San Diego family attractions
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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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?
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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 22nd, 2007 by jamie a
Comfort Inn & Suites at the Zoo
Photo courtesy of Hotels.com
Whether you’re traveling with your furry four-legged friend or with your three kids, we’ve got your bases covered on finding the right hotel in San Diego.
For family…
Just 3 miles from Sea World and the San Diego Zoo, the Comfort Inn & Suites at the Zoo is great for family traveling. It’s also near Old Town and Mission Beach for outdoor fun! The kids will enjoy the deluxe complimentary breakfast to start their day out right as well as the beautiful outdoor pool.
For pets…
The pet-friendly Dana Hotel on Mission Bay is wonderful for those traveling with their pets. It has beautiful waterfront views and is less than a mile from the beach. You can also check out San Diego’s Wild Animal Park, which is minutes away. A complimentary shuttle also runs from the hotel to the airport, Amtrak, and Sea World.
For business…
The Sofia Hotel, just 8 minutes from the airport, is perfect for any business traveler. With top-speed internet connections, a 24-hour business center, and meeting rooms to suit any need, it is also steps from downtown. With the Gaslamp Quarter, Museum of Contemporary Art, and Rock Bottom Brewery close by, you can even have time for some fun!
For a romantic trip…
Voted one of the top ten resorts in the world, the Hotel Del Coronado is perfect for a romantic getaway. Known for having incredible beaches and stunning views of the Pacific, this hotel is also served as the backdrop for the film Some Like It Hot, starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon. Enjoy the best brunch in San Diego in the famed Crown Room, with chandeliers designed by L. Frank Baum, author of The Wizard of Oz.
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
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.
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
October 15th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by OC Sean.
Last week we covered dog-friendly places in San Diego, so now it’s time to talk about where to take the kids. The Washington Post recently published a great travel article called Simple Pleasures for the Sippy-Cup Crowd. Here are some of our suggestions for family sightseeing in San Diego:
- LEGOLAND® California
- San Diego Zoo
- Knott’s Soak City Waterpark
- Petco Park
- Birch Aquarium
- Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
- Air and Space Museum
- Natural History Museum
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
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?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
October 10th, 2007 by susan j
Photo uploaded by Virtual Ern.
Personally, seeing photos like the one above gives me reason enough to love San Diego, but Budget Travel recently compiled a whopping 25 reasons, including San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park and Petco Field. Check it out.
Planning a trip to
San Diego?
Read about attractions, tours, discounts, and more with the
Go San Diego Card.
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.
