Air Canada Flights from Vancouver, Canada (YVR) to San Diego (SAN)
As part of booking roundtrip flights which depart from US airports,
Orbitz is pleased to offer airline tickets on Air Canada, which operates a daily non-stop flight from Vancouver, Canada (YVR) to San Diego (SAN) regularly scheduled to depart at 9:25am and arrive at 12:25pm. Usually an Embraer 190 is flown for this route. The average travel time from Vancouver, Canada to San Diego, CA is 3 hours.
During your San Diego vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
Museum of Photographic Arts
If names like Ansel Adams and Edward Weston stimulate your fingers to do the shutterbug, then don't miss a taste of the 7,000-plus collection of images housed by this museum -- one of few in the United States devoted exclusively to the photographic arts (which, at MOPA, encompasses cinema, video, and digital photography). A 1999 expansion allowed the museum to display even more of the permanent collection, while leaving room for provocative traveling exhibits that change every few months. Photos by Alfred Stieglitz, Margaret Bourke-White, Imogen Cunningham, Paul Strand, and Manuel Alvarez Bravo are all in the permanent collection, and the plush cinema illuminates classic films Friday, Saturday, and some weeknights. Allow 30 to 60 minutes to see the collection.
Junipero Serra Museum
Perched on a hill above Old Town, this Spanish mission-style structure overlooks the slopes where, in 1769, the first mission, first presidio, and first non-native settlement on the west coast of the United States and Canada were founded (in 1774 the San Diego Mission was relocated 6 miles up Mission Valley; see below). The museum's recently upgraded exhibits introduce visitors to the Native American, Spanish, and Mexican people who first called this place home. On display are their belongings, from cannons to cookware; a Spanish furniture collection; and one of the first paintings brought to California, which survived being damaged in an Indian attack. Follow the stairs up the tower and notice the map mural which documents the arduous journey Father Serra made to San Diego. From the 70-foot tower, visitors can compare the view with historic photos to see how this land has changed over time. Designed by William Templeton Johnson in 1929, the stately building can be seen from miles around. (And incidentally, the Spanish revival structures on the opposite side of the valley are contemporary and part of the University of San Diego.)The settlement remained San Diego's only European village until the 1820s, when families began to move down the hill into what is now Old Town. An archaeological dig on the lower slopes is ongoing to uncover more of the items used by early settlers. The large cross overlooking the site is made of floor tile from the presidio ruins. Presidio Park, which was established around the museum, is a nice place for a picnic.
San Diego Harbor Excursion
This company also offers daily 1- and 2-hour narrated tours of the bay, using its fleet of seven boats ranging from a 1940s passenger launch to a modern, paddlewheel-style vessel. The 1-hour itinerary covers 12 miles, including the Star of India, the U.S. Navy surface fleet, the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, and shipyards; the 25-mile 2-hour route adds the Submarine Base and North Island Naval Air Station. In winter, whale-watching excursions feature naturalists from the Birch Aquarium. The 2-hour Sunday brunch cruise aboard a sleek yacht is popular; dinner cruises sail nightly.
Dana Inn and Marina
The Dana completed a $20 million renovation and expansion in 2004 which added 74 contemporary rooms in a three-story arc wrapping around an infinity pool. These rooms are a fair upgrade from the sleepy old Dana, but the old rooms, in two-story buildings, were spruced up at the same time. Some overlook bobbing sailboats in the recreational marina, others face onto the original kidney-shaped pool whose surrounding Tiki torch-lit gardens offer shuffleboard and Ping-Pong. You'll pay a little extra for bay and marina views; if the view doesn't matter, save your money -- every one of the old rooms is the same size, with plain but well-maintained furnishings. The new rooms are bigger and feature water views and reclaimed redwood beam ceilings. Beaches and SeaWorld are a 15-minute walk away (there's also a complimentary shuttle). Meals and room service (including poolside food and cocktail ministrations) are available through the new restaurants, Firefly Bar & Grill and Blue Pearl.
Red Lion Hanalei Hotel
My favorite hotel along Mission Valley's Hotel Circle has a Polynesian theme and comfort-conscious sophistication that sets it apart from the rest of the pack. Most rooms are split between two eight-story towers, set back from the freeway and cleverly positioned so that the balconies open onto the tropically landscaped pool courtyard or the attractive links of a golf club. A few more rooms are found in the Presidio Building, which is too close to the freeway for my comfort. The heated outdoor pool is large enough for any luau, as is the oversize Jacuzzi beside it. The hotel boasts an unmistakable 1960s vibe and Hawaiian ambience; the restaurant and bar have over-the-top kitschy decor, with waterfalls, outrigger canoes, and more. But guest rooms are outfitted with contemporary furnishings and conveniences; the sixth through eighth floors have a microwave and fridge. Services include a free shuttle to Old Town and the Fashion Valley Shopping Center, plus meeting facilities; golf packages are available.
Keating House
This grand 1880s Bankers Hill mansion, located between downtown and Hillcrest and 4 blocks from Balboa Park, has been meticulously restored by two energetic innkeepers with a solid background in architectural preservation. Doug Scott and Ben Baltic not only know old houses, but are also neighborhood devotees filled with historical knowledge. Authentic period design is celebrated throughout, even in the overflowing gardens that bloom on four sides of this local landmark. The house contains a comfortable hodgepodge of antique furnishings and appointments; three additional rooms are in the restored carriage house opening onto an exotic garden patio. The downstairs entry, parlor, and dining room all have cozy fireplaces; bathrooms -- all private -- are gorgeously restored with updated period fixtures. Breakfast is served in a sunny, friendly setting; special dietary needs are cheerfully considered. In contrast to many B&Bs in Victorian-era homes, this one eschews dollhouse frills for a classy, sophisticated approach. The inn draws guests ranging from Europeans to business travelers avoiding the cookie-cutter ambience of chain hotels.
