Experience San Diego’s Military Influence

Posted on May 1, 2013 by admin

The military is embedded into San Diego’s history. Old San Diego originally started as a Spanish military outpost. Since then, military presence around the hub has increased to include the Naval Base of San Diego, the largest west coast Navy base and Camp Pendleton, the largest west coast expeditionary training facility for Marines and one of the oldest recruiting centers. Visitors who are interested in experiencing the military influence of San Diego can do so by visiting the following destinations:

Marine Corps Recruit Depot – The MCRD has a Command Museum on base which is open to the public to visit and tour. Training about 17,000 recruits each year, the MCRD also brings hundreds of families to San Diego for the Graduation Ceremony. If you are planning a trip to see your Recruit graduate, stay at the affordable Marina Inn by the MCRD and enjoy our close proximity to the depot and prime downtown location.
Liberty Station – A formal Naval training center, the area has been preserved to maintain its appearance from when it was a Navy base. Liberty station consists of a retail and commercial district with a promenade, a few hotels and a park. Known as one of the largest historical preservation projects in San Diego, visitors can still view anti-aircraft guns and other memorabilia throughout the base.
USS Midway Museum – Situated on the San Diego Harbor, visitors enjoy a great view and are transported into the past with a visit to the famous USS Midway. Aboard the aircraft carrier, visitors can participate in a guided audio tour or explore the exhibits on their own. Located within blocks of the Midway Museum, the Marina Inn on the San Diego Harbor is ideally located for experiencing San Diego’s military influence.

The Marina Inn & Suites is a preferred hotel by many military families, within minutes of the above destinations, San Diego beaches and the lively downtown district. We are also located near many cultural attractions including Little Italy and Balboa Park. Enjoy the rich history of this one of a kind city and reserve a spacious room at the Marina Inn today.

San Diego Attractions for Kids

Posted on May 1, 2013 by admin

San Diego is the ideal vacation destination offering the best of all worlds with a lively downtown district, a beautiful coastline and many popular tourist attractions. If you are planning a family vacation, there are many San Diego attractions for kids that are sure to make your vacation one to remember.

The Marina Inn, a kid friendly hotel in downtown San Diego provides traveling families with some of the best attractions to visit with kids:

San Diego Zoo – The Zoo is a must see attraction for kids and individuals of all ages. As one of the largest zoos in the world, there is no shortage of animals, activities or live entertainment. Smaller children are able to enjoy the petting zoo and teenagers love getting an up close and personal look at rare and endangered animals. Reserve a room at the Marina Inn in downtown San Diego and enjoy our close proximity to the park.
SeaWorld San Diego – Marine animal lover? SeaWorld San Diego is the ideal place to bring children to view creatures of the water. The unique park offers guided tours, live shows and a variety of educational classes that children can attend during their trip. The park also features several roller coasters and games that are fun for the entire family. Also check the official SeaWorld website to learn if the popular fireworks show is scheduled during your trip dates.
Legoland California – Legoland is one of the favorite San Diego attractions for kids offering a theme park made entirely of Legos. Children of all ages love visiting the park and are able to participate in Lego building workshops, enjoy thrilling rides and roller coasters and during the summer season have access to the one of a kind Legoland water park.
Balboa Park – Balboa Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. The 1,200 acre complex is situated in the heart of Downtown San Diego and is the perfect way for children to enjoy the San Diego sunshine. Enjoy a complimentary breakfast at the Marina Inn near Balboa Park before setting off to tour the park. If you would like to visit the museums, be sure to ask about discounted prices for museum entry upon arrival.
Beaches – If you aren’t from a coastal city like San Diego, the beaches of the area are a great way to enjoy the city as the locals do. There are many beautiful beaches in San Diego including Coronado (voted one of the best beaches in America), Mission Beach and La Jolla. La Jolla Cove in particular is great for kids as the area is known for its low tides, providing the ideal conditions for snorkeling, swimming and body surfing.

The Marina Inn offers a central location in San Diego, a short drive from all of the above destinations. Reserving a stay at our hotel also provides you with additional savings during your vacation as we offer a variety of complimentary amenities including Wireless Internet, cable television with premium programming and parking. Contact a Reservation Manager at 1-800-571-2933 to reserve a room at the Marina Inn and be sure to ask about our current hotel deals.

Star of India, A Piece of History in San Diego Downtown

Posted on January 15, 2013 by admin

Among all of the wonderful pieces of history that call San Diego home, The Star of India is the grandest and the most elegant. This gem of modern history is docked in the San Diego harbor. If you are looking for hotels near San Diego Bay, the Marina Inn is conveniently located just one block away. Our guests can easily enjoy The Star of India and other local attractions located nearby.

Built in 1863, the Star of India is the world’s oldest operating sailing vessel. This beautiful ship began her journey in Great Britain where she was constructed in the Isle of Man. The completed ship, originally named Euterpe, was then commissioned for voyages between Liverpool, England and Calcutta, India.During these voyages, the Euterpe went through the whole gamut of seafaring woes, which included collisions, storms, mutiny, and the death of her first captain William Story. After these near-disastrous excursions, the crew of the Euterpe had some luck with four more successful voyages to India until she was sold in 1871. Marina Inn, our Downtown San Diego hotel, is within walking distance of the Star of India exhibit, so the next time you feel like getting in touch with your seafaring side, come stay with us for affordable comfort only one block away from a sea-worthy adventure!

A transportation company bought her, and Euterpe began her next chapter of life as a vessel carrying human cargo from England to New Zealand. These emigrants were heading to new lands to look for a better life. Hundreds of passengers trusted the Euterpe and her crew with their lives, along with their hopes and dreams and visions of the future. Euterpe was like a mother carrying her young, protected inside her iron shell from the harsh and unpredictable ocean. During these trips, she sailed the world more than 20 times around, and kept port in places like California, Australia, and Chile.

In 1901, Euterpe was sold once more to a company in San Francisco, with whom she was renovated and renamed as Star of India. Under her new name, she began hauling merchants and goods between California and Alaska, a commission that lasted 20 years. At this time was the beginning of the age of steam-powered ships, and the Star of India became obsolete as a shipping vessel. In 1926 she was sold once more to the San Diego Zoological Society for use as a museum; a use which did not come to pass until 1959 because of World War II and the Great Depression. After a decade of restoration, Star of India became a full-seaworthy exhibit for the Maritime Museum of San Diego in 1976.

For 40 years, the Star of India has been a centerpiece of the San Diego Bay, hosting tours and history education programs for hundreds of thousands of visitors from all around the world. Now that you know some of the rich history of the Star of India, your next visit will be a profound experience as you imagine all of the thousands of people who have walked those same decks you will be walking.