San Diego is home to one of the largest military complexes in the free world with numerous Navy, Marine and Coast Guard installations. The region is also well known for decades of impressive military presence and achievements.
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To show appreciation for the dedicated United States men and women in uniform, many San Diego hotels, attractions and activities are offering discounts exclusively to military personnel. Following is a list of featured military discounts currently available.
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HOTELS
- Now until December 29, 2012, The Westin San Diego in downtown is offering active military discounted rates on deluxe rooms, complimentary upgrades to bay-view rooms and family movie night amenities including a movie, popcorn, sodas and snacks. Rates start at $119 per night, plus tax. Book online or call 619-239-4500; use promotional code SETMILF.
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- Now until December 30, 2012, the Embassy Suites Hotel San Diego – La Jolla, located just minutes from the village of La Jolla, is offering active military a Military Couples Romance package. The package includes a two-room king-bed suite, breakfast, a hosted manager’s reception, 50% off self-parking and chocolate-dipped strawberries upon arrival. Rates start at $119 per night, plus tax. Book online or call 858-453-0400; use promotional code MRP.
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- Now until December 30, 2012, The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows in the urban neighborhood of North Park is offering active military a Military Appreciation package. The package includes a 15% discount on hotel rates, two complimentary drink tokens and complimentary wireless internet and parking. Rates start at $85 per night, plus tax. Book online or call 619-296-2101; use promotional code MILITARYAPP.
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- Now until December 31, 2012, the Courtyard Marriott San Diego Mission Valley in Hotel Circle is offering active military discounted room rates, free wireless internet and a $20 hotel food and beverage voucher per night. Rates start at $133 per night, plus tax. Book online or call 619-291-5720.
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ATTRACTIONS
- SeaWorld San Diego offers one free single-day admission to active duty service members, activated or drilling reservists and National Guardsmen. The Here's to the Heroes program also entitles up to three direct dependents of military personnel free admission into the park. Dependents can take advantage of the offer without their service member, although an adult must accompany minor dependents. Dependents, aged 10 and over, must present valid dependent ID.
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- The San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park offer a complimentary one-day pass to the Zoo and an Africa Tram Safari at the Safari Park throughout the year for active duty military, cadets of military academies and reserves with active orders. Individuals must show a valid, active military ID; the program also includes U.S. cadets who do not have "Active" on their IDs.
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- LEGOLAND California in the North County community of Carlsbad offers active duty and retired military a 40% discount on tickets and a second day free when tickets are purchased at a military ticket office At the LEGOLAND California gate, active and retired military receive a 10% discount on all LEGOLAND tickets with a valid military ID.
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- The Birch Aquarium at Scripps in Jolla, home to more than 3,000 fish and 60 habitats, offers military personnel and their families a $2 discount off the regular price of admission throughout the year.
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SPORTS
- The Sycuan Golf & Tennis Resort in San Diego’s rural East County provides active military with a discounted $25 green fee Monday–Friday on their championship courses throughout the year.
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- La Costa Resort and Spa in the North County community of Carlsbad is offering active military a daily 2-for-1 golf special on the designated “resort course” of the day throughout the year.
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- Maderas Golf Club in the North County community of Poway is offering active and retired military a discount up to 35% off regular golf rates.
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- During the season, the San Diego Padres offers $6 off every game ticket priced $13.50 or more with a valid active duty, dependent, reserve, retired or Department of Defense ID card. The tickets can be purchased at PETCO Park ticket windows, as well as at select on-base ticket offices. On Sundays, military personnel in uniform receive a 50% discount when purchasing tickets at PETCO Park the day of the game.
The Padres also created a new $99 Military Season Pass for junior enlisted military personnel, which entitles the pass holder to one Upper Reserved seat for up to 80 home games.
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TOURS
- Hornblower Cruises & Events offers discounted tickets for purchase through a military ticket office, including a $6 one-hour harbor cruise, $8 two-hour harbor cruise, $46.50 nightly three-hour dinner cruise and $42 weekend brunch cruise.
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- Adventure Rib Rides offers a 10% discount for active and retired military and their families aboard its Navy SEAL Rigid Inflatable Boat, providing up-close views of the many offerings along San Diego Bay.
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- Military personnel and their entire group receive a 10% discount at Brew Hop tours, a chauffeured San Diego tour designed for "beer enjoyment, consumption and enlightenment."
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- San Diego Beer & Wine Tours offers a variety of activities at a 10% discount to military and their entire group, including decadent wine and beer walking tours, chauffeured tours and train tours exploring San Diego County’s emerging wineries and breweries.
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ARTS AND CULTURE
- The Veteran’s Museum and Memorial Center in Balboa Park exhibits a collection of military artifacts, photographs, memorabilia and artwork and honors the active men and women of the military and their families with free daily admission.
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- The San Diego Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park offers free admission for active military and a $2 discount for their family. The museum is home to many original and reproductions of historic aircraft and spacecraft.
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- Home to Southern California’s only IMAX Dome Theater, the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center in Balboa Park offers active military and their families a 10% daily admission discount and free admission on the first Tuesday of each month. Vouchers for IMAX films may be purchased at a 20% discount at military ticket offices.
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- The New Children’s Museum in downtown San Diego offers a 50% discount for active, veteran and retired military and their dependents. The museum celebrates children and the arts through engaging artworks, exhibitions and hands-on art projects.
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- Housing more than 7,000 works, the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park offers free admission for active military and their dependents, and retired military receive $1 off admission prices.
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- Active military can wander through the Zen garden, koi ponds and bonsai exhibits of the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park for a discounted $2.50 admission price.
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- Military personnel can enjoy a $3 military discount off tickets to the San Diego Symphony, valid for certain sections of the Copley Symphony Hall in downtown San Diego.
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Happiness is calling in San Diego. For more information on San Diego’s offerings, including exciting vacation packages and valuable coupons for attractions, restaurants and more, visit the San Diego Tourism Authority's website at www.sandiego.org or call 619-236-1212.
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