San Diego Attractions & Activities | Howard Johnson San Diego, California

The hotel of choice for Sea World and San Diego Zoo vacations

The reason you're here is to see all the sights that make San Diego famous. Our hotel is perfectly situated just minutes from the great attractions, including Sea World Vacations, the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Wild Animal Park, the historic Old Town and Legoland. For a shopping adventure, Westfield’s Fashion Valley and Mission Valley Shopping Centers are just minutes away.

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Key San Diego Area Attractions:

Sea World Adventure Park San Diego, 3 Miles

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As everyone knows, Shamu is Sea World's biggest star. But Sea World San Diego is so much more. Experience Journey to Atlantis, an exciting ride that lets you rush through uncharted waters where mysterious mists and unpredictable drops lurk around every turn. In addition to its thrilling rides and incredible entertainment, Sea World is dedicated to protecting and preserving the environment and all its wildlife. No trip to San Diego is complete without a visit to Sea World - young or old, all visitors leave smiling and (possibly) soggy. Save time and money by booking both your hotel rooms and sea world tickets together by clicking here and creating your own adventure.

San Diego Zoo, 5.9 Miles

Located in Balboa Park, which includes so many museums and other facilities it deserves a separate day of viewing, the San Diego Zoo is home to over 4000 animals of over 800 different species. Here you'll find all your favorites including the hands-on Children's Zoo, the Polar Bear Plunge, Tiger River and the creepy Reptile Mesa. Be sure to visit the Giant Pandas and the Rainforest Aviary, a huge bird-filled Asian jungle with waterfalls and lush tropical foliage. Save time and money by booking both your hotel rooms and sea world tickets together by clicking here and creating your own adventure.

LEGOLAND California, 30 Miles

A 128-acre park that contains 5,000 Lego models made up of more than 30 million Lego bricks. It also features more than 40 interactive exhibits, attractions, family rides and shows. Although Legoland's broadest appeal is to kids 12 and under, anyone with a young spirit will enjoy this San Diego theme park. Save time and money by booking both your hotel rooms and sea world tickets together by clicking here and creating your own adventure.

San Diego Wild Animal Park, 30.3 Miles

With over 2,000 acres of park areas to explore, the San Diego Wild Animal Park offers a more natural setting to view the animals, birds and fish than the conventional cages of a zoo. Take the 45-minute train ride and see giraffes and rhinos or stop at the petting zoo to allow the kids to pet and feed gentle deer and goats. The bird show is not to be missed and don't forget to pay special attention to the carefully labeled landscape plantings. Save time and money by booking both your hotel rooms and sea world tickets together by clicking here and creating your own adventure.

Surrounding Attractions and Landmarks

I-Pay One Center (San Diego Sports Arena), 0.4 Miles
This is an exciting time in history for the San Diego Sports Arena and our partners. Recent improvements position San Diego Sports Arena as a top regional facility that provides the widest range of premium entertainment to over 600,000 people each year.

San Diego Sports Arena is the ideal multi-purpose facility. Centrally located off of the 8 West Freeway and the 5 South Freeway, people from all over San Diego County can easily find the San Diego Sports Arena.

Old Town San Diego, 1.2 Miles
Step into San Diego of centuries past as you stroll through Old Town. Don't miss: San Diego House (originally a saloon owned and operated by a freed slave and a cornerstone of San Diego's Black American history), the Mason Street School (San Diego's first public school, still holding history classes for the public) and, of course, Bazaar Del Mundo. Bazaar Del Mundo is a permanent fiesta, with fabulous shopping and ethnic (not just Mexican) food.

Gaslamp Quarter, 5.0 Miles
Over the last few years, the Gaslamp Quarter has become San Diego's entertainment capital. There is always something to do in this trendy part of town where new nightclubs, restaurants and cafés seem to pop up weekly. The Gaslamp Quarter is 21 blocks of sidewalk cafés and open-air restaurants, jazz clubs, late night dancing, resident artists and micro breweries. "The Historic Heart of San Diego", as it is known, is in Downtown, just a short walk from the Convention Center and Embarcadero. Visit the Gaslamp Quarter

San Diego Mission Basilica, 6.5 Miles
First of the 21 missions and known as the Mother of the Missions, Mission San Diego de Alcala was founded on July 16, 1769 by Blessed Junipero Serra. It was designated as a Minor Basilica in 1976 by Pope Paul VI. The Mission today is an active Catholic Parish in the Diocese of San Diego.

Balboa Park, 5.6 Miles
the nation's largest urban cultural park. Home to 15 major museums, renowned performing arts venues, beautiful gardens and the San Diego Zoo, the Park has an ever-changing calendar of museum exhibitions, plays, musicals, concerts, and classes—all in the beautiful and timeless setting of this must-see San Diego attraction.

Birch Aquarium, 10 Miles
Birch Aquarium at Scripps brings to life the exciting discoveries of world-renowned Scripps Institution of Oceanography. For more than a century, the aquarium has inspired visitors with the wonders of the ocean.

Children's Museum/Museo De Los Ninos, 2.8 Miles
San Diego's favorite creative destination for kids and families, the Children's Museum, has served more than 3 million visitors since 1981.v

Cabrillo National Monument, 5.3 Miles
Offers a spectacular view of the bay and city, Spanish exploration exhibits and the Old Point Loma Lighthouse.

Del Mar Race Track / Fairgrounds, 18 Miles
Where the turf meets the surf. Thoroughbred racing from Southern California; open seasonally July/Aug/September

Flower Fields of Carlsbad, 26.7 Miles
The Carlsbad Flower Fields are undulating waves of multicolored ranunculus bulbs that bloom for about two months each year.

Seaport Village, 3.5 Miles
Come dine, shop, or just get away from it all at Seaport Village, San Diego's relaxing bay-front marketplace.

Knott's Soak City U.S.A., 16 Miles
Knott's Soak City Water Park is San Diego County's wildest water adventure park!

Coronado, 10.2 Miles
Coronado Island, located directly across the bay from downtown San Diego, recognized for its expansive white beaches.

La Jolla, 10 Miles
La Jolla, located 15 minutes from downtown San Diego, has wonderful beaches, cultural activities and fine restaurants.

Tijuana, 20.8 Miles
Tijuana is popular for many attractions some of which include: Bull Fighting, Fishing, Greyhound Racing, Rodeos and Shopping.

Golf
Located minutes from over 90 golf courses.

Sail Ho Golf Course, 0.5 miles
Marine Corp Recruiting Depot (MCRD), 1.0 miles
Presidio Park, 1.1 miles
Presidio Golf Course, 1.2 miles
Beaches, 2.5 miles
Riverwalk Golf Course, 2.5 miles

Belmont Park, 3.4 miles
San Diego International Airport (SAN), 3.9 miles
Downtown San Diego, 3.5 miles
Mission Bay Golf Course, 4.0 miles
San Diego Convention Center, 4.3 miles
Torrey Pines Golf Course, 11 miles

Nearby Sports & Recreation Activities:

I-Pay One Center (San Diego Sports Arena), 0.4 miles
Beaches, 2.5 miles
Petco Park (San Diego Padres), 6.1 miles
Fashion Valley Mall, 2.8 miles
Downtown San Diego, 3.0 miles

Gaslamp Quarter, 5.0 miles
Horton Plaza, 3.4 miles
Pacific Gas Lamp Theatre, 4.8 miles
AMC Theater (at Mission Valley Mall), 2.8 miles
Mission Valley Mall, 3.5 miles
Qualcomm Stadium (San Diego Chargers), 7.3 mi

Nearby Restaurants:

Tio Carlos Mexican Restaurant, onsite
Stuart Andersons Black Angus, 0.3 miles
Rockin’ Baja Lobster, 0.7 miles
La Pinata Mexican Restaurant, 0.8 miles
Old Town Mexican Cafe, 0.8 miles
Acapulco Restaurant, 0.9 miles
Fred’s Mexican Café, 0.9 miles
Casa De Reyes, 1.1 miles
Casa Guadalajara Restaruant, 1.1 miles
Pizza Bella, 1.2 miles
Beta’s Latin America Restaurant, 1.3 miles
Dos Brasas Taco Shop, 1.3 miles
Alamo Mexican Café, 1.4 miles

Café Coyote, 1.4 miles
Cosmopolitan Restaurant, 1.4 miles
El Fandango Restaurant, 1.4 miles
Zocala Grill, 1.5 miles
El Agave Restaurant, 1.6 miles
Jack & Giulios Restaurant, 1.6 miles
Anthony's Fish Grotto, 2.8 miles
Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, 2.9 miles
The Fish Market, 3.1 miles
Island Prime, 3.1 miles
Baleen, 3.3 mile
Seau's Restaurant, 3.7 miles
Morton's Of Chicago, 3.8 miles

Nearby Companies and Universities

Point Loma Nazarene University, 4 Miles

CALTRANS, 0.5 Miles

Upcoming Events

San Diego Sports Arena | Howard Johnson San Diego | San Diego, CA

San Diego Sports Arena / I-Pay One Center

February 12       HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS
                  (HoJo is the Official Hotel of the Harlem Globetrotters)
              15       Tribute to the Reggae Legends Festival
May       22        Stars on Ice

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Marine Corp Flag | MCRD San Diego | Howard Johnson San Diego

Marine Corp Recruit Depot (MCRD) Graduation Boot Camp Dates

February 12, 26
March 5, 12
April 2,9, 16, 23, 30

(Dates subject to change)

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Old Town San Diego Market | Howard Johnson San Diego | San Diego, CA

Old Town Saturday Market
Each Saturday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm

San Diego's largest weekly artisan market featuring handmade works from local artisans. The market includes such items as jewelry, photography, pottery, clothing, paintings, hand painted glass, glass blowing, woodworking's and more. There is always live music and it is absolutely free. The market hours are 9 am - 3 pm. For more information, contact the Old Town San Diego Chamber of Commerce at (619) 291-4903 or Click Here for more information