Archive for the family attractions category
December 20th, 2007 by susan j
Monday, December 24
The San Diego Zoo hosts at the zoo.
Thursday, December 27 (10 am)
The Unified Port of San Diego presents the , “America’s largest balloon parade.”
Through Monday, December 31 (various times)
LEGOLAND® California hosts their 9th annual Holiday Block Party, complete with twinkling lights, holiday music, and a 30-foot LEGO Christmas tree.
San Diego’s Union Tribune has even more holiday happenings listed . Happy travels!
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San Diego?
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December 18th, 2007 by jamie a
If you’re in San Diego visiting family or vacationing for the holidays, here are some attractions that will be open around Christmas and New Year’s to keep you busy.
Head on down to the for beautiful, light-filled gallery spaces, innovative exhibitions, and vast collections of permanent commissions.
With more than 100 interactive exhibits, the is perfect for the whole family. The museum also houses the world’s first IMAX movie theatre, so catch a planetarium or educational film during your visit.
Check out more than 4,000 animals representing 800 species at the . You can also experience “Monkey Trails” and “Forest Tales,” which are only two of the zoo’s fantastic exhibits. The winding pathways through 3 acres of habitat are sure to fill your day with learning and fun.
UPDATE: As Claire’s comment below indicates, the is open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, but not on the actual holidays. The Fleet Science Museum and San Diego Zoo are open on December 25 and January 1. We apologize for any confusion!
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
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Go San Diego Card.
December 7th, 2007 by susan j
If you’re a fan of holiday lights, then you’ll definitely want to check out the , 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. .
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
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Go San Diego Card.
December 3rd, 2007 by susan j
Bear at the San Diego Zoo
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TripAdvisor’s 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 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.
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
: 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
: 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
: 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.
November 16th, 2007 by carrie t
Legoland, California
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Yet another reason to visit San Diego: is investing more than $20 million dollars in an expansion project for LEGOLAND ® California. The park will be adding a new adventure area called Land of Adventure (set to open March 2008), as well as a separate interactive Aquarium experience called . This will be the 29th SEA LIFE aquarium to open in the world, but the first in North America. SEA LIFE will be geared to children, providing interactive and educational experiences much like LEGOLAND ® California. The expansion project should be finished in the summer of 2008.
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?
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November 1st, 2007 by amy c
Old Town
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San Diego’s Old Town exudes Cal-Mex culture with mariachi bands, margaritas, and markets that feature traditional hand-made Mexican arts and crafts. An afternoon in Old Town will take you back to the days of California’s first European settlement and offer a taste of traditional Mexican cuisine.
The Junipero Serra Museum, created in 1929 to commemorate the first mission established by Father Junipero Serra and Captain Gaspar de Portola, features artifacts from the Native American, Spanish, and Mexican periods.
Frequented by the ghost of San Diego pioneer, Thomas Whaley, the historic Whaley House is said to be the most haunted house in America, gaining world-famous stature for several paranormal incidents experienced by the visitors. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, you’ll appreciate the beautiful architecture and rich history that has made this house a San Diego landmark since 1857.
No Old Town excursion is complete without a taste of the traditional Mexican flavors that have seasoned California cuisine. I recommend El Agave, to get an intoxicating Mexican experience with its variety of fresh seafood, traditional dishes, including “moles” which utilize a wide array of surprising and complementary spices, and their selection of over a hundred tequilas. Not only does the food make this restaurant worthy of its “Best Mexican Restaurant in San Diego” title, but the rustic decor and outside seating will give you the feeling you are dining in a Mexican palace.
Check back for ways to enjoy another one of San Diego’s historical neighborhoods: Coronado Island!
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!
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
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!
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
