I just love the Natural History Museum…and the picture above brings back some good memories from the movie…”Night at the Museum” with Ben Stiller…you know where the dinasaur actually comes to life. The San Diego Natural History Museum located in Balboa Park in Downtown San Diego has been awarded a $7 million grant to promote nature research and education. The grant, the largest ever one-time grant received by the San Diego Natural History Museum, will be used to construct a new permanent exhibit about the major habitats of Southern California. The grant came from a voter approved 2006 initiative called Proposition 84. It will pay for the 8,000 square foot installation which is due for completion for the 2015 Balboa Park centennial celebration.

To read more about the museum click on www.sdnhm.org.

Check this out…free admission to Sicilian Cultural Pavilion, Sicilian Cuisine, Ethnic Entertainment on Four Stages, FREE Children’s Rides & Entertainment, Traditional Grape Stomp, Art, History, & Heritage of the Sicilian American Families of the Little Italy District in Downtown San Diego. Can it get any better?

This is the 18th annual 2011 Sicilian Festival and its taking place on May 22nd from 10am to 6pm. Don’t miss out on some of the fun such as cooking demonstration, Book signing, flag procession, the Italian Drance Troup from Balboa Park, the Sinatra Guy and Carmello and his “madolino”. To see the full schedule click here.

For more information about this festival click on Sicilian Italian Festival and to read about 92101 Urban Living’s blog about last years festival click on Coming Up – Sicilian Festival in the Little Italy District in Downtown San Diego.

Hold on to your hats….British Airways will begin nonstop service between Downtown San Diego and London starting June 1st, 2011. As a Downtown San Diego Condo and Loft home owner….it really is nice to be able to take a short cab ride to the airport when feeling the need of spreading the wings. I think it’s great with the option to be able to go straight to London without any stops on the East Coast.

Although this is the third attempt to maintain the service it is hoped that the third time will be the charm. Airline and Tourist Officials are optimistic that the more diversified San Diego Economy will help boost corporate travel and a new alliance with American Airlines that fosters cooperation instead of competition will help fill seats.

The San Diego Regional Airport Authority and the Convention and Visitors Bureau are spending substantial funds to market it both here and abroad. In order to compete with Los Angeles and San Francisco which already have direct flights to London and to promote and market the project as a desirable vacation destination $200,000 has been committed by city’s Tourism Marketing District. In addition the Airport Authority has committed $750,000 in marketing assistance over the next two years and a waiver of landing fees in the first year valued at $133,312 the first year and a 50% discount on the fees the second year.

To read the San Diego Union Tribune’s article click on British Airways flight just the ticket for San Diego tourism and to read 92101 Urban Living’s former blogs about the San Diego International Airport click on San Diego International Airport Makeovers Best Bet – California Pizza Kitchen, San Diego International Airport – is Getting a Facelift and Downtown San Diego Airport gets Clearance and Gives Local Businesses a Chance to Participate.

Fifty-two years ago a tradition bloomed in the Botanical Building in Balboa Park-the Easter Lily Display. With over 300 lilies to feast your eyes upon, it’s worth a visit. Personally, we venture out of our downtown San Diego condo and trek right up the road to Balboa just to see these gorgeous flowers. One of my most favorite things about living in downtown San Diego is our close vicinity to Balboa Park and everything that comes along with it. And, I must say, seeing this garden full of flowers makes it feel like spring has sprung even with our gray, gloomy skies.

Admission to the Botanical Building is free (hours are 10am-4pm) and these Easter Lilies will be on display until May 15th. Don’t miss out on this, it’s really a sight to see.

photo via flickr

I am sure you guys have tried or heard about the famous Ocean Beach hamburger place Hodad’s. This is a great place to stop by to have an experiene of its own. Well…now…you do not have to go all the way to Ocean Beach to try this delicios buger. HODAD’S has now opened up its doors down in the East Village District in Downtown San Diego at 10th and Broadway. After many delays and a costly price tag…original cost estimates were $150,000 and turned out to be $425,000.

The restaurant is located in a century old building and the space was not designed to be a restaurant…so this is why the price tag became more costly than anticipated. To read more about Hodad’s click on www.hodadies.com.