Ocean Beach holiday photo uploaded by ercwttmn
From our family at Go San Diego Card to yours, here’s wishing you a very happy holiday!
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Monday, December 24
The San Diego Zoo hosts Team Day at the zoo.
Thursday, December 27 (10 am)
The Unified Port of San Diego presents the Big Bay Balloon Parade, “America’s largest balloon parade.”
Through Monday, December 31 (various times)
LEGOLAND® California hosts their 9th annual Holiday Block Party, complete with twinkling lights, holiday music, and a 30-foot LEGO Christmas tree.
San Diego’s Union Tribune has even more holiday happenings listed here. Happy travels!
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Mark your calendars, because January 27-February 1 and June 22-27 are the dates for next year’s San Diego Restaurant Week. Over 120 restaurants are participating in this annual event, which allows diners to sample three course, prix fixe menus for $30 or $40 at some of San Diego’s premiere restaurants (beverages, tax, and tips are extra).
Here’s a sneak peek at a few of the restaurants that are participating in 2008:
At San Diego’s hip Indigo Grill, diners can choose from mouthwatering dishes like shrimp and scallop ceviche, hickory and apple smoked pork ribs, and several sweet-sounding desserts like rain forest sorbet and chocolate pistachio torte. According to yelp.com, this little gem in Little Italy has great mojitos, too!
Lei Lounge in University Heights will offer patrons a sampling of their global cuisine, from crab empanada and kobe steak frites to dim sum donuts. A relatively newcomer to San Diego’s lounge scene, Lei Lounge features patio seating and an exotic selection of cocktails to match the eclectic food.
Kensington Grill proves that “casual upscale food” is not an oxymoron. This neighborhood eatery’s restaurant week menu includes fig and red pear salad topped with Gorgonzola cheese, forest mushroom pappardelle, and beef filet medallion sprinkled with a cabernet syrup. Yum!
Check out the complete list of restaurants here.
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If you’re in San Diego visiting family or vacationing for the holidays, here are some attractions that will be open around Christmas and New Year’s to keep you busy.
Head on down to the Museum of Contemporary Art for beautiful, light-filled gallery spaces, innovative exhibitions, and vast collections of permanent commissions.
With more than 100 interactive exhibits, the Fleet Science Museum is perfect for the whole family. The museum also houses the world’s first IMAX movie theatre, so catch a planetarium or educational film during your visit.
Check out more than 4,000 animals representing 800 species at the San Diego Zoo. You can also experience “Monkey Trails” and “Forest Tales,” which are only two of the zoo’s fantastic exhibits. The winding pathways through 3 acres of habitat are sure to fill your day with learning and fun.
UPDATE: As Claire’s comment below indicates, the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, but not on the actual holidays. The Fleet Science Museum and San Diego Zoo are open on December 25 and January 1. We apologize for any confusion!
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Mingei International Museum
Photo uploaded by Lyndi&Jason
For all you art-lovers out there, here’s a guide to all the amazing art museums in San Diego. Whether you’re more of a contemporary art fan or you love to study the origins of art, there’s a museum for everyone in this city.
Featured in the photograph above, the Mingei International Museum features timeless art from people from all around the world, igniting discussion that crosses cultural and continental boundaries. With 17,000 objects from 140 countries, this is a true tour of the world through art itself.
At the Museum of Photographic Arts in historic Balboa Park, discover more than 9,000 images depicting the entire history of the art form. The museum also tackles social, historic, and cultural issues in its exhibits, challenging visitors to strike up interesting conversations about the medium.
Also located in the heart of Balboa Park, the San Diego Museum of Art is the region’s largest fine arts museum. There’s everything from the works of the European old masters and important American paintings to a collection of Asian art. This museum also houses the Edwin Binney 3rd Collection of South Asian paintings, which is the most significant collection of its kind outside of India.
There’s also the Museum of Contemporary Art in La Jolla, which presents the region’s foremost forum for the exploration and presentation of contemporary art and creative expression. With over 4,000 works of art, a sculptural garden, and art that kids can interact with in a park-like setting, this is a great way to spend part of your visit to San Diego.
To compliment the MoCa in La Jolla, the Museum of Contemporary Art in Downtown San Diego provides a look into works by commissioned artists in the renovated historic Santa Fe Depot baggage building. There’s always something going on at this museum, which features a program of nightly events and special events on the first Thursday of every month entitled “Thursday Night Thing.”
For newly created art, check out the Museum of the Living Artist presented by the San Diego Art Institute. Located in the House of Charm in Balboa Park, there’s a new exhibition every four to six weeks. Support local artists and the San Diego art community with a visit to this innovative museum.
Last, but certainly not least, is the Bowers Museum. This center of art is renowned for its dedication to the study and preservation of the fine arts. Dubbed “Southern California’s “Window to the World’s Richest Cultures,” this museum has organized many significant cultural exhibits during its time, including “Dead Sea Scrolls.”
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Night at the Casbah
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Whatever your after-hours style may be, here’s a list of great places to check out the scene in San Diego. There’s everything from live independent bands to karaoke and Belgian beers galore!
For the twenty-something hipster…
The Casbah is San Diego’s best-loved place to catch the best in upcoming bands. While you’re waiting for the music to start, amuse yourself with some classic arcade games or a game of pool while you sip some cheap, yet tasty drinks. In this intimate setting, you’ll be sure to make some new friends on the dance floor and call this a new favorite.
For a low-key, classy evening with friends…
The Cask Room is a cozy wine and tapas bar in a beautiful candlelit atmosphere. The owners and waitstaff can provide you with facts from their ever-expanding knowledge of wine when you try something new from their extensive menu. Order some baked brie or salami to share over conversation in this mellow place.
To show off your moves…
With a DJ, juke box, and live music, The Tower Bar is perfect for a night out dancing with friends. A landmark since 1932, this classic dive bar is a favorite on Monday nights where Lady Dottie and the Diamonds belt out the best in soul and old rock covers.
To prove you’re a karaoke star…
With a 1960s stuck-in-a-time-capsule feel, Albie’s Beef Inn is a good old-fashioned steak house that also has live karaoke with a live band! Belt out your favorites amidst the gold-flecked wallpaper and dark wood paneling surrounding their classic piano bar. From slow-dancing grandparents to youngins enjoying the kitsch, this is a must-see in San Diego.
For beer-loving sports fans,
O’Brien’s, dubbed “The Hoppiest Place on Earth,” is a Belgian beer-lovers dream. If you’d like to discover some new brews, they even have selections of 3 oz. tasters to enjoy. Devour some delicious classic pub food while you relax with some friends and catch a soccer game on one of their TVs.
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Planning a trip to San Diego? Check out our guide to events in San Diego for the coming week…
Friday, December 14-Sunday, December 14 (7:30 pm on Friday and Saturday, 2 pm on Sunday)
The San Diego Chamber Orchestra performs Handel’s Messiah along with the Chorus of the Bach Collegium.
Friday, December 14-Saturday, December 15
Old Town San Diego gives visitors a taste of the holidays in early San Diego with candlelit tours, live entertainment, luminarias, and more. Tours start at 6 pm with proceeds benefiting the Old Town San Diego Historic Park.
Now through Sunday, December 16
The Port of San Diego presents the 36th annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights. This year’s theme “Yo Ho Ho… A Pirate’s Christmas!” which is sure to excite the whole family!
Now through January 6 (various times)
Horton Place hosts ice skating for all ages. Prices for a 2 hour session are $12 for adults and $10 for kids under 12. Proceeds go to the Cancer Care Treatment Center at Rady Children’s Hospital.
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Photo uploaded by peyri
In addition to relaxing on the beach in San Diego, you can always treat yourself to a massage or pedicure at one of these fabulous places. Remember, you’re on vacation, so indulge a little bit!
At Hyde-Edwards Salon & Spa, get to know your stylists with great conversation and delicious drinks while you enjoy the modern interior design, straight from the artistic visions of the owner. You truly feel like a VIP at this spa where you’ll walk out feeling refreshed with a great hair makeover.
Lulu’s by Travis Parker gives great manicures and pedicures in a hip, squeaky clean environment. Sit back and relax with a leg and foot massage topped off with your toes getting the royal treatment. From a luxury to an express-style manicure, there’s something for everyone when you need to get your nails done as well. They even have “Little Lulu” offerings for guests 12 and under.
Voted “Best Day Spa 2007″ by Citysearch, Spa Velia is certainly a favorite in San Diego. Cozy up in a chenille robe in the luxurious European atmosphere, which is conveniently across from the W Hotel. Spa Velia is well-known as a welcoming couples’ retreat for those who are interested in getting massages and beauty treatments together. So, the next time you’re in the city, stay at the W and meander across the street for a little indulgence after a long day of sightseeing.
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Hard to believe that 2007 is almost over, but this is the time of year when we look back over the last twelve months and reflect on the trends and news items that have made this year memorable. Here’s a quick round-up of the best in travel for 2007.
Frommer’s Top Travel Destinations for 2007 includes some exotic locales like Tokyo and Zurich and a few domestic destinations like Asheville, North Carolina and Portland, Maine.
Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2007 offers some great suggestions for the adventurous traveler.
IgoUgo’s Top 10 Big Media Travel Blogs features the best of the blogosphere.
Times Online’s 50 Best Travel Websites of 2007 is neatly arranged by networking, multimedia, and so on.
Travel + Leisure’s Worlds Best 2007 lists the world’s best hotels, spas, cruises, and more.
And those who are looking ahead to more travel in 2008, TripAdvisor’s travel predictions for 2008 include increased interest in eco-friendly travel and educational travel.
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If you’re a fan of holiday lights, then you’ll definitely want to check out the Holiday of Lights at the Del Mar Fairgrounds, which runs from now until January 1, 2008. This annual tradition features over 400 holiday lights and animated displays. Plus, they’ll be giving out free samples of Starbucks’ holiday-themed drinks this weekend. Check out dates and ticket availability.
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