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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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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