Visit San Diego on June 3-5, 2011 and you’ll hear the deep roar of airplane engines overhead as Air Group One, the San Diego wing of the Commemorative Air Force, presents the 16^th Annual Wings Over Gillespie Air Show! This year’s event has special meaning as it falls exactly on the dates of the 1942 “Battle of Midway” and coincides with the 2011 Centennial of Naval Aviation.

Expect to see B-17 Flying Fortresses, B-25 Mitchell Bombers, Northrop N9M Flying Wings, F4F Wildcats, the TBF Avenger, the A6M Zero, the SBD Dauntless and countless other airborne attractions when you come to San Diego for this exciting event in June. The air show also boasts special displays for those with specific aviation interests–you’ll find USN/USMC helicopters, along with other static displays, special military and law enforcement vehicles, and even a NASA exhibit.

2011 is rumored to be the BEST YEAR YET for the Wings Over Gillespie Air Show, so gather up the family and come enjoy the best that San Diego’s Air Force has to offer! You won’t even need to worry about entertaining the kids, because the “Gillespie AirFair” will keep them busy with rides, games, face painters and an abundance of great food and beverage options! Come early on Friday, June 3rd, and your family can enjoy a FREE Education Day with a community youth focus on Science, Technology, Engineering and Math.

For a complete 3-Day schedule, visit: http://wingsovergillespie.com/schedule

You can also follow the event on Twitter and Facebook for information on advance ticket sales or to register for a chance to WIN a ride in a B-17 or B-25!

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Elegance, excellence and excitement are what come to mind when we think of the Del Mar National Horse Show! For more than sixty years people from all over the world have been travelling to the Del Mar Fairgrounds to take part in this event, which is one of the oldest and most prestigious equestrian competitions in the Western U.S.

Set in the picturesque beach town of Del Mar, California, the Del Mar National has earned a reputation for being among the toughest, most exciting, and finest horse shows in the Western region. Today, the show boasts over 3,000 horses of varied breed and training. Horses and jockeys alike arrive eager to show off their talent and earn ribbons, trophies, titles and of course… prize money!

The Del Mar National Horse Show is spread out across three separate weeklong events including:

• Western Week: April 21-24
• Dressage Week: April 28- May 1
• Hunter/Jumper Week: May 3-8

With world-class equestrian competitions, an exhilarating crowd that is “dressed to the nines,” and signature Saturday evening performances, the Del Mar National is an event you don’t want to miss out on.

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Rip Tide Warning

As spring approaches, the beaches of Southern California will again begin to fill with visitors looking to catch a few rays and play in the surf.  But as you make your way to the carefree, sandy shores of places like Mission Beach and Pacific Beach in San Diego, remember to recognize the danger posed by rip currents.

Rip currents are powerful currents that pull swimmers out from the beach and into the open ocean.  They do not drag people underwater, but they do carry a swimmer very quickly straight out to sea.  Rip currents are created when strong crashing waves reside next to weaker waves.  The result is a flow of water that moves away from the beach at fairly high speeds and with enormous strength.

Rip Tide Strategies

There are easy strategies to recall if you happen to be caught in a rip current.  First, acknowledge and understand that you are in a rip current and that it will not pull you under, but will take you away from shore.  Attempting to fight the current and swim directly back to shore is never your best option, as it will exhaust you waste energy.  Instead, stay afloat and try to move perpendicular to the shore. The rip current will eventually dissipate, so  if you can manage to stay afloat and you will be able to escape when the rip current ends.  The rip current will not extend incredibly far out into the ocean, averaging around a few hundred yards from shore. Once the current has given way, you will be able to swim in a straight line back to shore–as long as you’ve acted wisely and saved your energy! If you are able, attempt to wave for help when caught in the current to gain the attention of a lifeguard or fellow swimmer.

Strategies for a Rip Tide

If anyone in your group is a poor swimmer, be very careful, and heed lifeguard warnings.  A rip current is dangerous, even for the best swimmer. If someone cannot tread water and stay afloat, surviving a rip current episode can be difficult.  If there is any doubt as to the swimming ability of a member of your party, avoid areas with rip currents, and keep your eyes open for warnings.

Recognizing a rip current area can help avoid the danger.  Rip currents move away from shore and are typically made of choppy water that is a different color from surrounding water.  In general, you may be able to recognize a channel moving away from the shore, cutting through the incoming waves.

Visualizing Rip Tide

Now that you know the dangers of rip currents, how they form and what they look like, here are a few tips to take to the beach for safety, courtesy of Ocean Park Inn located on Pacific Beach in San Diego.

• Swim with Others
• Only swim at Lifeguard protected beaches
• Don’t fight the current
• Float and Tread Water
• Swim parallel to the shore to escape, do not attempt to swim directly back into shore
• Wave for Help if caught in a rip current

The beautiful Pacific Ocean can be a fun and exciting place to spend your vacation in San Diego, and keeping these tips in the back of your mind guarantees that you will enjoy a safe and sunny day at the beach!

Visualizing Rip Tides

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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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Earth Day Celebration

Earth Day at Balboa Park is the largest free and annual environmental fair in the world. This year’s celebration marks the 20th anniversary of Earth Day, and the event is projected to attract as many as 70,000 visitors. The Earth Day fair is only made possible with the help of 400 volunteers, and 350 exhibitors. The event will boast special theme areas, a Kids Pavilion, Food Pavilion, three entertainment venues, the Earth gallery art show, and Children’s Earth parade.

The exhibits are the main attraction on Earth Day, and they represent government and local programs and services that address environmental quality of life. This event has extremely low exhibitors’ fees so every organization is encouraged to participate. It is impossible to name everything at the Earth Fair, but some of the most popular exhibits present are: traditional conservation organizations, wildlife preservation groups, products made from natural and organically grown crops, organic gardening information groups, alternative energy vehicles, ecotourism opportunities, pet adoption services, and clean air and clean water products. While the movement towards a more environmentally friendly lifestyle is very intriguing for adults, a family might wonder how they’ll entertain the kids?

In the Kids Pavillion you will find crafts, games, face painting, storytelling, and hands on activities for children of all ages. The activities educate, entertain and inspire youth about the world around them, all in the spirit of Earth Day. This year kids will learn how paper is made, find out about recycling, and make gift cards from recycled materials.

The entertainment at the Earth Day fair includes music from the popular folk, and contemporary genres. There will be live performances hosted on two different stages! Even more, you will be able to enjoy a public art gallery which features artists who made creative items from solely recycled material. These amazing works of art will dazzle you, all while maintaining environmentally friendly standards.

Next we arrive at the Food Pavilion, where you will find natural, organic, and vegetarian food. Forget about greasy junk food and sugar, the Earth Fair wants to bring your attention to a whole new style of eating! The food is so good, and healthy, that you’re going to wish it were available all year long.

After a long day in the sun, taking in the sights and useful information that the Earth Fair has to offer, where do you head for a great night’s sleep? If you’re just visiting us in Southern California, we’d suggest a relaxing room at the Ocean Park Inn, located steps away from the sand. Share the San Diego experience with us–we’d love to have you!

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