Little Miss Sunshine in CA, Pt. 4

Part of 4 of Little Miss Sunshine (aka Christy) in California begins at the San Juan Capistrano Mission. The three of us stopped by there for a visit as we headed back to San Diego from the Chateau Marmont. From the plaque outside:

Founded in 1776 by Padre Junipero Serra, the seventh in the chain of twenty-one missions established in Alta California to Christianize and civilize the Indians. Stone church destroyed in 1812 earthquake. Expropriated during Mexican rule. Returned to Catholic Church in 1865 by proclamation of President Abraham Lincoln. Historical Landmark No. 200, California State Park Commission.

This is one of the most beautiful California missions I have been to, and one that I have photographed many times over the years since May 2007. Below is a shot from that first visit:



It would appear from this current image I took that the bougainvillea ate the statue:



Christy captured me assuming my usual stance:



The resulting shot:



I’m a sucker for a good archway photo:



Candles inside Father Serra’s Church at the Mission:







Jorge was very careful not to grind or stand on the stone:





With another meal calling, it was time for us to bid farewell to the Mission and complete our trip home. There were also naps to be had. It had been a busy weekend!



A quiet night at home sounded good to both of us, so we made a quick trip to Pop Pie in South Park for grub. So many good choices!



Holding the bounty of both salty and sweet:



The Shag Disneyland trays came out for the occasion:



The movie of choice was “The Morning After” (1986), a psychological thriller starring Jeff Bridges and an Oscar nominated Jane Fonda. Christy was dying to watch “Burlesque” (2010) but I talked her out of it. Insert laughing emoji.



Next up: Pollo Fundidos in Old Town!



See more Capistrano photos at my main website.

Jersey Girl, Pt. 2

Tours and history are always a part of the Daveland experience, and one of my favorite hidden San Diego gems is the Marston House. Located in the edge of Balboa Park, this 1905 home started out as your typical Tudor mansion in the design phase and was then transformed into the Arts and Crafts wonder that you see today. Thank you, Irving Gill!



You should ALWAYS stop and smell the roses...no matter how ridiculous you may look!



What a foyer! The gorgeous redwood throughout the house just takes your breath away.



George Marston made his money courtesy of his world-class downtown San Diego department store. Mementos are strewn throughout the house:



I don’t think this contraption would have put Dyson out of business.



This is my kind of dining room, right down to the Stickley furniture.



A table ready for the Fall Harvest!



Back in the day before blogs, this is what people wrote with. The feel of a computer keyboard just doesn’t capture the magic of a typewriter.



Can you say Tiffany? Sure…I knew you could.



Excuse me while I catch my breath again. Vintage tile. I had to deviate from the tour for a second to capture this bathroom tile.



MEAL TIME! Yes, at Daveland you will eat like a King (or Queen), as restaurants are a large part of any travel experience. I made sure Melissa was able to see all of the historic yet vibrant neighborhoods that make San Diego so special. University Heights is right at the top of the list for me, with two of my favorite restaurants.



Madison has yet to disappoint with a guest.



I don’t think Melissa was able to fully enjoy the meal (and drinks!) here, as she was pooped from her day of travel and Daveland touring.



Traveling down Park Boulevard a bit further you’ll find Pop Pie, a more recent Daveland discovery.



No way Melissa was going to give a thumbs up to the kale slaw there, but like the adventurer that she is, she gave it the ol’ college try! The rest of the meal was a score!



I always like to throw in a bit of the weird, so after dinner I took Melissa to Pioneer Park, which was once a cemetery. In the 1970’s, the headstones were removed (except for a few that ended up re-cemented at the back of the graveyard)...but the bodies stayed!



Can’t you hear Craig T. Nelson now? “You son of a bitch. You moved the cemetery, but you left the bodies, didn't you? You son of a bitch, you left the bodies and you only moved the head stones. You only moved the head stones. Why? Why?” Because you wouldn’t have had a hit movie otherwise, Craig.



Apparently the first Elizabeth Taylor is buried here. She wasn’t a huge hit, so the world needed a second one.



Melissa did her best to recreate Shirley Temple’s scary graveyard scene from “The Blue Bird.”



I was too lazy to get someone to play her brother. Hey, we had a show to catch!



The Imperial House is a San Diego institution. Not for the insane, but for those who like vintage dark bars with lounge singers.



My friend Ria performs here every Friday.



It takes a special talent to pull off a mashup of “You’re the one that I want,” “Jolene,” and “Rawhide.” Only Ria! Here’s a brief clip:



Still more to come!

See more Daveland photos at my main website.