Are you fond of baseball? For any sports enthusiast, the month of May in the San Diego promises a whole lot of action as the people’s favorite San Diego Padres matches are all set to rock the city.

Founded in 1969, the San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team. Having won the National League Pennant twice once in 1984 and the other in 1998, the San Diego Padres or popularly known as the “Pads”, have become quite a favorite of baseball lovers. Several people have been inducted into the San Diego Padres Team Hall of Fame which include Randy Jones, Dave Winfield, Nate Colbert, Buzzie Bavasi, Tony Gwynn, Jerry Coleman, and others.

This year the San Diego Padres will take on different teams. You can catch all the action at the PETCO PARK where the San Diego Padres will compete against Milwaukee Brewers on 18th and 19th May and will take on the Seattle Mariners from 20th to 22nd May 2011. And from 23rd to 25th May, the Padres will be seen playing against St. Louis Cardinals. That’s not all. In case you can’t watch the matches in May, don’t be disheartened.  The month of June too is packed with the exciting matches as the San Diego Padres will take on various teams such as Houston Astros, Colorado Rockies, Washington Nationals, Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals.

So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head for San Diego. There is a lot of difference in watching the match on television and experiencing all the action and frenzy LIVE.

As far as accommodation is concerned, you don’t have to worry as there are plenty of hotels in San Diego which offer good services at affordable prices. Located in the middle of San Diego is the charming California Suites Hotel which is a great value price leader budget San Diego hotel known for providing fine services at best rates possible. The hotel offers complimentary breakfast, large heated outdoor swimming pool, laundry facilities, Internet access and more. In short, the hotel is convenient, comfortable and affordable.

Besides, due to the central location of the hotel, PETCO PARK and all major attractions including the Gaslamp Quarter and Old Town are nearby. The convenient location helps all sport enthusiasts to save time on commuting and reach the PETCO PARK in time to catch all the action.

In case you are looking for longer  stay in order to watch all the matches, you can enjoy an extended stay at California Suites Hotel which is also known as a great budget extended stay hotel San Diego. The hotel offers home away from home kind of services and charges according to the weekly or monthly rates. Enjoy apartment prices with hotel perks.

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The month of May is all set to rock San Diego. There are an array of events lined up which will delight both visitors residents. In this post, we are going to discuss two such events which visitors should not miss on their San Diego vacation:

Chocolate Festival

Do you love chocolates? Then surely you wouldn’t like to miss the upcoming Chocolate Festival which is all set to take place at the picturesque San Diego Botanic Garden on 7th May, 2011. Once there, gorge on delectable chocolate tastings brought by various chocolate vendors, enjoy the appetizing demonstrations, the streaming chocolate fountain and lots of children’ activities.

Besides savouring chocolates, you can also enjoy the scenic views of the San Diego Botanic Garden which turns even more breathtakingly beautiful during the spring season. The blossoming flowers, lush greenery, quaint lily ponds and tall bamboo groves add to its beauty.

And since the Chocolate Festival is taking place one day before the Mother’s Day, 8th May, 2011; you can use the occasion to take your mother along and spend some quality time. The festival also offers a range of Mother’s Day gifts. The Chocolate Festival is very much a family friendly event which you must check out if you are in San Diego during first week of the May.

Old Town Fiesta Cinco de Mayo

The 28th Annual Old Town Fiesta Cinco de Mayo is all set to take place at the Old Town State Historical Park on 30th April and 1st May, 2011. The colorful Old Town buzzes with so many entertaining activities during this festival.

Listen to the flamenco beats, and traditional Mariachi music, enjoy a chilled beer in the beer garden and watch the LIVE entertainment. And don’t forget the tequila sampling area for tastings.

Cinco de Mayo is also the time to shop for unique items. Explore the colorful shops and specialty stores to buy various items such as jewellery, handicraft, handmade leather and souvenirs. After shopping, get set to satisfy your hunger pangs and taste buds by gorging on delicious food at any of the restaurants there.

And if you have time in hand, also explore the various museums and historic sites that Old Town has to offer. Cinco de Mayo is the event where you can get to experience the history, cuisine and culture of Mexico. This two-day fiesta is free for one and all. Make sure you don’t miss it!

To explore the Old Town and enjoy Cinco de Mayo  and Chocolate Festival to the fullest, book your stay at the centrally located California Suites Hotel, one of the budget San Diego hotels, from where the Old Town and San Diego Botanic Garden are nearby. The hotel offers good services at the best hotel rates which are hard to find anywhere else. The hotel provides an extended complimentary breakfast, free parking, laundry service, large heated swimming pool and more.

California Suites Hotel is also an extended stay hotel San Diego which offers a home away from home kind of services, so that guest can enjoy apartment prices with hotel perks.

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Come Spring and San Diego plays host to some very energetic and colorful events and activities. With Easter around the corner, the people of San Diego and tourists who are planning a vacation to San Diego are looking forward to some great celebrations with chocolate making, egg decorating and egg hunting.

The mountains, beaches and canyons of San Diego anyways make the place a tourist’s delight with plenty to do. A serene and inexpensive visit to the Cabrillo National Monument, Mount Soledad or Mount Helix on Easter Sunday is enough to give you and your family a wonderful time out.

But is Easter complete without following the tradition? Leading hotels and restaurants are lining up a host of fun activities, ranging from chocolate and truffle making, to egg making classes and egg hunting sprees.

Diving enthusiasts and their families can have a great day out on Easter Egg Hunt near the Marine Canyon at the La Jolla Shores. Prizes will be given to the buddy teams that find the most eggs. While the divers head down to the water the younger attendees will be treated to a Children’s Easter Egg Hunt. Similarly, activities including an Easter egg hunt, the Easter bunny, jumpies, live entertainment, food and beverages including a beer garden, are going to take place on April 23 at San Diego Harley-Davidson, where admission is free.

And of course, Easter brings forth the best options for indulging yourself in some delicious brunch or dinner. Choose from some of the San Diego’s finest restaurants and book your table online – many of these establishments serve up special Easter brunch, lunch or dinner menus. In fact, right at the time of choosing an affordable San Diego accommodation for your Easter vacation, pick any one of the San Diego hotels which is centrally located at a convenient distance from the popular restaurants.

The San Diego Zoo is another great place to visit during Easter and Spring Break. Spring is the time when the Zoo gets new members with many animals giving birth and you can see some adorable baby animals in their infancy. To enjoy the thousands of butterflies flitting and floating around you in our tropical greenhouse exhibit, Hidden Jungle, reserve your rooms in a San Diego hotel which is located near the Zoo. This will let you spend maximum time on your favorite activities without wasting hours on commute.

Located just minutes away from the San Diego Zoo and some of San Diego’s finest restaurants, California Suites Hotel is a leading budget hotel in San Diego which is known for impeccable services and hospitable staff. You also get to enjoy a host of value added services such as free parking, extended complimentary breakfast, laundry services, Internet access, well equipped rooms with microwave, refrigerator, a large heated outdoor pool and more.

California Suites Hotel is also known as an affordable extended stay hotel San Diego which provides home away from home kind of services to the guests. In other words, you will have the best of both worlds – save money on accommodation with some great discounts and also save money on commute, thanks to the hotel’s great location.

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Time to watch some hula-hooping and feather-balancing as the exciting Circus Vargas – The Big One is back in San Diego to entertain the audience. The event which kicked off on 10th February will go on till 11th April, 2011 at various San Diego locations, including Del Mar Fairgrounds, Balboa Park, National City, El Cajon, and Vista.

Circus Vargas – The Big One is a huge draw for kids of all ages. If possible, come early to watch the free preview show and watch Jon Weiss and Laura Weiss, the well-renowned circus performers and hosts of the show, as they teach kids to hula-hoop and balance feather in the center ring and give a preview of how life is like under the Big Top. Circus Vargas is going to present an entirely new show for 2011 which include hula-hooping, juggling, feather-balancing, great music, great performers and more. Watch skilful acrobats and aerialists performing feats which are sure to leave you enthralled.

Besides, there will be colorful clowns which are sure to bring out a laugh. From March 24th to 28th, Circus Vargas will take place at the Del Mar fairgrounds, while the event will shift to Promenade Temecula from March 31st to April 11th, 2011.

Circus Vargas is an event where most talented performers come with presentations and performances which transcend all languages, age and culture. No wonder, Circus Vargas is a delight for both kids as well as adults. If you are planning a vacation in San Diego during March-April, make sure to take your kids to this colorful and exciting event. Your kids will surely love it!

As far as San Diego accommodation is concerned, reserve your rooms in an affordable San Diego vacation rental from where Del Mar Fairgrounds, Balboa Park, Promenade Temecula and other venues are nearby so that it is easier for you commute.

Located just15 minutes away from the San Diego International airport, California Suites Hotel is a leading budget hotel in San Diego which is known for impeccable services and hospitable staff. The hotel provides free parking, complimentary breakfast, laundry services, Internet access, well equipped rooms with microwave, refrigerator, a large heated outdoor pool and more. California Suites Hotel is also known as an affordable extended stay hotel San Diego which provides home away from home kind of services to the guests. In short, the hotel is convenient, comfortable and affordable!

Photo Courtesy: www.circusvargas.com

The city of San Diego dedicates the month of March to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Named after Saint Patrick of Ireland, the St. Patrick’s Day is a Catholic holiday and a celebration of Ireland’s culture. It was started in the early 17th century in Ireland and is now widely celebrated in other nations including the USA. Though San Diego may not have Irish history as rich as that of New York or Chicago; this vibrant city participates with equal vigor in celebrating this joyous occasion.

The 31st annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade will take place on March 12th, 2011 in Balboa Park. More than 150 people will participate in the parade which will kick off from Fifth Avenue at 10:30 am and will conclude at Juniper Street in Balboa Park. This year the theme of the parade is “Irish Culture”.

You can expect to see a spectacular parade which includes drill teams, colorful floats, dancing groups, marching bands, bagpipe performers, equestrian units, scout troops, roller skaters,  police and fire department units, antique cars and clowns. And this is not all. The marvelous parade is followed by an Irish festival which is equally entertaining and fun.

The Irish festival promises lots of festivities where you can listen to Irish folk songs, watch traditional Irish dance, binge on delicious Irish food, enjoy storytelling, relax in the Celtic village and take your kids to the Kids Zone which contains interesting games and rides. Besides all this, there will be two beer gardens.

It really doesn’t matter whether you are Irish or not. You can spend an enjoyable day by attending this colorful and charming event. In order to enjoy the St. Patrick’s Day to the fullest, it would be better to stay in a San Diego vacation rental from where Balboa Park is nearby so that you can save time on commuting and parking.

California Suites Hotel is a value price leader budget San Diego hotel which is located right in the heart of San Diego from where you can commute to Balboa Park as well as other tourist destinations easily. Besides the hotel offers fine services and facilities which include complementary breakfast, free parking, Internet services, laundry facilities and lots more.

California Suites Hotel is also known as one of the leading budget extended stay hotel in San Diego where you can benefit from apartment prices with hotel perks. In short, the hotel is Convenient, Comfortable and Affordable.

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San Diego’s eventful calendar is all set to welcome one of the most exciting annual events – the 19th Annual San Diego Brazil Carnival, which has come to be known as one of the largest and most authentic carnival celebrations outside of Brazil and among the best Brazilian Carnivals on the West Coast.

The gala event signals the start of San Diego’s Carnival Mardi Gras celebrations, which culminate on Fat Tuesday.

If you are in downtown San Diego on Fat Tuesday and planning to soak in the spirit of the Carnival during your San Diego vacation, you must Party Mardi Gras – Gaslamp style. This outdoor celebration includes two spectacular parades on Fifth Avenue and a fabulous block party featuring many great stages with fun musical acts.

The 19th Annual San Diego Brazil Mardi Gras Carnival will be held on March 5 at 4th & B Showcase Theater in Downtown San Diego. This year’s theme is Amazonia!

Rich in beauty and color, this Mardi Gras Ball features carnival bands, pulsating Samba beats, stunning dancers, electrifying Capoeira performances, parades, nonstop Brazilian Music and lavish Mardi Gras costumes adorned in sequins, beads and feathers masks.

Dancers will be accompanied by live percussionists playing authentic Batucada rhythms of Rio de Janeiro. Various stages of entertainment will also be in full swing featuring DJs, hip-hop and freestyle dancers.

Strolling dancers and performers treat audiences to music and Mardi Gras revelry, and the fan-favorite parades shower the throngs with beads. Cajun, Creole and other eats line the streets, along with craft and bead booths.

Seven stages of entertainment, cool lounges, street performers, carnival action, enthralling go-go dancers and DJ’s, and of course the crown jewel of any Mardi Gras celebration, that is the two parades of floats, live music, animated processions and those coveted beads will mark the revelry on March 8, the famed Fat Tuesday of Mardi Gras!

Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, and refers to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and ending on the day before Ash Wednesday. The event marks the practice of the last night of eating richer, fatty foods before the ritual fasting of the Lenten season, which started on Ash Wednesday.

If you are keen to enjoy Mardi Gras in its true lively spirit on your San Diego vacation, you must stay in a San Diego hotel close to the Gaslamp Quarter. California Suites Hotel tops the choice of a good, clean and affordable San Diego hotel located just minutes away from the enchanting Gaslamp Quarter. With spacious rooms, Internet access, complementary breakfast, laundry facilities, free parking and many more value-added services, California Suites Hotel enjoys the reputation of being the Value Price Leader among San Diego budget hotels.

The gala 19th Annual San Diego Brazil Carnival is less than a month away. You need to reserve your rooms now to avoid the last minute rush.

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Are you passionate about the club-and-ball sport, better known as golf? Then you shouldn’t miss the forthcoming Farmers Insurance Open 2011 in San Diego.

The Farmers Insurance Open will take place from 24th to 30th January, 2011 at the picturesque Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, San Diego. The Farmers Insurance Open originated as the San Diego Open in 1952.

Between 1952 and 1953, the golf tournament was played at the San Diego Country Club in Chula Vista, California. Later, the event was played at different locations such as Mission Valley Country Club in San Diego, Singing Hills Country Club in El Cajon, Rancho Bernardo Country Club in San Diego, and finally it moved to the charming Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla in 1968. Since then, this popular golf tournament is played here at the expansive greens of the Torrey Pines Golf Course.

If you happen to be on a San Diego vacation during this time, make sure to attend this golf tournament. The tournament also attracted fame with singer-actor Andy Williams playing celebrity host of the tournament from 1968 to 1988. Golf as a sport is one of the best way of releasing stress and watching this game is just as enjoyable.

The popular tournament is now known as the Farmers Insurance Open as it is sponsored by the Farmers Insurance Group. Prior to this, from 1992 to 2009, the tournament was named Buick Invitational, sponsored by the auto giant.

This golf tournament has had several winners and champions to its credit ranging from Tiger woods, who won Buick Invitational four times, Ben Crane, Phil Mickelson, Arnold Palmer, Nick Watney, John Daly, Jack Nicklaus, Davis Love, Tommy Bolt, Gary Player, Billy Casper among other golf stalwarts.

Torrey Pines Golf Course is a beautiful golf course which overlooks the Pacific Ocean in the alluring La Jolla. Make sure that you spare a day to watch some golf action and enjoy nature as well. To save time on commuting, stay in a San Diego hotel from where La Jolla is nearby.

Located hardly 15 minutes away from the San Diego International Airport,the California Suites Hotel is one of the leading budget hotels in San Diego which offers fine accommodation at affordable prices which include spacious rooms, Internet access, complementary breakfast, laundry facilities, free parking and many more.

Besides the hotel offers good discounts from time to time to the San Diego visitors. Make it a point to include a trip to the Farmers Insurance Open at the Torrey pines Golf Course in La Jolla, in your San Diego vacation.

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Are you fond of dancing and music? Do you want to step into the rhythm of waltzes, polkas and operettas? Then San Diego is the place to be on the New Year as the city is all set to play host to a major dance and musical event in January – the San Diego Symphony: Salute to Vienna.

San Diego Symphony: Salute to Vienna

There is nothing better than watching the heavenly performances of European artists singing and dancing to the tunes of waltzes, polkas and operatic excerpts on the first day of the New Year. Set to take place on  1st, January, 2011, the ‘San Diego Symphony: Salute to Vienna’ is inspired by the Vienna’s renowned NEUJAHRSKONZERT.

NEUJAHRSKONZERT is the classical music New Year Concert which is performed in Vienna  every year and broadcast around the world to an estimated audience of 50 million in 72 countries. However you don’t have to watch it on TV as the San Diego Symphony: Salute to Vienna will recreate the same magic and grandeur at Copley Symphony Hall in San Diego on 1st, January.

While waltz is a ballroom dance, polka is a lively Central European dance. It will be a thrill watching these dance forms with the music of “Waltz King” Johann Strauss II.  Johann Strauss II was an Austrian composer who composed more than 500 waltzes, polkas, and several operettas. Considered as “The Waltz King”, Strauss is credited for the popularity of the waltz in Vienna during the 19th century.

If you haven’t heard the playful compositions of Strauss, this is your chance to come and fall in love with the mesmerizing compositions of the King of Waltz. Various artists such as conductor Mika Eichenholz, soprano Patricia Nessy, and Alexandru Badea will perform at the event.

Make sure you don’t carry your camera, recording devices, food or drinks inside the hall, as these items are not allowed. And remember to book your stay in a San Diego lodging from where you can commute easily to Copley Symphony Hall.

Located at Clairemont Mesa Blvd, California Suites Hotel is a budget hotel which provides fine services at affordable prices. Its services include complimentary breakfast, laundry facilities, spa tub, free parking and more. The hotel is also offering awesome discounts which are valid till January 21st, 2011. Book your rooms as early as possible to avail the tempting discounts.

Make sure you attend this event if you are planning a San Diego vacation during this time. It will be a wonderful way to begin the New Year by watching such breathtaking performances.

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Packed with plenty of exciting events during December, the city of San Diego sure knows how to celebrate the year’s end and begin the new one with hope and excitement. This month’s events include rocking parties, family friendly activities, parades and so much more. Let’s find out more about two popular events slated for this month:

San Diego Bay Parade of Lights 2010

Imagine the sight of a fully lit-up over 100 decorated boats cruising on the San Diego Bay! This magnificent spectacle will take place at the 39th annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights on 12th and 19th December, 2010.

Dazzling fireworks will light up the whole sky following which, the famous boat parade will kick off. This year the theme of the event is “The Sounds of Christmas”. The boat parade will begin from the east end of Shelter Island, and then move to Harbor Island and finally to Coronado areas. You can catch the best views from the shore along the Seaport Village, Harbor Island, Embarcadero and Coronado. Don’t forget to carry your camera. This is the event where you can click some of the best night shots. More than 80,000 people are expected to attend this extravaganza. Make sure you are also part of the attendees.

Garden of Lights at San Diego Botanic Garden

San Diego Botanic Garden lights up during December as the dazzling LED lights transform the beautiful garden into a sort of magical wonderland from 9th December to 30th December, 2010. Located in Encinitas, San Diego, more than 100,000 lights will illuminate the beautiful San Diego Botanic Garden renowned for the nation’s largest bamboo collection.

Take a stroll through the lit-up garden. You can enjoy the LIVE music or huddle around the campfire. It’s a wonderful experience listening and singing along with the Christmas Carolers. The beauty of the colorful Poinsettia Garden is a must see. Also, don’t forget to check out the Nutcracker exhibit and enjoy the wagon rides through the Garden.

A slew of entertainment programs are all set to make the evenings truly. Join your children in listening to stories narrated by interesting characters in colorful costumes or enjoy the Mariachi players performing live. In short, each day will offer something new and exciting for your whole family. And of course, Santa Claus will be around to make the children enjoy Christmas in its true spirit. This event is a must watch on your San Diego family vacation.

San Diego receives a large number of visitors in December. Make sure that you book your rooms in advance to avoid the last minute rush. Heavy inflow of tourists means parking problems too. Therefore, to avoid the traffic jams and the parking chaos, stay in a San Diego hotel from where you can commute to the above mentioned venues conveniently. This way you save plenty of time as well as money too.

Known for impeccable services, California Suites Hotel is a centrally located hotel from where major attractions such as Seaport Village, Embarcadero and others are nearby. And even the San Diego International Airport is just 15 minute away from the hotel.

Always believing in delivering the best to the customers, California Suites Hotel provides facilities at affordable prices. The services include complementary breakfast, free parking, laundry facilities and in addition the hotel is also offering awesome discounts and San Diego vacation packages during this holiday season. San Diego will play host to other several activities too apart from these two events. Make sure you are part of the holiday celebration!

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Do you enjoy your mug of beer? Do you have an interest in learning and understanding about the brewing heritage of San Diego? Then San Diego Beer Week is an event you shouldn’t miss. Organized by the San Diego Brewers Guild, the San Diego Beer Week is all set to take place from 5th November to 14th November, 2010.

Throughout the San Diego County more than 500 interesting events will take place during the San Diego Beer Week. The ten day celebration will kick off with the Brewers Guild Festival and conclude with the Chef Celebration of San Diego. Some of the other major events the attendees can look forward to are the gourmet beer and food-pairing event, beer and cheese pairings, specialty beer dinners and lots more. One of the most popular events, the Beer Garden will be held at the Lodge at Torrey Pines.

With an interesting array of events set to unfold at the San Diego Beer Week, you can expect to have loads of fun. Try the exclusive beer produced by breweries in San Diego, gorge on mouth-watering food cooked by renowned chefs, enjoy beer and cheese pairings, meet with the brewers and have a blast with like-minded people who share the common love for beer as you. Lots of breweries are participating in the event such as AleSmith Brewing Company, Green Flash Brewing Company and many more. There is also a long list of chefs who will take part in the event.

Running in its second year, the San Diego Beer Week was initiated with an aim to encourage people to take up local beer and promote the beer brewing culture in San Diego on a big scale. Noticeably, the San Diego Beer Week has been able to successfully achieve its goals considering that it won several medals at the World Beer Cup a few months back. Not just that, the San Diego city in fact outnumbered the medals won by other nations which are traditionally known for beer such as England, Belgium and Germany too. Knowing that the San Diego city earned such an international recognition, this should be another reason for you not to miss this event.

As far as finding a good an affordable San Diego accommodation is concerned, go for a hotel in San Diego from where you can easily commute to various venues of the San Diego Beer Week. Located in Clairemont Mesa Blvd, California Suites Hotel is centrally positioned and easily accessible to the Lodge at Torrey Pines as well as other venues. Known for impeccable services at reasonable prices, this Value Price leader among budget San Diego hotels is also providing tempting discounts and good San Diego vacation deals to visitors.

The San Diego Beer Week will last for ten days, so you can also choose to book an extended stay at California Suites Hotel. The hotel is one of the most affordable extended stay hotels in San Diego which offers a “home away from home” like environment to the guests.

San Diego Beer Week is the event where you can try the best of beers from local breweries. Imagine what a heady combination a mug of beer along with scrumptious food will make. These are the experiences any beer lover will relish!

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