February is Museum Month in San Diego

Throughout February 2011, visitors to San Diego have the opportunity to experience the region's rich cultural offerings at half-price during San Diego Museum Month. Guests can participate by picking up a free San Diego Museum Month Pass at any area Macy's location; with the pass, they can receive half-price admission for up to four guests per visit at 40 of San Diego's museums, cultural attractions and historical sites.

Visitors can take advantage of San Diego Museum Month at facilities located throughout the region; for example:

The USS Midway Museum, Maritime Museum of San Diego and The New Children's Museum in downtown San Diego;
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego and Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute of Oceanography in La Jolla;
LUX Art Institute and the San Diego Botanical Garden in Encinitas;
13 world-class facilities like the Mingei International Museum, the Museum of Photographic Arts, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center and San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park, which is often referred to as the "Smithsonian of the West."
 
Visitors can pick up a San Diego Museum Month Pass, valid February 1 to 28, 2011, at any Macy's store location in San Diego County or neighboring Temecula and El Centro. 

San Diego Museum Month was created in 1989 by the San Diego Museum Council to promote the region's museums, historical sites and cultural offerings. In 2010, nearly 24,000 visitors used Museum Month Passes to explore San Diego museums at half-price.

For more information about top events in California take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in California.

For more information on San Diego offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau at www.sandiego.org

Variety of Special Events in San Diego

Throughout the year, San Diego plays host to a variety of annual special events, ranging from the U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition, the largest event of its kind in the world, to Comic-Con International, the largest comics and pop culture event in the United States.

Here are some unique and colorful special events that visitors to San Diego can enjoy in the upcoming months.

Visitors can be Super Man or Wonder Woman for a day at Comic-Con International this week, July 22 to 25, at the San Diego Convention Center. Comic-Con is a signature summertime event for San Diego, attracting thousands of artists, celebrities and fans of comic books, movie memorabilia and all things related to pop culture.

Guests can wiggle their toes in the sand and view hundreds of sand sculptors at work during the Annual U.S. Open Sandcastle Competition, August 6 to 8, at Imperial Beach Pier.

The San Diego International Film Festival returns September 29 to October 3 to downtown San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter with a full slate of films showcasing the best in American and international full-length features, documentaries and shorts. Extra activities include Q&A sessions with the directors, workshops, panel discussions, guest appearances by film and video artists and more.

Part of San Diego’s annual Fleet Week celebration, the annual MCAS Miramar Air Show, October 1 to 3, showcases several types of aircraft, including vintage biplanes, Air Force Thunderbirds, a Navy Super Hornet and numerous stealth fighter jets. The event includes simulated combat demonstrations, a Twilight Show with the Great Wall of Fire and a firework grand finale.

For more information about top events in California, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in California

For more information on events in San Diego visit www.sandiego.org

AMERICA’S PREMIER SPRING ROWING REGATTA

The 37th annual San Diego Crew Classic – on March 27 and 28 on San Diego’s beautiful Mission Bay – has matured into the largest regatta in the world exclusively held for eight-oared rowing shells.

The race begins near Sea World and heads north along Mission Bay for 2,000 meters finishing at Crown Points Shores. The protected waters and green lawns of Mission Bay Park offer a perfect setting for this San Diego institution.

Over 3,400 athletes from more than 100 clubs, universities and colleges from across the United States will be taking part. For rowing events, the Crew Classic has been the marquee regatta on the West Coast for many years and has been on the rowing scene with many esteemed regattas such as Head of the Charles.

The Crew Classic has been the competitive site of both future and current Olympians. The Crew Classic is also an event for rowers of all levels and from ages 14-84 competing each year in various divisions. Some are novice rowers, while others are reliving their college and club experiences. The masters level is the fastest growing segment of the sport.

In addition to the outstanding racing, the San Diego Crew Classic features a trade show, great food and and alumni tents along with great viewing of the racing from Crown Point Shores or on the massive Jumbotron.

Crews will be on the water for practice throughout the day on Friday, March 26 adjacent to the merchandise and alumni areas.

For more information about top events in California, take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in California at www.topeventsusa.com/state-events-california.html

Or, take a look at the official web site of the San Diego Crew Classic at www.crewclassic.org