dolled up and sports their best hats, bringing back the style from the race tracks’ heyday. Locals, visitors, and celebrities all show up to watch the world’s finest thoroughbreds race for top dollar stakes. Unlike Comic Con, you don’t need to buy tickets in advance and you can even catch popular concerts for free if you attend the 4 O’clock Fridays shows down at Del Mar.
  • Farmers Insurance Open: What most people still think of as the great Buick Open has a new sponsor but the same great golf that has brought people to San Diego for years. The “West Coast Swing” of the PGA Tour takes place on the Torrey Pines Golf Course in the beautiful beach town of La Jolla. Bubba Watson won in early 2011 and took home over one million dollars but the entire last decade was ruled by Tiger Woods himself, winning a total of six tournaments and setting several course records. Although the tournament takes place every January, San Diego is well known for beautiful weather year round which makes for a perfect weekend of golf.

Annual Events – Honorable Mentions

  • Street Scene: One of the largest music festival in the United States and historically located downtown San Diego had a rough two years and it is still undecided if it will be back. If it is, Street Scene would easily make its way up to our top three events in San Diego. The festival takes place downtown with several stages over a three-day period and hosts some of the most popular bands alongside incredible underground musicians. Stay tuned this summer to see if it makes its comeback because it is truly a San Diego event everyone must experience.
  • San Diego Rock n’ Roll Marathon: If running, or walking for a very long time, is your thing, don’t miss the unique marathon winding through downtown with live music set up at every mile marker during the race. It is like street scene stretched out over 26.2 miles. The Rock n’ Roll marathon comes every summer and is a great place for starters to test out their legs while rocking out to music.
  • San Diego Wine and Food Festival: All of your favorite restaurants, chefs, and wineries join up for a delicious event showcasing the best of San Diego and California. With VIP tastings, exclusive after parties, and a chef competition, you will be in for a fun filled weekend downtown. The event is held every November and brings people in from all over the world to taste what San Diego has to offer.

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Tour San Diego Museums

Wednesday, March 16th, 2011

San Diego has an abundance of museums, with fifteen museums in Balboa Park alone, making it the perfect city for touring museums whether you’re vacationing in San Diego or a full-time resident. February is Museum Month in San Diego, and admission to any museum is half price during this time.

Balboa Park

Balboa Park, a large park and community area north of the city center, is home to the San Diego Zoo, outdoor parks and gardens, and several performing arts centers, in addition to its fifteen museums, making it the nation’s largest urban cultural park. Admission to the park grounds is free, including the botanical building and outdoor gardens. The park offers a seven-day passport for admission to the zoo, museum, and other attractions, or a one-day pass that allows visitors admission to five of the museums, not including the zoo and other attractions.

Museums and Exhibits in Balboa Park:

  1. Centro Cultural de la Raza – a multidisciplinary arts center dedicated to education about Mexican and Latino cultures.
  2. Japanese Friendship Garden – an outdoor tour area with a Zen meditation garden, exhibit house, koi pond, bonsai exhibit, ceremonial gate, and wisteria arbor.
  3. Marston House – a 1905 arts and crafts museum on five acres of English and California gardens.
  4. Mingei International Museum – exhibits of historical and contemporary folk art, craft, and design.
  5. Museum of Photographic Arts – displays over 7,000 works that exhibit the history of photography, with a focus on social documentary and photojournalism.
  6. Reuben H. Fleet Science Center – a planetarium, IMAX Dome, and over 100 hands-on science exhibits.
  7. San Diego Air and Space Museum – includes a collection of worldwide historic aircraft and spacecraft, a GPS satellite, and interactive exhibits.
  8. San Diego Art Institute Museum of the Living Artist – Focusing on local art, the museum opens a new exhibit of a local artist every four to six weeks and showcases local jewelry and children’s art from San Diego schools.
  9. San Diego Automotive Museum – an exhibit of more than 80 historic and famous cars and motorcycles.
  10. San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum – visitors can both learn about and participate in San Diego-based sports in the nation’s largest multi-sport museum.
  11. San Diego History Center – artifacts, costumes, textiles, arts, and one of the largest collections of photographs in the west exhibit the rich history of the development of the San Diego area.
  12. San Diego Model Railroad Museum – the world’s largest operating model railroad museum contains a toy train gallery and four large-scale model railroad layouts depicting the railroads of the southwest.
  13. San Diego Museum of Man – a building inspired by Spanish colonial and mission-style architecture showcases the anthropology of people and places from all over the world.
  14. San Diego Natural History Museum – in addition to hosting traveling exhibits, the natural history museum has a focus on the biodiversity of Southern California and includes a 3D movie theater that plays films about the natural world.
  15. San Diego Museum of Art – hosts art exhibits from all over the world, in addition to the works of old European masters, 19th and 20th century American art, Asian collections, and Latin-American art.
  16. Timken Museum of Art – Includes the Putnam Foundation’s collection of European old master paintings, American paintings, Russian works, and special exhibits.
  17. Veterans Museum and Memorial Center – inside the Old Navy Chapel, this museum celebrates veterans of the Armed Forces, Coast Guard, and Wartime Merchant Marine with artifacts, photographs, documents, memorabilia and artwork.
  18. The WorldBeat Center – with art, music, dance, and education, the center celebrates and preserves African, African-American, and other indigenous cultures of the world.

As if Balboa Park didn’t have enough historical culture to offer, San Diego County houses over 90 museums, including:

The Maritime Museum of San Diego: exhibits at the Maritime Museum include The Star of India, the deepest diving submarine in the world, the San Diego Navy exhibit, and public and private sailing adventures, located at 1492 North Harbor Drive.

The Museum of Contemporary Art of San Diego: exhibits over 4000 works of painting, sculpture, film, and photography created after 1950, between its two locations in San Diego and La Jolla. The museum’s European bistro creates breakfast and lunch from locally-grown organic ingredients. Address: 1100 Kettner Boulevard (downtown)

The Museum of Making Music: visitors can experiment with music hands-on using a variety of instruments, in addition to viewing a display of hundreds of vintage instruments and musical artifacts and listening to audio samples of recorded music. Address: 5790 Armada Drive in Carlsbad

For more info on San Diego museums and an undated list of events and current exhibits, go to http://www.sandiego.org/nav/Visitors/WhatToDo/Museums.

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Guide to San Diego Microbreweries

Tuesday, March 15th, 2011

San Diego is known for beautiful beaches, temperate weather, a relaxing atmosphere, and tourists. One aspect of San Diego leisure life that locals enjoy, but few visitors have the chance to experience, is the extensive array of local microbreweries. As quintessentially San Diegan as surfers, trends in brewing have placed San Diego on the international beer map. Below is a guide to the top breweries, brands, and brewing companies throughout San Diego.

Local Favorites:

Stone Brewing Company: 1999 Citracado Parkway Escondido, CA 92029 (760) 471-4999

Known for brews with “big character,” Stone beers are widely loved by locals and beer connoisseurs across the country. Traditionally untraditional, the different Saisons, IPAs, ales, and more have just one thing in common: hops. The location is out of the way for most visitors, but it is worth the drive. They have not only delicious beer, but also excellent food, and an increasingly popular tour of the brewery. Bold names like “Arrogant Bastard” are a perfect fit for their bold flavors. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, Stone is sure to impress.

Ballast Point: 10051 Old Grove Rd. San Diego, CA 92131(858) 695-2739 (Main Brewery)

5401 Linda Vista Road San Diego, CA 92110 (619) 298-2337 (Home Brew Mart & Tasting Room)

An excellent contrast to Stone’s bold style, the second most popular local brew in the County is Ballast Point Brewery. More about the subtle nuances of flavor and less about the big power, most Ballast Point beers are agreeable to every palate. Each beer is named after a fish – Wahoo Wheat, Yellowtail Pale Ale, Big Eye IPA, etc.  This brewery began as a Home Brew Mart in Linda Vista, and quickly grew too big for its britches. You can now find the same old store and tasting room in Linda Vista, but the majority of the brewing happens in the Scripps Ranch area. Be sure to check out their interesting, but laid-back tour, and taste to your heart’s desire!

Lost Abbey: 155 Mata Way #104, San Marcos, CA 92069 (800) 918-6816

Inspired by the Abbey-style brews of monastic tradition, Lost Abbey was developed by local Pizza Port Brewers in 2006. Toeing the line between good and evil, these Lost brews play with religious influences in the naming of their beers – Devotion, Gift of the Magi, Serpent’s Stout, Judgment Day, etc. Regardless, the quality is consistent, and their unique take on Abbey-style beers has granted them more than one national award.  If you’re into Belgian-style brews, make Lost Abbey a destination during your time in San Diego.

Lightning Brewery:  13200 Kirkham Way, Poway, CA 92064 (858) 513 – 8070

Just like most great breweries, Lightning was founded by a home brewer. While brewing by night, his day job was in biochemistry, and Lightning Brewery uses science—biological and chemical processes—to brew great beer. They offer a variety of brews, often in the German style, and frequently win awards for each. Their most recent achievements were at the California State Fair in Sacramento. The team took seven beers to the event, and brought seven medals home.

Green Flash: 1430 Vantage Ct, Suite 104 Vista, CA 92081 (858) 622-0085

Named for the unexplainable “green flash” that occurs during sunset on the seashore, this quintessentially San Diegan brewery creates delicious West Coast Ales, as well as Belgian-inspired specialties. Their refusal to stay inside the box has led to a number of hybrid styles including their West Coast IPA and Le Freak Belgian IPA. Instead of forcing traditional styles and flavors, they prefer to let the hybrids create new categories in brewing.

Alesmith: 9368 Cabot Drive San Diego, CA 92126 858-549-9888

Inspired by the traditional styles of British and Belgian Beers, Alesmith is an artisan microbrewery specializing in – you guessed it – ales. In business since 1995, this team of brewers lives and breathes beer. The founder, Peter Zien, is San Diego’s only Grand Master Level One Beer Judge, which is one of the Beer Judge Certification Program’s highest ratings.

Pizza Port: 571 Carlsbad Village Carlsbad, CA 92008 (760) 720-7007 (Main Brewery)

Albeit an uncommon name for a brewery, Pizza Port offers gourmet pizzas alongside their deliciously handcrafted beers. While each of the 4 locations offers beers from across the country, they also serve about 10-15 of their creations on any given day. A few crowd favorites throughout Southern California include Downtown Brown, and Carlsbad Cream Ale. If you’re looking for a place to eat excellent pizza and enjoy some delicious brews without all the hullabaloo of most other breweries, Pizza Port is the place to go.

Honorable Mentions:

  • Firehouse Brewing
  • Coronado Brewing
  • Karl Strauss Brewery
  • Gordon Biersch
  • Rock Bottom Brewery
  • Mother Earth Brew Company

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    Whale Watching in San Diego

    Monday, February 21st, 2011

    Each winter the waters off the San Diego coastline are briefly inhabited by gray whales as they migrate between nutrient-rich waters in Alaska and their breeding grounds in the Gulf of Mexico. Typically, the whales first appear in mid-December and will be seen through March. During this time, it’s become a popular for families to take whale watching trips and spot a few of the 26,000 whales as they swim by.  (Image by wjklos )

    Finding gray whales as they make their 10,000-mile migration is helped by their large size (they grow to around 50 feet long), slow swimming speed (5 mph) and limited time spent diving. Since gray whales don’t swim too far off shore they can be seen from land and the best vantage points are at higher elevations like Torrey Pines State Beach and Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma. But for up close and personal views, head out to sea on one of the many whale watching expeditions. Here is some information about a few different San Diego whale watching operations:

    Bike, Hike, Kayak Take a guided kayak tour out of La Jolla Shores and paddle about a mile off shore and meet up with the whales as they swim by. Expect to get wet and do a lot of paddling as you make your way out to sea. To keep warm from water splashes, Bike, Hike, Kayak provides everybody with wetsuits and booties, but it’s also recommended to wear water-safe shoes and a bathing suit. Kayaking experience isn’t necessary. Children under 8 years old cannot join and the ability to swim is a must. The cost of the 3-hour tour is $60 for single kayaks or $55 per person for tandem kayaks.

    Birch Aquarium at Scripps and Flagship Cruises & EventsFlagship Cruises and Events joined with the Birch Aquarium to create a narrated, educational experience as you look for gray whales. Supplementing the narration, passengers receive a fact sheet about gray whales. Flagship launches two trips per day (9:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m.) and weekday rates are $30 (adults), $25 (seniors and military) and $15 (children), but on weekends add $5 to the adult and senior prices. If you’re a teacher and want to take your students on a whale watching trip, call for group rates.

    Dennis Conner’s America’s Cup ExperienceSail in style onboard the ‘America,’ which claims to offer a seasick-free trip and the guarantee for a whale sighting. Last year the ship carried 4,300 guests on 110 whale watching trips and will travel off shore up to eight or nine miles to live up to their whale spotting guarantee. ‘America’ passengers can bring their own lunch and drinks for a “picnic on the ocean.” The trip lasts four hours (11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) and costs $65 for adults and $34 for children (ages 12 years old and younger) on weekdays and $85 for adults and $44 for children (ages 12 years and under) on weekends.

    Hornblower whale-watching cruisesThe Hornblower offers two, 3.5-hour departures per day and already boasts a half-day trip this year which passengers saw over 50 gray whales and a pod of about 2,000 common dolphins. Don’t get too excited about that result because a normal trip means seeing six to 10 gray whales (which is still a very successful day). If you want to see a detailed list of each day’s sights check out their whale watching report. Hornblower also guarantees a while sighting or it will issue a voucher for another trip. Weekday rates are $34 for adults, $17 for children ages 4 to 12 and seniors/military are $29, while weekend prices are $39, $19.50 and $34, respectively.

    Whale Watching Tips

    Before you embark on your next whale watching trip, talk to the company you’re going out with and ask about what they recommend to bring, including food, drinks and proper clothing. In case you forget to ask, here are a few good tips to remember. (Image by Cabby14)

    1. Some boats allow you to bring food onboard, while others ask that you purchase food from their galley. It doesn’t hurt to pack a lunch for your family; if you have to leave it in the car, then you have a snack on the way home.

    2. It is best to dress in layers because boats go a few miles off shore where it can get windy and the temperature can be 10 degrees colder than on land. Wear close-toed shoes with traction since you’ll be walking around on a pitching deck and it might get slippery.

    3. Bring binoculars because there is no guarantee your captain will be able to maneuver his boat very close to the gray whales. But when those up close moments happen, have your camera or video camera in hand to document the experience. Whales spout, breach (jump out of the water), spy hop (pop their head up vertically to see above the water) and you’re encouraged to capture all their actions.

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