About Susan J
Susan J., budget traveler extraordinaire, inherited her Yankee frugality from her mother and it has served her well on trips across the US and the UK. Whether scoping out the nightlife scene or searching for that perfect pair of shoes, Susan loves writing and travel. She has lived outside of Seattle, Washington, and in Boston, Massachusetts and Albuquerque, New Mexico. She recently returned from a trip to Hawaii, where she made full use of her Go Oahu Card!
Blog posts written by Susan J
April 16th, 2008 by susan j
Finding her way around the San Diego Zoo Photo uploaded by
Earth Day is coming up on Tuesday, April 22, so it’s only fitting that we highlight San Diego attractions which let you learn more about animal and plant life. Here are some of our picks:
- San Diego Zoo is consistently ranked among the top zoos and attraction nationwide. The zoo features more than 4,000 rare and endangered animals with the largest collection of Grant Pandas outside of mainland China!
- Birch Aquarium at Scripps offers another option for learning about animals. Visitors can explore more than 60 different habitats and enter the world of sharks, seahorses, living coral reefs, and more.
- San Diego Whale Watching Excursions is a fully narrated 3.5 hour adventure through San Diego Harbor past California gray whales. It’s also associated with the world famous Birch Aquarium at Scripps (see above).
- Discovery Science Center has 120 hands-on science exhibits ranging from a water vortex and climbing wall to life-sized dinosaur models and fossils. Perfect for kids.
- San Diego Natural History Museum combines modern science and multimedia art to explore Earth’s past, present, and future. You could easily spend an entire day trying out each interactive exhibit, watching films (shown every hours), and learning about the ecosystem.
What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day? Leave a comment and let us know!
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
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March 21st, 2008 by susan j
ArtWalk photo uploaded by
San Diego is blessed with warm, sunny weather year round, but there are a couple of San Diego experiences that are only available during the spring. We’ve rounded up some of our favorites to share with those who are planning trips to San Diego this spring.
- . Each spring, visitors flock to Carlsbad Ranch to admire the vibrant colors and varied blossoms in this 50-plus acre area. Open daily March 1-May 11.
- Celebrate Cinco de Mayo. This annual celebration is a favorite in San Diego. The best place to celebrate is in Old Town, but since May 5 falls on a Monday this year, the fiesta will be on Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4.
- . San Diego’s Little Italy hosts ArtWalk, an outdoor festival that showcases artwork by over 350 artists. This year’s festival is set for April 26 and 27.
- . This year marks the 63rd year for this horse show, which stretches over three weeks (April 17-May 4, 2008). During the summer, visitors can attend horse races at the Del Mar Racetrack.
- . Scheduled for May 3-4, 2008, this free two-day musical extravaganza features local and national musical acts in genre including folk, celtic, bluegrass, and more.
Is there anything we’ve forgotten? Leave a comment and let us know!
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
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March 19th, 2008 by susan j
San Diego beach photo uploaded by
Here at Go San Diego Travel Blog, we’re all about helping you make the most of your trip to San Diego. And if that means helping you win a free weekend getaway at a post oceanfront property, then we’re on the case. So, today I’d like to point you over to .
We are not affiliated with their site, but it sounds like a cool opportunity to discover the attractions, restaurants, and other places in San Diego that are recommended by readers and perhaps share some of your own favorites. Deadline is Monday, March 24, so get writing!
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
March 13th, 2008 by susan j
Legoland photo uploaded by
On Monday, Legoland California unveiled its newest theme park area to the public. Set in 1920s Egypt, Land of Adventure features four new attractions, the most anticipated being a ride called Lost Kingdom Adventure.
Lost Kingdom Adventure is San Diego’s first “dark ride,” meaning it is fully enclosed like Disneyland’s Indiana Jones ride. Guests ride through 10 different scenes in four-seater Jeeps, as they shoot at targets with laser guns, rescuing Miss Pippin Reed and chasing down thieves. Land of Adventure’s three other rides are Cargo Ace, Beetle Bounce, and Pharoah’s Revenge.
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
February 21st, 2008 by susan j
Suffering from the winter blahs? A visit to San Diego may be just what you need. Here are some events for the coming week to help you plan your trip.
Friday, February 22 (8 pm)
Grammy® Award-winning pianist plays a Beethoven and Schumann piano program at MCASD Sherwood Auditorium.
Saturday, February 23 (10 am)
Take a free . Stroll through the gardens at Balboa Park courtesy of Offshoot Tours.
Ongoing
Catch the new exhibit, Gangsters, Glamour & Glory: Forging America’s Future In The 1930’s.
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
February 14th, 2008 by susan j
Happy Valentine’s Day! Continue the celebration into the weekend and next week with these events in the San Diego county area.
Friday, February 15
The world-class San Diego Zoo offers self-guided walking tour maps and Botanical Bus Tours in honor of .
Saturday, February 16 (11 am - 3 pm)
Birch Aquarium hosts . All ages are welcome.
Sunday, February 17 (11 am - 3 pm)
offers a . Meet former President Abraham Lincoln!
Monday, February 18 (1pm - 11 pm)
Black History Month continues with a program at WorldBeat Cultural Center called .
Through the end of February
Museum Month continues, giving visitors and locals a chance to check out San Diego’s best museums and cultural offerings at a discount.
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
February 7th, 2008 by susan j
Here’s what’s happening in San Diego this weekend and into next week:
Friday, February 8-Sunday February 10, various times
The Union of Vietnamese Student Associations of Southern California presents the 26th annual , marking the beginning of spring.
Saturday, February 9, 9:30 am-11 am
Birch Aquarium presents a special program for preschoolers called .
Monday, February 11 and Monday, February, 7:30 pm
Celebrate Valentine’s Day early with concerts by the San Diego Chamber Orchestra. Monday’s concert is in La Jolla and Tuesday’s is in Rancho Santa Fe, but both focus on “” with works by Borodin, Tchaikovsky, and other composers.
Do you know of an event happening in San Diego county in the coming months? Leave us a comment, and we’ll try to include it in a future event guide.
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
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Go San Diego Card.
February 6th, 2008 by susan j
Sunscreen in San Diego
Photo uploaded by
We’ve all heard how important it is to wear sunscreen, but admittedly, most of us get a little lax about this during the winter months. If you’re headed to the sunny beaches of San Diego this winter, then you’ll want to make sure you pack enough SPF. This article called has more on the importance of sunscreen.
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
February 1st, 2008 by susan j
Martin Luther King, Jr. Photo uploaded by
Today is the start of Black History Month. Celebrations are underway all across the country, as we remember great figures like Malcom X, Harriet Tubman, and Martin Luther King, Jr. (pictured above) and celebrate the accomplishments of present day African-Americans, too.
San Diego has plenty of events, film screenings, lectures, and more to commemorate Black History Month. Here’s a sampling of things to do in San Diego for Black History Month:
Friday, February 1 (tonight)
University of California, San Diego presents a featuring Bill Johnson and Rudy Francisco.
Through February 3
The highlights the best in independent black films. It also serves as a fundraiser for the Black Historical Society of San Diego.
Saturday, February 23
San Diego’s boosts relationships between community organizations and the communities they serve.
The has an even more comprehensive list of .
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
January 31st, 2008 by susan j
Friday, February 1 (various times)
San Diego’s Museum Month kicks off a month of cultural exploration! Participating museums include , , and the .
Monday, February 4 (10 am - 4:30 pm)
Last day to visit the San Diego Museum of Man’s exhibit, .
Tuesday, February 5 (6 pm - midnight)
San Diego’s famed with Mardi Gras-themed parades, live entertainment, dancing, drinks, and more!
Wednesday, February 6
Celebrate Black History Month at San Diego’s World Beat Center as they screen the Bob Marley film .
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
