joy the colors of vibrant fairs and festivals and lively music in San Diego this summer. It is the right time for a long-planned San Diego beach vacation.

The Tilt

San Diego hosts a series of fairs and festivals throughout the year.

Are you ready for some great music!

One of the hottest new bands of San Diego – The Tilt – is all set to rock the stage on May 13, 2013 at Belly Up Solana Beach. The doors will open at 7:00 pm and the event will start at 8:00 pm.

The Tilt is known for giving a fresh feel to Blues. With Jesse Malley being the front vocalist and Jeff Irwin on guitar, the band has the success of their debut album Howlin’, released in January 2013, to its credit. The Tilt has already appeared in different venues across San Diego.

Tickets are available for sale. Ticket price is as follows:

• In Advance – $8
• Day of Show – $8
• Reserved – $14

Tickets once sold will not be refunded, exchanged or transferred.

Note: Only people of and over 21 years are allowed to witness the show.

20^th Annual 2013 Sicilian Festival

Have a Sicilian feel at the streets of Downtown!

20^th Annual 2013 Sicilian Festival is set to take place on May 19, 2013 in Downtown, San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood.

The festival serves art, food, music, and tradition of Sicily that Sicilian immigrants brought to San Diego. 

2013 San Diego County Fair

Get ready to play! The Game is On!

The 2013 San Diego County Fair is scheduled to take place on June 8—July 4, 2013 at Del Mar Fairgrounds in oceanfront Del Mar.

This 24-day frolic event will feature those same nostalgic childhood. You will also get to see how these games have evolved over the years. Experience the transformation that technology has brought ranging from board games and pinball, to computers, television and videos.

With different beautiful locations to visit and happening events, San Diego is one of the most desired holiday destinations. This is one vacation spot where you don’t have to go over the top as a wide range of budget hotels in San Diego offer rates that don’t burn holes in your pocket.

California Suites Hotel, an AAA-rated leading budget hotel in San Diego, offers low room rates bundled with a wide range of value added services, including:

• Continental breakfast
• Wireless Internet access
• Large warm swimming pool
• Spa tub and more
• Laundry Facilities
• Free parking
• Safe deposit box

It is an ideal stay for visitors in San Diego as it is in easy reach of all the places worth seeing.

Photo Courtesy: sdrvresort.com

Photo Courtesy: sandiegoreader.com

San Diego invites all beer lovers for San Diego Brewers Guild’s third installment of San Diego Beer Week 2012 (SDBW). Started on November 2, 2012, it is a 10-day celebration concluding on November 11, 2012. San Diego Beer week is featuring 40-plus local craft breweries and promoting the popular brewing culture of San Diego.

Attend the San Diego Beer Week 2012 to enjoy a host of events –beer gardens, festivals, live music and entertainment, over 100 of the finest beers and tasteful food from local brewpubs and other popular restaurants.

There will be more than 63 events during San Diego Beer Week 2012 including Beer Release, Pint Night, Firkin/Cask, Beer Brunch, Tap Takeover, Beer Dinner, and Meet the Brewer et al. Check official website for details.

San Diego Beer Week 2012 will conclude with The Beer Garden @ The Lodge at Torrey Pines on Sunday, November 11, 2012, 12 pm to 3 pm. The tickets cost $75.00.

Don’t miss the closing event as the guests will be offered a variety of tastings of beer and food pairings prepared by best local chefs and different craft brewing companies including:

San Diego Beer Week 2012 is concluding on November 11, 2012.

• Stumblefoot Brewing/Stone Brewing Company – Chef Paul McCabe, Delicias
• Karl Strauss Brewing Company / Aztec Brewing Company – Chef Anthony Sinsay, Burlap
• Lightning Brewery/Monkey Paw Brewery – Chef Amy DeBiase, The Shores Restaurant
• Lost Abbey Brewing/AleSmith Brewing Company – Chef Nick Brune, Local Habit
• Societe Brewing/New English Brewing Company – Chef Kyle Bergman, Ritual Tavern
• Manzanita Brewing Company/Hess Brewing – Chef Lance Repp, Sky Room at La Valencia
• Rock Bottom Brewery San Diego/Wet n Reckless Brewing – Chef Jeffrey Strauss, Pamplemousse Grille
• Rock Bottom Brewery La Jolla/Green Flash Brewing Company – Chef Hanis Cavin, Carnitas Snack Shack
• Pizza Port Brewing OB/San Diego Brewing Company – Chef Daniel Boling, The Lodge at Torrey Pines
• Ballast Point Brewing Company/Mother Earth Brewing Company – Chef Gunther Emathinger, Karl Strauss Brewing Company
• Oggi’s Brewing Company/Coronado Brewing Company – Alex Carballo, Stone World Bistro

Don’t miss it! San Diego Beer Week 2012 is heading towards its conclusion. California Suites Hotel – one of the prime options amongst budget San Diego motels and hotels – will take care of your San Diego lodging. We will make your accommodation in San Diego affordable. It is an AAA-approved hotel and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce.

California Suites Hotel is known for its world-class services including:

• Large heated swimming pool
• Air-conditioned public areas
• Complimentary newspaper in lobby
• Cable with HBO
• High speed Internet access
• Spa tub
• Laundry facilities
• Continental breakfast
• Safe-deposit box

Photo Courtesy: sdbw.org

Source: sdbw.org/beer-garden

Kidvasion of San Diego will be offering free meals for kids from October 1—31, 2012.

San Diego will be free for kids in October!

This October, get ready for a host of fascinating events in San Diego with the Kidvasion of San Diego being an icing on the cake. Kidvasion allows kids to eat, play, and stay for free throughout San Diego.

The arrival of fall cannot be more fun-filled as it brings with it different kid-friendly promotions including October Free Kids Days at the San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park along with the visits to SeaWorld and LEGOLAND. Moreover, check out other fun and educational offerings across the county to make the most of your San Diego beach vacation.

There are great deals on offer at more than 100 participating partners that will make your San Diego vacation even more enjoyable.

There are number of offers under Kidvasion of San Diego including:

Fall for the Arts 2012 – Museums

Learn while having fun at different museums throughout San Diego during October’s Fall for the Arts. Around three-dozen museums are participating in the San Diego Museum Council’s Kids Free in October. Some of the participating museums include:

• Barona Cultural Center & Museum,
• Birch Aquarium at Scripps
• California Center for the Arts, Escondido
• California Surf Museum
• Coronado Historical Association
• Flying Leatherneck Historical Foundation
• Gaslamp Museum
• La Jolla Historical Society

You can download the coupon at www.sandiegomuseumcouncil.org

Kids Eat Free

Kidvasion of San Diego will be offering free meals for kids from October 1—31, 2012. Come with your family and enjoy the offer at leading restaurants throughout San Diego. Some of the participating restaurants include:

• Bahia Resort Hotel
• Chianti Restaurant
• Marriott San Diego Downtown
• Croce’s Restaurant & Jazz Bar
• Hard Rock Café San Diego
• Hostelling International
• Point Loma
• Humphreys Restaurant at Humphreys Half Moon Inn & Suites
• La Costa Resort and Spa
• Humphreys La Jolla Grill at the Sheraton La Jolla

Plan an extended stay at San Diego during the Fall and enjoy the pleasant weather and numerous attractions. As far as finding an affordable San Diego lodging is concerned, you won’t have to worry as there are plenty of San Diego budget hotels which offer good facilities at budget prices.

Luckily, our California Suites Hotel is located quite nearby to most of the attractions including Balboa Park, Old Town, La Jolla, Del mar and lots more. Regarded as a value price leader amongst budget hotels in San Diego, California Suites Hotel has everything to make your stay comfortable and memorable one.  Our services include continental breakfast, large heated swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

Photo Courtesy: blog.sandiego.org

MCAS Miramar Air Show is a complete entertainment with extravagant fireworks and astonishing performances.

The US military air show is one of the largest and most spectacular air shows that honor the US military, and one of the most spectacular events in the San Diego calendar.

Set to take place from 12th to 14th October 2012 at the Marine Corps Air Station in Miramar, the 3-day MCAS Miramar Air Show lets you watch some spellbinding display of courage and skill. This year, the US Army Golden Knights, regarded as the world’s best parachute team, will bring the skies alive with their breathtaking aerobatic displays.

The US Navy Blue Angels are also set for a dazzling spectacle. At the MCAS Miramar Air Show, you get to see military performers from all branches of the United States Armed Forces as well as civilian performers performing in front of a huge audience.

Other performances include F/A-18 Super Hornet, AV-8B Harrier and more and the Great Wall of Fire event is mentioned in the “Guinness Book of World Records” in 2000 for “Longest Wall of Fire”. The MCAS Miramar Air Show is a complete entertainment with extravagant fireworks and astonishing performances.

Don’t miss it! Entry is FREE to the event. Try to arrive early to avoid long queues. Day show performances begin from 9:00am to 4:00pm and the twilight show on Saturday will take place from 5:30pm to 9:00pm.

You can bring your blanket, sit in an open paved area and watch the show. Preferred seating areas are open for paid admission only. If you are coming to San Diego for holidays, do attend this event. As far as lodging in San Diego is concerned, there are plenty of hotels which provide good facilities at affordable prices.

California Suites Hotel is one of the leading San Diego budget hotels which is located right in the heart of San Diego. From the hotel, you can commute easily to Miramar and most of the popular tourists destinations such as Balboa Park, Old Town, La Jolla, Gaslamp Quarter and lots more.

Approved by the AAA and being a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, the California Suites Hotel is renowned for its fine services and hospitable staff. Our services include continental breakfast, large heated swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

Even if the weather does not behave, the MCAS Miramar Air Show is every bit worth attending.

Photo Courtesy: fleetweeksandiego.org

The U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3D Art Exposition is open to the public from 9am to 7pm on Labor Day weekend, August 31 – September 3, 2012, at ‘B’ Street Cruise Ship terminal Pier, Downtown, San Diego.

Looking for some fun activities on your San Diego family vacation?

Don’t miss these two fun filled events lined up for September 2012, which call for an extended stay in San Diego.

US Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3D Art Exposition

The U.S. Sand Sculpting Challenge and 3D Art Exposition is open to the public from 9am to 7pm on Labor Day weekend, August 31 – September 3, 2012, at ‘B’ Street Cruise Ship terminal Pier, Downtown, San Diego.

Come, watch some of the world’s top sand artists create sculptural masterpieces the likes of which have never before been seen in San Diego.

What an experience – On three sides surrounded by San Diego’s Big Bay and on the 4th, downtown’s sandcastles in the sky. You and your family can watch sculptures being gently carved by master artists from Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands and Canada, as well as California.

Enjoy dimensional art from leading West Coast artists who work in metal, glass, resin, clay, wood, leather, fabric and gemstones, while tall ships pass majestically with hoisted sail in full regalia. Check out the fascinating large pile sand sculpture with over 100 tons of sand. And walk out on the pier for the best view of ships cruising the Big Bay in all of downtown.

49^th Annual Cabrillo Festival

Be a part of history and welcome 16^th century explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo as he steps ashore on Ballast Point, Sunday, September 30, 2012.

The Cabrillo Festival is a fun event for the entire family, with educational activities, cultural demonstrations and exciting folkloric performances. Brightly colored clothing and dramatic music and dancing bring to life the traditions of the Native American, Mexican, Portuguese and Spanish cultures that are part of the Age of Exploration.

The Cabrillo Festival features food booths with delicious traditional Mexican, Native American, Portuguese and Spanish food. Vendors will showcase their various artistic goods. The highlight of the Cabrillo Festival is the re-enactment of Cabrillo’s landing on the shores of San Diego Bay.

“Cabrillo,” his soldiers and a priest sail into the bay on San Salvador (The Californian), and once again claim the land for Spain. Amy Daneke Miss Cabrillo Festival 2012 was born in Fresno, California and attends San Diego State University. She will represent the Cabrillo Festival at events in Ensenada and San Diego during Cabrillo Festival Week.

Accommodation in San Diego – For some good quality San Diego lodging, go for San Diego’s Value Price Leader, California Suites Hotel. Just 15 minutes away from the airport as well as the best known attractions of this beautiful city, the California Suites Hotel leads San Diego budget hotels in offering services at competitive rates.

Approved by the AAA and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, the California Suites Hotel offers continental breakfast, large heated swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

The biggest advantage is that the hotel is close to almost all beaches and other top attractions as well such as Old Town, Sea World, Balboa Park, La Jolla, and shopping centers. Mark your presence in either or both of these events detailed above and make the most of your San Diego beach vacation.

Sources include:

cabrillofestival.org

ussandsculpting.com

As winter is approaching, the beautiful city of San Diego is getting brighter with a number of light festivals dotting its calendar. You can also bring a bit of light into your own life by enjoying these various light festivals. But you need to plan in advance to avoid the last minute rush for tickets and passes for these festivals. Even getting a room at some good budget hotels in San Diego can be problematic.

Of all the light festivals such as Del Mar Holiday of Lights, Wild Animal Park Festival of Lights, Knorr’s Candle Factory and Local Tree Lighting Events, the most popular one is the  Del Mar Holiday of Lights. With nearly 400 sparkling displays placed around the world famous Del Mar Racetrack, the Holiday of Lights is regarded as the largest animated drive-through light show on the West Coast.

Running from Thanksgiving Day to early January, the Holiday of Lights is a popular event where one can enjoy excellent light show and exhibitions highlighting the holiday spirit. Visitors can view the colorful and brightly lighted holiday creations from their vehicles while driving along a well maintained route through the Fairgrounds and around its racetrack. This is a great arrangement for those visiting the ground with kids as the temperature during the night can really go down.

The whole Del Mar Fairgrounds is decorated with thousands of Christmas lights arranged in various displays such as snowflake patters, garlands, lights strung in loops, national icons, Christmas trees, candy canes, snowmen, dinosaurs and a whole lot of stuff. And to brighten up the holiday mood, soft holiday music is also played there via the radio. Don’t worry if you miss the lighting arrangement in one shot, as you can take the drive as many times as you like.

Once you have come out the Del Mar Fairgrounds, you can head towards the Del Mar Plaza , an upscale marketplace with plenty of boutiques to explore and restaurants to try out various delicacies that would satisfy your taste buds. There is also a beautiful courtyard overlooking the city where one can relax with some hot drinks and snacks.

And with over 22,000 vehicles enjoying the light arrangement last year, the Holiday of Lights is definitely a popular event to enjoy during your trip to San Diego. So book your tickets NOW. Luckily, our California Suites Hotel is located quite nearby to Del Mar Fairgrounds. Regarded as a value price leader amongst budget hotels in San Diego, California Suites Hotel has everything to make your stay comfortable and memorable one.

Pic Courtesy: sdfair.com