San Diego Guide 2012
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Choose Happy in San Diego Headline to run here There’s something about this beautiful place that makes people happy. There’s a lighthearted, friendly, down-to-earth vibe that inspires a positive outlook and feelings of optimism in everyone who visits. Best known for its near-perfect weather, breathtaking beauty and fun-illed outdoor recreational activities, San Diego is consistently rated among the nation’s top vacation and meeting destinations. 10 REASONS TO VISIT SAN DIEGO 6. Cultural Bounty – More than a dozen world-class museums 1. Natural Attributes – Idyllic beaches edge the Paciic Ocean present touring exhibits at Balboa Park, a 1,200-acre for 70 miles. Snow sometimes dusts nearby mountains; the treasure irst established for 20th-century expositions. desert bursts into bloom in spring. Tony-award winning theaters and spectacular concert venues provide inspiration for celebs and audiences alike. 2. Gentle Weather – San Diego boasts near-perfect weather year-round with average daily temperatures in the 70s and 7. Instant Activity – Step outside almost anywhere and you’ll sunshine almost every day. What’s not to like? see locals biking, running, walking, bird watching, kayaking and staying in motion however they choose. Bodies feel 3. Family Fun – Theme parks with wild and tame creatures good in San Diego. and thrilling amusement rides, kite lying, bike riding and countless ways to play outdoors. 8. Sublime Relaxation – Imagine drifting away on a padded lounge chair by the sea, loating in a bubbling hot tub in a 4. Simple Pleasures – Sunsets at the beach, jazzy nights in spa or gazing into a ireplace at a mountain lodge. Need we the sizzling Gaslamp Quarter and morning walks at the edge say more? of scenic bays are just a few of San Diego’s many simple pleasures. 9. Sophisticated Amusements – Musicians, actors and all sorts of artists enjoy performing for welcoming audiences 5. Fabulous Food & Nightlife – With so many fresh ingredients in San Diego. Whether you’re drawn to ska or Shakespeare, at hand, San Diego’s chefs are forever coming up with you’ll ind entertainment worthy of applause. imaginative seasonal cuisine, paired with outstanding vintages from local wineries, hip music and dance clubs in 10. Inspired Memories – We don’t know if it’s the blue skies, exciting indoor and open-air settings. ocean breezes, beautiful surroundings or near-perfect weather, but San Diego lingers in the mind forever. © Corbis San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau 1 Table of Contents Headline to run here Choose Happy in San Diego ...................... 1 Travel Value Coupons ......................... 133 Calendar of Events ............................. 7 Maps .................................. In Back Visitor Information............................. 16 Regions of San Diego .......................... 22 Features Activities & Attractions ......................... 36 59-Mile Scenic Drive / Historic Highways ...................20 Activities .......................................37 Perfect Day Itineraries . 31 Attractions . 41 San Diego from Gay to Z / Pride Parade ....................34 Casinos ........................................43 Paradise for Pets / Pet Playgrounds ......................35 Tours & Sightseeing ...............................43 San Diego Cruising / A Few Extra Days .....................40 Wineries........................................47 Make it Romantic ....................................42 Arts & Culture ................................ 48 Weird and Wonderful / Free as a Bird / Zipping About........... 44 Art Galleries .....................................49 Staging Masterpieces / Daily Specials......................50 Museums.......................................49 Musical Memories / Local Clubs / Open-Air Concerts ..........54 Performing Arts ..................................52 On and In the Water / Paddle Power .......................59 Theaters .......................................53 Craft Beer Capital / Brews & Views / Brew Tours ..............75 Sports & Recreation ........................... 55 25 Fun & Free Activities...............................134 Bicycle & Skating .................................56 Boating ........................................56 Kayaks.........................................57 Scuba Diving ....................................58 Read Our Blog Sportsishing ....................................58 Suring.........................................58 Golf ........................................ 60 Dining & Nightlife ............................. 65 Shopping & Services........................... 84 Where to Stay ................................ 88 Bed & Breakfast ..................................89 Hotels .........................................89 Camping/RV Parks ...............................111 Hostels .......................................112 Vacation Rentals.................................112 Mexico .................................... 114 Getting Around .............................. 116 Index ...................................... 122 © sandiego.org San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau 3 CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU www.sandiego.org International Visitor Information Center 1040 West Broadway (at Harbor Drive) San Diego, CA 92101 619-236-1212 / Fax: 619-230-7084 [email protected] La Jolla Visitor Center 7966 Herschel Avenue (at Prospect Street) La Jolla, CA 92037 619-236-1212 / Fax: 619-230-7084 [email protected] California Welcome Center – Alpine (East County) 5005 Willows Road, Suite H110 (in the Viejas Outlet Center) Alpine, CA 91901 619-445-0180 / Fax: 619-445-0880 www.VisitCWC.com / [email protected] Corporate Ofice 2215 India Street San Diego, CA 92101 619-232-3101 / Fax 619-696-9371 Chairman Brian Huges President & CEO Joe Terzi Senior Vice President of Marketing & Strategic Partnerships Kerri Verbeke Kapich Senior Vice President of Sales Margie Sitton Vice President of Member Development & Community Relations Eric Lund Director of Public Relations Joe Timko Director of Visitor Services Sue Mason Advertising Sales Nancy Bjork, Kate Grafton, Carol Hian, Brian Hilemon Publications Manager Vickie Van Horn Creative Services Manager Annie Pearson Creative Services Ellen Goodwin, Sandi Whitaker The San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau is a non-proit destination marketing organization that promotes the regional tourism and convention/meeting industries. Funded in part by our members, the San Diego Tourism Promotion Corporation with City of San Diego Tourism Marketing District Assessment Funds, the County and Port of San Diego. © 2011 San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau. All rights reserved. No portion of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau. Every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of information as of press time. However, the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau assumes no liability for errors, changes or omissions. © sandiego.org © sandiego.org 2012 Calendar of Events Headline to run here Dates are subject to change. For up-to-the-minute event listings January 28 - 29 CALENDAR OF EVENTS and changes, visit www.sandiego.org/eventcalendar or contact 30th Annual Chinese New Year and Cultural Fair our Visitor Center at 619-236-1212 or [email protected]. Festivities in downtown San Diego include Asian cuisine, martial arts and cooking demonstrations, cultural exhibits and Lion and See p. 17 for Visitor Center locations. Dragon dances. www.sdcny.org December – March Whale Watching FEBRUARY The majestic California gray whales make their annual migration February from the Arctic waters to the warm lagoons in the Gulf of 23rd Annual Museum Month California passing along the San Diego coastline. Pick up your FREE Museum Month Pass at any Macy’s store January in San Diego County, Temecula, or Imperial Valley and enjoy half-off admission at 40 San Diego County museums during January 15 February. www.sandiegomuseumcouncil.org Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade Commemorating the legacy of the famous civil rights leader, the February-April parade begins at 2pm on Harbor Drive along the Embarcadero. Wildflowers Bloom in the Desert www.alpha-zsl.org/mlkdayparade Depending on the timing and amount of winter rainfall, the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park turns into a wonderland of color January 15 - 20 when the spring wildflowers bloom. San Diego Restaurant Week More than 160 of San Diego’s finest restaurants participate in a February 18 celebration of the local dining scene with prix fixe menus. 9th Annual Little Italy Carnevale www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com The free event will feature various vignettes of entertainment including people dressed in traditional Venetian Carnevale regalia Jan 21 from 5:00pm to 9:00pm on India Street between Hawthorn and Big Bay Whale Days & Festival Cedar Streets in Little Italy neighborhood. www.littleitalysd.com Whale watching season has become one of San Diego’s favorite times of the year. The free family event offers a wide variety of interactive and hands on displays to learn about California gray whale ecology and conservation. www.whaledays.com January 22 Carlsbad San Diego Marathon and Half-Marathon The second-oldest marathon on the U.S. West Coast also features a Kids’ Marathon Mile the day before the big race, as well as a Health and Fitness Expo. www.carlsbadmarathon.com January 23 - 29 Farmers Insurance Open The annual PGA Tour men’s golf tournament is played at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla. www.farmersinsuranceopen.com