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

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

The 33rd Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-off Festival for eclectic fun in the sun, shopping, festival nosh, surf and beachfront entertainment.

The Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-off Festival has been a vibrant community tradition for more than three decades, attracting tourists and San Diego natives alike to sunny Ocean Beach each year. It will take place at the Ocean Beach, Newport Ave on 23rd June, 2012  from 10am.

This year at the 33rd Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-off Festival for eclectic fun in the sun, shopping, festival nosh, surf and beachfront entertainment.

There will be festival activities for all ages and interests including:

* Five stages of continuous live music
* Chili Cook-Off
* Beachside Beer Garden & Spirits
* Food vendors and local restaurant fare
* Community Mural Art Project
* Artists Alley
* Wonderland Children’ Area
* Unique handcrafted merchandise: clothing, accessories and more
* Skateboard Exhibition from Ocean Beach Surf & Skate Shop
* Climbing Walls
* Raffle with prizes from more than 20 local businesses

Best part is it is a FREE event which promises lots of fun. Everything about the OB Street Fair will be special this year because it is the occasion for celebrating the 125th Anniversary of Ocean Beach.  If you are coming on a San Diego vacation in June, come to this event to celebrate with the thousand others!

For your convenience, stay at a hotel in San Diego which is in close proximity to the beaches, where most visitors flock to in the summer time.

Regarded as a value price leader amongst budget San Diego hotels, California Suites Hotel offers all facilities to make your stay comfortable and a memorable one.

Approved by the AAA and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, the California Suites Hotel offers 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.

The biggest advantage is that the hotel is close to almost all beaches and other top attractions as well such as Old Town, Sea World, Balboa Park, La Jolla, and shopping centers. As San Diego receives a large influx of tourists in June, try to book your rooms in advance.

Sources include:

yelp.com
oceanbeachsandiego.com

Photo Courtesy: myspace.com

Do you enjoy running and jogging? How about running along sandy beaches and through the picturesque Carlsbad Village on your San Diego vacation? It will be a heady experience.

Set to take place on 22nd January, 2012, the Carlsbad Marathon & Half Marathon attracts participants from all over the world. More than 10,000 runners and walkers are expected to take part in the event not only from the USA but also from various other countries.

There will be two races. One is the 26.2 mile course and the other is 13.1-mile. Both marathons will begin and end at the Westfield Plaza Camino Real, Carlsbad. While the Carlsbad Marathon will flag off at 6 a.m., the Half Marathon will begin at 7:30 a.m.

The participants will run along the Oceanfront Pacific Coast Highway, lagoons, sun-kissed beaches and through the beautiful Carlsbad Village. If you get tired or need any help, there will be support stations to help you catch your breath. Plus at every mile, there will be LIVE bands to motivate you to carry on. Apart from all this, the breathtakingly beautiful views of Pacific Ocean are sure to lift your spirits. There will be scores of spectators and volunteers along the course to cheer you on.

The Tri-City Medical Center Carlsbad Marathon also helps to raise money to support various charities. Participating in this marathon will not only be fun but will help a social cause.

San Diego is at its charming best during winters. New Year celebrations may have ended but the number of tourists coming to San Diego in January has not dipped. 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, Carlsbad and various other top hotspots are nearby. This will make it easy for you to commute to the venue.

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. So be a part of it!

Photo Courtesy: activemug.com

Join hundreds of football lovers on 28th December, 2011 at 5 p.m as the Holiday Bowl kicks off at the Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego. Teams from the Pac-12 conference and the Big 12 conference will compete against each other in a pulse-racing match.

The match will be aired on ESPN as well as broadcast on ESPN Radio Network. But as we said in our previous posts, what is the fun of watching such an interesting match on television. The excitement is in being there at the stadium, shouting, screaming and cheering for your favorite team.

Holiday Bowl is an annual college football bowl game that has been played in San Diego, since 1978. After Bridgepoint Education replaced Pacific Life as the Holiday bowl’s title sponsor in the year 2010, Holiday Bowl is officially known as the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl.

A large number of football fans are expected to attend the game, and hence getting parking at the Qualcomm Stadium will be tough. If you plan to drive to the stadium, be there as early as possible. The parking lot at the stadium will open at 8 a.m. Best is if you try to carpool with some people so it saves parking space. The stadium parking lot is expected to close almost two hours before the match begins.

If you don’t have a car or can’t rent one; then come either by a bus or a trolley. It is advisable that you find out alternative traffic routes when attending the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl as Interstate 15 to Friars Rd will remain congested due to heavy traffic and major delays.

You can buy the tickets for the 34th annual Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl from the bowl’s ticket office at Qualcomm Stadium – Gate A, or by calling (619) 283-5808. You can also purchase tickets through TicketMaster.com. But keep in mind that Ticketmaster tickets do not qualify for annual recurring memberships, so those who wish to become members should call or visit the Holiday Bowl office directly.

If you are coming all the way to San Diego to attend the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl, prefer to stay in a hotel in San Diego from where Qualcomm Stadium is nearby.

Located in Clairemont Mesa Blvd, California Suites Hotel is a Value Price Leader among budget San Diego hotels. Qualcomm Stadium and other major tourist hotspots are hardly a short drive away from the hotel. This will enable you to reach at the Qualcomm Stadium early and get easy parking.

Known for impeccable services, California Suites Hotel provides continental breakfast, heated outdoor spa and pool, high speed Internet, cable with HBO, free parking, 24-hour front desk, safe deposit box and more. Besides the hotel is also offering irresistible discounts for Christmas and New Year celebrations. Now that is icing on the cake!

Hopefully all you football fans will not miss this superb upcoming match on your vacation to San Diego!

Photo Courtesy: http://www.poinsettiabowl.com/

The pleasant weather of San Diego and its colorful attractions make for a great Christmas holiday spot. This year, a new Christmas-related event ‘A Christmas Tabernacle’ is all set to liven up the festive season in San Diego.

As the name suggests, A Christmas Tabernacle is all about spending a good time you’re your family and friends, having fun and soaking in the spirit of Christmas. This three day Christmas festival will take place from 16th to 18th December, 2011 at the NTC Liberty Station in Point Loma.

Imagine Christmas trees, spectacular lighting, strolling carolers, music and the falling snow! A delightful sight, no doubt! The venue of A Christmas Tabernacle will turn into some kind of winter wonderland. Since San Diego has everything but one thing it doesn’t have is snow. But at A Christmas Tabernacle, visitors won’t miss the falling snow on Christmas.

A Christmas Tabernacle promises something for all age groups. You can take your kids to the Fune Zone area where children can enjoy carnival games and inflatables. A Christmas Tabernacle is not only for kids. Adults too can have lots of fun. Bring out the child within you and chill out with your children and friends.

Watch the engrossing puppet theater, check out Santa’s Village with its live reindeers, enjoy delicious food at the food court, listen to story readers and groove at the Christmas concerts and musical performances. And there is more fun lined up with Christmas-themed plays and skits, nativity scene, interactive workshops, and other fun activities.

During Christmas, San Diego will receive plenty of tourists. So make sure to do your bookings in advance. Reserve your rooms preferably in a San Diego lodging from where NTC Liberty Station and other attractions such as beaches and shopping centers are nearby.

Regarded as a Value Price leader amongst budget San Diego hotels, California Suites Hotel is located right in the heart of San Diego. From the hotel, you can commute conveniently to all major tourist spots including NTC Liberty Station and enjoy such colorful event to the maximum without worrying about parking or traffic jams.

California Suites Hotel provides fine services at affordable prices. From Internet access, complimentary breakfast, large warm open swimming pool, to free parking. California Suites Hotel has everything to make your stay comfortable and memorable one.

As mentioned above, this is the first time, A Christmas Tabernacle is taking place and promises to be a lot of fun. Don’t miss it on your San Diego vacation!

Photo Courtesy: 101things.com

We all do some shopping, sightseeing, lazing around, playing at the beaches. How about attending a charitable event which allows you to do some good work and at the same time is a lot of fun too?

The 9th Annual Cruise for the Cause Blood & Bone Marrow Drive Car Show will take place on 13th August, 2011, Saturday at the Otay Ranch Town Center in Chula Vista, San Diego.

Presented by the MAGIC 92.5, one of three radio stations under the Local Media San Diego umbrella, this year the Cruise For The Cause Car Show is expected to receive more than 15,000 people.

At the Cruise For The Cause Car Show, you can expect to see a range of cars such as Lowriders, Tuners, SUV’s, Hot Rods, Customs, classic cars, and even bikes and motorcycles. All vehicle participants have to register by 12th August by paying $20 as entry fee for the car show charity event. You can also check out entertaining concerts and performances by various musicians and bands as well ranging from Rising Star Band, Stranger, BETO to DJ Todd Himaka.

Many children lose their lives because they are unable to receive a bone marrow match. This event aims to raise awareness about this cause and also supports the American Red Cross. If you are in good health, this is great opportunity for supporting the cause by donating blood. Your one good gesture can save a life. Besides a part of the funds raised will be donated to help homeless mothers and their kids and those children who are suffering from cancer.

If you are planning a San Diego vacation in August, do spare some time to attend this event which is for a good cause and do your bit for this noble venture. It will be a uniquely satisfying experience for you. As San Diego receives plenty of tourists in the month of August, it always a good idea to book your rooms in advance and to take advantage of the awesome discounts being offered by various San Diego hotels.

Considered as a Value Price Leader, California Suites Hotel is one of the leading budget hotels in San Diego from where Chula Vista and various other attractions are nearby. The hotel is well-known for providing good facilities at affordable prices which include complimentary breakfast, safe deposit box, large outdoor warm swimming pool, Internet access and more. Besides, California Suites Hotel is also considered as one of the leading extended stay hotels San Diego and offers great rates for extended stay and home away from home kind of environment to people looking for long term stay. In short, the hotel is convenient, comfortable and affordable.

Photo Courtesy: www.examiner.com

Sea World is one of the prime attractions of San Diego. The famed killer whale Shamu, sea lions and so much more at the Sea World attracts millions of tourists each year. However the charm of Sea World during the Summer Nights, which officially begins from 18th June and goes on till 5th September, 2011, is incomparable.

Every year during summers, the Sea World celebrates the Sea World’s Summer Nights when the entire park transforms into some kind of magical land where fireworks and entertaining shows go on till late in the night.

Once there, check out the Sea Lions Tonite – it is one of the funniest shows. You will be splits watching sea lions – Clyde and Seamore doing a mocking imitation of TV shows and other popular shows in a light and good-humored way. Want to watch some spectacular acrobatics? Then visit the Cirque de la Mer where you will see talented acrobats performing acrobatics combined with music and special effects. This show will surely leave you awe-struck.

The major highlight of the Sea World is of course the famous Shamu. It is so much fun watching Shamu break dancing. And be assured that your kids will love it. Don’t forget to check out Shamu’s nighttime show called Shamu rocks. Watching this show which combines the feats of Shamu with some rock-n-roll music and the amazing animation on the multimedia screens doubles the fun.

And of course what better way to end the day than watching dazzling fireworks explode the sky into brilliant lights. The ‘Into the Blue’ show takes place every night during the Sea World’s Summer Nights. Imagine how magnificent the sky above the park will look with the display of colorful fireworks along with orchestral music playing in the background. There is so much fun at the Sea World’s Summer Nights that you will ask for an encore.

During summers, San Diego receives a large number of tourists, so book your rooms in advance. There are plenty of San Diego hotels which offer commendable services at budget prices. One of such hotel in San Diego is the California Suites Hotel which is conveniently located just 15 minutes away from the San Diego International Airport. The hotel is centrally situated from where Sea World and all other major attractions are just a stone throw away which lets the guests enjoy their trip to the fullest and save time on commuting and parking.

California Suites Hotel provides complementary breakfast, a large warm outdoor heated swimming pool, laundry services and much more to make the stay of guests enjoyable and memorable. The hotel also offers affordable extended stay packages to provide a home away from home experience to visitors looking for an extended stay hotel San Diego. In short, the hotel is convenient, comfortable and affordable.

So what are you waiting? Summer is here so get set to have a time of your life at the  Sea World’s Summer Nights.

Photo Courtesy: feedagg.com

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.

Photo Courtesy: sandiego.about.com