San Diego – Spring is here and Summer won’t be far behind, so let’s see what’s happening around town.
Family Fun Magazine recently handed out its travel awards and the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld were big winners. San Diego was on the list as one of the most kid-friendly cities and is great for couples too.
SeaWorld kicks off its 50th. anniversary with an 18 month long “Sea of Surprises,” introducing its newest attraction, Explorer’s Reef. For more, logon to www.seaworldparks.com.
Spring introduces lots of baby animals to the world famous San Diego Zoo and its Safari Park. Don’t miss the orangutan and two koala joeys at the Zoo and Leroy, the 3-month-old Ugandan giraffe at the Park. Check out their live-cams at www.sandiegozoo.org and www.sdzsafaripark.org.
LEGOLAND: There are four good reasons to visit: LEGOLAND itself, the water park, SEA LIFE Aquarium (separate admission) and the super-cool hotel. Vacation packages and discounts are available at www.california.logoland.com.
One of my “under the radar” favorites is the Birch Aquarium at Scripps in La Jolla, www.aquarium.ucsd.edu. It is part of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California. Located on a bluff overlooking the Pacific, the aquarium showcases more than 60 habitats of fish and invertebrates from the waters of the Pacific Northwest to Mexico.
Military/Government Special: The Holiday Inn Express Downtown San Diego features a package that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner, free parking and a complimentary happy hour Sunday – Thursday. All this for the $139 per diem room rate.
Las Vegas – May 8-11 brings the culinary extravaganza, Vegas Uncork’d by Bon Appétit, to town. The Bellagio, ARIA and MGM Grand will host a lineup of events, tastings and dinners featuring some of the world’s best chefs, sommeliers and mixologists. For details, go to www.vegasuncorked.com. Don’t miss Bellagio’s Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Spring Celebration, featuring over 82,000 fresh flowers; it’s free, spectacular and open through May 11. Their Summer Garden opens May 18.
Safe travels and enjoy the journey…
Howard Hian