Family Friendly San Diego County Fair

What can be the best activity to beat the scorching summers in San Diego?

Head to the Del Mar Fairgrounds and attend the fun fiesta at the San Diego County Fair. Touted as one of the most popular summer events in the city, this unique fair is going to take place from 8^th June to 4^th July, 2013.

Food

The highlight of the San Diego County Fair is the unique, scrumptious food you get there. In fact for many visitors, food is one of the prime reasons they visit this fair. Have you anywhere tried deep fried Klondike bars or chocolate dipped pickles?

Rides

How can a fair be complete without rides and carnival games?  San Diego County Fair guarantees some of the best rides. Enjoy around 39 fun, spine-tingling rides at the Fun Zone.  For younger kids, there is Kiddieland which has over 40 rides.

Exhibits

Check out various exhibits displayed at the fair ranging from gems, fine arts, beautiful jewelry, and minerals.

The finest woodwork is on show at the Design in Wood where you can find violins, furniture and a variety of wood products. At the Paul Ecke Jr. Flower & Garden Show, check out specimen blooms, landscaping, and floral designs.

Fond of photography? Check out the displays of black-and-white and colored photographs at the Exhibition of Photography.

Animal exhibits

Another factor that makes San Diego County Fair unique and popular is the interactive experience you can have with the animals here. Check out sheep and goat pasture, cattle pasture and pig pen.

Kids would love the outdoor activities at the San Diego County Fair. Let them have a great time playing fun games such as bean bag toss, onion toss, cherry tomato eating or squash toss at the AgriFair.

Your kids would enjoy such traditional games and you too would be happy!

Concerts

The fair is packed with concerts and entertainment options to keep the crowds entertained. Laugh your heads off at the Comedy Night, listen to gospel music at the Gospel Festival, and enjoy Coors Light Rock On Series and Toyota Summer Concert Series on the Heineken Grandstand Stage.

If you plan to spend your summers on a San Diego vacation, do attend the entertaining San Diego County Fair. Fair will be closed only on the first three Mondays i.e. June 10th, 17th and 24th, 2013.

To have a great summer holidays in San Diego, preferably stay in a San Diego lodging which is centrally located. Located in Clairemont Mesa Blvd, California Suites Hotel is centrally located budget San Diego hotel from where you can conveniently commute to Del Mar Fairgrounds as well as other venues.

Known for impeccable services, California Suites Hotel provides fine services such as continental breakfast, wireless internet access, large warm swimming pool, free parking, safe deposit box, and attractive discounts.

Colorful Cinco De Mayo

Quintessential Mariachi music, flamenco beats, great food and entertainment! The 30^th Annual Old Town Fiesta Cinco de Mayo promises great fun and much more.

To be held from 3^rd to 5^th May, 2013 in Old Town (the birthplace of San Diego); the Cinco de Mayo is a celebration of Mexican spirit, culture and history. Considered as the largest Cinco de Mayo celebration north of the border, this event is a window to the rich heritage, history and culture of Mexico.

Music and dance will fill the air at the 3-day extravaganza. Enjoy the flamenco beats, and the Norteno flairs – a genre of Mexican music. Not to forget the Mariachi music – the quintessential sound of Mexico.

Dating back to hundreds of years, Mariachi music celebrates the struggles, the joys and the pride of Mexican people. A typical Mariachi music band plays music using violins, trumpets, guitars, round-backed guitar called the vihuela and a Mexican folk harp.

Apart from music and dance, go and explore the museums, check out the specialty shops and buy souvenirs or unique items ranging from jewelry, handmade leather items and bric-a-brac typical of the Mexican culture.

Enjoy riding the stagecoach, chill out in the beer garden or sample tequila in the tequila sampling area.

As for food, you can try out authentic Mexican delicacies at any of the 20 restaurants in Old Town.

This three-day FREE festival guarantees a spectacular array of activities and entertainment that is sure to delight you and the entire family. If you want to experience great Mariachi music, sample Mexican tequila and savor authentic Mexican cuisine, then the Old Town Fiesta Cinco de Mayo is the place to be in.

If you are coming on San Diego vacation with friends or family, you can include Cinco de Mayo event in your traveling plan.

For your convenience, stay in a hotel located close to Old Town. Regarded as a value price leader amongst budget hotels in San Diego, California Suites Hotel is located in the middle of San Diego from where Old Town and many other attractions are a stone’s throw away. From the hotel, you can commute easily to all these destinations and enjoy such colorful festivals to the maximum.

Being San Diego’s AAA rated San Diego hotel, California Suites Hotel makes your stay comfortable and memorable one with continental breakfast, Wireless Internet access, large warm swimming pool, free parking, safe deposit box, spa tub and more.

Pic Courtesy:  laprensa-sandiego.org

San Diego Vacation during Del Mar National Horse Show

Elegance, Excitement, and Excellence await you in San Diego this April!

The 68th Annual Del Mar National Horse Show 2013, one of the oldest and most celebrated events in San Diego, is set to take place on April 18–May 5, 2013 at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Arena.

Plan your San Diego Vacation during this period and be a part of this ever-engaging event. The whole event is divided into three weeks based on the type of activities and shows:

• Western Week: April 18–21, 2013

The major attraction of the Western Week is the “Night of the Horse”, to be held on April 20, at 7:00 pm. Night of the Horse will be followed by a free concert that will feature country music’s, Herrick.

• Dressage Week: April 25–28, 2013

The Dressage Week features qualifying competitions for Intermédiaire Championships and the USEF National Grand Prix. Dressage competition – Evening of Musical Freestyles – is set to take place On April 27.

• Hunter/Jumper Week: April 30 – May–5, 2013

Hunter/Jumper Week hosts $100,000 Grand Prix of Del Mar that features excitement and nail-biting competitions.

Over 3,000 horses from different breeds will display their speed and stamina at the equestrian complex in coastal Del Mar. The acts of reining, elegant dressage moves choreographed to music, spins, sliding stops, trick riders, comedy acts, daredevil show jumping, thrills and spills. will grip the audience.

Don’t miss the excitement. Book your tickets NOW. Lodging in San Diego is no more a matter of worry as California Suites Hotel – one of the leading budget hotels in San Diego – is offering attractive discounts this season. Choose California Suites Hotel for your lodging in San Diego and save high on your budget.

An AAA-approval and membership of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce earn California Suites Hotel huge reputation in San Diego. Moreover, it offers plentiful services including free parking, continental breakfast, large warm swimming pool, Internet access, safe deposit box, spa tub and more.

Pic Courtesy: InlandSoCal.com

Wild Flowers of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

The arrival of spring represents pleasant weather, cool breezy wind, blankets of colorful flowers and greenery at its best!

Bestowed with pleasant weather all year round, San Diego turns even more beautiful as spring season approaches. It’s an ideal time for visitors on a vacation to San Diego, to experience natural beauty at its best and enjoy spring wildflowers in full bloom at the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

Being the largest state park in California; Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is widely known for its wildflowers, wilderness and hiking trails. It is definitely an ideal place for desert adventure seekers especially in the Spring as the summer heat can get overbearing.

Also, spare a day to go on a Palm Canyon Trail in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park which is popular among hikers. This 3 mile trail begins at the Borrego Palm Canyon campground and concludes at the lush palm oasis that takes about 2 and half to 3 hours to complete.

Anza Borrego Palm Canyon Trail is characterized by its varied landscape conditions as you move from one habitat to another. The trail begins with a dry, barren ground where you get to see low bushes and large boulders. If you are lucky, you might get to spot rare bighorn sheep roaming along the cliff side.

When you reach the middle of the trail, you will see green landscapes with water and lush bushes. The trail ends at the Palm Oasis where you can relax, have a picnic and explore the waterfalls.

Check out the visitor center, pen from 9am to 5pm.

Stay in one of the conveniently located San Diego hotels from where Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, beaches and other attractions are nearby.

California Suites Hotel is one of the leading San Diego budget hotels which is located right in the heart of San Diego from where you can get to various tourist destinations easily. Known for its dependable services, this budget San Diego hotel provides continental breakfast, Internet access, large heated swimming pool, free parking, safe deposit box, spa tub and more.

Photo courtesy: allaboutravelling.com

50 acres of hills get covered with a giant blanket of ranunculus flowers during the Flower Fields Ranunculus Season at Carlsbad

March signifies the arrival of spring. It is the time when San Diego city is bursting with blossoming, colorful flowers. March 1st is the beginning of Flower Fields Ranunculus Season at Carlsbad and it will continue till May 13th, 2013.

During this time, 50 acres of hills get covered with a giant blanket of ranunculus flowers. Imagine losing yourself in the lap of nature and seeing an ocean of flowers as far as your eyes can see!

Carlsbad Flower Fields is the place for the entire family where adults can laze around admiring the natural beauty and kids can run and play around. You can stroll in the beautiful gardens, walk through the fragrant sweet pea maze, check out the miniature rose garden and buy saplings, orchids and gift cards from a gift shop. In short, feel the joy of being among colorful flowers in full bloom overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

If you don’t want to walk, you can take the antique tractor wagon ride through The Flower Fields and also listen to the audio commentary telling about the characteristics and history of different flowers.

Are orchids your favorite flowers? Then visit the Cymbidium Orchid Greenhouse. For kids, the Santa’s Playground is a great hideout with play houses, Doll House and Crooked Treehouse.

And also make sure to visit the Artist Gardens. Here you will be awestruck as to how artists have created paintings using flowers as medium of art. There will also be American Flag of Flowers where red, white and blue petunias are systematically arranged in the shape of a giant American flag.

Visit Carlsbad Flower Fields on San Diego Vacation

If you are coming on a San Diego vacation between March and May, do include a trip to the Carlsbad Flower Fields during your stay. Do visit the city during this time and stay in an affordable San Diego lodging.

Located in Clairemont Mesa Blvd; California Suites Hotel is a centrally located San Diego budget hotel from where Carlsbad, beaches and other attractions are nearby. Being an AAA-approved and a member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, California Suites Hotel is well respected for plentiful services which include free parking, continental breakfast, large warm swimming pool, Internet access, safe deposit box, spa tub and more. Stay in California Suites Hotel to enjoy a Convenient, Comfortable and Affordable vacation in San Diego.

Pic Courtesy: bellcurveoflife.blogspot.com

Formerly known as the Buick Invitational, the Farmers Insurance Open attracts a large number of golfers and golf enthusiasts.

Mountains, greenery, picturesque views, lawns overlooking the Pacific and golf!

Yes, it is time to tee off as the much awaited Farmers Insurance Open is going to take place from 21^st January to 27^th January, 2013 at the Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla.

Formerly known as the Buick Invitational, the Farmers Insurance Open attracts a large number of golfers and golf enthusiasts.

The likes of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have played at the Farmers Insurance Open and created golf history.

The Farmers Insurance Open will kick off on 21^st  January. Opening Round of the Farmers Insurance Open 2013, North and South Courses will begin at 8:30 am on 24^th January.

Subsequently the second and third round of the tournament will take place on 25^th and 26^th January respectively. On 27^th January, 2013, you will see the final round of the tournament.

Watching golf in a coastal setting is a beautiful experience. It is something that will add fond memories to your San Diego vacation. Whether you are inclined towards golf or not, Farmers Insurance Open is something that you will thoroughly enjoy.

Parking

The executive drive parking i.e. Lot B and Lot C i.e. Del Mar Show Park parking lots will be open for the public from Thursday through Sunday. You can get advance parking for $10 per day at Lot B – Executive Drive Parking.

Lodging in San Diego

For a stay in San Diego during the period this event goes on, choose a San Diego lodging which is conveniently located. Some hotels are offering attractive holiday discounts even after Christmas and the New Year.

California Suites Hotel is one such budget hotel in San Diego which is offering attractive discounts till 31st January, 2013.

California Suites Hotel is a short distance away from Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla.

In fact, our hotel is 15 minutes away from all major San Diego attractions. You can park your vehicle at the hotel or take a bus from nearby bus stand.

California Suites Hotel provides FREE parking as well as other value added services and amenities such as continental breakfast, laundry facilities, large warm swimming pool, spa tub, newspaper in lobby, cable with HBO, Internet and lots more.

With rooms set in lush gardens areas, California Suites Hotel also provides convenient, comfortable and affordable extended stay to its guests.

Qualcomm Stadium is currently home to the San Diego Chargers, San Diego State University Aztecs, Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl and San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.

A shout-out to all the football fans! The much awaited and hugely popular Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl is back with a bang!

All set to take place on December 27, 2012 at the Qualcomm Stadium; the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl attracts hundreds of football lovers each year.

This time too, it is expected to receive huge crowds. The game will also be aired nationally on ESPN.

The Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl is not just about football. There is lot more to it. Enjoy great food and lots of wine and beer. Not to forget formidable performances by the college bands and cheerleaders.

These private performances will be held in section F-1 of the Qualcomm Stadium parking lot from 4:15pm to 6:15pm. To enjoy alcoholic beverages, you must be 21 years of age and carry your proof of age.

Parking

If you plan to drive from your hotel, try to come as early as possible as the parking lot fills up fast. Parking charges for the Holiday Bowl are $20 for cars and $60 for RV’s.

Best way to avoid parking woes is either you carpool or come in  a bus or use the San Diego Trolley.

For VIP parking, you will have to dish out $60. VIP parking is limited which includes a secure space inside the main gates of the stadium. VIP parking pass will ensure that you get parking spot no matter what time you arrive at the stadium.

Visitors coming on a San Diego family vacation during December can add Holiday Bowl event to their itinerary. It is a fabulous event for all age groups.

San Diego accommodation

Which is the one thing that you would certainly want in your hotel when you come to San Diego during holiday season? Apart from all the necessary facilities, one thing which visitors at times overlook is the location of the hotel. Choose a San Diego hotel that is centrally located.

Located at Clairemont Mesa Blvd, California Suites Hotel is nearby to Qualcomm Stadium and various other attractions in the city.  Its central location, makes it convenient for guests to commute to different tourist destinations.

Being an AAA-approved and a member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, California Suites Hotel is a Value Price Leader among San Diego budget hotels. It offers continental breakfast, free parking, Internet access, laundry services and more. To make San Diego vacation more affordable for budget travelers, California Suites Hotel is also offering tempting discounts till 31^st January, 2013.

Known for impeccable services and hospitable staff, California Suites Hotel also provides affordable extended stay packages. Our hotel’s extended stays provide home away from home kind of atmosphere which is Convenient, Comfortable and Affordable.

Whether you like football or not, do attend Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl.

Photo Courtesy: blog.sandiego.org

Enjoy your extended stay San Diego with Beer-Con beer conference to be held on August 24 and 25, 2012 at 57 Degrees, Downtown San Diego.

Two fascinating days featuring brewery tours, talks, tastings, food Pairings, and a new location closer to Downtown!

Enjoy your extended stay San Diego with Beer-Con beer conference to be held on August 24 and 25, 2012 at 57 Degrees, Downtown San Diego.

Beer-Con was born out of the pure love for craft beer. This is a conference by, and for beer lovers! For the first time ever the greatest minds and palates in craft beer have a platform to come together and share their passion! Beer-Con 2012 is a conference held in beautiful San Diego that will feature some of the top names in the industry speaking on a variety of topics!

Multiple speaking tracks will run simultaneously throughout the day so that you can choose the experience that is right for you. This event is open to the public, no professional association or credentials required!

At Beer-Con you’ll get exclusive access to industry pros, get answers to the questions you’ve always wanted to ask, learn about brewing and tasting beer from the best in the business and of course join other beer lovers for a few brews at our Tap Haven where you’ll enjoy a special line-up of craft taps!

There will be two route options – both of which will visit 3 breweries and then end at the new Rough Draft location for the Friday kick-off party. You will get a total of 12 taster tickets. It’s up to you, how many you use at each brewery. But once you’re out, it’s on you to buy additional tasters.

The range of tasters available for the visitors includes Firestone Walker Brewing Co., Hangar 24 Craft Brewery, Iron Fist Brewing Company, Stone Brewing Co., Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., Coronado Brewing Co., The Beer Co. San Diego, Lightning Brewery, The Lost Abbey, Port Brewing, Ballast Point, Societe Brewing Co, and North Coast Brewing Co.
Come be a part of the craft beer movement.

Make the most of this event without bothering about the accommodation in San Diego. California Suites Hotel is the best option for affordable San Diego lodging. We take pride in announcing that California Suites Hotel is approved by the AAA and is a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce.

California Suites Hotel is appreciated for its unmatched services and hospitality. Our list of premium services include continental breakfast, large heated swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

Share your passion, join the discussion and tip back a few tasters at Beer-Con 2012! We will see you there.

Sources include:
beer-con.com 
sandiego.org/events

Photo Courtesy: localdeal.com

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

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