San Diego County is one of the best-known gem producing regions in the world, and the exhibit features pieces of benitoite, gold, kunzite, and morganite that were first found right in California.  “All That Glitters” is also playing host to several pieces on loan from private collectors and major U.S. institutions like the American Museum of Natural History, Gemological Institute of America (GIA), Harvard University Mineralogical Museum, Newark Museum and National Museum of Natural History – Smithsonian Institution.

The displays are enticing for everyone—young or old, male or female, geologist or average Jane/Joe. History buffs will be riveted by tales of gem and mineral finds in California, including San Diego County’s own gold rush—twenty years after the famous ’49ers.  If you’re more interested in the scientific side of the stones, expect to learn about the fascinating formation of crystals and gems that happens underground and out of sight every minute. Finally, everyone will be dazzled by the splendor of these treasures after the transform from raw mineral to finely cut gem.

Some of the highlights of the exhibition are:

• 

  The Carousel Egg

  The Carousel Egg, the miniature bejeweled enamel egg replica of the beloved carousel in Balboa Park. Each tiny hand-carved animal depicts one of the actual carousel creatures, and the egg even plays music.

• Jewelry from Tiffany & Co., Cartier, and Van Cleef & Arpels, plus gem-encrusted jewelry from around the world.

• 

  One of 12 beautiful butterfly brooches.

  12 Butterfly Brooches, a never-before-seen set created by Buzz Gay and Bernadine Johnston with rare gems including alexandrite, Mexican fire opal, pearls from Baja California, topaz, rainbow moonstone, sapphire, and more

• Organic Treasures, untouched beauties such as pearls, jet, ivory, coral, and amber.

• Flor de Lise, a crystal that is considered one of the world’s most magnificent rubellite specimens.  It was discovered in Brazil’s famous Jonas Mine and is famed for its huge, deeply-colored, cranberry-red rubellites.

 With interactive displays and once-in-a-lifetime experiences, the “All that Glitters” exhibit captures beauty, science, and fun all in one place.

This temporary exhibit will be on display at the San Diego Natural History Museum through April 8th, 2012.  The exhibit is included with general admission to the Museum, which is offered on our Go San Diego Card and with Go Select. While you’re in the area, check out other Balboa Park attractions, like the actual Balboa Park Carousel, Museum of Man, the Museum of Art, and even the San Diego Zoo!

Full City Tours

San Diego would not be described as entirely walkable – unlike Boston or New York City, the city’s sights are spread out over more than just a few blocks. Gray Line’s San Diego Tour lets you see all there is to see – the Gaslamp Quarter, Coronado Beach, Balboa Park, and even Old Town – without having to pay for the extra expense of renting a car. If you’re looking for the most complete tour of San Diego, this is it. They also include complimentary pick-ups and returns to over 250 hotels in the area.

Harbor Cruises

After touring San Diego on land, your next move should be to explore the natural harbor by boat. Take a Flagship Cruise for a one-hour tour on the water; perfect for families, this quick tour is as informative as it is enjoyable, pairing such sights as Southern California’s sun-bathing sea lions with beer and wine for the adults. There’s indoor and outdoor seating, and the tours are year round. If you purchase a Go San Diego Card, you can also swap out this tour for a whale watch at no extra cost.

Take a Go Car to San Diego's Little Italy!

Something a Little More Unique

If you’re looking for a tour that’s equally parts unique as it is informative, there are a few superb options for you to choose from. There’s the GPS-guided GoCar Tours, which put you in the driver’s seat as the convertible’s computer navigation leads you around San Diego’s historic neighborhoods and sought-after attractions. You can rent the car for as little as 30 minutes, or as long as the entire day, which allows you to set your pace. This is a great tour for all ages, and arguably the best tour in the city for its engagement with what you’re seeing.

If you’re not into driving, you can also see San Diego by plane, corporate helicopter, bike, kayak, or motorcycle. San Diego’s official Travel site has a complete list of agencies to contact for unusual and unique tours, which extend as far as Ghost Tours of San Diego and Brewery Tours of some of the city’s craft breweries. There’s never an end to what you can see in San Diego, and no limit to the ways you can see it.

Sailing Film Festival

This year, the Aquarium of the Bay is kicking off the inaugural Aquarium of the Bay Film and Lecture Series, which will focus on topics such as the San Francisco Bay, the Pacific Ocean, and issues affecting the world’s fragile marine ecosystems.

Starting Friday, February 24^th, the Aquarium will be presenting the Sailing Film Festival in its newly renovated Bay Theater at Pier 39 – the series will feature sailing stories from Cape Horn to Nova Scotia, and will include guest appearances from select America’s Cup team members. Tickets are as low as $10, and they go on sale February 1^st.

Getting Closer to the Animals

There are plenty of free events available weekly at the Aquarium which bring you that much closer to the aquatic life you’ve come to see, and individualize your visit:

• Sevengill Shark Feeding: Every Sunday and Thursday, you can watch as divers feed San Francisco Bay’s largest predators, and learn a little bit more about their distinct characteristics and what they eat (I promise it’s not the divers!).
• Bat Ray Feeding: At the Touch the Bay exhibit, you can watch trained naturalists feed the Bat Rays and Skates, then learn more about the creatures as you touch the tips of their wings or watch them peek their heads out of the water to say hello!

Going Behind the Scenes

New to the Aquarium of the Bay, the 45 minute Behind the Scenes Tour shows all visitors 5 years and older what goes in to taking care of the Aquarium’s 20,000+ marine animals. You’ll be able to walk the catwalks above the tanks, learn about their dive operations, and get to know the animals a little better – all for $10 with your admission ticket.

For discount admission and 10% off gift shop prices for the Aquarium of the Bay, make sure to purchase our Go San Francisco Card. In addition to snagging a deal for the Aquarium, you’ll also receive discounted admission and perks to over 40 other San Francisco attractions, including a Hop-On Hop-Off Trolley Tour and the California Academy of Sciences. Definitely not to be missed!

If the winter blues have you down, there’s no better way to lift your spirits than an all-inclusive 5-day, 4-night trip to San Diego, complete with airfare and accommodations at the Radisson Hotel San Diego-Rancho Bernardo. Of course, the winner will also receive FOUR 3-Day Go San Diego Cards from Smart Destinations, which includes admission to 49 of the area’s top attractions! Finally, that one lucky winner and three guests will get a special VIP caravan safari experience at the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park.  The Caravan Safari brings visitors up close to wild animals in their habitats and includes the opportunity to feed the rhinos and giraffes! Now, that’s a photo op if there ever was one!

The San Diego Zoo and Safari Park has been one of Smart Destinations’ top California attractions for years, and together we are excited to give one lucky winner the vacation of a lifetime. Also in 2012, Smart Destinations announces the opportunity for guests of the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park to purchase the Go San Diego Card right at the main gate!

To register for the sweepstakes, enter on the Smart Destinations Facebook page from now until February 14th!  The winner will be announced the following week on February 21st, and the winner has until December 2012 to take the trip.

Register now, before it’s too late—no one should miss out on this special opportunity for an absolutely unforgettable vacation!

Do Some Road-Tripping

Los Angeles is home to some of the most famous streets in America: there’s Mulholland Drive (which always personally reminds me of Tom Perry’s Free Fallin), Rodeo Drive, Melrose Avenue, and Sunset Boulevard, to name a few. There’s plenty to see, from great views of such Hollywood landmarks as the Hollywood Sign itself to celebrities shopping at their favorite designer stores. The best part of exploring L.A.’s famous streets is that most if not all are walkable, and you’ll have to figure out transportation to and from.

See the Stars on Hollywood Boulevard

This is the one street in Los Angeles that you’ll have to walk – cruising down the boulevard could land you a $100. But don’t worry, you’ll want to amble down the strip on your feet anyway so that you don’t miss the Hollywood Walk of Fame, with over 2000 stars commemorating your favorite actors and actresses. If you time your trip correctly, you may even be able to witness the addition of a new star to the Walk; this year, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce Walk of Fame Committee announced that Jennifer Anniston, Scarlett Johansson, and Jennifer Lopez will all receive stars.

Bum It On the Beach

Make the trip out to Los Angeles’s Pacific Coastline for an afternoon of cost-free relaxation on the sand. Each beach has its own distinct draw – there’s Venice Beach, famous for its body builders and sidewalk artists; Manhattan Beach, which draws the glamorous crowd; and Santa Monica Beach, with its well-known carnival rides on Santa Monica Pier. If you’re interested, you could also visit the Santa Monica Pier Aquarium or ride the sun-powered Ferris wheel (both of which are included in your Go Los Angeles Card).

Note that there may be parking fees if you park in any of the lots closest to the beach; there is free parking on some streets close to Los Angeles beaches, but try to get to them in the morning to avoid paying for parking later.

Get On Television

There are plenty of television shows that film in Los Angeles, including Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy!, Dr. Phil, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, and The Price is Right, among others. Tickets to these shows are free, you’ll just have to call ahead to reserve them. You can order tickets online or browse the audience hunters outside Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (on Hollywood Boulevard), but make sure to get to your taping early – they’re overbooked just like flights.

Mammoths were one of the mammals found in the tar pits.

Dig Around for History

The La Brea Tar Pits are a series of naturally created pits of asphalt over 40,000 years old. Over this time, mammoths, giant ground sloths, saber-toothed cats, and over 3 million fossils have been found submerged in the tar. Entrance to the Tar Pits outside is free, but you’ll have to plan your trip on the first Tuesday of the month to receive free admittance to the George Page Museum.

Tour the Hollywood Cemeteries

Cecil B. DeMille, Rudolph Valentino, and Charlie Chaplin Jr. are just a few of the celebrities buried in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. There’s an interactive cemetery site map online, so you can plan out your self-guided tour before visiting. For a price, there are also concerts (such as Sinead O’Connor’s upcoming February appearance) in the Masonic Lodge at Hollywood Forever Cemetery, and movies during the summer.

To see Marilyn Monroe, Truman Capote, or Dean Martin, visit the Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park and Mortuary in the Westwood area of Los Angeles; for Walt Disney, get yourself to the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale. As operating cemeteries, entrance to all three burial grounds are free (though you may need to do some sleuthing to find your desired celebrity’s grave – not all cemeteries provide maps).

Take a Hike

For the complete no-cost outdoor experience, hike a trail in one of Los Angeles’s parks. There’s Griffith Park, the largest city park in the United States; a renovated path around the Silver Lake Reservoir, located close to Hollywood Boulevard; and, among others, Palisades Park, which has a reportedly unmatched view of Pacific Coast sunsets.

Museum of Fine Arts & Fenway Park

Start your day off with two of Boston’s biggest attractions: The Museum of Fine Arts and Fenway Park. They’re only separated by a 15 minute walk, so it’s easy to visit both in the morning before continuing on with your sightseeing in the city.

The Museum of Fine Arts almost needs no introduction. Over one million visitors come into the museum each year; they see over 450,000 works of art, and are able to take advantage of special exhibits, films, and over 4 different dining experiences, just to name a few. When you visit, make sure to walk around the newly renovated Art of the Americas Wing and the Linde Family Wing for Contemporary Art.

Once you make your way over to Fenway Park, catch a Fenway Park Tour to see such famous Fenway sights as the Green Monster and the Lone Red Seat without having to pay for tickets to a game.

Transportation: For the Museum of Fine Arts, take Boston’s the E Train on Boston’s Green Line to the Museum of Fine Arts stop; for Fenway, take any of Boston’s green line trains (EXCEPT the E train) to Kenmore Station.

Boston Common, the Freedom Trail, & Downtown Boston

Downtown Boston is home to the majority of the city’s major historical sites and popular attractions; you’ll definitely want to head to this part of the city during your day trip, but if you plan on visiting other parts of the city, it’s smart to place your visit to this area in the middle of your day due to its central location and the overwhelming number of train and bus stops in the area.

Start this part of your day by visiting Boston Common and Boston Public Garden. The Boston Common, or simply the Common as us locals call it, is the nation’s oldest public park, and is full of countless historical landmarks. It’s also the starting point for many Boston Freedom Trail Tours, such as the Freedom Trail Walk Into History Tour. This tour in particular is led by famous patriots (such as Abigail Adams) who impart a world of knowledge regarding Boston’s role in the American Revolution. The tour takes only 90 minutes, and is practicably a non-negotiable when making a trip into Boston.

Another perk of taking a Freedom Trail tour is that you’ll be packing in some learning and sightseeing while you’re making your way to your next destination: Faneuil Hall, the North End, and Boston’s waterfront.

Transportation: To get to Boston Common, take either a Red Line train or Green Line train to Park Street station. The Common is also a short walk from Downtown Crossing (on the Orange Line), and is accessible from many MBTA buses.

Faneuil Hall Marketplace & Waterfront

At the end of your Freedom Trail tour, you’ll be taken to another two of Boston’s historical sites: Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall Marketplace, which have been around since the mid-1700s. There’s plenty of shopping, dining, additional sightseeing in the area, so it’s a great place to rest your feet after a busy day of walking around Boston.

If you’re still in the mood for museums, the New England Aquarium is less than a five minute walk from Faneuil Hall; if you’d rather eat some fish than see some swimming in a tank, grab a table at the Legal Sea Foods Test Kitchen (LTK) or one of the many other seafood restaurants located on the harbor.

For some Italian dining, there’s always Boston’s North End, comparable to New York City’s Little Italy. If you’re planning a summer trip, you can stop by one of the numerous summer feasts, which celebrate the memory of revered Italian saints like Santa Maria Di Anzano or Saint Anthony of Padua. The feasts include parades, food, music, and plenty more to do and see.

Transportation: Faneuil Hall Marketplace is accessible by Green (Government Center), Orange (State St.), or Blue line (Aquarium) on the subway; the Legal Sea Foods Test Kitchen is accessible by Silver Line Bus (SL1 or SL2); the North End is a short walk from Faneuil Hall, or accessible by the Green or Orange line subway stop at Haymarket Station.

Hogwarts is Coming to Hollywood!

That’s right – the Wizarding World of Harry Potter is making its way to California, complete with the Hogwarts castle at its center. The addition, announced through a partnership between Warner Bros. Entertainment and Universal Parks and Resorts, promises to be just as authentic as its counterpart in Orlando, which features such straight out of the book attractions as Hogsmeade, the Three Broomsticks Inn, and such themed rides as the Flight of the Hippogriff. Expect to see the addition to Universal in sometime after 2015.

Transformers: The Ride

Coming a little sooner to Universal Studios Hollywood, Transformers: The Ride is set to open in Spring 2012. The ride is said to be a motion simulator with special effects, 3-D features, and Transformer animatronics. Set in the ongoing battle between the Autobots and Decepticons, the ride should feature an original storyline as well as your favorite heroes and villians transforming into cars, planes, and who knows what else!

Exclusive VIP Tour of Hollywood’s Most Famous Studio Backlot

Looking for an attraction you can visit a little sooner? Take your family on a VIP tour of Universal Studios, including a behind the scenes look at sets and soundstages that are generally closed to the public, such as Wisteria Lane from ABC’s Desperate Housewives. Guests of the VIP tour also receive access to Universal’s VIP Lounge, valet parking, and such VIP privileges as front of line access to all rides and attractions and reserved seating at Universal Studios shows. Your personal VIP guide will treat you to a once in a lifetime experience that will make your trip to Los Angeles more than worth it.

Face Down King Kong in 360 3-D

Created by Peter Jackson (director of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, as well as 2005’s King Kong), the King Kong 3-D experience at Universal Studios Hollywood is arguably one of the park’s most popular attractions. On the ride, you’ll face a 30 foot tall King Kong and a 35 foot tall T-Rex in the middle of two massive 187 feet wide by 40 feet high screens – equivalent to 16 movie theater screens put together. The ride is described as the world’s largest, most intense 3-D experience, and is really an event you’ll only experience at Universal Studios.

Starting February 1st and running Wednesday nights from 6:00 – 8:00pm through February 18th, the Winter Starlight Music Series features live music, refreshments, and the breathtaking 360 degree panorama of New York City  on the 67th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, between 49th and 50th Streets and 5th and 6th Avenues, in Manhattan. The lineup is as follows:

Wednesday, February 1:  Angela Workman
Wednesday, February 8:  Dive Bar Dukes
Wednesday, February 15:  The Nick Bucci Band

On Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, February 14, the Hans Holzen Trio will play from 6:00-9:00pm for visitors seeking a romantic and one of a kind experience on the 67th floor observation deck at the Top of the Rock. A.J. Maxwell’s Steakhouse, a top rated restaurant located just down the street from Rockefeller Center, will provide for-purchase wine, champagne, and other treats for couples and families alike.

Admission to the Top of the Rock is included in the New York Explorer Pass - grab one now while it’s 10% off regular price!

Taxi

The most convenient way (and unfortunately most expensive) way to get around New York City is via taxi.This spring, you’ll be able to see a new addition to the traditional yellow cabs of the city – Nissan North America, in partnership with New York City, will be putting out six Nissan LEAF all-electric taxis as part of normal taxi service around the city. While in one of these environmentally-friendly vehicles (or any  of NYC’s taxis), make sure to check out the “NYC Channel”, which displays the latest events, restaurant profiles, and more for passengers.

NYC.gov provides a breakdown of taxi cab fares, but it’s smart to note that there is a night surcharge of $.50 after 8:00pm and before 6:00am, and a peak hour weekday surcharge of $1.00 Monday thru Friday after 4:00pm and before 8:00pm.

Subway & Bus

If you’re not looking to pay one of the taxi surcharges, consider taking the subway or bus for a variety of trips around New York City. Considerably cheaper than a taxi, subway and bus lines start at $2.50 for a single ride, and increase for express bus rides and MetroCard passes. There’s also over 400 stations for your traveling needs, and will take you through most of Manhattan and the city’s outer boroughs.

If you think you and your family will be taking more than 5 rides on the subway, consider getting a Pay-Per-Ride MetroCard from New York City’s MTA; if you put more than $10 on your card, you’ll receive a 7% bonus. For Example, a $50 purchase will get you a $53.50 MetroCard balance. You can purchase MetroCards at such locations as local merchants and at subway station booths.

One of New York's ferries carrying over 4,400 passengers.

Ferries

If your trip to New York City includes Staten Island, perhaps to see such attractions as the Staten Island Zoo or the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, you can take the Staten Island Ferry from the South Ferry Terminal in Lower Manhattan to the St. George Terminal in Staten Island. The trip only takes about 25 minutes, and will cost you nothing – the trip has been free since 1997. The free ride is a great way to see the New York City skyline as well as the Statue of Liberty.

In addition to the Staten Island Ferry, there are also private ferries that can take you to nearby New Jersey destinations, as well as private New York Water Taxis or New York City Sightseeing Cruises.

Walking

If all your other transportation plans fall through, New York City is extremely walkable. Manhattan’s streets are in a strict grid pattern, with their numbers running east-west; this way, it’s easy to navigate to Times Square (7th Avenue and 42nd Street) or Central Park (59th Street) by only reading street signs. There are also plenty of walking tours of New York City and neighboring boroughs to get you oriented with your surroundings as well as introduce you to the culture and history of the city. Try out the Traces & Places: Harlem Walking Tour to get your bearings around Northern Manhattan and Harlem while learning about the Revolutionary War and Harlem Renaissance sites that you’ll pass by.

Hit the Sand at South Beach

Arguably Miami’s hottest entertainment neighborhood, South Beach is the place to go for shopping, dining, clubbing, and beaching in Southern Florida. On the beach itself, feel free to soak up sun, try your hand at surfing or wave riding, or play a quick game of Frisbee or beach volleyball with some friends. When you’ve had your fill of the beach, relax with either some window shopping and a nice dinner at one of the neighborhood’s restaurants, such as Joe’s Stone Crab, Casa Tuna, or the Forge Restaurant (all top-rated by South Beach magazine).

If you’d rather hit South Beach for a real night out, take the Bar Hop Shuttle from your hotel at 8pm to three of the area’s hottest spots, and take advantage of no entrance fees, drink specials, and, of course, no driving.

A tree kangaroo painting at Zoo Miami

Explore the WILDS of Miami

If you’re looking to see some animals and wildlife during your visit to Florida, you should know that there’s more to see in Miami than manatees and alligators. Visit Zoo Miami to see Bengal tigers, tree kangaroos, koalas, and over 2000 other animal species on the Zoo’s 300+ acre site. In addition to the average animal exhibits, there are also daily wildlife shows, camel rides, family safari cycles, and many more interactive experiences to be had.

For an even more exotic animal experience, make your way to Jungle Island via one of the free shuttles offered at area hotels. One of the Island’s main attractions is Vulcan, their half lion half cat liger who eats a whopping 20 pounds of meat a day. If you’re more into herbivores, there’s also the 45 minute Lemur Experience, which allows you and your family to enter the Lemur Nursery and play around with three separate types of lemurs!

Get to Know the Glamor of the Art Deco Scene

Whether you are in the mood to learn a little more about Miami’s history and culture, or want to take in Miami’s bright colors and iconic architecture you’ve seen in such television series as Miami Vice, the Art Deco Historic District is a must-do trip. The area is right out of the 1920′s Paris, and offers great sight-seeing as well as shopping. You can take an Art Deco Walking Tour that lasts 90 minutes and covers such topics as architecture, design, history, and art.

This weekend is Art Deco Weekend in this area of South Beach, and absolutely worth stopping by if you’re in the area. There will be music performances, an art deco furniture expo, a classic car show, and other sights and events not to be missed.

For even more attractions in Miami, make sure to purchase our Go Miami Card or Go Select Passes.