Night Shift in San Diego

A southerner once visited San Diego and remarked, 'Your weather is perfect, even the outside is air conditioned.'  This really is the ideal town for outdoor fun, especially in the summer and the best part is the entertainment doesn't end with the setting sun.  Last week we highlighted where to go to catch a movie outside, this week we've decided to give you the scoop on some other nighttime activities you can only do in our town.    

Balboa Park is taking advantage of the season's weather and extending their hours every Friday until 8:00 PM with their "Balboa Park After Dark" nights.  There are nine museums who are extending their hours (the Museum of Man will stay open until 8:30 PM), and The San Diego Museum of Art is offering a special $5 admission fee for later entries.  While the Museum of Photographic Arts (or MOPA) won't be open later on Friday, they are offering extended hours on Thursday for those who can't make it on Friday.  The appeal doesn't stop there, the Park will also offer some of the city's finest food trucks and free music to liven the mood.  Check out their WEBSITE to find out which trucks and live music will be there each week.  These longer hours will run until September 2nd.  

In honor of its centennial year, the San Diego Zoo is extending their hours to 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM through September 5th.  Their "Nighttime Zoo" is a lively celebration that packs the last few hours of the day with music, dancers, and acrobats.  Albert's Restaurant will also be open later so you can grab a bite before you head out on the open-air deck overlooking the waterfall in the Lost Forest.  The restaurant will also have specialty cocktails created just for the Zoo's 100th birthday.  Music will include everything from traditional mariachis to a brass band to old fashioned rock 'n' roll.  Dr. Zoo will also be there presenting his signature informative and zany shows on zoo creatures.  Around 8:30 a puppetry parade of enormous proportions will close out the night.  

"Flight Night at Draft!" is a creative summertime concept from Draft, Belmont Park's delicious restaurant located on Mission Beach's boardwalk.  As we've mentioned BEFORE, Draft is known for serving over 100 different types of craft beer, and with "Flight Night" they've made a drinking menu where you can sample four different beers on tap.  Every Tuesday the fun begins with their "In-Flight Entertainment" at 6:00 PM with live-music, then "passengers" can select which flight they want to take.  There's "First Class" ($15), "Business" ($12), and "Coach" ($10) where patrons can create their perfect combination of drinks.  Draft even offers "In-Flight Snacks" with specialty pretzels and nuts.  Even if you don't want to test out the beer samples, a meal at Draft is a great way to wind down the day.

Contact Mission Bay Vacation Rentals to start planning a summer vacation where the fun continues into the night.  Take advantage of the season, the climate, and all our city has to offer!  After all, we wouldn't want to take for granted the fascination some visitors have with our "air conditioned" outdoors.

Father's Day at Belmont Park

 Father’s Day is this weekend and for the ideal place to celebrate look no further than historic Belmont Park in Mission Bay.  The old-fashioned amusement park on the boardwalk has recently been renovated and added even more great attractions.  This weekend the park has tailored its activities towards things Dad and the whole family would enjoy.  We’ve crafted an itinerary for a long weekend that’s heavy on the fun and all about dad.

FRIDAY

On Friday, grab lunch at the California classic, Hot Dog on a Stick, for corn dogs made from all-turkey meat and the best fresh squeezed lemonade in town.  As your food settles, head towards Tiki Town Adventure Golf, an indoor and outdoor mini golf course.  From golf pros to beginners, you’ll have a great time on the 18-hole interactive course.

After a game of mini golf, you’ll want a snack, and right around the corner is Dole Whip, a frozen, whipped pineapple and vanilla dessert.  This refreshing treat is perfect for a hot day and not too heavy, so you’ll be ready for the next stop: the Big Dipper.  The star of Belmont Park, the Dipper is a famous wooden roller coaster and a landmark of Mission Beach.  Built in 1925 (this is the Dipper’s 90th anniversary!), this high speed ride has dips and turns and offers great views of the beach and bay when you’re at the highest peak.  

Continue the retro amusement park theme by stopping by the Liberty Carousel for a family-friendly ride, or plunge through the air on the Crazy Submarine or experience the swinging thrills of the Beach Blaster.  After all the spinning and twirling, you’ll be ready to take a seat and relax for a spell, so head over to the Wave House, home to a ten foot tall wave machine.  Watch surfers on the FlowBarrel wave simulator Hang 10 on artificial waves.  From 5pm to 8pm you can cheer on amateur flow boarders as they compete for a wildcard entry in to the US Open FlowBoarding event taking place the next day. 

At dinnertime, stroll over to Cannonball for incredible sushi and killer views.  They have the largest oceanfront rooftop in San Diego and a creative menu, all set in a pool-like seating arrangement.  Enjoy fried chicken bao buns and spicy octopus rolls while reclining on cushioned benches and finish the evening with kiwi cheesecake while keeping warm by the fire pit.  

SATURDAY 

Car enthusiasts and dad will love the 2nd Annual Car Show, held in the north parking lot from 9am to 3pm.  The first 100 dads who attend will receive a free Draft branded beer chalice!  After checking out classic cars, make your way to Draft for brunch and some brews.  Draft boasts 69 beers on tap and a wide variety of craft lagers.  And beer isn’t their only speciality, their decadent brunch menu offers strawberry shortcake biscuits, a French toast B.L.T., and a pistachio crusted salmon sandwich, to name a few. 

With cars still on the mind, steer towards the rides of Belmont park for a turn at Krazy Kars, Speedway, and Overdrive Bumper Kars.  Old-fashioned, automotive-themed fun that everyone will love. 

Head back to the WaveHouse to see the start of the US Open of FlowBoarding,which starts at 2pm.  Don’t miss your chance to meet the pros who will be signing posters and posing for photos with fans.  The WaveHouse also offers delicious food, so when you start to feel peckish, order up some sesame sriracha hummus, blackened cod sandwich or a strawberry salad.  At 6pm, live music will get you moving and  maybe give you a second wind.  

SUNDAY

After a couple days of watching the flow riders you’ll be ready for some adrenaline-packed activities, and the Zip Line is the perfect place to start.  Soar through the air and enjoy vistas of the ocean and Belmont Park.  Or, if you need an extra shot of heart-pounding adventure, then try the Leap of Faith, a free-falling bungee jump, that will make you feel free as a bird. 

For a hearty lunch, Belmonty’s is definitely for those with a heathy appetite.  Fill up on tasty burgers covered in gooey cheese, funnel cake and friend Oreos.  You’ll want to get your body moving after  lunch, and the Lazer Maze Challenge is where you should head.  Another newly added attraction, try to navigate your way through a timed course, without breaking the laser stream.  Once you have a taste for ducking and diving through lasers, naturally you’ll want to try your hand at Laser Tag, a Tron-themed, three-level course, where you compete with others in this futuristic version of tag.  

For those needing a sugary indulgence between meals, The Sweet Shoppe is your place.  Homemade fudge, candy apples and frozen bananas will satisfy your sweet tooth and tide you over until dinner.  

 If you aren’t afraid of heights, then the Sky Climb and Speedwall await.  The first is a new 30-foot tall climbing wall, with multiple ways to the top, depending on your skill-set.  Speedwall times your climb and you can compete as you race to the top.  If you still need one more shot of vertigo-challenging entertainment, the Sky Ropes is your best bet.  Once you’re secured in a harness, you can negotiate your way around this elevated rope course on roped bridges and beams.  

You’ve had brunch at Draft, but now its time for a return visit for an amazing dinner menu.   Considering they’re located right on the boardwalk, the people watching will be worth a return visit as well.  Feast on elegant comfort food like lobster fritters, Cuban torts, and to ensure a proper food coma: chocolate bread pudding with Reese’s ice cream.

MONDAY

The whole family will need a day to recover from the weekend and strolling along the bay or napping on Mission Beach will be the perfect way to repose and recharge.  At Mission Bay Vacation Rentals, we can’t think of a better way to spend a family-orientated weekend then staying local and enjoying quality time with loved ones.