Casinos have really come a long way from their roots. These days, you can go to San Diego resorts that have casinos within, but you would never even know it. These hotels are classy, offer lots to do and are even family-friendly. Are you still not convinced? Here are three questions and their answers that can help you learn more about San Diego casinos and hotels.

Image courtesy of http2007

1. What if I don’t like to gamble?

Gambling is just one of several fun activities you can do at these beautiful nouveau resorts. These places know that not everyone is into playing games for money, and although there are state-of-the-art-game rooms, tables and casino areas, there is also a lot to do for those who would rather not partake.

As a visitor, you have the options of beauty and exercise services, swimming in the sparkling pool, dining at delicious restaurants right in your hotel and taking in lots of fun entertainment, like comedy shows or concerts.

No matter what you like to do for fun or relaxation, there are options for virtually every kind of visitor.

2. I’m a picky eater. Do resorts have limited menus?

One great thing about the Pala Casino and Resort in particular is that it has a huge myriad of dining options. Whether you are on a special diet or simply prefer certain foods to others, it has never been easier to get the variety you crave under one roof.

There are ten different eateries at Pala, including: Asian fare, Italian, surf & turf, buffet, delis, coffee/sweets and much more. You can eat light, hearty or somewhere in between, but you will always be eating well.

3. What options do casino/resorts offer for a healthy vacation?

If your idea of a vacation is relaxation, toning up and coming home looking your best, a casino resort is the ideal getaway. Most of the best resorts have spas and salons inside, so you can get your hair done, enjoy a massage or indulge in an exotic treatment. 

Those who love exercise have access to state-of-the-art gym equipment, and often personal trainers and/or classes like yoga and Zumba. You can continue your cleansing weekend by spending time swimming in the pool and enjoying nutritious foods like sushi, juices and salads.

San Diego resorts and casinos are the perfect place for a vacation of any kind. Go online to plan your trip today.

To Jim, writing is everything. The topic he most enjoys writing about is traveling. If you’d like more information regarding San Diego Resorts, please visit http://www.palacasino.com/

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

San Diego Restaurant Week is in full effect now until Friday the 20th.

You can score amazing deals on some of the best restaurants in the city, with lunch prices ranging from $10 – $20 and three-course dinner menus ranging from $20 – $40 per person.

Whether you’re going on a romantic date, or just taking the family out to dinner, there’s something for everyone this year with over 150 participating restaurants.

Here are a few examples of what you can enjoy.

Image courtesy of //ZERO

Great Deals on Lunch

Via Italia Trattoria

You can get a two-course lunch for only $10! Which is great news, because then you can add a paring with two wines for an additional $8.

Trattoria i Trulli

Another North-County favorite, Trattoria i Trulli, has a two-course meal for $15. One of the dishes they’re highlighting is the Pollo Ripieni a Scamorza, which is a “Chicken breast stuffed with sun dried tomato pesto & smoked mozzarella finished in a lemon-thyme white wine sauce served with roasted root vegetables”.

Splurge on Dinner

Some of San Diego’s nicest restaurants are also participating in restaurant week. You can get a great price on three-course meals at some of the top restaurants in the city. Here are some of our favorite.

Nobu

Nobu, located at the Hard Rock Hotel downtown has a three-course meal for $40. You can enjoy fresh seafood like the Yellowtail sashimi with jalapeno, the steamed Chilean sea bass with black bean sauce, and top it all off with mint chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches.

Grant Grill

The Grant Grill is located at the Grant Hotel downtown. They satisfy both meat and fish lovers with their Dry Aged Duck, Niman Ranch Striploin, or Grouper.

But the best dish might be the end of the night. Chocolate fans will love their “Cappuccino”, which is “coffee mousse, crispy milk foam, cinnamon chocolate crumble, and amaretto ice cream”.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

San Diego is beautiful year round.

And although we may not have real seasons, we just bring the seasons to us!

Image courtesy of breilly

Outdoor Ice Skating in San Diego

There are two different outdoor ice skating rinks available close to Downtown San Diego this year.

You can ice skate Downtown in front of the Horton Plaza mall and NBC building until January 8th. It’s like you’re (almost) at Rockefeller Center in Manhattan!

If you’ve always wanted to ice skate on the beach (and who hasn’t?!), then you can head over to the Hotel Del Coronado until January 2nd.

New Year’s Day Brunch

What a better way to kick off the new year than with a Champagne Brunch Cruise.

You can take in the seafood bar, omelet and carving stations while cruising around the San Diego harbor. Complete with bottomless champagne and live entertainment, it sounds like the perfect start to 2012.

See a Show

The How the Grinch Stole Christmas Musical is playing at the Old Globe Theatre in Balboa Park until December 31st. It’s the 14th straight year, and includes the classic songs from the animated version.

Enjoy an Apple Pie

Julian, a small town just about an hour outside of San Diego, is a charming mountain village with snow and delicious homemade apple pies.

You can also stay in a bed & breakfast and enjoy the town’s holiday events.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Palm Springs is a beautiful place.

It’s a picturesque, small desert town full of charm and personality.

It’s long been a vacation destination of celebrities and Hollywood elite who favor the quiet, calm escape.

But it’s difficult to get there.

It’s a short drive from Los Angeles, Ontario, San Diego, and Orange County. But it would be nice to fly straight in.

They have a great airport, but it’s small and doesn’t take many flights. Fortunately, several airlines are expanding or adding new services very soon.

• Denver: Frontier Airlines will fly three times a week beginning on November 17th.
• New York & San Francisco: Virgin America will fly a seasonal service to New York with a stop in San Francisco
• Winnipeg: WestJet is adding a seasonal service.
• San Jose: Horizon Air is resuming their seasonal service (it was cut during the recession)
• Stockton: Allegiant airlines will fly nonstop Mondays and Fridays

Palm Springs is the perfect destination for a relaxing getaway or weekend escape.

They have outdoor activities like Golf, hiking and horse back riding. And they have some awesome spas to kick back after a long day.

If you like shopping and dining, then you can venture Downtown and visit all the boutique shops and quaint restaurants.

Palm Springs is also within a short drive from the huge Cabazon Outlets (by Morongo Casino).

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

California’s hotels are almost as famous as their occupants.

They’ve hosted lavish events and been featured in movies.

But they’re also popular for another reason.

Some are reportedly haunted from unsolved mysteries and former celebrity ghosts. These urban legends have surrounded these hotels for decades.

Here are the top haunted hotels in California.

Image courtesy of stallio

Hotel del Coronado, San Diego

The Hotel Del Coronado is one of the nicest hotels in Southern California.

It’s been around for over a century, and has been featured in numerous Hollywood movies.

However on November 29, 1982, the body of Kate Morgan was discovered on the hotel steps. And some say she’s never left.

She suffered a gun-shot wound to the head, and it was later ruled a suicide. However Alan May, a San Francisco laywer who wrote a book about the subject, says that her death was no accident.

He says the bullet found in her head did not match the gun.

Most of the reports about paranormal activity are from Kate’s old room, 302 (which is now 3312) and a former maid’s room (3502).

Guests have reported lights going on and off, objects moved, murmuring, and even sightings of Kate’s ghost.

Image courtesy of nino63004

Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, Hollywood

The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood is another legendary hotel.

It hosted the first-ever Academy Awards in 1929, and is still a hot-spot for celebrities.

Two famous celebrities have even called it home since their deaths.

The ghost of Marilyn Monroe is said to haunt her old room, Suite 229. She’s also been seen dancing in the ballroom.

Montgomery Clift stayed at the Hollywood Roosevelt during filing of From Here to Eternity. He haunts his old room, 928, and apparently walks the hallways playing his bugle.

What do you think? Are you brave enough to stay in these hotel rooms?

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

San Diego, the “Napa Valley of Craft Beer” or “American’s Craft Beer Capital”, kicks off it’s annual 10-day festival tomorrow.

There are more than 400 events planned in bars, hotels and restaurants throughout the county. They include everything from upscale beer and food pairings, to scavenger hunts.

The San Diego Craft Beer week isn’t just for beer lovers. It’s an event for foodies and winos that displays the regions award-winning style and tastes.

Image courtesy of nicmcc

San Diego ranks among the top beer cities in the world with Portland, Denver and Philadelphia. According to the NCTimes,

At this year’s Great American Beer Festival in Denver, where more than 450 breweries were represented, San Diego breweries brought home a record 20 medals.

In 2010 at the World Beer Cup, where 642 brewers from 44 countries entered more than 3,300 beers, San Diego breweries won more medals than the traditional beer countries of England, Germany and Belgium combined.

The final event will be a huge Beer Garden food-pairing at the Torrey Pines Lodge in La Jolla. Some of the city’s top chefs will be preparing dishes that complement the complex, craft brews.

And one of the most exciting events is the North to South (and South to North) Craft Beer Crawls this Sunday. People will be shuttled from San Marcos to Downtown and vice versa to try out the different styles and tastes in each area.

If you’d like more information about the San Diego Beer Festival, please visit their website here.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Is your city trick-or-treat friendly?

Zillow.com has ranked the top 20 cities to trick or treat this Halloween. From their blog;

Now in its third year, the Zillow Trick-or-Treat Index is designed to help kids (and parents) use data to identify cities that will boost their Halloween haul.

How are they ranked?

Zillow uses their home value index, “walkability” rating of the city, people per square mile and the rate of violent and nonviolent crime.

All of that adds up to the most candy with the safest and least walking.

Is your city listed below?

Image courtesy of Transguyjay

1. San Francisco

San Francisco Trip for the Whole Family

4. Seattle

5 Things to Do in Seattle with Kids

6. San Jose

5 Things to Do with Kids in San Jose

8. Los Angeles

Things to do in Los Angeles

13. San Diego

Free Fun for Kids in San Diego

16. Denver

6 Denver Activities for Kids

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

Halloween in San Diego is one big party.

The hotels transform into costume parties with dozens of musical acts. They have multiple venues and cash prizes for the best dressed.

There’s also a huge block party that takes over half of the Gaslamp Quarter.

Here are 3 of the best Downtown San Diego parties you can’t miss.

Image courtesy of LA Wad

1. Monster Bash

The 11th Annual Dos Equis XX Monster Bash is one October 29th from 6:00 PM to midnight. It’s a block party spanning eight blocks.

They have three stages, 10 bars, 50 toxic dancers and thousands of people! There will also be a costume contest with a grand prize of $3,000.

The block party takes place on 7th Avenue between Market and J Street. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door, and there’s an additional $25 VIP upgrade.

2. Halloween at the W

The W San Diego is throwing The Greatest Show on Earth. It’s hosted on Saturday, October 29th and will have 11 musical acts!

It’s from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am on B street and State street. Tickets are $40 pre sale. If you book a room package, then you’ll receive 2 complimentary tickets.

3. Halloween Bash at the Hard Rock Hotel

The Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego throws some of the best parties downtown.

And on Saturday, October 29th they’re throwing a huge costume party. It takes place over three floors, five venues and 15 DJs.

Tickets are $50 and the party is on 5th Avenue and L street.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

The winter months are steadily approaching, and bring with them some of the things humans hate most: cold, snow and awful driving conditions. Now would be a perfect time to start planning for a vacation to escape the cold for a couple of weeks, because we all know how nice sunny beaches feel when your family is shivering near a fireplace in December.

Below I’ve included five of the best locations the United States has to offer, and I’m sure you’ll agree.

Image courtesy of Anirudh

1. San Diego

Home to some of the prettiest beaches in the world, San Diego makes for a perfect destination away from the cold weather. In addition to lounging on the beach and enjoying some sun, you could also partake in the many activities that accompany a location such as: water-skiing, boating, surfing, volleyball and especially swimming.If you’re a sports fan, you’ll also want to check out QualComm Stadium, home to the San Diego Chargers football team. What better way to spend the day than to watch a rousing game of football and watch a whole slew of guys pound each other into the ground?

2. San Francisco

The Gold Gate Bridge, the famous trolley system and the world class dining and atmosphere are just some of the attractions most often affiliated with San Francisco. With an assortment of art and culture exhibits and attractions, wild and sophisticated nighttime activities and high class hotels, those who visit the famed city will have plenty to do.Take a ride on the trolley while you’re there, too. You have to!

3. Las Vegas

This one really needs no introduction, because, well, it’s Las Vegas! Gambling, drinking, partying and a loose atmosphere make this a hotspot for fun and excitement. While gambling in the casinos and viewing the special design of hotels like the Bellagio, Excalibur and the Hard Rock are wonderfully fun, there are other attractions as well like visiting spas, golf courses, racing and even indoor skydiving.

4. Seattle

While this may not be the warmest location of them all, Seattle does have a mild climate all year round. If you can handle 50 degree weather and a bit of rain here and there instead of 30 degree weather, you’ll love what Seattle has to offer. Aside from being a beautiful city, it is one of the northwestern cities that has a very sophisticated and youthful population. If you’re the artsy or culture type, you’ll be in heaven. But just about everyone will enjoy the ski resorts, beaches, dining and even the first Starbucks coffee house to ever be built in Seattle, all within an hour or two apart.

5. Phoenix

Phoenix has a very warm climate, and visitors will love the outdoor activities that are available to them. With many parks and outdoor attractions, all nature lovers will enjoy everything about them. Perhaps one of best outdoor attractions that many find to be exhilarating fun is the River Rampage water rafting and kayaking, where you can combat the white, raging rapids and make your way down river, making for an exciting adventure.

There you have it, folks, the five best vacation destinations for those seeking refuge from the colder months. You’ll be glad you took a vacation when those blizzards and 20 degree winds swoop in. That’s for sure!

Joe Petchonka has been a writer for over five years, and has written for newspapers, websites and automotive dealerships. In addition to having an extensive writing background and bachelor’s degree in English, he has helped companies develop professional material to help them achieve their goals. He currently writes for Nexteppe, who helps dealerships sell Queens Used Cars, New York Used Cars, CT Used Cars and Bronx area Kia cars, in their social media department.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.

On October 12th, 1810, the Crown Prince Ludwig married Princess Therese of Saxony-Hildburghausen.

The people of Munich celebrated in front of the city gates, with horse races that marked the close of the event.

The horse races became an annual event, and Oktoberfest was born.

Image courtesy of sanfamedia.com

California temperatures are still soaring, but Fall is finally rolling in. Come celebrate with these California Oktoberfest events.

Alpine Village Oktoberfest

The Alpine Village in Torrance, CA is the oldest and largest Oktoberfest is Southern California.

It’s the 44th consecutive Oktoberfest celebration and has been picked by the USA Today as “one of th best Oktoberfests in the world!”

The Alpine Village Oktoberfest is a traditional festival with real German music, food and beer.

It’s held every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until October 23rd. The hours are 6PM to Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and 1PM to 6PM on Sundays.

Fridays and Saturdays are meant for adults, while Sundays are a little more calm and great for families.

OktSoldierFest

OktSoldierFest takes places in Downtown San Diego on Saturday, October 22nd.

The Mission Brewery is hosting it to benefit wounded soldiers of the the Warrior Foundation

San Diego is home to some of the best craft breweries in the entire country. You can enjoy tastings of over 40 local breweries, local food, and three stages of music and events.

It’s a huge event, taking place over 60,000 square feet and tickets include unlimited tastings and food voucher. VIP tickets are also available for early, private tastings.

For more information, please visit their Facebook page and event website.

About Fox Rent A Car:

Fox Rent A Car, your discount car rental company, has been providing excellent customer service along with low rates for rental cars since its founding in 1989. Today, our success in these areas has enabled us to develop into the largest independent car rentals company headquartered in California. You will find Fox Car Rental offices conveniently located at major airports throughout the world.