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During your San Diego vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
SDAI Museum of the Living Artist
Around since 1941, the San Diego Art Institute now has a museum to house exhibits of new artworks by local artists. The 10,000-square-foot municipal gallery rotates juried shows in and out every 4 to 6 weeks, ensuring a variety of mediums and styles. It's a good place to see what the local art community is up to. Plan to spend about half an hour here.
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.
Villa Montezuma
This exquisite mansion just southeast of downtown was built in 1887 for internationally acclaimed musician and author Jesse Shepard. Lush with Victoriana, it features more stained glass than most churches are blessed with; windows depict Mozart, Beethoven, Sappho, Rubens, St. Cecilia (patron saint of musicians), and other notables. The striking ceilings are of Lincrusta Walton -- pressed canvas coated with linseed oil, a forerunner of linoleum, which never looked this good. Shepard lived here with his life companion, Lawrence Tonner, for only 2 years, and died in obscurity in Los Angeles in 1927. The San Diego Historical Society painstakingly restored the house, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, and furnished it with period pieces. The neighborhood is not as fashionable as the building, but it's safe to park your car in the daytime. If you love Victorian houses, don't miss this one for its quirkiness. Join the 45-minute docent-led tour, which begins every hour on the hour (except the last tour, which starts at 3:45pm).
Staybridge Suites SAN DIEGO RANCHO BERNARDO AREA
The Staybridge Suites - San Diego Rancho Bernardo Hotel is the favorite extended stay hotel in the Rancho Bernardo Area. We offer free high speed internet access in every guest room and daily complimentary buffet breakfast! Our all suite hotel offers studio, one bedroom and two-bedroom/two bath suites. Each Suite features fully equipped kitchens, including microwave, 2-burner stove top, dishwasher, ice maker and coffeemaker, perfect for any extended stay. The Staybridge Suites - Rancho ...
Westgate Hotel
Located in the heart of downtown San Diego, facing the Horton Plaza Shopping Mall, one block from the Gaslamp Quarter, across from the Civic Center and a short walking distance from the Convention Center. The Westgate, San Diego's Leading Hotel of the World member, a unique one-of-a kind Hotel is filled with priceless antiques and appointments one would find in an elegant home and is known for its personalized service and commitment to ...
Catamaran Resort & Spa
The Catamaran Resort Hotel offers casual elegance in a tropical paradise with acres of lush foliage and sun-drenched beaches. Mission Bay, the world's largest aquatic park, is at your doorstep and the enticing waves of the Pacific Ocean are just 100 yards away. The Catamaran's 312 rooms and suites are spacious and tastefully appointed with their own balcony or patio. Each has a king or two double beds, refrigerators, hair dryers, coffee makers, irons and ironing boards. The Atoll ...
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