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Forbes
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Pandamonium Package At Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina Is Peak ‘Zoo-Zen'
The PANDAMONIUM Package is a zen-vibing stay that includes rest/recovery spa amenities and private VIP tour of the San Diego zoo. Tiffany Leigh The cutest and most zen-inducing stay awaits you in San Diego with the PANDAMONIUM getaway, a one-of-a-kind package at the Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina hotel— a property most famous for its sweeping seaside location with views overlooking the blue harbor waters. In a desire to celebrate Yun Chuan and Xin Bao at the San Diego Zoo—which are the only giant pandas on the West Coast and the first to enter the United States in 21 years—the hotelier has crafted this unique stay for visitors. It aims to pay homage to these cuddly creatures, all while helping you channel their whimsical yet chill demeanour. A resident panda (left) permanently stays in the room while the goodies on the bed are take-homes. Tiffany Leigh Designed by the in-house Marriott team, there is only one exclusive two-queen-bed 'Panda Retreat' room. In a departure from the rest of the hotel's aesthetic (which exudes a more 'Ocean Muse' sentiment)—here, the calm and cuddly ethos is brought to life with panda wallpaper, bamboo accents, and framed portraits of Yun Chuan and Xin Bao on the nightstands to plush rugs and panda cushions. The cutest and cuddly panda-related amnetieis. Tiffany Leigh 'From the moment guests step into the room, we want them to feel the joy, wonder, and playfulness that makes pandas so special,' explains Dan Shaughnessy, Director of Sales and Marketing at Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina. In partnering with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, the aim is to foster a supportive ecosystem between the hotelier and the zoo, making the hospitality programming align to the guest who is seeking these curated 'surprise and delight' stays that take it a step beyond a standard visit to the zoo. 'Guests will receive general admission day passes to the San Diego Zoo and Wildlife Adventures 'Inside Look' tour tickets, providing unforgettable behind-the-scenes access to the zoo's conservation efforts,' says Shaughnessy. You're also gifted panda-themed goodies that include plush toys, branded zoo-themed cookies, and many more keepsakes to take home. Bonus: 'Early Morning with Pandas' (an add-on to the Pandamonium Package) is a soothing VIP walking tour that allows guests to preview the zoo before it opens to the public. 'Our wildlife experts will lead guests on a guided stroll through the Zoo's rolling hills to see wildlife rising to greet the day,' the San Diego Zoo team explains. At the end, guests will be led to Panda Ridge to get an up-close-and-personal viewing of the Giant Pandas themselves. Wellness/Beauty Amenities Self-care bundle amenity add-on to your PANDAMONIUM STAY. The hotel aligns with and supports local entrepreneurs such as this company. Dirt Don't Hurt To enhance your panda-pampering, you can opt for customizable add-ons that include the following: Energize and Thrive package —featuring housemade cold-pressed juices; superfood granola bars; and a trio of snacks (marcona almonds, dark chocolate almonds, and savoury-crispy mix). While primarily a business-facing property, Dan notes that he is incredibly proud of their award-winning pastry team (they even created their own whimsical Buddy Valestro- inspired vending machine, stockpiling a wealth of healthy and indulgent eats daily). —featuring housemade cold-pressed juices; superfood granola bars; and a trio of snacks (marcona almonds, dark chocolate almonds, and savoury-crispy mix). While primarily a business-facing property, Dan notes that he is incredibly proud of their award-winning pastry team (they even created their own whimsical Buddy Valestro- inspired vending machine, stockpiling a wealth of healthy and indulgent eats daily). Mini Detox Set by Dirt Don't Hurt—one of their curated partnerships the hotel seeks out to spotlight local entrepreneurs. This brand is founded by a San Diego-based, black-owned, and female-founded trio that creates clean, pure, beauty products formulated with earth + plant based ingredients. This set includes Coco Soap, Detox Bath Soak & Scrub, and Glow Body Oil. They're best known for their use of activated charcoal, earth clays, essential oils, and herbs. by Dirt Don't Hurt—one of their curated partnerships the hotel seeks out to spotlight local entrepreneurs. This brand is founded by a San Diego-based, black-owned, and female-founded trio that creates clean, pure, beauty products formulated with earth + plant based ingredients. This set includes Coco Soap, Detox Bath Soak & Scrub, and Glow Body Oil. They're best known for their use of activated charcoal, earth clays, essential oils, and herbs. Sleep and Recovery Set — a locally curated kit that includes a satin pillow (to reduce friction on hair and promote hydrated skin); Calm Sleep Gummies, Rejuvenating Eye Gels, Hydrating Electrolyte mix, Immune Support, and Energy Focus mints; and more. Additional highlights Marina Kitchen Restaurant Marina Kitchen is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina The award-winning Marina Kitchen restaurant offers a host of American favorites, done with a twist. There are prime opportunities here to channel the 'stems, shoots, and leaves' diets of pandas via creations like their roast beet salad; cacio e pepe cauliflower; and roasted tri-color carrots. Otherwise, if you're more of a carnivore and less of the vegan/vegetarian diet ethos, they do have their famous grilled spanish octopus with spicy peanut sauce, manchego cheese, salsa verde, and pork belly; and short-rib ragu pappardelle on offer. Rest and Recovery The pool facilities are the largest in downtown San Diego. Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina The hotel's other claim-to-fame is having the largest pool deck in downtown San Diego, two whirlpools, private cabanas, and 446-slip marina. They also offer complimentary fitness classes (yoga, cardio, spin, meditation) in-person via their schedule; or on-demand virtually via your in-room television. Lastly, there is currently a Casamigos pop-up available (featuring Amigos margaritas)—it's an oasis tucked away from the primary pool deck areas where you can nestle in a hot tub and then settle into your own private retreat that includes a push sofa and lounge chairs. The Pandamonium Package is available starting at $499USD for two guests. Booking is available now. Visit the website to book your stay.
Tom's Guide
28-07-2025
- Business
- Tom's Guide
I tested ChatGPT Agent on 5 everyday tasks — here's what happened
Since the announcement of ChatGPT Agent, I'd been eagerly awaiting the model to show up in my menu of tools. ChatGPT Plus users should all have the new model now. If you don't see it, try logging out and back in it appeared, I just had to know, could the AI actually do things like cancel subscriptions, plan a family trip and order my lunch? To find out, I tested ChatGPT Agent with five very real tasks from my everyday life. Some were impressive. Others were frustrating. But all of them offered a glimpse into what the future of AI-powered assistance might actually look like. Here's what happened when I put ChatGPT Agent to work. Prompt: 'Help me find the Big Into Energy Labubu near me.'I've already found the Big into Energy Labubu with Google Search, but I wanted to see if using ChatGPT Agent was any easier. As one of the hottest toys on the market, it's nearly impossible to track one of these things followed up questioning whether I wanted more information or to purchase one. In this case, I said purchase because information is much easier to find. From there, the AI went to work. I could actually see it checking various websites, reading information, thinking and more within the chat window. In six minutes, the Agent found the Labubu I requested, added it to the cart, and headed to the checkout. It then asked for my shipping address and credit card information. I was able to take control of ChatGPT's browser to finalize the sale. Verdict: This was much faster and easier than using Google. I will definitely be using ChatGPT Agent in the future for hard-to-find items. Prompt:"Plan a 4-day family trip to San Diego, including flights from Newark, hotel options with a pool, and activities for kids under 10. Book everything using my Google account and save an itinerary in Google Docs." When I attempted to move on to the second task, my entire computer crashed and I got an error. After logging back in again, I was able to start a new prompt was a very ambitious task, but I decided to go big to really see what the ChatGPT Agent could do. The AI truly flexed its potential and its limits with this one. The agent searched Google Flights, compared hotels with kid-friendly amenities, and listed family attractions like the San Diego Zoo, LEGOLAND, and beach days. It created a beautiful daily itinerary in Docs and even embedded links to book the trip. Luckily, booking required my manual approval. For privacy and safety reasons (thankfully), the agent doesn't auto-purchase flights or rooms. Instead, it pre-filled forms and waited for me to hit "confirm." Honestly, I don't think I could ever let AI handle this part for me. I'm too much of a control freak when it comes to vacations and I don't trust AI. Verdict: An incredible planning tool and I think it's fun to see the AI 'working' through the prompt. I don't think that will ever get old. Prompt: "Create a 5-day healthy dinner meal plan under 600 calories per meal. Then generate a grocery list, check prices at my local ShopRite, and export it to a spreadsheet." Meal planning is one of those chores that sounds easy until it's 5 p.m. and your fridge is full of random ingredients that don't go together. ChatGPT Agent solved that problem fast. It generated five balanced dinner recipes (lemon herb chicken, veggie stir-fry, ravioli, etc.) with simple ingredients and clear instructions. Then it built a grocery list categorized by section (produce, pantry, dairy), checked local prices through Instacart data, and exported everything to Google Sheets. It even told me which ingredients were on sale nearby. I emailed the list to myself to use next time I go shopping. Verdict: I often refer to AI as a 'game-changer' sometimes ad nauseum, but it's so wildly helpful for things like this, that I can't think of a better descriptor. This task felt like having a personal nutritionist and assistant rolled into one. 10/10 will use again. Prompt: "Order me a chicken Caesar wrap and a lemonade from DoorDash." Luckily, ChatGPT didn't crash after the first time and I was ready to order lunch. Immediately arriving on DoorDash, the AI asked me to log in. I wanted to make this as 'hands off' as possible so I told it to use the site as a guest. I had read in several forums that ordering food had caused some users to get frustrated at ChatGPT Agent. So I was prepared for things to go awry. The only hiccup I had was the AI not knowing my zip code because it signed in as a guest. Once I told it, everything went ordered my lunch and then handed everything over to me when it was time to pay and enter my address. Because I hadn't specified a restaurant, I was impressed by ChatGPT's ability to find a chicken Caesar wrap on its More of a helpful sidekick than a hands-free solution. This wasn't much of a time saver and I probably will order lunch for myself without using ChatGPT Agent. Prompt: 'I have to renew my license and get a real ID. Can you book an appointment for me at my local Department of Motor Vehicles?'When I got a notice in the mail the other day that I couldn't renew my license online, I got that feeling of dread in the pit of my stomach. The thought of spending hours at my local Motor Vehicle office especially in the summer, was overwhelming. But in 19 seconds, ChatGPT pulled up everything I needed to book an appointment and I was all set. Zero hassle. Verdict: Fast, smart and surprisingly effective for a niche errand. ChatGPT Agent isn't perfect, but it's one of the most capable AI tools I've tested to date. It won't replace your human assistant just yet, but if you're like me and don't have a human assistant to begin with, it's the next best thing. It can handle real, time-consuming tasks that go far beyond answering questions or summarizing PDFs. If you're already using ChatGPT Plus or Team, it's absolutely worth trying — just be prepared to step in here and there and occasionally restart the app completely. Follow Tom's Guide on Google News to get our up-to-date news, how-tos, and reviews in your feeds. Make sure to click the Follow button.
Los Angeles Times
26-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
You're more likely to win Powerball 100 times than do what this California mom did
An Apple Valley mother just went 4 for 4 on her kids all being born on the date 7/7. Just before Nauzhae Drake, now 26, delivered her firstborn, she called her mother while driving to school. She told her that she saw a license plate that ended in four sevens — her lucky number. Drake's mom took it as a sign. 'She was like, 'Yep, that's because he's coming on that day',' Drake said. 'And I'm like, no, he's not.' But on July 7, 2019, Drake delivered her oldest, Kewan. Two years later, on the same date, she delivered Na'Zaiyla. And in 2022, on the same date, she delivered Khalani. And about two weeks ago, on July 7, Drake delivered a baby boy, Kailowa. None of her babies were induced and none of them arrived on their due date. Drake feels that it's a 'sign from God at this point,' she said. Drake is currently in nursing school, graduating in December. She said she went through all of her clinical rotations carrying Kailowa. 'They're telling me to stop doing this and that because I'm doing a lot, they're like, 'you're going to make yourself go into labor,' ' Drake said. 'But I ended up finishing all of my clinicals and all of that, and I'm like, 'I'm still pregnant!'' Some mothers have tactics for inducing labor — eating spicy food, exercising, driving down a bumpy road. For Drake, decorating for her kids' birthday party seems to do the trick. 'I would be doing a balloon arch,' she said. 'And every time I do the balloon arch, like two hours later, when I lay down, my water breaks or I start having contractions.' Drake usually goes all out for her kids' birthdays, renting an Airbnb home with a pool and throwing a big party, along with visits to amusement parks like Sesame Place, SeaWorld and the San Diego Zoo. This year's birthday party was circus-themed, but it didn't go as planned. 'My mother, my grandmother actually was in the delivery room with me and they had on like clown suits because they were ready for the party,' Drake said. 'And I was ready for the party too, until I went into labor.' Some kids get jealous when a sibling's birthday rolls around and all the attention turns to the birthday child. Drake said her kids love sharing a birthday, and they're especially excited for this year's present, another sibling. 'They fight over him already,' she said, of Kailowa. 'They're so helpful. It's been amazing.' So what are the odds of something like this happening? According to Randall Swift, chairman of the math department at California State Polytechnic University at Pomona, you are more likely to win the Powerball lottery 100 times than to have four children born on the same date. Instead of four siblings, he calculated using an instance of four independent individuals at a grocery store. The probability of these random strangers all having the same birthday is about 0.000000000056349%, he said. But he said these odds may be higher for a mother giving birth on the same date, depending on personal habits and health patterns. But to Drake, this coincidence is a blessing, she said. Seven has always been Drake's favorite number, but it has a new meaning to her now. 'It's perfection, completion,' she said.
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
San Diego plans to charge for parking at the zoo, Balboa Park
(FOX 5/KUSI) — The city of San Diego is considering charging to park at Balboa Park, which includes the parking lot at the San Diego Zoo. 'It's a great place to bring the kids, let them run around, play with other kids,' Josh Plum said. He and his wife, Monica, pack up their two kids and visit the San Diego Zoo weekly. But the Plums, like other San Diego families, may have to reconsider how often they visit if the city charges all visitors for parking. 'We'll definitely have to factor that in, not its nice having the pass because you can come for 2 hours everyday and let the kids run around, but we wouldn't be able to come as much if you have to pay 10 or 20 bucks, so that would be a bummer,' Plum said. While most other attractions, including the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, SeaWorld and Legoland, all require guests to pay for their parking, some locals would like to see an option for residents not to be required to pay. Locals, including Erika Benavides, who flew into San Diego on Tuesday from Chicago, said she wouldn't want to spend more money to visit the Zoo. 'I don't think it would be a good idea, it's already a pricey amount to come into the zoo,' she said. Those paying for the parking aren't the only ones concerned; there's worry that charging for parking could lead to fewer visitors to the 17 museums throughout Balboa Park, and dozens of cultural organizations. 'We don't have pricing at this point, that's something we are waiting on the city to advise,' Executive Director of the Balboa Park Cultural District Peter Comiskey said. 'I will share with you though, that one of the things that concerns us the most is ensuring that guests from all throughout the region, as well as people coming to town, still come to the park.' President and CEO of San Diego Air & Space Museum Jim Kidrick said he is concerned about fewer visitors as well. 'This is a no-brainer, there is no common sense being exercised here,' Kidrick said. 'One thing that we should always ensure is that we have unfettered access to this crown jewel of San Diego.' 'There's a lot to figure out there,' Stephen Whitburn, San Diego city council member, who represents the district that includes Balboa Park, said during Monday afternoon's city council meeting. 'I am not going to rush to implement paid parking at Balboa Park or at the zoo, there are too many stakeholders and there's too much complexity and it's too important that we have to get it right,' Whitburn added. He said he also wants to make sure employees and volunteers are not impacted by the paid parking. The city expects that once the paid parking program is up and running, it will bring in more than $2 million in revenue for the city. The mayor's office said they are still too early in the process to announce how much parking will be, how it will be enforced and when it could go into effect. His office confirmed Tuesday that the issues 'are actively being worked on across multiple departments (Parks, Facilities and Treasurer's office) and the mayor's advisor on transportation assets.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
San Diego weather forecast: Cloudy and breezy conditions on first Sunday of summer
San Diego will begin Sunday under a cool blanket of coastal clouds, known locally as 'June Gloom', before the skies clear in the afternoon-according to forecasts from the National Weather Service. Morning temperatures will hover around 62°F while the afternoon high climbs to 74°F. Coastal regions are expected to remain mostly cloudy until midday -a characteristic feature of Southern California's early summer weather. San Diego will experience 'June Gloom' with morning clouds clearing by afternoon.(Representative Image: Unsplash) Inland areas should see the cloud cover lift sooner, as rising air temperatures dissipate the low clouds. By early afternoon, most of the county will be enjoying partly to mostly sunny skies. The NWS warned of gusty winds inland. Westerly mountain winds may reach 30–45 mph, with gusts up to 60 mph in passes. Weather forecast for Sunday indicates breezy weather The weather remains dry throughout the day, offering perfect conditions for outdoor plans. Expect afternoons in the upper 60s to mid-70s, with light southwest breezes setting in by 2 pm, just as the sun breaks through. Desert and mountain areas may feel cooler, with highs 10–15°F below normal. Evening temperatures are comfortable in the mid-60s, with mostly clear skies into the night. The weather will be ideal for beach walks, open-air dining, or stargazing. Mariners should note that south-southwest winds of 10–15 kt are expected offshore, with seas building to 5–6 ft in areas such as San Mateo Point to the Mexican border, easing slightly by evening. Also read: Coney Island's 43rd Mermaid Parade: Date, time, and how to join the festivities San Diego weather: What to expect through early next week The San Diego region will continue to experience this typical early-summer pattern. Expect morning cloud cover followed by clearing skies by afternoon, with daytime highs in the low to mid‑70s and evening lows in the upper 50s to low 60s . Enthusiasts should also watch for elevated UV levels once the marine layer clears. FAQs What is the best month to go to San Diego? September is often considered the best month to visit San Diego due to warm weather and smaller crowds. Is San Diego 70 degrees year-round? San Diego enjoys mild weather year-round, with average temperatures hovering around 70°F most of the year. Why is San Diego so famous? San Diego is known for its beaches, parks, mild climate, and major attractions like the San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park. What are the hottest months in San Diego? August and September are typically the hottest months in San Diego.
