‘Movies / TV’ Theme

Horton Plaza Shopping Mall

Location: Downtown San Diego (Horton Plaza / Core District)

Open Daily: 10AM – 9PM (8PM on Saturdays); 11AM – 7PM on Sundays.

Features: Uniquely Designed Outdoor Shopping Mall in Downtown San Diego; Anchored by Nordstrom and Macy’s; Five Levels of Shopping includes a Food Court, Fine Dining, Movie Theater, and Many Visitor Services.

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Gaslamp Quarter Attractions and Nightlife

Location: Downtown San Diego (Gaslamp Quarter)

Features: Shopping, Restaurants, Nightlife, Performing Arts, Historical Tours

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Fashion Valley Mall

Location: Fashion Valley (6 Miles / 10 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: 10AM – 9PM (11AM – 7PM on Sundays)

Features: Most Upscale, Outdoor Mall in Southern California. Anchored by Bloomingdales, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nordstrom, Macy’s, and J.C. Penney; Fashion Valley Mall offers 200 Stores, Restaurants, and a Movie Theater.

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Reuben H. Fleet Science Center

Location: Balboa Park (3 Miles Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: Generally open 9:30AM -  8PM Summer & Weekends (5PM on Winter Weekdays)

Cost: $10 ($8.75 for Kids ages 3-12 and Seniors 65+); Additional Cost for IMAX Movies

Features: Over 100 Hands-on Science Exhibits, Southern California’s only IMAX Dome Theater, Planetarium, Simulator Ride.

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Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

Locations: Downtown San Diego (Columbia District) & La Jolla (14 Miles North of Downtown)

Open Daily: 11AM – 5PM (7PM on 3rd Thursdays of the Month); Closed Wednesdays

Cost: $10 ($5 for Seniors & Military; Free for Ages 25 and Under)

Features: World Class Contemporary Art Exhibitions, Films, Lectures, and Events.

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The Wave Waterpark

Location: Vista (43 Miles / 45 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego); Near a Sprinter Train Station.

Open Daily: First Weekend in June – Middle of August; Generally 10AM – 4PM (Check schedule for specific hours and additional dates in May & September.)

Cost: Several options starting at $16 ($12 for Kids under 42″ and $11 for Seniors 60+). Parking is Free.

Features: Five Water Slides; a Competitive Pool for Swimming; Simulated Wave Maker; Early Morning Lap Swims and Water Aerobics for a nominal fee.

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Whaley House Museum

Location: Old Town (4 Miles North of Downtown San Diego)

Open: 10AM – 5PM (Until 10PM during Summer and Weekends); Closed Wednesdays during the School Year

Cost: $6 During Daytime; $10 after 5PM

Features: Historic House Built in 1857 was once noted by the Travel Channel as the Most Haunted House in America.

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Dig for California Gemstones at the Oceanview Mine

Location: Pala (53 Miles / 55 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)

Gem Mining Hours: 10:30AM – 3PM on Sundays and Some Thursdays; Reservations Required.

Cost: $60 ($50 for Kids)

Features: Pan for California Gemstones, including Pink Tourmaline; Tour a Gem Mine that supplies Museum Curators and Jewelers around the World.

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Dig for California Tourmaline at the Himalaya Mine

Location: Santa Ysabel (75 Miles / 1.25 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Hours: 10AM – 3PM Thursdays through Mondays

Cost: $75 ($37.50 for kids ages 12-15; Free for Kids under 12); $50 for 1PM-3PM only

Features: Mine for Tourmaline from one of the most famous Tourmaline Mines of the 20th century.

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Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum

Location: Vista (44 Miles / 50 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: 10AM – 4PM (Closed on Christmas and New Year’s)

Cost: $3 ($2 for Kids and Seniors)

Features: 55 Acre Farm Serves as a Museum for Thousands of Antique Farm Artifacts; Recreates the Typical California Farm from the 1850s – 1950s; Dozens of Items Used in Hollywood Movies.

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San Diego Railroad Museum and Train Rides

Location: Campo (51 Miles / 1.25 Hours East of Downtown San Diego)

Hours: 9AM – 5PM on Saturdays and Sundays

Cost: $5 ($2.50 for ages 6-12); Train Rides are Extra.

Features: 1916 Train Depot is home to Over 80 Train Cars and Locomotives, many dating back to the 19th Century, Hour-Long Train Rides; Setting for Numerous Movies and Commercials.

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Belmont Park

Location: Mission Beach (8 Miles / 15 Minutes Northwest of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: Generally 11AM – 11PM. However, rides are generally not in operation on weekdays from November to February. (Check schedule and ride calendar for specific times.)

Cost: Most rides cost $2 – $6. There is No Entrance Fee and Parking is Free.

Features: Only Oceanfront Amusement Park in San Diego, Giant Dipper Wooden Roller Coaster, Miniature Golf, Bumper Cars, Perfect Wave Rider, Largest Swimming Pool in Southern California.

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Torrey Pines Golf Course

Location: Torrey Pines (15 Miles / 20 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: Year-Round; Dawn – Dusk

Cost: North Course Starts as Low as $129 and South Course as Low as $199; Discounts for Juniors, Twilight Play, Nine-Hole Play, and San Diego City Residents

Features: Two Courses Nestled on Seaside Cliffs Overlooking the Pacific Ocean; Home to Annual PGA Tournament & 2008 U.S. Open; Luxurious Resort Facilities

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San Diego Chargers Football at Qualcomm Stadium

Location: Mission Valley (7 Miles / 15 Minutes Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Game Times: Generally Sundays from September to December at 1:15PM (More Details Below)

Cost: Game Tickets Start at $54. Parking Starts at $25. There are Several Transit Options Including the San Diego Trolley.

Features: One of the Top Teams in the NFL with an Explosive Offense and Marquee Players.

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San Diego Padres Baseball at Petco Park

Location: Downtown San Diego (East Village)

Game Times: Generally, Evening Games Start at 7:05PM and Sunday Games Start at 1:05PM (More Details Below)

Cost: Game Tickets Start at $5.

Features: One of the Top Pitching Teams in Baseball; Best Seats in Baseball; Central Location for Restaurants and Nightlife; Behind the Scenes Tours.

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Tour the Hotel Del Coronado

Location: Coronado (6 Miles / 15 Minutes South of Downtown San Diego)

Cost: Free for Self-Guided Tours; Fees for Other Activities

Features: Tour of Historic Hotel Built in 1888; Served World Leaders; Seen in Major Movies and on TV

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Ocean Beach

Location: Ocean Beach (7 Miles / 15 Minutes West of Downtown San Diego)

Features: Beach Community with a 1960’s Theme; Very Laid Back; Eclectic Mix of People; Dog Beach; Ocean Pier; Antique Shops and Restaurants.

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San Diego Maritime Museum

Location: Downtown San Diego (North Embarcadero)

Open Daily: 9AM – 8PM (9PM during Summer)

Cost: $14 ($8 for Kids ages 6-17 and $11 for Seniors 62+). Parking Costs Extra.

Features: Oldest Active Ship in the World; National Historic Landmarks; U.S. & Soviet Submarines; Nine Maritime Exhibitions, Ships used in the Movies Amistad & Master and Commander; Sailing Adventures.

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Panoramic Views from Mount Soledad

Location: La Jolla (12 Miles / 20 Minutes North of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: Dawn – Dusk

Cost: None

Features: Park With Panoramic Views of San Diego County and the Pacific Ocean; Includes Views to Mexico and Los Angeles Mountains

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Balboa Park Museums and Attractions

Location: Balboa Park (3 Miles Northeast of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: Park and Gardens are always open; Many Museums are Open Daily, including Holidays

Cost: Parking is Free; Most Museums offer Discounts for Seniors, Students, and Military.

Features: Home to the San Diego Zoo, 15 Museums, 7 Performing Arts Theatres, 4 Cultural Centers, IMAX Globe Theater, Antique Carousel, Miniature Railroad, and Countless Gardens.

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Glamis & The Imperial Sand Dunes

Location: Imperial Sand Dunes Recreational Area (150 Miles / 2.5 Hours East of Downtown San Diego)

Open Daily: Open Year-Round (October – May are the Main Months)

Cost: $25 per Vehicle and Up. (See Fee Information Below.)

Features: World’s Most Popular Sand Dunes; Off-Roading; Hiking; Horseback Riding; Camping

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