More Day Trip Ideas for

The Olympics in San Diego

On 150 acres in Chula Vista sits the U.S. Olympic Team's only year-round, warm-weather training facility. The training center supports nine Olympic outdoor sports including archery, rowing, cycling, soccer, tennis and track & field. Free, guided tours of the 150-acre facility happen daily. For information on tours, contact the visitor information center, 619-425-4444.

Better than fried Snickers

Unless it's utterly missed your attention, the fair comes to the Del Mar Fairgrounds June 11 through July 5, this year marking Dr. Seuss' 100th birthday with the theme “Seussentennial Celebration.” In addition to a huge Seuss exhibit, all your favorite fair trappings will abound: fried Snickers bars, 50 breeds of goats and rides that spin really fast. Live concerts include Kenny Loggins, Ozomatli, The B-52s and a Girls Rock Fest. See www.sdfair.com for more info. Also: Del Mar Horse Racing: July 21-Sept. 8, live thoroughbred racing Wednesday through Monday.

Don't fear the clowns

Some of us wouldn't dare come near it, but others find it oddly entertaining. The 134th edition of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus comes to the San Diego Sports Arena Aug. 11-15. Join Crazy Wilson and the Wheel of Wonder, the cast of Clown Alley, the acrobatic troupe from Beijing International Art School and many more. For tickets: 619-220-TIXS.

Quirky Day Trips

Lawrence Welk Museum, 8860 Lawrence Welk Drive, Escondido. 760-749-3348. Tacky, perhaps. Pure Americana, definitely.

Desert Tower in Jacumba, just off Interstate 8 between San Diego and El Centro at the In-Ko-Pah turnoff. This 80-plus-year-old stone lookout tower has a hurricane deck on top where visitors can see well into Mexico. The adjoining Boulder Park is a maze of cute and creepy creatures carved from granite boulders.

Olde Highway 80 and the Flinn Springs Country Store

This traditional country general store sells candy, antiques, candy, cheese, candy, candy and candy. With the burn area re-growth and other out-of-the-way shops along the way. Take Interstate 8 East, exit Lake Jennings Road. Keep right on Highway 80 and drive about a mile. 619-442-1842

Worth the Drive

Sawdust Festival/Pageant of the Masters

From July 2 through Sept. 5, head 65 miles north to Laguna Beach for the annual Sawdust Art Festival, nestled in the middle of Laguna Canyon. The festival's been going on since 1966 and draws more than 175 local artisans to line the festival's sawdust-covered paths. Just across the street is the more upscale Pageant of the Masters, where heavily made-up actors recreate famous works of art. May sound cheesy, but it's really quite spectacular and something to see at least once. The Sawdust Festival is located at 935 Laguna Canyon Road. www.sawdustfestival.com. The Pageant of the Masters is at 650 Laguna Canyon Road. Tickets: 800-487-3378.