What's New in San Diego Spring 2018 - San Diego Tourism Authority
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Sara h Wei n ber g (6 19 ) 55 7 -2 838
s wei n ber g@ sa nd ieg o . org
Ro ber t Are nd s ( 61 9) 55 7 -28 34
rarend s @ sa nd ie g o. or g
Ed na Gu tierre z ( 619 ) 55 7 -2 887
egut ierre z @ sa nd ie g o. or g
Joe Ti mk o (6 19 ) 5 57 - 28 1 2
jti mk o @ sa nd ie g o. or g
PR’ s T wi tter @ Vi s it SD_ PR
w w w. sa nd ie g o .o rg
What’s New in San Diego Spring 2018
February 2018
Major Attractions
In January 2018, the San Diego Zoo announced its most ambitious project to date, a $69 million
brand-new children’s zoo to be named after Denny Sanford, a San Diego philanthropist who
donated $30 million to this endeavor, the largest single gift the San Diego Zoo has ever received. It
is anticipated that the current children’s zoo will close in January 2019, as construction begins; it and
is expected to be completed in spring 2021. When the San Diego Zoo’s current Children’s Zoo first
opened in 1957, it was considered advanced for its time. However, when the new Sanford Children’s
Zoo is completed, this reimagined 2.3-acre space will give kids greater opportunities to discover the
natural world through play, and will be designed in ways to help children develop empathy and
better understand and identify with wildlife. More than 100 species will reside in the new children’s
zoo, families will be able to venture through four ecosystems—communities of plants and animals
that have unique adaptations for their environment. In each region, children will learn about the
animals and their environments in ways that awaken their senses and inspire creativity, exploration,
and empathy for nature through play.
Opening summer 2018, Walkabout Australia at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, will transport
visitors to a land featuring a walk-through exhibit teeming with kangaroos, grasslands where
wombats frolic, and forests filled with kookaburras and cassowaries. Experience wildlife from the
Land Down Under and come face-to-face with some of the most mysterious animals on Earth.
SeaWorld San Diego’s new roller coaster, Electric Eel, opens summer 2018 and will be San
Diego’s tallest, fastest roller coaster with a triple-launch experience that thrusts riders forward and
backward, accelerating to more than 60 mph and rocketing skyward nearly 150 feet, offering an
upside-down view of Mission Bay. Riders and non-riders can also learn about the elusive eel through
an interactive game and by checking out an exhibit with California moray eels. Additionally, the park
has a lineup of year-round seasonal events, all connected to a cause that reflects SeaWorld’s Park-
to-Planet commitment to help save the ocean and the creatures that live there.
1Beginning summer 2018, LEGOLAND California Resort guests can dive underwater on the new
LEGO CITY®: Deep Sea Adventure submarine ride. The adventure begins on a real submarine
that takes visitors on a hunt for treasure. On the way, guests will pass real sea creatures, including
stingrays and sharks, as well as bright LEGO® fish, crabs and scuba divers. During the journey, a
touchscreen allows riders to find glowing gems and lost sunken treasure.
New Hotels
Scheduled to open in March 2018, TownePlace Suites San Diego Downtown is a new, pet
friendly hotel with 98 suites featuring king or two queen beds, full kitchens and separate
living/working and sleeping areas. The Marriott brand hotel is also the first hotel in downtown San
Diego to offer the Guest Service Robot Butler, built by Savioke, that can deliver guest items to
rooms 24 hours a day. The brand specializes in extended-stay bookings and is also available for
overnight stays of any length. The new hotel offers rooms with downtown views, is less than three
miles from the San Diego airport and features complimentary hot breakfast every morning in the
lobby area. Other dining options on property include Fourteen45, an onsite bar and grill, the 24-
hour In a Pinch® market and On Us® coffee service for guests. Other hotel amenities include a 24-
hour exercise room, laundry facilities, complimentary wi-fi throughout the hotel and on-site business
services, including copying, faxing and printing. The property will share meeting space with the
Holiday Inn Express located next door, and rates will start at $189.
Opening in September 2018, the luxury brand InterContinental San Diego is the second of two
hotels being built on the former Lane Field baseball park, the original home of the Pacific Coast
League Padres. The InterContinental brand is making a return to San Diego following a 30-year
absence and will feature 400 rooms and suites, a two-story Del Frisco's Double Eagle Steakhouse,
nearly 33,000 square feet of street-level restaurants and shops, and a 686-space subterranean parking
garage. The hotel’s meeting space of 35,000 square feet includes both indoor and outdoor venues
with two ballrooms (12,000 and 4,500 square feet). Additionally, the adjoining 50,000-square-foot
Lane Field park will be available for private events. In a nod to its location overlooking San Diego
Bay, there will be an 8,000-square-foot fourth-floor pool deck with an area open to the public, as
well as a sky bar and outdoor terrace on the 19th floor.
In November 2017, the Hotel Republic San Diego opened its doors as downtown’s only
independently owned hotel within Marriott International’s repertoire of Autograph Collection
Hotels. The 19-story, 258-room hotel (formerly the Renaissance and W San Diego) offers an
ambience of casual sophistication taking cues from downtown’s urban coastal palette in the design
and furnishing of the property. Soaring ceilings are dotted with driftwood chandeliers, while
common spaces are furnished in contemporary neutral tones and natural leathers and feature
communal tables, coffee tables fabricated from reclaimed solid elm, and indigo-blue accents. Hotel
Republic offers 16,000 square feet of flexible event and meeting space and a VIP Marriott Rewards
Veranda Lounge. The hotel’s expansive guestrooms range from a 1,250-square-foot presidential
suite to city-view doubles and king rooms. Guests are invited to partake in morning yoga practice on
Topside’s outdoor deck as each room is equipped with a branded Hotel Republic yoga mat. The
hotel also provides beach cruiser bicycles for guests to explore downtown and nearby Little Italy.
Joining Hotel Republic as a culinary partner is San Diego-based hospitality firm The Patio
Group, which has developed three distinct dining experiences within the hotel: Topside Terrace
Kitchen & Bar, Trade cocktail bar and restaurant, and Patio Marketplace, so that travelers and locals
2alike have creative options for casual lunch meetings, cocktails after work, al fresco dining and
nightlife choices on weekends.
Hotel Renovations
In May 2018, one of San Diego’s quintessential waterfront properties located on Mission Bay,
Paradise Point Resort & Spa, will complete a comprehensive property renovation to all 462
rooms. Renovations and updates to the bungalow-style guest rooms include California coastal décor
such as seaside-inspired headboards, contemporary furnishings, nautical artwork, eco-friendly
lighting, and a fully remodeled marble bathroom complete with blue bohemian floor tiles and walk-
in showers. In addition to newly renovated accommodations, guests can enjoy the Spa at Paradise
Point, signature restaurant Tidal, multiple pools, and resort activities including beach bonfires with
s’mores, sailing lessons, mini-golf, bike rentals, Paradise Surf Academy, a full-service marina, paddle
boarding and more.
Major Events
During Feb. 15-25, 2018, nearly 40 San Diego performing arts organizations will collaborate on the
third annual San Diego Theatre Week. This celebration of performing arts will offer a variety of
promotions including special performances, ticket discounts, offers for concessions, cast talk-backs
and more.
The Flower Fields in Carlsbad, California, open March 1–May 13, 2018, and feature 80-acres of
Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers on coastal farmland overlooking the Pacific Ocean. In addition
to theme gardens, fresh strawberries, antique tractor wagon rides, a sweet pea maze and picnic areas,
special events and activities are organized throughout the 10-week season. Events are free with
admission and include kids’ day, a photography workshop, bonsai show and sale, and Mother’s Day
celebration. Concert days include bands playing zydeco, bluegrass, blues and rock ‘n’ roll.
On March 3-4, 2018, downtown’s scenic Waterfront Park on San Diego Bay will host the sixth
CRSSD Fest, an electronic music festival featuring top acts such as Empire of the Sun, Gorgon
City, Tchami, Nora en Pure, and Nicole Moudaber on three stages during this ticketed, paid-
admission event for attendees 21 or older. Craft beer, mixed drinks, local food and a VIP area will
be available.
Held April 7-8, 2018, at Scripps Park overlooking La Jolla Cove, the La Jolla Concours
d’Elegance draws vintage car enthusiasts to the luxury seaside village. The sophisticated event
includes a cocktail party on Friday night at The LOT event space, a VIP party on Saturday and the
signature Concours d’Elegance car show from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday.
On April 28-29, 2018, the Mission Federal ArtWalk will celebrate its 34th annual event in the
streets of Little Italy. Featuring more than 300 artists filling 17 square blocks of the iconic urban
neighborhood with art, craftsmanship and beautiful goods, this event attracts artists from across the
globe. More than just an art event, the festival is a family-friendly opportunity to participate in
interactive art installations and features live music and dance performances.
3New Venues
In November 2017, a unique outdoor venue, The Glampisphere opened in the hip neighborhood
of North Park. The modern venue offers an open-air flexible space covered in sail shades
appropriate for hosting events from business meetings to birthdays. The Glampisphere provides a
relaxed, alfresco San Diego vibe, but features the technology needed for a professional meeting,
including two 4k UHD 55-inch flat screen TVs, wireless microphones, HDMI input and cable and
USB for laptops, power outlets at every table, hi-speed wi-fi, outdoor speakers and QSC amplifier
for crystal-clean sound, making for a creative meeting or event.
In January 2018, Children’s Nature Retreat added a spa and meeting space to host private events
and corporate retreats to this 20-acre family attraction located in San Diego’s east county city of
Alpine. The Children’s Nature Retreat is home to 120 domesticated livestock and exotic animals and
serves as an education center for groups and individuals wanting to get close to nature. The retreat
can now accommodate 125 people for an outdoor picnic-style private event on site or 40 people at
its 750-square-foot wellness center that includes an open design seminar room, an outdoor pool,
sauna, hot tub and massage center.
The Chopra Center, a premier health and wellness center in North County San Diego, recently
announced a Perfect Health program that allows guests to detox and de-stress in intimate and
personalized wellness retreats. The program offers 6-Day Perfect Health, 10-Day Perfect Health,
Wisdom Within or Rest & Restore packages. The Chopra Center Spa offers an array of detoxifying
and rejuvenating Ayurvedic spa treatments that are customized to a guest’s specific dosha, or mind-
body type. The Mind-Body Medical Group offers professional and compassionate 90-minute
medical consultations to create a treatment plan with the tools to move towards better health.
Construction of the largest solar power system in Major League Baseball has begun at Petco Park,
home of the San Diego Padres baseball team, and is expected to be ready for the March 2018 season
opener. A 336,520-watt project composed of 716 high-efficiency solar modules is expected to
produce more than 12 million kilowatt-hours over the next 25 years. Seven other teams in the
majors have installed solar facilities in recent years, but officials say the Padres’ solar array will be
larger than all the other teams’ facilities combined. The solar project is not the only new addition to
Petco Park this season; a new $2 million video board is being erected over the right field seats.
Punch Bowl Social will open a 24,000-square-foot restaurant, bar and entertainment venue in San
Diego’s Makers Quarter development in spring 2018. Punch Bowl Social is a concept that combines
social gaming with a focus on innovative dining and craft beverage offerings, including shareable
punch bowls. Located in the historic Coliseum Federal Athletic Club in downtown’s East Village
neighborhood, Punch Bowl Social San Diego will feature eight bowling lanes, private karaoke
rooms, a 360-degree bar with televisions for sports enthusiasts, and numerous other lounges and
gathering spots for groups both large and small. Additionally, the venue will offer virtual reality
games for groups or individuals and dedicated servers and tech support team members. Punch Bowl
Social’s menu is created by James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, author and “Top Chef”
judge, Hugh Acheson. Punch Bowl Social will be open for weekend brunch, lunch, dinner and late-
night snacks.
Projected to open in early 2019, construction on The Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center is
underway in San Diego’s north coastal region of La Jolla. The Conrad will feature a 500-seat concert
4hall with orchestra pit, 1,600-square-foot flexible-use space, reception room, large central courtyard,
comfortable back-of-house facilities, and state-of-the-art audio and visual equipment. Guests can
follow the progress of the construction live on a webcam.
Shopping
Slated to debut in January 2018, Raised By Wolves is a dual-concept, cocktail supply store and
cocktail bar located in San Diego’s outdoor shopping center Westfield UTC, which recently
completed a $600 million expansion. Raised By Wolves will incorporate 1,500 square feet of retail
space alongside a 2,000-square-foot cocktail bar and tasting room. The shop’s curated assortment of
retail items will include a comprehensive collection of books and barware for the at-home enthusiast
along with a signature line of branded goods, private label barrels, boutique spirits and other rare
finds. An entrance hidden within the shop will lead guests to Raised By Wolves’ private tasting
room, where barkeeps will conduct educational classes and host seminars for the general public. On
select evenings, the tasting room will double as a reservation-only cocktail parlor, hosting pop-ups
and guest appearances from notable bartenders from around the globe.
Restaurants, Breweries and Nightlife
In November 2017, Fishmonger’s Market & Seafood Bar, a European-style fish market and
restaurant helmed by Top Chef Frank Tezoli opened within 57 Degrees, Mission Hills’ expansive
wine retail and storage facility and event space. Fishmonger’s Market offers fresh raw seafood for
purchase to go at the counter or guests can enjoy lunch or dinner within the restaurant, and at the
crudo bar or on the patio. The dining menu ranges from comfort items like rich clam chowder and
lobster mac ’n’ cheese to delicate hamachi served with cherry or mango, king crab with cucumber, or
chocolate smoked salmon. Fishmonger’s offers cooking classes and has space for parties and
corporate events.
In early 2018, Chef Claudette Zepeda-Wilkins will open El Jardin restaurant at San Diego’s Liberty
Station. Chef Zepeda-Wilkins is currently competing on season 15 of BRAVO’s “Top Chef.” El Jardin
will boast a fusion of traditional Guadalajara-style cuisine and modern Baja-Mediterranean food, and
feature an extensive selection of tequila and mezcal, all indicative of Zepeda-Wilkins’ trove of culinary
expertise. The restaurant will have 8,800 square feet of space with an additional 5,500-square-foot
patio located within San Diego’s newest culinary destination, Liberty Station.
In February 2018, Mavericks Beach Club will open in Pacific Beach as an indoor and outdoor bar,
perfect for cocktails and bites by the beach. Located in a 15,000-square-foot property, Mavericks
Beach Club will feature five full bars, Baja-inspired food for lunch and dinner, and live
entertainment. Outfitted with coastal California décor, round tables for community seating, and cozy
spots by an outdoor fireplace, Mavericks provides a laidback atmosphere along with an exciting
lineup of entertainment planned for 2018, including block parties with DJs and national touring
bands. Mavericks will offer a bike valet for beach cruisers along with outdoor games, a dance club,
and plenty of space to enjoy the California beach lifestyle.
Overlooking Pacific Beach’s bustling boardwalk, Waterbar opened in January 2018 and offers
coastal dishes infused with Baja influences, such as whitefish ceviche with citrus, aguachili verde
with cucumber, and octopus served ajo blanco with green grapes, cilantro and almonds. Corn
fritters, avocado pork belly toast, filet mignon and a Waterbar (crab) burger round out the seafood
5menu. Featuring a diverse craft cocktail list, a variety of wines and local craft brews, this 6,700-
square-foot dining destination offers breathtaking ocean views.
In January 2018, a new Japanese restaurant, Cloak & Petal, opened in Little Italy, the dining-centric
neighborhood that is expanding beyond Italian fare. Cloak & Petal inhabits 7,500 square feet and
specializes in traditional crudo, sushi and Japanese small plates, along with a craft cocktail list that
includes a variety of sake and craft Japanese beers. The interior is Instagram worthy with cherry
blossom trees surrounding the bar and edgy artwork on the wall.
In November 2018, Burgerim opened in Horton Plaza Park, serving gourmet burgers in a fast-
casual setting. The burgers can be purchased in various packs from an uno, duo, or trio, to a 16-pack
of burgers that can be customized with 11 types of patties. The restaurant on the park also serves
chicken wings or strips, a variety of sandwiches and salads including their basket salad made with
arugula, strawberry and candied pecans with goat cheese.
In December 2017, George’s at the Cove released a new cocktail menu featuring 23 unique
libations each named for and inspired by a San Diego neighborhood. A sample of the cocktails
available include the “La Jolla” with Cimarrón Blanco, dried mangos, lime zest and juice, chili and
agave syrup served with a saline ice cube with suspended seaweed, and the “Balboa Park” cocktail,
composed of Botanist Gin, Campo de Encanto Grand & Noble Pisco, hibiscus blackberry honey,
fresh lime juice, an egg white, saline solution and atomized sweet orange essential oils. The idea for
the menu being served at George’s Level 2 bar came to Stephen Kurpinsky, head barman and
director of spirits and beer, and he worked with the staff at George’s Level 2 to create the recipes
that would encapsulate the essence of each neighborhood. Visitors wishing to recreate the cocktails
can bring home a copy of the Neighborhoods of San Diego book that showcases the 23 new
cocktails, with photography of the drink shot in the specific neighborhood and the recipe of the
libation included, available for purchase at the restaurant.
In February 2018, JRDN at Tower23 hotel, one of San Diego’s premier beachfront dining
destinations located on the vibrant Pacific Beach boardwalk, will reopen after a month-long refresh.
The seaside spot will complete an update that includes the addition of a glass enclosed sushi kitchen
as well as other aesthetic and kitchen enhancements along with the installation of new indoor and
outdoor furnishings. Diners can expect an elevated beach chic vibe in the dining room while the
culinary team will enjoy an enhanced space from which to create steak and seafood focused dishes.
The all-new sushi menu and other items are in development and will be revealed with the re-opening
of the restaurant.
In January 2018, a modern American brewpub, The Bell Marker, opened in downtown San Diego.
The 8,000-square-foot restaurant, named after the mission bell markers found along the historic El
Camino Real, offers on-site brewing, an expansive bar, seating for 212, and a private event space with
A/V capabilities in the upstairs area. An extensive copper clad 15-barrel brewing system will be used
to make classic American, English, German and an occasional Belgian-style beer. The Bell Marker’s
first offerings are a brewed-in-house cream ale, hefeweizen, pale ale, IPA and brown ale on tap, with
a selection of guest beers that will rotate frequently. Culinary Director Trevor Faris created a
California-centric menu including inventive spins on pizza classics, such as the vegan salad pie with
marinara and California chopped salad; the squash pie with fresh cream, winter squash, red wax gouda,
pomegranate molasses and red onion; or the fennel sausage pizza made in house with crushed
tomatoes, Impossible meat or pork fennel sausage, mozzarella and shallots. In addition to the
expansive pizza menu, guests can choose from a variety of smaller items such as smoked fish dip with
6fresh Idaho River trout, green garlic, tabasco and crackers; ricotta fritters with housemade ricotta and
chili jam; or mushroom pâté with pickled mustard seeds, horseradish cream and toast. The menu
offers sandwiches and large entrees as well. The cocktail program provides a nod to historical
moments in bell marker history such as the Daisy Anna, a cocktail named after Anna Pitcher, who
initiated an effort to preserve the route of Alta California’s Camino Real. The remainder of the craft
cocktail list will play on iconic San Diego pop culture.
Arts and Museums
From Feb. 24–Sept. 3, 2018, The Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park will host MythBusters:
The Explosive Exhibition, an exhibit based on the Discovery Channel's Emmy®-nominated series
that uncovers truths behind popular myths by mixing the scientific method with gleeful curiosity and
old-fashioned ingenuity. The exhibition creates hands-on, interactive experiences for visitors of all
ages by combining popular scientific facts with innovative, family-friendly displays.
Garden-themed tapestries from the Ramses Wissa Wassef Art Centre in Egypt are currently on
display at the San Diego Botanic Garden in Encinitas through March 31, 2018. The Egyptian
artists vividly celebrate the flowers of the desert, villages and Nile River in their works which are on
rare display in this public garden. The exhibition features 15 wool tapestries and 20 cotton weavings,
all unique and woven by individual artists who work for up to four months on each tapestry using
Egyptian sheep wool dyed with traditional vegetable dyes that are planted in the gardens of the art
center in Giza. This project transformed the lives of the villagers, bringing prosperity, education,
better health, self-respect and satisfaction to those involved and high status and equality to the
village women.
Performing Arts
The Old Globe Theater’s 2017-2018 season continues with the world premiere of José Cruz
González’s American Mariachi, a comedy with live music. American Mariachi runs March 23–April
29, 2018. American Mariachi is a heartwarming world premiere about family, progress and a girl’s
freedom to dream big. The show includes a wave of vibrant, infectious live music. During its 2018
season, The Old Globe will show the U.S. premiere of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax. Based on the book
by Dr. Seuss, adapted for the stage, this musical was originally produced at The Old Vic theater in
London. The Lorax includes puppet design and choreography, and performances run July 3–Aug. 12,
2018 as part of the Globe’s 2018 Summer Season.
La Jolla Playhouse, with two of Time Magazine’s “Top 10 Plays and Musicals of 2017,” announces
its sixth show that has been sent to Broadway: The Donna Summer Musical arrives on Broadway in
spring 2018. For its 2018-2019 season, La Jolla Playhouse features three world-premieres and one
west coast premiere including a world-premiere musical to be directed by the Playhouse’s own
Tony® Award winner Christopher Ashley and based on the life of the UK’s Princess Diana. Other
shows in the upcoming season include The Squirrels, by Tony® Award nominee Robert Askins
(Broadway’s Hand to God); Seize the King, by Will Power (Playhouse’s The Seven); The Year to Come, by
Lindsey Ferrentino (Ugly Lies the Bone), and queens, by Martyna Majok (Ironbound). Continuing a
tradition of new play development, this season marks the fifth in a row to showcase primarily new
work.
The Maritime Museum of San Diego, home to one of the world’s largest collections of historic
vessels from sail to steam to submarine, will sail the tall ship Californian on San Diego Bay for the
730th Annual America’s Schooner Cup charity regatta on April 7, 2018. Californian will race against
schooners of all sizes and types and the public are welcome to join the sail crew. No sailing
experience is required but tickets should be purchased in advance. Guests to the museum can take
their own Tall Ship Adventure on the Californian by purchasing tickets for a weekly three-hour
Sunday sail. Visitors can also now sail aboard the replica San Salvador to experience what it was like
to sail a historic Spanish galleon just like Explorer Juan Cabrillo sailed into San Diego Bay in 1542.
San Salvador public sailing trips for spring include Saturday, Feb. 24, March 10 and 24, 2018. These
four-hour sailing adventures range from $49 for children to $99 for adults. No sailing experience
required, space is limited, and tickets can be purchased in advance online. Guests board at Maritime
Museum of San Diego at 11:30 a.m. and embark on a four-hour day sail adventure through San
Diego Bay, and sail into the Pacific Ocean. The museum also presents season three of Haydn
Voyages: Music at the Maritime, a quarterly concert series featuring the Hausmann Quartet
performing aboard the Berkeley, a National Historic Landmark 1898 steam ferryboat docked in
downtown San Diego. Concerts will be held on Sundays at 4 p.m. This season's programs include
Early Years (Feb. 25), Anniversaries (May 6), Form and Texture (Sept. 16), and Journeys on the Voyager
(Nov. 11).
Tours and Transportation
In December 2017, San Diego’s Balboa Park Conservancy began offering private custom tours of
the world-renowned park on a pre-arranged basis. The one-hour walking tours of the historic
Central Mesa section of the park are given by highly trained Balboa Park Visitors Center staff and
volunteers who explore the park’s rich history, spectacular architecture, and botanical wonders.
Tours start at the Visitors Center or another pre-arranged location in the park. The tours can be
scheduled for any day of the week, from 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and accommodate up to 15 guests.
Larger groups can be accommodated at a ratio of one guide per 15 guests. The fee for each tour is
$150, which goes toward supporting the Balboa Park Conservancy’s many initiatives in the park.
Advanced reservations are required by contacting the Balboa Park Visitors Center at
bpvisitor@balboapark.org.
In March 2018, The Hopper™, a new premier double-decker bus tour service, will launch in San
Diego. The Hopper provides visitors an opportunity to explore San Diego’s best sights while
traveling in comfort and “hopping on, hopping off” where guests desire. The Hopper buses will
stop at six locations: Old Town, Little Italy, Balboa Park, Gaslamp Quarter, Seaport Village and
Embarcadero and feature access to attractions like Hornblower harbor cruises, the USS Midway,
Flagship ferry service to Coronado, and Balboa Park museums. The buses offer a comfortable and
stylish experience with amenities of climate control, concessions, restrooms, 4G wi-fi and electric
outlets. Tickets for all packages can be purchased online by early March.
Beginning March 22, 2018, Lufthansa Airlines will offer direct flights between its largest hub,
Frankfurt, Germany, and San Diego on a year-round basis. The flight will operate out of Frankfurt
International Airport (FRA) five-times weekly. It will take off from Frankfurt at 10 a.m. (Frankfurt
time) and arrive at SAN at 1:20 p.m. local time. The return flight leaves SAN at 3:20 p.m. and arrives
in Frankfurt at 11:40 a.m. (Frankfurt time, the following day). Flights will operate every day except
Wednesdays and Fridays. Lufthansa will use the 279-seat Airbus 340-300 aircraft on the route
configured with business, premium economy and economy class cabins. The flight will be co-
marketed and sold in conjunction with United Airlines.
8In 2017, San Diego Beer, Wine and Spirits Tours began offering chauffeured distillery tours,
highlighting the regions burgeoning craft distillery scene. This approximately five-hour chauffeured
adventure includes pick up/drop off at most San Diego locations, visiting three local craft
distilleries, lunch at a distillery, a flight of spirits at each location (approximately 12 different spirits),
and commentary on local distillery history along with the guided tour.
Awards & Recognition
In December 2018, Forbes magazine included Laura Johnson, a San Diego distiller and owner of
You & Yours Distilling Co. on their 30 Under 30 list.
In November 2017, TripAdvisor ranked San Diego as #8 in its Top 25 Destinations in the U.S.
according to its Travelers Choice Award.
The San Diego Tourism Authority’s own Margie Sitton, Senior Vice President of Sales, was named
an Industry Leader in Smart Meetings’ 2017 Supplier of the Year feature. The award recognizes
the people who help event professionals create inspiring meetings.
The San Diego Tourism Authority’s own Ernie Rossow, National Sales Director, was named Hotel
Performance Network Global’s (HPN) CVB Sales Manager/Partner of the Year at the
organizations awards ceremony in November 2017. Mr. Rossow has been awarded this distinction
three times in the past six years.
In September 2017, San Diego ranked #4 on Cruise Critic’s Cruiser’s Choice Awards. The
ranking for 2017 are as follows: 1. Quebec City, Canada, 2. San Francisco, California, 3. Bar Harbor,
Maine, 4. San Diego, California and 5. Key West, Florida.
Anniversaries
The year 2018 marks the 15th Anniversary of the construction of Queen Califia’s Magical Circle, a
sculptural garden created by French artist Niki de Saint Phalle (1930-2002) when she lived in San
Diego County. The immersive sculpture garden is located in the North Inland city of Escondido,
and Visit Escondido is celebrating with an exhibit titled Niki de Saint Phalle: Mythical
California, at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido.
This year marks the 130th anniversary of the iconic Hotel del Coronado. The San Diego landmark,
set on one of America’s most popular beaches, opened in 1888 and is celebrating this milestone
anniversary with events throughout 2018, beginning in February with a black-tie gala celebrating five
French Master Chefs and including an offer to guests for a $130 resort credit with any two-night
stay in 2018. Known for creating memories with its recreational seaside activities, award-winning spa
and oceanfront dining, this world-renowned resort seamlessly connects her storied past with today’s
Southern California coastal lifestyle.
Happiness is calling in San Diego. For more information on San Diego’s offerings, including
exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San
Diego Tourism Authority's website at www.sandiego.org.
###
Funded in part with City of San Diego Tourism Marketing District Assessment Funds.
9You can also read
