What's New in San Diego, Summer 2019 April 2019 Major Attractions in March 2019, LEGOLAND California Water Park Opened Riptide
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Sarah Weinberg (619) 557-2838 [email protected] Robert Arends (619) 557 -2834 [email protected] Edna Gutierrez (619) 557-2887 [email protected] Joe Timko (619) 557-2812 [email protected] PR’s Twitter @VisitSD_PR www.sandiego.org What’s New in San Diego, Summer 2019 April 2019 Major Attractions In March 2019, LEGOLAND California Water Park opened Riptide Racers, the newest slide in the Surfer’s Cove water park. Guests grab a mat and race down one of six water slides side by side, making it fun to try to be the fastest in the family. (4/19) SeaWorld San Diego’s new dueling roller coaster, Tidal Twister, will make its debut on May 24, 2019. A first of its kind adventure, this unique ride is an exhilarating experience that demonstrates the power of the ocean. Accelerating to 30 mph, riders will twist and bank as if riding the tide along a tight figure-8 track that includes a dynamic zero-G roll at the center section. Two trains, holding 16 passengers each, load at opposite ends of the figure-8 track and cross in the center with guests facing both forward and backward on the trains. A height requirement of only 48" makes this a perfect ride for younger guests and family members. Also, in 2019, the park is offering a lineup of year-round seasonal events, all connected to a cause that reflects SeaWorld’s Park-to-Planet commitment to help save the ocean and the creatures that live there. (1/19) Hotel and Casino Renovations Sycuan Casino Resort in San Diego’s East County completed a $260 million expansion in March 2019 that elevates the range of onsite amenities including a variety of new restaurants from fast- casual to fine dining, meeting and event space, a full-service spa, fitness center and a state-of-the-art pool and gardens area with a lazy river and swim-up bar. Sycuan also renovated a newly expanded casino floor for a total of 2,800 slot machines and 54 table games in a variety of gaming options. Anchored by restaurants from CliQue Hospitality, a Las Vegas-based group behind some of that city’s most notable properties and helmed by San Diego native Executive Chef Aldo Negrete (Lionfish, Rare Form, JRDN, Whisknladle), Sycuan’s new dining venues include Bull and Bourbon, Elicit Bar & Lounge and Retreat Pool & Cabanas. Part of the renovation includes an all-star food court with outposts from some of San Diego’s favorite local eateries (Phil’s BBQ, Lucha Libre, Hodad’s and more). Sycuan is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (4/19) 1 New Hotels Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton San Diego Airport/Liberty Station opened in March 2019 offering 181 spacious rooms adjacent to Liberty Station’s 360 acres of parks, arts organizations, restaurants, meeting space, commercial offices, and shopping that now make up what once served as a primary training station for new Navy recruits until 1997. The Nimitz Bridge connects the beautiful new hotel to the heart of Liberty Station, and both Spanish Landing Park and San Diego International Airport are less than one mile away. The property features custom design décor, a state of the art fitness center, a board room for small gatherings, and an outdoor pool. Every Hampton by Hilton guest has access to the brand's signature free, hot breakfast with healthy options; On the Run™ breakfast bags, and free wi-fi and other value-added amenities. (4/19) Opening in June 2019, The Guild is a 162-room Marriott Tribute Portfolio property housed in the historic landmark, 1920s-era Army-Navy YMCA building in downtown San Diego. The new boutique design will revive a hospitality space that served as a place of respite and leisure for millions of service men and women. The Guild’s exterior Italian Renaissance-style facade and grand staircase will be left largely untouched, and guests will be welcomed into a redesigned contemporary lobby that includes a full-service bar. Guest rooms will appeal to diverse travelers with everything from cozy, European-inspired accommodations to a two-bedroom penthouse suite with private rooftop deck. Luca restaurant, headed by Executive Chef Justin Vaiciunas, will highlight the city’s indoor/outdoor lifestyle with a main room centered around an outdoor courtyard, an urban oasis in the heart of downtown with sunshine and olive trees, and a menu that offers light Mediterranean- inspired fare. The YMCA’s former basketball court with elevated running track will be transformed into a grand ballroom featuring original brick wall inlays and hardwood floors. The underground pool on the basement level will be reimagined into a one-of-a-kind event space with some original design elements intact. Various private spaces throughout the property will be available for special meetings, celebrations and signature programming. (10/18 with updates) Carté®, a new luxury lifestyle hotel from Curio Collection by Hilton,™ will open Summer 2019. Located in San Diego’s vibrant Little Italy neighborhood near downtown and San Diego Bay, Carté offers 246 distinctive, modern guest rooms that are fiber wired and offer wireless internet along with a 55-inch 4K LED TV. Custom designed furniture includes an oversized work desk, plush pillow- top mattress and fiber bedding. Each guestroom has a refrigerator and floor to ceiling windows. The spacious executive guestrooms include a sitting area and spectacular views of San Diego bay and downtown. Watercolors Restaurant is the on-site eatery, serving quality sea-to-table cuisine for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Guests can explore the region’s wines by sampling varietals from Southern California and Northern Mexico at Fonte di Vino, and cocktail lovers can enjoy a stunning sunset with handcrafted libations at Above Ash Social, the 16th-floor rooftop venue. Carté guests have access to Fit Athletic Club, providing yoga, hot-yoga, spin classes and a cross fit course for additional fees. The hotel’s 4th floor Amici meeting space has architecture and design elements depicting San Diego’s beach communities, and the 1,200-square-foot venue has floor to ceiling windows and three 80-inch built-in LED TVs. A private dining space inside Watercolors Restaurant is called “Branzino,” and can host events for up to 35 guests. The hotel offers exclusive space on the rooftop for social and private events. (originally posted from 10/16 but updated 4/19) Major Events 2 The first annual Port of San Diego Festival of the Sea occurs on Memorial Day weekend, May 25- 27, 2019, and is one of the keynote events during 2019 in commemoration of the 250th anniversary of San Diego as the first European settlement on the West Coast. On board several of the historic vessels of the Maritime Museum and along the adjacent scenic North Embarcadero region of downtown, the festivities will include artist exhibitions, educational fun for children, daytime harbor cruises, tall ship gun battles on San Diego Bay, sunset sailing, movie nights, live entertainment, and a dockside on-deck pub. Additional 250th anniversary events include San Diego 250: Where California Began held July 16 and Founders’ Day Old Town San Diego on Sept. 14, 2019. (4/19) The San Diego County Fair, the largest annual event in the county, takes place May 31–July 4, 2019, at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. With this year’s theme, “Ozsome,” visitors will journey to the Emerald City, drawing on courage in the whirlwind of carnival rides, expanding brain power through the creative and educational exhibits, and discovering “There’s no place like the Fair.” The fair features top performing artists and popular attractions like the International Beer Festival, deep-fried food novelties, livestock exhibits, home and hobby displays, woodworking and an award-winning flower show. The fair is closed Mondays and Tuesdays in June, but remains open Monday, July 1 and Tuesday, July 2. San Diego celebrates Independence Day with a variety of Fourth of July celebrations throughout the county. Coronado's popular Independence Day Celebration features a two-hour parade followed by a family concert in Spreckels Park and spectacular fireworks over Glorietta Bay. The Port of San Diego celebrates with its Big Bay Boom fireworks extravaganza over San Diego Bay, the largest fireworks display in the county. The Maritime Museum, Hornblower and Flagship cruises all offer special firework viewing tours of the Big Bay Boom. LEGOLAND California Resort in Carlsbad celebrates July 4th with Red, White and BOOM! Special family activities are available throughout the day with the fireworks starting at 8:30 p.m. Del Mar Thoroughbred Club celebrates its 80th horse racing season in 2019, kicking off with the annual hat contest on opening day, July 17, and closing with a Party in the Paddock on Sept. 3. The summer meet will offer racing Wed.-Sun. with an additional race day on Labor Day and special events ranging from a summer concert series to wine, beer and BBQ celebrations and weekend family fun days. The racing continues with a fall season occurring Nov. 8–Dec. 1, 2019. The theme for San Diego Pride 2019 is Stonewall 50: A Legacy of Liberation. The second largest event of its kind on the West Coast, San Diego Pride will honor and reflect on the Stonewall generation, their activism, and all that the LGBTQ+ community has gained through their efforts. Residents and visitors alike celebrate with pride July 12-14, 2019. The weekend includes a mile-long parade through Hillcrest and two-day music festival in Balboa Park. The celebration begins the week before with She Fest on July 6, followed by a Spirit of Stonewall Rally on July 12.