Tuesday, October 26, 2010
TRAVEL & ADVENTURE
The Daily Aztec
5
Casinos don’t gamble with high-stakes fun AMY DEVITO CONTRIBUTOR
Between the beaches, the zoo and hiking trails, San Diegans typically spend plenty of leisure time outdoors, despite the recent spell of inclement weather. But for those who find these pastimes pedestrian and tired, they may be interested to learn there are several casinos in the area that cater to a crowd-seeking, more engaging recreation.
Not far east on Interstate 8 is Viejas Casino, a palace of pleasure and play that provides slots, table games and plenty of chances to cash in. “Viejas differentiates from other casinos in the area because of its unparalleled variety,” Robert Scheid, the director of public relations for Viejas Casino, said. “It’s one of the largest in the county with not only thousands of slots and several games to choose from but also six restaurants, shopping and entertainment. When you combine the dining, gaming and all of the other features, Viejas is set apart
as a destination beyond gaming.” For those who would rather win money than knock on doors for candy, Viejas Casino is offering Bingo Trick or Treat on Halloween. This holiday Bingo night offers a $10 complimentary ticket and chances to play in a pumpkin-picking contest, with each pumpkin worth a lump sum. And for the football fans, Viejas hosts rack attack drawings for every touchdown on Sunday and Monday nights. Another local casino is Barona Resort.
The stakes are high and the chips are flying in its 15-table poker room. With 2,000 slots, video poker machines and 80 table games featuring blackjack, baccarat, craps and many more, there are plenty of opportunities to take the house. Barona also offers offtrack betting for horse racing with a 136-seat venue and 32 televisions streaming races every Wednesday through Sunday for patrons to play the ponies. If Pacific Beach Bar & Grill has lost its appeal, consider rolling the dice at a casino.
Courtesy of Viejas Casino
Viejas Casino is located east of San Diego State on Interstate 8 and features hundred of slots, games, entertainment, shopping and eateries. Viejas is also hosting Bingo Trick or Treat, a Halloween themed game with pumpkins.
Dive in and learn how to scuba San Diego style SARAH GRIECO MANAGING EDITOR
chase gear at a low price and also have the option of trading or selling used equipment.
Get insurance San Diego is arguably one of the greatest cities in America for people with a sense of adventure. There are plenty of trails to hike, waves to ride and rocks to climb. But quite possibly the most daring sport to attempt in San Diego is scuba diving. Thanks to clear waters and an abundance of wildlife, San Diego’s shores boast some of the best views for divers on the West Coast. But before one simply can grab a tank full of Nitrox, there are a few steps to take for scuba safety.
Even with a certification and proper equipment, scuba diving can still be dangerous. If injured while scuba diving, it is best to have a backup plan. Divers Alert Network is one of the only scuba-specific insurance companies for those taking the plunge. DAN doctors specialize in scuba-related injuries, and when a diver has DAN insurance, the cost for treatment is little to none.
Get certified
Once everything is taken care of, it’s time to dive in. La Jolla Cove is a great site for beginners to enjoy marine wildlife including seals, leopard sharks and spiny lobsters. To log more hours in the ocean, try joining a scuba group in San Diego, such as Power Scuba. Visit its website at meetup.com/Scuba-Diving-San-Diego. And remember, scuba diving is most fun when done safely.
While it may be tempting to take a dive trip without becoming certified, it is not recommended. There are numerous safety precautions to learn before diving into the deep, and the best way to do that is through a certification course. Two world-renowned diving instruction companies are PADI and NAUI. Both businesses offer scuba diving courses in major cities in the United States. PADI even offers an online course for convenience, but divers eventually need to practice underwater. A downside to scuba certification is the price. Courses can cost between $200 and $500. However, once a scuba certification is completed, there is no need to recertify, as a scuba license lasts for life.
Take the plunge
Find inexpensive gear While local dive shops may be convenient when purchasing fins or masks, it is ultimately going to cost a lot of money. For college students on a budget, there are websites with deals on both new and used scuba gear. One of the most popular online dive shops preferred by pros is leisurepro.com. Divers can pur-
Audrey Rynberg / Staff Photographer
The first step of successfully scuba diving is to get certified by a company such as PADI and NAUI. The licenses last for life.