The Sicilian Festival, famed for its procession featuring costumed musicians and dancers.

The Sicilian Festival, famed for its procession featuring costumed musicians and dancers, will bring alive San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on May 20 as part of the 19^th Annual Sicilian Festival celebration.

The family event is free and features authentic Sicilian music, dance, culture and cuisine, surrounded by the ambiance of the Little Italy  neighborhood, located within walking distance of the beautiful San Diego harbor and within minutes of San Diego’s downtown district. If you are planning a vacation in San Diego during this time, book your rooms in a San Diego hotel that is located near Little Italy. You will love the ambiance.

Along Beech Street from Kettner to State Streets, car lovers will encounter Bellissimo! A Celebration of Italian Automotive Artistry. Offering an intimate look at a broad spectrum of Italian car designs – including Ferrari, Maserati, Lamborghini, Fiat, Lancia, and Alpha Romeo – visitors can mingle with proud car owners and cast their votes for a “Peoples Choice Award” for the car that captures their heart. Participating car clubs include the Ferrari, Alpha Romeo and Fiat/Lancia clubs, as well as support from FIAT Kearny Mesa.

Food booths will represent the many restaurants in Little Italy, serving up Sicilian specialties of all varieties.  Tarantino’s Sausages will also be on hand to serve up some of the best Italian sausages in the nation. Peroni, the official beer sponsor of the Sicilian Festival, will feature a Peroni Nastro Azzurro, the #1 Premium brand in Italy imported from Rome, in the beer and wine pavilion.

Guests will dance in the streets throughout the day.

At 11:30 am, a procession of dozens of costumed dancers, musicians, and representatives of the City and County of San Diego and the House of Italy, Sons of Italy, Italian-American Association, and other San Diego Italian organizations, will parade through the streets carrying flags from the different regions of Sicily and Italy. A very special guest in this years costume parade will be newborn Amelia Tripoli, born March 4, 2012 to Tony and Diana Tripoli who were married at the 2010 Sicilian Festival.

Four stages will feature non-stop Italian and Sicilian entertainment. The event is highlighted by the nationally acclaimed Roman Holiday Ensemble which will be on hand with their costumed musicians and dancers to provide a lively show of Sicilian and Italian music. The Screamin’ Primas will also be featured in a salute to Sicilian-American trumpeter and bandleader Louie Prima. Sicilian Swing’s New Orleans Italian jazz ensemble and renowned soprano Cristina Fontanelli will be among notable Italian-themed acts to be enjoyed at the Festival. The Grape Street stage will feature culinary demonstrations from San Diego’s leading chefs, highlighted by a pasta-eating contest.

All children’s activities are free, and include a large inflatable slide, puppet theatre shows, face painting, and many other activities to keep the bambini entertained throughout day.

A Sicilian cultural zone will feature photo and cultural displays by local and national authors and artisans that reflect the Sicilian American heritage in San Diego. The area will feature chalk art and displays of the rich history of San Diego’s tuna fishing industry, which flourished from the beginning of the 20th century until the 1970s. Among the exhibitors will be the San Diego History Center, Maritime Museum, and the Women’s Museum of California.

Free street parking is available throughout the Little Italy neighborhood. Free parking is available in the north lot of the County Administration Building, with a free shuttle to the Festival. The AMTRAK station is less than a mile from the Sicilian Festival area and can be reached either by foot or by using the San Diego Trolley. The Coaster also runs on Sunday. Take the MTS Trolley’s Blue Line to the County Center/Little Italy Station.

And there’s free parking at many of the Trolley’s park-and-ride lots (especially Qualcomm Stadium).  Also, on weekends, two children (12 and under) ride free with a paid adult (18 and over).

Little Italy is the first stop on the blue line north. Approved by the AAA and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, the California Suites Hotel is a leading budget hotel in San Diego which is centrally located. All the popular beaches including Harbor Beach, La Jolla Cove, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach are nearby. Even shopping centers, Balboa Park and other major attractions are a few minutes away.

Well-known for its hospitality, California Suites Hotel provides fine services at affordable prices which include continental breakfast, large swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

Courtesy: Southwest Riverside News Network

Spend Memorial Day weekend at Sea World San Diego, and enjoy an evening of fireworks at Mission Bay.

Sea World is one of the prime attractions of San Diego. No matter what time of the year you visit San Diego, a trip to Sea World is a must.

In summer, Sea World enthralls its visitors with spectacular fireworks. The Sea World Fireworks Show will take place on Memorial Day weekend 26^th and 27^th May, 2012 tentatively around 9:50 pm, and on 28^th May, 2012 tentatively at 8:50 pm.

Spend Memorial Day weekend at Sea World San Diego, and enjoy an evening of fireworks at Mission Bay.

Summer time in Sea World means good times as the park transforms after dark with extended hours and seasonal nighttime only shows. Feel the amazing energy of Shamu Rocks, the SeaWorld’s killer nighttime show. Shamu- the famous killer whale is a major attraction and is a huge draw.

Or share a laugh with the hilarious Sea Lions Tonite show. It features sea lions- Clyde and Seamore who enthrall the audience with their mischievous acts. And finally let your spirit soar during the “Into the Blue” fireworks finale.

Sea World Fireworks Show is a complete family-friendly event. If you are planning a vacation to San Diego in May, do attend this event. It would be fun spending a day with your family at the mesmerizing Sea World.

Public Transportation: 

SeaWorld is easily accessible by public transportation.

As far as San Diego lodging is concerned, choose a San Diego hotel which is centrally located. Approved by the AAA and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, the California Suites Hotel is a leading budget hotel in San Diego which offers easy and convenient access to all the top attractions of San Diego.

Sea World, Balboa Park, Old Town, La Jolla, Little Italy, shopping centers and all the popular beaches are nearby. Well-known for its hospitality, California Suites Hotel provides fine services at affordable prices which include continental breakfast, large heated outdoor swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

Source includes: Yelp.com Events

Photo Courtesy: examiner.com

As the month of April is approaching, lots of pulse-racing San Diego Padres games are going to be played in the San Diego city.

In the city of San Diego, baseball games are watched and enjoyed a lot by a large number of baseball fans. One of the most popular baseball teams in San Diego is the San Diego Padres. Founded in 1969 and based in San Diego, the San Diego Padres is a Major League Baseball team, which has won the National League Pennant twice.

As the month of April is approaching, lots of pulse-racing San Diego Padres games are going to be played in the San Diego city. This year the San Diego Padres will compete against different teams at the Petco Park. You can catch the San Diego Padres take on the Los Angeles Dodgers on 6th – 8th April, 2012.

Similarly from 10th to 12th April, 2012; you can watch an interesting match between San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks. San Diego Padres will take on Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals on 19th – 20th April, 2012 and 24th – 26th April, 2012 respectively. Likewise you can catch various other interesting matches between San Diego Padres and other teams such as Milwaukee Brewers and Miami Marlins.

To enjoy the game reach Petco Park as early as possible to get parking easily. If you are planning a San Diego vacation in April or May, and if you love baseball you must not miss the San Diego Padres games.

Stay in at a San Diego lodging from where Petco Park is nearby. California Suites Hotel is a leading budget hotel in San Diego which is centrally located and offers fine services. From the California Suites Hotel, Petco park is just a short distance away.

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

Photo Courtesy: zimbio.com

Whale watching is an annual ritual of San Diego which has now become known the world over. The reason is that the migration of California gray whales from the chilly Alaskan seas to the warm water lagoons of Baja California is a unique natural phenomenon specific only to this region.

If you are a nature lover, and especially fond of watching marine life from up close, whale watching is a delightful adventure which you will enjoy with your family and kids. A San Diego vacation planned around this time is never complete without a whale watching cruise.

As the winter gently slips into spring, thousands of these “peaceful giants of the sea” come within a few miles of the San Diego coast on their 5,000-mile southern journey. It is a natural wonder that these whales travel the longest distance any mammal migrates on an annual basis and they birth and rear their young in the placid warm lagoons of Baja California.

From mid-December to mid-April, San Diego offers a great lineup of whale watching events. Book your rooms in advance in a conveniently located San Diego hotel and plan out an itinerary where you can enjoy some of these cool events.

Next Level Sailing and the Maritime Museum of San Diego - a unique 4-hour whale watching experience aboard the139-ft. long sailing yacht America, a historic replica of the world’s first America’s Cup winner (on going, December 17, 2011 – April 15, 2012)

Birch Aquarium at Scripps and Flagship Cruises & Events – Narrated, 3.5-hour whale watching cruises out of San Diego Bay (on going, December 26, 2011 – April 15, 2012)

Hornblower Cruises and Events – A 3.5-hour deluxe whale watching adventure cruises in partnership with San Diego Natural History Museum, (on going, December 10, 2011 – April 15, 2012)

H&M Landing – Daily 3-hour whale watching cruises (on going, mid-December through mid-March) and 6-hour cruises (on going, late December through May)

OEX Dive & Kayak Centers – A 2.5-hour Whale Watching Kayak Tour (on going, December 15, 2011 – March 1, 2012)

Adventure RIB Rides – A thrilling fast paced whale watching excursion aboard an authentic 30’ Navy SEAL Rigid Inflatable Boat (R.I.B.) (on going December 17, 2011 – April 15, 2012)

La Jolla Kayak – Close encounters with grey whales and other marine life including sea lions, garibaldi and leopard sharks through 2.5-hour tours along the La Jolla coastline and through La Jolla’s incredible Sea Caves (on going, mid-December through the end of the season)

H&M Landing Special Expedition - An 11-day seagoing expedition to some of Baja California’s most remote islands and breathtaking coastal areas. Expedition includes whale watching, nature walks, beach combing, snorkeling and dune and marsh explorations (February 24 – March 6, 2012).

If you are looking to have close encounters with San Diego’s incredible marine life this March, choose a San Diego lodging which is located near the beaches. California Suites Hotel is a leading budget San Diego hotel which is known for its hospitality and fine services at affordable prices.

Guests can enjoy continental breakfast, large heated swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more. The California Suites Hotel is ideally situated from where all major attractions including Balboa Park, Sea World, Birch Aquarium and the San Diego Zoo are nearby.

Photo Courtesy: missionbeach.com

Springtime in San Diego means colorful flowers in full bloom, lots of greenery, pleasant weather and happy faces. The month of March is a great time to visit the beautiful city of San Diego. Here are two fairs which you must attend on your San Diego family vacation around this time of the year:

La Mesa Antique Street Faire

Ladies - get ready to indulge in some fun shopping! More than 100 antique dealers from all over the country are going to present their antique collections in La Mesa. The annual La Mesa Antique Street Faire is going to take place at the La Mesa Blvd. between Spring Street & Third Street on 25th March, 2012 from 9am to 4pm.

You can buy genuine antiques and collectibles, check souvenirs at local specialty shops, enjoy LIVE music, entertainment and relish a hearty meal or delicious snacks at restaurants or pubs.

Annual Rolando Street Fair

There is one more fair that will take place in San Diego on the same day- the annually held Rolando Street Fair i.e. on 25th March, 2012. The 16th annual Rolando Street Fair will be held at the Rolando Blvd. between El Cajon Blvd. and Solita Avenue in San Diego. It is a free event which guarantees fun for people of all ages.

More than 100 vendor booths and non-profit community organizations will participate in the event which always attracts a good number of visitors. Once there, you can buy unique items, check out arts and crafts, enjoy LIVE shows and some gripping performances, try out some fabulous delicacies and do lots more.

Especially for music lovers, Rolando Street Fair promises a lot. Performers such as Steph Johnson, Ambrosia and Cathryn Beeks will be present at the event to enthrall the audience. If you are wondering, how to keep the kids busy, drop in at the Kid’s Corner which will have carnival rides, face painting, a climbing wall and other fun activities for children.

As far as San Diego accommodation is concerned, choose a hotel which is centrally located so that you can spend most of your time in exploring places rather than on commuting.

California Suites Hotel is one such San Diego hotel which is ideally located from where La Mesa, Rolando village or other major attractions are nearby. Approved by AAA, California Suites Hotel is the leading budget hotel known for providing fine services at affordable prices such as continental breakfast, heated large swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

When you come to San Diego in March, enjoy the beauty of this lovely city and attend these charming events.

Photo Courtesy: secretsinsandiego.com

St. Patrick's Day Parade & Irish Festival is an event which attracts visitors from across the United States.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Irish Festival is an event which attracts visitors from across the United States.

San Diego may not boast of much Irish history like other cities, but it celebrates Irish festival with fervor and enthusiasm. St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Irish Festival is an event which attracts visitors from across the United States.

The 32nd annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade and Festival is going to take place on 17th March, 2012 in Balboa Park. This year the theme of St. Patrick’s Day is “Celebrating the Spirit of Ancient Ireland”.

In this event you can watch a spectacular parade which includes drill teams, roller skaters, marching bands, floats, dancing groups, clowns, bagpipe contingents, equestrian entries, police and fire department units, scout troops, antique cars and more. The Parade kicks off at 10:30 am from Sixth Avenue and Juniper Street.

After the parade, the Irish Festival will kick off and you can treat yourself to enthralling music by well known folk singers, savor delicious food at food booths, have a good time at an authentic Celtic Village and enjoy ice cold beers, wines and spirits at the two beer gardens. Wondering what the children will do? This is a complete family event where you can have a great time with your kids. There will be a Kids Zone where children can enjoy rides, games, face-painting and more.

If you are on a vacation to San Diego in the month of March, do attend this event. On 17th March, apart from attending St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Irish Festival you should also visit the bars to enjoy some great Irish beer and whiskey.

San Diego receives plenty of visitors in March. Make sure to get your hotel bookings done in advance. Choose a San Diego lodging which offers good services at affordable prices. California Suites Hotel is a leading budget San Diego hotel which is known for its hospitality and fine services. Guests can enjoy continental breakfast, large heated swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more. The California Suites Hotel is ideally situated from where all major attractions including Balboa Park, Sea World and the San Diego Zoo are nearby.

On St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Irish Festival don’t forget to wear a shamrock on your collar or some green clothing.

Photo Courtesy: travel.usnews.com

San Diego is renowned for its museums, beaches and pleasant weather. This beautiful city also boasts of hosting high class sports events. Whether its baseball, rugby or a kite festival, San Diego city is always buzzing with events and activities. Here are two sports events which you can enjoy on your San Diego vacation in March:

Ocean Beach Kiwanis Kite Festival

Did you enjoy kite flying in your childhood? If you did, then this is the best time to get another great kite flying experience with your kids. And even if you haven’t done kite flying earlier, the Ocean Beach Kiwanis Kite Festival provides a superb opportunity to kite flying enthusiasts to learn the art of kite flying and pick up skills on how to make a good kite.

The upcoming Ocean Beach Kiwanis Kite Festival at the Ocean Beach Recreation Center on 3rd March, 2012 is considered the oldest kite festival for children in the USA. Ocean Beach Kite Festival is a free event for everyone. Your kids can learn how to make a simple kite and win prizes as well.

Besides there will be a carnival, street fair, music and nourishing food.

Ocean Beach Kiwanis

California Winter Games – Figure Skating

If you love figure skating, then don’t miss the California State Games, an Olympic-style competition in which amateur athletes of all ages can participate. During this time of the year, California Winter Games take place which include Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, Skiing, and Snowboarding.

On 3rd and 4th March, 2012, you can enjoy figure skating at the San Diego Ice Arena in Mira Mesa, San Diego.

As far as San Diego accommodation is concerned, choose a hotel in San Diego which provides good services at affordable prices. Surrounded by beautiful tropical plants and flowers, California Suites Hotel provides decent services at unbeatable prices. AAA approved, the California Suites Hotel provides continental breakfast, cable with HBO, heated large outdoor swimming pool, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and lots more. In short, it is complete value for money.

Best part of California Suites Hotel is its location. Whether you want to go Ocean Beach, Mira Mesa or any other attractions such as Balboa Park, Gaslamp Quarter which you can reach within 15 minutes or so.

Photo Courtesy: southbayvisitorsguide.com

Want to rock the night and party Gaslamp style? Join the rocking jamboree called Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp Quarter on 21st February, 2012. Always celebrated on a Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras is a hugely popular event that attracts thousands of revellers each year. Imagine people clad in colorful costumes, music, dance and the bonhomie. Wouldn’t you like to be a part of it?

If you have never attended Mardi Gras, you have missed one of the most colorful carnival parties celebrated in the streets of the historic district of San Diego – Gaslamp Quarter.

Mardi Gras will begin at 6pm and continue till midnight at the Fifth Avenue in Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego. Be a part of this fabulous outdoor celebration where you can enjoy a spectacular grand masquerade parade, groove to the music by the top Electronic and international DJ’s present there, enjoy LIVE music performances by bands, have cold beverages and collect as many beads as you can. There will be street performers throughout the Gaslamp Quarter to entertain people.

Mardi Gras in the Gaslamp Quarter never stops before midnight whether rain or shine. Proceeds from the event will also benefit the Gaslamp Quarter Association.

If you are on a vacation to San Diego in February, attend this event to have the time of your life. In order to make the most of your stay in San Diego, try to choose a good San Diego lodging.

Ideally located in Clairemont Mesa Blvd, California Suites Hotel is the leading budget San Diego hotel from where Gaslamp Quarter, and various other tourist hotspots such as Old Town, La Jolla, Balboa Park are nearby. This makes it easy for guests to commute to different destinations without wasting much time on traffic and parking.

Always believing in customer’s satisfaction, California Suites Hotel provides fine facilities which includes continental breakfast, spa, heated outdoor swimming pool, free parking, Internet access, laundry facilities, cable with HBO, 24 hour security and more.

Photo Courtesy: sandiego-answers.com

Lots of interesting events keep taking place in San Diego throughout the year. Here are some of the events which will take place in the month of February:

Nations of San Diego International Dance Festival

Are you fond of dancing? Then do attend the Nations of San Diego International Dance Festival. It is going to take place from 10^th to 12^th February, 2012 at the Coronado High Performing Arts Center in Coronado. Over 150 talented dancers and musicians from all over the world will participate in the event. You can check out around 18 traditional performances from different countries such as Sahar Dance Company from Middle East, World Music Odissi Dance Academy from India, Bollywood Tranz from India, Flamenco Arana from Spain,Blue Ming Chinese Dance Company from China and more. If you are really inclined towards dancing, don’t miss this event.

Mexican Modern Painting

Are you inclined towards paintings and arts and crafts? Then Mexican Modern Painting exhibition is a must for you. Set to take place till 19^th February, 2012 at the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park, this exhibition showcases paintings from the renowned Andres Blaisten Collection during the period of 1907 and 1962. You can check out the works of various artists such as Maria Izquierdo, David Alfaro and more.

So if you are planning to come to San Diego, make sure to choose a good affordable San Diego hotel and book your rooms in advance.

California Suites Hotel is the leading budget hotel in San Diego which offers unbeatable rates for all the its facilities to make guests feel at home. Enjoy the heated outdoor swimming pool and spa tub, continental breakfast, laundry facilities and well furnished rooms equipped with microwave, Internet access, refrigerator and more.

From the California Suites Hotel, various other top hotspots are nearby. This will make it easy for you to commute to the venue.

Photo Courtesy: indianetzone.com

The 39th Annual California Open Wildlife Art Festival and Decoy Carvers Competition will take place on February 11 & 12, 2012 from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm at the McMillan Event Center in beautiful San Diego, CA.

California Open Wildlife Art Festival will feature more than 150 artists and carvers, many of whom will compete for ribbons.

Artists and wood carvers from the United States, Canada and Japan will showcase their work. Featured work will include the traditional hunting decoy, considered an American art form.

Carvers are encouraged to freely express themselves and not be limited by rules. In an effort to simplify the rules and encourage competition, yet still attempt to honor the spirit of the classic working decoy.

This festival is organized by Pacific Southwest Wildlife Art. The PSWA has taylored the event and rules to be as follows:

• Enter what you have made and use for hunting.
• Decoys must self right and have a means of anchor attachment.
• Judges will emphasize simplicity and field markings.

Other than 1st, 2nd and 3rd BOS, all other entries will be available for sale to the public for $175. These carvers will receive $150 and PSWA will retain $25.00.

If you are planning to attend the California Open Wildlife Art Festival in San Diego, check out California Suites Hotel.

California Suites Hotel is the leading budget hotel in San Diego which offers unbeatable rates for all the its facilities to make guests feel at home.

Enjoy the heated outdoor swimming pool and spa tub, continental breakfast, laundry facilities and well furnished rooms equipped with microwave, Internet access, refrigerator and more.

During winters when most of the regions become unbearably cold, San Diego offers a respite from chilly cold and gives you a wonderful opportunity to run along the beautiful route and enjoy the lovely views of the coastline.

Come, be a part of it!

Source:
www.pswa.net/
www.iwfca.com/

Photo Courtesy: zvents.com