DELIGHTFUL DEALS... can flower in summertime like a garden full of flowers, but finding those flowers — er, deals — ahead of time can be as tricky as picking out the sweetest smelling blossom. But a summer-classic special is now flowering at San Diego Botanic Garden, and it is doing so a few weeks early. It's the Blue Star Museum program, which gives "active-duty military personnel and their families, including National Guard and Reserve," complimentary admission to a host of cultural, historical, and natural institutions and destinations around the country. The began-in-2010 program has a traditional start on Memorial Day, and a traditional last day in early September (on Labor Day), but a certain lush, shrub-packed spread in Encinitas is ready to make the deals happen a bit faster. That's right, we are talking about the San Diego Botanic Garden, which just announced that it is observing the Blue Star Museum deal opened on...
MONDAY, MAY 1: Indeed, the beautiful spot is getting the Blue Star sweetness going "...more than 3 weeks ahead of other Blue Star Museum participants!" While there are a number of special events ahead, like the Chocolate Festival on Saturday, May 13 and a Fairy Festival later in June, you and your kin might simply long to stroll about the 37-acre property while admiring the "29 uniquely themed gardens." There's a pair of kid-fun gardens, too, if your young'uns want some play time. Picture the fresh air, the fragrant plants, the soft sunshine, and the gratis admission, which comes from a place of gratitude and respect for your service. Blue Star Museums is a wonderful program, truly, and that San Diego Botanic Garden is getting it going so early also is worthy of a high five. Details? Find them here.
