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    Scott and Julie with Enrique © Elise Sanford

    A Memorable Evening With Enrique Tirado, Winemaker for Wine Spectator’s #1 Wine of the Year, Don Melchor 2021 Cabernet Blend

    Roatan boats on shore © Scott Kendall

    Regal Princess Cruise: Galveston to Costa Maya, Roatan, and Cozumel

    Welcome to The Hospitality Show © Scott Kendall

    The Hospitality Show 2024 and the HSMAI in San Antonio

    Fairview Inn © John Goodrow

    Explore Jackson, Mississippi, the City with Soul 

    Cleveland public art exhibits celebrate musical themes © Gwyn Goodrow

    Discover Cleveland, Mississippi: A Journey of History, Culture, and Southern Charm

    Wagner cab franc grapes © Scott Kendall

    Wagner Vineyards and Ginny Lee Cafe on Seneca Lake in the Finger Lakes in New York

    Alamo with Texas flag © Scott Kendall

    San Antonio: Alamo, Riverwalk, Winery, World Heritage Center, Gardens, CityPASS

    Letchworth Upper Falls with bridge © Scott Kendall

    Livingston County: Letchworth State Park, Grand Canyon of the East

  • Europe

    Amsterdam: Magical City of Canals, History, Art, and Anne Frank

    Lisbon – Jerónimos Monastery © Scott Kendall

    Portugal: Lisbon to Fatima, Porto, Evora and In Between

    Old Town view from the Bosphorus © Scott Kendall

    Historic Istanbul, A Tantalizing Mix of Old and New

    Edinburgh Castle view from Princes Street Garden © John Goodrow

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    Hilton Edinburgh Carlton Hotel Architecture © Gwyn Goodrow

    Stay: 5 Regal Accommodations near Edinburgh, Scotland’s Royal Mile

    Edinburgh Castle Tour – Scotland © Gwyn Goodrow

    Play: 9 Great Things to Do on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile

    Map of Scotland © Google Maps

    A Stroll Through Time: Unveil the Majesty of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile

    Parked rental boats, Kollen Verhuur, Giethoorn, Netherlands © Elsa Dixon

    Visit Giethoorn, Venice of the Netherlands

    IRELAND – Ring of Kerry - Skellig Islands with Scott and Julie

    10 Day Road Trip to Ireland: Dublin to Killarney to Galway

  • South America
    Machu Picchu in the Andes

    Cusco to Machu Picchu

    Pisco Tasting in Ica

    Pisco Tasting in Ica, Peru

    Journey by Train to Huancayo, Peru

    Lima to Huancayo

    Hotel B Barranco

    Hotel B-Historic Mansion Now a Luxury Boutique Hotel

    Model of Layout of main buildings excavated in Pachacamac

    Pachacamac – Daytrip from Lima

    Machu picchu

    Overview of Lima, Peru

    Amazing colors of Magic Water Circuit Lima

    Lima – PLAY

    Hotel B Barranco

    STAY IN LIMA

    La Rosa Nautica Miraflores

    Lima – EAT

  • Asia
    The gorgeous beach at Kurumba – nothing to do but relax! © Daphne Ciufo

    Maldives: Exotic, Luxurious, Beautiful, Beachy

    A small snapshot of the BIG city of Tokyo © Daphne Ciufo

    Tokyo Highlights: A Small Snapshot of a Big City

    SHRINES AND TEMPLES ABOUND! © Daphne Ciufo

    Marvels of South/Central Japan

    Seabourn Encore (photo by Jim Thomas)

    The Wonders of Wadi Rum, Jordan

    The Treasury and the Facade Used in the Indiana Jones Movie

    Jordan Photo Journal

    Israel PhotoJournal

    terracotta army, china, xi'an

    XI’AN AND THE TERRACOTTA ARMY — CAN YOU DIG IT?

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    Lebo's Soweto Backpackers, Johannesburg © Elsa Dixon

    A Slice of Johannesburg and Soweto by Tuk-Tuk

    Table Mountain from MSC Cruise Ship, Cape Town © Elsa Dixon

    Nostalgic Steam-Train on the Ceres Rail from Cape Town, South Africa

    Fresh produce at Far Far Kréol in Sainte-Suzanne, Reunion © Elsa Dixon

    Far Far Kréol: Creole Cuisine on the Island of Reunion off the Coast of Southern Africa

    Seychelles tugboat © Elsa Dixon

    Mahe, Seychelles: Magical Tropical Island In The Indian Ocean

    Sega dancers © Elsa Dixon

    Explore The Diverse Cultural Heritage of Mauritius

    Gideon Kabitulila and Jeremiah Ngoko, HM Safari, Tanzania © Elsa Dixon

    7 Memorable Things To Do in Arusha, Tanzania, Before Going on Safari

    View of The Train on the Bridge © Elsa Dixon

    Shalati Train on the Bridge

    The Pyramids of Giza, one of the Ancient Wonders of the World

    Solo Travel to Amazing Egypt During the Pandemic Era

    Wildflowers along the Flower Route, Namaqualand, South Africa

    NAMAQUALAND – Wildflower Route on the West Coast of South Africa

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Home North America

Play, Stay, and Eat in San Diego

by June Russell-Chamberlin
March 3, 2022
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Botanical Building at Balboa Park in San Diego © June Russell-Chamberlin

Botanical Building at Balboa Park in San Diego © June Russell-Chamberlin

Beyond the Beach: Culture and History in San Diego

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • Beyond the Beach: Culture and History in San Diego
  • History of San Diego
  • Getting There and Getting Around
  • Things To Do in San Diego
  • Haunted San Diego Ghost Tour
  • World Famous San Diego Zoo
  • Maritime Museum of San Diego
  • More Things to Do in San Diego
  • Where to Stay in San Diego
  • Hotel Del Coronado
  • Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa
  • Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows
  • Where to Eat in San Diego
  • Casa Guadalajara
  • Blue Water Seafood
  • Oceana Coastal Kitchen
  • Final Thoughts

Story and photos by June Russell-Chamberlin unless otherwise indicated

Who doesn’t love the chance to escape with a fun-filled week exploring Southern California’s golden beaches, local culture, history, and (of course) margaritas?

Located just north of the Mexican border, San Diego is a warm-weather playground filled with sunny beaches, palm trees, and surfing. But there’s much more to this city by the bay. World-class attractions such as the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld, museums, and gardens galore are just a few reasons to visit. Add a rich and colorful history, lively nightlife, and fresh local seafood and you may not want to come home.

History of San Diego

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park © June Russell-Chamberlin
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park © June Russell-Chamberlin

The native Kumeyaay people had lived in the area for thousands of years before Spanish explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into the bay with his flagship, the San Salvador, in 1542. He didn’t stay long, and 200 years passed before the Spanish established the first European settlements in California with a fort (now the site of Presidio Park) and village, preserved as Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.

Growth was slow until the 1860s, when Alonzo Horton bought 900 acres of what is today downtown San Diego. New Town, as it came to be known, was closer to the waterfront and soon thrived with new residents and businesses. By the late 1880s, the town had become known as a seaside vacation destination.

Getting There and Getting Around

Most visitors arrive in San Diego by car or airplane. The airport is centrally located on the harbor and close to everything. As for getting around, a car makes things easy. Uber operates in San Diego, but I found a rental car more affordable for extensive exploring. The hop-on-hop-off Old Town Trolley tour is an easy way to avoid traffic and parking headaches if you’re sightseeing. The city’s public transit system, San Diego Metropolitan Transit System, serves the area, as does the San Diego Trolley.

Things To Do in San Diego

Haunted San Diego Ghost Tour

Horton Grand Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter © June Russell-Chamberlin
Horton Grand Hotel in the Gaslamp Quarter © June Russell-Chamberlin

With more than 250 years of European settlement, it’s not surprising that San Diego has its fair share — or more — of ghosts. Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours offers three options, all with a mix of history, true crime, and ghostly tales. The 60-minute Old Town Walking Tour is the most kid-friendly and includes exclusive Ghost Tour access to a hidden gem, the haunted Heritage Park. The two-hour Premier Bus Tour visits Old Town too, plus the Gaslamp Quarter, and additional sites around San Diego. This tour frequently gets permission to go inside haunted buildings.

The 2-hour Gaslamp Walking Tour is a fast-paced (wear good walking shoes) tour of nearly 30 sites in the once infamous district known in the late 1800s and early 1900s as the Stingaree. Gambling dens, brothels, saloons, sailors, and even Wyatt Earp contributed to a colorful history and more than a few ghost tales. This lively tour often gets permission to enter the haunted Horton Grand Hotel and Davis-Horton House (where two members of our tour group swore they felt ghosts tug at their shirt hems in the kitchen).

World Famous San Diego Zoo

Amur leopard at San Diego Zoo © June Russell-Chamberlin
Amur leopard at San Diego Zoo © June Russell-Chamberlin

Lions, tigers, and polar bears are just a few of the 12,000 creatures at the world-class San Diego Zoo. Plan to spend at least a day, maybe more, at the zoo to see it all. The 100-acre park is crisscrossed with paths leading to sections representing other parts of the world, from Asia to the Arctic. Skyfari, the zoo’s aerial tram, and the Kangaroo Bus shuttle visitors around the park so you don’t have to walk everywhere (mobility scooters and wheelchairs are also available for rent). You’ll also want to wear good walking shoes and sun protection. Your best strategy? Get there early, take the free bus tour for an overview, and use the map or the zoo app (Android and Apple ios) to plan your day.

Maritime Museum of San Diego

The Maritime Museum of San Diego © June Russell-Chamberlin
The Maritime Museum of San Diego © June Russell-Chamberlin

The only thing on dry land at the Maritime Museum of San Diego is the admission booth — the entire museum is afloat. The historic steam ferry Berkeley is the centerpiece of the museum. Its decks are filled with exhibits on navigation, steam, sail, the local naval presence, fishing, cartography, maritime history, and much more. The exhibits provide context for the museum’s nine ships — six originals and three replicas — floating nearby. The ships are open for exploration and filled with exhibits about how the ships were used and what life was like onboard. But the best way to experience maritime history is to get on the water, either with sailing adventures on the tall ship Californian or the San Salvador, or by cruising the bay on the historic Pilot boat or Swift boat.

More Things to Do in San Diego

Natural History Museum at Balboa Park in San Diego © June Russell-Chamberlin
Natural History Museum at Balboa Park in San Diego © June Russell-Chamberlin
Japanese Friendship Garden, San Diego © June Russell-Chamberlin
Japanese Friendship Garden, San Diego © June Russell-Chamberlin

Admire the architecture and gardens of Balboa Park, where you’ll also find 17 museums on everything from art to miniature trains.
Go birdwatching at the San Diego Botanic Garden, host to plants from around the world.
Learn about naval history on the aircraft carrier USS Midway, where you can roam from the flight deck to the captain’s quarters.
Find tranquility and beauty at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park.
Spend a day on the rides and see the animals from orcas to otters at SeaWorld.
Grab a meal or the perfect souvenir in historic Old Town, now a mix of shops, restaurants, and museum buildings.
Enjoy panoramic views of San Diego and a bit of history at the Cabrillo National Monument and Old Point Loma Lighthouse.

La Casa de Estudillo at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park © June Russell-Chamberlin
La Casa de Estudillo at Old Town San Diego State Historic Park © June Russell-Chamberlin
The lighthouse lens at Old Point Loma Lighthouse museum © June Russell-Chamberlin
The lighthouse lens at Old Point Loma Lighthouse museum © June Russell-Chamberlin

Where to Stay in San Diego

Hotel Del Coronado

Hotel del Coronado © courtesy of San Diego Tourism Authority
Hotel del Coronado © courtesy of San Diego Tourism Authority

Opened in 1888 as a luxury seaside resort, the classic Victorian-era Hotel Del Coronado still offers some of the classiest accommodations in town. Known for its Sunday brunch and as the setting for Marilyn Monroe’s Some Like It Hot, the hotel is just seven miles from downtown San Diego. The number of rooms and activities has expanded since the hotel first opened, and today guests can enjoy the spa, pool, shops, restaurants, and a bevy of beach activities.

Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa

The Polynesian-themed Catamaran Resort Hotel and Spa surrounds guests with lush vegetation, tiki torches, palm trees, and plenty of opportunities to play in the water, whether at the pool or the beach. Located between Mission Bay and the Pacific Ocean, the Catamaran’s activities include paddleboarding, kayaking, sailing, and bicycling.

Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows

Retro charm, a laid-back atmosphere, and a pool designed by former Tarzan (and five-time Olympic gold medal winner) Johnny Weissmuller set the stage for a relaxing stay at the Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows. The boutique hotel opened in 1946 and became a favorite of celebrities such as Bob Hope and Ava Gardner. Today the 313 rooms, suites, and bungalows in the renovated hotel blend modern amenities with retro-chic style.

Where to Eat in San Diego

Casa Guadalajara

Mango chipotle chicken at Casa Guadalajara © June Russell-Chamberlin
Mango chipotle chicken at Casa Guadalajara © June Russell-Chamberlin

Located on the edge of Old Town San Diego, Casa Guadalajara dishes up fresh, flavorful Mexican food, such as spicy-sweet mango chipotle chicken. The restaurant is also known for its seafood, like its tequila lime shrimp. Guests can choose to eat on the patio (heated in winter) by the fountain or amid the colorful folk art indoors.

Blue Water Seafood

At Blue Water Seafood, all they do is fish, freshly caught by local fishermen. Choose from among 13 varieties of seafood ranging from shrimp to mahi-mahi or salmon. Then decide if you want it in a sandwich, on a salad, in a taco, or plated with rice and a side salad. Eight marinades enhance the flavor. At the Ocean Beach location, the picnic tables on the deck outside offer a great view of the sunset over the ocean

Oceana Coastal Kitchen

The chef-driven menu at Oceana Coastal Kitchen creates classic dishes with California produce and flavors. As the signature restaurant at the Catamaran Resort Hotel, Oceana’s guests can eat indoors or on the covered patio with outstanding views of Mission Bay.

Final Thoughts

Cabrillo National Monument © June Russell-Chamberlin
Cabrillo National Monument © June Russell-Chamberlin

Stroll the gardens. Engage your curiosity at the museums. Imagine how life used to be in Old Town or listen to ghost tales about San Diego’s wild past. Whatever adventures you choose, San Diego is a sunny destination brimming with extraordinary places to play, stay and eat.

Although some experiences were generously hosted, all opinions are my own.

Tags: CaliforniaNorth AmericaSan Diego
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June Russell-Chamberlin

June Russell-Chamberlin

June Russell-Chamberlin likes nothing better than to explore and photograph the gems and hidden corners of the Pacific Northwest and the world. When she's not traveling, June can be found tucked into a good mystery novel, hiking in the Cascade Mountains or continuing her quest for the ultimate piece of pie. She lives in Eugene, Oregon, with her family and a very bossy cat.

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