San Diego offers new spring attractions

Photo: courtesy San Diego Tourism.

Photo: courtesy San Diego Tourism.

With its appealing mix of warm weather—averaging 20-degrees Celsius during March through May—112 kilometres of uncrowded beaches, world-class attractions, dining, hot nightlife scene and dazzling visual and performing arts, San Diego is a perfect spring getaway.

Convenient direct flights from Vancouver make it easier than ever to enjoy a sun-kissed escape to “California’s Beach City.”

New Venues

In January 2018, Children’s Nature Retreat added a spa event space to this more than 80,000-square metres family attraction located in San Diego’s East County city of Alpine. The Children’s Nature Retreat is home to 120 domesticated livestock and exotic animals and serves as an education center for groups and individuals wanting to get close to nature. The retreat can accommodate 40 people at its wellness center that includes an open design seminar room, an outdoor pool, sauna, hot tub and massage center.

The Chopra Center, a premier health and wellness center in North County San Diego, recently announced a Perfect Health program that allows guests to detox and de-stress in intimate and personalized wellness retreats. The program offers 6-Day Perfect Health, 10-Day Perfect Health, Wisdom Within or Rest & Restore packages. The Chopra Center Spa offers an array of detoxifying and rejuvenating Ayurvedic spa treatments that are customized to a guest’s specific dosha, or mind-body type. The Mind-Body Medical Group offers professional and compassionate 90-minute medical consultations to create a treatment plan with the tools to move towards better health.

Punch Bowl Social will open a 2,000-square-metre restaurant, bar and entertainment venue in San Diego’s Makers Quarter development in spring 2018. Punch Bowl Social is a concept that combines social gaming with a focus on innovative dining and craft beverage offerings, including shareable punch bowls. Located in the historic Coliseum Federal Athletic Club in downtown’s East Village neighborhood, Punch Bowl Social will feature eight bowling lanes, private karaoke rooms, a 360-degree bar with televisions for sports fans, and numerous other lounges and gathering spots. Additionally, the venue will offer virtual reality games for groups or individuals and dedicated servers and tech support team members. Punch Bowl Social’s menu is created by James Beard Award-winning chef, restaurateur, author and “Top Chef” judge, Hugh Acheson. Shopping

Newly opened Raised by Wolves is a dual-concept, cocktail supply store and cocktail bar located in La Jolla’s outdoor shopping center Raised by Wolves incorporates retail space alongside a cocktail bar and tasting room. The shop’s curated assortment of retail items includes a comprehensive collection of books and barware for the at-home enthusiast along with a signature line of branded goods, private label barrels, boutique spirits and other rare finds. A hidden entrance within the shop leads guests to a private tasting room, where barkeeps conduct educational classes and host seminars for guests. On select evenings, the tasting room doubles as a reservation-only cocktail parlor, hosting pop-ups and guest appearances from notable bartenders from around the globe.

Visit yvr.ca for flights from Vancouver to San Diego.