Things To Do and See

Welcome to San Diego, California’s second largest city. Where blue skies keep watch on 70 miles of beaches and a gentle Mediterranean climate begs for a day of everything and nothing. Get face-to-face with a giraffe at the Wild Animal Park, walk on the deck of an aircraft carrier, or sample a beer from one of 30 local breweries. Bordered by Mexico, the Pacific Ocean, the Anza-Borrego Desert and the Laguna Mountains, San Diego is a great place to visit and spend a few extra days before and after the conference.

A Day at the Park: Balboa Park & Zoo - Sunday, November 9

Photo: Matthew Bietz

Balboa Park is the nation's largest urban cultural park. Home to 15 major museums, renowned performing arts venues, beautiful gardens and the world-famous San Diego Zoo, it's a must-see San Diego attraction.

We are planning a special optional activity for CSCW participants who arrive early but are not in Sunday workshops. On Sunday, November 9, we will have shuttle service to and from the park and group-discount passes for the San Diego Zoo. You can sign up as part of registration. (If you've already registered, you can still add the trip to your registration.)

Costs:

• Round-trip shuttle service to Balboa Park: $15.00 (compare to $40-$50 round-trip for a taxi)
• Shuttle + Adult Zoo Admission: $45.00
• Shuttle + Child (age 3-11) Zoo Admission: $32.00

Zoo tickets also include unlimited use of the Zoo's Guided Bus Tour, Express Bus, and Skyfari Aerial Tram.

Shuttles will run from 9am-6pm, with 1 round trip every hour. Exact times will be available at the conference. Some museums and events have separate admission fees. See the Balboa Park website for more information.

Balboa Park Attractions

Photo: Michael Seljos

Eating at the park: Balboa Park's Restaurants range from coffee carts and hot dog stands to award-winning, full-service dining at The Prado. Albert's is my favorite spot for lunch at the Zoo. Located in the Treehouse complex next to Gorilla Tropics, Albert's offers full service dining and includes open-air seating overlooking a waterfall.

Balboa Park Events for Sunday, November 9

Photo: Michael Seljos

• 1:00: Balboa Park Rangers lead a tour of the historical and botanical treasures of Balboa Park.
• 2:00 & 7:00: A Midsummer Nights Dream at the Old Globe Theater
• 2:00-3:00: Since 1917, San Diego has had a civic organist, who performs free weekly Sunday afternoon concerts on the Spreckels Organ, one of the world’s largest outdoor pipe organs.
• All day: Star Trek: The Exhibition (at the San Diego Air and Space Museum)
• All day: Doctors Without Borders: Refugee Camp in the Heart of the City
• All day: Animal Grossology explores all the nasty, stinky, disgusting science of animals' bodies at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center
• All day: Images of Kyoto at the Japanese Friendship Garden
• More...

Other Museums and Attractions

Visiting Tijuana

For a real taste of Mexico just hop on the San Diego Trolley and cross the international border. Enter a country so rich in culture you can taste it before your lips hit the ring of salt. The dance and deals are alive and well on the streets of Tijuana.

Note: Be aware that when you visit Tijuana, you are leaving the United States. Make sure that you have the necessary travel documents for entry into Mexico and for re-entry into the United States. It is not advised to drive your own car into Mexico, and most cars rented in the United States can not be taken into Mexico without special arrangements. Waits at the border crossings (especially returning to the United States) can be quite long. Visit the U.S. Dept. of State Mexico Information Page or your own country's embassy for more information.

Local Arrangements Chair

Matthew Bietz, University of California, Irvine
local@cscw2008.org