New Giant (small) Panda at the San Diego Zoo
Posted August 21, 2009 , add a commentIt’s been a busy time for the giant pandas at San Diego’s world renowned zoo this past week!
First up, two birthdays were celebrated this week. Su Lin (meaning ‘a little bit of something very cute’ in Chinese) celebrated her fourth birthday on Monday with a massive two-tiered “cake” made of ice, carrots, bamboo and apples. And yes of course, it was topped with a giant 4.
The other birthday was for Zhen Zhen (meaning ‘precious’), who celebrated her second birthday with a smaller cake, also made of ice and goodies. What to give a panda who’s well taken care of by zoo staff? Both pandas received birthday gift boxes full of biscuits made especially for pandas.
Happy 4th birthday, Su Lin!
It’s a… stick of butter?
The biggest news to come out of San Diego Zoo this week is that momma panda Bai Yun (meaning ‘white cloud’) gave birth to her fifth panda cub! This happened just before 5am on Wednesday, August 5. The baby cub, who they initially believe to be a boy, is about the size of a stick of butter and weighs in at approximately 4 ounces.
The new cub (top of photo) with mamma
In addition to her two cubs currently at the San Diego zoo, Bai Yun is also mother to Hua Mei (the first panda born in the Western Hemisphere since 1990) and Mei Sheng (the only male panda born in San Diego). Both of these pandas have now returned to the Wolong Giant Panda Research Station in China, as part of the agreement between the San Diego Zoo and the Panda Research Station.
Hua Mei has gone on to be an amazing breeder, having given birth to three sets of twins and a single cub.
Viator offers admission tickets to the San Diego zoo (we also offer a San Diego zoo ticket with transport from local hotels). Though you won’t be able to see Bai Yun or her new cub for a few months (unless you’re watching them on the zoo’s Panda Cam), there are always her two offspring (and their dad, let’s give pappa panda some due props!) to see. The San Diego zoo is one of the only places in the United States that you can see these rare and gorgeous animals!
-Jenny Crossling
Planning a trip? Browse Viator’s San Diego tours & things to do in San Diego, from San Diego theme park tickets such as SeaWorld, Legoland and the San Diego Zoo.
Budget Labor Day Hotels in San Diego, California
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San Diego Skyline
Labor Day is fast approaching, and if you plan to be in gorgeous San Diego for the weekend, there are still some affordable hotel rooms you can scoop up if you move quickly! Check out these hotels - they’re cheap(er), close to San Diego’s best sites and an overall good value. I wouldn’t recommend these hotels for super romantic getaways for couples, but they’re good choices for families and for couples on a budget.
This hotel is on Hotel Circle, an area that has tons of hotels near San Diego’s Mission Valley area. You’ll be less than 10 minutes from the beach with a car, and very close to some of San Diego’s best shopping, too. Rooms are clean and basic.
Cheesy name, but this is a nice, basic hotel with a staff that has a reputation for being friendly and helpful. Don’t judge this motel by its website, which needs some work. The rooms don’t have comforters, really, just white sheets - but this is San Diego people, rarely does it get below 65 degrees, and over Labor Day it’s likely to be in the 80s! The motel is located right on the Harbor.
Totally renovated in 2003, La Pensione is listed as San Diego’s best budget hotel by a number of sites. All the rooms have a Queen bed, and rates for Labor Day are $90/night. I got a total of $300 for 3 nights, which is fantastic for the holiday weekend! There are two restaurants and underground parking spaces, too. It’s very close to the San Diego airport.
Hope these hotels are a good starting point for you! Happy travels.
Photo Credit: WouteR
Fallen Leaf Lake Campground, South Lake Tahoe, CA
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A cozy campsite at Fallen Leaf Lake Campground.
Those who know me or who read my posts might surmise that I’m not much of a campfire girl. The last time I slept in a tent was at Burning Man 1997. I did go back to Burning Man in subsequent years — in an air conditioned RV.
That’s not to say I’m against it. But it would take something special to persuade this lover of 300-count Frette linens and room service to pack my sparse playa-dusty gear and get jazzed to toast marshmallows and sleep on the ground.
I stayed in my friend’s cabin on my most recent trip to South Lake Tahoe, but considered camping at Fallen Leaf Lake Campground based on the recommendation of relatives who are area locals.
Just over 200 campsites are located beneath towering pines, one-quarter mile from Fallen Leaf Lake and three miles from the “Y” where Hwy 50 and Hwy 89 intersect.
This is car camping not backpacking and there are decent amenities including clean bathrooms with flush toilets, showers (3 minutes for $1), standing barbecues, picnic tables, and fire rings but no hook-ups. There is a boat ramp at the south end of the lake and swimming is allowed. Also, pets are allowed.
Fees are $28 per night plus and additional $5 for each extra vehicle. It’s a National Forest campground that is operated by California Land Management, a private concessionaire. For reservations, call (877) 444-6777 or go to www.recreation.gov.
There are lots of activities in the area including swimming and water recreation at Pope and Baldwin Beach, biking on the paved, family-friendly bike path along Hwy. 89 (I did it, it was great), horseback riding and watercraft rentals at Camp Richardson, hiking in Desolation Wilderness, and touring the estates at Tallac Historic Sites.
Whatever you decide to do, playing keep away from bears is of utmost importance. One more reason I sleep indoors.
Photo credits: sagehopper
Avila Beach, San Luis Obispo County, Central Coast, California
Posted , add a commentIn college my beach was Avila. Of course with Cal Poly so close by, I think Avila beach is the beach preferred by many a San Luis Obispo college student.
View from beneath. http://www.flickr.com/photos/g-hat/317544673/
Located in an unincorporated area of San Luis Obispo county, the small town of Avila began as a shipping port for the central coast, and later, a fishing village. Nowadays there are still fisherman on the pier. But mostly, the small town is centered around the beach itself and the short strip of beach-town shops, restaurants and bars that line this stretch of coastline.
The beach itself is small– less than half a mile long and sheltered inside the San Luis Bay. Avila faces south and is protected from the prevailing northwesterly winds by Point San Luis, making it warmer than most beaches in the area, less windy. There are often surfers dotting the water, swimmers, and many, many sunbathers.
Pier pilings. http://www.flickr.com/photos/gordonb/5095521/
In addition, there are three piers off the beach: Avila Beach Pier, intended for tourist strolling and recreational fishing, Harford Pier, for commercial fishing boats to offload their wares, and the Cal Poly Pier, part of the university’s marine research program and thus not publicly accessible.
Avila beach and Point San Luis. http://www.flickr.com/photos/g-hat/317544673/
There is a certain charm to Avila, both the beach itself and the town. It’s small there, quaint even, but slightly musty as most beach towns are. Dogs are allowed on the beach at certain times, a fishing license is not required; there are picnic tables, public restrooms, weddings often take place here, though a permit is required.
Located roughly 9 miles southwest of San Luis Obispo, take the winding road through See Canyon with its orchards, farms and wineries until you hit the ocean. This is Avila.
Washington State’s Chrysalis Inn and Spa, Bellingham, WA
Posted , add a commentPosted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip
Chrysalis Inn and Spa photo by Nancy D. Brown
If you think dining at a wine bar is all small plates and big prices, have I got a tip for you. On a recent culinary trip to Washington State’s Whatcom County, I had dinner at the Fino Wine Bar over looking Bellingham Bay. It was a balmy evening with the sun beginning to set in the distance. Out came the first course of specialty meats and olives, accompanied with a trio of housemade savory butters and several fresh baked breads. Next came the Peppered Pork Tenderloin, a house speciality of the restaurant. I could go on and on, but I realize you came here to read a lodging review.
While I didn’t stay at the Chrysalis Inn and Spa, I did get a chance to peek inside several rooms. Of the 43 rooms on the property, nine of them are suites. Room 310, a king suite with a water view would be ideal. For honeymooners or those seeking to wake up with an inviting harbor view, my choice would be room #314. This corner suite, with two person jetted tub and bay window will stoke the romantic fire from within.
Corner Suite #314
All rooms include a window seat, gas fireplace, Frette linens and a down comforter, in addition to a complimentary breakfast buffet. For me, I’d enjoy a day of kayaking, followed by a heated lava shell massage at the spa. After dinner at the Fino Wine Bar, I’d be slipping on the luxurious robe after a nice, relaxing bubble bath.
Room rates range from $209 - $224 for a side view deluxe, up to $319-$334 for a corner suite during the high season of May until the end of September. Don’t forget to book your spa appointment two weeks in advance.
The Chrysalis Inn and Spa 1 360-756-1005
804 10th Street, Bellingham, WA 98225
