Thirty miles due east of San Diego is a whole other world of casino excitement at its best. Surrounded by Native American decor, those eager to experience Las Vegas-style gaming can pursue their interests within a safe and relaxed atmosphere. All the usual games of chance are open 24 hours a day, plus a full bar, live entertainment and fine restaurants. Newly opened is the $30 million factory outlet center, where you can watch nightly water, laser and pyrotechnic displays.
Up for a little Las Vegas-style excitement? Drive 45 minutes east of San Diego to find it all without ever leaving California. Off-track wagering, cards, video machines, and Bingo are all found here. Hob-nob with the high rollers, join the masses at the slot machines, try your luck at the Blackjack 21 tables or just enjoy fine dining and glitzy entertainment.
The centerpiece of the blissful Balboa Park, the San Diego Zoo is a prolific destination for adults and children alike. Spread over 98.84 acres (40 hectares) of diverse landscapes, the zoo is home to an excess of 3,500 fauna that belongs to 650 species or subspecies. Established in the year 1916, it is one of the few non-profit wildlife conservation zones to nurture the highly-endangered Giant Panda. Laden with man-made habitats that emulate various topographies from around the globe, the park's most-visited exhibits includes the Monkey Trails, the Polar Bear Plunge, Elephant Odyssey, Tiger River, Koalafornia and the Panda Trek. Virtually every nook and corner of the zoo is made conveniently accessible by the beloved Skyfari, a gondola system that spans across nearly 75 percent of the property.
The United States' largest urban cultural park is also one of the world's most scenic, with a dazzling array of museums, entertainment venues, botanical gardens and architectural landmarks. The world-renowned San Diego Zoo is just one of the many treasures nestled within the verdant expanse of this 1,200-acre (490-hectare) park, set aside as a reserve for public use as early as 1835. The 1915-16 Panama-California Expo and the 1935–36 California Pacific International Expo left behind a wealth of architectural jewels strewn across the park, including the California Building fashioned after the typical design of a Spanish Colonial Church and now home to the San Diego Museum of Man. Fifteen museums, award-winning theaters, an antique carousel, a miniature railroad and the Spanish Village Arts Center come together at Balboa Park to celebrate the cultural diversity of the state and its inspiring natural landscape.
Located right along the Navy Pier in downtown San Diego, the USS Midway Museum lends deep insights into naval aviation and one of the important chapters of American history. The museum is home to the iconic USS Midway, which has been one of the country's oldest aircraft carriers. A famed naval museum in the United States, it also shelters an arsenal of other significant carriers, most of which were crafted in Southern California. The museum is complete with simulators, myriad deck exhibits and the stirring Battle of Midway theater. The museum has also been a host to an array of private, media and sporting events.
This club is a prime spot to hear new and cutting edge music in San Diego. Bands such as Nirvana, Smashing Pumpkins and Alanis Morissette have been among the previous guests. Local bands play here as well, primarily featuring a punk-rock flavor. In addition to music, the club offers pool tables, an enclosed smoking patio, vintage pinball and video games. A stage and dance floor provides plenty of room to dance. Meanwhile, the full bar serves a long list of beverages.
Julian Chamber of Commerce provides all the information about this small town. Fresh apples in the fall, star gazing on a summer's evening, lilacs by the armloads in spring and snow in the winter. These are the delights ready for you when you visit the tiny town of Julian. Established in 1869, this small town invites you to visit the many gold mines here or spend the night in the historic and supposedly haunted Julian Hotel. Try the other country charmer, Orchard Hill Country Inn, go for long walks, take a carriage ride down Main Street or shop at the many boutiques.
Travelers get a warm welcome at these non-profit, volunteer group booths serving business and leisure travelers at all the major transport hubs of San Diego. Major sites include: Terminals 1 and 2 at the San Diego International Airport and the Santa Fe Depot (main train station downtown). While the Society can offer crisis and short-term assistance, most of the help goes to visitors who have arrived in town without hotel reservations. Volunteers find an available room in the right area and price range, actual booking is done through the hotels. There is no fee for the Society's services.
House of Ukraine exhibits the culture, history, and traditions of the Ukrainian people. It was founded in 1935 and is dedicated to furthering understanding between national groups in the United States. Along with hosting the Ukrainian Festival, it also participates in many other related events. These events include the Ethnic Food Fair (Memorial Sunday), the Lawn Program, Christmas on the Prado (first Friday and Saturday evenings of December) featuring Svyatij Mykolai (St. Nicholas), and a seasonal Ukrainian Christmas display featuring Christmas music and ethnic foods.
This is the dream tour for beer enthusiasts. The tours allow you to get a behind the scenes tour of local breweries were you can sample a wide range of drinks and after trying the drinks you can buy your favorite drink to have on the ride the next brewery or to take home. The tour includes transport by sober but not sobering drivers, pub grub, a commemorative beer glass and other souvenirs.
The House of Charm is a historic structure that is nestled in the Balboa Park. This building that was once known as the Indian Arts Building, currently houses the Mingei International Museum and the San Diego Art Institute.