Archive for the Activities category
February 8th, 2008 by jamie a
Couple in the Surf Photo uploaded by
SanDiego.com recently published a for everyone celebrating the holiday in the city. From romantics and nature lovers to art nuts and chocolate connoisseurs, there’s something on the list for everyone.
There’s suggestions like Belmont Park and and Haunted Sam Diego for those looking for dates under $30, or there’s one hour surf lessons and couples massages for those wanting to splurge a little.
There’s even a listing of “romantic tips” such as slipping love notes into your significant other’s pockets or having dinner by candlelight to round out this complete guide to the holiday.
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
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January 22nd, 2008 by carrie t
San Diego’s Mission Bay Photo courtesy of Carrie Tayloe
While you’re on vacation you might be inclined to use the gym at your hotel, but consider waking up early and going for a jog along . The spectacular boardwalk is one of San Diego’s most serene spots (particularly in the mornings in late afternoons).
One of the best ways to enter the bay is in Pacific Beach. Head down Fanuel Street to the Bay (from the 1-5 exit on Grand/Garnet, take Grand or Garnet west toward the beach and then take a left on Fanuel. Follow Fanuel Street to the Bay. You’ll cross PB Drive, and then La Palma; there will be parking in that area either in the parking lot or find street parking). Along the bay is a beautiful boardwalk which you can loop or take over to the beaches. Happy travels!
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
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January 8th, 2008 by susan j
San Diego wedding photo uploaded by
Weddings. Ever since two of my coworkers got engaged, our office has been buzzing nonstop about invitations, bridal dresses, honeymoons, and the like. And with good reason, because there’s a lot to think about before the Big Day.
Whether you’re a local to San Diego who’s tying the knot in your (figurative) backyard or you’re planning a destination wedding on a beautiful, secluded beach, we’ve rounded up some resources from around the web to help you plan your wedding.
Accommodations: Booking a hotel or B & B for your wedding party and family members is one of the first steps in planning a wedding, especially if you or your fiancé have a large family. MySanDiegoWedding has a directory of , , and so you can find the perfect place for all your guests to stay.
Reception sites: Another key component to any wedding is finding the right place for the reception. The number of guests, the budget, and your personal style preferences are all important considerations. For instance, offers a beautiful setting for a traditional wedding or reception, either indoors or out. For a more unusual setting, you might consider a reception aboard a . offers a more complete directory of possible .
Honeymoon: After all the confetti and cake, you and your new spouse can look forward to relaxing together on an unforgettable vacation. I like the idea of registering for your honeymoon instead of housewares, because let’s face it, glassware can break, but memories of a luxurious getaway to some sunny, exotic locale are forever. To find out your honeymooner profile, you could take . Then you can for that once-in-a-lifetime trip you and the SO been dreaming of.
One last thing… If you’re still searching for the perfect dress, then you might want to check out the Wedding Party Bridal Show on Sunday, March 30 at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in Downtown San Diego.
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
December 25th, 2007 by susan j
Ocean Beach holiday photo uploaded by
From our family at Go San Diego Card to yours, here’s wishing you a very happy holiday!
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
December 13th, 2007 by susan j
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 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 , 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 . 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 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.
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
November 30th, 2007 by amy c
One of many Mission style homes in San Diego
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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 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. , 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 list. Soon local architects followed in his footsteps, modeling city buildings, such as the County Administration Center, the , and the , 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 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.
November 13th, 2007 by carrie t
Pacific Beach
Photo by Carrie T.
Last week, voted to ban alcohol on many of their beaches for 18 months. This mainly affects Pacific Beach (P.B.), which is known for having a very lively beach atmosphere throughout the summer and the major holidays. The agreement for the ban came partly in response to dangerous fights that broke out over Labor Day weekend in P.B.
San Diegans have long been split on this issue. Many local businesspeople support the ban; they feel it will clean up the streets and encourage people to conduct themselves more responsibly in public. Families are typically supportive of the ban because they want to feel safe having their children on the beach. (more…)
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
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Go San Diego Card.
November 7th, 2007 by amy c
La Jolla Cove
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As promised, here is an overview of San Diego’s most popular beaches, offering everything a beach bum would desire:
: Known as the party beach, Pacific Beach is home to a neighborhood made up of college students and recent graduates. Part of the beach allows alcohol between noon and 8 pm in non-glass containers, making it a hot-spot for weekend parties.
: La Jolla cove is full of underwater life. At this kid-friendly beach, you can check out the tide pools or enjoy gentle waves. This is also the perfect beach for scuba diving and snorkeling as many plant and animal life make their home in the protected cove. Try for gear and lessons. Nearby are many restuarants and shops, including world famous .
: Known as classic Southern California, this beach is the most southwesterly, offering open space, often quieter and more serene than other beaches north of it. Home to the famous sandcastle contest in July, this beach is perfect for every beach activity, including swimming, surfing, shell collecting, and sunbathing.
: The majestic cliffs that reach almost 300 feet offers a seclusive atmosphere to this beach, making it San Diego’s unofficial nude beach. Powerful waves, especially in the winter months, also attract surfers to this clothing-optional beach.
If you’re planning a trip between December and March, be sure to catch the , where you can see California gray whales making their migration south.
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
November 5th, 2007 by amy c
Hotel Del Coronado
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The small island town of Coronado, connected to the mainland by the iconic Coronado Bridge, is a great vacation spot, offering restaurants, award winning beaches, shopping, and sightseeing. A resort community with a taste of Mexico, Coronado is a tourist favorite and the ultimate nearby getaway for locals.
Hop on the Coronado Ferry in Downtown San Diego for a quick, scenic ride to the charming island.
Coronado is the perfect cycling city. It’s flat paved roads and multitudes of bike riders make every destination easily accessible by bicycle. Pick up your own set of wheels at PeDel’s Bike Rentals, located at the historic where celebrities, presidents, and dignitaries have stayed and where Some Like it Hot was filmed.
Our own Shannon B. recommends grabbing gelato from one of the hotel’s many restaurants and bars and enjoying the treat on the award-winning beach. The Travel Channel recently rated the Del’s beach the second best in the country, known for picturesque sunsets, gentle waves, and a long stretch of white sand.
Even if you can’t afford to stay in the ritzy hotel, you can still enjoy the architectural beauty of the building and the history with the Hotel Del Coronado Walking Tour.
Just two blocks from the “Del” is another city landmark that will bring you back to an era of glamor. Tent City, a makeshift resort opened in 1900, quickly becoming a popular and fashionable destination for summer vacationers. Attracting authors, actors, presidents, and those looking for a slightly more rustic beach-side vacation. Today, the celebrates this era of Coronado history with casual, sophisticated dining, specializing in fresh California-eclectic cuisine.
A leisurely stroll through Coronado will give you a chance to soak up the beauty and history of the quaint island. The will take you on a 90-minute tour of Coronado’s most famous buildings, offering insight into why this unique place has been a famous playground to celebrities.
Offering a daily happy hour from 2-6, the is another perfect place to stop in for one or two or three of famous hand-crafted beers. You can also enjoy a full meal, including pizzas and calzones made in wood fire ovens. Casual, family dining and the daily sports coverage makes this restaurant a Coronado favorite.
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
October 30th, 2007 by susan j
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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.
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 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.
