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About Susan J

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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

Best in Travel for 2007

December 11th, 2007 by susan j

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.

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

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Holiday of Lights in Del Mar

December 7th, 2007 by susan j

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.

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

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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.

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

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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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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!

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

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Virgin America Announces Flights to San Diego

November 14th, 2007 by susan j

Our friends over at Jaunted recently tipped us off that Virgin American is adding service between San Francisco and San Diego International. Starting on February 12, the Virgin will offer 3 flights a day and will add more flights a day starting on March 9. With fares starting at just $39 each way, this is a great option for budget travelers. Virgin is also running a sale now through Thursday the 15th, so check it out. Happy travels!

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

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San Diego Airport Ranked 3rd in On-Time Arrivals

November 9th, 2007 by susan j

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Photo uploaded by WTL Photos

If you’re among the countless number of travelers who’ve experienced airport delays this year, then this will be music to your (tired, jet lagged) ears. Wednesday’s Wall Street Journal reported on 8 airports that buck the trend in late arrivals. Those flying to San Diego should be excited to hear that San Diego’s Airport is listed as 3rd for best on-time arrival rates so far this year. The other airports listed are in Salt Lake City, Oakland, Houston and Chicago. Happy travels!

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Working Out on the Go

October 30th, 2007 by susan j

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Photo uploaded by Mike Baird

One of the (very few) downsides of going on vacation is trying to keep up your exercise and healthy eating habits on the go (just ask my abs after I took a week-long Caribbean cruise earlier this year, 24 hour buffets and $4 drink specials are tough to resist!). That’s why we’ve compiled a few helpful suggestions for keeping in shape on your trip to southern California:

If you’re up for an adventure, then you could rent a kayak and bike to go exploring. You’ll get a great workout as you see sights including the Gaslamp District, Mission Bay, and more.

For some lighter exercise paired with sightseeing, try the Hotel Del Coronado Walking Tour. This legendary seaside resort offers unique architectural charm and gorgeous views.

Athletic-Minded Traveler has even more ideas for keeping in shape on vacation. Their guides cover dozens of cities in the United States and Canada, and they even offer a guide to San Diego as a free preview. Now you have no excuse for not staying active on your trip!

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

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Fire Update for 10/29

October 29th, 2007 by susan j

Over the weekend, fire crews managed to contain all fires within city limits. The air quality has improved and tourist attractions have reopened for business. Click here for fire updates from the city of San Diego’s website.

And now for more good news… several airlines including American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and US Airways have opted to waive flight-change fees for those impacted by the fires, saving passengers up to $100 each. Speaking of airlines, word on the jetway is that Virgin America will be adding flights to San Diego in the near future, giving tourists yet another option for traveling to San Diego. Happy travels!

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

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San Diego’s Haunted Houses

October 17th, 2007 by susan j

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Photo uploaded by peyri

Legend has it that the Whaley House (pictured above) is the most haunted house in America. For those who’d like to explore the darker side of San Diego, the Old Town Ghost Walking Tour covers several buildings in historic Old Town including a restaurant where the voices of the dead bark military orders to the living and a cemetery on the edge of town. Discover San Diego has a few other suggestions for haunted happenings in San Diego. Go if you dare!

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

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