Unusual San Diego Presidents' Day Getaways

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It's a well known fact George Washington high-fived Abraham Lincoln and said "people are so going to celebrate our birthdays over a hundred years from now." Abe was like "Totally, I just hope they don't waste their day off work."

True story, it's in the constitution, look it up. In the spirit of the 2008 Presidents' Day, here are some creative ways to use your holiday - it's what the founding fathers would have wanted.

Get Up, Stand Up
The 27th Annual Tribute to the Reggae Legends Festival (formerly known as Bob Marley Day) continues to hot box the San Diego Sports Arena on Presidents Day in San Diego from 1 to 11pm. This really is the only long standing Presidents' Day tradition of any size in San Diego, and deservedly so.

Created by founder/executive director of the World Beat Center and local DJ, Makeda Dread Cheatom to commemorate her friend the late great Robert Nesta Marley, the 2008 world class reggae event features Alpha Blondy, Barrington Levy, Capleton, Midnite, Don Carlos, Sly & Robbie, Gentleman, Gregory Isaacs, Queen Ifrica, Cultura Profetica, Cherine Anderson, and Tribal Seeds. Tickets range from $41-$61.

Wine Tasting in Temecula
So you screwed up on Valentine's Day, huh? Good news - you can make up for it now by taking your sweet heart on a day trip to go wine tasting in Temecula. After hitting up a few vineyards, you might as well spend the night. After all, you don't want to drive under the influence. While you're at it, why not schedule that sunrise hot air balloon ride you always wanted to take. South Coast Wineries offer resort and spa services right on the premises and hot air balloon packages are available through the Temecula Valley Winegrowers Association.

Journey to the Center of the World
Got the day off work? Take a trip to the center of the world, literally. A road trip of Jules Vern proportions; this is a quirky road side attraction lover's dream. Just this side of the Arizona border along the 8 freeway lays the barren little town of Felicity California, otherwise known as the Center of the World. Jacques-Andre Istel, the owner and Mayor, has officially established the Center of the World here, and has built a town around it to bolster his claim. Mr. Istel somehow convinced Imperial County, to legally recognize a spot on his property as the official Center of the World as well as the Institut Geographique National of France.

A 21-foot-tall, hollow, mirror-lined, pink granite pyramid is built over The Spot, which is a dot in the center of a bronze disk set into the pyramid's floor marking the exact center. Other landmarks in Felicity include a sculpture of God's arm (from Michaelangelo's Dawn of Creation painting in the Sistine Chapel) as a sundial; a metal 25-ft. spiral staircase salvaged from the Eiffel Tower and a small white windowless church atop a man-made hill. The Center itself is only open from December through March, when the outside temperature won't kill you.

Cruise to Baja
As little as a year ago you had to drive up to Long Beach just to cruise back south to Baja, past the way you came. Now short 2-5 day (and longer) cruises to Baja are available directly out of San Diego, allowing for less drive time and more cruise time. Not only are they convenient but they're also a great deal. You'll get an entire vacation for what you would normally pay for just the hotel. Also - once you get into international waters gambling is legal. If you're good, you could pay for your entire trip, and then some.

Presidential Library Tour
This historic election year is a good time to actually take this San Diego Presidents' Day seriously. There are two presidential libraries in Southern California. Yorba Linda (east of Anaheim) is the proud birth place of former US President Richard Nixon, and (also proudly) features a library and museum in his honor. The library will be featuring a Q&A with the Presidential greats (think Mt. Rushmore) and cherry pie for the first 100 guests.

Simi Valley is home to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. You actually take the Ronald Reagan freeway to get there (118), it's a few miles off the highway on Presidential Road. Upon leaving office, President Reagan stated that one day he hoped he would be able to share Air Force One with the American people by placing it at his presidential library. Well, his wish came true; you can now board and tour the "flying white house" at the Air Force One Pavilion.

Paparazzi LA Weekend
This is a 2 day plan. Drive to LA, book a room at a trendy boutique hotel, one known for a lot of celebrity action like the Standard or the Roosevelt. The first day you stock up on all the tabloids and star maps (surprisingly accurate), hit up your daily Hollywood trash website, grab your digi-cam and become paparazzi for the day. Be sure to stop by your Concierge desk - they're likely to be your MVP in this operation.

Cruise by the studios and hip hangouts with your cameras and try to catch a shot of the rich and famous. Day 2 is where the real fun kicks in. Figure out what celebrity you resemble and dress up like them - go to all the hip Hollywood hangouts you learned about the day before, but instead of trying to catch a photo - now you're conspicuously trying to dodge photos. Big sun glasses, newspaper covering your face - try to get the paparazzi to take your picture. Your mission - should you choose to accept it - is to end up on a Hollywood tabloid by mistaken identity.

A Little More Your Speed
If all this seems a little too much for you, you can always just cruise on over to Balboa Park and hit up the San Diego Model Railroad Museum. They're hosting a family event on Sunday, in which President Lincoln will share his stories with guests in the Pacific Beach Room every half hour, from 11am - 3pm. Favorite snacks and refreshments of former presidents and a model train activity will be offered to all guests.

OK, Time to Party
DJhere Productions hosts the official San Diego Presidents' Day party at the Ivy Hotel on Sunday, February 17th. DJ Mikey Beats will heat up Ultra Lounge, and Secretary of State Scooter and Vice President Fresh will turn beats downstairs at Envy, while Lipstik Dancers continue to create a new genre of go-go with fire and burlesque entertainment. DJhere guests will receive holiday treats from A Robert Cromeans Salon, and special room rates from the Ivy Hotel. Ivy doors open at 9pm, unleashing a triple-threat with Envy, Eden, and Ultra Lounge. Visit DJhere Productions for more information.

Check out Ivy and DJhere party pics here.