For any trip, the best means of getting the most from your days away is to put in some forethought and research before you go. Even for the most spontaneous of people, knowing the local attractions and drawing up a rough list of what you want to see is a must. Instead of spending time whilst on holiday actually looking up places to go and getting information such as travel and opening times, you can actually be enjoying your valuable time away. It’s also a good idea to try and combine top restaurants and bars with popular exhibits, allowing you to drink, dine and experience a number of popular venues all in the same area. Utilizing gadgets such as the Garmin nuvi 1490LMT and other GPS devices can also be extremely helpful, allowing you to navigate quickly to your destination without wasting time.

Top attractions in San Diego include the famed San Diego Zoo, Sea World and Belmont Park. The zoo is a must if you’re visiting the city, and attracts thousands of people every year. In addition to being home to thousands of animals in popular exhibits such as Elephant Odyssey and Panda Canyon, San Diego Zoo is home to thousands of plants and is an important botanical garden. Sea World, meanwhile, has also gained fame throughout the world and you can save many holiday memories here by using top quality cameras to catch the action as it happens. Aquariums hold sharks, penguins, dolphins and even pilot whales, in addition to world famous killer whale Shamu. Meanwhile, rides including Shipwreck Rapids and Journey to Atlantis are very popular with adults and children alike. If you want to enjoy a theme park right on the beach, then Belmont Park is for you.

In addition to some great attractions, San Diego also has a variety of places to shop as well as explore more cultural options. The city’s Old Town is the location of the first European settlement in California and boasts an historic park where ancient buildings such as the original blacksmiths shop and schoolhouse have been preserved. The Old Town San Diego Market provides the perfect place to buy souvenirs and memorabilia for your trip, and with delicious Mexican food you’ll easily be able to spend the entire day here. Seaport Village is also a fantastic waterfront location to visit in San Diego, and offers souvenir shopping, free concerts at the weekends, and video arcades to amuse the children.

With some careful planning you’ll easily be able to see most of the major attractions that San Diego has to offer in addition to enjoying the city for its own unique charm. Locating top spots in the near vicinity of one another will allow you to maximize time spent enjoying the sights rather than finding them. By taking top gadgets on your holiday including cameras and GPS systems you can reduce your holiday hassle whilst capturing memories forever.

One of the key things for any romantic getaway, especially if it’s due to be a surprise, is to do your homework. By finding the best hotels, you can call ahead and arrange a few little extras, ensuring that your room is as romantic as possible. Britt Scripps Inn is one place that has romantic atmosphere as soon as you arrive, and with the Victorian architecture adding to the luxury sheets and indulgent atmosphere, it’s a great place to start if you’re looking for a couples retreat.

It is also a good idea to plan a few possible excursions on your trip away, allowing for romance to build as you take in the beautiful city and its wondrous sights. Using discount car rental will allow you to easily travel around so that your weekend doesn’t get caught up on public transport, and with the freedom to go where you want, when you want, you’ll be really able to explore without hassle.

If you want to indulge in the coastline, then heading to Mission Beach Boardwalk is ideal. Taking a night stroll along the boardwalk is truly romantic, and you’ll be able to enjoy live music and carnival games. Meanwhile, if you prefer someone a little quieter, then La Jolla Cove is the ultimate in seclusion and stunning views. A trip to San Diego Zoo is also a great way to spend a few hours, and whilst you may not think of it as the most romantic spot, laughing and watching the zoo’s residents can be very romantic.

Food is also famed for being romantic, and San Diego has several top spots to go if you want to indulge in a little lunch or an evening cocktail. Little Italy is famed for having beautiful Italian cuisine, whilst Seaport Village in downtown San Diego offers some great restaurants. In addition, you’ll be able to visit Coronado Bridge here, and go to the 40^th floor of the Hyatt for stunning views across the city. Day trips with a food theme are also ideal, and you’ll find that Temecula is great for wine tasting, whilst taking a trip to Julian will offer antiques shopping and some of the finest apple pie in all of America.

San Diego really offers something for everyone, especially if you’re looking for romance. By combining fun day trips, great cocktails and foods, and walks along the beach or boardwalk, you can ensure that a weekend away in San Diego is as romantic as possible.

The park’s most famous attraction is the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster. Opened for the first time on the fourth of July in 1925, this exciting coaster is one of two original beachfront roller-coasters still active on the U.S. West Coast. Now, after a mega-makeover, the Giant Dipper is ready to thrill its passengers with its sharp turns, high speed and 73-foot drop.

Other exhilarating rides include the Vertical Plunge, which climbs three stories only to dive right back down at full speed. There’s also the Beach Blaster which swings everybody on board in the air at back and forth to 120 degrees. Plus there’s the classic Tilt-a-Whirl, Bumper cars and many more!

Belmont Park is home to San Diego’s largest indoor swimming pool, the historic Plunge pool. Also opened for the first time back in 1925, this lovely huge pool is a great place to have some fun with the little ones, on the shallow end, or do some serious swimming on the deeper end. Plus, it’s the perfect place to throw your next pool party! Other places to get some fun in the water are the park’s wave machines FlowRider and FlowBarrel, both of which are sure to bring gout the surfer in you.

After so much fun, everyone’s sure to be hungry. But not to worry! Belmont Park has a different eatery or restaurant for everyone in the family. From the lovely Wave House Bar and Grill to the Wind and Sea Bar, there’s everything from cold drinks to tempting appetizers to home-style American cuisine to be enjoyed.

For history lovers, Old Town is the perfect place to learn just how the settlement of California began and has evolved. Some of the most popular historic houses include the Alvarado House, the McCoy House and the famous Whaley House. The latter is considered by many sources to be one of the country’s most haunted houses. There are also many museums such as the Wells Fargo Museum that is located in the Colorado House, and the San Diego Sheriff’s Museum.

Old Town San Diego is also a great place to shop for unique souvenirs. Places like Del Sol and the Soho Museum Shop offer visitor lovely historic reproductions, sun-powered products and all sorts of interesting Old Town souvenirs and gifts. And of course, you can’t miss taking a trip to the Old Town Market Place, where you’ll find everything you need as well as a lively atmosphere with entertainment by local artists.

There’s also a wide range of restaurants to tempt your taste buds while touring Old Town. While it is obvious that you’ll find many Mexican and Spanish delicacies, there are plenty of other choices when it comes to international cuisine, including Japanese, Italian and Latin American. Plus, there are many amazing seafood restaurants around Old Town, serving everything from fancy oyster and shrimp meals, to those that treat visitors to buckets of lobster. There’s a restaurant for all tastes and travel budgets in Old Town.

Start your magical day at Legoland with an exciting ride on one of the park’s many roller coasters. The most popular is Legoland´s trademark Dragon Coaster, which takes visitors on a huge green dragon made of Legos that zigzags its way through tunnels. For the smaller kids, there is a dinosaur roller coaster that is just as fun but not as fast.

But, Legoland is not about roller coasters alone! There are many other rides throughout the park, most of which are interactive with the rest of the crowd. Plus, you get to work out as most of Legoland’s rides are for the visitor to control and move, such as the Firefighter Ride, where you have to drive your fire engine to the fire, and then use your hose to put it out and race back to the finish line before the rest of the engines. Others like the Jet Ski ride, include audience participation while you enjoy the ride itself.

But other than the rides, Legoland is a place to dream and discover. From Duplo Village, where you will be transported to Africa with its giraffes, lions and zebras – all made of Legos, of course – to Dino Island, where you can climb inside a “Mega-Egga-Saurus” or dig up fossils, Legoland has something for every taste. Pirate Shores is the place to have some fun with amazing water attractions and thrilling sea adventures.

And of course, Legoland’s main attraction, Miniland USA, is the best place to admire true Lego works of art. This part of the park includes impressive reproductions of some of the United States’ most prominent sights, including the Statue of Liberty and more. These miniatures were made with over 20 million Legos and are visible from many parts of the park.

A tour of the city’s museums should be on the card for anybody who enjoys art, sculpture and even military paraphernalia. One of the most impressive museums in San Diego is the USS Midway Museum where visitors can witness the perils and excitement of life aboard a naval carrier. The Museum of Contemporary Arts and the Chinese Historical Museum are equally enthralling with a variety of exhibits.

The old town tour offers a new perspective on San Diego, as it was more than a century ago vis à vis the astonishing developments in the city that it is today. The old town offers visitors a glimpse into how the town looked in 1821. The area is complete with a museum, a restaurant, five adobes and shops for mementoes.

It would be a sin to be in the city and not explore San Diego Harbor Bay with a boating tour. You can choose to check out the northern or the southern parts which take an hour each or go for the two-hour tour that will take you from one end to the other.

A trip to downtown San Diego will reveal that there are several popular tourist attractions dwelling aside the secluded spots that are simply spectacular. One of the places to start your tour of the city is Little Italy, the name says it all. This part of town was once an Italian fishing neighborhood, today it holds the distinction of being one of the most picturesque parts of the city with several restaurants serving lip smacking Italian delicacies, so if you want to start your adventure on a full tummy, do not skip this part of town.

The San Diego Zoo is a ‘must see’ attraction whether you are traveling alone or with the family. While the children will be utterly delighted at the sight of over 4000 animal species, the grown ups too can relish the prospect of watching exotic animals, like the shy Pandas, in an environment that mimics their natural habitat.

The Belmont Park with its innumerable rides and the largest indoor heating pool is a treat for adults and kids alike. The area offers the perfect backdrop for a fun filled day out with the family or friends.

Hot air balloon rides are a relaxing and peaceful way to enjoy the breath-taking San Diego scenery from above. Take a hot air balloon flight for two and have fun gliding through the air while taking in the view of the Pacific coast and its mountains. You can even take a private hot air balloon flight and pop the question to your loved one while flying at 500 to 1500 feet above the ground! Is there anything more romantic?

Riding in a hot air balloon is a great way to enjoy a memorable and refreshing adventure during your San Diego vacation. And since the balloon glides slowly at a reasonable altitude, it’s also very safe. The flight itself lasts around 60 minutes and is available throughout the day. If you choose an early morning ride, remember to take an extra sweater as it can be a little chilly up in the sky. It’s also much better if you wear comfortable clothing, such as casual pants or shorts, as well as closed walking shoes.

If you decide to splurge on a private flight, remember to order a champagne package to enjoy a very romantic day with that special someone. Or, sign up for a flight with a group of six friends and delight in the lovely San Diego coastline and the tranquility of the Pacific Ocean waters. It’s also very easy to get tickets for your hot air balloon ride as they are available for purchase and delivery online. Just print out your purchase code and show up the next day at the assigned time for the ride of a lifetime!

So, next time you’re in San Diego, take the “high” way and take a tour from the comfort of a colorful hot air balloon.

Most hotels in San Diego offer discounted price because we are entering the beginning of the slower season.Check for rates and announcements. Modern-day San Diego is truly a paradise. Located between the Pacific Ocean and the rolling hills inland, San Diego’s temperate days and warm nights ensure ideal conditions for a wide range of outdoor activities. From surfing and scuba at world-class beaches to tennis and golf to hang gliding to ocean kayaking.

For those visitors more interested in cultural activities, San Diego’s beautiful Balboa Park is home to 15 excellent museums as well as the highly-regarded Old Globe theater and the world-renowned San Diego Zoo. Tourists and locals alike enjoy the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, with its massive IMAX theater, the San Diego Natural History Museum, and the San Diego Air & Space Museum, which is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution.

For those travelers interested in some serious relaxation and pampering, the San Diego area has more than its share of beautiful resorts. One of the best known is the historic Hotel Del Coronado on Coronado Island, which was declared a national landmark in 1977. The Hotel Del’s distinctive red-tile towers and Victorian architecture have been a welcome sight to visitors since its opening in 1888.

Shoppers find much to celebrate in San Diego, from several Nordstrom locations to eclectic surf fashion boutiques to the upscale elegance of shopping along Prospect Street in La Jolla. With the vast array of restaurants, visitors searching for culinary experiences will not be disappointed; it will be difficult to decide between San Diego’s fresh seafood offerings and ethnic fare from Asia and Mexico, as well as many other parts of the globe.

Similar to the successful restaurant week concept which spotlights restaurants to food lovers with affordably priced menus, the San Diego Hotel Week event showcases hot deals on hotels for travelers to indulge on a budget.

The first hotel week of its kind was born in San Diego last November (Nov.13th – 26th, 2009) and gathered 60 San Diego Hotels.
The event has considerably grown: over 90 area hotels are participating in this year’s promotion, which due to its popularity in 2009 has expanded into a month-long event. Now visitors have more time to enjoy San Diego and its many seasonal offerings for a fraction of the normal cost. ( www.sandiegohotelweek.com )

From boutique to Elite resorts, from Downtown to Carlsbad, San Diego Hotel Week has what it takes to please every budget and exceed every expectation. From Nov. 15th through Dec. 15th, during San Diego Hotel Week, the San Diego destination is officially on SALE!

A large variety of deals and added values such as: super low rates, 3rd night free, Upgraded room, Free breakfast, Free Golf, 40% off your stay…etc awaits visitors. For a list of available deals, you can visit: http://www.sandiegohotelweek.com/hot-deals.html

A sampling of some of the special hotel offers are:

• Buy two nights and stay the third night free at the luxurious Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego along San Diego Bay, adjacent to the popular Seaport Village shopping district. Same offer from the Omni San Diego: the only hotel connected to a stadium: “the Petco Park” by a pedestrian skywalk
• Stay two nights and receive a 20% discount on room rates at Loews Coronado Bay Resort, nestled on a 15-acre peninsula in Coronado and featuring an award-winning restaurant, spa and marina.
• Save 40% on Mini-Suites at the La Jolla Cove Suites overlooking La Jolla Cove in the enchanting seaside town of La Jolla.
• Save 33% + FREE Continental Breakfast for 2 at the Handlery Hotel centrally located in San Diego’s Mission Valley, just minutes away from Sea World, the famous San Diego Zoo, Old Town, museums, world-class shopping at Fashion Valley and Mission Valley shopping centers.
• Stay 2 nights and receive 50% off the second night at the Comfort Inn San Diego Zoo/SeaWorld area located on San Diego’s famous Hotel Circle, five minutes to SeaWorld, Zoo, Downtown and San Diego’s world-famous beaches.
• And if you are up for a special treat : the W, US Grant and Westin Gaslamp located in San Diego’s historic downtown – home to 140 restaurants and bars – are offering a 30% off on 3 nights and more

During November 15 through December 15, 2010, guests to San Diego can enjoy a variety of special events and activities in addition to spectacular Thanksgiving feasts and shopping for the holiday season. Among the notable events during these dates are:

• The San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival, the region’s largest wine and culinary event, takes place November 17 – 21 and features an exciting roster of culinary activities held at venues throughout downtown San Diego.
• Showcasing over 25 bands from throughout the United States and Canada, the 31st Annual San Diego Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival is held November 24 – 28 at the Town & Country Resort & Convention Center in Mission Valley.
• Cultural delights abound during the annual Balboa Park December Nights, occurring December 3 – 4 and featuring live entertainment, dance performances, children’s rides, free admission to Balboa Park’s museums, delicious foods from around the world.
• And many more