Visit Old Town San Diego

The Whaley House Revisited

admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 00:00:00 +0000

A while ago I wrote up a piece on the Whaley House situated in Old Town, San Diego. In the post, we discussed the history of this national treasure and the haunted origins of it. Needless to say, a lot of you really got a charge out of the piece and the post was even featured on a few paranormal message boards. Then, a few days ago, I was sitting at home after a hard day’s work. I had flipped on the Minneapolis security systems and I was about to turn in for the night when I heard a strange scratching. Needless to say my “ghostly” encounter was nothing more than a stubborn cat, but it inspired me to take another look at the Whaley House mystery and I learned that the area, even to this day, is the subject of many Ghost Hunting activities. Groups of people armed with some of the most sophisticated sensory equipment a civilian can acquire go on these outings where they try to instigate or open up a line of dialogue between themselves in the supernatural. While the question of the Whaley House being haunted goes unanswered, one thing is for sure, the stories, much like the alleged ghosts, will never die.

Truth or fish story? The legend of Whaley House

pmirek — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:49:22 +0000

When you start digging into the history of Old Town, San Diego, you’re bound to uncover a few skeletons. That’s certainly the case with Whaley House, which has more than its fair share. According to the Travel Channel, the site is the most haunted house in the United States today.The house was built for Thomas Whaley, a Scotch-Irishman born in New York City in 1823. He moved to California in 1849, later returning to New York to take Anna Eloise Delaunay as his wife. The couple settled in Old Town, San Diego in 1853, and their new house was completed in 1857.Supposedly, the house was haunted even before the Whaleys took up residence. The ghost of a criminal named James “Yankee Jim” Robinson was reported by the family, most evident in the footsteps which echoed through the house. Over the years, though, as members of the Whaley family met their demise, they too joined the house’s haunted history.Thomas Jr. was the first to die in the house, being lost to scarlet fever in 1858 at the age of 18 months. In 1885, the Whaleys’ daughter Violet committed suicide after her divorce. Years later, after Thomas Sr.’s death, his widow died in the house in 1912, followed by the son Francis in 1914, another son, George, in 1928, and the youngest child Corinne Lillian Whaley. Ghosts of all of these members have been reported in the house, along with some surprising others. In 1960, the psychic Sybil Leek reported the presence of the Whaleys’ great-grand-daughter, Marion Reynolds, who sometimes grabs people’s arms. The spirit of the Whaley dog, a terrier named Dolly Varden, has also been seen, and even felt licking at the legs of female visitors.What is fact and what is fiction may never be separated in the Whaley House, but it certainly makes for a thrilling visit the next time you’re in Old Town. Just be sure to keep your eyes open.

Touring through literature: the sites of Ramona

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:38:11 +0000

In Helen Maria Hunt Jackson’s novel Ramona, she dramatized the life of a Scottish-Native American girl growing up in Southern California. The book was designed to illustrate the prejudices Native Americans faced in America in the late 19^th century, but it also brought many Americans their first vision of the Mexican colonial life of Old Town. Several sites from the town are featured in the book, all of which are now National Historic Landmarks. If you’re interested in seeing the same sights that inspired this early activist work, read on.Casa de Estudillo: Although never mentioned by name in the novel, the Estudillo House is known as the marriage-place of the main character, Ramona. Constructed in 1827 by the father-and-son team of Jose Maria Estudillo and Jose Antonio Estudillo, the house once epitomized the glamour of early San Diego life. The house was restored in 1968, and today visitors can see replicas of the luxurious beds and dining areas that the Estudillos themselves would have enjoyed.Rancho Camulos: Jackson based Ramona’s home in the novel off of a two-hour visit to this site. In reality, it served as the home of Ygnacio del Valle, a magistrate of the Pueblo de Los Angeles. It is both an early example of the California rancho style, and the site of the first commercially grown oranges in Ventura County. Camulos still grows oranges today, along with lemons, grapefruit, and avocados, while also serving as a museum.Rancho Guajome: Guajome was an early alternative suggestion for Ramona’s “house.” Jackson visited this site as well, but Camulos became the preferred spot due to its location and proximity to the Southern Pacific Railroad’s main line, which made tourism easy. In contrast, Guajome is further from the railway, and the owners were less hospitable to tourists, but the stately hacienda is now considered a National Historic Landmark in its own right.

The world is a stage at the Old Town Theatre

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 20:31:48 +0000

Locals know that when they enter the Old Town Theatre, they’ll be treated to a clever, thought-provoking performance, courtesy of the in-house Cygnet Theatre Company. The theatre is easily accessible in the Old Town district, located right next to the Old Town Market and across from the San Diego Avenue downtown area. The Old Town Trolley Tour will bring you right up to it.Currently, the company is offering a trilogy of rotating plays, all directed by Sean Murray and Francis Gerke. The three plays which make up The Norman Conquests“Table Manners,” “Living Together,” and “Round and Round the Garden”make up a complete story revolving around six characters. In addition to the technical skill which one can imagine it takes to star in three different plays at a time, viewers will also have incentive to check out the entire trilogy in order to get a free t-shirt.There are also a number of treats coming up later in the 2010/2011 season. The popular live radio play It’s a Wonderful Life returns for its 5^th year on November 26 and runs through New Year’s Eve. In 2011, the world premiere presentation of Stephen Metcalfe’s The Tragedy of the Commons opens on January 29. This moving piece portrays the fragile relationship between a retired schoolteacher blogging on the internet and his wife, who have lost touch with everything except their love of the ocean view outside their home. Two well-known plays will close out the seasonthe musical Cabaret by Joe Masteroff, John Kander, and Fred Ebb, and Thornton Wilder’s Our Town.With room for an audience of 248, you’ll probably be all right with tickets depending on when you go, but you can always order tickets online from Cygnet Theatre’s web site. If you’re a fan of drama, laughs, and emotion, be sure to make the Old Town Theatre a part of your next trip to San Diego.

Take the road less traveled: alternative accommodations in Old Town

admin — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:48:17 +0000

While you certainly have your choice of larger hotels (Best Western, Marriott, and Holiday Inn all have footholds in the area), there are a variety of smaller options for the adventurous traveler. Smaller inns often feature more community among guests, so if you’re interested in getting to know your fellow travelers, they’re a great bet. Plus, although larger hotels may offer continental breakfasts as well, just between us, the classic cooking you’ll find at these sites more than rivals it. Whether you’re solo or with your family, consider these choices for some historic hospitality.Heritage Park B&B: This charming bed & breakfast is located in an 1889 Queen Anne Mansion in Victorian Park. Afternoon Tea is a highlight, with light hors d’oeuvres and a community jigsaw puzzle, as are the nightly showings of classic films. Full breakfast is included with every room rate.Padre Trail Inn: This welcoming location is modeled after a Spanish hacienda. On-site, you’ll find a full-service restaurant, cocktail lounge, pool, and meeting area for group functions. The Inn is minutes away from the San Diego International Airport, SeaWorld, Bazaar del Mundo, and other attractions, so don’t worry if you happen to sleep in on their luxurious beds.Old Town Inn: If you’re planning on checking out one of San Diego’s star attractions during your stay, such as SeaWorld, the San Diego Zoo, or Balboa Park, you may be interested in one of the Old Town Inn’s room packages. The inn also features plenty to do without leaving the site, including arcade games, HBO, a heated outdoor swimming pool, and more. Pets are welcome as well.

Old-time dining in Old Town

www.visitoldtownsandiego.com — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:46:49 +0000

Due to California’s history as a desirable location for both Mexico and Spain, it’s not surprising to find that these cultures have left the largest imprint on Old Town’s culinary palate. There’s also a French influence, thanks to archduke Ferdinand Maximilian, who ruled Mexico through three years during the Victorian era. However, as with everything, Old Town’s unique culture ensures that there’s always a pleasant surprise no matter where you head to eat. Here are a few restaurants definitely worth checking out.Zocalo Grill: Named after the central square in Latin American villages, the Zocalo Grill combines both culture and class. The full menu, from “Sonoran Spiced Seared Ahi” for starters to the “Macadamia Crusted Mahi Mahi” entre, perfectly captures the feel of fine dining. However, the margarita happy hour is one of the best in town.Jack & Giulio’s Italian Restaurant: Home of California’s “Best Scampi” since 1961, Jack & Giulio’s is one site where you won’t be able to tell the locals from the tourists. That’s because everybody is too busy enjoying the variety of pasta and meat specialties, along with signature drinks like the Espresso Martini and the Mandarin Cosmpolitan.El Fandango: From their website, this “historically interpretive” restaurant offers selections based on “the changing pattern of food preparation in California during the time period of 1846 to 1856.” What this means is that you’ll be able to choose from game, seafood, and beef entrees, while enjoying a wide selection of tequila and other drinks.Harney Sushi: This Japanese eatery has won “Best Sushi” awards from Ranch and Coast Magazine, CityBeat, Channel 10 News, and more. They also nabbed the “Best Sake Menu” award from 944 Magazine. With two locations (one in Old Town and one in Oceanside), Harney has definitely gained a foothold in the state, and shows no signs of going anywhere anytime soon.