san diego Travel Guide

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How to Visit the San Diego Safari Park's New Baby Elephant

September 30, 2011 at 2:45 PM | by | Comments (0)

If you think about it, our beloved San Diego Zoo doesn't really have to be good at doing all the things they do. It's true that they have one of the more ambitious social media outreach programs we've come across from any travel or conservation-oriented organization, spanning multi-platform contests, constant tweet-ups, and even the baby panda iPad app that they announced just this morning.

And it's true that they have a whole slew of special behind-the-ropes tours and special experiences on-site for guests who want to get beyond the public exhibits, which—inasmuch as they have polar bears and pandas inside—are themselves kind of awesome.

But the point is that they don't really have to do any of that, because every year the Zoo and its sister Safari Park seem to have more and more cute newborn things for guests to coo over. Given this year's crop of baby hippos, baby elephants, and baby Satanic Leaf-tailed Geckos (totally true, totally real), the two locations kind of seem to sell themselves.

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Inside the American Airlines Admirals Club at San Diego Airport

August 19, 2011 at 10:22 AM | by | Comments (0)

It’s been a long time coming, but British Airways has recently added to its American destinations with its Heathrow-San Diego route which started June 1. When we flew it recently, what we were most interested in was what they were using as a lounge because, for all its faults, BA usually does lounges pretty well.

Turns out they’re using the American Airlines Admiral’s Club at SAN. Would it live up to its BA step-siblings? Only one way to find out.

The lounge is just through security in Terminal 2; as in, tucked away discreetly to the side behind security, so it’s a little confusing to find. Discreet is also the word for the doorway; there’s just a tiny plaque announcing its presence under the bell, and advising you that “proper dress” is required for access.

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New Dining Options Are En Route to San Diego's Airport

August 10, 2011 at 9:33 AM | by | Comment (1)

It seems like this summer has been all about new airport dining options, as airports continue to say sayonara to Sbarro and hello to more local spots. The latest changes are scheduled to hit San Diego International Airport, and we already have our napkins ready.

Airport officials are doing their thing as different groups and companies vie for the highly sought after lease space at the airport, so who's going where isn't totally official just yet. However, even if half of these new places arrive on schedule then a tasty layover might just be in your future.

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The TSA Takes On A New Security Threat: Updo Hairdos

August 1, 2011 at 1:15 PM | by | Comment (1)

Last month there was yet another brouhaha surrounding the TSA's security policies when a women accused them of being racist for pulling her out of the security line, after she had already gone through the full body scanner, simply so they could check her hair.

Laura Adiele felt she was being discriminated against after seeing women of other races with their hair pulled up passing through security with ease, while as a black woman with an afro tucked up into a curly bun, she was being being pulled aside.

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Learn from Our Top Five Mistakes to Prep for San Diego Comic-Con 2012

July 26, 2011 at 9:01 AM | by | Comments (0)

As Comic-Con newbies we made a lot of mistakes. Here are our top five screw ups—like not bringing a stool or buying a parking pass—to help you navigate Comic-Con 2012 like a pro!

· Stay away from Preview Night.
Unless you're a hardcore comic fan and you're hoping to score something in particular on the exhibition floor, stay away on preview night. Wednesday night was by far the most crowded night at the San Diego Convention Center and not worth the time it took to get there or to fight through crowds.

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Fans Prove They're Really the Main Event at San Diego Comic-Con 2011

July 25, 2011 at 9:40 AM | by | Comments (0)

San Diego Comic-Con—the mecca for geek culture—is crowded and the wait for everything is long, but where else can you see pirates bonding with ninjas and a zombie parade all in the same day?

The exclusive toys, comics and movies clips are cool, but the people watching is the best part! Whether fans are into steampunk, superheroes or Stormtroopers, Comic-Con is the one place where everyone is welcome to let their freak flag fly.

Don't just take our word for it, check out the gallery of our favorite costumes from around Comic-Con 2011 below!

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Skip the Hot Dogs for Comic-Con's Food Truck Food Court

July 22, 2011 at 2:42 PM | by | Comments (0)

If you're looking for a quick meal between panels at Comic-Con, skip the pretzels and hot dogs inside the Convention Center and head over to the Food Truck Food Court across the street instead. Located in a parking lot at First and J Streets, right next to the South Park Year of the Fan Experience, more than a half dozen of SoCal's best food trucks have lined up to serve hungry geeks during Comic-Con.

Though some of the trucks may change on a day-to-day basis, Thursday's offerings included The Great Food Truck Race participants, Devilicious Food Truck, the Chop Soo-ey Food Truck, which locals call the “Pig Rig” thanks to its primarily pork menu, Street Eats, who serve the best breakfast burritos we've ever tasted, and Two For The Road, known for their Capn'Crunch Crab Cakes. Most prices ranged between $6 and $9.

The Comic-Con Food Truck Food Court will be open Friday (July 22) and Saturday (July 23) from approximately 9:00 A.M. - 9:00 P.M.

[Photo: John Matthews]

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Sweet! Unlock Comic-Con's Foursquare Badge for Free South Park Swag

July 22, 2011 at 12:52 PM | by | Comments (0)

If you're at Comic-Con today make sure you check in on Foursquare for the official Comic-Con 2011 badge to score a free T-shirt. Once you unlock your badge, head over to the South Park Year of the Fan Experience across the street form the Convention Center at First and J St to pick up your sweet South Park/Foursquare tee.

The South Park experience, which is free and open to the public, features a replica of South Park Avenue, South Park memorabilia, and even a cafeteria offering cheesy poofs. But don't wait too long to pick up your shirt, the experience only runs through Saturday.

[Photo: FourSquare]

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ABC's New Show 'Pan Am' Just Landed at San Diego Comic-Con

July 21, 2011 at 11:29 AM | by | Comment (1)

Among the endless rows of comic booths on the Comic-Con International floor, the upcoming ABC series Pan Am has landed. The show, starring Christina Ricci, is about a glamorous group of stewardesses and pilots flying for Pan Am in the 1960s who bring some serious drama—everything from passion to jealousy and, of course, espionage—to the skies.

To promote the new show, ABC has built a first-class cabin from a 1960s Pan Am plane which will "take flight" every ten minutes. To catch the next flight, just stop by their booth (#3921) for a boarding pass.

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Headed to Comic-Con? Bring Your Badge to Dinner for Discounts in San Diego

July 18, 2011 at 12:56 PM | by | Comment (1)

Badges for Comic-Con, which kicks off in San Diego on Wednesday, are completely gone. But if you were lucky enough to score one early, you'll not only get into the convention; this year you'll get special offers on local eats too!

SDCC has recently teamed up with several local restaurants who will offer discounts for Comic-Con attendees. Just wear your badge to any participating restaurant and receive specials like discounts up to 20%, free appetizers, and buy one get one free deals.

Most participating restaurants are located in downtown San Diego around the Gaslamp (up Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Avenues), Seaport Village (behind the Marriott Marquis & Marina and Manchester Grand Hyatt), and the East Village (up Market Street and east of PETCO Park).

Check out the official map of restaurants, including details about what deals each are offering to Comic-Con participants, at Comic-Con.org.

[Photo: San Diego Pictures]

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Comic-Con 2011 May Belong to Twilight: 'Breaking Dawn'

June 14, 2011 at 2:21 PM | by | Comment (1)

The Twilight cast might be ready to move on from the world of vampire and werewolves, but not so fast; Summit has their own plans. Summit Entertainment, the company that has produced all of the movies in The Twilight Saga, confirmed yesterday that they will be presenting a Breaking Dawn panel at Comic-Con 2011.

That means the movie's stars, Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner, will likely make a blockbuster appearance in San Diego to embrace the roles which made them famous once again.

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'El Greco to Dalí' Exhibit of Spanish Masters Will Make One American Stop in San Diego

Where: Balboa Park, 1450 El Prado [map], San Diego, CA, United States, 92101
June 8, 2011 at 10:19 AM | by | Comments (0)

Salvador Dalí's "The Ascension of Christ"

While you may want to plan a vacay to San Diego to hit the beaches this summer, there's another reason to go, and one that provides air-conditioning: It's the only U.S. stop for the exhibition "El Greco to Dalí: The Great Spanish Masters from the Pérez Simón Collection" Head to the San Diego Museum of Art for your only chance to see 64 famous artworks from such masters as Picasso and Dalí.

The exhibit, which opens July 9, features the work that covers the history of Spanish art over the last 500 years. You'll see oil paintings, sculptures and drawings at the Balboa Park museum.

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