San Diego Activities
San Diego, California offers a multitude of attractions and activities for IETS members and their families. From panda watching at the world famous San Diego Zoo, to strolling along 70 miles of Pacific Ocean beaches, or discovering California’s largest state park in the Anza-Borrego Desert, you can enhance your IETS conference experience by exploring San Diego.
Discount tickets to local attractions may be available from the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce - http://arestravel.com/667/-/attractions/g3314
Animal Attractions
San Diego Zoo – http://www.sandiegozoo.org/zoo/index.html
The 100-acre Zoo is home to over 4,000 rare and endangered animals representing more than 800 species and subspecies, plus a prominent botanical collection of more than 700,000 exotic plants. It is located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park.
San Diego Wild Animal Park- http://www.sandiegozoo.org/wap/index.html
This Park is an expansive wildlife sanctuary that is home to more than 3,500 animals representing more than 400 species. Its renowned botanical collection represents 3,500 species and 1.5 million specimens. Over half of the Park’s 1,800 acres have been set aside as protected native species habitat. It is located 35 miles north of downtown San Diego in the San Pasqual Valley near Escondido, California.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps – http://aquarium.ucsd.edu
View a stunning variety of colorful, Pacific marine life featured in more than 60 habitats in this public exploration center for world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Interact with hands-on exhibits that showcase cutting-edge research discoveries that have profound impacts on what we know about Earth's systems and how these discoveries are relevant to our everyday lives.
SeaWorld – http://www.seaworld.com/sandiego/parkinformation/default.aspx
SeaWorld San Diego is one of the world's premier marine adventure parks with 200 acres of world-class shows, thrilling rides and unforgettable animal encounters. –
Whale Watching – http://sandiego.about.com/cs/familyfun/a/whale_watch.htm
From mid-December to mid-March the grey whale can be seen along San Diego's coastline during their migratory trek to and from the frigid Arctic waters to the warm water lagoons of Baja California, where the females give birth to their calves. Several companies offer whale watching tours and excursions for up close viewing of the whales. Cabrillo National Monument on Point Loma and the Birch Aquarium in La Jolla also offer viewing areas.
MUSEUMS
The Midway - http://www.midway.org/site/pp.asp?c=eeIGLLOrGpF&b=3038957
The USS Midway, the longest-serving aircraft carrier in the history of the US Navy, is now located in downtown San Diego at Navy Pier. Today she has embarked as a museum, tribute and education center. The Midway provides a dynamic and enriching experience "from boiler to bridge."
Star of India, Maritime Museum – http://www.sdmaritime.com
The Maritime Museum of San Diego enjoys a worldwide reputation for excellence in restoring, maintaining and operating historic vessels. The museum has one of the world's finest collections of historic ships, including the world's oldest active ship Star of India.
San Diego Aerospace Museum – http://www.aerospacemuseum.org
Celebrates aviation and space flight history through preservation of significant artifacts, presentation of dynamic exhibits, and commemoration of the men and women who forged aerospace history.
Reuben H. Fleet Space Theatre and Science Center – http://www.rhfleet.org
This center seeks to inspire lifelong learning by furthering the public understanding and enjoyment of science and technology. The Reuben H. Fleet Science Center is home to the world's first, and San Diego's only, IMAX Dome Theater. In January “Animal Grossology” will explore all the nasty, stinky, disgusting science of animals’ bodies.
Museum of Photographic Arts - http://www.mopa.org
MoPA is devoted to collecting, conserving and exhibiting the entire spectrum of the photographic medium. In January, two exciting exhibitions will be featured: “A Literacy of Images: Nancy Newhall and the Art of Photography” and “Writing with Light” which illustrates the connection between photography and literacy.
Natural History Museum – http://www.sdnhm.org
The museum in Balboa Park features permanent and traveling exhibits. Travel through 75 million years and dig into the rich fossil history of southern California and Baja California, from dinosaurs to mastodons.
Museum of Contemporary Art – http://www.mcasd.org
The permanent collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego includes more than 4,000 works created after 1950, representing all media and genres: painting, sculpture, works on paper, photography, video, film, and installation.
Timken Museum of Art – http://www.timkenmuseum.org
The museum in Balboa Park houses the world-class Putnam Foundation Collection of European old masters American art, and Russian icons. Artworks in the collection range from 13th-century altarpieces through 18th-century portraits to 19th-century still lifes.
San Diego Model Railroad Museum – http://www.sdmrm.org
The Railroad Museum preserves the heritage of railroading through a series of miniature representations of California railroads.
Museum of Man – http://www.museumofman.org
Permanent exhibits explore the Maya, ancient Egypt, the Kumeyaay Indians of San Diego County, Human Evolution, and the Human Life Cycle.
Mingei International Museum – http://www.mingei.org
Reveals the beauty of folk art, craft and design from all eras and cultures of the world. Explore Southern California's largest and richest collection of mingei – art of the people.
San Diego Historical Society – http://www.sandiegohistory.org
Houses over 2.5 million images in its photograph collection; the object collections include costume and textiles, decorative and fine arts and objects of daily life; the document archives hold a diverse array of historical documents.
San Diego Museum of Art – http://www.sdmart.org
Located in the heart of Balboa Park, the galleries offer opportunities for learning, introspection, and connection with cultures from around the world. The museum is the region's primary resource for exhibitions and collections of fine art for more than 80 years.
Other local Attractions
San Diego Beaches –
While in San Diego, see the Pacific Ocean. Past the glitz of the famous Hotel Del Coronado lies the Silver Strand State Beach. http://gothere.com/coronado.htm
Mission Beach, which is the closest to the Town & Country Hotel, extends over two miles and includes Belmont Park amusement center. Consider taking a stroll along the Boardwalk there.
There are numerous other beaches to see.
www.sandiego.gov/lifeguards/beaches
www.sandiego.org/article_set/Visitors/5
Palomar Observatory – http://www.astro.caltech.edu/palomar
The Palomar Observatory is located in north San Diego County. It is a world-class center of astronomical research that is owned and operated by the California Institute of Technology. The observatory is home to five telescopes that are nightly used for a wide variety of astronomical research programs.
Legoland – http://www.legoland.com/California.htm
Rides, attractions, shows and cities built of Legos.
Golfing – http://riverwalk.americangolf.com/
This beautiful golf course is located West of the Town & Country Hotel (the meeting site)
San Diego Boat Tours –
http://www.sdhe.com http://www.buySanDiegoTours.com
There is a wide variety of harbor excursions, dinner cruises and sightseeing trips from which to choose.
San Diego City Tours –
http://www.allsandiegotours.com
http://www.citysightseeing-sd.com
http://www.sandiegograyline.com
Enjoy touring greater San Diego on bikes, buses, on foot or on segways.
Gaslamp District – http://www.gaslamp.org
This beautiful Victorian National Historic District is home to great restaurants, clubs, live music, and shops.
Old Town - http://www.oldtownsandiegoguide.com
Within Old Town San Diego there are three Park Agencies: State, City and County, all of which have historic sites operated as museums. Located at the northern end of Old Town, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is the most visited park in the state system. The state park spans the decades from California rule to the Mexican Period and finally to the American Period. The weather, the food and the history make Old Town one of the best places to visit and shop in San Diego. Be sure to include Bazaar del Mundo http://www.bazaardelmundo.com.
Anza Borrego Desert State Park - http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=638
Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in California. Five hundred miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas and miles of hiking trails provide visitors with an unparalleled opportunity to experience the wonders of the California Desert.
Live Theatre in San Diego - http://www.coasttocoasttickets.com/buy/san_diego_ca_theater_tickets.htm
San Diego supports a number of excellent theatres including the Old Globe, Lamb’s Players, Theatre in Old Town, San Diego Repertory Theatre, and La Jolla Playhouse.
SHOPPING
There are two major shopping malls located close to the Town & Country Hotel. Both include a variety of restaurants.
Fashion Valley Mall - http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=765
Within walking distance, this mall is located directly north of the Town & Country Hotel.
Mission Valley Mall - http://www.westfield.com/missionvalley/
Approximately one mile east of the Town & Country Hotel.
RESTAURANTS
Town & Country Hotel - http://www.towncountry.com/dining.html
There are several dining options on the hotel property.
Fashion Valley Mall - http://www.simon.com/mall/default.aspx?ID=765
Within walking distance, this mall is located directly north of the Town & Country Hotel.
Mission Valley Mall - http://www.westfield.com/missionvalley/
Approximately one mile east of the Town & Country Hotel.
Other restaurants in Hotel Circle -
http://www.where2eat.com/Hotel_Circle_restaurants.htm