San Diego has something for everyone, and when you come to visit us at the Ocean Park Inn with your significant other we know that your individual vacation plans don’t always match up. When you visit us in San Diego, however, there is a perfect package designed to fit both the male and female desires alike: Fishing and Massages.

For the Guys: San Diego has some of the best deep-sea fishing on the west coast. You can go out and catch a multitude of species including Sea Bass, Halibut, Dorado Tuna and Yellowtail. There are a variety of deep-sea charters around the city, including Seaforth Charters, Islandia, and Fisherman’s Landing. We will connect you with the best charter to help you bring in a trophy fish, and go home with another great fishing story to tell around the boardroom.

For the Ladies: While your man is out on the open water spend your time relaxing in the privacy of your own room with one of our amazing in-room massages. Listen to the waves of the Pacific Ocean crash into the shoreline just steps from your hotel room and let one of our massage therapists work the kinks out of your stress-ridden muscles. After your massage, sit back in your robe and top the experience off with a glass of champagne and watch the sunset. When your better half returns home from his fishing adventures you can enjoy the fruits of his labor and head down to the grill to cook up the catch of the day.

The fishing and massage combo is an ideal solution for guys who want to indulge their inner sport-fisherman, and for ladies who enjoy a day of relaxation and pampering. Call us today and inquire about our fishing and massage packages, and we’ll make sure your experience is unforgettable!

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From December to March visitors to San Diego have the one-of-a-kind opportunity to witness one of nature’s most majestic events: the migration of the California Gray Whales. The whales migrate from the Alaskan seas, where they spend the spring and summer, down to the warm water lagoons of Baja California, where they birth and rear their young. Ocean Park Inn is centrally located for either viewing the whales from land, or chartering a day excursion to view them up close.

Those of you wishing to stay dry should

head down to Cabrillo National Monument, one of San Diego’s most picturesque national parks. The monument is located on the southern tip of the Point Loma peninsula and offers a glass enclosed observatory which serves as the perfect lookout for these amazing creatures. The monument also features whale exhibits and a taped narration explaining the characteristics of these animals.

After Christmas, the Birch Aquarium at Scripps celebrates the gray whale season with whale exhibits and educational activities. The aquarium’s outdoor tide-pool area overlooks the La Jolla shoreline and the Pacific Ocean, making it an ideal vantage point for viewing the migration.

For those of you that are more on the adventurous side San Diego offers a number of day excursions for whale watching, and there is an excursion for every level of explorer. If a leisurely luxury cruise is more your style, then check out Hornblower Cruises and Adventures, which offers a 3½-hour deluxe whale watching adventure cruise from December to April. If you are the kind of person who likes to get up close and personal with nature, be sure to schedule a whale watching kayak tour with OEX Kayak and Dive Center. This excursion gives you 2 ½-hours of whale watching action, and takes you on a one-mile paddle trip around the Pacific.

Be sure to add San Diego to your travel plans this winter or early spring because whether you charter an ocean adventure or simply view the whales from a distance, this is one experience you won’t want to miss!

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The seasons are changing, and fall is coming into full swing in Pacific Beach, and at the OPI. There is a slight, but nevertheless present nip in the air, people are breaking out their light winter sweaters and the traditions of autumn are rapidly coming upon us. As the seasons change, so does the local fare around San Diego. Despite the consistently sunny days, San Diegans still yearn for the comfort foods of fall that make us feel like we are back in mom’s kitchen.

No fall season menu is complete without the mouthwatering baked goods that pop up this time of year. Nothing is better on a cool fall evening than homemade desserts and pastries that remind us of Thanksgiving dinners with the family. Pumpkin pies, fruit pies, layered cakes and cookies are just a few of the yummy treats that we indulge upon in autumn. Just because you are vacationing in sunny San Diego this fall doesn’t mean you can’t get your hands on these delicious comfort foods. In San Diego proper, The City Delicatessen offers some of the best baked goods in the area. From apple, blueberry, cherry and peach pies to cakes, pastries, éclairs and cookies, City Delicatessen has a treat to satisfy every taste and sweet tooth. So head on over to Hillcrest and pick up your favorite treats from this classic San Diego restaurant.

Another trademark of fall is football season, and nothing says football like tailgating. Whether you’re enjoying the game from the comfort of your hotel room, or watching the bolts play live at Qualcomm, don’t forget to take part in the tailgating festivities that complete the football experience. Hotdogs, hamburgers beer and bratwurst are tailgating favorites. If you want a true San Diego experience, grill up some carne asada or pollo asado and make yourself a savory homemade Mexican meal. If you want to watch football from the comfortable seats of a popular restaurant, try Rocky’s Crown Pub in Pacific Beach for burgers and beer, or Casa Guadalajara in Old Town for authentic Mexican fare.

Lastly, no fall would be complete without hot beverages to warm you on cold nights. Regardless of whether you like hot chocolate, fancy lattes, bold coffees or hot teas, try Café Bassam in Banker’s Hill. They have an expansive array of unique blends, various hot chocolates and frothy lattes. The old-timey charm of this place is the perfect locale to enjoy a warm beverage, read a book or just sit back and people watch in exciting San Diego where we at the OPI make our home.

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When you come to San Diego to visit OPI this fall it’s the perfect time to hit the water and go sailing. Whether you are a regular visitor to sunny San Diego, or a first-timer, nothing is more cathartic than setting sail in the bay and cruising out into the open ocean. You will see a vast array of boats while you’re out sailing, from mega-yachts parked in the Marriott Marina to aircraft carriers and battleships that make San Diego a military stronghold. The feeling of the cool fall breeze blowing across your face as you glide swiftly through the waters of the Pacific Ocean is the quickest way to leave your worries behind and escape into a state of bliss.

With an average wind speed of 7 mph and an average temperature of 74 degrees the conditions are consistently ideal for a casual sail. San Diego offers waters that are perfect for beginners looking to learn, and easily manageable for sailing veterans who have been on the water for years.  Sit back and relax with a glass of wine and a plate of your favorite local cuisine and sail until the sun goes down over the gorgeous Pacific Ocean. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a glimpse of the infamous green flash just as the sun dips below the horizon. If you’re in need of a vessel to fulfill your sailing desires, check out one of these boat rental spots conveniently located near the Ocean Park Inn:

Seaforth Boat Rentals: 1641 Quivera Rd, San Diego CA 92109

Mission Bay Sports Center: 1010 Santa Clara Place, San Diego, CA 92109

Shelter Island Sailing: 2240 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106

These great shops allow experienced sailors to rent a boat and hit the water, or captain services for those who want to purely enjoy the ride, and even sailing lessons for interested novices looking to get their sea legs. So the next time you’re visiting us at the OPI we’d recommend you pack a lunch, grab your family and set sail on the deep blue!

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Hidden Gems!

While visiting San Diego, we at the Ocean Park Inn have a few “secret” places we’d like to recommend.  While these spots may not seem top secret to locals or frequent visitors, we do consider them our own hidden gems that the tourism community at large tends to look over.  While SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo will always be major attractions for vacation fun, we think there are a few of more intimate venues that might add to your San Diego adventure.  From food to drink to film, here’s a list of 10 – in no particular order.

1.)    Hungry for a hamburger?  Local favorite Rocky’s in Pacific Beach, near Ocean Park Inn, will not let you down. At Rocky’s, they figure keeping it simple is the best way to produce delicious food, and great atmosphere. “Do what you do best, and do it the best you can,” is a motto they’ve really taken to heart.

2.)    Looking for a cup of java in a serene atmosphere?  Crown Point Coffee’s got you covered!  A true neighborhood joint, Crown Point offers gourmet coffees, teas and smoothies. This can be a great spot for a light breakfast, or a mid-afternoon pick-me-up to keep you going during those fun-filled vacation days.

3.)    The museums, architecture, and atmosphere of Balboa Park is hardly a secret to most who visit San Diego, but it does boast an unofficial, and little-known attraction that we think you should check out.  The Hummingbird Sanctuary is off the beaten path, and hidden from the general view of visitors.  The local lore is that a security guard from the San Diego Museum of Art named “Wally” created this little pocket by purchasing and hanging dozens of hummingbird feeders, filled with nectar in varying in colors. This is a great place to check out some natural wonder while you’re in San Diego.

4.)    If you’re a foodie, stop by Isabel’s Cantina in Pacific Beach to enjoy upscale cuisine in a casual atmosphere.  The website for this hidden gem boasts that: “At Isabel’s Cantina, Chef Isabel Cruz fuses Latin and Asian cuisine into sensual and creative concoctions that are both remarkably addictive and surprisingly healthy.”  Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

5.)    How about a picnic?  As you might know by now, if you enjoy a nice bottle of wine with your picnic fare, you’re out of luck on the San Diego beaches and most public parks.  However, one of the best parks in the area for picnicking is still within bounds on that front.  Grab some sandwiches, snacks and some vino and mosey on over to Kate Sessions Memorial Park for great views and a small piece of picnicking heaven.

6.)    San Diego is rich in history.   One of the best historical attractions is located right in the center of Old Town.  The Whaley House once housed the only commercial theater, the county courthouse and a general store all in the same location. The Whaley House is preserved as a museum, and opens to the public for a variety of informational tours which meld interesting facts with the structure’s surprising paranormal history.

7.)    Spanish Tapas.  Enough said, right?  Okay, maybe not. Tapas refers to a traditional Spanish style of eating in which all the dishes are appetizer size, and everyone shares a little bit of everything.  Just down the road from Ocean Park Inn is a locally known Tapas bar called Costa Brava. With amazing food, wine and atmosphere, Costa Brava is the perfect place to sit down for a family meal.

8.)    Have you ever seen a garden at a private residence that looked so cool that you wanted to snoop around in it? San Diegans Edna and Alex Harper boast a home garden so gorgeous you’ll be itching to take a closer look.  The good news is that they welcome visitors to wander around at will.  Harper’s Topiary Garden is a site to see and enjoy.

9.)    Speaking of wine, need a fun and relaxing “Grown-ups” evening?  Tucked into a little known social district at the base of Mission Hills, Wine Vault & Bistro’s unassuming location provides intimate prix fixe meals that will definitely fit the bill.  Typically these are 3-5 course meals and often include wine tasting, and range from only $20-30 per person – which is a great value!

10.)  Drive-in theaters are all but extinct, but that doesn’t mean you can’t see a movie under the stars!  Cinema Under the Stars is a unique little spot that features classic movies in a fun, relaxing space underneath the clear San Diegan sky.  If you want dinner and a movie, there are a couple of great neighboring restaurants, including Olivetto Café & Wine Bar which offers special discounts to movie-goers.

With this many hidden gems surrounding the Ocean Park Inn, we’re sure that your next San Diego vacation will be brimming with exciting new places to see, eat, and enjoy one of the greatest cities on earth.

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