San Diego St. Patrick's Day Parade and Irish Festival

Enjoy the spirit of an Irish festival while in San Diego! The bagpipes, marching bands, drill teams and floats! Does that ring a bell? Yes, the 33^rd annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Irish Festival is going to take place on 16^th March, 2013. Regarded as one of the largest single-day events in San Diego, the  St. Patrick's Day Parade and Irish Festival attracts thousands of visitors every year.

The event will be kicked off with the flag presentation ceremony at 10 am in Balboa Park and the parade will commence at 11am from Sixth Avenue and Juniper Streets in Balboa Park. Thereafter, the parade will move towards north on Fifth Avenue to Upas, then to Sixth Avenue and will finally conclude at Juniper Street.

There are going to be more than 120 entries for the parade. Hence the visitors will be in for a visual delight as colorful floats, clowns, dancing groups will take over the street. There will be equestrian entries, marching bands, bagpipes, drill teams, roller skaters, Emerald Society units, scout troops, police and fire department units and antique cars. Besides there will be some representatives from Ireland and the reigning Miss Colleen.

Irish Festival in Balboa Park

The fun is not limited to the parade only. Alongside, St. Patrick’s Day Parade Festival will also start at 11am. It is a complete family-friendly FREE event where you can enjoy listening to folk singers at two entertainment stages.

After watching performances, savor delicious food at the food booths, buy souvenirs from craft booths and enjoy beer at any of the two beer gardens. In addition, there will be celtic village where you can watch renaissance re-enactments, enjoy story-telling and Irish dance and songs. Keeping kids in mind, the festival will also have a Kid Zone where children can enjoy rides, rides, face-painting and other interesting activities.

Any visitors planning to come on San Diego vacation in March can include this event in their itinerary. St. Patrick's Day Parade and Irish Festival promises a day full of fun. As spring is a great time to be in the city, you can find lots of SanDiego hotels located in convenient location that provide affordable accommodation.

San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair

Imagine two days of non-stop entertainment, enthralling dragon dance, awe-inspiring martial arts demonstrations and acrobats! All this and more will be seen at the San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair.

The 31^st annual San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair will take place on 16^th and 17^th February, 2013 from 10am to 5pm at the Third Ave and J Street in downtown San Diego. This event marks the celebration of the Chinese Lunar New Year in San Diego with zeal and enthusiasm. 2013 marks the year of the snake- the year of togetherness, friendship and family.

Sponsored by more than 25 organizations, the San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair aims to foster better understanding of different cultures. Entry to the event is FREE.

Have you ever seen Chinese acrobats? It is mind-blowing. At the San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair, you will get to watch astonishing martial arts demonstrations by experts, enjoy colorful lion and dragon dance, Chinese folk dance, music performances and LIVE stage performances.

And you will love the soul-stirring, dynamic taiko drumming. There will be various interesting activities for children to. Kids can participate in the Lantern Parade or try making colorful masks and lanterns in the Children Craft Area.

Once done with watching superb performances, gorge on mouth-watering food at various commercial food booths.

Planning a vacationto San Diego in February? Do include San Diego Chinese New Year Food and Cultural Fair in your itinerary. It is a wonderful event that is enjoyed by people of all age groups.

For accommodation, you can choose from a range of various San Diego budget hotels which provide fine services at affordable prices.

Celebrate Art with “California Open Wildlife Art Festival”

Here comes the GOOD NEWS for all art lovers!

Pacific Southwest Wildlife Arts – a nonprofit organization established to support and promote wildlife art – invites all art lovers at the 40^th annual "California Open Wildlife Art Festival”.

To be held on February 16–17, 2013 at “Corky McMillin Event Center, 2875 Dewey Road, San Diego, CA.”, “California Open Wildlife Art Festival” will feature 150 artists, wildlife painters and carvers from different regions of the US, Japan, Russia & Canada. Since there will be an art competition, the visitors will get to witness the best works of art from the renowned artists.

Wildlife painting, which originated 40,000 years ago in the form of cave paintings, is appreciated all across the world as an example of artistic brilliance. The exhibition-cum-competition has garnered nationwide reputation for being one of the best wildlife art shows and competitions in the US with its characteristic detailed and lifelike representation of wildfowl species.

Celebrate your WEEKEND with the art festival. Come with your family and friends. Show timings are from 9:30 am to 4 pm. There is ample free parking space. Entry donation is $5.00. No entry fee for children under 12.

Highlights of “California Open Wildlife Art Festival 2013”:

• Carving competition: Fish, Birds and Wildfowl

• Vendors of tools & supplies

• Antique decoys & appraisals

• Features exhibits, sales and best works of wildlife artists

Visit http://www.pswa.net/california-open-wildlife-art-festival-2013 & http://www.sandiegocoastlife.com for details.

Participate in California Open Wildlife Art Festival this February and make your San Diego vacation even more memorable.

San Diego beckons with its varied events and festivities and for lodging in San Diego, you can take your pick from a long list of budget hotels in San Diego.Book yourself an affordable yet comfortable accommodation in San Diego. If you are planning a longer sojourn, go for an extended stay in San Diego. An extended stay package works out to be more affordable for a long term stay.

Whale Watching Everywhere from December till April

Right from December till April, one thing that nobody wants to miss is the whale watching cruises.

These five months are whale watching season when more than 25,000 California Gray Whales migrate from Alaska to Baja California.

As gray whales migrate south during this time, they travel close to the San Diego shore which allows locals and visitors on a vacation to San Diego to have close encounters with the marine animals.

Various whale watching cruises and sailing adventures take place during this time. You can spot whales on a cruise or from land and while going on a kayaking tour as well. And its not just whales. You also get to spot playful dolphins, seals and lots more. The clear waters of La Jolla offer a great opportunity to sight whales.

You can go on La Jolla Kayak Whale Watching tours from December to March. Kayaking in La Jolla bay is itself amazing and watching whales only make the experience more memorable. But remember, you need to be a swimmer to go for this La Jolla whale watching tour.

Another way to watch whales is by going on Hornblower Cruise and Whale Watching Adventure. Hornblower Cruises include whale as well as dolphin watching cruises daily from December till mid April. These cruises begin at 9:30am and go on till 1:30pm.

The beginning of the whale sighting season is the best time to spot whales i.e. December to February is the prime time.

Hence if you are coming on San Diego family vacation in December or January, do include whale watching event in your itinerary. Watching these marine animals play and swim around is an exhilarating experience.

San Diego Restaurant Week

To the delight of all “FOODIES”, San Diego’s Restaurant Week is back!

Treat your taste buds at San Diego's Restaurant Week, to be held from Sunday, January 13 through Friday, January 18 2013.   

With over 180 restaurants throughout San Diego participating in the celebration of Restaurant Week, food lovers can relish over 140,000 diners and savor 3-course meals, specially prepared for the occasion, at discounted prices.

Depending on the restaurant, 3-course meal is available at $20, $30 or $40 per person. From this year, San Diego’s Restaurant week will also feature lunch to the menu. Diners can enjoy different delicacies in 2-course meals at $10, $15 or $20 per person.

Don't miss the opportunity to dine at a location you normally avoid because of the cost. You can also revisit the restaurants to try international flavors you have not tasted before. San Diego Restaurant Week is another temptation for an extended stay San Diego in addition to a fun-filled and adventurous San Diego vacation. 

You need no tickets to be a part of this event. Just book your slot at any participating location, show up, pick your favorite cuisine from their menu and enjoy the food!

The list of participating restaurant includes:

• 100 Wines Hillcrest
• 333 Pacific
• Anthony's Fish Grotto La Mesa
• Anthony's Fish Grotto San Diego Bay
• Bertrand at Mister A's
• Blue Point
• Croce's Restaurant & Jazz Bar
• Davanti Enoteca Del Mar
• Greystone steak house
• Gaslamp Strip Club
• Oceanside
• Kelvin at the W San Diego
• La Jolla Strip Club
• Taste of Thai Hillcrest
• The Fish Market- San Diego        
• The Melting Pot- Gaslamp

Refer to http://www.sandiegorestaurantweek.com/restaurants  for complete list and prices.

Don't worry if you don't want to spend much on San Diego lodging. With different affordable yet comfortable motels in San Diego, you can enjoy the San Diego Restaurant Week to the fullest.

Photo Courtesy: dguides.com