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

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

December through April every year, San Diego is witness to a unique natural phenomenon as the biggest annual migration of mammals over the longest distance takes place to reach the San Diego shores. Yes, we are talking about the peaceful “giants of the sea”, the whales, who travel a 5,000-mile southern journey to leave behind the freezing seas of Alaska and reach the warm water lagoons of Baja California.

Comfortably secure in the warm waters, the whales give birth and rear their young, and the event creates a delightful experience for nature lovers. San Diego, with its 70-mile long sun-kissed coastline offers a unique whale watching experience. If you are a nature lover, then this is best time to take a San Diego vacation. Check out the best San Diego vacation rentals from where the San Diego beaches are nearby.

The city of San Diego lines up a slew of whale watching events from December through May, such as the Big Bay Whale Days with “Whale of a Deal” discounted opportunities, a free Whale Festival and discounted cruises. A range of whale watching cruises, excursions and festivals pack the city’s events calendar.

The Birch Aquarium at Scripps with its outdoor tide-pool plaza, overlooking La Jolla’s shoreline and the Pacific Ocean, offers a great whale watching experience. The aquarium celebrates the season during late December through March with “WhaleFest”, offering visitors an excellent opportunity to learn about these leviathans through a host of educational activities and whale exhibits. The Birch Aquarium at Scripps is also hosting a six-day Whale Watching Expedition on March 23-28.

The Cabrillo National Monument, located on the panoramic Point Loma peninsula, offers a glassed-in observatory and a picturesque national park where the visitors can view the whales in the magnificent tide pools.

If you are interested in getting into some close encounters with the whales, go for the exciting whale watching cruises and excursions. San Diego’s whale watching calendar is packed with adventure cruises, tours and both brief and extended excursions offered by various tour operators.

For example, the La Jolla Kayak provides 2.5-hour tours where you get to experience close encounters with grey whales and other marine life including sea lions, garibaldi and leopard sharks. Another great 4-hour whale watching tour can be taken on the 139-ft. long sailing yacht, America, a historic replica of the world’s first America’s Cup winner, during December 19 – April 15, and this excursion offers some of the best opportunities for photographing whales up close.

Some other popular cruises include the 3.5-hour deluxe whale watching adventure cruises offered by Hornblower Cruises and Events in partnership with the San Diego Natural History Museum from December 11 through April 17. H&M Landing offers daily 3-hour whale watching cruises from mid-December through mid-March, and 6-hour cruises from December through May. OEX Dive & Kayak Centers offers visitors a 2.5-hour Whale Watching Kayak Tour from December to March. Adventure RIB Rides offers a thrilling whale watching excursion aboard an authentic 30’ Navy SEAL Rigid Inflatable Boat (R.I.B.) from December 15 to April 15.

If you do not want to miss experiencing the whales this year, reserve your rooms now in an affordable San Diego hotel which is located close to the beaches and La Jolla. You can even opt for an affordable extended stay hotel in San Diego if you want to enjoy a longer San Diego vacation devoted to your passion for whale watching.

Located within minutes away from La Jolla and other sun-soaked beaches of San Diego, the California Suites Hotel is one of the leading budget San Diego vacation rental which offers fine accommodation at affordable prices. Apart from spacious rooms, Internet access, complimentary breakfast, laundry facilities, free parking; the hotel has a scenic, peaceful ambience and a large outdoor heated swimming pool. You can also get some great discounts on room rates which are among the best hotel prices anywhere in San Diego.

Photo Courtesy: http://thedestinationcenter.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.

Photo Courtesy: www.ucdblogs.org

San Diego is a melting pot of various cultures and ethnicities. From celebrating Irish heritage to staging German festivals such as Oktoberfest, San Diego offers a rich and vibrant cultural mix, all in one city.

Keeping with this tradition, San Diego is now gearing up to celebrate its rich Mexican heritage with the festival of Dia de los Muertos on October 31st  2010. Whether you belong to the Mexican community or not, you can attend this family oriented event which is a sort of a celebration of life and death. It is a wonderful tradition which brings together people of different origins to honor their loved ones. However, contrary to what the name suggests it is a festive time.

In San Diego, Dia de los Muertos is organized by the Mission San Luis Rey, a non-profit organization and National Historic Landmark, at the Mission San Luis Rey. The highlight of the festival is the ofrendas. Ofrendas are the altars which are decorated with thousands of orange Mexican marigolds, not larger than 12 square inches. Kids who come up with the best looking mini ofrendas are given interesting gifts.

Apart from this, the festival offers mouth-watering food, dance, music, a symbolic procession, free chalk cemetery decorated with flowers and candles and also an activity area for children.

Dia de los Muertos is an opportunity for musicians, dancers and artists to showcase their talent whereas it is an equally great opportunity for visitors to witness rich Latino culture.  Both Dia de los Muertos and Halloween will be taking place around the same time. Therefore get your kids dressed in their best Halloween costumes of skeletons, spirits for the Dia de los Muertos celebration. This family friendly festival is free and will begin at 10am and continue till 4pm.

If you are on a vacation to San Diego for Halloween, make sure to add this event too in your itinerary. Considering it is a festive time, a large number of hotels in San Diego are offering great San Diego vacation deals and packages to attract tourists.

Located in Clairemont Mesa Blvd, California Suites Hotel is offering awesome discounts to visitors. Known for good ambiance and hospitality, the hotel provides impeccable services to the guests. Some of the amenities include an extended complimentary breakfast, Internet facility, voice mail service, spa tub, safe deposit box and more. Besides, the hotel is centrally located from where Mission San Luis Rey is a short distance away. You can go through the website to know various other facilities available as well as the discounts offered.

Photo Courtesy: http://spookybubble.wordpress.com

Shark Week is one of the most popular events in San Diego attracting thousands of visitors in a week. As the name suggests, Shark Week is dedicated to sharks. To be held at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps at La Jolla, the Shark Week will run from July 17 to July 23.
The famous Birch Aquarium is home to more than 10 species of sharks. Once you are at the Birch Aquarium you can get up close and personal with different species of sharks including leopard sharks, brown banded bamboo sharks, wobbegongs, whitetip and blacktip reef sharks, Port Jackson sharks and more. You can watch the videos of the sharks in the wild or go on a shark scavenger hunt.

Shark Week at the Birch Aquarium allows you a one-of-a-kind experience of close encounters with sharks, which you can’t expect anywhere else on land! You can touch swell shark pups and docile horn. And don’t forget to get yourself photographed with a white shark.

If you are planning your California family vacations in July, do make it a point to bring your kids to the Shark Week. This 7-day long program educates visitors about these powerful creatures.

Sharks are usually portrayed as dangerous species which kill their vulnerable preys indiscriminately. However this is an unfortunate myth associated with sharks. The researchers at the Scripps do a great job in educating visitors on how sharks are important to marine life, how they can be just as vulnerable and why there is a growing need to protect their declining population.

In order to best enjoy the activities and all the fun at the Shark Week, you should stay at a San Diego lodging from where you can commute easily to the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla.  There are several San Diego accommodations which provide nice San Diego packages and California vacation packages. Talking about best budget motels and hotels, California Suites Hotel offers fine quality services at competitive prices. It is located 15 minute away from the San Diego International Airport, and other attractions such as the Sea World and the Zoo and of course, the sun kissed beaches of San Diego.

San Diego attracts a heavy inflow of tourists during this season, so book your rooms in advance. And don’t forget to include Shark week at Birch Aquarium in your itinerary on your San Diego vacation.

Photo courtesy: blogs.inlandsocal.com/moms/weekly-topic/

Does the music, dance and culture of Sicily fascinate you? Do you want to get a real taste of Sicily, then head to San Diego this May. The 17th annual Culture and cuisine of Sicily festival is going to take place on Sunday, May, 23, 2010 from 10 am to 6 pm in San Diego’s Little Italy and you simply can’t afford to miss it!

Listen to the Sicilian melodies, experience the rich culture of Sicily and get to gorge on mouth-watering authentic Sicilian dishes. The streets of Little Italy are getting all dressed up tp become a window to the world of Sicilian music, dance and culture. There would be a line-up of food booths where you can get a taste of delicious, and authentic Sicilian culinary specialties such as Caponata, Panella, Arancine, Crocché, Seppia served with black sauce and more.

After satisfying your taste buds, you can shop at various booths offering unique Italian artifacts and souvenirs. Or you can go and relax at the wine and beer gardens. Or enjoy watching a parade at noon as a number of trained dancers in colorful costumes and musicians and representatives of the Italian organizations participate in the parade carrying flags of Sicily and Italy. The best part of this festival is that this highly popular entertaining event is free for all.

If you are planning a vacation to San Diego around this time, do visit Little Italy, a hilly neighborhood in Downtown San Diego located within walking distance of the beautiful San Diego harbor. For kids too, this event offers an array of interesting activities ranging from puppet theater shows, song and dance programs by children, inflatable slides, face painting and lots more. It is a complete fun filled event for entire family. For convenient commute, you can book rooms in an affordable lodging in San Diego from where Little Italy is  easily accessible.

California Suites Hotel is a value price leader among budget accommodations in San Diego, and is ideally located right in the heart of San Diego so you won’t have any trouble in commuting. The hotel offers good facilities at affordable prices such as free parking, Internet connection, extended complimentary breakfast, swimming pool, safe deposit box, 24 hour Security Patrol and more.

If you want to experience the culture and cuisine of Sicily without stepping out of San Diego then this event is the place to be.

Picture Courtesy: http://www.sicilianfestival.smugmug.com

Miles and miles of blue water, vintage ships, exciting shops and scenic views. That’s Embarcadero for you! It is one of the most popular and exciting tourist attractions in San Diego. Located on the edge of San Diego harbor, the place promises lots of wonderful activities and opportunities for tourists.

Embarcadero is the best place to watch all the actions at the waterfront. Enjoy watching the cruise ships, ferries, aircraft carriers and sailboats gliding past. Or simply take a harbor tour cruise which departs regularly throughout the day. Dine at the cruise ship and revel in all the fun and action on board.

Maritime Museum in Embarcadero is not to be missed. This amazing museum is home to the world’s oldest active ship known as Star of India. Other vintage ships include Medea and Berkeley.

Also check out the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum. USS Midway was once the world’s largest warship and served for 47 long years.

If you are fond of shopping, you can set aside an entire day for the Seaport Village in Embarcadero. Spectacular harbor views, more than 50 specialty shops and 13 fabulous eateries make this waterfront village a must visit for any tourist.

The best time to visit Embarcadero is in the morning when the place is least crowded. To enjoy Embarcadero, you should find a good place to stay in San Diego from where you can reach there easily in the morning.

And luckily, California Suites Hotel, an affordable and high quality vacation rental in San Diego is located near Embarcadero. It is also just a stone’s throw away from all the major attractions in San Diego and also the San Diego International airport.

The services, competitive prices and convenient location of California Suites Hotel make it the most preferable place to stay over other vacation rentals in San Diego. We also offer superb discounts and wonderful packages to make your stay even more thrilling.

The mouth-watering variety of cuisines in San Diego is one of the biggest attractions for tourists here. Given this bustling city’s penchant for bringing about a fusion of cultures, due to its ever-increasing popularity among tourists from all regions and ethnicities, San Diego has become place for food lovers too.

San Diego offers a perfect mix of all kinds of authentic cuisines, whether from Mexico, Asia, the Pacific Islands or regions of the U.S.

California Suites Hotel is located strategically in the heart of San Diego, within easy distance of a variety of restaurants offering a range of dining options.

Since we offer the best vacation rentals in San Diego and given our proximity to all the major attractions of the city, we are a preferred affordable lodging for both tourists and business travelers. If you are looking for budget vacation rentals, there is no need for you to hunt for cheap motels in San Diego, CA. California Suites Hotel gives real value for money with a comfortable stay at budget rates a great swimming pool and lovely gardens.

Everything is nearby, within 15 minutes of the hotel, right from the San Diego International Airport, San Diego Zoo and the Sea World to the sunny beaches and shopping malls and, of course, the topic of this blog, a variety of restaurants offering all kinds of specialty food and cuisines.

Talking about food in San Diego, its eclectic mix of cuisines is in fact, a true reflection of the cultural heritage of the city. The use of local ingredients like Avocados, Artichokes, Fresh figs, Fresh dates, Persimmons and Sprouts make the local food quite different from those in other places.

Try out some of the tastiest delicacies of this place like:

- Tortilla Espanola
- Halibut Miro
- Tomato and Lobster Salad with Avocado Relish and Shellfish Aioli
- Seared Hawaiian Ahi with Wild Rice and Basmati Rice in a Shiitake Teriyaki Beurre Blanc
- Herb Crusted Goat Cheese and Heirloom Beet Salad
- Whole Grilled Local Snapper
- Sea Urchin Bruschetta
- Chino Farms Mixed Bean Salad with Mint Vinaigrette
- Grilled Cream Cheese Sandwich with Banana and Pineapple Salsa

And San Diego is also home to Carl’s Jr., Jack in the Box, In-N-Out, Del Taco, Original Tommy’s and Fatburger.

Let’s not forget our own delicious complementary breakfast buffet that includes cereal, breads, Danish, muffins, bagels, cream cheese, fruit spreads, fresh fruit, juices, coffee, tea, espresso or hot chocolate!

Make your reservations with us now. You will get San Diego vacation rental rates you won’t find elsewhere and we make the extra effort to make your visit to San Diego truly memorable.

For those who love the outdoors, San Diego is the place to be. From swimming to surfing, from camping to hiking, from scuba diving to snorkeling – San Diego has plenty to keep you busy. If you are planning to spend your vacation in San Diego, leave space in your itinerary to include all the exciting and adventurous stuff you can do in this beautiful city.

Just as San Diego has loads of exciting things to do for the adventure seekers, it also offers an awesome choice of vacation rentals and hotels and motels to suit all kinds of budgets. Check out some affordable vacation rentals in San Diego as you draw up your itinerary of adventure sports.

Here is a preview of what all you can do on a San Diego vacation:

Fun on the Ocean

Sunbathing: As the city is located over the San Diego Bay, water sports are quite popular here. The white sandy beach hugs the shoreline for a long 19 kms offering everyone plenty of opportunities to do their kind of thing. You can enjoy a perfect sunny day all alone or in the company of your friends and family.

Surfing: Of all the beaches, Torrey Pines State Beach is the most popular one amongst local people and visitors. Surrounded by sandstone cliffs, this is the very place where surfers love to spend hours amidst nature.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling: Then there is the Torrey Pines State Reserve where you can explore rugged terrains without the help of marked trails. La Jolla Cove located near the Underwater Park Ecological Reserve is the most visited place for activities like scuba diving and snorkeling near the cliffs.

If you want to get a glimpse of the old world charm of the 19^th century, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park offers a delightful experience.

Adventures on Land

Hiking and Climbing: Spread over 5,800 acres of land, Mission Trails Regional Park is quite popular amongst hikers and climbers who love to see the Cowles Mountain.

Horse Riding and Biking: The Mission Trails Regional Park also offers horse riding and biking trails.

Boating and Camping: Facilities are also available for boating and camping within the boundaries of the Mission Trails Regional Park.

Along with these, there is a lot more to experience in San Diego. When planning a trip to this adventurous land, come with some time on your hands to fully explore and experience the varied delights of this place.

There is a wide range of budget hotels in San Diego which offer affordable vacation rentals. In fact, you don’t need to hunt for cheap motels in San Diego. If you are a budget traveler, look up some good quality budget hotels in San Diego that offer affordable vacation rentals and complementary breakfast. They are easy on the pocket, offer reasonably good service and the free breakfast saves you a tidy sum.