Then There Was New Year's!

Need a few ideas of how to send your New Year's Eve?

Well luckily I have got you covered! Below is a list of all the parties happening around San Diego.

• VAVI Beach Party at the Catamaran Hotel - Mission Beach

This is going to be pretty fun and an all inclusive party. Food and Open Bar all night, not to mention shuttle bus service and 5 rooms of dancing. 8 pm - 2 am, January 31, 2010. Tickets for $149 online.

• New Year's Eve San Diego Downtown Countdown 2011 in the Gaslamp District at Horton Plaza - Downtown

All-inclusive, All VIP, Open Bar. Everything is included with your ticket purchase. Bring your dancing shoes as we party to San Diego’s hottest Dance Band and cutting edge DJ’s at this newly renovated event space located at 4th and E St in downtown San Diego. A custom Video Countdown and cosmic images will be broad-casted on plasmas throughout the venue. Doors open at 8 pm and the music stops at 2 am. $10 overnight parking and Tickets for $109 online.

• Epic NYE at the Del Mar Fairgrounds - Del Mar 

Party Down to music on 3 separate stages with featured artists Ferry Corsten, Moby, and Afrojack. Tickets rage in price by general admission, VIP, and a Hotel room/ ticket package. Doors open at 8 and music plays until 2 pm. Tickets are $60 - $300 online.

• Stone New Year's Eve Celebration at Stone Brewery - Escondido

What is more relaxing than listening to live music with your favorite beer in hand? Well Stone Brewery has the perfect party. This party is going to have everything from Sushi Bar, Photo Booth and Chestnut Roasting Station. Party starts at 7:30 and ends at 1 am. The Sprinter Shuttle can take you to the Coaster station. Tickets for $150 online.

• Hard Rock Cafe: NYE2011 at Hard Rock Hotel - Downtown

 Organizers say they are expecting thousands of revellers. The killer line-up features: Robbie Rivera, Chris Garcia and Tony Arzadon, Eric D-Lux and Craig Smoove, and Starry Eyed Music Showcase Tickets are $60.

• New Year's Eve at Searsucker - Downtown

This December 31, Searsucker is offering a fabulous New Year’s Even dinner special exclusive to those who make reservations in time. Guests will enjoy a fabulous five-course meal designed by the maestro himself, Celebrity Chef Brian Malarkey. Pay either $75 dollars for reservations before 7pm or $100 for reservations after. More details to come on the delectable dishes that New Year’s at Searsucker will bring, but for now save the date and your table!

•  NYE at George's at the Cove - La Jolla

Celebrate with friends or a special someone at George's California Modern. On New Year's Eve they're offering a 3-course, 4-course or 6-course menu. There's even an option for vegetarians!

For more New Year's Eve Events visit NBC San Diego.  

And what ever you do, do not forget to start the New Year off right with a great breakfast on the 1st!

Holiday Oh! Holiday!

Happy Holidays!

It may be a little belated but none the less! We hope that everyone staying with us here in San Diego had a great time and enjoyed the mostly sunny weather!

Here are a few pictures of the Beach Tree in Ocean Beach!

And if you missed getting to spend the Holiday Season at the beach don't fret! We have already started taking reservations for next year! Just visit Southern California Vacation Rentals online for availability. www.socalvacationrentals.com.



La Jolla in The News 12/28/10

• Hugh Hefner gets engaged to this former La Jolla resident
• La Jolla get a bit more colorful... Check it out!
• Don't forget to get the last of the holiday spirit with this Awesome La Jolla Light Display
• NO!!!!! Not the T. Rex!

December 5k of the month - The Girls on the Run 5k!

December's 5 k of the month was the New Balance Girls on the Run 5k!

Girls on the Run is a really cool organization, that I was really excited to get involved with. Girls from all around San Diego between 3rd and 8th grade meet twice a week to learn about physical activity, nutrition, self respect and empowerment, and at the very end of each session they hold a 5k for everyone to run!

I had a really great time at this 5k. It was held at beautiful De Anza Cove in Mission Beach. Nothing like starting your morning with a nice jog around the water. I was really excited because my neighbor Abby from Solana Beach ran the 5k with her mom. She was so cute and did a really good job. There was definitely a lot of Justin Bieber and celebrating at the finish line.

De Anza Cove

De Anza Cove is the prefect place to go for a run or ride a bike, with great scenery and flat paths.

All of the tents with plenty of goodies for the girls when they finished

My mom and I getting ready to run. My mom is so cute with her bib number pinned so high on her shirt!

Abby's team waiting to see her cross the finish line!

Abby and her Mom crossing the finish line

My mom very excited after finishing the race.

If you are in San Diego and are interested in participating in a 5k feel free to contact Southern California Vacation Rentals at 858-454-2451 and we would be happy to find a race that would take place the time of your stay.

The next 5k of the month will be the Resolution Run on January 9, 2011!

Rapping McDonalds and 405 Pound Tuna!

I love this blog because I can shamelessly brag about how awesome San Diego is! 2 major pieces of news have surfaced out of San Diego this week that I thought I would talk a little about.

I love this blog because I can shamelessly brag about how awesome San Diego is! 2 major pieces of news have surfaced out of San Diego this week that I thought I would talk a little about.

Firstly, a 405 Pound yellowfin tuna was caught just off the coast of the cost in San Diego!

This fish is the heaviest fish on record to be caught. Mike Livingston of Sunland California reeled in the 405.2 lb tuna, which measured nearly 86 inches and had a girth of 61 inches. The fish tool 3 painstaking hours to reel in! I wish that I could have been on the San Diego waterfront when the Vagabond fishing boat docked, a crowd of nearly 200 on lookers erupted in cheers when the fish was weighed. One witness described it as if the Chargers had just won the Super Bowl!

A HUGE draw to San Diego are the sport fishing excursions. Southern California Vacation Rentals is happy to make reservations of any of our guests on some of the best fishing vessels the San Diego harbor has to offer. Seaforth, our recommended Sport Fishing and boat rental Company offers a lot of cool packages for our guests interested in reeling in a huge catch of their own. For example, 26’ Glacier Bay or 24’ Everglades private boat – which includes the captain, fuel, rod / reel rental, bait, beer, soda and water and dry snacks, 5 hours of fishing time all for the $650.00 total! Please contact Southern California Vacation Rentals for more information!

In other news... The McDonalds on Noble Drive in La Jolla is home to the Rapping Drive Thru!

San Diego State student and McDonalds employee Adrian Mique is the genius behind the Sauce Rap at the La Jolla fast food restaurant. McDonalds is claiming that Mique is the most requested service person in McDonalds history to date!

Click HERE to get a taste of the experience you will have when you go through this drive through!

Beer Lover's Package

Are you a diehard beer connoisseur? Or maybe you just love trying new things with your friends? Whether you are celebrating a birthday or just looking for an excuse to getaway, make sure that you check out the Beer Lover Package when you stay with Southern California Vacation Rentals.  Southern California Vacation Rentals has created a package to ensure that you experience the best that the San Diego Beer community has to offer. The Beer Lover Package has everything you will need for the perfect beer vacation! Everything from a Brewery Tour with pick-up and drop-off at your Rental Home to all the ingredients needed for either a German Style Beer BBQ or a South of the Border Grilled Fiesta. All you have to do is come thirsty!

Package includes:

-          San Diego Brewery Tour and Sampling with Brewery Tours of San Diego, price varies on number of guests and Breweries selected to visit.

INCLUDES - round-trip transportation
     - knowledgeable and engaging BREWERY TOURS of SAN DIEGO host services
     - guided tours at most breweries (upon request and availability)
     - beer tasting's at each brewery
     - bottled water
     - souvenir glass
     - taxes and gratuities (driver gratuities are discretionary)

-          a Local San Diego Brewery Beer Stein

-          A copy of BeerAdvocate Magazine

-          Bratwurst from San Diego’s famous Tip Top Meats & European Delicatessen + Pizza Port Brewing Company Mustard or Carne Asada from La Jolla’s Homegrown Meats + Stone Brewing Company Hot Sauce.

-          Pint Glass set from a Local San Diego Brewery

-          Reservations made for the Last Wednesday of every month has the additional option of attending the Monthly Beer Dinners at the prestigious Grill Restaurant and Bar located The Lodge at Torrey Pines. $55 per person, inclusive of food, beer pairings, valet parking tax & gratuity.

List of San Diego Breweries available for Tour package:

Alesmith Brewing Co, Alpine Beer Co, Ballast Point Brewing Co, Backstreet Brewery, Breakwater Brewing Co, The Brew House at Eastlake, Green Flash Brewing Co, Karl Strauss Brewery, La Jolla Brewhouse, Lighting Brewery, The Lost Abbey, Mother Earth Brew Co, Oceanside Aleworks, Oggi’s Brewing Co, Pizza Port Brewing Co, Port Brewing Co, San Diego Brewing Co, San Marcos Brewery, Stone Brewing Co, Home Brew Mart Ballast Point.

All Guests who choose to participate in this package must be a minimum of 21 years of age. Packages must be purchased by 5pm prior to the day of your desired Tour date.

Contact Southern California Vacation Rentals for pricing and scheduling, 858-454-2451.

5 Course Holiday Beer Paired Dinner at The Grill!

Hands down my favorite thing about the holiday season is enjoying great food and drink with friends! And I have found the perfect place to do just that, all while sampling some of the best holiday ale on the market.

The Grill at Torrey Pines is hosting a 5 Course Holiday Beer Dinner!

December 8th 2010

Reception starts at 6:30 pm

Seating starts at 7 pm

Tickets are $55

(includes 5 course meal and beer plus valet parking)

For Reservations call (858) 777 - 6645

Try not to drool too much when you feast your eyes on the menu

The best part for me there is vegetarian options available! Tickets are only $55 for all 5 courses and beer pairings plus valet parking! For more information please visit  lodgetorreypines.com/beer/. Reservations are being taken until noon on December 8th, 2010. I love visiting The Lodge at Torrey Pines in the winter. It is decorated beautifully and besides all of the wonderful events, The Spa is OUTSTANDING!

For Reservations call (858) 777 - 6645

or

Southern California Vacation Rentals Guests can call (858)454-2451

Balboa Park!

Don't tell anyone but Balboa Park is my favorite place in San Diego! I really think that you would have to be crazy not to stop at Balboa Park if you are visiting San Diego. Balboa Park combines the best elements in life: Art, Culture, Theatre, Music, Architecture, Nature, and Knowledge!

Balboa Park is home to San Diego Museum of Man, San Diego Museum of Art, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, The Old Globe Theatre, The Starlight Musical Theatre, The Japanese Friendship Garden, and The Mingei International Museum, just to name a few!

Balboa Park features a tram that will take you all around the Park. Plus there are hiking trails, audio guided walking tours, and of course the World Famous San Diego Zoo. Do not miss the historical Carousel and Train for kids of all ages. Check out the map with everything that is located in Balboa Park!

The San Diego Bell Tower and The Museum of Man are two of the most beautiful buildings in Balboa Park 

The Botanical Garden is the perfect place to inspire your green thumb

The Spreckels Organ Pavilion

The Pavilion is ready for a Holiday Concert

The Panama - California Exposition Architecture

Aztec Woman Fountain in the Prado Courtyard

The entry to the Sculpture Garden

Every kids' favorite interactive attraction is the Mosaic Lizard. Perfect for climbing!

More mosaics 

The San Diego Old Globe ready for The Grinch!

The Sculpture Garden is the perfect place for weddings

The Mingei International Museum

The long archways are great for a sunny stroll

The Casa Del Prado

El Cid welcomes you to the Plaza De Panama in Balboa Park

Balboa Park was established as a park even before the land belonged to America. The Panama-California Exposition designed and built the Spanish style buildings and with the help of local hero Kate Sessions the park was covered in rare and exotic plant life. Balboa Park is home to dozens of museums, theatres, gardens, concert spaces, outdoor recreation centers, restaurants, and of course The World Famous San Diego Zoo. Balboa Park is a favorite place of locals and visitors alike!

My favorite things to do at Balboa Park is to an ice cream and walk around the Spanish Village Art Center.

If you are interested in visiting Balboa Park while in San Diego don't forget to pick up discounted tickets at The Southern California Vacation Rentals office! We offer $38 Adult Museum Passports and $20 Child Museum Passports, perfect for hitting up 13 major museums and attractions for one low price!

Participating Passport Attractions:

Choose from the following attractions for your Passport to Balboa Park or Stay-for-the-Day experience:

• Japanese Friendship Garden
• Mingei International Museum
• Museum of Photographic Arts
• San Diego Air & Space Museum
• San Diego Art Institute - Museum of the Living Artist
• San Diego Automotive Museum
• San Diego Hall of Champions Sports Museum
• San Diego History Center
• San Diego Model Railroad Museum
• San Diego Museum of Man
• San Diego Natural History Museum
• The San Diego Museum of Art
• Veterans Museum & Memorial Center

Note: Some museums are closed Mondays, and operating hours vary.