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

Automobile aficionados and aviation enthusiasts can tighten their seatbelts for Annual American Heritage Car Show

Automobile aficionados and aviation enthusiasts can tighten their seatbelts for two exciting events lined up in San Diego in late May and early June.

The 15^th Annual American Heritage Car Show is set to take place Saturday, May 26, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and will provide a visual treat of out fabulous vehicles in a beautiful setting, Grape Day Park, Escondido, CA. With close to 250 vehicles parked on grass, this is one of the nicest car shows anywhere.

Start the day off at 9am with a delicious pancake breakfast. Then, walk the park to find your favorite car, while listening to a DJ spinning classic rock ‘n roll tunes. Buy some raffle tickets and you might win a fabulous prize. Local car dealers sponsor this show, which benefits the non-profit Escondido History Center. They’ll be on site with some new cars for you to see, too. Vendors offer a variety of merchandise, but you don’t need to spend any money to enjoy the American Heritage Car Show. Spectators are free, and so are tours of the Escondido History Center.

This year’s show honors local builder Randy Clark of Hot Rods & Custom Stuff. Entry for spectators is free and vehicle entry is $25. No dogs or alcohol allowed.

For aviation enthusiasts, the 17^th Annual Wings Over Gillespie air show is set to provide a great time for the whole family on the weekend of June 2-3, 2012. As “A Salute to 100 Years of U. S. Marine Corps Aviation”, the 17^th Annual Wings Over Gillespie air show is again planning to feature the awesome howl of airplane engines such as WWII bombers, F4F Wildcat, the TBF Avenger, the A6M Zero, the SBD Dauntless, and many more “Flying Museums” including the only remaining of their type, the Northrop N9M Flying Wing and the F3F Flying Barrel.

Also on hand will be USN/USMC helicopters and other static displays, Navy SEALs, special military and law enforcement vehicles and equipment, and much more. The gates open for the air show performance from to 9 am to 4 pm, at Gillespie Field in El Cajon on the show days.

The Air Show is a unique family, vacation day event with a special KidsZone area. Amusements, rides, entertainers, games and prizes, face painters, education displays, a great variety of food and beverages, and SHADE, will be abundant for the entire weekend. We will also feature a Beer Festival to add to the festivities of a great summer weekend for all. With the new SR-52 extension that now connects to SR-67, Gillespie Field is now more accessible than ever.

The air show is a glorious commemoration of American History:
- 70th Anniversary of WWII
- 70th Anniversary of Doolittle Raid
- 70th Anniversary of Battle of Midway
- 100th Anniversary of Marine Corps Aviation
- 100th Anniversary of El Cajon
- 70th Anniversary of Gillespie Field

If you are planning a San Diego vacation in late May and early June, do not miss out on the heritage car show and the air show. Make your room reservations in a San Diego hotel which is centrally located. Approved by the AAA and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, the California Suites Hotel is a leading budget hotel in San Diego which offers easy and convenient access to all the top attractions of San Diego. All the popular beaches including Harbor Beach, La Jolla Cove, Pacific Beach, Mission Beach are nearby. Even shopping centers, Balboa Park and other major attractions are a few minutes away.

Well-known for its hospitality, California Suites Hotel provides fine services at affordable prices which include continental breakfast, large swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more.

Main source for content: Yelp.com/Events
Main source for content: Air Group One of the Commemorative Air Force

Photo Courtesy: new-car-automotive.blogspot.com

As the month of April is approaching, lots of pulse-racing San Diego Padres games are going to be played in the San Diego city.

In the city of San Diego, baseball games are watched and enjoyed a lot by a large number of baseball fans. One of the most popular baseball teams in San Diego is the San Diego Padres. Founded in 1969 and based in San Diego, the San Diego Padres is a Major League Baseball team, which has won the National League Pennant twice.

As the month of April is approaching, lots of pulse-racing San Diego Padres games are going to be played in the San Diego city. This year the San Diego Padres will compete against different teams at the Petco Park. You can catch the San Diego Padres take on the Los Angeles Dodgers on 6th – 8th April, 2012.

Similarly from 10th to 12th April, 2012; you can watch an interesting match between San Diego Padres and Arizona Diamondbacks. San Diego Padres will take on Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals on 19th – 20th April, 2012 and 24th – 26th April, 2012 respectively. Likewise you can catch various other interesting matches between San Diego Padres and other teams such as Milwaukee Brewers and Miami Marlins.

To enjoy the game reach Petco Park as early as possible to get parking easily. If you are planning a San Diego vacation in April or May, and if you love baseball you must not miss the San Diego Padres games.

Stay in at a San Diego lodging from where Petco Park is nearby. California Suites Hotel is a leading budget hotel in San Diego which is centrally located and offers fine services. From the California Suites Hotel, Petco park is just a short distance away.

Approved by the AAA and a proud member of the San Diego’s Chamber of Commerce, the California Suites Hotel provides impeccable services and facilities which include continental breakfast, heated large swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more at affordable prices.

Photo Courtesy: zimbio.com

Whale watching is an annual ritual of San Diego which has now become known the world over. The reason is that the migration of California gray whales from the chilly Alaskan seas to the warm water lagoons of Baja California is a unique natural phenomenon specific only to this region.

If you are a nature lover, and especially fond of watching marine life from up close, whale watching is a delightful adventure which you will enjoy with your family and kids. A San Diego vacation planned around this time is never complete without a whale watching cruise.

As the winter gently slips into spring, thousands of these “peaceful giants of the sea” come within a few miles of the San Diego coast on their 5,000-mile southern journey. It is a natural wonder that these whales travel the longest distance any mammal migrates on an annual basis and they birth and rear their young in the placid warm lagoons of Baja California.

From mid-December to mid-April, San Diego offers a great lineup of whale watching events. Book your rooms in advance in a conveniently located San Diego hotel and plan out an itinerary where you can enjoy some of these cool events.

Next Level Sailing and the Maritime Museum of San Diego - a unique 4-hour whale watching experience aboard the139-ft. long sailing yacht America, a historic replica of the world’s first America’s Cup winner (on going, December 17, 2011 – April 15, 2012)

Birch Aquarium at Scripps and Flagship Cruises & Events – Narrated, 3.5-hour whale watching cruises out of San Diego Bay (on going, December 26, 2011 – April 15, 2012)

Hornblower Cruises and Events – A 3.5-hour deluxe whale watching adventure cruises in partnership with San Diego Natural History Museum, (on going, December 10, 2011 – April 15, 2012)

H&M Landing – Daily 3-hour whale watching cruises (on going, mid-December through mid-March) and 6-hour cruises (on going, late December through May)

OEX Dive & Kayak Centers – A 2.5-hour Whale Watching Kayak Tour (on going, December 15, 2011 – March 1, 2012)

Adventure RIB Rides – A thrilling fast paced whale watching excursion aboard an authentic 30’ Navy SEAL Rigid Inflatable Boat (R.I.B.) (on going December 17, 2011 – April 15, 2012)

La Jolla Kayak – Close encounters with grey whales and other marine life including sea lions, garibaldi and leopard sharks through 2.5-hour tours along the La Jolla coastline and through La Jolla’s incredible Sea Caves (on going, mid-December through the end of the season)

H&M Landing Special Expedition - An 11-day seagoing expedition to some of Baja California’s most remote islands and breathtaking coastal areas. Expedition includes whale watching, nature walks, beach combing, snorkeling and dune and marsh explorations (February 24 – March 6, 2012).

If you are looking to have close encounters with San Diego’s incredible marine life this March, choose a San Diego lodging which is located near the beaches. California Suites Hotel is a leading budget San Diego hotel which is known for its hospitality and fine services at affordable prices.

Guests can enjoy continental breakfast, large heated swimming pool, cable with HBO, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and more. The California Suites Hotel is ideally situated from where all major attractions including Balboa Park, Sea World, Birch Aquarium and the San Diego Zoo are nearby.

Photo Courtesy: missionbeach.com

San Diego is renowned for its museums, beaches and pleasant weather. This beautiful city also boasts of hosting high class sports events. Whether its baseball, rugby or a kite festival, San Diego city is always buzzing with events and activities. Here are two sports events which you can enjoy on your San Diego vacation in March:

Ocean Beach Kiwanis Kite Festival

Did you enjoy kite flying in your childhood? If you did, then this is the best time to get another great kite flying experience with your kids. And even if you haven’t done kite flying earlier, the Ocean Beach Kiwanis Kite Festival provides a superb opportunity to kite flying enthusiasts to learn the art of kite flying and pick up skills on how to make a good kite.

The upcoming Ocean Beach Kiwanis Kite Festival at the Ocean Beach Recreation Center on 3rd March, 2012 is considered the oldest kite festival for children in the USA. Ocean Beach Kite Festival is a free event for everyone. Your kids can learn how to make a simple kite and win prizes as well.

Besides there will be a carnival, street fair, music and nourishing food.

Ocean Beach Kiwanis

California Winter Games – Figure Skating

If you love figure skating, then don’t miss the California State Games, an Olympic-style competition in which amateur athletes of all ages can participate. During this time of the year, California Winter Games take place which include Figure Skating, Ice Hockey, Skiing, and Snowboarding.

On 3rd and 4th March, 2012, you can enjoy figure skating at the San Diego Ice Arena in Mira Mesa, San Diego.

As far as San Diego accommodation is concerned, choose a hotel in San Diego which provides good services at affordable prices. Surrounded by beautiful tropical plants and flowers, California Suites Hotel provides decent services at unbeatable prices. AAA approved, the California Suites Hotel provides continental breakfast, cable with HBO, heated large outdoor swimming pool, high speed Internet access, free parking, laundry facilities and lots more. In short, it is complete value for money.

Best part of California Suites Hotel is its location. Whether you want to go Ocean Beach, Mira Mesa or any other attractions such as Balboa Park, Gaslamp Quarter which you can reach within 15 minutes or so.

Photo Courtesy: southbayvisitorsguide.com

Lots of interesting events keep taking place in San Diego throughout the year. Here are some of the events which will take place in the month of February:

Nations of San Diego International Dance Festival

Are you fond of dancing? Then do attend the Nations of San Diego International Dance Festival. It is going to take place from 10^th to 12^th February, 2012 at the Coronado High Performing Arts Center in Coronado. Over 150 talented dancers and musicians from all over the world will participate in the event. You can check out around 18 traditional performances from different countries such as Sahar Dance Company from Middle East, World Music Odissi Dance Academy from India, Bollywood Tranz from India, Flamenco Arana from Spain,Blue Ming Chinese Dance Company from China and more. If you are really inclined towards dancing, don’t miss this event.

Mexican Modern Painting

Are you inclined towards paintings and arts and crafts? Then Mexican Modern Painting exhibition is a must for you. Set to take place till 19^th February, 2012 at the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park, this exhibition showcases paintings from the renowned Andres Blaisten Collection during the period of 1907 and 1962. You can check out the works of various artists such as Maria Izquierdo, David Alfaro and more.

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, various other top hotspots are nearby. This will make it easy for you to commute to the venue.

Photo Courtesy: indianetzone.com

The 39th Annual California Open Wildlife Art Festival and Decoy Carvers Competition will take place on February 11 & 12, 2012 from 9:30 am to 4:00 pm at the McMillan Event Center in beautiful San Diego, CA.

California Open Wildlife Art Festival will feature more than 150 artists and carvers, many of whom will compete for ribbons.

Artists and wood carvers from the United States, Canada and Japan will showcase their work. Featured work will include the traditional hunting decoy, considered an American art form.

Carvers are encouraged to freely express themselves and not be limited by rules. In an effort to simplify the rules and encourage competition, yet still attempt to honor the spirit of the classic working decoy.

This festival is organized by Pacific Southwest Wildlife Art. The PSWA has taylored the event and rules to be as follows:

• Enter what you have made and use for hunting.
• Decoys must self right and have a means of anchor attachment.
• Judges will emphasize simplicity and field markings.

Other than 1st, 2nd and 3rd BOS, all other entries will be available for sale to the public for $175. These carvers will receive $150 and PSWA will retain $25.00.

If you are planning to attend the California Open Wildlife Art Festival in San Diego, check out California Suites Hotel.

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.

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.

Come, be a part of it!

Source:
www.pswa.net/
www.iwfca.com/

Photo Courtesy: zvents.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

Are you fond of football bowl games? 7 days from today will be an action-packed day as the much-awaited Poinsettia Bowl will take place on 21st December at 5 p.m. at the Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. On this day, the TCU Horned Frogs from the Mountain West Conference will clash head to head against the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), Louisiana Tech Bulldogs. Louisiana Tech Bulldogs will be making their first bowl appearance since 2008.

Presented by the San Diego County Credit Union, the Poinsettia Bowl is taking place for the seventh year in a row. The game will be telecast on ESPN. But what is the fun of watching it on television? Instead be a part of the madness, cheer your team and have fun. The event will kick off with a parade of marching bands, and children from the Make-a-Wish Foundation will sing the national anthem.

Tailgating at the Poinsettia Bowl is an option you can try out. But keep in mind that tailgating is allowed only in the area you are parked in. Come a few hours early before the games start. Being early gives you the chance to catch up with other fans and enjoy a good time. Beer is served in the stadium. You can go hoarse cheering for your favorite players and enjoy your drinks too!

You can reach Qualcomm Stadium either by bus, trolley or drive your own car. Getting parking at the stadium can be a bit tedious. Try to reach as early as possible. You can buy tickets from the official website of Poinsettia Bowl.

As mentioned before, getting parking can be a difficult at the stadium. To avoid heavy traffic and parking hassles, stay in a San Diego lodging from where Qualcomm Stadium is nearby.

California Suites Hotel is a leading budget San Diego hotel which is centrally located in San Diego. Most of the tourist hotspots such as beaches, Balboa Park, Gaslamp Quarter, Old Town, Seaport Village and including Qualcomm Stadium are nearby. Convenient location of the hotel will save you time and help avoid parking hassles of the New Year peak tourist season.

Approved by AAA, California Suites Hotel provides excellent services to make the stay of the guests comfortable such as continental breakfast, heated outdoor spa and pool, high speed Internet, cable with HBO, free parking, 24-hour front desk, safe deposit box and more.

Both are strong teams and the match between the two is expected to be something to watch out for. Don’t miss this evening of fun on your San Diego vacation! Besides, $1 out of each ticket sold will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. So this event combines fun and charity both.

Photo Courtesy: rivals.yahoo.com

The SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration is one of the biggest draws of San Diego’s festive season.

If you have been on a San Diego vacation before, you must have seen the Sea World and the antics of the famed Shamu. However during the time of Christmas, the razzmatazz and charm of Sea World acquire a much more festive flavour.

The SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration starts in November and the celebrations will continue till the last day of the year i.e. 31st December, 2011. Till 11th December, you can attend the event on weekends whereas from 17th December to 31st December, 2011, the shows will take place daily.

Once there, you can enjoy LIVE shows under the stars, meet with Santa, watch silly antics of dogs, cats, and birds in Christmas Tails show, do some ice skating with your kids, and share some funny moments with sealions. And of course do not forget to watch Shamu’s Christmas show which includes music, Christmas carolers, Live singers and saxophonist. The Shamu show converts into some kind of winter wonderland with Christmas trees and decorations.

Besides you can also experience the wonders of The Polar Express 4-D show which is about a  young boy who boards a train to the North Pole, and realizes how the wonders of life never disappear if you believe in them. If you come to attend the SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration, DO NOT miss this 4D show at any cost!

Since plenty of tourists land in San Diego for the Christmas and New Year celebrations, it is recommended that you choose your hotel in San Diego very carefully. First of all, make sure that the hotel provides good facilities. Besides, several San Diego accommodations are providing attractive San Diego vacation packages and discounts around this time, so pick a hotel which gives you good discounts.

Another factor which most tourists overlook is the location of the hotel. Ideally, your San Diego lodging should be centrally based so that you can commute to various destinations by reducing the likelihood of traffic congestions.

California Suites Hotel is a San Diego hotel which is strategically located and from where Sea world, Balboa Park, beaches and shopping areas are nearby. So you get to save time and avoid the New Year’s traffic jams.

AAA approved, California Suites Hotel offers fine services and facilities including heated outdoor spa and pool, breakfast, cable with HBO, high speed Internet, free parking, 24-hour front desk, safe deposit box and more. In short, California Suites Hotel provides the best value in San Diego.

Holiday spirit/cheer is in air. Attend the SeaWorld’s Christmas Celebration to make your festive season even more interesting.

Photo Courtesy: attractionsmagazine.com