What's New in San Diego, Spring 2019 January 2019 Major Attractions Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC
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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, Spring 2019 January 2019 Major Attractions Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego is launching a new permanent exhibition that brings seadragon conservation to the forefront. Slated to open by Memorial Day 2019, the exhibition, which has yet to be named, will be home to weedy and leafy seadragons as well as several species of seahorses and pipefish. The centerpiece of the exhibition will be one of the most expansive seadragon habitats in the world. The 18-foot-wide, 9-foot-tall exhibit will hold 5,375 gallons of water, and the habitat is designed to create the ideal environment to breed leafy seadragons, which has never been done in captivity. With an expanded seahorse nursery, hands-on experiences for young learners and a sneak peek into the behind-the-scenes Seadragon Lab, the exhibition will immerse guests into the underwater lives of seahorses and seadragons, while giving them a peek into the work Birch Aquarium’s world-class husbandry team is doing to ensure the species survive into the future. The new seadragon exhibition will be the fourth major exhibition Birch Aquarium has opened in three years and the largest indoor aquarium addition since its grand opening in 1992. (1/19) In 2019, LEGOLAND® California Resort celebrates its 20th anniversary in San Diego’s North County. The theme park is giving children aged 12 and under a free admission on their birthday in celebration of LEGOLAND’s 20th birthday. The park is also offering special events throughout the year starting with The LEGO® Movie™ Days on Feb. 16-18 and 23-24. Movie Days celebrate the release of The LEGO® Movie™ 2: The Second Part and are filled with fun activities for guests including photos with the cast, a scavenger hunt and a LEGO build activity inspired by the blockbuster film. An exclusive attraction will also be coming to LEGOLAND California in conjunction with the movie’s opening in February. Additionally, coming in spring, “LEGO® City 4D- Officer in Pursuit,” a new 4D short film exclusive to LEGOLAND parks debuting at the Showplace Theater, will combine dazzling 3D computer animation with 4D real-world effects. (1/19) 1 SeaWorld San Diego’s new dueling roller coaster, Tidal Twister, will make its debut in May 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) New Hotels The 128-room Moxy San Diego, the first California hotel under Marriott International’s millennial- minded Moxy Hotels brand, opened in December 2018 in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter. The boutique hotel has plenty of playful touches including hotel check-in on wheels with a custom lobby "trike” for guests to receive their digital room key and Bar Moxy’s signature welcome nitro-cocktail. Moxy combines stylish design and approachable service at an affordable price point. Guest rooms are flexible and functional and feature open closet pegboards to hang clothing, ultra-fast and free wi- fi, 55-inch flat-screen smart TVs programmed with Netflix, Hulu, YouTube and more, and beds framed by an LED-lit platform. Bar Moxy offers the flavors of San Diego from morning to night with quality coffee courtesy of San Diego Coffee Co., signature and custom brews from San Diego’s buzzing beer scene, and an impressive menu of handcrafted cocktails. The bar also offers a menu serving three meals including grab-and-go breakfasts, lunch, bar bites and a late-night menu. The back of the hotel boasts the first San Diego mural by artist Paul Nandee (SWANK) that beckons visitors with Nandee’s distinctive lettering and character creations constructed with cubist angles. Moxy San Diego rates start at $250 per night. (1/19) Opening in February 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. A signature restaurant will highlight the city’s indoor/outdoor lifestyle with greenery filled surroundings and a light Mediterranean-inspired menu. 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 original design elements. Various private spaces throughout the property will be available for special meetings, celebrations and signature programming. (10/18) The new Carté Hotel & Suites San Diego is slated to open in June 2019 in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood. The 14-story hotel will include 240 upscale guest rooms and suites along with a restaurant, rooftop bar with fireplaces, wine shop, full-service athletic club, outdoor pool with spa and meeting space. The 151,248-square-foot property includes nearly 3,900 square feet of street- level retail space, 127 parking spaces on two levels of subterranean parking, 24-hour valet parking and a 2,000-square-foot plaza. (10/16) 2 Major Events Shorter days and lower tides mean Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego is kicking off Tidepooling Adventure season. Occurring now through March 2019, low tides expose hardy creatures that call the intersection of land and sea home. Birch Aquarium naturalists show guests how to tread lightly and discover the captivating world of local tide pools. They meet up with guests at Dike Rock or False Point near the La Jolla coast and look for crabs, seahares, abalone, and even tiny colorful sea slugs. Naturalists teach guests what to look for while searching for octopus’ dens, how to safely look under rocks, and help train eyes to find even the most elusive creatures. Tidepooling Adventure dates vary based on tides. Guests should check the Birch Aquarium website for more information and to purchase tickets. Pre-purchase is required; this family program is for ages 2+, and children under age 15 must be accompanied by a paid adult. (1/19) The San Diego Seals lacrosse team won the first game in their franchise history on Dec. 22, 2018, against the Colorado Mammoth in Denver. The National Lacrosse League added two expansion teams in 2019, including the San Diego Seals. The Seal’s regular season continues through April 27, 2019; home games are played at the Pechanga Sports Arena in the Midway District. The San Diego Strike Force is the newest team in the 10-team Indoor Football League (IFL). The Strike Force will play a 14-game season in 2019 with seven games at the Pechanga Sports Arena in San Diego’s Midway District, and seven games on the road. The San Diego squad will take part in the IFL’s first game of the 2019 season when it faces the Quad City Steamwheelers on Feb. 22 in Moline, IL. The Strike Force’s first home contest is set for March 3. All IFL games are streamed free on YouTube. The Strike Force’s complete 2019 schedule can be found here. During Feb. 14-24, 2019, nearly 40 San Diego performing arts organizations will participate in the fourth annual San Diego Theatre Week. This celebration of performing arts will offer a variety of promotions including special performances, ticket discounts, concession offers, cast talk-backs and more. The Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California opens in March and features 80 acres of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers on coastal farmland overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The fields have theme gardens, fresh strawberries, antique tractor wagon rides, a sweet pea maze and picnic areas, and special events and activities are organized throughout its 10-week season. Events are free with admission and include a kids’ day, photography workshop, bonsai show and sale, and Mother’s Day celebration. Concert days include bands playing zydeco, bluegrass, blues and rock ‘n’ roll. On March 2-3, 2019, downtown’s scenic Waterfront Park on San Diego Bay will host the seventh CRSSD Fest, an electronic music festival featuring top acts like ODESZA, Phantogram, Maetrik, The Martinez Brothers, and Justin Martin & Friends on three stages during this ticketed, paid- admission event for attendees aged 21 and older. Craft beer, mixed drinks, local food and a VIP area will also be available.