Father Knows Best

The first Father's Day began on the West Coast (in Spokane, Washington) and this weekend our own West Coast city is going to host some fantastic happenings all over the city that the whole family will love.  The weather forecast is going to be perfect, sunny skies and the timing couldn't be more ideal.     




Baseball has been America's sport since the late 1800s and what better way to celebrate Dad than to take in a ballgame at Petco Park?  Over here at Mission Bay we are definitely fans of the San Diego Padres and all things baseball.  Our home team is playing the Washington Nationals today (June 16th) through Sunday (June 19th).  If you go for Saturday's game, be sure and stick around after the game for a spectacular fireworks show.  Sunday's game is full of multiple promotions  and activities such as KidsFest, Military Appreciation and Father's Day.  Click HERE for tickets and more information.  







The San Diego Wooden Boat Festival has been a Father's Day tradition since 1990 and began as a tribute to one father who had a passion for the art of crafting boats made of wood.  Koehler Kraft Boat Yard has been building mahogany sports fishing boats since 1938 and was run by Clarence Koehler Sr., a wooden boat enthusiast.  Koehler passed in 1986 and his family organized the Wooden Boat Festival four years later as a way to share his love with others.  The Festival will run all day Saturday (from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM) and Sunday (from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM).  Come and take in the beautiful, well-maintained wooden crafts up close, some meticulously restored and others are newly built using the hand-crafted skill.  There will be live music, activities just for kids and a raffle with items donated from local businesses.  Tickets are $5 for adults, $2 for kids ages 6 to 12, and children under 6 are free.  Proceeds from the festival will go to benefit local charity, The Harbaugh Charitable Foundation.    







Whether you're in the market to buy a boat or not, you won't want to miss the San Diego International Boat Show.  The show starts today and runs through Father's Day, June 19th, and is going to be a great activity for the whole family.  The Boat Show hours vary depending on the day, click HERE for specifics.  Entry is $15 for adults (kids 12 and under are free), and with entry there are going to be a bevy complimentary activities for visitors of all ages.  The "Try It Cove" will offer guests a chance to test out stand up paddle boarding, kayaking, and sailing lessons.   For those who don't want to get wet, visit the "Sailing Simulator," where you can test out your sea legs on dry land.  A SCUBA diving station will be available for those who want to really take the plunge.  Kids will love the art area and even adults will have DIY clinics on boat maintenance and repair.   Come hungry as there will be gourmet food trucks, a barbecue hosted by the Rotary Club, and craft beers from Anchors & Ales Garden.  





With the sun shining down on us this weekend, San Diego is going to be packed full of entertaining dad-approved activities.  Spend time outdoors enjoying quality family time whether its on the water or dry land.  Set up camp in Mission Bay with Mission Bay Vacation Rentals and then start planning the fun.  

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.