San Diego's Hot New Attractions for Summer 2004

San Diego is practically synonymous with summer: a laid-back SoCal lifestyle, 70 miles of beautiful beaches, world-class family attractions and activities, and one of the most moderate climates worldwide. What can visitors to San Diego discover in summer 2004?

Downtown San Diego is the 'hot spot' this summer, and the crown jewel in downtown's changing skyline is PETCO Park, the San Diego Padres' new baseball stadium, which opened April 8. Set in the redeveloped East Village neighborhood, the 46,000-seat stadium features garden terraces, spacious concourses and state-of-the-art amenities for fans. Baseball lovers can travel to and from its main gate on the light-rail San Diego Trolley, offering stops and parking at various locations throughout San Diego County.

Across from PETCO Park is the historic Gaslamp Quarter. Within its 16 1/2 blocks, listed on the National Register of Historic Districts, guests can tour Wyatt Earp's old stomping ground, and take in more than 90 restaurants, 100 retails shops and 35 nightclubs pulsating with eclectic beats nightly. Feeling nostalgic? Check out Croce's, a tribute to the popular 70's folk singer, Jim Croce. For something more trendy, shimmy over to the Side Bar or Thin, or chill at popular On Broadway.

The much-anticipated San Diego Aircraft Carrier Museum opens June 7, just in time for San Diego's Independence Day celebrations. Docked along downtown's picturesque Embarcadero, the museum pays tribute to the hundreds of thousands of men and women who served aboard the USS Midway, which was active in major world crises and conflicts since World War II.

New downtown hotels include the 511-room Omni Hotel, opened in April, which connects to PETCO Park by a sky bridge. The hip W San Diego offers BEACH, a high energy rooftop beach bar with heated sand floor, fire pit and private tented cabanas. At the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego, guests can view downtown's exciting developments from its new 34-story luxury tower.

Visitors can book San Diego hotel deals on-line by visiting www.sandiego.org.

Source: San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau