It’s back to a “locals summer” in San Diego. We can enjoy sublime weather and some of the best attractions minus the throngs of tourists. On a recent weekend, my husband and I ventured out for a coffee and decided to explore Seaport Village and the nearby Headquarters at Seaport.
After acquiring our caffeine boost at Spill the Beans, we walked along the waterfront at Seaport Village for a bit but then turned back on Harbor Drive (before reaching the USS Midway). The sites I’ll describe below are all within a half-mile radius, and all walkways are paved, so this adventure is suitable for all ages and all abilities.
Art along the Waterfront. Shortly after passing the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market, there are a series of art pieces lining the walkway.
- Orange Tree by Guy Mayenobe
- A Different But Loving Pair by Cecilia Stanford
- Tap Root & Growth by Christopher Lee
- Fish Tree by Zbigniew “Ben” Pingot & Toby Flores
Some pieces were originally part of the Port of San Diego’s Urban Tree exhibition and have since been acquired by the Port for permanent placement. The Port’s Public Art Department conceived of this exhibit idea as a way to activate the pedestrian promenade and enhance the aesthetic along the waterfront.
Of course, these aren’t really trees. Nonetheless, they’re “planted” in a planter boxes and have tree-like appearances. The exhibition has been going on for several years.
Just inland from these pieces is Ruocco Park (Harbor Lane and Pacific Highway). Though it’s just a 3-acre park, it feels larger – with its spacious grassy lawns and fantastic views of downtown’s skyline and the sparkling San Diego Bay. In one corner of the park, look for Riparium, a sculptural piece by Roman de Salvo. To create this artwork, de Salvo harvested local dead trees, sliced them in half, and then pieced them back together.
History at the Headquarters. Next to Ruocco Park is the Headquarters at Seaport–aptly named since it was once the San Diego Police Department headquarters. Built in 1939, the site has been nicely restored and has a few restaurants and boutiques. Even if you’re not hungry or in a shopping mood, walk inside and look for the jail cells and police exhibit.
The exhibit is easy to miss, but if you stop in the walkway adjacent to Puesto’s outdoor dining area you can spy a small sign for “Jail Cells & Police Exhibit.” Venture down the narrow corridor and you can actually explore the original 5-foot-8-foot jail cells. Historical photos and other police memorabilia adorn the walls.
For More Exploration. Though we headed home after this stop, I’d encourage anyone – particularly those with young children – to loop back to Seaport Village for more history. The historic carousel is my daughter’s favorite aspect of Seaport Village. It dates back to 1895 and features more than 50 hand-carved animals. (Note that it’s $5 per person to ride.)
With Halloween approaching, look into Seaport Village’s grim past as “Punta de los Muertos.” In the late 1700s, two Spanish ships arrived here, but many of the sailors fell ill and died, most likely from scurvy. They are thought to be buried here…spooky! SDSun
Deanna Ratnikova is the creator of The GO Deck – grab a deck today and be inspired to Get Outdoors and GO on new adventures.
