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During your San Diego vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
Old Town State Historic Park
Dedicated to re-creating the early life of the city from 1821 to 1872, this is where San Diego's Mexican heritage shines brightest. The community was briefly Mexico's informal capital of the California territory; the Stars and Stripes were finally raised over Old Town in 1846. Seven of the park's 20 structures are original, including homes made of adobe; the rest are reconstructed. The park's headquarters is at the Robinson-Rose House, 4002 Wallace St., where you can pick up a map and peruse a model of Old Town as it looked in 1872. Among the park's attractions are La Casa de Estudillo, which depicts the living conditions of a wealthy family in 1872; and Seeley Stables, named after A. L. Seeley, who ran the stagecoach and mail service in these parts from 1867 to 1871. The stables have two floors of wagons, carriages, stagecoaches, and other memorabilia, including washboards, slot machines, and hand-worked saddles. On Wednesdays and Saturdays, costumed park volunteers reenact life in the 1800s with cooking and crafts demonstrations, a working blacksmith, and parlor singing. Free 1-hour walking tours leave weekdays at 11am, and Saturday-Sunday at 2pm, from the Robinson-Rose House. Note that on weekdays throughout the school year, Old Town buzzes with fourth-graders.
Mingei International Museum
This captivating museum (pronounced "min-gay," meaning "art of the people" in Japanese), offers changing exhibitions generally describable as folk art. The rotating exhibits -- usually four at a time -- feature artists from countries across the globe; displays include textiles, costumes, jewelry, toys, pottery, paintings, and sculpture. The permanent collection includes whimsical contemporary sculptures by the late French artist Niki de Saint Phalle, who made San Diego her home in 1993. Martha Longenecker, a potter and professor emeritus of art at San Diego State University, founded the museum in 1977. It is one of only two major museums in the United States devoted to folk crafts on a worldwide scale (the other is in Santa Fe, New Mexico) and well worth a look. Allow half an hour to an hour to view the exhibits. A large new Escondido branch has additional exhibits.
Mission Trails Regional Park
Located well off the beaten track for tourists, this is one of the nation's largest urban parks, a 5,800-acre spread that includes abundant bird life, two lakes, a picturesque stretch of the San Diego River, the Old Mission Dam (probably the first irrigation project in the West), and 1,592-foot Cowles Mountain, the summit of which reveals outstanding views over much of the county. There are trails up to 4 miles in length, including a 1 1/2-mile interpretive trail, and some of which are designated for mountain bike use, and a 46-space campground (tel. 619/668-2748). The park came about in 1974 when the area surrounding Cowles Mountain began to experience a housing boom; city and county representatives worked with Navajo community planners to make an initial purchase of land. In 1989 the first park ranger was hired, and in 1995 the visitor center opened, cementing a place for Mission Trails in the hearts of outdoor-loving San Diegans. The 2003 fires licked at the northern edge of the park, leaving scars that are slowly healing.
Doubletree Hotel San Diego-Mission Valley
From Points North: Take I-5 South to I-805 South to Hwy 163 South. Exit Friar*s Road East. Take a Right onto Frazee Road. Take a Right onto Hazard Center Drive. From the South: Interstate 5 north to 8 east to 163 north. -Or 5 north to 163 north- Exit Friar*s Road East. Turn right on Frazee Road, turn right on Hazard Center Drive. From the East- Interstate 8 west to 163 north. Exit Friar*s Road east. Turn right on Frazee and turn right on Hazard Center Drive. From the ...
Hampton Inn San Diego-Airport-Sea World
The Hampton Inn San Diego-Airport-Sea World is conveniently located in central San Diego between Old Town and Sea World, where the I-5 and I-8 Freeway's cross. We are within walking distance of Old Town and the San Diego Trolley, which takes you to Mexico-shopping- etc. We are located minutes from the airport- Sea World- the World Famous San Diego Zoo- sunny San Diego beaches and downtown. Lindbergh Field 4 MI SE, Airport shuttle - free. ...
Marriott San Diego Gaslamp Quarter
The chic San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter is San Diego's newest luxury hotel. Ideally located in the historic Gaslamp district, our elegantly appointed guest rooms and suites are equipped with a coffee maker, flat screen television, hairdryer, in-room safe, iron and board, two dual-line telephones with speaker and voicemail, well-lit workstation and Marriott's luxurious new bedding package. Wireless high speed Internet access is available throughout the hotel with wired service also provided ...
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