The California wine culture is not one to be taken lightly, because the state is well-known for its many regions dedicated world-class wine making and innovation.  When that first sip of wine exudes deep beauty and elegance Californian wine enthusiasts rejoice.  If you’re interested in a taste of this regal California wine experience or already consider yourself a wine connoisseur, be sure to mark your calendar for April 6, 2013. On April 6th the annual VinDiego Wine and Food Festival–a premier wine tasting event in Southern California–takes place in San Diego.

VinDiego is a truly unique event which celebrates California’s finest wines and wineries at the beautiful Broadway Pier on the San Diego Bay. There will be hundreds of wines from the best and brightest vintners for attendees to taste and enjoy.  While sipping wine, you can graze on offerings from local culinary masters and artisans, as well as food from most renowned bakers and restaurants in California.

Wine enthusiasts can also enjoy specialized seminars conducted by certified wine experts of Cabernet, Rhone, and Pinot Noir.  These specialized seminars let you sip and swirl the finest offerings in each category as well as learn more about each wine’s popularity and differences in taste and texture.

The VinDiego festival is on Saturday, April 6^th from 3pm to 8pm. Hopeful attendees can buy tickets to to the event at http://www.vindiego.com/tickets/. Tickets are on sale now through April 5^th.  There are different ticket types available, ranging from VIP to Designated Driver. Or get together a group of 10 or more and receive discounted tickets! Located just 14 minutes away from Broadway Pier, Ocean Park Inn is the ideal place to stay to enjoy not only VinDiego, but also all that San Diego has to offer! From the soft ocean breeze of Pacific Beach to the glamorous nightlife of the Gaslamp, Ocean Park Inn is the perfect place to stay during your San Diegan adventure. For booking information visit http://bit.ly/QN1Jod.

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Nothing compares to a nice glass of wine. Except for a glass of Californian wine…on the coast…sipped while watching the sunset! On Saturday, March 9^th and Sunday, March 10^th join the thousands of other wine connoisseurs and experience the perfect combination of wine tasting and gorgeous beach views at the Family Winemakers of California’s 5^th Annual “Tasting 2013” in Del Mar.

With 170+wineries pouring, guests will have a plethora of different of Cabs, Pinots and Zins to taste. The event showcases small, family-owned wineries from some of California’s up-and-coming and widely acclaimed regions. From small label productions, to the rare collectibles, attendees will have the chance to discover some of California’s hidden treasures in the wine industry.

All of the wineries in attendance are small, family-owned establishments, that pour at only a select few events each year. Tasting 2013 gives you the opportunity to meet the vintners and wineries behind the labels, and see first-hand their passion for the craft of exceptional wine making. With over 700 wines to taste at the event, attendees will gain a complete understanding and taste of California wine.

The event is open to trade and consumers. Consumer hours are 3-6pm on March 9th, with tickets available online for $60. Consumers also have the option to participate in a “Reserve” tasting for $85. Purchase online with the promo code “VinVillage15” and receive 20% off your purchase! For more information on tickets, please call 415-705-0646 or email tasting@familywinemakers.org.

Just a short drive from the Tasting 2013 event at the Del Mar Fairgrounds is the Ocean Park Inn, which is the perfect venue to serve as your home base after a long day of indulgence of California’s finest wineries. Ocean Park Inn sits just a few steps from the beach. We can’t think of a better way to enjoy that new bottle of wine then while watching the sunset from one of our ocean front balcony rooms. Sip, sit back, relax, enjoy! For room rates, please call 858-483-5858 or visit http://www.oceanparkinn.com.

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With Valentine’s Day less than a month away, many people are finding themselves in a panic! They want to make the day special for their loved one, but they’re not exactly sure how to do so. Look no further than San Diego, CA, which houses a vast selection of restaurants to choose from, but also boasts great activities for couples to enjoy in this romantic day. On a day where it’s somewhat expected to take your date to a nice restaurant, we guarantee that finding a table will be hard to come by, as the best spots will be packed and you may have to wait for hours to get your food. San Diego is a very romantic city and we would like to offer Valentine’s Day alternatives to the basic “going out to dinner.” The best part? Most of our date ideas are right in the Ocean Park Inn’s backyard. Enjoy your Valentine’s Day weekend at this great local boutique hotel, and pick a date idea located in the surrounding Pacific Beach area!

1. The Full Moon Drive In: The classic drive in is a rare find today, but we’re fortunate to have Full Moon Drive In just a few blocks from the hotel. This is the perfect date spot for couples that just want to relax and enjoy each other’s company. Grab some blankets, dress down for the evening and cuddle up to your significant other. If you’re hungry, turn your car’s interior light on and a staffer will stop by your car and take your order. During Valentine’s Day weekend the drive in will be playing all love-related features. Although the drive in won’t be open on Valentine’s Day, it will be open Feb. 15-17. For more information please visit http://www.fullmoondrivein.com/.

2. Bike Around the Bay: For the couples that want to avoid the crowds on Valentine’s Day and do something active, we suggest renting some bikes and taking a ride around Mission Bay. Make a date out of it by grabbing some food and blankets and having a picnic on the shore. There are so many great places to eat in Pacific Beach, but we guarantee they will be packed for Valentine’s Day. Plan ahead by making your meal or ordering take out, and bring it with you to the bay. Here are a few of our favorite eateries in the area that are known for large crowds, but offer great take-out options:

-Rocky’s Crown Pub: Known for some of the best burgers in San Diego! Rocky’s is          located in Crown Pointe, so it’s on the way to some great bike trails on the bay. We         promise you won’t be disappointed with these burgers. http://www.rockyburgers.com/

-Pacific Beach Fish Shop: You haven’t had a fish sandwich until you’ve tried one from     Fish Shop. Everything is fresh and there is usually a seasonal fish on the menu.      http://www.thefishshoppb.com/

-Rubicon Deli: Located in Mission Beach, Rubicon Deli has some of the        best sandwiches in San Diego. The sandwiches are huge and they are made      with fresh         baked bread, so this is a great food choice if you’ve worked up an appetite from bike riding.  http://therubicondeli.com/

3. At Home Wine Tasting: If you and your date just want to stay in for the night, have a private wine tasting event at home. Open up a bottle or two of wines that you’ve wanted to try–perhaps from local Southern Californian wineries?–put together a cheese and meat platter and indulge.  You’ll avoid the large crowds, probably save some money and have a better opportunity to talk one on one with your significant other!

4. Learn Something New: With the beach only steps from Ocean Park Inn, there are unlimited activities in our backyard. Spend Valentine’s Day trying something that both you and your date have never experienced. There are surf lessons, paddleboard lessons and even sailing lessons available year-round.

5. A Romantic Getaway at Ocean Park Inn: We’re offering some great Valentine’s Day specials at OPI. Extend Valentine’s Day throughout the weekend and stay with us. If you book our Valentine’s Day Package we’ll throw in a beautiful ocean front room and dinner for two on us. Dinner includes a $50 Firehouse gift card and in-room chocolates. With a great view of the Pacific, readily available room service and that special someone to keep you company, you have the option to lounge, relax and stay in all weekend! For more information on our Valentine’s Day Package visit http://www.oceanparkinn.com/hotel-specials-san-diego.html.

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Julian Apple Festival

If you’re visiting us in San Diego this autumn be sure to make the drive out to Julian for the Fall Apple Harvest. The Fall Apple Harvest is a two-month event hosted in Julian, California, which is approximately an hour outside of San Diego. The event takes place through September and October and draws crowds from all over the United States. The Apple Harvest has something for everyone, from roadside fruit stands to wine tastings and even hikes on nearby Volcon mountain. This event—and the great taste of a Julian apple—have truly made this small town a household name.

The bakeries in Julian have become well-known throughout California for featuring some of the most appetizing baked goods around. Julian’s specialty, however, is the warm, flaky taste of an apple pie baked with the most fresh ingredient available. To get a taste of this celebrated dessert you’ll want to pay a visit to The Julian Pie Company, Apple Alley Bakery or Mom’s Pie House, all of which are guaranteed to satisfy even the most relentless sweet tooth.

Every Sunday during the harvest the Certified Julian Farmers Market opens up to the public. The market allows local farmers to showcase their fresh organic produce, nuts, eggs and specialty foods ranging from mouth-watering salsa and tamales, to sambusa, kettle corn and fresh baked breads. This event draws a weekend crowd from 11 am to 4 pm at the Wynola Farms Marketplace.

September boasts even more exciting culinary events for visitors to the Julian area, including the Santa Ysabel

Casino Best Back Country Chili Cook Off on September 18^th. This exciting competition will give you the chance to taste the best and most varied selection of chili that Southern California has to offer. If you would like to participate, the entry fee is $35-$40 and cash prizes are awarded for first, second and third place. Decorate your booth with some personal flair and enter to win $100 worth of free play at the Santa Ysabel Casino.

On October 2^nd and 3^rd come out for the Julian Apple Days Festival, which is a special part of the harvest celebration. The festival is held at the Menghini Winery and features apple displays, music and dancing, an antique tractor display, children’s games and activities, gold panning demonstrations, a beer and wine garden, food and merchandise vendors, contests and, of course, plenty of delicious apple pie. The festival offers an activity to entertain just about anyone, and tickets are only $5 for adults and free for children under 12, so feel free to bring the whole family!

So when you’re visiting us at the Ocean Park Inn for some beautiful beachside weather this September or October we’d recommend you also make the short trip out to Julian for these exciting events—and a slice of world-famous apple pie.

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