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Archive for 2007

San Diego Events Guide for Week of 12/7

December 6th, 2007 by amy c

Friday, December 7-Saturday, December 8
December Nights at Balboa Park: This is the 30th consecutive year for this family-friendly celebration that highlights San Diego’s diverse culture. Several museums in Balboa Park will open their doors free of charge in the spirit of the season.

Friday, December 7
Coronado Holiday Parade: Ferry Landing Marketplace will host an evening of Holiday events starting at 4 pm with a visit from Santa, snow mountain, holiday parade, Christmas tree lighting, and community concert.

Saturday, December 8
Holiday at the Rancho Buena Vista Adobe: The 163-year-old Rancho Buena Vista Adobe will be decorated in holiday spirit this Sunday and provide living history tours depicting life from the 1800s, mariachi bands, story tellers and dancers.

Tuesday, December 11
A Taste of Christmas at the Mission
: The Mission San Luis Rey will celebrate a Christmas tradition, featuring carolers, gourmet food from local restaurants, and an exciting sight of 1,000 luminerias.

This weekend, San Diego is full of Holiday events all around the city. Check out this list to find the one that fits your celebrating style the most!

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Tips for Stress-Free Holiday Travel

December 5th, 2007 by susan j

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Photo uploaded by D.L.

With the holiday season upon us, millions of Americans are gearing up for holiday trips. Whether you’re planning a trip to visit the in-laws or want to get away from it all in sunny California, you may encounter weather delays, crowded airports, and other snags in your journey. Which is precisely why Jeffrey Strain of TheStreet.com has compiled air travel tips to ease the stress of holiday travel. Check it out.

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Natural History Museum’s Current Exhibits

December 4th, 2007 by jamie a

Here’s a quick guide to what’s currently happening at the San Diego Natural History Museum. With ever-changing events and new traveling exhibits, there’s always something interesting to see and do!

On Friday, December 7 and Saturday, December 8th, the museum will open its doors from 5- 9 pm for Balboa Park December Nights. There will be free general admission to visitors.

December is your last chance to see the Dead Sea Scrolls, which the largest and most comprehensive exhibition of the scrolls ever assembled. The Ten Commandments, the oldest of the scrolls, are on display, as well as a section of the Copper Scrolls. Walk through exhibits of the text on display with translations, authentic artifacts, excavation equipment, as well as photography and scientific studies.

Until January 1, explore a collection of Contemporary Israeli Photography, which compliments the Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. Using interpretive and modernistic color imagery, the traditions and culture of Israel come alive on film. Wood, ceramic, and glass sculptures will also be featured, representing additional modern-day interpretations of Israel.

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San Diego Zoo in TripAdvisor’s Top 10

December 3rd, 2007 by susan j

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Bear at the San Diego Zoo
Photo uploaded by andryone

TripAdvisor’s Top 10 US Attractions for 2007 features some of the country’s most awe-inspiring and intriguing places like the Grand Canyon and Central Park. We’re especially proud to note that the San Diego Zoo also made the cut. With more than 4,000 animals from 800 species, the zoo has something for every type of animal lover. Check out the San Diego Zoo Blogs to read more about their animals and special exhibits.

Planning a trip to San Diego? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Diego Card.

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Mission Style Architecture

November 30th, 2007 by amy c

mission architecture
One of many Mission style homes in San Diego
photo uploaded by Allan Ferguson

Remnants of California’s colonial history still remain today in the Mediterranean flourishes and adobe stucco houses, buildings, and churches that speckle San Diego. Mission style architecture not only offers a glimpse into San Diego’s past, but combined with the palm trees and warm breeze, can make you feel as if you are a world away from a modern city.

Personally, I conjured up my dream home when I visited San Diego for the first time and took in the spacious architecture that seamlessly blends the outside with the inside, the paint jobs that age with increasing beauty, and the mosaic tile adorned rooms that make it easy to imagine you are in a Spanish villa. For all the architecture buffs or those of you wanting to see history through buildings that are more like art, check out these prime locations for glimpsing brilliant architecture.

A stroll through Old Town alone will transport you to another time with its Cal-Mex culture. The outside markets, mariachi bands, countless restaurants with authentic Spanish and Mexican food feel at home among a back drop of artfully aged arch ways, individually placed red curved brick, and sun-kissed stucco flanked by luscious bougainvillea.

Father Junipero Serra can be partially credited for bringing this beautiful architecture to the states when he established his first California mission. The Junipero Serra Museum, built in in the mission style, commemorates Native America, Spanish, Mexican, and American time periods through 1929 with artifacts, featuring housewares, tools and furniture.

Uptown and La Jolla are still home to the work of prolific architect, Irving Gill, who, around the turn of the century, integrated the desert-like landscape into his designs. Some of his homes are on the National Historic Landmark list. Soon local architects followed in his footsteps, modeling city buildings, such as the County Administration Center, the Bazaar del Mundo, and the Torrey Pines Visitors Center, after Spanish/Mexican influences, according to Frommer’s.

A wonderful aspect of the San Diego experience is that an adobe church can be found next to a modern office building which could neighbor a Victorian home, showcasing San Diego’s diverse history and influences. If the mission style architecture has drawn out the designer in you, perhaps take the Gaslamp Quarter Walking Tour that showcases preserved Victorian homes and office buildings, another famed style of architecture in California.

Planning a trip to San Diego? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Diego Card.

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Events Guide for Weekend of 11/30

November 29th, 2007 by amy c

Saturday, December 1
La Jolla YMCA Surf Series: Surfers of all ages will compete at Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach. Free for spectators.

Sunday, December 2
50th Annual La Jolla Christmas Parade and Holiday Festival: Dancers, massive floats, a marching band, and live entertainment lures 20,000 participants and viewers in this beloved tradition. A Christmas tree lighting will take place at the end of the day.

Sunday, December 2
Thread: Check out upcoming Spring fashions and enjoy music and food at this year’s trunk show, happening at the San Diego Air and Space Museum.

Now through December 30
How the Grinch Stole Christmas: Don’t miss this holiday and Dr. Seuss classic as it lights up the stage with new songs at the Globe theater.

Planning a trip to San Diego? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Diego Card.

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Traveling to San Diego by RV

November 28th, 2007 by carrie t

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Photo uploaded by Lance and Erin

San Diego is a great spot to take a trip by RV.  The Chula Vista RV Resort is first class with wonderful amenities such as parks and a waterfront marina.  On their site you can sometimes find last minute specials, particularly in the winter time (rates range from $18 - $50 a day).  If you don’t want to tow a car behind your RV, you’ll find the car rental rates from Enterprise Rent a Car to be very low.  Enterprise will also send someone to pick you up, so if you time it right, renting a car is a breeze.

From Chula Vista, you can easily access downtown San Diego, or even drive down to Baja, Mexico.  The Chula Vista RV Resort also has community activities available for its guests.  With such perfect weather year round, you’ll surely want to extend your stay in San Diego – many people will spend an entire season in our city!

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Travel Gifts for Jetsetters

November 27th, 2007 by jamie a

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Photo uploaded by danagraves

With the holiday season upon us, everyone’s scrambling for gift ideas for family, friends, and co-workers. Why not buy your favorite jetsetter something for their many journeys? Here’s some of our favorite picks for travel gifts this season from fashionistas to techies to kids.

For the techies…
If you know someone who takes all their gadgets on vacation with them, this executive valet charging station charges up to three devices at once. This handy invention keeps all gadget chargers organized and easy to keep track of so nothing gets left behind.

For the fashionista…
With the blanket and sleep mask travel pack, your fashionista won’t have to miss a minute of beauty sleep while she travels. The mask will keep light and distractions out, the comfy blanket will keep her cozy, and the disposable pillowcase will help keep the airline pillows germ-free.

For kids…
The Travel Scratch & Sketch is a perfect way to learn about historical landmarks and be creative at the same time! Kids can sketch on the black coated pages revealing rainbow colors and facts about places like Mount Rushmore and the Statue of Liberty underneath.

For the nostalgic…
With this vintage-inspired Pan Am Carry On, you can relive the glory days of travel. Made of water resistant vinyl with a nylon lining, this bag is certainly durable enough for all those jaunts across the country.

Planning a trip to San Diego? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Diego Card.

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Happy Turkey Day!

November 21st, 2007 by susan j

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Photo uploaded by ckirkman

According to this article, San Diego is one of the most popular Thanksgiving destinations among Southern Californians. The Automobile Club of Southern California estimates that 3.1 million residents will be traveling this week. San Diego International Airport will be offering additional help for holiday travelers with their Green Coast Program. Whether you’re traveling by car, airplane, or rail, here are some tips for keeping your sanity during the hectic holiday travel season:

  1. Allow extra time for traffic or flight delays.
  2. Ship your luggage in advance if possible.
  3. Never gift wrap items in your luggage if you’re flying.
  4. If you can drive or fly on Thanksgiving, rather than the day before or after, there will be fewer people on the road or at the airport.

Click here to read travel editor Peter Greenberg’s Thanksgiving travel tips. Happy travels!

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San Diego’s Free Wi-Fi Guide

November 20th, 2007 by jamie a

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The Aero Club is just one of the many San Diego places offering free wi-fi
Photo uploaded by billlutzius

Wherever your travels take you, we know you love to stay connected. Here’s our list of San Diego Wi-Fi hotspots to help you out! From hotels to delis and cozy dive bars, you’ll find plenty of places to get your internet fix.

Lucky for you, the San Diego International Airport offers free wi-fi (unlike many airports) so no more waiting to find service when you arrive!

To begin your trip, here are some hotels that offer free wi-fi so you won’t have to stray very far at all if you need to be connected. There’s the Empress Hotel, any of the Best Western locations, or The Ramada.

If you’d like to grab some breakfast, coffee, or lunch, there’s a myriad of choices! There’s Cafe Cabaret, The Living Room, Espresso Garden, and Influx, which serve everything from coconut lattes to quiche and top-notch espresso. The Urban Fresh Deli also serves breakfast burritos, paninis, signature sandwiches, salads, and soups.

If you like to treat yourself while you work, head on over to the Aero Club, a fabulous dive bar with free wi-fi, pool and 20 beers on tap. The Wit’s End is also a great choice with a cozy atmosphere and delicious comfort food.

For dessert, check out Yogart for fresh Korean-style fro-yo with eclectic toppings like pomegranate seeds and coco pebbles!

Planning a trip to San Diego? Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the Go San Diego Card.

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