Hotel at a Glance: The Sofia Hotel

When it was built in downtown San Diego in 1927, The Sofia Hotel was known as the Pickwick, a swanky art-deco spot hidden inside a red-brick Neo-Gothic building. Celebrating its 90th birthday, the hotel recently underwent a multimillion-dollar overhaul to restore it to its former grandeur. Guests can embrace the decadent spirit of the Roaring Twenties by sipping aperitifs in one of the Sofia's recent additions, an elegant French-inspired bistro.

• Savor duck confit and wild salmon salad amid sparkling chandeliers and checkered floors at Currant American Brasserie, the hotel's restaurant.
• In-room amenities: pillow-top mattresses, WiFi, and large flat-screen TVs.
• Neighborhood tour: The hotel conducts walking tours of the nearby Gaslamp District.
• Indulge in aromatherapy and a variety of massage, body, and facial treatments in the spa treatment room.
• Yoga classes available Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday mornings.
• Press mention: Frommer's says the hotel "works for a lot of different crowds—business travelers, downtown revelers, and serenity seeking vacationers."

San Diego: Tips for the Perfect Weekend Escape

Day 1:

❀ Balboa Park ❀

Full of green space, flora, and fauna, this lovely park is home to the world-famous and much-beloved San Diego Zoo, the historic Old Globe Theatre, 15 museums, a carousel, and a miniature railroad.
Visit the Museum of Natural History, the Museum of Man, the San Diego Museum of Art, the Comic-Con Museum, or the San Diego Air and Space Museum, among many other attractions.
There are many gardens full of native plants, roses, and cacti, as well as a Veterans Memorial Garden and dog parks. Stop by the Australian Garden where you can spot plants that are native to Australia.

ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ San Diego Zoo ʕ •ᴥ•ʔ

While you find yourself in Balboa park, visit the San Diego Zoo and see more than 4,000 animals representing over 800 species, including several endangered animals such as the African Penguin, the Galápagos Tortoise, and many others. Every time you grab a ticket to the San Diego Zoo, you’ll be contributing to supporting their admirable cause.
Experience the fun and interactive Animals in Action Experience as zoo workers bring the animals out to you for an up-close view. Be taken behind the scenes by expert wildlife behavior specialists and find out more about some of the animals, all while learning how the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is helping to save species locally and around the globe.
Fancy something extra-special? Go for the Exclusive VIP Experience and enjoy a customized visit to suit your needs and interests. During the roughly five hours with your own personal tour guide, you can explore the Zoo’s animal habitat areas that you are most interested in. The experience also includes a sit-down lunch to provide a needed break as you explore the grounds.
###Day 2:

☀ Coronado Island ☀

Connected to San Diego by the San Diego-Coronado Bridge, Coronado Island is the perfect place to relax. You can stroll on the picturesque beach or rent a bike and ride around the island and take in beautiful views of the local, quaint community.
Head to the Coronado Museum of History and Art* that is home to over 20,000 photographs and 1,400 artifacts in their permanent collection. Get a sight of the Hotel del Coronado, believed to be the inspiration for the Emerald City in The Wizard of Oz.
Search for keepsakes at local shops, get captivated by talents at art galleries at Ferry Landing, and admire the scenic sights of San Diego Bay.

♪ Gaslamp Quarter ♪

Visit this vibrant downtown neighborhood with roots that date back to 1850. Renowned for its nightlife, the area is a composition of nearly 100 charming Victorian-era buildings crammed with restaurants and bars, including independent eateries and a range of global options, as well as boutiques and art galleries.
Take your loved one for a romantic dinner, catch a jazz, flamenco or comedy show, and if the you do not want the night to end, go dancing in a nightclub.
Listed on the National Historic Register, explorers can take in their famed surroundings while they search for quirky souvenirs, stylish jewelry, and trendy clothing.
###Day 3:

☸ Belmont Park ☸

Opened in 1925, Belmont Park is nestled on the shores of Mission Beach. This beachfront entertainment offers modern and vintage attractions such as the Giant Dipper roller coaster that is now a national historic landmark.
Enjoy roller coasters and thrill rides, as well as delightful carnival rides such as a carousel and bumper cars. Have fun at the amusement park’s newer features such as ziplines, escape rooms, and laser tag games.
Once your energy levels have been depleted, indulge in the venue’s various additional amenities, such as dining areas and beach-themed shops.

♔ Old Town ♔

Considered the birthplace of California, Old Town offers a glimpse of San Diego’s infancy and colonial roots. See a variety of 19th-century buildings that are now museums, shops and eateries.
Spot adobe churches that adorn the Old Town’s scenery, and see the Mormon Battalion Historic Site honoring the members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who served in the US Army's Mormon Battalion during the Mexican-American War.
Are you a fan of spooky fun? Visit the Whaley House Museum, dubbed one of the Most Terrifying Places in America by the Travel Channel. Ghosts of former residents are said to inhabit the rooms, which are filled with Victorian furniture and eerie dolls.