San Diego for lovers

Description:

Customize your glass of wine with the right cheese or pick up the bottle of your choice (even if it is a hard-to-find choice)-only at the Wine Steals. They have created the perfect backdrop for wine tasting that will take you to a European winery with the most knowledgeable of staff. Whether you are a well-seasoned drinker or a newcomer in the world of wines-there's something for each one of you at the Wine Steals.

Our Local Expert Says:

You can easily devote at least a whole day to wandering around this huge urban park. Package deals are available for museum entrances, and can include the San Diego Zoo, at the north end of the park, as well.

Description:

The world-renowned San Diego Zoo is only one part of this magnificent 1,200-acre city park that was built for the 1915-1916 Panama-California Expo. California's Hispanic roots were celebrated as the city erected breathtakingly ornate Spanish-style buildings, which were eventually permanently restored. So much more than just an urban park, it is home to the zoo, 14 museums, a pipe organ pavilion, botanical gardens, international cultural centers, theaters and performance venues, an antique carousel, off leash dog parks, sports fields, hiking trails, a tennis center, municipal pool, and a miniature-scale train. The December Nights Celebration is held the first weekend of December annually and this popular event is an opportunity for the whole family to enjoy pageants, plays, food and music all in the tradition of the Christmas holidays.

Our Local Expert Says:

Some of the best food in the city, don't be intimated by cuisine inspired by your grandmother's favorites!

Description:

If you can't get to New Orleans this year, just try North Park's Urban Solace, where modern home style cooking meeting modern fusion. The venue is a large, refurbished home with a sizable patio and full bar that offers some of the most exquisite macaroni and cheese, chicken and dumplings and pot pie you've ever had. Think upscale with moderate pricing, that brings up back up again with ambiance inspired by the French Quarter in New Orleans (yellow house with wrought iron staircase). The venue is an inspiration of its own in North Park's vastly improved district, but it is worth the trip no matter where you're coming from or heading toward.

Description:

Presented to the citizens of San Diego in 1914 by brothers John D. and Adolph Spreckels, the ornate, curved pavilion houses a magnificent organ with 4,530 individual pipes. They range in length from the size of a pencil to 32 feet, making it one of the largest outdoor organs in the world. With only brief interruptions, the organ has been in continuous use. Today visitors can enjoy free hour-long concerts on Sundays at 2pm, given by civic organist Carol Williams; free concerts are also held in the evening during the summer months. There's seating for 2,400 but little shade, so bring some sunscreen.

Our Local Expert Says:

While it's known for hosting some Broadway specials, the best show is the annual Christmas special How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Description:

Modeled after Shakespeare's own theaters, this San Diego establishment is actually part of a complex of three theaters also including the Cassius Carter Centre Stage and the outdoor Lowell Davies Festival Theatre. Sadly, the 1935 original Globe has been replaced since it was destroyed by fire, though it appears that the renovation is a success. In 1984, the 581-seat replica won a Tony award for best regional theater. Predictably, the theater is home to an annual Shakespeare festival, but it is open year round. It also hosts much more than the classics. Its focus is actually the opposite - opening new plays.

Description:

Featuring 21 rooms with state-of-the-art facilities for every imaginable body treatment, the Spa at the Del is one place that shouldn't be ignored by anybody. A popular haunt amongst all fitness freaks in the area, it has several therapeutic packages on offer. The location has a great view of the Pacific ocean as well; there's an inviting lawn where you can just soak up the sun. Do check out the signature Del special treatments the Spa has for its patrons.

Description:

One of the oldest in California, this winery is located in the northern part of San Diego in the city of Rancho Bernardo, upon what was once a Spanish land grant. Since 1928, the Rizzo family has been producing fine wine here. You are free to wander through the rolling hillside covered with grapevines, sip wine on the patio, and shop in specialty stores converted from some of the original winery buildings.