Ghost Tours of San Diego

Ghostly Tours in History

We took two ghost tours of San Diego recently, in part to compare the $50  3-hour city limo tour with the $10  1-hour walking tour of the Gaslamp Quarter. Each had its advantages, you decide which is for you.

The Gaslamp Quarter tour meets at the haunted William Heath Davis House Fridays and weekends just as the city is getting dark. Our favorite story here is about the tourists who start to follow a “guide” upstairs and half way up are greeted by the real guide at the bottom of the stairs. There were no guides upstairs at the time.

Upstairs - no one there!

Walking around the Gaslamp Quarter at night is quite pleasurable, especially in the company of others and with someone who knows their way around. Not only did we see a restaurant in a former mortuary, we passed by several historic brothels and a haunted hotel. We also noted an interesting new restaurant that we later returned to for a late night snack.

Old Town Cemetery

The evening limo picked us up at an the Living Room Cafe and Bistro in Old Town.  Great place to arrive early, enjoy the food (and have your check paid) so that you are relaxed and ready to go. Door-to-gate service brings you to a cemetary that dates back 200 years and is located very near the very haunted Whaley House. Many violent deaths in San Diego’s history led to burials here. In the darkness you can feel some spirits. Many have seen figures drifting near the surrounding walls, but none seen this night.

Captain's quarters

The highlight was the Star of India sailing ship. Several deaths there have left wandering spirits above and below decks. With the other stops along the way we felt we had a pretty good introduction to San Diego, and a very enjoyable story time to boot. We were able to go to 5 different locations and the story for each one worth the time, trip and money. Tour more online at GoThere San Diego Haunted Places.

 

San Diego Wine Rave

 

Wine Rave November 18 2009

The San Diego Wine Rave is the opening event of the 2009 San Diego Bay Wine & Food Festival. Test drive more than two dozen cutting edge wines and specialty spirits. Not only drink, but food will be offered that is guaranteed to knock your socks off, if you come wearing any.  In previous years this has really been the highlight of the week-long event. 

The “Big Event” of the entire Wine & Food Festival is the Grand Tasting at Embarcadero Park North behind Seaport Village. In our experience this is simply too many people trying to sample too many wines and foods. Stick to the more intimate Wine Rave.

This year the Wine Rave is in the San Diego W Hotel which, if you stay there, makes getting home after the event a much safer alternative. Tickets online now, only $45.

Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Location: W Hotel
Time: 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.

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San Diego Scenic Champagne Brunch Cruise

 

San Diego Champagne Brunch Cruise

This two hour tour is  nothing like the one that led to Gilligan’s Island. This is a very civilized boat trip around San Diego harbor with food, drink and music. Stay inside or walk about the deck for better views. You can even visit the captain.

This is a great way to see San Diego from the water; Navy ships, planes & submarines; sailboats, water-side parks & hotels. If you live here it offers a pleasant reminder of why you do. Make out of town visitors wish they lived here too. Brunch Menu - Map

Full Moon Dinner Cruise on San Diego Bay

Not into brunch? There is also a two-hour sunset bay cruise with hors d’oeuvres and drink specials every Friday and Saturday this summer through September 27.

Night owl? How about a Full Moon Dinner Cruise? Next departures are September 4, October 4, November 2 & December 2.

More information and online tickets

Homebase: Old Town San Diego

You can save a ton of money if you establish a homebase where you can explore the immediate area and easily venture out into surrounding locales.  Selecting the right hotel for a homebase means you might not even need to rent a car. Best Western Hacienda Hotel in Old Town San Diego is such a place - (MAP). They have a free shuttle service for the San Diego Airport, Amtrack and the Cruise Terminal. From this hotel you can easily walk to everything in Old Town. One block away is the touristy  Old Town Trolley that for one low cost takes you around to all the city attractions, and three blocks away from transportation hub that includes the San Diego Trolley that takes you to Downtown San Diego and the historic Gaslamp District.

Old Town Park Headquarters

Historic Old Town San Diego is home to quite a few historic buildings going back to the Spanish and American eras. You can spend most of the day visiting these as many have been turned into museums, shops and restaurants. One of our favorite restaurants is the haunted El Fandango Restaurant. Most restaurants have bars where you can sample what is on the menu without breaking the bank. If discovering a unique tequila is your passion, try El Agave Tequileria. Shopping for native arts and crafts? Go to Bazaar del Mundo.  Looking for a little live theater action? Welcome back the Old Town Theatre with their crack up comedy Noises Off by Michael Frayn Directed by Sean Murray now through Sept 6th, 2009.

For more about Old Town , check out the photo tours on GoThere San Diego Old Town.

Casino Hotels of San Diego County

Who would have thought that there were five hotel casinos in the San Diego area? Several local indian tribes have risen out of poverty and provide employment for their members. These are a far cry from the “Indian Bingo” sites of just a few years ago. These are world-class resort hotels with casinos every bit as nice as you will find in Las Vegas or Reno. 
Book online or call 1-800-632-3303 to speak with a travel expert.

Barona Valley Ranch Resort and Casino (map)
310,000 square feet of casino action. Fully equipped fitness center, 24-hour in-room dining, one of the top 5 best resort golf courses in California, Barona Oaks Steakhouse. Food Court, Ranch House Buffet, Sage Café is open 24 hours a day every day, AmBience Day Spa.

Pechanga Resort & Casino (map)
AAA Four Diamond resort with eight restaurants, six full service bars and lounges, nightly entertainment and California’s largest casino. Headliner acts and concerts throughout the year. Fully equipped health club, seasonal pool and sundeck with private cabanas. Close to  the Temecula Valley wine region and historic Old Town Temecula.

Harrah’s Rincon Casino and Resort (map)
Each room features a 32-inch television and a large luxury bath with separate tub and glass-enclosed shower. Eight great restaurants, from buffet to gourmet. 1,600 hot slots, 100 bingo machines and more than 50 exciting table games, Rincon Craps and Volcanic Roulette Bingo, Pai Gow, blackjack, baccarat and Three Card Poker.

Sycuan Resort & Casino (map)
 425-plus lush acres, surrounded by picturesque mountain terrain. Two spectacular 18-hole championship courses, Golf Academy with golf lessons for kids are available. Slots, Blackjack, Pai Gow, Poker, World Poker Tournament, or Bingo. Sycuan Resort’s Primrose Spa, from wondrous massages to signature body treatments, licensed professional therapists are trained in deep tissue, sports, circulatory, Asian and passive joint movement therapies. 11 tournament tennis courts. Echo’s Lounge, The Cafe & Grille.

Pala Casino Resort and Spa (map)
 2,250 slots, 85 gaming tables, 8 great restaurants and live entertainment daily. Unique non-smoking area, high limit gaming and lounge area, open-air dining and majestic views of the Palomar Mountains, Barber Shop/Hairdresser, Dry Cleaning/Valet, Laundry, Fitness Center and Spa.

Gaslamp District

Hard Rock Hotel San Diego

Hard Rock Hotel San Diego has some pretty good deals right now, like 30% off plus spa credits. Located in the heart of the Gaslamp District (map) the Hard Rock is within easy walking distance to the San Diego Convention Center, Petco Park and all of the night life of 5th Avenue. The rooftop pool is the perfect place to watch the sun come up, or if you are like us, watch the sun go down at the rooftop bar next to the pool.

After sundown head down the street to Croce’s Restaurant & Jazz Bar.
As Jim Croce once sang in his song  Time in a Bottle
“But there never seems to be enough time
To do the things you want to do
Once you find them”
The Gaslamp District  offfers you many things you want to do. There are more restaurants, clubs, bars and shops in the few blocks here than anywhere else in San Diego.

It’s summer. Want a few goosebumps? The best deal around is the Gaslamp Walking Ghost Tour. For under ten bucks you get a one hour guided tour of places where people died…but never left.

For more about the Gaslamp vist GoThere San Diego Gaslamp.

SeaWorld San Diego Discount Tickets

SeaWorld San Diego
Single Day Ticket -

Adults at Kid’s Price plus 2nd Visit Free!
Now through the end of the year SeaWorld San Diego is offering adult tickets at the kid’s price.  With each ticket you also receive a ticket for a return visit, also before the end of the year.

Go to all eleven shows including Believe featuring Shamu the killer whale. Get soaked on Shipwreck Rapids. Enjoy the view from the Bayside Skyride. Many fine places to eat.

Here is a pretty good blog about SeaWorld

San Diego

Right now San Diego has some great values in hotels, and tours.

 

Paradise Point on Mission Bay

Paradise Point Resort & Spa It’s Southern California, just as you’ve pictured it–blue skies, towering palms and a landscape exploding with color. And it’s all here outside your plush bungalow. Step onto your lanai to find cloudless skies, lapping waves, soft sand beaches and lush gardens.
Sound like paradise? More Hotel Info · Packages Available! more deals…  
Book online or call 1-800-632-3303 to speak with a travel expert.