Ah, Southern California. As I kid, I grew up listening to the Mamas and the Papas ‘California Dreaming’, the Beach Boys ‘Surfing USA’, and the Riveria’s ‘California Dreaming’ on radio (as an aside, when I was a wee lad my dad was stationed at March AFB in So Cal for three years, but I was so young I don’t remember much). I kind of have a soft spot for the myth of Southern California, even though there not enough gold in Fort Knox for me to live there.
I really like visiting Southern California, specifically San Diego and its surrounding environs. It’s got a laid-back vibe, and the weather is nearly always pleasant year-round. Plus, it’s not nearly as insane as the LA area.
So, when the youngest Vintage Daughter went to the University of San Diego to earn her master’s degree, this afforded MrsVintage and I numerous opportunities to explore the region in more depth when visiting her.
There is a ton of things to see and to do in San Diego. The beach of course. The San Diego Zoo and the Wildlife Safari. Balboa Park, Sea World, Legoland, Seaport Village, Old Town, the Gaslamp Quarter, USS Midway, the list goes on and on. And the Vintage family has been to most of them, sometimes more than once.
But with more time and opportunities available to us, the Vintage family had the chance to broaden our vistas, so to speak. We were able to explore some of the lesser known or lesser visited sights in the San Diego area. With smaller crowds, we were afforded the time and elbow room to explore at our leisure.
So, if you’re ever in San Diego and want to stay “far from the madding crowd”, check out some of the suggestions I’ve provided below.
Things to do & see
Cabrillo National Monument
In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was the first European to set foot on the coast of present-day California. Today, the site of his landing is commemorated by the Cabrillo National Monument.
Cabrillo National Monument (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
The Old Point Loma Lighthouse is also on the grounds of the monument. One of the original 8 lighthouses built on the West Coast, Point Loma has been restored to reflect what life was like for the lightkeepers in the 19th century.
There is a two-mile nature trail that wanders through the monument. These trails provide some stunning views of San Diego to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
Veterans Museum & Memorial Center
Balboa Park is home to 18 eclectic museums that run the gamut from automobiles to science. The Veterans Museum and Memorial Center one of those museums, but it is located in a more secluded and remote location in the Park. You’ll know you’ve found it when you see the WW2 era B-24 Liberator bomber on a pedestal in front of the museum.
Exhibits include military life in the San Diego area from 1915-1988, the Korean War, the Vietnam war, and women in the military. For military history buffs, or even those with a passing interest in US history, this little gem is well worth the effort in finding it.
Home | Veterans Museum at Balboa Park (veteranmuseum.net)
Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial
The legal history of the Mount Soledad National Veterans Memorial cross is fascinating in its own right, but not really important for those who just want to pay homage to the men and women who have served in the United States armed forces. (If you are really curious, Wikipedia has a fairly long entry on the contentious issues surrounding the constitutionality of the cross).
This memorial, located in La Jolla, honors over 3500 veterans, both living and deceased. Construction is ongoing to add another 2400. Each veteran has his or her picture displayed on a plaque, with a short biographical account of their service.
The memorial also has some stunning views of La Jolla and the ocean.
Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial | San Diego, CA (soledadmemorial.org)
San Diego Air & Space Museum
The San Diego Air & Space Museum is another gem located in Balboa Park. While nowhere near as big as the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum in Washington D.C., or the Air Force Museum at Wright-Patterson in Ohio, it still packs a lot of aviation history within its walls.
The displays and artifacts are arranged in chronological order, starting from the early days of heavier than air flight, to the modern age. Military and civilian aviation history are mingled together, to give an overlook at how flight in both fields evolved and adapted together.
My youngest daughter took me to this museum during one of my visits to see her. She had never been there before, but fortunately, she had an awesome tour guide in me! I can tell you that I was much more informative than the electronic guide provided by the museum.
If you are into aviation history, Air Force history or if you just like airplanes, this little museum is well worth a visit.
San Diego Air & Space Museum – Historical Balboa Park, San Diego (sandiegoairandspace.org)
Junípero Serra Museum
The Junipero Serra Museum, perched on a hill overlooking Old Town San Diego, appears ancient but was actually built in 1928. Designed in the Spanish Revival style, the museum was intended to invoke the Spanish missions that dot the coastline of California. For many years this building complex housed the San Diego Historical Society. The society has since changed its name (San Diego History Center) and moved to Balboa Park.
But the Junipero Serra Museum lives on as an artifact in its own right. While the building is new(ish), it’s located near the spot where the first mission and presidio were established in California. Some consider the hill it stands on to be where the founding of California began.
The Junípero Serra Museum – San Diego History Center | San Diego, CA | Our City, Our Story
Mission Trails Regional Park
If you want to get out of the city and into nature, the Mission Trail Regional Park is for you. Located on the eastern fringes of San Diego, Mission Trails is where the coastal region ends and the desert begins. Mission Trails is one of the largest urban parks in the United States.
This park is packed with over 60 miles of hiking trails, a lake you can boat upon if you so wish and camping available year-round. An oasis of tranquility from the hustle and bustle of of the city.
The park also has a modern Visitor and Interpretive Center where visitors can learn more about the park and its natural surroundings.
Be forewarned: it was rather warm when I visited the park in the month of February. Apparently, it can get a might bit toasty in the summer months. Be sure to bring water and sunscreen!
Mission Trails Regional Park (mtrp.org)
San Diego Model Train Museum
If you like trains, and if you like model trains, the San Diego Model Train Museum is the Taj Majal for model train lovers. I have seen several model train displays in my time, but none of them hold a candle to the ones on display in this museum.
Nothing I can write will do it justice. You need to check it out in person.
San Diego Model Railroad Museum (sdmrm.org)
Coronado Historical Museum
Coronado is a resort city located on an island along the San Diego Bay. It sits directly across from Downtown San Diego. Its most famous building is the Hotel Del Coronado.
Coronado is home to some great beaches, fine dining and shopping, and one of the best breweries I’ve ever visited, the Coronado Pub and Brewery (Coronado Brewing Company).
Coronado is also a rather tony place. In a land of astronomical housing prices, Coronado is in a park all its own.
Still, it’s a fun place to visit, and it is home to a small but interesting museum: the Coronado Historical Association. The exhibits at this museum are quite eclectic. The history of Coronado is one of the more permanent displays. But they have covered a variety of subjects such as golf on Coronado, fishing, and WW2 naval aviation.
They also offer a walking tour of Coronado. I cannot speak to this because I didn’t partake. Should I ever return to San Diego, I will endeavor to correct this.
Visit | Coronado Historical Association (coronadohistory.org)
Places to Eat and Drink
Pizza Bella, Old Town
Old Town San Diego is a great place to visit. History of San Diego mixed with some great food and shopping. You can spend the whole day there and not see everything. I highly recommend visiting at least once if you are in town.
But let’s be honest, Old Town is also a tourist trap, with all the kitsch and marked up prices that go with it.
Scattered along the roads that encircle Old Town are some funkier shops and restaurants, including, in my ignorant and ill-considered opinion, a place that makes the best pizza in San Diego. The pizza at Pizza Bella is doughy, cheesy and delicioso!
I will admit that it is also a little pricey. Hey, it’s Southern California. EVERYTHING is pricey.
Old Town Italian Restaurant – Pizza Bella Italian Bistro (pizzabellasd.com)
Crazee Burger, North Park
Located in the community of North Park, San Diego, is a funky little hamburger joint called Crazee Burger. This place has quite a variety of burgers, some a little out there. They also have some great shakes and malts.
Crazee Burger – North Park, San Diego, CA
Casa Guadalajara
Ok, this Mexican restaurant is a little touristy and kitschy. But the food is good, and the atmosphere is lively and comfy.
Casa Guadalajara – Mexican Restaurant in San Diego, CA
Karl Strauss Brewery
Karl Strauss Brewery is the oldest surviving brewery in San Diego County. Founded in 1986, it is still an independent brewery. With locations scattered all over the Southern California region, you’ll have no problems finding one of their breweries.
Karl Strauss Brewing Company | Proudly Independent Since ’89
Check out my review of a few of their brews:
What’s on Tap: Karl Strauss Brewery (San Diego) (mrvintageman.com)
