By EDITOR on February 6, 2012 at 9:07 am
San Diego – The Maritime Museum is building an exact replica of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s flagship, the San Salvador. It was the ship which first sailed into San Diego Harbor as part of the Spanish exploration of the West Coast. During construction, it can be visited on Harbor Drive near the airport. When completed, it will be on exhibit as part of the Museum’s fleet of historic ships and, from time to time, will sail along the California coast. Fun facts: Its estimated date for completion is November, 2013. The cost is $6 million and it will weigh 200 tons including 175,000 pounds of lead for ballast (Cabrillo used rocks!). Nine different types of wood will be used in its construction. More can be found at www.sdmaritime.org; go to the San Salvador page. Note: They are looking for volunteers to help build the ship.
Throughout the month, 40 San Diego area museums, cultural attractions and historical sites will be offering half-price admission for up to four guests. Some of those included are the USS Midway, the Maritime Museum and the New Children’s Museum; The Museum of Contemporary Art 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 Museum of Art in Balboa Park. Passes can be obtained at any Macy’s store in San Diego County or neighboring Temecula and El Centro. For a complete list of participating museums, visit www.sandiegomuseumcouncil.org.
San Francisco – On February 11th., the California Academy of Sciences opens Animal Attraction, in its Steinhart Aquarium. It will feature eighteen tanks focusing on mate selection, animal attraction, sex and reproduction. It highlights strategies that animals and plants have developed to attract partners assuring their genes are passed along to the next generation. The California Academy of Sciences also houses the Morrison Planetarium and Kimball Natural History Museum. To learn more, call 1-415-379-8000 or logon to online to www.calacademy.org.
Around the State – Amtrak and its California passenger rail partners have launched free Wi-Fi service on all three state-supported routes, the Capitol Corridor (Auburn-Sacramento-Emeryville/SF-Oakland-San Jose),
San Joaquin (Sacramento-Oakland-Bakersfield), and Pacific Surfliner (San Diego- LA-Santa Barbara-San Luis Obispo). Additionally, the Capitol Corridor offers designated Quiet Cars on select weekday morning trains. Interestingly, the state of California represents approximately 20% of all of Amtrak’s riders. For information, visit www.capitolcorridor.org or call 1-877-974-3322.
Safe travels and enjoy the journey…
Howard Hian
www.Travels-with-Hian.com
COMMENTS
As a resident of San Diego, my amifly and I enjoy visiting the San Diego Zoo to visit the exotic animals. We also like to visit Seaworld to learn about all the marine animals and mammals. Lego Land is another fun place to go. My favorite ride is the large firetrucks while racing them back and forth against others. Balboa Park is probably the place that has the most variety in one place. We can visit the world by going to the international homes, listen to some music at the organ cathedral; we also enjoy the Japanese garden. Another fun thing to do is board the U.S Midway Carrier. I think the most recent taping of American Idol filmed on the ship. Finally, the beaches are great. There are many to choose from such as Mission Beach, Ocean Beach, Pacific Beach, Imperial Beach, or just head west on the 8 freeway and follow the signs that say beach.