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 annual musical extravaganza of San Diego is back again this year and is attracting music lovers from around the world to assemble in the picturesque location of La Jolla. Music aficionados converge to share, present, discuss and explore new world-class compositions and musical innovations at this fest every year.

The La Jolla Music Society’s SummerFest 2009 is being held from July 31st to August 23rd at different venues in the city. The nationally reputed music festival will feature over 70 renowned music artists and ensembles from around the world performing in 13 concerts with rich classical compositions. And don’t forget to book affordable San Diego vacation rentals in advance because all roads will lead to San Diego once the event commences at the end of this month.

The La Jolla Music Society in its present avatar was established in 1968 with the aim of promoting the finest classical music and encouraging musicians from around the world. Over the years, it has evolved as one of the major presenters of classical music in the West and a hot destination for music lovers from across the world who flock to San Diego to participate in this musical extravaganza.

Since its commencement in 1986, the SummerFest has been host to more than 600 renowned artists as well as ensembles and nearly a quarter of a million audiences at different venues in San Diego and over the airwaves nationwide.

This year, the La Jolla Music Society’s SummerFest 2009 will be featuring celebrated artists from Baroque to Mendelssohn and the Romantics. The performers include Menahem Pressler, Mark O’Connor, Andreas Haefliger and Michael York, and other such renowned artists. Don’t miss the much awaited SummerFest Gala which will witness a magical celebration of “A Midsummer Night”, on August 14th at the Robert Paine Scripps Forum in the amazing ocean-front Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

SummerFest will also be offering an array of free Enrichment Activities including Coaching Workshops with the performing artists. Plus music aficionados will have a wonderful opportunity to witness Open Rehearsals and see performances take shape as musicians confront the challenge of orchestral compositions. And if you are passionate about new innovations in complex chamber music, don’t miss the Encounters, as it unfolds to take music to a whole new level. Grab the rare opportunity of soaking in classical music in all its beauty by participating in the host of free activities packed in the fest.

Come and join in the infectiously lively spirit of music lovers in this splendid show. To avoid the last minute rush, book your accommodation at economical San Diego vacation rentals offered by California Suites Hotel, San Diego’s Value Price Leader. Remember, the Piano Extravaganza on the opening night of July 31st at MCASD Sherwood Auditorium is not to be missed!

Pick Courtesy: LaJollaMusicSociety.org

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.

Just a short walk from the La Jolla commercial area, lies one of the most beautiful beaches called La Jolla Cove. Located in the La JollaUnderwaterPark ecological preserve, La Jolla Cove is surrounded by beautiful cliffs and offers some magnificent views.

Considered to be a world famous diving site, the feature that sets La Jolla Cove apart is the awesome diving experience it offers. Whether you want to dive during day or in the night, La Jolla Cove would never leave you disappointed.

The best time to dive is early in the morning when parking is easy to get in one of the paid lots or go for diving in the night when the rush is over. Be it day or night, diving in La Jolla Cove is an experience that you would never get anywhere else. With its abundant undersea life, La Jolla Cove undoubtedly, is a paradise for any die-hard diver.

La Jolla Cove is home to a great diversity of marine animals. You will find some magnificent lobsters in the area. But don’t try to touch them or catch them. Catching marine animals is forbidden in La Jolla Cove.

You can dive, swim, and snorkel in the calm, clear and deep waters of La Jolla Cove.

Lifeguards are stationed year-round for your safety. Even if you are not the adventurous type, you can simply spread a towel, lie down and sunbathe, read a book or picnic with your group. La Jolla Cove has got everything to make your day thoroughly enjoyable.

La Jolla Cove in San Diego is something, you must include in your itinerary. As far as lodging in San Diegois concerned, we provide the ideal accommodation and facilities at budget prices. Our hotel is located nearby to La Jolla Cove from where you can just stroll down to the beach.

Dive in and let the crystal clear waters of La Jolla Cove take you into a different world altogether. Come and have a diving experience of a lifetime!

All set for an affordable family vacation package in San Diego?But have you decided what all you would need in San Diego?

Here is a list of important items to bring along on your vacation to San Diego.

• San Diego normally remains warm. So don’t forget to carry sun screen lotion to prevent sunburn and tanning. And sunglasses are a must in San Diego.
• Keep binoculars handy, especially if you’re in town during whale-watching season from December to March.
• While the weather is great in San Diego; evenings get cold, even in summer, so carry along a light sweater or a jacket.
• Bring along comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing and lots of walking on the stunning beaches.
  
• San Diego has miles and miles of amazing beaches. Carry your camera, lots of film rolls, and extra batteries to take wonderful pictures. While traveling put your undeveloped film in your carry-on baggage, as the x-rays of screening equipments for checked luggage can damage undeveloped film.
• No matter which place you are headed to, always carry your medications in your carryon bag in case of some emergency.
• Although San Diego has lots to offer to children but if your kids still insist, let them bring their own backpack of toys and books.
  
• Don’t forget to carry along your charger to keep your cell phone alive.

Planning ahead will greatly reduce the chances of you forgetting any key items. One good travel packing tip is to jot down items that you have to carry along and keep it close to the suitcase you are filling. And have all your bookings for hotels or rentals in San Diego confirmed on the net in order to avoid any trouble later on.

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.