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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A day of rest for the USA, A Day of Surf and Sun for San Diego

For most Americans Labor Day is traditionally celebrated as the end of each warm and relaxing summer.  The holiday is therefore often spent of as a day of rest, a chance to take in local parades, and more.

Labor Day was first celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City. In the aftermath of a tragic event during the Pullman Strike of 1894, the President made it a point to reconcile relationships with the labor force.  Labor Day was made a state holiday in all 50 states by the turn of the century.

If Labor Day is the ultimate summer day for most of the United States, it is only right that it be deemed a day of surf and sun in Southern California.  As it directly follows what is often the warmest month of the year for San Diego, Labor Day is the perfect ending to a long and enjoyable summer.

There is no avoiding Labor Day weekend in San Diego.  The scent of barbecue is in the air, the beaches are packed and there is an overall sense of happiness and relaxation that settles over the crowds. San Diego weather, which almost always cooperates with a comfortable average in the 70’s near the coast, can be relied upon to host a picnic, barbecue or backyard party.  Boasting some of the best beaches in the country, including the sand just across the boardwalk form the Ocean Park Inn at Pacific Beach, San Diego makes spending some time in the sun easy.  For those who want to get outside and put a few miles on their shoe leather, San Diego also supplies hiking opportunities at Cowles Mountain, and family fun destinations such as Balboa Park or Sea World.

All in all, if Labor Day is for resting, barbecuing, surfing or catching some rays at the beach you need look no further than San Diego and Ocean Park Inn.

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Pleasure Point at the Museum of Contemporary Arts

Blossom with the La Jolla Festival of the Arts

Do you love the creative arts? If so, you’ll want to visit sunny, coastal San Diego from June 26^th-27^th, 2010 for the annual La Jolla Festival of the Arts! This event is one of California’s top rated art shows, at which you will enjoy the work of over 200 artists from the United States and Mexico displaying their watercolors, oils, sculpture, serigraphs, fine jewelry, photography, and more. Event attendees can also enjoy a variety of cuisines in the festival food area.

For a taste of a more innovative type of art, the Ocean Park Inn suggests that you look into the festival’s street chalking event. The nationally recognized Madonnari street painters will use the plain asphalt streets as their canvas, and fill the roads with color. There will also be celebrity lectures, live music, a unique car show, and book signings–so the event will easily satisfy every creative thinker in your group!

Not only will you be given the opportunity to see these amazing works of art first hand, but the festival also provides discourse regarding the artists’ creative process and artistic development. And if you are an artist yourself you don’t have to feel left out of the fun! The event offers its attendees the chance to submit their own work as well! All visuals are outstanding in color, presentation, and design, and could not have a better setting than the beautiful San Diegan beach town of La Jolla.

If you fancy art, a great ambiance, and good company, Ocean Park Inn believes the La Jolla Festival of the Arts is for you.

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Belmont Park is located only a few minutes from the Ocean Park Inn, and sits just across the street from the beach. The main attractions include the wave machines, arcade, midway games, glow in the dark miniature golf, and the lazar maze. The highlight of these attractions is the wavehouse, which includes the FlowRider® and FlowBarrel®. The FlowRider® attraction is a simulated wave machine that creates a perfect wave, resembling the shape of an average ocean wave. This attraction is perfect for beginners, and houses a large open face which allows riders to move freely. For the more experienced surfer Belmont Park boasts the FlowBarrel®, which is a hollow tube with a nice steep face, and resembles the type of waves that surfers travel the world looking for. And don’t worry if you fall, the surface beneath the water is padded for the protection of beginners.

When it’s time to take a break for food you’ll find that there are many options to choose from. If you are on the go, look into Chipstix, North Shore Café, The Sweet Shoppe, and Beach Treats, to satisfy your hunger. The most popular stop from this list is Chipstix, which serves classic amusement park favorites like corndogs, hotdogs, chicken tenders, and slush puppies. If you are looking to sit down, and relax in the ambiance of Belmont Park, then we would suggest the Wavehouse Bar and Grill. This place is open seven days a week, and is the ultimate family dining stop. The environment this place creates is laid-back, and encourages you to enjoy the San Diego sun and surf. The Wavehouse Bar and Grill includes an exciting array of outdoor Tiki bars, fire pits, hammocks, tropical palms and lounging sand pits. This particular restaurant is sure to please your taste buds, and your affinity for beach living!

When the family is full and ready to continue their exciting trip to Belmont Park, we would suggest a stop at some of the region’s premier retail shops. First, try Sun Diego, where they strive to bring customers the best selection of surf, skate, snow apparel and related equipment, safety gear, and accessories. Next, stop by Wings to peruse a large assortment of high quality clothing, swimwear, shoes, souvenirs, and beach accessories at affordable prices. Then, for a unique and creative experience, check out Henna Heaven, which originated in India. The tattoos here are top quality, and best of all temporary. The last stop is Beach and Resort Wear, where you can stock up on all beach necessities such as sandals, towels, swimsuits, bodyboards and more.

As your adventure comes to an end, all of us at the Ocean Park Inn would like to wish your family an amazing stay in beautiful San Diego.

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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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