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 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.
One of the most important ballparks of Major League Baseball (MLB), Petco Park is a baseball fan's haven and the base of the San Diego Padres. Its unique architectural layout is an ode to the region's geography and its natural allure. The framework of the stadium resonates of the surrounding peaks while the steel edifice and enclosing structures are designed like canyons. Landscaped with indigenous plants and featuring a lush area picnic hill, this magnificent stadium boasts to have the best seats for not only sports lovers but also concert goers.
Fun for adults and kids, this museum-on-water is the focal point of San Diego's historic Embarcadero Promenade. Comprised of several painstakingly restored historic ships, it is a tribute to the sea-faring age. One of the ships showcased at Maritime Museum of San Diego is the Star of India (1863), a stunning vision that graces the coastline as the world's oldest actively-sailed, square-rigged ship.
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.
St James By the Sea Church is a place where much happens. With worship services and lots of music, there is never a dull moment out here. And if your hunger pangs act up in the midst of all the activity, fret not, for there is a quaint little Cafe to meet your needs with gourmet coffee and fresh pastries. The church can be rented out for weddings and private occasions too, for that lovely seaside ambiance.
Part of the San Diego Center for Jewish Culture, the Gotthelf Art Gallery contributes to the mission of preserving and upholding the essence of Jewish culture. Housed in the Jacobs Family Campus at the Lawrence Family Jewish Community Center, the gallery nurtures the rich and diverse cultural exquisite of Jewish origins through its varied collections and exhibits. It regularly hosts cultural activities and art events to highlight its purpose. Docent tours and art receptions are open to the privileged few who extend their support to the gallery.
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.