January 30, 2012 – Cafe Coyote Dishes Out the Heat During Live Viewing of Heat Seekers
Cafe Coyote Old Town will be featured on Food Network’s Heat Seekers on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 8:00 pm! To celebrate this special occasion, Cafe Coyote is inviting the public to come to the restaurant on Monday and join the gang for a live viewing of the show. Guests who attend the live viewing will be able to enjoy a complimentary salsa bar stocked with the salsas that are featured on the show.
Whether at the restaurant or at home, you are invited to tune into the show to see owner Lehn Goetz cook up her Extra Spicy Salsa Sampler & Famous Old Town Carnitas for the show’s two hosts Chefs Aaron Sanchez and Roger Mooking. These two hosts live dangerously as they see who can handle the heat in this television series that focuses on discovering restaurants from across the country that are dishing up the spiciest foods. Sanchez and Mooking will brave the ultimate challenge to see who can handle the heat as Lehn provides them with not one, not two, but three “hot, hot, hot” dishes to dive into including Carnitas Taco with Naga, Carnitas Taco with Scorpion and Habanera Margarita to wash it all down.
In addition to Cafe Coyote’s fun and festive atmosphere captured on the show, make sure to look out for shots of its Fried Ice Cream, friendly staff and of course the famous Tortilla Lady making her incredible flour and corn tortillas. This is not the first television show that Cafe Coyote has been featured on, as it was also showcased on the Travel Channel’s Fried Paradise 2.
Cafe Coyote will be hosting the live viewing and free salsa bar on Monday, January 30, 2012. Arrive early; the show begins at 8:00 pm. Winner of Best Mexican 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011, Cafe Coyote showcases traditional and award winning Mexican Cuisine. The restaurant is located in Old Town at 2461 San Diego Avenue, San Diego, CA 92110.
New Sea Life Exhibit, Star Wars Miniland Expansion, Pirate Reef Water Ride & More Planned for 2012
At a recent Press Conference, LegolandCalifornia Resort’s General Manager, Peter Ronchetti, announced several new projects which will be unveiled in 2012. Not only is the Force returning to Legoland California Resort this year, but a swashbuckling pirate adventure ride – Pirate Reef – and a new interactive exhibit at Sea Life Aquarium – Claws – await guests coming to the family theme park in Carlsbad in 2012.
Here are some of the highlights of what to expect from Legoland California Resort in 2012:
Lego Star Wars Miniland
Star Wars Miniland is expanding to include new Lego models in each scene as well as a never-before-seen Lego Star Wars Gallery. Guests can already enjoy seven of the most famous scenes from the six live action Star Wars movies, as well as a scene from the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars all made out of 1.5 million Lego bricks and built in 1:20 scale. On March 29, 2012, Star Wars and Lego fans alike will be delighted to find even more detail in each scene. For example, in the Naboo area, guests will discover an “underwater” scene featuring an opee sea killer as it pursues Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon Jinn and Jar Jar Binks as they try to reach the city of Theed. Other new Lego models include a Jawa sandcrawler in the Tatooine scene, Rebels caught in a net trap set by Ewoks on Endor and a new crystal tower standing more than 6-feet-tall on Christophsis.
For the first time, guests will be further immersed into the Star Wars experience as they walk through the Lego Star Wars Gallery encountering Lego “friends,” similar to giant mini-figures, from the Star Wars Universe. Each Lego model will be 3-feet-tall and displayed on a podium for guests to get an up-close look. The 12 characters featured in the Lego Star Wars Gallery are: Wicket, Princess Leia, R2-D2, Clone Captain Rex, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Anakin, Boba Fett, Chewbacca, Yoda and Darth Maul. In fact, two new Darth Maul Lego models will be introduced in honor of the re-release of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace in 3-D in February, 2012. One of the Darth Maul models will stand in the Lego Star Wars Gallery while the other Lego model will be life-sized, posed in a combat position grasping his double-bladed light-saber in one hand and reaching forward with the other.
The new models for Star Wars Miniland are being developed and built by Legoland Model Builders all over the world but it will be up to the Master Model Builders at Legoland California to bring the scenes to life with the help of animation electricians, technicians and landscapers.
Pirate Reef – New Water Ride
Legoland’s newest attraction, Pirate Reef, is scheduled to make its debut on May 24, 2012. Guests are invited to battle each other on the high seas as they blast water cannons, try to avoid getting drenched on the main bridge and plunge 25-feet down a chute that splashes through the battle between Captain Red Brick and Captain Blue Brick. The splash bridge, water cannons and brick building play area are the three main interactive components of this multi-million dollar attraction which will be the first to be accessible not only through Pirate Shores within Legoland California, but also via the Legoland Water Park, the world’s first Lego-themed Water Park which opened in 2010. Captain Red Brick and Captain Blue Brick’s ships will stand more than 20-feet high and 40-feet long. The highest part of the ride will be 32-feet and families will plunge down the chute at 26 miles per hour. (Note: Minimum height requirement for Pirate Reef is 36 inches tall. Guests 42 inches tall or taller can ride alone; guests 36 inches to 41 inches tall may ride with an accompanying rider who is 42 inches tall or taller.)
Claws – New Exhibit at Sea Life Aquarium
This Spring, crustaceans will be scuttling around at Sea Life Carlsbad Aquarium at the Legoland California Resort with the opening of its newest interactive exhibit, “Claws.” The five new displays will include Japanese spider crabs – which can grow to 13-feet across – and coconut crabs – named for their ability to crack open coconuts with the power of their claws. Along with the gigantic Japanese spider crabs and coconut crabs, the exhibit will feature land crabs, lobsters and nephrops, commonly referred to as “prawns.”
The Claws Exhibit will allow guests to see the extraordinary weapons and defenses of these fascinating clawed creatures and will also include: an interactive floor projection that reacts when kids move over it; a touch display allowing guests to feel the shell textures of different crabs; plus a new daily educational presentation and feed.
A Look Ahead to 2013 – Legoland Hotel
At the entrance to Legoland California Resort, the nation’s first Legoland Hotel is currently under construction. Guests entering the Resort can now see images along the construction fences of what the guest rooms will look like when the unique hotel opens in 2013.
All of the new 2012 guest experiences are included in the cost of admission to Legoland California Resort properties.
About Legoland California Resort
Legoland California Resort includes Legoland California and Sea Life Carlsbad Aquarium, both geared for families with children between the ages of 2 and 12. At Legoland California, you’ll find more than 60 rides, shows and attractions including the 5.5 acre Legoland Water Park, the all-new Star Wars Miniland and Pirate Reef opening May 2012. Sea Life Carlsbad Aquarium incorporates Lego models into a child’s voyage to the depths of the ocean and features play zones, fun facts and quiz trails and the new interactive exhibit Claws, coming in the Spring of 2012. Legoland California and Sea Life Carlsbad Aquarium are located in San Diego North at One Legoland Drive, Carlsbad, California.
WOW First Wednesdays Concert Series = Free Concerts at CCAE
The California Center for the Arts, Escondido presents WOW First Wednesdays, a free concert series. The free concerts are presented to the public on the first Wednesday of each month with two shows, at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Seats are on a first come, first served basis. A limited number of reserved seats are also available for $7.00 each and can be reserved by calling the Box Office at 1-800-988-4253.
Here is a list of upcoming WOW First Wednesdays concerts:
Wednesday, February 1, 2012 – The Bayou Brothers – Influenced by Zydeco, Blues, R&B and classic Mardi Gras sound, this show delivers endless New Orleans enthusiasm.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012 – Brazilian Sounds and Dance with Solemar –Brazil comes to Escondido in a percussion and dance collaboration! It’s a concert of band music including bossa nova and modern samba.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012 – Malashock Dance –Malashock communicates through Modern Dance and entertains through dynamic performance that ignites the imagination.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 – Ballet Folklorico Tierra Caliente – The history of Mexico through the art of dance in costumes that reflect their traditional culture. Led by award winning Director Jose Jaimes.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012 – Too Much Fun Band – Born from a desire to make audiences smile, Too Much Fun Band pours out a toe tapping, hand clapping sound that resonates with the American heart.
The California Center for the Arts, Escondido is located at 340 North Escondido Boulevard, Escondido, CA. There will be two WOW First Wednesdays performances on the first Wednesday of each month, at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. All performances are free and open to the public. A limited number of Reserved Seats are also available for $7.00 each and can be purchased by calling the Box Office.
Celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Birch Aquarium at Scripps With Half Off Admission
To mark 20 years at its current location along Expedition Way in La Jolla, Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, is offering San Diego County residents half-off admission on the 20th of every month through the Aquarium’s anniversary month of September 2012.
“We are very grateful to the San Diego community for embracing the aquarium and its mission over the last two decades,” said Nigella Hillgarth, Aquarium Executive Director. “We’re offering half-off admission as a way to say thank you to residents and invite them to rediscover our fantastic facility.”
The 20th Anniversary special half off admission to Birch AquariumOffer is valid on the 20th of each month through September 2012:
Friday, January 20, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
Friday, July 20, 2012
Monday, August 20, 2012
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Half off admission is extended to all San Diego County residents living in zip codes 91901-92199. Aquarium visitors must show a valid ID with the zip code to receive the offer (limit two children per paid adult; cannot be combined with other offers).
About the Birch Aquarium at Scripps:
Birch Aquarium at Scripps is the public exploration center for the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the aquarium features more than 60 habitats of fish and invertebrates from the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest to the tropical waters of Mexico and beyond. An interactive museum showcases research discoveries by Scripps scientists on climate, earth and ocean science and features five dozen interactive elements. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Birch Aquarium has an annual attendance of more than 405,000, including 45,000 school children.
Scripps Oceanography has dedicated itself to maintaining a public aquarium since its inception in 1903. Birch Aquarium at Scripps opened in September 1992 along Expedition Way, replacing the Scripps Aquarium-Museum, which operated for four decades near Scripps Pier. Native San Diegans often recall visiting the facility when they were school children.
The new $14 million facility, named in honor of the Delaware-based Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation, a nonprofit organization that granted $6 million for the Aquarium’s redesign, was three times larger than its predecessor and became a testament to the breadth of Scripps research explorations and the Institution’s commitment to sharing ocean and earth science discoveries with the public.
In the last 20 years, Birch Aquarium at Scripps has welcomed more than 6 million visitors from across the United States and around the world, including U.S. presidents and other high-ranking government officials, royalty and Hollywood superstars. The Aquarium remains one of San Diego’s top cultural destinations and was voted San Diego’s Best Museum in the 2011 A-List, coordinated by 10News.com. More than 40,000 school children take part in the Aquarium’s on- and off-site education programs each year.
Today, visitors can explore more than 60 marine tanks – up from 36 on opening day – teeming with fishes, corals and invertebrates from the chilly waters of the Pacific Northwest to the warm currents of the tropical seas. A showcase 70,000-gallon tank houses a forest of gently swaying kelp, treating visitors to a serene view of a complex marine community that flourishes off the San Diego coast.
In addition to marine-life exhibits, the aquarium showcases ocean and earth science in its interactive, award-winning museum. Boundless Energy, the Aquarium’s newest exhibit, opened last summer. This outdoor, interactive playground – celebrating ways we can harness clean energy from the planet – is a natural extension of Feeling the Heat: The Climate Challenge, an adjacent exhibit that presents the science of global climate change.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps is located at 2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla, CA. Free parking (for up to three hours) is available to Aquarium visitors.
Enjoy Free Admission to Select San Diego Museums the First Weekend of the Month : Museums on Us Bank of America Promotion
Each Bank of America or Merrill Lynch cardholder member can enjoy free general admission to over 150 museums, zoos, science centers, botanical gardens and more across the USA on the first full weekend of every month with your Bank of America Card.
Here’s how it works: Show your Bank of America/Merrill Lych check, ATM or credit card and photo ID at participating museums on the first full weekend (Saturday or Sunday) of the month and enjoy free general admission to that Museum.
The following San Diego area museums are participating in the expanded 2011 Bank of America “Museums on Us” free admission event:
Free Museum Admission dates for 2012 are as follows:
January 2012 – Saturday, January 7 and Sunday, January 8, 2012
February 2012 – Saturday, February 4 and Sunday, February 5, 2012
March 2012 – Saturday, March 3 and Sunday, March 4, 2012
April 2012 – Saturday, April 7 and Sunday, April 8, 2012
May 2012 – Saturday, May 5 and Sunday, May 6, 2012
June 2012 – Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, June 3, 2012
July 2012 – Saturday, July 7 and Sunday, July 8, 2012
August 2012 – Saturday, August 4 and Sunday, August 5, 2012
September 2012 – Saturday, September 1 and Sunday, September 2, 2012
October 2012 – Saturday, October 6 and Sunday, October 7, 2012
November 2012 – Saturday, November 3 and Sunday, November 4, 2012
December 2012 – Saturday, December 1 and Sunday, December 2, 2012
Free admission through the Bank of America “Museums on Us” eventapplies only to the individual whose name appears on the Bank of America/Merrilll Lynch card; children and additional family members who do not have Bank of America/Merrill Lynch cards must pay the regular admission price. Hours and dates of operation vary from museum to museum; be sure to check with the individual museum for individual hours and dates of operation.
Editor’s Note: Young children are often admitted free or at a discounted price to most museums. Assuming you and your spouse each have a Bank of America/Merrill Lynch card (it doesn’t matter whether it’s the same account, so long as you can show separate cards with individual names, you will get in for free) and you have younger children, your entire family can enjoy the Museum for free or a significantly discounted rate. Check with the individual museum for admission prices.
Award Winning Artisan Chocolatier David Bacco talks about his Hand Crafted Chocolate Creations
David Bacco Chocolatier is a pioneering artisan confection company based out of San Diego, CA. Over 25 types of exotic ganaches, truffles and caramels are handcrafted by Bacco himself using a meticulous approach found in elite artisan circles in France and other parts of the world that take chocolate and pastry-making very seriously.
Bacco’s chocolates are made with high-quality, organic and sustainable ingredients. He uses organic cream and butter from Straus Family Creamery and regionally grown organic fruits and nuts to promote sustainable agriculture. Bacco sources his cacao from a company that buys directly from growers. They purchase from the same crop for two consecutive years for consistency. Because he makes his chocolate by hand in small batches, he has direct control over the quality of the final product.
The outcome is rich, tongue-tingling confections which please the palate with exotic, complex layers of flavors. Some of Bacco’s most popular flavors are: Incantato – passion fruit caramel milk chocolate ganache; Citral – lemongrass infused into 70% bittersweet chocolate; Sirona – fresh lime chocolate in a 65% bittersweet ganache; and, Captivé – mango ganache with balsamic reduction.
Bacco was named Top Artisan Chocolatier of the Year at the 2011 LA International Chocolate Salon and took gold for Best Dark Chocolate and silver for Best Traditional Chocolate. “It was an honor,” said Bacco, who has been crafting small batch chocolates and pastries for over 17 years. “It’s one thing to believe in your craft and another for others in the industry to as well.”
As a pastry chef, Bacco noted how many of his cohorts were intimidated by working with chocolate, a very temperamental medium. He saw this as a challenge and, within the first year, had produced nine exclusive flavors. He opened his business in San Diego because of the area’s overarching artisan food philosophy. “San Diego is an important area for small, creative companies like mine,” said Bacco. “I’m proud to be part of a growing group of artisans in a county where people care about traditional methods of cooking and creating.”
Bacco’s award winning Artisan Chocolates can be purchased at Seaside Market in Cardiff, CA or, in most states, shipped right to your front door. David Bacco Chocolatier personally customizes chocolates for special occasions, including weddings, holidays and corporations. To order your chocolates or for more information, visit the David Bacco Chocolatier website.
The Raj Report Meets David Bacco, Chocolatier
The Raj Report takes viewers to exciting events, places, and happenings in and around San Diego. With his unique perspective and signature style, this budding broadcaster brings a whimsical insight to the pulse of San Diego.
In this segment, The Raj Report sits down with David Bacco, who was named Top Artisan Chocolatier of the Year at the 2011 LA International Chocolate Salon and took gold for Best Dark Chocolate and silver for Best Traditional Chocolate.
Get the Scoop on Free Admission & Discounts to Knott’s Berry Farm
The RandomSanDiego.com Deal Finders have found some great deals and discounts to Knott’s Berry Farm! Take advantage of these offers – including a special offer for free admission to Knott’s Berry Farm – while it lasts!
Check out these free admission offers, deals and discounts to Knott’s Berry Farm:
Free Admission: Fire and Law Tribute Days– Knott’s Berry Farm honors all those who protect life and property with Fire and Law Tribute Days. From November 24, 2011 to January 31, 2012, free admission to the Park will be offered to all active fire and law personnel and one accompanying guest. Up to six additional tickets can be purchased for only $17.00 each. The person eligible for this offer must be present, and may be asked to show valid, active duty ID.
Free Admission with Donation: Toys for Tots Toy Drive– Knott’s Berry Farm and the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve will once again be teaming up to provide hundreds of toys for needy families. From December 3 to 18, 2011, guests will receive free admission to Knott’s Berry Farm with a purchase of a $20.00 gift from one of several merchandise locations in Knott’s Marketplace. You can also make a cash donation of $20.00 online and receive an e-ticket good for a single admission any day from December 3 to 18, 2011.
Those wishing to bring their own new, unwrapped gift valued at $20.00 or more will be given a voucher to purchase a regular Knott’s Merry Farm admission for only $20.00.
Discount Admission: Military Discount– Show your Military ID card and save on tickets to Knott’s Berry Farm and Knott’s Soak City Water Parks. Military personnel with ID can purchase regular admission tickets to Knott’s Berry Farm for $31.99 and regular admission tickets to Knott’s Soak City Water Park for $24.99. Offer does not apply to Junior or Senior tickets or to Special Ticketed Events such as Halloween Haunt or New Year’s Eve.
Discount Admission: AAA Members’ Discount– Show your USA AAA membership card and save 30% on Knott’s Berry Farm Regular admission tickets and save 15% on regular admission tickets at Knott’s Soak City Water Parks. Offer does not apply to Junior or Senior tickets or to Special Ticketed Events. AAA members also receive 10% off at select shopping locations in the Knott’s Marketplace.
Considered to be America’s first theme park and the 12th most visited amusement park in the country, Knott’s Berry Farm is located. Knott’s is located just 10 minutes from Disneyland Park and 30 minutes from both John Wayne/Orange County Airport and downtown Los Angeles. The Park is situated on Beach Blvd. in Buena Park, one mile south of the 91 (Artesia) Freeway and two miles south of the 5 (Santa Ana) Freeway at 8039 Beach Boulevard, Buena Park CA, 90620.
December 15, 2011 – Tasty Bites and Tempting Cocktails in Hillcrest
Head on over to Hillcrest on Thursday, December 15, 2011 as one of San Diego’s most beloved neighborhoods serves up a spirited approach to the holiday season. Tasters and toasters alike will indulge in a self-guided walking tour of mouthwatering appetizers and festive beverages at the Hillcrest Taste n’ Tinis!
With over 30 Tastes, 12 Holiday Martinis, fabulous holiday shopping and complimentary gift wrapping, Hillcrest Taste n’ Tinis 2011 will be the social event of the season, so don’t miss out!
Embark on a winter evening of wonderful cuisine from distinguished local chefs, offering an assortment of house specialties from hors d’oeuvres and entrees to delightfully sweet treats. Make your mouth feel merry with a variety of flavors, including spicy Spanish fare, fresh seafood, zesty Italian, classic American and many more delectable dishes. In the midst of the culinary merriment, find warmth indoors by visiting participating retail shops, where you can delight in holiday shopping at Hillcrest’s best boutiques and shops, all the while sipping on exquisite cocktails. Peppermint martinis, creamy eggnog, Candy Cane Cosmopolitans, Scroogedrivers and other tantalizing tastes will be mixed under the mistletoe, since each participating boutique will have its own bartender creating cocktails right in the store.
Enjoy the sampling, the shopping, and finding the perfect gift, and leave the rest to the experts at the Will Call booth, whose complimentary gift-wrapping will finish your gift with flare.
Hillcrest Taste n’ Tinis 2011 takes place on Thursday, December 15, 2011 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm in San Diego’s Hillcrest neighborhood. Tickets for this savory affair are $20.00 in advance and $25.00 on the day of the event. Participants in the cocktail portion of this event must be 21 years or older and have valid ID to enter.
December 11, 2011 – Free Tickets for Children to “Holiday Spectacular” Concert
A special, family friendly, holiday concert – Holiday Spectacular – returns to the California Center for the Arts, Escondido on Sunday, December 11, 2011. Back by popular demand, this heartwarming, toe-tapping show has it all: a wonderful children’s choir; a sing-a-long; fantastic vocalists and many other surprises!
Featuring some of the most beloved music and seasonal songs, Holiday Spectacular will be performed by Orchestra Nova under the innovative direction of Jung-Ho Pak, a favorite of audiences for their high touch, high tech and high entertainment.
Free Children’s Tickets Offer
As a special holiday gift to the community, the California Center for the Arts, Escondido has announced families can obtain free tickets for children under the age of twelve to enjoy Orchestra Nova’sHoliday Spectacular. Tickets are limited, so be sure to order your family’s tickets right away.
The Holiday Spectacular concert takes place on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 4:00 pm at the CaliforniaCenter for the Arts, Escondido (340 North Escondido Boulevard, Escondido, CA). To obtain tickets to this family friendly event or for more information, contact the Center’s box office at 800 988-4253.
December 9, 2011 to January 1, 2012 – Celebrate the Holidays at the San Diego Zoo
The San Diego Zoo is decked out for the holidays! Now in its third year, Jungle Bells has quickly become a fun, family holiday tradition full of lights, music, acrobats and animals.
The San Diego Zoo’s Jungle Bells celebration runs from December 9, 2011 to January 1, 2012 and is free with paid admission to the Zoo. During Jungle Bells, the Zoo grounds offers extended hours and will stay open until 8:00 pm (except for December 24, 2011, when the Zoo will close at 5:00 pm).
During the three-week Jungle Bells celebration, guests of the San Diego Zoo will be greeted by a traditional English hand bell choir, be amazed by elves who dance in the air and be delighted by a flashy light show. There also are twinkling lights in the shape of animals, sing along fun nightly at 5:30 pm and 7:00 pm, Santa’s workshop, extra encounters with animal ambassadors, Candy Cane Lane, the Treehouse “Blitzen” Light Experience, a Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer theme at the Skyfari, the “Reindeer Express” bus ride to see the lights and Dr. Zoolittle’s holiday show in the Children’s Zoo.
Also making its debut during Jungle Bells is the Zoo’s new 4-D theater. The theater is a fun, family oriented sensory experience sure to delight the kids. The 50 seat theater combines the visual drama of a 3-D film with a variety of sensory effects that are built into the seats and theater environment, such as water mist, blustery wind, snow, bubbles, scents, seat vibrations, and more. Two films, each about 15 minute long, will alternate in the theater. The theater is across from the Skyfari’s west-end station, near the Conrad Prebys Polar Bear Plunge exhibit. Films show throughout the day to provide a great entertaining and educational experience for guests. The cost of viewing a film is $6.00 per person and is in addition to Zoo admission.
Got the munchies? Again this year, the Zoo’s talented chefs are cooking up some holiday deliciousness to put guests’ taste buds in the spirit! Jungle Bells will be celebrated at Albert’s with “Happy Holidays Happen at Albert’s.” The event features a $6.00 appetizer, wine, beer and cocktail menu from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm daily. There also will be a $30.00 prix fixe dinner featuring a tender baby greens salad, slow-roasted pork medallions and Amarula spiced cheesecake for dessert. Special taste treats will also be available throughout the Zoo, including holiday colored cotton candy for the kids while they coo over camels, coffee with Kahlua for adults catching the polar bears in play, and much more.
Social Media Events During Jungle Bells
There are several fun opportunities to get online and share your Jungle Bells experiences in the social media:
The Tweeting of the Bells (Twitter): Five bell-shaped “Jungle Bells” will be placed throughout the Zoo during Jungle Bells. If you find one, complete the photo challenge and tweet the photo to www.twitter.com/sandiegozoo to be entered into a drawing to win a Backstage Pass for four.
foursquare Battle for the Mayor (foursquare): Whoever is the mayor of the Zoo on foursquare gets to light the Conservation Tree on December 10, 2011 to kick off Jungle Bells 2011.
Conservation Tree Photo Contest (Zoo Website): Submit photos of you and your loved ones in front of the Conservation Tree for a chance to win a behind the scenes experience. Every week during Jungle Bells one photographer will win an Inside Look tour for four, and one grand prize winner at the end of the month will score a Backstage Pass for four! Enter photos at http://sandiegozoo.org/junglebells
Holiday Wishes for our Animals (Facebook): Post holiday wishes for the Zoo animals on the San Diego Zoo’s Facebook page and they’ll choose one every week to share with all of their fans.
The San Diego Zoo’s Jungle Bells 2011 runs from December 9, 2011 to January 1, 2012. This family friendly event is free with paid admission to the Zoo. During Jungle Bells, the Zoo will stay open until 8:00 pm (except for December 24, 2011, when the Zoo will close at 5:00 pm).
The San Diego Zoo is located adjacent to downtown San Diego in Balboa Park (at 2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA, 92101).
Cafe Coyote Old Town will be featured on Food Network’s Heat Seekers on Monday, January 30, 2012 at 8:00 pm! To celebrate this special occasion, Cafe Coyote is inviting the public to come to the restaurant on Monday and join the gang for a live viewing of the show. Guests who attend the live viewing will be able to enjoy a complimentary salsa bar stocked with the salsas that are featured on the show. 
At a recent Press Conference, Legoland California Resort’s General Manager, Peter Ronchetti, announced several new projects which will be unveiled in 2012. Not only is the Force returning to Legoland California Resort this year, but a swashbuckling pirate adventure ride – Pirate Reef – and a new interactive exhibit at Sea Life Aquarium – Claws – await guests coming to the family theme park in Carlsbad in 2012.
For the first time, guests will be further immersed into the Star Wars experience as they walk through the Lego Star Wars Gallery encountering Lego “friends,” similar to giant mini-figures, from the Star Wars Universe. Each Lego model will be 3-feet-tall and displayed on a podium for guests to get an up-close look. The 12 characters featured in the Lego Star Wars Gallery are: Wicket, Princess Leia, R2-D2, Clone Captain Rex, Darth Vader, Han Solo, Luke Skywalker, Anakin, Boba Fett, Chewbacca, Yoda and Darth Maul. In fact, two new Darth Maul Lego models will be introduced in honor of the re-release of Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace in 3-D in February, 2012. One of the Darth Maul models will stand in the Lego Star Wars Gallery while the other Lego model will be life-sized, posed in a combat position grasping his double-bladed light-saber in one hand and reaching forward with the other. 
Legoland’s newest attraction, Pirate Reef, is scheduled to make its debut on May 24, 2012. Guests are invited to battle each other on the high seas as they blast water cannons, try to avoid getting drenched on the main bridge and plunge 25-feet down a chute that splashes through the battle between Captain Red Brick and Captain Blue Brick. The splash bridge, water cannons and brick building play area are the three main interactive components of this multi-million dollar attraction which will be the first to be accessible not only through Pirate Shores within Legoland California, but also via the Legoland Water Park, the world’s first Lego-themed Water Park which opened in 2010. Captain Red Brick and Captain Blue Brick’s ships will stand more than 20-feet high and 40-feet long. The highest part of the ride will be 32-feet and families will plunge down the chute at 26 miles per hour. (Note: Minimum height requirement for Pirate Reef is 36 inches tall. Guests 42 inches tall or taller can ride alone; guests 36 inches to 41 inches tall may ride with an accompanying rider who is 42 inches tall or taller.) 
This Spring, crustaceans will be scuttling around at Sea Life Carlsbad Aquarium at the Legoland California Resort with the opening of its newest interactive exhibit, “Claws.” The five new displays will include Japanese spider crabs – which can grow to 13-feet across – and coconut crabs – named for their ability to crack open coconuts with the power of their claws. Along with the gigantic Japanese spider crabs and coconut crabs, the exhibit will feature land crabs, lobsters and nephrops, commonly referred to as “prawns.”
The California Center for the Arts, Escondido presents WOW First Wednesdays, a free concert series. The free concerts are presented to the public on the first Wednesday of each month with two shows, at 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Seats are on a first come, first served basis. A limited number of reserved seats are also available for $7.00 each and can be reserved by calling the Box Office at 1-800-988-4253. 
To mark 20 years at its current location along Expedition Way in La Jolla, Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, is offering San Diego County residents half-off admission on the 20th of every month through the Aquarium’s anniversary month of September 2012. 
Birch Aquarium at Scripps is the public exploration center for the world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Perched on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the aquarium features more than 60 habitats of fish and invertebrates from the cold waters of the Pacific Northwest to the tropical waters of Mexico and beyond. An interactive museum showcases research discoveries by Scripps scientists on climate, earth and ocean science and features five dozen interactive elements. Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Birch Aquarium has an annual attendance of more than 405,000, including 45,000 school children. 
The RandomSanDiego.com Deal Finders have found some great deals and discounts to Knott’s Berry Farm! Take advantage of these offers – including a special offer for free admission to Knott’s Berry Farm – while it lasts!
Head on over to Hillcrest on Thursday, December 15, 2011 as one of San Diego’s most beloved neighborhoods serves up a spirited approach to the holiday season. Tasters and toasters alike will indulge in a self-guided walking tour of mouthwatering appetizers and festive beverages at the Hillcrest Taste n’ Tinis!
The San Diego Zoo’s Jungle Bells celebration runs from December 9, 2011 to January 1, 2012 and is free with paid admission to the Zoo. During Jungle Bells, the Zoo grounds offers extended hours and will stay open until 8:00 pm (except for December 24, 2011, when the Zoo will close at 5:00 pm).
Also making its debut during Jungle Bells is the Zoo’s new 4-D theater. The theater is a fun, family oriented sensory experience sure to delight the kids. The 50 seat theater combines the visual drama of a 3-D film with a variety of sensory effects that are built into the seats and theater environment, such as water mist, blustery wind, snow, bubbles, scents, seat vibrations, and more. Two films, each about 15 minute long, will alternate in the theater. The theater is across from the Skyfari’s west-end station, near the Conrad Prebys Polar Bear Plunge exhibit. Films show throughout the day to provide a great entertaining and educational experience for guests. The cost of viewing a film is $6.00 per person and is in addition to Zoo admission. 
Got the munchies? Again this year, the Zoo’s talented chefs are cooking up some holiday deliciousness to put guests’ taste buds in the spirit! Jungle Bells will be celebrated at Albert’s with “Happy Holidays Happen at Albert’s.” The event features a $6.00 appetizer, wine, beer and cocktail menu from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm daily. There also will be a $30.00 prix fixe dinner featuring a tender baby greens salad, slow-roasted pork medallions and Amarula spiced cheesecake for dessert. Special taste treats will also be available throughout the Zoo, including holiday colored cotton candy for the kids while they coo over camels, coffee with Kahlua for adults catching the polar bears in play, and much more. 
