good-times-rollin: Point Loma

Saturday, January 6, 2024

Point Loma

San Diego Metro KOA

Chula Vista, CA

January 6, 2024

Rosecrans National Cemetery located on the Fort Rosecrans Military Reservation is also located on this hilly peninsula.

Our first outing was a visit to Point Loma. Loma is Spanish for mountain/ridge. It is a favorite destination for two reasons...Cabrillo National Monument (CNM) and Point Loma Seafood. I have written about this beautiful park many times. We enjoy the history and the natural beauty it has to offer. San Diego Bay was discovered in 1542 by Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo (the first European to visit California) and today CNM is situated at the tip of Point Loma right about where Cabrillo's ship landed. Bayside Trail was calling. It's a downhill hike with great views of the harbor and the city of San Diego. I was a little disappointed that we had to turn around about 2/3s of the way down the trail due to work by the CCC, but their work keeps the trail and area in tip-top condition so we thanked them and headed back up.

California Buckwheat

California holly

The Old Point Loma Lighthouse (built in 1855) is a big draw for visitors.

After our walk, we spent some time in the small museum reading about local history and the life of the lighthouse keeper. This little lighthouse, was first lit at sunset in November 1855 and burned every night thereafter for 36 years. During those 36 years the small structure (once the highest light in the United States) withstood at least one big blow and an earthquake along with numerous ravages of time and weather. When a new lighthouse was built no one seemed to want this significant piece of history. It was boarded up, whitewashed and abandoned...there was even talk that it might be demolished. The old light was eventually turned over to the National Park Service in 1933. The lighthouse was not completely restored until the 1980s and from 2003-04, the surrounding area was also restored to a more authentic look including native plants, a vegetable garden and a water catchment system.

Looking thru the window at the Kitchen Garden

Known by locals as "The Freshest Thing in Town", Point Loma Seafood is just down the street and around the corner from CNM and is one of our favorite lunch spots. It all began 60+ years ago as a fresh fish market. Today this local icon not only sells fresh fish, but also offers fish processing for local sport fishing enthusiasts and a "Fish and Chips" menu.

If that's not a big enough draw, they bake fresh sourdough bread everyday, and make their own tartar sauce, slaw and chowders. I have had a hankering for oysters and didn't even hesitate when Joe asked what I wanted for lunch...a fried oyster po' boy sandwich.

Lunch view...

Back at Belle, we have enjoyed walks with Sally. It rained off and on all day Wednesday, but the rest of our week has been very nice...sunny skies with mid to high 60s.

We are all settled in and looking forward to our stay in San Diego. And the best part...is spending time with friends ! The next best thing is the juicy, sweet oranges they pick and bring with them from Orange Grove RV Park in Bakersfield where they overnight before arriving here.

Until next time...

HAPPY TRAILS !

Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Ocean Beach, Wildlife Refuge, and Point Loma

San Diego Metro KOA
Chula Vista, CA
January 2019

Ocean Beach
Having visited this colorful neighborhood a couple of years ago with Lisa and Hans, we had an idea of what to expect and where to go at Ocean Beach. Unfortunately, OB Municipal Pier was closed for repair from damage caused by strong winds and waves.

At 1,971 feet, OB Pier is the longest concrete pier on the West coast.

The tide was just right for a walk along the trail. A small section of the trail is concrete. Erosion has caused so much damage.

A different view of the Pier...

Small cottages and bungalows line the narrow streets of this beachfront neighborhood.

It was news to us that wild parrots are also part of the OB (and other urban beach communities in SD) culture. Native to northern Mexico, it is believed these colorful birds came to California in search of a suitable habitat as areas of Mexico became deforested. Food is plentiful...they survive on seeds, nectar, and fruit from tropical trees and shrubs.

Lunch at the beach is a real treat...especially when oysters are on the menu.

In addition to 6 on the half shell, the days special was a fried oyster po-boy. Yummy !

San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge

SD Bay NWR is located at the south end of SD near Chula Vista. Approximately 2,600 acres of land and water not only protects a diversity of migratory and native species of birds, but also protects what remains of SD Bay's historical coastal salt marsh and intercostal mudflat.

The largest contiguous mudflat in So Cal.

Cabrillo National Monument/Point Loma

In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo was the first European to set foot on what is now California.

This sandstone statue stands 14 feet tall, weighs 14,000 pounds, and was dedicated in 1988.

The park was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.

In addition to a great story lesson, the park is also home to a wealth of natural resources. Bayside Trail was our reason for visiting the park. It's a beautiful 2.5 mile hike with great views of the bay, Ballast Point (where Cabrillo landed), the skyline of San Diego, sandstone cliffs, and plant and animal life.

There is also WWII history along the trail.

When we arrived at the park it was sunny!

The park is also home to one of eight original West Coast lighthouses. The first lighthouse on Point Loma was in operation from 1855 to 1891.

Low-lying fog rolled in during the morning.

The lighthouse was built on the highest point at Point Loma. It soon became apparent that low-lying fog obscured the light that shone above the fog bank making it useless.

After some fresh air, fresh seafood hit the spot.

Known as "The Freshest Thing in Town" Point Loma Seafoods offers a huge selection of fresh caught fish.

Shrimp tacos

You can choose to dine inside or outside. But whichever you choose, don't forget Kelly's famous lemonade. They also make their own sourdough bread.

That's a wrap on our San Diego visit. We have been settled in at the Lazydays KOA since Feb 1. The weather has not been all that great with cold nights and breezy, rainy chilly days, but we are visiting with friends, getting things done and necessary appointments taken care of. More on that later.

I'll close with a few random pictures from January. Until next time...