Take the Ferry to the Landing- Board the San Diego Harbor Excursion Ferry and head on over to the Coronado Ferry Landing.  The perfect place for your day trip! 

You’ll discover a charming collection of shops, art galleries, fine restaurants and fun eateries surrounded by swaying palms, waterfalls and Coronado’s best skyline view of downtown San Diego.  Rent and bike or surrey and explore.  At the end of the day head back to the Coronado Ferry Landing for dinner and make sure to stay for the 9:30pm San Diego Symphony Summer Pops firework show.  Last Ferry Departs Coronado at 10:30 pm on Friday and Saturday.

Ride The Trolley into Old Town or the Gaslamp District-  There are 101 Places to go on MTS Trolley’s and Buses but this weekend, take the Trolley into one of San Diego’s most historic and vibrant cities. 

Relive the Mexican/California flavor of the mid-1800’s in Old Town with colorful shops, flavorful restaurants and festive live music. There are over 15 historical sites in all, including California’s first schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop, stable and the states first newspaper office.  Stay late and enjoy one of the many Ghost Hunting Tours and explore some of Old Town’s most haunted locations. MTS Trolley Blue and Green line.

The Gaslamp Quarter is a 16 block, 38 acre national historic district in the heart of Downtown.  Streching from Broadway to the waterfront, the Gaslamp Quarter has almost 100 Victorian Building that now are home to some of the city best dining and entertainment establishments.  These buildings represent some of the best commercial structure constructed in San Diego between the Civil War and World War 1.   Take a 90 minute walking tour with Back Alley Tours and experience the legends of the “Stingaree” — the turn-of-the-century Redlight District. Stroll through the sites of 1912’s biggest scandal:  The brothels that housed the infamous “sporting life ladies,” the privileged club rooms of city fathers, and the Police Headquarters where their suffragette wives declared war on the whole system. MTS Trolley Blue and Orange Line.

Head to the Beach- Get up early and stake your claim on a fire pit. A beach bonfire is a time-honored tradition California residents and visitors enjoy as the sun goes down over a perfect California beach evening.  Some of our favorites locations:

Harbor Beach- Oceanside’s largest beach, offering everything from surfing to volleyball. The Oceanside Harbor, adjacent to Harbor Beach, has many amenities including variety of restaurants and shops. In the harbor, you can sail, spend the day on a deep-sea fishing boat, whale watch, rent kayaks or visit the marina. Fishing is an option from the jetties.. Facilities: the area behind each lifeguard tower has picnic tables, barbecue grills, gazebos and showers. There are restrooms and telephones, a snack bar and some volleyball courts (you supply the net and ball). And there are 24 fire rings for the perfect bonfire!

Parking: there are a number of parking lots in the Harbor beach area.

Directions: From Interstate 5, take the Harbor Drive exit, west; Harbor Drive will take you directly to the entrance of the Harbor.

Mission Beach- Is popular for bicycling, roller blading, swimming, surfing, and volleyball. Various shops, restaurants, and beach rental outfits surround the area. The Mission Beach boardwalk  provides inexpensive fun and is a great way to relax and enjoy the freedom of just hanging at the beach.

Facilities:On the beach side, miles of bustling boardwalk with lifeguard and bathroom outposts. On the bayside, quiet coves and pedestrian paths. Down the middle, takeout food and liquor stores, carnival rides, surf shops and beach bars.

Parking:Extensive free public parking is available on the north and south side of Belmont Park, and at the foot of West Mission Bay Drive. There is additional parking in two lots across the street adjacent to Bonita Cove.

Directions:Take Interstate 5 to Grand Avenue. Follow it west to Mission Boulevard. Take Mission Boulevard south the roller coaster at West Mission Bay Drive.

A few bonfire tips: available on a first come, first served basis. The burning of rubbish is prohibited. Only wood, charcoal, or paper products may be used as fuel. Fuel for the fire may not exceed a height of more than twelve inches above the upper edge of the fire container. The fire must be extinguished before leaving the beach. 

Festival of Sail 2010 September 2nd thru the 6th, 2010

Fun for the Entire Family

The Festival of Sail is an annual event with something for everyone. The event is held over Labor Day weekend each year and starts with a bang! Cannon fire will salute the entrance of the tall ships from all over the world as they parade around San Diego Bay passing by Harbor Island, Shelter Island, Seaport Village and the Coronado Bridge ending up at the Maritime Museum’s docks.

The five day event includes live entertainment from a variety of genres including; Contemporary Rock, Sea Chanteys, Mariachi’s, Steel Drum Bands, local community groups, etc. Tthere will have a petting zoo where kids can get up close and pet a variety of animals. Cruises on San Diego Bay, cannon battles, sailing on racing yachts, over 150 arts and craft vendors, multitude of food options, interaction with pirates, and more… www.sdmaritime.org/festival-of-sail

California Watersports www.carlsbadlagoon.com

Seaforth Boat Rentals www.seaforthboatrental.com

Surf Ride www.surfschool.surfride.com

Pacific Beach Surf shop www.pacificbeachsurfshop.com

San Diego Parasail Adventures www.goparasailing.com

Xplore Offshore www.xploreoffshore.com

California Speedboat Adventures www.speedboatadventures.com

From San Diego Bay, Mission Bay, Carlsbad Lagoon, and beyond, the 70+ mile coastline of San Diego has plenty to explore.
Rent a boat for the day, buzz around in a Waverunner or just cruise as you let the wind guide you on a sailboat. Seaforth Boat Rentals, and California Watersports each offer a myriad of options to get you out on the water. Whether you want some power behind the wheel or some fast, fun action on a Waverunner, they can surely provide the means to a great day on the sea.

California Watersports.(760) 434-3089. www.carlsbadlagoon.com.  Seaforth Boat Rentals-3 locations. (619) 223-1681. www.seaforthboatrental.com.

During the summer The San Diego Natural History Museum and H&M Landing have teamed up to present nature trips at sea where passengers can expect to see Blue Whales, pods of dolphins, sea lions, sea birds and more. Ship’s passengers will have an opportunity to learn about all they see through commentary and interpretation by the Museum’s highly trained volunteers known as the “Museum Whalers.” www.hmlanding,com, www.sdnhm.org. (619)222-1144.  Trips depart Thursdays and Sundays 10 AM to 4 PM.  
For a whale watching expedition and sunset sail combination, contact Yacht America (800)644-3454. www.stars-stripes.com. Excursions are offered twice weekly.

The Blue Whale is making a comeback and San Diego is especially lucky to have a population of them off our coast. To be able to spend a day offshore watching these giants is a marvelous opportunity.

Experience the adventure of a lifetime on our Speed Boat Adventure Tour.  A guided and narrated San Diego Harbor Tour with a twist.  You are able to navigate and captain your own speedboat for the entirety of the tour while following our trained and knowledgeable guides to experience the best of both worlds – the THRILL of driving your own speedboat, and the safety of having a skilled guide introduce you to the beauty of San Diego Harbor.  The witty yet historical narration is done through wireless disposable headsets that are given to each customer.

On our fully narrated tour for 13 miles on the Big Bay, you will have a once in a lifetime view of Navy Ships, Aircraft carriers, the Coronado Bridge, the famous Star of India and the historic ships of the Maritime Museum, the cruise ship terminal, Seaport Village, the downtown skyline, and all the wildlife that call San Diego Harbor home.

Tour Includes:

• Your own F13 mini speed boat
• USCG approved life jacket
• Bottled water
• Instruction covering
       • Boating basics
       • Rules of the road
       • Tour hand signals
       • Professionally trained guide leading and narrating the tour

Driving our 13 foot mini speed boats is exhilarating as well as easy and suitable for first time boaters. *NO EXPERIENCE OR BOATING LICENSE REQUIRED*

Your boat is very safe, stable, and comfortable. Our boats are equipped with all the necessary coast guard approved safety equipment. Each boat can carry up to 3 persons and is powered by a super-quiet, eco friendly 30 horsepower outboard motor.

Easy to drive!  You will be sitting in a comfortable cushioned seat.  You steer the wheel just like a car, and have a throttle on your side with 3 positions (forward, neutral, reverse)  You can cruise slow or as fast as a jetski. Our boats do have a storage compartment but bags can get wet so beware.

During the summer, The Speed Boat Adventure Tour is available five times daily (9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, 5pm). Call and reserve your boat today!

619-294-5852

http://www.speedboatadventures.com/

Click here for a map to Speedboat Adventures!

To marvel at the rest you must be on the water, and the best way to explore them is on a kayak. 

Expect to get wet and to witness incredible wildlifesuch as seals, sea lions and dolphins. In addition to spectacular views of Torrey Pines and Mount Soledad, some tours also explore La Jolla’s Underwater Park and/or Ecological Reserve.

Because of their range and adaptability, kayaks can be a useful mode of transport for other outdoor activities such as diving, fishing, and wilderness exploration.  Many tours are available for kayaking and exploring the sea caves.

La Jolla Kayak (858) 459 – 1114. www.lajollakayak.com   Hike Bike Kayak (858) 551 – 9510. www.hikebikekayak.com.

Looking out across the park, one sees a variety of different structures, many of them built for different purposes at distinctive points in San Diego’s past. The Panama-California Exposition of 1915-1916 was commenced to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal. As the first American point of call from the Panama Canal, San Diego’s involvement in the exposition seemed only natural. The very symbol of San Diego, the California Building, was actually designed and built for this very exposition. Many recognize this building by the elaborate tower, designed specifically to resemble a Spanish Colonial Church. In 1916, the now World Famous San Diego Zoo was begun, today housing one of the greatest collections of flora and fauna, all located in San Diego’s heart, Balboa Park. The Spreckels Organ Pavilion, and the redwood lath Botanical Building were created for the Panama-California Exposition as well, and still exist for visitors’ enjoyment today. Being able to step into these structures, and take part in the organizations that have survived for decades, provides any visitor with a sense of historic relevance, and for some a grand sense of nostalgia.

From 1935-1936 the California-Pacific exposition was well under way, introducing a variety of architectural, horticultural, and artistic elements to the Park, just as the Panama-California exposition had before. This exposition used many of the initial structures created during 1915 and 1916, differentiating San Diego’s Exposition from other’s across the United States. Some of the remaining elements of the exposition include the Alcazar and Cactus Gardens, and the Spanish Village. The Spanish Village was created to mirror a traditional village of Spain, and although created as a temporary exhibit, its beauty and charm became so popular it was allowed to remain. Today it houses a thriving art community, expounding on the distinct personalities that make San Diego intensely interesting.

As time progressed, Balboa Park became a popular destination for visitors, and would at times house the armed forces during WWI and WWII. Some of the most recognized elements of the park, such as the Lily Pond adjacent to the Botanical building, became rehabilitation areas for injured servicemen. Several of the historic buildings were also used as barracks for the armed forces which were training at camps only short distances from the Park. Often times during WWII servicemen took the opportunity to display their skills on the Spreckels Organ, hoping to lift the spirits of those around them. The Park was also home to several fundraisers for the war effort during this time. Shows were held, primarily at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, which welcomed servicemen, locals, and visitors to the spectacles upon the stage. Throughout its history, the Park has also graciously welcomed a multitude of political, social, and artistic performers and orators. Many can recall hearing former President Herbert Hoover give a moving speech to Balboa Park crowds, as well as remember shows featuring choirs, dancers, and instrumental performers. Film stars and royalty have continuously visited the Park as well, adding to its international intrigue.

Perpetuating the ideals of San Diego’s founders, Balboa Park today has grown to encompass a variety of cultural and educational institutions. Today there are over 15 different museums, all of which offer something interesting, fun and delightful for any individual. With museums displaying varying centuries of art, others depicting the amazing grace and power of athletes, and still more analyzing the anthropological growth of the human species, it is unlikely you will ever see everything that the museums have to offer. Feel you are more likely to be at home taking in San Diego’s incredible weather and fabulous sunshine? Balboa Park is home to a vast array of unusual, stunning, and informative gardens. Experience the rich heritage of San Diego by taking a walk through the historic Zoro Garden, or discover the introduction of Japanese culture into early San Diego through the Japanese Friendship Garden. Discover a helpful look into the healthful attributes of the greener side of the earth by visiting the Trees for Health Garden. Or, you can take the family to the Worldbeat Center Children’s Ethnobotany Garden. Here visitors are provided with a look at the relationship between society and plants. From museums, to gardens, to artistic ventures, the ideals of growth through education are a continuous theme amongst Balboa Park’s many institutions.

For the adventurous at heart, Balboa offers a variety of hiking and biking trails, a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of our busy, exciting city. There is a trail for everyone, varying from the easily navigable family-friendly trails; to the more difficult trails better suited for the experienced outdoor individual. Traveling through Florida Canyon at Balboa Park introduces its visitors to the stunning habitats specific to beautiful San Diego. Rocky hillsides and resilient flora, home to some of California’s most unique and unusual wildlife await those meandering through Balboa Park’s many hiking and biking paths. However, at times natural beauty is best experienced while doing nothing. Often you see San Diegan’s doing just that, lying on the Park’s green lawns, looking up at the sparkling blue sky, taking time out from the every day. These are also wonderful places to sit down with a picnic, maybe taking in a game of football with friends, or catching up with family.

The beauty of Balboa Park can be seen in so many different ways, from a variety of perspectives. From the intense floral blooms in its many gardens, to the rich historical elements of its museums, the park provides an experience for the heart, mind, and body. It might be perhaps, the truest reflection of why San Diegan’s call this magnificent city home. The rich cultural heritage, the strong historical background, and the celebration of uniqueness, all contribute to the ideals that San Diego cherishes. Without a doubt, spending a day in San Diego’s very own treasure trove of innovation will leave any person with a sense of true belonging, and an understanding as to why we call San Diego home.

Click here for a map of Balboa Park.