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The Night Life

Are you in San Diego for the weekend, a much needed-romantic get-a-way or a family vacation? Either reason, you won’t want to miss San Diego at night.

While San Diego hosts multiple attractions that will really test the indecisive, most of these are only open during the day. San Diego’s fun doesn’t end with the sun set though.

Make room in your itinerary to see the San Diego night life. You may be the tourist-type that just wants to stroll, watch the hustle and bustle of excited travelers and locals out on the town, and take in the scenery with all the glittering electric lights. If this is you, there are plenty of safe areas to walk around and enjoy the best of the night life.

If you prefer doing rather than observing, the city offers a variety of entertainment options. You can catch a movie, do some fancy dining, club hop, or dance the night away. San Diego’s down town has a wide range of dining choices for differing budgets. If you’re looking for a several course meal, than jump at the opportunity to dine at one of the several Italian Trattorias. If you need a more family-style meal, there are plenty of family-friendly eateries. If you enjoy foreign foods, you will be intrigued by the variety down town San Diego has to offer.

And then if you are the type of traveler that can’t leave without an ample supply of souvenirs, enjoy San Diego’s massive shopping options. In downtown there is the Horton’s Plaza which features over a hundred shops and stores. If you are hoping for a chance to find new fashions and top-of-the-line designer clothes, you can find it here. If you just want some simple knick knacks or San Diego memorabilia, this is the right place. Note: Any purchase from any store can earn you three hours of free parking.

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Tips for Planning Your Trip

With the overflowing amount of travel information about San Diego, it may be difficult to sift through the brochures and advertisements to find the information you want.

If you are planning a trip then sit back and take a deep breath. Below are some travel-planning tips to make the vacation planning process easier.

1—San Diego is a very popular tourist city since it boasts spectacular beaches, historical sites, shopping and more. Ask your friends, co-workers, and family who have visited to give you their feedback. There is nothing like word of mouth to give you a real picture of what to expect.

2—Collect the brochures and travel guides you have and skim them over. There are also a lot of internet postings to further illustrate and describe the highlights of San Diego. Mark the ones you are the most interested in and take time to make an organized list with your family. Put the attractions in order of priority.

3—If you are like most people, your money will not spread as far as your interests, so choose your top two or three main attractions and budget in ticket costs, entrance fees and dining to the overall price. Then take a few minutes to evaluate your choices and see if there is any way to cut costs or save some cash.

4—Once you know what you want to do and where you want to go, then review hotel choices. You will want to find a hotel at a reasonable price that is conveniently located near some of the attractions you will be visiting. Be sure to book your reservations in advance and call the hotel to find out any further details.

5—Plan on seeing San Diego again. There is no way to fit in all that this city has to offer in one go, so plan to come again!

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High Fashion for a Low Price

You just love to shop? Do you find yourself parusing catalogues in your spare time or planning a weekend trip to that new mall an hour away? Well, San Diego has what you want. You name it, they’ve got it. This sun-filled city in Southern California has the full range of various shopping experiences from high-end boutiques to retail outlets to consignment stores to gallery and museum gift shops. Plan on your next big shopping spree being here. So grab your purse and a good pair of walking shoes, and you’re ready for the shopping of your life.

The first place you will want to stop for high-quality at a low price is Las Americas which is a superior outlet mall with tons of discount stores. It is a fifteen minute drive from down town San Diego to San Ysidro where the outlet mall is located. This is this side of the American-Mexico border. While this shopping center is hugely popular, there is an abundance of parking and plenty of dining available.

This spacious, open air outlet mall features over one hundred stores ranging from cosmetic shops to leather goods stores to jewelry shops to large department stores, so give yourself plenty of time to browse and bargain shop.

It is recommended that you allocate a significant amount of time to Neiman Marcus Last Call. This impressive store boasts great bargains from this high-end retailer in all departments: women’s and men’s clothing, furniture, accessories, houseware, luggage, and more. You won’t want to miss this shopping luxury.

It is said that San Diego’s high society sometimes shop here for their evening-out outfits. Designer clothing such as Armani, Oscar De La Renta, Dolce and Gabbana sell for great deals up to 75% off the original price. You will only be spending hundreds of dollars rather than thousands for a new trendy wardrobe that is sure to knock the socks off of everyone at home. Prepare yourself for some real fashion-forward ensembles at a decent price.

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A Trip to Sunny San Diego

If you’ve been trying to save money for a trip to sunny San Diego, your tax refund might be the best way to finance your vacation plans. For many Americans, this is their yearly opportunity to receive a substantial lump sum to put towards a fun goal. So, reward yourself for a full year of hard work by taking the trip of your dreams!

Golfing in San Diego

While it’s not actually sunny every single day in lovely San Diego, the weather is pretty awesome! This is one of the few US cities where it’s actually comfortable to hit the golf courses every single day. Whether you’re just having a friendly game or you’re out for blood, an afternoon or two spent on the manicured greens of the local San Diego championship golf courses is a great activity to include in your vacation plans.

The San Diego Zoo

If you’re taking the entire family to San Diego, don’t miss the San Diego Zoo! This is one of the most popular attractions for both tourists and local residents. Get ready to enjoy the sights no matter what time of the year you choose to visit this zoo. Your family will see a wide variety of traditional zoo animals as well as a few unexpected species. Don’t be surprised if this is the highlight of the trip for your kids! They may continue talking about the San Diego Zoo for years.

Don’t Waste Money on Your Refund

With all of the free online tax filing sites out there today, don’t waste money paying someone to fill out your forms. Not only will you receive your refund faster, but you’ll also have more of your hard-earned money in your pocket when you arrive in exciting San Diego!

Once you experience the fun and adventure of San Diego, you’ll want to return year after year!

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Am I Really Saving Money?

Traveling can be expensive especially when airfare or gas costs come in to play. So on your trip to San Diego, your first impulse will be to slim down the expenses. Remember though that what may seem like the cheapest option is not always the best bargain.

If you plan carefully, you can save money.  Consider some of the following travel and tourist tips and tricks to help you decipher what is a true money-saver and what is not.

1—Hotel prices in San Diego have been rising over the past few years. It may seem enticing to book the cheapest reservation possible, but this is not always wise. You need to consider the whole picture. Some hotels that advertise low prices actually charge you extra things that come with the hotel package in other hotels. For example, low-price advertised hotels may tack on extra fees such as internet fees, parking fees, etc. They also may be located too far out of the way from tourist attractions to be convenient or cost-efficient. Shop around taking all factors in to consideration. Book the best hotel situation for the best price.

2—When reviewing stealer deals and packages, read the fine print and call customer service to ask lots of questions. Find out if there are any additional fees. If you ask directly, they will let you know. Typically the best time to travel to San Diego is in the off-season. This includes the months of October, November, January, February, and March. During these times you should really be able to secure better prices.

3—Instead of buying tickets for each tourist attraction, looking into city passes or organizations that offer passes that cover multiple locations, such as a visit to the San Diego Zoo and Sea World. Typically these passes have a time limit for about a week, but you save money by not dishing out cash for all the various ticket prices.

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Free Things to Do in San Diego

Are you planning a trip to San Diego soon? With travel expenses and that trip to the zoo, you may be wondering how to fill up the rest of your time with fun, inexpensive entertainment.

Here are some free things to do in San Diego, so get ready for some fun without the price tags attached.

1—of course, there is the beach. San Diego boasts 70 miles of gorgeous sand and refreshing surf. Bring your bathing suit and sun lotion and prepare for a day of fun in the sun. If you want to do more than swimming or sun bathing, most discount stores offer beach toys (i.e. beach balls, Frisbees, shovels, and buckets) at dirt cheap prices. Pack a lunch and you are set.

2—Visit San Diego’s “Old Town.” Here free tours of San Diego’s oldest neighborhood are free and give you a glimpse in to the past. If you do feel like splurging, there are an abundance of Mexican restaurants in this area of town that feature delicious Mexican cuisine.

3—Balboa Park: San Diego has the largest urban cultural park in America. Not only are there leisure paths and gorgeous landscapes, but the park features over 25 museums and other intriguing attractions ranging from astronomical to horticultural. The Visitor Center conducts free guided tours on Friday afternoons and there are free Sunday organ concerts. The museums also offer free entrance on Tuesdays on a rotating basis. With so much to see and experience, you won’t want to miss out.

4—La Jolla. This is a quaint, romantic town by the sea. Although the shops are expensive, window-shopping and gallery gazing are enough to feast your eyes. It is an unforgettable experience and you will love the views and seeing the tide pools.

5—ARCO Olympic Center is a great place for sports buffs to watch their favorite Olympic athletes train. Come see what sweat and energy has to go into those gold medal Olympic performances.

As you try out some of these ideas, you will create unforgettable memories and save money too!

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The Torrid History of the San Diego Gaslamp District

Today the Gaslamp District is an amazing place to visit. However, it has a torrid past. By 1880, the Gaslamp District boasted numerous gambling halls, prostitutes and saloons. In 1913, a crackdown forced gambling establishments and prostitutes to move elsewhere. Eventually, the Gaslamp district returned to its old ways and in the 1970s, it was filled with peepshows, pawnshops and adult bookstores. It was not a tourist attraction and certainly not a place you would want to live.

There was talk of revitalizing the area in the 1980s but it wan only talk. The late Jim Croce’s wife, Ingrid Croce decided she was going to open a restaurant in the Gaslamp District. From there the story goes, the District experienced a breath of fresh air and a new life. Today, the Gaslamp District covers almost 17 blocks and contains some of San Diego’s best restaurants, theaters, shops, music venues and clubs.

The Gaslamp District is no longer a seedy part of town filled with drifters. It is a wonderful place to enjoy the day or late evening. Many of the restaurants have outdoor seating and you can enjoy a meal while people watching. You can spend hours browsing through many of its unique and eclectic shops. After dinner, you can take in a movie or stop by one of the many music venues or clubs for a late night of dancing.

Much of the architecture from its early days has been preserved. While remnants of the past still exist, the Gaslamp District has left its seedy passed behind. It has developed in to one of San Diego’s favorite places among locals and tourists. When visiting San Diego, you will want to stop by the Gaslamp District to enjoy the unique features of the past while enjoying the comforts of the present.

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Enjoyable Sites to Visit in Downtown San Diego

Downtown San Diego contains a number of attractions and numerous activities. You can plan to spend the day in the heart of downtown. The first item on your agenda should be to ride the ferry to Coronado.

You will enjoy a 15-minute ferry ride across the beautiful San Diego Bay to the Coronado Ferry Landing. The Coronado Landing is large market on San Diego Bay‘s waterfront. The scenery is amazing and you will enjoy amazing shops and restaurants. You can enjoy a relaxing day browsing and enjoying a meal on outdoor patios. The Ferry makes runs back and forth every half hour.

If you love history, you will enjoy visiting several maritime museums in downtown San Diego. The fees are reasonable and you can take a short excursion around the bay in San Diego’s Harbor Pilot Boat. The pilot boat was placed in service in 1914. You can visit the Medea which is a 100 year old steam ship built from steel, oak and teak. One of the tourist favorites is the Star of India, which is the oldest sailing ship in use in the World.

To top the day off, you can take a cruise around San Diego Bay. The Hornblower cruises last around three hours and you can enjoy a delicious buffet style meal. You can relax and enjoy the stunning scenery of San Diego Bay. The cruises are great for families, groups of friends or even a romantic date.

Downtown San Diego offers many unique and fun activities. You do not have to worry about driving and travel time. Most activities are within walking distance of each other. There are several trolley cars that run through downtown and you can easily make use of them instead of driving. This is a great way to spend a relaxing day in San Diego.

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San Diego on a Budget

For the budget minded, there are numerous ways you can visit San Diego with a tight budget.

To save money on travel expenses in the San Diego area you can choose from several hotels that are located within reasonable distance to the most popular attractions in San Diego. The following hotels are conveniently located and many have restaurants. The rates are reasonable and you will be in walking distance to many attractions.

  • Holiday Inn Express Old Town
  • Comfort Inn & Suites SeaWorld/Zoo
  • The Dana on Mission Bay
  • Kings Inn Mission Valley

To save additional money, you can choose to stay at many of the affordable extended stay hotels. These hotels feature kitchens and you will save a great deal of money if you eat in. San Diego features several affordable grocery stores so you can stock up for your stay. The following stores are affordable and offer a wide variety of healthy foods:

  • Henry’s Pacific Beach
  • People’s Coop at Ocean Beach
  • Trader Joe’s at Hillcrest or Pacific Beach

Once you are in San Diego, you will want to stop by the Convention and Visitors Bureau. Here you will find free information on local attractions. You will also get coupons and discounts for attractions and restaurants. This helpful staff will also provide you with cost savings tips and advice.

You will find many wonderful free parks in San Diego that offer miles of hiking and biking trails. One of the best parks to visit is Balboa Park, which features museums and beautifully landscaped scenery. You will find many discounts offers at the Visitors Bureau for most of the museums. In addition, many of the museums offer free event throughout the week.

There are many free things to do in San Diego. This is a great place to visit if you vacation dollars are tight.

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The San Diego History Center

The San Diego History Center is a fantastic museum to visit with children. The center is located in the center of Balboa Park. The library of the center contains an astonishing 45 million documents and over 2.5 million photographs and pictures of San Diego’s rich history. The center provides lectures, educational and workshops along with many fascinating exhibits.

If you are on a tight family budget, you can visit the center on the second Tuesday of the month for free admission. Otherwise, the admission is $6 for adults and $2 for children ages 6 to 17. Children under 6 years old are admitted for free.

The family programs are fun and interactive. A wonderful program for grandparents and their grandchildren is the Grandparents and Me Theatre Workshop. This is a pleasurable way for grandparents to bond and have fund with their grandchildren.

The center also provides a theatre workshop for the entire family to enjoy. Children love this program. You learn everything there is to know about putting together a theatre production. After the lessons are complete, each family gets to put on their own production. This is a fun way to spend time with your children and the children enjoy the excitement of creating their own production. There are several different programs to choose and most usually take two or three hours to complete.

If you have pre-school children, you will love the History for Half Pints program. Your children get to enjoy playing with other children, participating in crafts and story time. While your children are enjoying the fun activities, you can chat with other parents.

The San Diego History Center is an affordable way to spend quality time with your family. The center has numerous exhibits that the entire family will enjoy. The wonderful interactive programs are fun and educational.

 

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