Julian, California is best known for its apple harvest in the fall and the “best apple pie” in the USA. However, the spring is also a fantastic time to visit Julian, as millions of daffodils and lilacs come to live on the hillsides. Julian has great hiking and outdoor activities available as well. This town is filled with quaint B&B’s and great local restaurants, which makes it a perfect get-away destination. For more information, go to www.junianca.com.

Baseball season is back!

The Padres have returned to Petco Park for another great season of baseball. Look for tickets and fantastic events all summer long – the season is underway now and runs until late September. For season and group tickets, call 619-795-5500. Also go to the Padres’ website for information on 2 for 1 days, Coca-Cola Family weekends, and military tickets. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the window at Petco Park.

For an exclusive look behind the scenes at Petco Park, buy a Go San Diego Card. The card includes admission to the Petco Park Tour.

The Wave House Athletic Club has something for everyone this summer. Be sure to buy a Go San Diego Card and head out for a day at the Wave House Athletic Club. With the Go San Diego Card, you can ride the infamous FlowRider Wave for a full hour session. Wet suit rentals are included in the offer. The fun doesn’t stop there – you are also welcome to enjoy the Olympic sized swimming pool for free swim and games.

This offer also includes use of the lockers, so you don’t have to worry about your valuables while you’re catching waves. The Wave House is also in the same area as Belmont Park, so be sure to head over to the Giant Dipper roller coaster – unlimited rides are available with the Go San Diego Card as well!

Earth Day is coming up on Tuesday, April 22, so it’s only fitting that we highlight San Diego attractions which let you learn more about animal and plant life. Here are some of our picks:

1. San Diego Zoo is consistently ranked among the top zoos and attraction nationwide. The zoo features more than 4,000 rare and endangered animals with the largest collection of Grant Pandas outside of mainland China!
2. Birch Aquarium at Scripps offers another option for learning about animals. Visitors can explore more than 60 different habitats and enter the world of sharks, seahorses, living coral reefs, and more.
3. San Diego Whale Watching Excursions is a fully narrated 3.5 hour adventure through San Diego Harbor past California gray whales. It’s also associated with the world famous Birch Aquarium at Scripps (see above).
4. Discovery Science Center has 120 hands-on science exhibits ranging from a water vortex and climbing wall to life-sized dinosaur models and fossils. Perfect for kids.
5. San Diego Natural History Museum combines modern science and multimedia art to explore Earth’s past, present, and future. You could easily spend an entire day trying out each interactive exhibit, watching films (shown every hours), and learning about the ecosystem.

What are you doing to celebrate Earth Day? Leave a comment and let us know!

Looking for something fun to do this Saturday? If you plan on being in San Diego, then join in on the “Whale of a Weekend Treasure Hunt” from 10am to 1pm (presented by environmental artist Wyland and Where You Want To Be Tours). This event is a team building experience that leads participants to discover more about San Diego while providing fun prizes for everyone!

During this exciting adventure, participants will visit top sites in San Diego, learning about what this wonderful area has to offer. However, they will not be going to typical San Diego attractions. The treasure hunt participants will find the “hidden gems” of San Diego, experiencing new areas and uncovering secret knowledge of the area that most people would love to hear and see for themselves.

The treasure hunt will consist of 8-person teams (pre-determined or arranged on-site) with a participation fee of $60 per person, but only $35 with the Go San Diego Card. The winning team will receive unique gifts, DVDs, and area cruises. If your team does not prevail, you still walk away a winner with a free voucher for the Hornblower Harbor Cruise or the Whale Watching Adventure. Make sure to sign up for the event by Friday, April 11^th, 10am, or you’ll be sorry you missed out on this fun pirate adventure!

Email menkin at wheretours dot com for more information.

If you’re never been to a horse show, you’re in luck! The 63 Annual Del Mar National Horse Show returns this month, with the first events (Western Week) beginning on April 17th.

This particular show is one of the most well-respected equestrian shows in Southern California. It consists of three disciplines, Western, Dressage, and Hunter/Jumper, which each showcase the horse and trainer’s spectacular talents.

On April 19th, be sure to check out “Night of the Horse,” which is the highlight of the Western portion of the show. This special event features both horse and human performers, including “Roman Riding” techniques and the $10,000 High Jump Competition.

In San Diego, April’s definitely the month to hop in the saddle and head out to see some great talent and showmanship!

Head over to Crown Point Shores Park at Mission Bay this weekend for the 35th Annual Crew Classic Regatta!

Founded in 1973 by the San Diego Rowing Club and and the women’s ZLAC Rowing Club, both century old organizations, this event has become a classic favorite in San Diego. It’s internationally recognized as one of the best regattas in the world, drawing over 3,000 competitors in 87 races.

Admission is only $7 per person and children under 13 along with visitors in the military, police force, and firefighters are free.

Winos unite at the California Wine Festival on April 11-12 to enjoy awesome food, delicious wine, and help raise money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

Held in Embarcadero Park, spend the day relaxing and making friends in the sun as you taste hundreds of California wines, brews, and gourmet food. There’s even featured entertainment including a live blues band, jazz, and a concert featuring The Grams.

You can certainly feel good about this event, where $10 of each ticket goes straight to the Make-a-Wish Foundation, so be sure and reserve yours today!

While on vacation, remember to reduce, reuse, and recycle. Since the 1970s, environmentalists are estimating that we use between 500 billion to a trillion plastic bags annually in the world. They usually find their way to the garbage very quickly, where they contaminate our environment.

Paper bags are equally as wasteful, as they consume high amounts of energy to produce, as well as recycle. Instead of thinking about “paper or plastic,” this Earth Day, take a moment to consider if the bags are really necessary in the first place. Grocery stores like Whole Foods Market have already started to eliminate plastic bags altogether in an effort to reduce waste. Instead, they will be offering reusable bags at a low price.

So, help to take care of our planet and invest in a good canvas bag to carry with you while you travel – you can use this bag to tote beach supplies, carry groceries, or even pick up souvenirs while you are shopping on your trip.

The Carlsbad 5000 is known as one of the most competitive 5k races in the country. Over 10,000 runners from various places around the world will line up in Carlsbad on Sunday, April 6 to compete for a $70,000 prize. The course extends along a beautiful stretch of seaside terrain, winding through Carlsbad village.

The event also features a beer garden and post-parties which help draw in a wide variety of runners every year (both professionals and amateurs are welcome to compete). Over 16 world records and 8 American records have been set on this course in the past 22 years!

For other activities in Carlsbad, check out LEGOLAND and Museum of Making Music. Both are included with the Go San Diego Card!