Where can you view some of the rarest and most intriguing wildlife from almost all parts of the world at one place? That’s got to be the world renowned San Diego Zoo.

Home to over 4000 animals representing about 800 species, San Diego Zoo is one of the most popular tourist destinations in San Diego. The variety of animals available here is hard to find in any other zoo in the world. From endangered pandas, apes, kiwis, kangaroos, komodo dragons, gorillas, koalas, lions to reptiles of varied shape and sizes; the diversity is simply mind-blowing.

The Giant Pandas happen to be among the major attractions of Zoo. San Diego Zoo is the only Zoo in the world where this endangered species is bred and nurtured.

Here you can view exotic animals in different habitat environments and ecosystems be it a desert, savannah, tropical rain forest, island, tundra or any other.

While you are on a vacation in San Diego, spare some time to check out the exciting exhibits at the Zoo such as Forest Tales, Reptile Mesa, Monkey Trails Rain Forest Aviary and many more.

San Diego Zoo is open 365 days a year and has two major parks. The traditional Zoo is located in Balboa Park and the other is the Wild Animal Park which is located north of the city. You need to have a few days in hand or at least one full day to explore the Zoo.

Spread across 100 acres, the San Diego Zoo takes the visitors through an enchanting journey of exploring the most amazing variety of wildlife for which you need to have plenty of time in hand. The best way to enjoy the Zoo fully is to stay in a comfortable vacation rental some where near to the San Diego Zoo from where commuting to it won’t take much time.

Due to its close proximity to the Zoo and other major attractions of the city, California Suites Hotel is the perfect place to stay while on a San Diego vacation. We offer premium services at affordable vacation rentals which you wouldn’t find anywhere else in San Diego.

What’s more, we also offer special San Diego vacation packages with superb discounts to make your San Diego trip even more exciting.

If you have come to San Diego in California on a vacation package planning to spend a relaxing family vacation in this beautiful city, shopping tours must be one of the top items on your itinerary!

And why not? This shopper’s paradise has 300 different and unique shopping destinations that are a favorite haunt for tourists and families coming to here for vacations.

San Diego is an absolute treasure house of haute couture - from fashion garments to latest trends in apparel and to all kinds of dresses you can think of. The most well-known shopping centers in the area are Horton Plaza in Downtown, Seaport Village, Fashion Valley and Westfield Mission Valley in Mission Valley, Bazaar Del Mundo Old Town and Westfield UTC near La Jolla.

If you are a mall shopper, this is the place to be. San Diego is dotted with wonderful shopping malls such as Fashion Valley Center, Otay Ranch Town Center, Grossmont Center, Chula Vista Center, Westfield Plaza Camino Real, Westfield North County and a lots more.

In addition to these, San Diego is also proud of its antique shops offering clothing, art and virtually anything that can be described as old or antique. You can look for something interesting at the Antique Warehouse in Solana Beach, EW Gallery on Thorn Street at Balboa Park, Maidhof Bros Nautical Antique and Junkyard Shop located near Old Town and the top antique stores near the Ocean Beach area.

There are also Outlet Malls for the more value based shopper.

Wow! With so many places to shop San Diego definitely promises an exciting vacation. But you need to stay in a place from where commuting to various shopping destinations is easier. California Suites Hotel with its close proximity to many shopping destinations and beautiful homely ambience is an ideal place to spend your family vacation. What’s more, to make your San Diego tour even more memorable, we offer special vacation packages with attractive discounts to make our budget prices even more pocket-friendly for you.

Book your rooms with us now and enjoy sunny California family vacations which you would remember for a long time to come.

Balboa Park is a beautiful and well-known urban cultural park located in the middle of the city of San Diego. You may have come to San Diego for a beach vacation, planning to spend your entire holiday on the glorious sun-kissed beaches here, but a tour to Balboa Park is a must.

Take some time out to visit this awesome park sprawling across a massive 1,400 acres of land and dotted with museums, theaters, gardens, shops and restaurants along with the world-renowned San Diego Zoo.

If you are interested in architecture, then the Balboa Park would surely live up to your expectations. There are many beautifully designed museums and cultural attractions that are living examples of Spanish and Latin American architecture.

You can see the San Diego Museum of Man, the San Diego Museum of Art, the Museum of Photographic Arts, the Natural History Museum, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and Timken Museum of Art.

This place is not just for history buffs. Balboa Park houses some of the most famous gardens inside it such as Alcazar Garden, Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden, Japanese Friendship Garden, Botanical Building, Cactus Garden, and Palm Canyon. Soak yourself in serene nature, marvel at the mind-boggling diversity of plants, stroll along the neat, canopy covered pathways and get introduced to nature in a new way.

For music lovers, Balboa Park is a paradise. Get to the famous Spreckels Organ Pavilion to see the world’s largest outdoor pipe organ. The Balboa Park Golf Complex with an 18-hole golf course and a 9-hole executive golf course is the perfect place for golf lovers. You can even take part in other sports activities such as chess, horseshoe, petanque, lawn bowling and disc golf.

The list of major attractions at Balboa Park does not end here. If you plan on spending some days or at least an entire day at Balboa Park, make sure to reach early so that you can avoid the rush later.

And for that you need to stay at a hotel which is near to the park. Well, California Suites Hotel is located quite near to Balboa Park. By staying at our hotel, you can catch most of the exciting tourist spots without any hassle. Moreover, there are some interesting San Diego vacation packages offered by us.

The buzzing nerve center of San Diego is its famous Downtown area, a haven for tourists enjoying a San Diego vacation. This whole area offers so many attractions that at times tourists are left wondering what to see first. If you are on a San Diego vacation, you are sure to fall in love with this place.

Action doesn’t stop at Downtown San Diego. It has something for everyone. Simply strolling down the well maintained paved walking path of the beautiful place called Embarcadero to soak in the picturesque view of the San Diego Bay, North Island Naval Station and the ships sailing around the harbor is an experience in itself.

If you are a history buff, a visit to the USS Midway Museum is a must. You can see a real aircraft carrier up close here. Entry for kids of five years old and below is free at the USS Midway Museum.

San Diego itself is a shopper’s paradise. And Downtown San Diego lets you indulge yourself, no holds barred. You can flag off your shopping spree with a visit to the Horton Plaza, the centerpiece of downtown San Diego. This open air venue is a multi level mall with plenty of small and big boutiques, gift shops, and delicious eateries. In fact, the imposing building of the Horton Plaza is a breathtaking example of architectural excellence.

Another not-to-be-missed place in Downtown San Diego is the Seaport Village. This shopping and dining complex overlooks the bay in San Diego, California. The place is marked by its several freestanding buildings in various architectural styles, from the pristine Victorian to the traditional Mexican. Moreover, the complex also boasts of novelty shopping centers, restaurants offering ethnic foods and live music shows.

The last stop at downtown San Diego is the exciting place called Gas Lamp Quarter. With about 40 nightspots, plenty of open air restaurants, sidewalk cafes, live theaters, dance clubs, old fashioned pubs and world-class shopping centers, Gas lamp Quarter is one of the most happening places in San Diego. The traditional and modern mix here in a perfect blend.

Plan a San Diego vacation and don’t forget to mark a visit to Downtown in your itinerary.California Suites Hotel offers affordable lodging in San Diego with easy access to the loveliest tourist attractions in this city.

With us, you will find high quality premium facilities at budget prices at the most convenient placed location in the city, which very few San Diego lodging can offer. Come and enjoy a memorable vacation. Make your room reservations now!

Flanked by the San Diego Bay on the one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other, the City of Coronado is home to sprawling beaches and awesome tourist attractions.

Of all its scenic golden beaches, the Coronado Beach located on the ocean side of Coronado Island is a perfect beach to spend an entire day sunbathing under a bright big umbrella and watching the orange sun go down across the horizon.

With its widest expanse of sand, Coronado Beach has plenty of space for kids and adults to play ball, fly a kite, build sand castles or simply stroll or run around on the sand. The Beach is an ideal place for those who prefer water sports such as swimming, tide pool exploration, surfing, fishing or sailing.

For those who prefer to stay out of the water, Coronado Beach offers plenty of other activities. You can bike, rollerblade, fly kites flying, play beach volleyball or shop. And whenever you are hungry, indulge yourself in a variety of delicious foods available at the nearby shops.

Lifeguards are present all the year around on the Coronado beach. There are restrooms and showers and there is also an off-leash area where pets are allowed.

With no Entry and Parking fees, the place is busy all the year around.  As getting  free parking can be quite challenging at times, it is better to arrive early to get the best spot. Moreover, while visiting the Coronado Beach, be sure to take out time to visit some outstanding parks nearby such as Glorietta Bay Park and Spreckels Park which are popular with the kids.

During peak season, getting a good lodging in San Diego can be tough. Besides, to enjoy the beaches fully, go for an accommodation which is nearby.

Coronado Beach is just a short car trip across the San Diego Bay Bridge from downtown San Diego which is very near to our California Suites Hotel. We are always at your service to provide you with the best and most affordable accommodation in San Diego. We would say, book your rooms with us as early as possible to beat the rush.

The mouth-watering variety of cuisines in San Diego is one of the biggest attractions for tourists here. Given this bustling city’s penchant for bringing about a fusion of cultures, due to its ever-increasing popularity among tourists from all regions and ethnicities, San Diego has become place for food lovers too.

San Diego offers a perfect mix of all kinds of authentic cuisines, whether from Mexico, Asia, the Pacific Islands or regions of the U.S.

California Suites Hotel is located strategically in the heart of San Diego, within easy distance of a variety of restaurants offering a range of dining options.

Since we offer the best vacation rentals in San Diego and given our proximity to all the major attractions of the city, we are a preferred affordable lodging for both tourists and business travelers. If you are looking for budget vacation rentals, there is no need for you to hunt for cheap motels in San Diego, CA. California Suites Hotel gives real value for money with a comfortable stay at budget rates a great swimming pool and lovely gardens.

Everything is nearby, within 15 minutes of the hotel, right from the San Diego International Airport, San Diego Zoo and the Sea World to the sunny beaches and shopping malls and, of course, the topic of this blog, a variety of restaurants offering all kinds of specialty food and cuisines.

Talking about food in San Diego, its eclectic mix of cuisines is in fact, a true reflection of the cultural heritage of the city. The use of local ingredients like Avocados, Artichokes, Fresh figs, Fresh dates, Persimmons and Sprouts make the local food quite different from those in other places.

Try out some of the tastiest delicacies of this place like:

- Tortilla Espanola
- Halibut Miro
- Tomato and Lobster Salad with Avocado Relish and Shellfish Aioli
- Seared Hawaiian Ahi with Wild Rice and Basmati Rice in a Shiitake Teriyaki Beurre Blanc
- Herb Crusted Goat Cheese and Heirloom Beet Salad
- Whole Grilled Local Snapper
- Sea Urchin Bruschetta
- Chino Farms Mixed Bean Salad with Mint Vinaigrette
- Grilled Cream Cheese Sandwich with Banana and Pineapple Salsa

And San Diego is also home to Carl’s Jr., Jack in the Box, In-N-Out, Del Taco, Original Tommy’s and Fatburger.

Let’s not forget our own delicious complementary breakfast buffet that includes cereal, breads, Danish, muffins, bagels, cream cheese, fruit spreads, fresh fruit, juices, coffee, tea, espresso or hot chocolate!

Make your reservations with us now. You will get San Diego vacation rental rates you won’t find elsewhere and we make the extra effort to make your visit to San Diego truly memorable.

Just a short walk from the La Jolla commercial area, lies one of the most beautiful beaches called La Jolla Cove. Located in the La Jolla Underwater Park ecological preserve, La Jolla Cove is surrounded by beautiful cliffs and offers some magnificent views.

Considered to be a world famous diving site, the feature that sets La Jolla Cove apart is the awesome diving experience it offers. Whether you want to dive during day or in the night, La Jolla Cove would never leave you disappointed.

The best time to dive is early in the morning when parking is easy to get in one of the paid lots or go for diving in the night when the rush is over. Be it day or night, diving in La Jolla Cove is an experience that you would never get anywhere else. With its abundant undersea life, La Jolla Cove undoubtedly, is a paradise for any die-hard diver.

La Jolla Cove is home to a great diversity of marine animals. You will find some magnificent lobsters in the area. But don’t try to touch them or catch them. Catching marine animals is forbidden in La Jolla Cove.

You can dive, swim, and snorkel in the calm, clear and deep waters of La Jolla Cove.

Lifeguards are stationed year-round for your safety. Even if you are not the adventurous type, you can simply spread a towel, lie down and sunbathe, read a book or picnic with your group. La Jolla Cove has got everything to make your day thoroughly enjoyable.

La Jolla Cove in San Diego is something, you must include in your itinerary. As far as lodging in San Diego is concerned, we provide the ideal accommodation and facilities at budget prices. Our hotel is located nearby to La Jolla Cove from where you can just stroll down to the beach.

Dive in and let the crystal clear waters of La Jolla Cove take you into a different world altogether. Come and have a diving experience of a lifetime!

All set for an affordable family vacation package in San Diego?But have you decided what all you would need in San Diego?

Here is a list of important items to bring along on your vacation to San Diego.

• San Diego normally remains warm. So don’t forget to carry sun screen lotion to prevent sunburn and tanning. And sunglasses are a must in San Diego.
• Keep binoculars handy, especially if you’re in town during whale-watching season from December to March.
• While the weather is great in San Diego; evenings get cold, even in summer, so carry along a light sweater or a jacket.
• Bring along comfortable walking shoes for sightseeing and lots of walking on the stunning beaches.
  
• San Diego has miles and miles of amazing beaches. Carry your camera, lots of film rolls, and extra batteries to take wonderful pictures. While traveling put your undeveloped film in your carry-on baggage, as the x-rays of screening equipments for checked luggage can damage undeveloped film.
• No matter which place you are headed to, always carry your medications in your carryon bag in case of some emergency.
• Although San Diego has lots to offer to children but if your kids still insist, let them bring their own backpack of toys and books.
  
• Don’t forget to carry along your charger to keep your cell phone alive.

Planning ahead will greatly reduce the chances of you forgetting any key items. One good travel packing tip is to jot down items that you have to carry along and keep it close to the suitcase you are filling. And have all your bookings for hotels or rentals in San Diego confirmed on the net in order to avoid any trouble later on.

Mouth-watering local delicacies, pleasing sounds of Mexican music by mariachi players, colorful shops selling unique items! That’s Old Town for you.

The atmosphere at the Old Town Market Place is always festive and buzzing. There is so much to explore here that you simply can’t get enough of this place.

Watching the local artists performing traditional Mariachi music and artisans demonstrating glass blowing is something you won’t come across easily elsewhere.

Historical Delights

The place is also a delight for any history buff, it lazily takes you back in time. And even if you aren’t a history freak, you still won’t be able to stop marveling at the rich and colorful history of early California, which the Old Town reflects. There are over 15 historic sites, including the Heritage Park, Old Town State Historic Park, Whaley House, Old Town State Historic Park and plenty more. And the icing on the cake is that all the guided tours of historical buildings are free!

Old Town in San Diego is also virtual Mecca for shopping and fine dining.

Shopper’s Paradise

Browse around leisurely in the local shops that stock up an awesome variety of Mexican handicrafts, artistic handmade jewelry, sun powered products, authentic hand made leather, home decor in vibrant colors and much more. It’s an ideal place to pick up some amazing and unique souvenirs for yourself and your friends and family. In fact, the items displayed in these shops are so tempting that they are really hard to resist.

For Authentic Mexican Cuisine

If you are a foodie, then Old Town is the best place to try out authentic Mexican cuisine. Its exciting array of restaurants offer delectable traditional Mexican delicacies. In some restaurants, you would even find waitresses serving you all dressed up in typical Mexican attire.

When in San Diego, don’t forget to tour the lively and vibrant Old Town, which still retains much of its pristine charm. To explore the Old Town conveniently at your pace, book your stay in California Suites Hotel which located not very far from Old Town. You don’t need to look for cheap motels in San Diego or San Diego Vacation Rental. With us, you will get the services you are looking for at budget prices.

For those who love the outdoors, San Diego is the place to be. From swimming to surfing, from camping to hiking, from scuba diving to snorkeling - San Diego has plenty to keep you busy. If you are planning to spend your vacation in San Diego, leave space in your itinerary to include all the exciting and adventurous stuff you can do in this beautiful city.

Just as San Diego has loads of exciting things to do for the adventure seekers, it also offers an awesome choice of vacation rentals and hotels and motels to suit all kinds of budgets. Check out some affordable vacation rentals in San Diego as you draw up your itinerary of adventure sports.

Here is a preview of what all you can do on a San Diego vacation:

Fun on the Ocean

Sunbathing: As the city is located over the San Diego Bay, water sports are quite popular here. The white sandy beach hugs the shoreline for a long 19 kms offering everyone plenty of opportunities to do their kind of thing. You can enjoy a perfect sunny day all alone or in the company of your friends and family.

Surfing: Of all the beaches, Torrey Pines State Beach is the most popular one amongst local people and visitors. Surrounded by sandstone cliffs, this is the very place where surfers love to spend hours amidst nature.

Scuba Diving and Snorkeling: Then there is the Torrey Pines State Reserve where you can explore rugged terrains without the help of marked trails. La Jolla Cove located near the Underwater Park Ecological Reserve is the most visited place for activities like scuba diving and snorkeling near the cliffs.

If you want to get a glimpse of the old world charm of the 19^th century, Old Town San Diego State Historic Park offers a delightful experience.

Adventures on Land

Hiking and Climbing: Spread over 5,800 acres of land, Mission Trails Regional Park is quite popular amongst hikers and climbers who love to see the Cowles Mountain.

Horse Riding and Biking: The Mission Trails Regional Park also offers horse riding and biking trails.

Boating and Camping: Facilities are also available for boating and camping within the boundaries of the Mission Trails Regional Park.

Along with these, there is a lot more to experience in San Diego. When planning a trip to this adventurous land, come with some time on your hands to fully explore and experience the varied delights of this place.

There is a wide range of budget hotels in San Diego which offer affordable vacation rentals. In fact, you don’t need to hunt for cheap motels in San Diego. If you are a budget traveler, look up some good quality budget hotels in San Diego that offer affordable vacation rentals and complementary breakfast. They are easy on the pocket, offer reasonably good service and the free breakfast saves you a tidy sum.