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During your San Diego vacation, don't miss these great establishments and attractions:
Hotel del Coronado
Built in 1888, this turreted Victorian seaside resort remains an enduring, endearing national treasure. Whether you are lucky enough to stay, dine, or dance here, or simply to wander through to tour its grounds and photo gallery, prepare to be enchanted.
Stuart Collection
Consider the Stuart Collection a work in progress on a large scale. Through a 1982 agreement between the Stuart Foundation and UCSD, the still-growing collection consists of site-related sculptures by leading contemporary artists. Start by picking up a map from the information booth, and wend your way through the 1,200-acre campus to discover the 15 highly diverse artworks. Among them is Niki de Saint Phalle's Sun God, a jubilant 14-foot-high fiberglass bird on a 15-foot concrete base. Nicknamed "Big Bird," it's been made an unofficial mascot by the students, who use it as the centerpiece of their annual celebration, the Sun God Festival. Also in the collection are Alexis Smith's Snake Path, a 560-foot-long slate-tile pathway that winds up the hill from the Engineering Mall to the east terrace of the spectacular Geisel Library (breathtaking architecture that's a fabulous sculpture itself); and Terry Allen's Trees, three eucalyptus trees encased in lead. One tree emits songs, and another poems and stories, while the third stands silent in a grove of trees the students call "The Enchanted Forest." Allow at least 2 hours to tour the entire collection.
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.
Holiday Inn SAN DIEGO-MISSION VALLEY
A brilliant setting among San Diego Mission Valley hotels. Perfect sunny weather, premier shopping, and world-class entertainment, the Holiday Inn San Diego Mission Valley is the ideal choice of San Diego hotels for your next vacation or business meeting. Catch some rays at a pristine beach, cheer wildly at the National Youth Sports Event at Qualcomm Stadium, or shop till you drop at two renowned shopping centers. You'll find it all just minutes away. Marvel at exotic animals during a safari ...
Mission Valley Resort
This beautifully landscaped 20-acre resort is located just minutes from all major attractions and features 202 comfortable guest rooms, ample free parking, a 27,000 square foot health club with tennis, racquetball and lap pool, a 24-hour family restaurant, sports bar with daily happy hour, mini-mart and liquor store, two pools, shuffleboard, guest laundry and complimentary transportation to neighboring Fashion Valley Mall, Riverwalk Golf Course and the San Diego trolley ...
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