Spend Memorial Day Weekend with one of San Diego's founding fathers, John Diedrich Spreckels (known to his friends as J.D.). Since he was born in 1853, you won't exactly be able to spend time with J.D. himself, but thanks to many of his generous contributions to the city, you can still enjoy his legacy. There are some terrific activities going on right now in his namesake park, the theater he helped build, and the colossal organ in Balboa Park.
J.D. was responsible for turning San Diego from a sleepy village into the beautiful city it is today. He brought the Arizona Railway to the coast, making San Diego the hub, and helped transform Coronado Island into a resort town complete with Hollywood movie stars. After buying the horse powered San Diego street railway system he changed it to electricity, helping the city move into the future. Needless to say, he was the wealthiest man in San Diego, and one of the city's biggest fans.
In 1912, he built a beautiful theater (christened Spreckels Theater, of course), to bring vaudeville to San Diego, which later became a movie palace and then transformed into the performing space it is now. The theater was the first modern commercial playhouse west of the Mississippi and is now home to the San Diego Ballet, lavish musicals and even the occasional rock concert. Spreckels underwent a massive renovation in honor of its centennial birthday which uncovered marble sculptures and the original box office. Currently playing is the classic Broadway musical "42nd Street," a tap-dancing extravaganza, that will be running through mid-June.
Spreckels Park, home to the Coronado Flower Show, hosts weekly summer concerts in the gazebo every Sunday at 6:00 PM. The series begins this Sundy, the 29th, with a performance by the Coronado Community Band, a multi-generational band made up of all volunteers. Parking can be a little tough right before the music starts, so we suggest going a few hours early in order to snag a close spot and to enjoy the picturesque park. There are picnic tables throughout, mature trees that offer the perfect amount of shade, and a massive playground that even grown-ups will want to explore. The park was donated by J.D. in 1927, as he owned the entire island of Coronado, for locals to enjoy the quaint island. Judging by how well-maintained the park is, it's safe to say Mr. Spreckels would be proud of his Coronado community today.
One of the most spectacular contributions from J.D. is the Spreckels Organ in Balboa Park. The outdoor organ is made up of 4,725 pipes, ranging in size from 32 feet to the size of a pencil. This is one of the largest outdoor pipe organs in the world. The Spreckels Organ was donated in 1914, and since 1917 has hosted free weekly Sunday concerts. This Sunday, May 29th, from 2:00 to 3:15 PM is a very special tribute to David Bowie. Sitting outside, watching the organist play on an organ that is housed in a vaulted, embellished gables, listening to magnificent music, is an unforgettable experience, one we know J.D. would love.
J.D. was a visionary who saw the potential that little San Diego had. This weekend, there will be plenty to do, thanks to John D. Spreckels. Move into one of Mission Bay Vacation Rentals for a long weekend and start exploring the sites and sounds that San Diego has thanks to Spreckels.
