San Diego Activities
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.
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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.
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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?
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October 24th, 2007 by jamie a
photo uploaded by Gary J. Wood
A botanical wonder just to the north of San Diego, this park is home to many of the city’s museums. Balboa Park was established in 1886, so you can enjoy the Spanish colonial architecture that most of the modern buildings have also followed. Along the El Prado pedestrian mall, you can spend the day hopping from one attraction to the next!
Start off by spending some time at the San Diego Zoo, rated one of the best in the world. With more than 4,000 animals, you can meet creatures from every corner of the globe. Known for their Giant Panda Research Station, you can stop by and meet Gao Gao, Bai Yun, and little Mei Sheng, the resident pandas.
Be sure to visit the Japanese Friendship Garden, built in 1915 for the Panama-California Exposition. Experience the beautiful Zen design of this garden, complete with sand and stone gardens, koi ponds, and a shishiodoshi, a bamboo pipe waterfall that is meant to scare away evil spirits.
With more than 9,000 images chronicling the art of photography, the Museum of Photographic Arts is a sure stop for any shutterbug. Tackling the political, social, and cultural topics of the art, this museum provides a wonderful all-inclusive view of the medium. From September 15, 2007 to January 13, 2008, you can see the exhibition entitled Picturing Eden, a study of all things related to the idea of paradise.
For a luxurious dinner in the heart of Balboa Park, make a reservation at The Prado. Known for his unique California cuisine, chef Jeff Thurston is a risk-taker. With stunning architecture and atmosphere, enjoy a lovely dinner on the patio overlooking the park.
An exact replica of Shakespeare’s original theater, The Old Globe is a Tony award-winning regional theater. There are a dozen performances a year at this magnificent venue, with a Shakespeare Festival that delights audiences every summer. For all the thespians in the group, there’s even a backstage tour!
For even more excellent attractions, be sure and look through our expansive list of museums!
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San Diego?
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October 23rd, 2007 by amy c
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No vacation to San Diego is complete without a trip to California’s famous long stretches of coastline, speckled with surfers all year long. Whether you’re a seasoned surfer, looking to learn, or just want to check out the locals riding the “gnarly” waves, San Diego has a beach for you.
So you’ve never been on a surfboard in your life… You can still get a taste of California surf culture (and perhaps a few gulps of salty sea water) at Mission Beach, home to a two mile stretch of white sand that attracts bronzed crowds for sun bathing and water sports. The mild waves offer a gentle initiation to the Pacific as does Endless Summer Adventure’s surf lessons.
For the surfing novice… So, you know how to navigate the tide and maybe you’ve been on a surfboard once or twice, then La Jolla Shores is the perfect place to hone your surfing skills on smaller, gentler waves in an area specified just for surfing. (This way you can avoid navigating around pesky swimmers or waders.)
For the full blown surfing beach bum…Windansea Beach: Hard breaking waves crash right at shoreline on a scenic strip of soft sand that meets gently sloping hills, covered in greenery. Windansea Beach embodies both classic California beauty in the heart of Palm Tree-covered La Jolla, and a challenge for surfers looking for an exhilarating meeting with the chilly Pacific Ocean. Even if the surf proves to be too rough, you can always take a break on the sand and admire the rip curl action (not to mention ripped abs) of the local surfers.
Just steps away from the surf on Mission Beach is Belmont Park where you can experience one of the last remaining beach front amusement parks, satisfy that surfing-induced craving for fair food, and stock up on California beach apparel at the various surf shops.
Check back for more ways to enjoy the San Diego coastline!
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San Diego?
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October 18th, 2007 by amy c
Friday, October 19- Saturday, October 20
Scream Zone: Halloween has never before been so ghoulish and deliciously frightening! Take an unsettling hay ride through haunted barns or experience blood curdling scenes in the House of Horror on Del Mar’s Scaregrounds.
Friday, October 19- Monday, October 22
Free San Diego Boat Tour: Explore the San Diego coast on this two hour cruise, designed for both locals and visitors to learn about San Diego’s water front. Call (619) 400-4744 for more information.
Saturday, October 20
: East Mission Bay is hosting the annual Pacific Islander festival, featuring traditional Asian cuisine, cultural performances, and the famed centuries-old Chinese boat race. Call (858) 405-3326 for more information.
Saturday, October 20
Star Party: Take a guided tour of San Diego’s night sky with Mission Trails Regional Park’s resident star gazer.
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San Diego?
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October 17th, 2007 by susan j
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!
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San Diego?
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October 12th, 2007 by carrie t
Monster in the Cruiser
Photo provided by Carrie Tayloe, Destination Manager
San Diego is a first class tourist destination for people, but did you know it’s also one of the best spots to bring your pets?
“” in Ocean Beach is the place to “see and be seen” for both dogs and their owners. When planning your travel arrangements, be sure to check out our local vacation rentals, where you can find a rental to suit you and your pet’s needs.
is a recommended site to research and book vacation rentals; just look for the paw icon on the listings to search for the properties that will accept your pet. Be sure to mention your pet and any special requirements when filling out the reservation requests. An insider’s tip is that you can also find last minute deals on vacation rentals on .
If you prefer staying downtown, the W Hotel in Little Italy is pet-friendly. You’ll have to pay a non-refundable cleaning fee and upgraded charge to have your pet stay in the room, but the staff will treat your furry friend like a V.I.P! Don’t miss PAW (“Pets Are Welcome”) Happy Hour at the W Hotel on the last Tuesday of every month! The W Hotel is located at 421 West B Street in Little Italy (619-398-3100). (more…)
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San Diego?
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October 11th, 2007 by amy c
Friday, October 12
: Enjoy a mesmerizing light show set to the music of Pink Floyd in San Diego’s North Park Theater. 8pm
Friday, October 12-Sunday, October 14
2007 Tijuana Tequila Expo
: Get an intoxicating taste of Mexico just beyond the border at the annual Tequila fair. Savor over 100 different types of Mexico’s most famous drink and enjoy live entertainment, including mariachi bands.
October (on-going)
: Take a spooky tour of this certified haunted house this Halloween season.
Saturday, October 13
Fleet Week MCAS Miramar Air Show: To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the U.S. Air Force, the Thunderbirds will perform a thrilling air show over the Marine Corps Air Station.
Sunday, October 14
l: This San Diego community showcases local musicians, businesses, artists, and restaurants in over 300 vendor booths and two entertainment stages.
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
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October 5th, 2007 by susan j
They say the best things in life are free, and that’s especially true when traveling. Doesn’t it feel great when you stroll into a museum without paying a $20 admission fee? Or when you stumble upon a new neighborhood with lots of cute streets and stores to explore? Well, the San Diego Convention and Visitors Bureau knows that feeling, so they’ve put together a list of 25 Fun & Free Things to Do in San Diego.
That should give you plenty of options for budget-friendly sightseeing, but here’s one more: the Go San Diego Card is offering 15% off 3, 5, and 7 day cards until next Thursday, October 11. Here’s your chance to see San Diego’s best attractions like Legoland® and the San Diego Zoo at a discount. Happy travels!
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
