San Diego Wine Festival Returns to Carlsbad's Park Hyatt Aviara Resort June 23. 24, 2023

CALIFORNIA WINE FESTIVAL CARLSBAD, CA, AVIARA RESORT, JUNE 23, 24, 2023

California Wine Festival, Southern California’s premier wine festival event producer, announces its return to the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort for two days of palm tree-lined tasting events on Friday, June 23 and Saturday, June 24. Guests will be able to try samples from renowned winemaking regions across California, paired with gourmet appetizers from many of North San Diego County’s top restaurants, in addition to experiencing lifestyle exhibitors, live entertainment and stunning, expansive vistas. 

This seriously is one of my favorite events in San Diego. I love that it’s so low key, so easy, so uncrowded with easy access to plenty of wine and food samples. No, it’s not as huge as some of the other better known events but that’s what makes it so great - you want another glass of wine, you just walk up and they pour it for you! No fighting in lines, no being pushed aside, no waving your arms to get someone’s attention, it’s so civilized. And no, you don’t need to get all dressed up! I mean you could, but you don’t have to.

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Overlooking lush green landscape beneath string lights at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort’s The Gardens, Friday evening kicks off with a Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting, an intimate experience for wine aficionados. A sparkling wine reception begins the evening of sampling specialty reserve wines and offers tasting room exclusives and limited-production wines hailing from vineyards based in California’s most esteemed wine producing regions. Locals’ favorite North County restaurants will serve delicious hot and cold appetizers to pair with the best-in-class wines. 

Throughout Friday evening, guests will have the ability to participate in a silent auction, bidding on coveted items such as exotic wines, tasting tours and dining certificates. Proceeds from this auction will benefit Golden Rule Charity, an organization dedicated to helping people in the hospitality industry during unexpected hardships.

SATURDAY’S BEACHSIDE WINE FESTIVAL
The ultimate wine tasting experience continues with a Beachside Wine Festival taking place at Park Hyatt Aviara Resort's Heron Lawn on Saturday, June 24th. The al fresco afternoon event will allow guests to improve upon their culinary education and exploration through one-on-one conversations and tastings with culinary and wine talent descending upon Carlsbad from California’s most distinguished wineries and local restaurants. Guests will have the opportunity to experience hundreds of premium California wines and regional craft brews. Fine wines can be paired with artisanal cheeses, breads, olive oil, fresh-cut fruit, decadent desserts and more. The VIP Pavilion will feature a selection of reserve-level wines as well as craft brews along with special seating just a stone’s throw away from the resort’s award-winning golf course overlooking the Batiquitos Lagoon nature preserve.

The festival highlights rare and reserve vintages and well-known bottles from California’s best vineyards based in Napa Valley, Sonoma County, Paso Robles, Santa Barbara, Temecula and beyond. Notable wineries attending include: Adobe Road Winery, B.io, Bellante Family Winery, Bernardus Winery, BONDLE Wines, Capriccio Sangria, Carol Shelton Wines, Carruth Cellars, Cuvaison Winery, Doffo Wines, Double Bond Wine, Goldschmidt Vineyards, HALL Wines, Halter Ranch, Kessler-Haak Vineyard & Wines, Le Vigne Winery, Lloyd Cellars, Michael Mondavi Family Wines, Miner Family Wines, Navarro Vineyards, New Zealand Wine Navigator, Pasmosa Sangria, Russian River Vineyards, Stonehouse Cellars, Wilson Creek Winery and Wine Guy & Wine Gal.

GOOD EATS TO GO WITH ALL OF THE GREAT WINE!

Top restaurants from North San Diego County and beyond will serve delectable appetizers to accompany the festival’s top-notch wine selections and include: Butterfly Brittles, Carlsbad Cookie Company, Gino Angelini Authentic Italian Sauces, Goufrais Southern California - Cocoa Confection, Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken, Icelandic Glacial, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, Kelly’s Croutons, Kerrygold, Marsatta Chocolate, Mendocino Farms, Orfila Vineyards Tasting Room & Kitchen, Ponto Lago, Señor Grubby's and Grubby’s Poke, Seven Barrels Olive Oils and Aged Italian Balsamics, SiSi Cakes and The Real Empanada.

LIVE MUSIC TO SET THE VIBE!

Live entertainment will provide the perfect soundtrack to a relaxing weekend enjoying coastal California living. Friday’s Sunset Rare & Reserve Tasting will feature soulful, acoustic melodies from former American Idol finalist, Adam Lasher. Saturday’s Beachside Wine Festival will once again feature Upstream, SoCal’s premier live reggae, calypso, soca and steel drum band.

My Dinner at ARLO: The San Diego Wine and Food Festival

At a Glance….

ARLO SAN DIEGO: A contemporary casual restaurant in Mission Valley that creatively combines fresh local ingredients in a mash up of of flavors from around the world. Gourmet yet accessible dining. Official Website | 619-908-5058 | $$$ | Yelp

HAMEL FAMILY WINES: A family run winery located in the Sonoma Valley with wines that inspired Chef Josh Mousakes’ menu. Official Winery Website

SAN DIEGO WINE AND FOOD FESTIVAL: Held each year around the second week of November, it’s a week long extravaganza featuring gourmet events like this one, food focused day trips, and one of the best wine and food festivals in the country. Official Website

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San Diego Wine and Food Festival hosts a six course gourmet dinner featuring wines by Hamel Family from Sonoma

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My Evening at ARLO: 6 courses, 6 wines

Now that Covid is loosening its grip I’ve started to venture outside again but seem to have a bit of Rip Van Winkle syndrome. Where’s Qualcomm Stadium? What? The Trolley runs to La Jolla now? And especially, what happened to the Town and Country Hotel???

I used to work in Mission Valley and to escape from a tyrannical boss I would walk along the river and around the Town and Country Hotel. It was dilapidated but oddly charming, but last time I drove the 8 (when was that, 2020, 2021??) it was just gone, then a pile of rubbish and dirt. Little did I know that during my time asleep that the Town and Country would rise again, returning as a cool and modern resort that rivals some of San Diego’s best. And within the resort is ARLO, a restaurant that’s been getting a lot of attention this past year (Best new restaurant, Best Fine Dining, Best patio dining).

So when I heard that they were featuring a gourmet six course dinner via the San Diego Wine and Food Festival, not even a stormy rainy night could keep me away.

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A mad rush through the pouring rain from the validated parking structure to the restaurant, right on time for the dinner to begin. The setting is intimate, not too many tables but enough to make it fun, with the chef and winery introducing themselves and their vision for the night. Six courses, six wines, I’m ready!

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Scallop Crudo, Orange creamsickle, sea grass, brie cheese

Scallop Crudo paired with Hamel Family Sauvignon Blanc

Let me first start by saying all of the wines we had were perfectly paired with each course - and all of them were over the top delicious. I especially liked how this sauvignon blanc paired with the freshness of the scallop crudo. Stunning presentation, you can tell that Chef Josh Mouzakes trained at The French Laundry, and the perfect opening to the evening.

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Charred Chilean Seabass ith prosciutto, Medjoool dates, brioche, and allium powder

Charred Chilean Seabass with Hamel Family Grenache

Another impressive dish, a crispy yet moist slice of seabass on top of salty prosciutto and a softer than air brioche bun, looking like a play on sushi and oh so delicious. A dip into the date sauce, another winning plate. The brioche was so light and balanced out the proteins perfectly. Another one, please.

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Black Pepper Squab, mission figs, butternut squash, caramelized plum

Black Pepper Squab with Hamel Family Isthmus

Served on top of a charred plank from a wine barrel, the squab was elegant yet begged to be picked up by your fingers, which of course I did. I love squab and the mission fig sauce along with the charred butternut squash and caramelized plum added a complexity that elevated the dish to gourmet level. Winner Winner Squab Dinner.

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Wagyu Coulotte, chanterelle mushrooms, smoked potato purée

48 HOUR WAGYU COULOTTE WITH CHANTERELLE MUSHROOMS, SMOKED POTATO purée WITH HAMEL FAMILY ranch CABERNET

Steak and potatoes? But not what you might think. It was of course the highest quality Wagyu but for me the stars were the mushrooms and potato. The chanterelles were very much the Thomas Keller philosophy of giving you a bite so delicious you wish there was more, only to move on to the smoked potatoes which had the same lingering effect. Oh how I loved both the mushrooms and potatoes. And yes, the 48 hour wagyu was quite nice, cooked and seasoned to perfection, though for me my love goes to the sides.

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Tongue, cheek and tail rye wheat ravioli with tomato marmalade, preserved lemom ricotta

Tongue, Cheek and Tail ravioli with hamel family nuns canyon cabernet

In a prior life I worked in the tech industry and had to go to way too many meetings. It was there I learned the art of looking attentive while letting my brain drift to daydream mode. So yes I’ll admit it, five courses in I didn’t pay close attention to the description of the dish but you can trust me that it was yet another winner, the rich sauce complementing the tender meat that was wrapped in ravioli that had a satisfying chew, like the best al dente pasta you get in Italy. And I do remember the wine, perhaps the best pour of the evening and a perfect pairing. Look, it’s been a long evening so I think I did pretty good.

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Honeycomb Pavlova, macerated apriocot, white chocolate tuille

Honeycomb Pavlova with hamel family late harvest sauvignon blanc

I love dessert wines, especially when paired with dessert, and the pavlova with its crispy, chewy exterior and softer marshmallow-like interior just melted in the mouth, a contrast of textures. A sip of late harvest sauvignon blanc, a delightful ending to a perfect meal.

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Final Thoughts…

The San Diego Wine and Food Festival is a week long celebration of the best culinary experiences in San Diego and the Six Course Dinner at ARLO was no exception. But don’t wait until next year to check out ARLO - maybe go for Brunch this weekend, or hit up the bar for cocktails after work, or yes, go for dinner where you’ll find a menu that features everything from affordable wood fired flatbreads to plates for sharing to gourmet entrees. Check out their menu - and go check out what they did to the Town and Country Resort. It’s got that San Diego vibe that makes you feel like you’re on vacation even if you live 5 minutes away.

More info on ARLO | San Diego Wine and Food Festival Info

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About the San Diego Wine and Food Festival

Every year around the second week of November is the San Diego Wine and Food Festival. The week long activities feature a myriad of culinary adventures, from gourmet dinners to trips to Baja to the Grand Tasting event on the bay behind Seaport Village on Saturday, and the Grand Fiesta event featuring a Best Taco competition and beers, wines and spirits from Baja California on Sunday. You can pick and choose which events you want to attend or buy package tickets for multiple days. I’ll post more info as the year progresses but mark your calendars now to check events and ticket sales around mid-October 2023.

California Wine Festival in Carlsbad's Park Hyatt Resort Aviara - Get Tickets for 2023!

California Wine Festival in Carlsbad, CA - San Diego’s Annual Wine and Food Festival by the Coast

What a fancy way to spend an afternoon, sipping wine and snacking on tasty bites at a 5 star resort on the San Diego coastline. That’s exactly what the California Wine Festival in Carlsbad is all about, an annual event held at the Park Hyatt Aviara Resort in Carlsbad every May.

Before I go further here’s the link to get more info on the 2023 California Wine Festival in Carlsbad (North San Diego): Official Site for the Wine and Food Event

OK, so what is this? And is it WORTH IT?

HALL WINES at the California Wine Festival in Carlsbad, CA

Wine, Food, Music, and Plenty of Space!

With dozens of tents you can spend hours just sampling the various wines - yes, unlimited wine! And if you know me you know that I love good wine and there was plenty there to sip, including Hall Wines from Napa with their incredible cabs

Ketel One at the Carlsbad Wine Festival at Aviara

And yes, just to spice things up a bit you can sip some vodka, get a perfect gin and tonic, sip some Belching Beaver beer. Look, if you can’t find something you love to drink then you’re not looking very hard. And unlike some food events where the lines are so outrageously long that your wine buzz is long gone by the time you get to the front the lines here were refreshingly short - find a favorite and just keep going back!

Food Trucks - Yes, it’s Included!

There were great food options scattered around, like big bites of cheese (and butter) from Kerrygold and delicious poki bites from Senor Grubby.

Tasty bites to be sure - but then I found the food trucks! I expected to pull out my credit card but whoa, it was included! Red Oven Pizza was there - incredible wood fired pizzas - along with Belinda’s Taco Truck and The Groovy Greek Food Truck. Belinda’s was handing out street tacos with various fillings (the spicy pork, wow) and cheesy quesadillas that were perfect for one hand snacking. The Groovy Greek Food Truck was handing out full sized greek bowls which were insanely good - I mean, GREAT! I’ve been to plenty of "Tastes of ____” or food festivals where you frankly leave a bit underwhelmed, but these three food options left me plenty satisfied. OK, yes, a bit stuffed but can you blame me?

Is the California Wine Festival Worth it?

With ticket prices (in 2022) starting at $70 per person, yes, absolutely worth it. Look I went to McDonald’s for the first time in over a year and the crappy two cheeseburger combo was nearly $10! A tiny house wine pour at an “order at the counter” restaurant just set me back $12. So for $70 you get all the wine you want, unlimited delicious food, a live band, a great setting, it’s so worth it. Gather up your friends and have an afternoon to remember.

Need more convincing? How about FREE parking (that never happens)?

For those of you wanting to really go all out there’s also a VIP tent with early entry for $45 more, and a Sunset tasting event with rare and reserve wines to go with the main event for $175.

Gator by the Bay - San Diego's "Hidden" Music Fest - Planning for 2023 with Tips and Tickets!

Gator by the Bay is San Diego’s Most Fun Event (that no one knows about!)

I must admit - I didn’t know anything about Gator by the Bay until last year. It was like I fell into a Alice in Wonderland world with people dressed in crazy costumes, New Orleans parades (complete with beads), dancing and music. It was so much fun (and so delicious) I’m still smiling. So what is it? It’s hard to explain but it’s unlike anything you might imagine happening in San Diego, an authentic four day Mardi Gras celebration from May 11-14, 2023.

GET TICKET INFO HERE

I learned a lot last year from my day at the Gator by the Bay event and I’ll share some tips with you so you can get the most out of this super fun event. And spoiler alert - you should go!

WHAT EXACTLY IS “GATOR BY THE BAY” IN SAN DIEGO?

It’s sort of like a four day Mardi Gras party down in the Spanish Landing, the grassy area across from the airport with views of they bay. OK, but what is it??? At first glance it looks like a street fair with vendors and food carts but it’s much more than that. With seven music stages, authentic foods like boiled crawfish, beignets and po’boys, this isn’t like anything you’ve ever experienced in San Diego. There’s plenty of people watching to be had (verrry interesting) and parades with beads tossed to the crowds, just like New Orleans.

If you like people watching, Gator by the Bay is in a class by itself.

MUSIC, DANCING, AND GOOD EATS IS WHAT GATOR BY THE BAY IS ALL ABOUT

Now remember, I had never been and had absolutely NO IDEA what to expect so let me lay it out for you. First and foremost, this is a music festival with people bringing in their beach or camp chairs and staking out spots by the various stages. There’s a listing of people playing but it won’t necessarily matter if you don’t know the artists because the acts come and go throughout the day. It’s a bit like the old San Diego Street Scene, New Orleans Style.

No need to dress up though if you have tails it would not be wrong to wear them.

Most people just put their chairs out and roamed the area, searching for food and beer, then returning to check out the music and hit the dance floors. It’s blues, zydeco, rock, and even a marching band playing “When the Saints Go Marching In” (pro tip: Follow that parade!).

CRAYFISH AND OTHER DELICIOUS DELIGHTS

New Orleans is famous for their foods, from Jambalaya and Po’Boys to my favorite, boiled crawfish. Wait, you’ve never had these? The first time I had them was on a business trip to New Orleans where I was slightly (more than slightly) tipsy and they poured a pile of these in front of me. Like little lobsters, you twist off the tails and pinch out the tail meat, then suck down the juices in the head, all while trying not to get the red spicy seasonings all over your clothes.

These are hard to find in San Diego but they had a seemingly never ending vat of crawfish boiling away. I was expecting rip off prices for these (and willing to pay, why not?) but for $15 I got enough to satisfy my craving. There’s a larger $25 platter and if you want to add boiled potatoes and corn you can. I’ll say it - these were better than the ones I had in New Orleans on Bourbon Street.

DON’T MISS THE BEIGNETS!

Like a cross between a cream puff and a doughnut, beignets are another “must get” food at both New Orleans and Gator by the Bay. Crispy on the outside, pillowy on the inside, with enough powdered sugar to fly though the air as soon as you take a bite. Tip: Don’t wear black unless you want to wear white specks for the rest of the day.

PLAN AHEAD TIPS

Like I said, this was my first time so while I had a GREAT time let me share some wisdom with you so you can have an even better time than I did.

1. Bring a folding chair - I was jealous of the people who were relaxing in their chairs with a beer and enjoying the music while I stood up in the back. People brought beach chairs, tall camping chairs, blankets, everything goes here.

2. Check out the music schedule so you know if there’s an act you might want to see.

3. Plan to stay all day - this isn’t like a street fair where you come and go in a couple of hours. You’ll want to dance (or take their free dance lessons), you’ll want to sample all the food, you might even want to check out the cooking demos.

4. While there are plenty of food stalls selling things you can find at any street fair (turkey legs, nachos, etc) be selective and make sure you try all of the New Orleans specialties first. You can have a bratwurst later, right?

5. Parking can be a bit of a hassle so we just parked at Liberty Station and took an Uber in - about $10 each way. No big deal, and no problems.

Go! Just Go!

If Covid has taught me anything it’s that life is short so when out of the ordinary things like this come around don’t waste a lot of time wondering if it’s going to be fun or if it’s worth it, just buy that ticket and go. If you like music, food, and just getting out of the house to do something cool in San Diego then make sure you go to the next Gator by the Bay Festival in San Diego.

Bring your beach chairs and stake out your spot at Gator by the Bay.

Gator by the Bay is BACK on May 11-14, 2023

Gator by the Bay in San Diego is coming May 11-14, 2023

My very first trip to New Orleans was actually my very first big business trip. Someone had the great idea to hold a convention over Mardi Gras week and somehow I was selected to run the booth. That night I walked Bourbon Street with a red cup of tequila in my hand and a hurricane in the other and had the most fun I’ve ever had. Well, at least until the next morning when I had to get up to run the booth and then later get on a plane to come home, all with a massive hangover.

Still, that didn’t dissuade me from visiting again though perhaps a bit more restraint as I got older. And now we fast forward to 2023 and damn do I want to travel but dammit that travel is so expensive these days. That’s why I am so happy that San Diego is once again hosting GATOR BY THE BAY FESTIVAL, the largest celebration of everything that makes a trip to New Orleans so great - meaning food, music, dancing, and just plain fun for the entire family. You deserve it. We all deserve it! It’s like the best of Mardi Gras without having to jump on a plane.

"Gator By The Bay is a one-of-a-kind event that brings joy and lasting memories to people of all ages," says Festival Producer Peter Oliver. "Each year over 15,000 passionate enthusiasts attend this event to get a taste of Louisiana's rich culture on the West Coast. After two years of dormancy we are happy to be back with all the fan-favorite Mardi Gras experiences including samples of the history, food, music, dancing, and more."

WHAT TO EXPECT AT GATOR BY THE BAY?

Hosting everything from A to Zydeco, this four-day, family-friendly event features more than 100 live musical acts and special performances. Here’s the complete music line up. The event includes over 10,000 pounds of crawfish from Louisiana, a chef-led gumbo cook-off, flowing libations, seven stages – five with wooden dance floors, a Mardi Gras costume parade, and a full weekend of fun to coincide with Mother’s Day weekend. Each day during Gator By The Bay brings new experiences, live entertainment, and unforgettable moments at every corner with activities designed for music lovers, food enthusiasts, dancers, and more.

Gator By The Bay kicks is like a four day weekend, kicking off Thursday, May 11, 2023 with an evening concert, followed by three full days of nonstop crawfish sucking and New Orleans celebration. You’ll want to plan out which day or days you want to attend, or heck, just get the multi-day pass and enjoy it all. You can also go deluxe and get a VIP pass for reserved seating at the main stages, catered lunch, even upgraded restrooms(!). Look, just click the button below to get all of the info. Trust me, this is one of San Diego’s most fun events of the year!

HOW MUCH ARE TICKETS TO GATOR BY THE BAY? Wait, Early Bird Discounts???

There are several ways to experience Gator By The Bay, including single day, multi-day and hotel ticket packages. Early bird pricing is available if you get your tickets NOW!

• Thursday Evening Concert: $45 early bird ticket, $55 gate. Deluxe dinner tickets also available.

• Single Day Friday: $50 early bird ticket, $65 gate

• Single Day Saturday: $60 early bird ticket, $75 gate

• Single Day Sunday: $55 early bird ticket, $70 gate

• Three-Day Pass: $165 early bird ticket, $205 standard

• Four-Day Pass: $210 early bird ticket, $250 standard

• Patron Single Day VIP Experience: $220 Sat early bird, $210 Sun early bird, $420 both days early bird. After that it’s $240 Sat, $230 Sun, $459 both days. What’s included in the Patron Pass? Click here for more details.

Seahorse Tours are Back at Birch Aquarium 2021

Back when I was a kid I fell for the advertisement for Sea Monkeys. A Bowl Full of Happiness! Instant Pets! Trainable! Well crap, what a disappointment for a 8 year old kid who saved up his money only to get a bunch of crummy brine shrimp eggs.. Suffice it to say they were impossible to train, they didn’t do tricks, they weren’t even cute.

Today’s kids are luckier now that Birch Aquarium has reopened their Seahorse Tours for 2021. Seahorses are so cute they look fake and right now you can do a Behind the Scenes Sea Horse tour at Birch Aquarium, one of San Diego’s best attractions. Birch Aquarium is spot on in their quest to protect sea wildlife and educate in a way that’s accessible to all ages. And does it get any cuter than a baby seahorse? That’s not really even a question. Of course there’s nothing cuter. Not even a Sea Monkey.

The Perfect family adventure!

So just in time for winter break, Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego is relaunching its popular Behind-the-Scenes Seahorse Tours on Dec. 21. 

The one-hour-long private tour, led by an expert ocean educator, takes groups of up to six people behind the scenes to explore the fascinating world of seahorses. Guests will get a glimpse of seahorse babies, learn about Birch Aquarium’s renowned breeding program, and experience what it takes to care for these unique fish — including an opportunity to feed them.  Whoa, feed the seahorses? Do they eat, you know, brine shrimp? Take that, Sea Monkeys!

“We are thrilled to be bringing behind-the-scenes tours back for our guests to enjoy,” said Director of Education Megan Malaska Medley. “We have revamped the tours of the past to make them a fun, safe and educational experience for guests.” 

Behind-the-Scenes Seahorse Tours take place daily at 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. and are limited to one group of six people from the same family group or pod. The cost includes up to six people and is $250 for the general public/$225 members. Aquarium admission is separate and is $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for children ages 3-17 and free for aquarium members. 

Space is limited and it is anticipated that tours will sell out. Guests can check availability and book online in advance through Birch Aquarium’s webstore.  Photography is not permitted in the seahorse breeding areas but that just means you get to live in the NOW, and take home incredible memories of an incredible experrience.

As with all Birch Aquarium programs and events, safety is a top priority. Participants must be 8 years old or older, and minors must be accompanied by a paid adult. Closed-toed shoes are required on the tour and face coverings must be worn indoors and out regardless of vaccination status.

As if that wasn’t enough. behind the scenes penguin tours will also be available when Beyster Family Little Blue Penguins open. Penguins and Seahorses, the only thing that could make this better would be actual sea monkeys that lived up to the comic book claims of my youth.

Don’t be disappointed! Sea Monkeys won’t live up to the hype, but Birch Aquarium Seahorses will!

Virtual Reality in San Diego - Sandbox VR in Mission Valley Lets You Travel to Other Worlds

This could be YOU! Seriously, you can be right there at Sandbox VR in Mission Valley, San Diego!

SANDBOX VR OPENS ITS SECOND OF FOUR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA LOCATIONS

The most realistic virtual reality experience in the world is now open at Westfield Mission Valley in San Diego

San Diego, CA (December 9, 2019) - Sandbox VR opened its doors at Westfield Mission Valley in San Diego on December 29th, 2019. Sandbox VR is the kind of immersive social experience that people have dreamt of since the dawn of computing. Through a unique combination of motion capture and VR technologies, you can become anyone and go anywhere. 

Guests transform into virtual avatars of themselves and enter experiences that are mapped over the physical world. Groups can feel haptic feedback, see their friends, and interact with each other just as they normally would.

It doesn’t get any more real than this at Sanbox VR in San Diego

“At Sandbox, you aren’t just inside an experience, you become the experience. With our full-body motion capture technology, you can run, jump, and even high five your friends. Your virtual body is just like your real body—except better, stronger, faster,” explains Founder, Steven Zhao.

Guests can immerse themselves in five exciting Sandbox experiences: The Curse of Davy Jones, Amber Sky 2088, Deadwood Mansion, Unbound Fighting League (UFL), and the newly added Star Trek: Discovery Away Mission. Located at 1640 Camino Del Rio N, Suite 116, San Diego, CA 92108, Sandbox VR will be open Monday through Thursday from 11 AM to 10 PM and Friday and Saturday from 11 AM to midnight and Sundays from 11 AM to 11 PM. 

With the success of the October 4th, 2019 opening of The Village Westfield Topanga location, Sandbox VR is also slated to launch at Los Cerritos Center in Cerritos, CA on January 22nd, 2020. “I can’t wait to show Californians the same life-changing experience that I had when I first entered a Sandbox for the first time,” said CEO Siqi Chen. 

Sandbox is launching with five unique experiences: The Curse of Davy Jones is a thrilling treasure hunt on the high seas, Amber Sky 2088 is a futuristic journey from the ground floor of new Hong Kong all the way up to space, Deadwood Mansion is an intense survival experience, UFL throws you in an ultimate fighting ring, while our newest experience allows you to join the crew of the USS Discovery in Star Trek: Discovery Away Mission.

Sandbox VR - In Here, It’s Possible.

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For more information and to make reservations, please visit sandboxvr.com and connect with Sandbox VR on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

ABOUT SANDBOX VR

Sandbox VR is the true VR experience that people have dreamt of since the dawn of computing. Your whole body is captured into an experience with your friends right there with you. Feel, see, hear, and move freely - be anyone, go anywhere. Visit a new world. Try an unearthly experience. Transform into a new character. Be a new you. Experiencing is believing. Learn more at www.sandboxvr.com. In here, it's possible.