Enter Spring with California Dreams
Kick off Spring in rejuvenating fashion in 2010 with California Dreamin’, a guided, five day romp through Southern California that features the natural beauty the Pacific Coast is so noted for.
Your journey will begin upon your arrival at the Los Angeles Airport (LAX) with a welcome dinner at the Anaheim White House before retiring to the Knott’s Berry Farm Resort Hotel. Throughout the next four days, you will visit the San Diego Zoo, journey into Palm Springs, cruise to the port city of Avalon on Catalina Island and experience the sights of San Diego.
Upon your return home you are sure to feel rejuvenated by the natural wonders seen and in awe at the man-made accomplishments highlighted through a picturesque look into all sunny Southern California has to offer!
Those interested in being a part of California Dreamin’ are encouraged to view additional information and make reservations online before the only set date of 2010, March 23, sells out.
For those that won’t be able to be a part of California Dreamin’, we encourage you to view other unique spring vacation ideas across the country online.
Create Warm Winter Memories in Sunny San Diego
Whether you are tired of typical winter weather, looking to start a new holiday tradition or simply need a break, San Diego offers winter travelers a metropolitan city combined with the natural beauty and outdoor activity of southern California for an adventurous vacation that is sure to both warm and liven your family’s holiday. From flying planes to strolling along the beaches of Mexico, read on for a few ideas on how to make this holiday season one that truly stands out!
Beginning the last week of December, the San Diego Whale Watch cruise allows you to take to the Pacific Ocean and experience one of nature’s largest creatures in their natural habitat. California gray whales will be the star of the cruise, though they are far from the only sight you will encounter as dolphins and sea lions are also known to frequent the waters surrounding the San Diego Harbor. From simply witnessing amazing sights to learning a little about the California gray whale, the San Diego Whale Watch can definitely impart meaningful holiday memories on your family.
Learn to Fly Discovery Flight 60 Minute Flight
Those looking for full-throttle adventure will be hard pressed to find an activity better suited than the Learn to Fly Discovery Flight 60 Minute Flight. This unique adventure tour gives you a crash course on flying a plane before actually allowing you the opportunity to take to the skies with a certified pilot and gain first-hand experience controlling a Varga VG-21. Even if you’ve never flown in a plane, let alone controlled one, this is a safe experience that can provide lifetime memories for one and all.
If you would like epic memories without the thrills a visit to Rosarito Beach, Mexico may be a better suited recommendation. Along this tour, you will travel down the Pacific Coast and through Tijuana, soaking in cultural and natural sights, before having the opportunity to relax along Rosarito Beach. Whether you choose to spend your time exploring the local resort, browsing the arts & crafts market, or simply lounging in the sand, you are sure to find a tropical twist that can offer refreshing memories.
Visit #1 Theme Park for Children in San Diego
The San Diego area is a great destination for children and those young at heart, and there is no better time to visit San Diego and explore the kid-friendly attractions than right now.
LEGOLAND California has recently been named by Amusement Today as the #1 Children’s Park in the United States. LEGOLAND hosted the Golden Ticket awards, which honored top parks in a variety of categories. This is not the first time that LEGOLAND has received this honor. Since its creation ten years ago, LEGOLAND has received top honors several times.
LEGOLAND is located in Carlsbad, California, which is just a short drive from San Diego. This unique park features full-scale roller coasters and dioramas constructed out LEGOs, which include the White House (complete with the presidential family) and New York City. In addition to the thrilling roller coasters and entertaining shows, visitors to LEGOLAND can enjoy a comedy show, LEGO characters, shopping, and restaurants. Kids of all ages will find something to love at LEGOLAND.
The San Diego Zoo is another popular attraction for children, especially in October. For the entire month of October, the San Diego Zoo offers free admission to children 11 and under. With free admission for children, October is the perfect time to visit the San Diego Zoo and see the brand-new Elephant Odyssey exhibit, which features several different displays on elephant life and history, along with an elephant habitat with seven elephants. The total size of the elephant exhibit is 2.4 acres, which gives them plenty of room to roam. The Elephant Odyssey also has several other exhibits with animals, including dung beetles, capybaras, a lion, and a jaguar. In addition to this new feature, the zoo offers several other popular exhibits, including Panda Research Station (home of the panda cam), Tiger River, Flamingo Lagoon, and the Children’s Zoo. Kids of all ages are sure to love a trip to the San Diego Zoo, and there is no better time to go than October!
Mark Your Calendar for the San Diego Film Festival
Film lovers of all genres and types should mark their calendars for the upcoming San Diego Film Festival taking place September 23 to 27 at the Gaslamp Theater in San Diego.
This five-day festival features new and independent films in a variety of styles and genres. In total, the festival will be premiering 85 films. Both domestic and international films will be shown. Guests scheduled to attend the festival include Taryn Manning, William Shatner, Jordana Spiro, and James Cromwell. A special event of the festival is an Evening with Richard Dreyfuss. This event will benefit The Dreyfuss Initiative, a non-profit organization. Dreyfuss will share with attendees stories of his film career and his civic passions.
In addition to the film screenings, nightly parties will also take place at various locations in San Diego. Another feature of the festival is daily workshops regarding film making and producing. Films will be shown throughout the day each day of the festival. Daily passes are available that give you access to all of the films being shown that day. The San Diego Film Festival always draws a large crowd and is one of San Diego’s most popular events.
While in San Diego enjoying the festival, you can enjoy a classic American meal at the Hard Rock Cafe in San Diego. While enjoying your lunch or dinner, you can explore the rock and film memorabilia that lines the walls of the restaurant. With everything from rock and roll artifacts to film prints and pictures of movie stars, what is on the wall is almost as good as what is on your plate. The Hard Rock Cafe is a great choice for both family meals and romantic dates.
Summer Is the Perfect Time to Tour San Diego
If you have been waiting for the perfect time to explore San Diego, summer provides the perfect opportunity to take a trolley tour, hop on a double-decker bus, or relax in the sun on a sightseeing cruise. You will be able to enjoy the sunshine and traditionally good summer weather as you take in the sights of San Diego on one of these tours.
San Diego Grand Tour: Three Tours in One
You will not have to pick and choose which tour you want with this tour because it combines three popular San Diego tours that will give you an all-encompassing look at the city. As a part of this package, you will have a city tour of San Diego which will take you through historic downtown and the Gaslamp Quarter, a cruise of the San Diego harbor, and you will end the day with a visit to Tijuana, San Diego’s Mexican sister city, where you will have the opportunity to shop and explore. This tour is a great activity to get a comprehensive view of San Diego.
Old Town Trolley Narrated Tour
A trolley is a fun way to see San Diego. With this tour, you will receive the benefit of having a knowledgeable tour guide that will inform and entertain you while having the convenience of being able to hop on and off at various stops and board another trolley at your leisure to continue your tour. The trolley will take you to such sights as Seaport Village, the Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego Museum of Art, and Balboa Park.
Nature Cruise of San Diego
Connect with the great outdoors surrounding this great city with this nature cruise. You will have a relaxing cruise in San Diego Harbor while experiencing the thrill of seeing various creatures in their natural habitats. Wildlife you could see include whales, dolphins, harbor seals, sea birds, and sea lions. You will also have the benefit of having knowledgeable tour guides who will be able to tell you history of the area and information about the wildlife you will be seeing.
Spring into Theme Park Excitement in San Diego, CA
Offering a bustling harbor, professional sports and the general excitement of the big city, San Diego certainly has no shortage of ways to entertain. However, those wanting to ensure a time of thrills and exploration need look no further than adding a theme park experience to their upcoming vacation in San Diego, CA. From SeaWorld San Diego to the neighboring Disneyland, unique settings and adrenaline-pumping rides can be found throughout Southern California. Read on for an overview of the varying theme parks to find which one best fits you!
Disneyland
Perhaps the best known of California’s theme park options, Disneyland is an iconic destination featuring more than 60 attractions ranging from roller coasters and carousels to theatrical performances and fireworks displays. Throughout the park, you’ll find areas designated by themes that include Main Street USA, New Orleans Square, Fanstasyland, and Tomorrowland, giving park goers the chance to experience a range of environments throughout their day at the park.
Universal Studios Hollywood
Movie buffs will definitely want to include Universal Studios in their vacation itinerary. Featuring a theme park wrapped around an actual working movie studio, Universal Studios seamlessly combines the illusionary magic of the big screen with the very real work that goes into creating a Hollywood blockbuster. Guests will find every aspect of the park covered in movie nostalgia with attractions, shopping and dining including T2 3D: Battle Across Time, Jurassic Park: The Ride, the Kwik-E-Mart gift shop, and Doc Brown’s Fried Chicken.
Those traveling with children may find that LEGOLAND California can better suite the younger members of their party. The vast majority of rides offer a relatively calm time that will be both safe and comfortable for even the youngest of children. Of course, genuine thrill rides can be found in the park; though the real star attraction of LEGOLAND is undoubtedly its impressive collection of LEGO structures. Featuring complete replicas of everything from major United States cities to dinosaurs, there are few collections of such LEGO-inspired ingenuity in the entire world!
If you’d rather explore the zoological thrills of our world than test the laws of physics through thrill rides, SeaWorld San Diego has to be included in your next San Diego vacation. From impressive shows featuring the talents of dolphins and killer whales to impressive exhibits that allow you to watch the movements of everything from cuddly penguins to deadly sharks, there are a variety of ways to study the natural wonder of sea life at SeaWorld San Diego.
