Over 3,400 Collegiate, Junior and Master athletes will return to Mission Bay on April 2-3, 2011 for the 38^th annual San Diego Crew Classic. These athletes hail from more than 100 universities, clubs and high schools across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and they will compete in a total of 90 races over the two-day event.

San Diego Crew Classic

While rowing is often seen as a sport exclusive to the East coast, this event has become the marquee regatta of rowing in the West since its establishment in 1973. Even current and future Olympians travel to San Diego to compete in the Crew Classic each year. The Masters is the fastest growing sector of the sport, but the regatta also provides an opportunity for rowers of all levels and ages, from 14-84, to compete in various divisions.

In this year’s competition contestants will race across seven lanes, starting at Sea World and heading North along the 2,000 meter course through Mission Bay. The race will finish at Crown Point, where spectators can gathered to cheer on family, friends and fellow teammates.

Whether you’re attending as a competitor or a spectator, you won’t want to miss out on this iconic rowing event. Spectators will have a wide variety of amenities available to them as they watch the races from start to finish on a massive Jumbotron located at Crown Point. Tent Row will line the sandy shores of Mission Bay and provide a wide range of food, merchandisers, a beer garden on the beach and entertainment for all ages.

The Crew Classic brings in a large, and spirited crowd every year and guarantees a fun-filled weekend. Book your stay at Ocean Park Inn, located on beautiful Pacific Beach and only minutes from the action. If you are interested in getting involved in the classic sport of rowing just ask your Ocean Park Inn concierge who will be happy to recommend some of San Diego’s best rowing organizations! There are a variety of groups that offer non-competitive rowing for those solely interesting in the tranquility and exercise of the sport.

For more information on the event and a detailed schedule of race times and daily activities, please visit www.crewclassic.org.

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Spring is on its way to San Diego, and as the weather warms, San Diegans and visitors alike come together for a month of festivals, parades and celebrations. San Diego doesn’t waste any time relaxing, and instead moves quickly from exciting Mardi Gras events, to a fun-filled St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Be ready to put away your beads and break out the green and gold, because it’s time to celebrate Celtic style!

Saturday, March 12 marks an eventful day in Balboa Park, which will be packed with two stages of live entertainment, Irish cuisine and beverages, and of course the annual St. Patty’s Day Parade. Admission is free to the public, and gates open at 9 a.m. Get there early so you won’t miss the ceremonial flag raising which kick things off at 10 a.m. Just thirty minutes later the crowd will have moved to Fifth Avenue and Juniper Street where the parade takes its first steps. Revel in the sights and sounds of marching bands, floats, police and fire department units, dancing groups, bagpipe contingents, antique cars and more as the parade makes its way through the park.

The festivities will be in full swing by 11 a.m. with two beer gardens serving ice-cold Guinness, along with other beer, wine and spirits. Patrons can satisfy their cravings with a wide variety of authentic Celtic food and enjoy booths filled with traditional Irish crafts. And don’t forget about the little ones who are sure to enjoy the Kid Zone where they can partake in games, rides, face painting and more.

If a little history is what you seek, head over to the Celtic Village for the opportunity to step back into the year 1582! A troupe of renaissance re-enactors will be on hand to portray the daily drama of the soldiers of House McFionn. Relish in authentic fighting demonstrations, Irish dance, song, crafts and story telling.

If you think you’ve seen everything San Diego has to offer on this famed Irish holiday, think again! The following week, on March 17, the historic Gaslamp District hosts ShamROCK: the best St. Patty’s Day block party on the West coast! Pack your bags and head to the beach for a week of celebrations and all the green beer you can drink.

Let the Ocean Park Inn handle your accommodations and put you up in one of our contemporary-style rooms overlooking beautiful Pacific Beach. Take some time to relax and unwind by our ocean front pool as you prepare yourself for one of the biggest celebrations to hit San Diego all year!

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It’s been a long wait, but the party that brings together thousands of people for a night of indulgence and fun is upon us once again! Leave your inhibitions at the door when you join us on March 8, 2011 for a wild night celebrating Mardi Gras—San Diego Style!

San Diego’s famous Gaslamp Quarter shuts down the streets for their extravagant Mardi Gras block party. The best Mardi Gras celebration this side of Mississippi kicks off at 6 p.m. with world-renowned DJ’s, three massive stages and themed zones, and of course the Incredible Masquerade Parade, which begins at 9:30 p.m.

As the streets of the Gaslamp come to life with go-go dancers, street performers and cirque carnival games, so do the neighborhood’s most exciting hotspots. With 17 participating restaurants you’re sure to find a local eatery to satisfy any craving. Enjoy cuisines from all over the world including Italian, Contemporary American, Indian and even a little Southern Comfort food.

The parade winds down and reaches its end at midnight, but attendees are sure to simply clear the streets and head for the clubs to keep the party going all night. Don’t miss the opportunity to have the ultimate VIP experience at the Mardi Gras block party and Incredible Masquerade Parade. VIP access offers the chance to pay no cover at over 13 participating clubs, and enjoy 6 welcome shots, delicious food and drink specials, and a coveted parking discount – a $500 value for only $40 with advanced purchase!

Visit www.gaslamp.org for details and to purchase your tickets to the best Mardi Gras party on the West coast in advance!

After taking advantage of all that the festivities have to offer, remove the beads and relax on the shores of Pacific Beach at Ocean Park Inn.  Just minutes away from the Gaslamp Quarter, Ocean Park Inn has ocean view rooms and the most comfortable beds in So Cal.  Gumbo nightcap not included!  Visit www.oceanparkinn.com or call 858-483-5858 to make your reservation today.

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Valentine’s Day provides the perfect opportunity for you and that special someone to escape your everyday reality, and travel to a destination filled with new adventures. With warm weather, sandy beaches and gorgeous sunsets, San Diego is the ultimate destination for your romantic getaway this February 14th. And as if San Diego’s natural beauty weren’t enough to draw your attention, the city is also bustling with world-class dining, nightlife and entertainment.

Planning the perfect romantic getaway can often be stressful and unnerving, especially if it’syour first time in a new city. So we have decided to do the legwork for you! In this blog you will find recommendations for a few of the top restaurants and activities that will fit perfectly into your picturesque weekend escape.

The best tip for a perfect vacation is to search for those holiday discounts sure to put some of that hard-earned money back in your pocket. Start by staying with us at Ocean Park Inn and you will receive a 15% discount off your reservation thanks to our great February specials. You’ll be able to put that extra cash towards a fun event or an elegant dining experience later that evening.

Kick off your relaxing weekend with a morning walk along the sand in beautiful Pacific Beach. Fulfill your morning cravings with a stop at JRDN for brunch on the patio, the perfect place to soak up the sun and listen to the peaceful sounds of waves crashing on the shore. After brunch, head back to Ocean Park Inn to lounge by the pool or take a quick drive up to Escondido For the Love of Chocolate, Chocolate Festival. If you’re in the mood for something active and adventure is what you seek, then climb aboard a guided tour boat and sail into the Pacific Ocean for a day of site seeing and Gray Whale watching. Our concierges have hookups to the best Gray Whale Watching tours in San Diego, so you’re guaranteed to have a great time.

For a more intimate afternoon with your sweetie we recommend taking a trip up to Temecula for a day of wine tasting at some of California’s best vineyards. The region also offers a chance at horseback riding in the gorgeous countryside, or a day of relaxation in the natural mineral hot springs at Warner Springs Ranch.

As the sun dips beneath the ocean horizon, San Diego comes to life with some of the world’s best chefs and dining atmospheres, and the city’s restaurants are known to pull out all the stops when it comes to Valentine’s Day. Dine on top of the world at Bertrand at Mister A’s for a full 360 degree view of San Diego at sunset, or take to the water aboard the Hornblower Cruise ship for an evening of dining, drinking, dancing and sailing.

For the perfect end to a perfect Valentine’s Day, stop by San Diego’s famous Extraordinary Deserts for a slice of La Bête Noi: a creamy semi-sweet chocolate mousse, vanilla crème brûlée and chocolate ganache, layered in between dark chocolate cakes and moistened with Madagascar vanilla bean syrup. One of our favorites! Choose to dine-in or take it to go and end the night together with Valentine’s signature sweet… chocolate!

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Ready… Set… Run, Walk, Skip or Stroll in the LEGOLAND Kids Marathon Mile

Calling all Moms and Dads! It’s time to load up your youngsters and head to LEGOLAND for the annual Kids Marathon Mile (formerly known as the Keebler Kids Marathon). Run, walk, skip or stroll – whatever you please – through the LEGOLAND Park in Carlsbad, CA this Saturday, January 22nd.

This family-friendly event, which is scheduled in concurrence with the Carlsbad Marathon, was created for kids under the age of 12. However, everyone – moms, dads and big kids – are all welcome and encouraged to join in on the fun with a day of healthy activity at one of San Diego’s top attractions.

The Kids Marathon Mile kicks off at 8 a.m. PT at the starting line, which sits just steps from the LEGOLAND main entrance. This non-competitive race will take the kids around a one-mile loop through the park, finishing right where it began. Treats will be provided to all registered participants to include an array of great items such as a Kids Marathon Mile T-shirt, a 1-day pass to LEGOLAND and SEA LIFE Aquarium, an UltraStar Cinema movie pass and a coupon for a free popcorn. Participants will also be able to proudly display a shiny finisher’s medal when they complete the race.

If you’re planning on attending this year’s race, we suggest you make a fun-filled weekend of it and book a reservation at Ocean Park Inn today!  After a long day of “racing” and site-seeing around the park, you will be able to truly appreciate relaxing on the beach, or taking refuge in your comfortable hotel room. Ocean Park Inn sits on a large stretch of land right on the Pacific Beach boardwalk in San Diego. A quick 25 minute drive is all that separates your stay in paradise from this energetic and fun-filled LEGOLAND park event.

And there’s never been a better time to book! Check out our January specials before time runs out! Visit www.oceanparkinn.com.

For more information or to register for the Kids Marathon Mile, visit www.carlsbadmarathon.com.

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