The Delightful and Divertido Day of the Dead

Unlike Halloween, which focuses on all things scary, Dia de los Muertos (or Day of the Dead) focuses on family and friends who have passed, and remembering the joy in their lives.  The Mexican fiesta dates back to the Aztecs, and was originally celebrated at the beginning of summer, however when the Spanish colonized Mexico in the 16th century, the celebration was moved to the end of October to coincide with All Saint’s Eve.  Traditionally altars are adorned with photos of those who have died, marigolds, sugar skulls, and pastries.  This a three-day holiday which begins on October 31st and ends on November 2nd.  Being a town that was settled by the Spanish, San Diego is the perfect place to enjoy Day of the Dead.

 For a bit of fun and history mixed together head over to the Centro Cultural de la Raza in Balboa Park this Sunday (Nov. 1) and Monday (Nov. 2).  The play, ‘Journey of the Skeletons’ is a multicultural comedy that retells the history of the Day of the Dead, that young and old will enjoy.  Both entertaining and educational, the play delves into the ancient Aztec history that evolved into today’s Day of the Dead celebration.  Tickets start at $12 for adults and $10 for children, students, and seniors.  Sunday’s show starts at 7:00 pm and Monday’s performance will begin at 8:00 pm.  

On Monday, November 2nd, from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. the Amigos del REP (the San Diego Repertory Theatre) will perform ‘Historias Tenebrosas’ (Sinister Tales).  The Lyceum Space Theater downtown will be transformed into a multistage maze where the audience will be led  from stage to stage to hear different myths, folktales and chilling stories acted out by performers.  This evening, meant for people of all ages, will have you shrieking and laughing, and is completely free.  In the tradition of Dia de los Muertos, there will be chocolate con pan dulce (hot chocolate and pastries), as well as candy and face painting.  

 La Vista Memorial Park Mortuary in the National City neighborhood will host its 7th annual Dia de los Muertos on November 1st (from noon to 10:00 pm) and November 2nd (6:00-9:00 p.m.).   This event has grown to be the largest San Diego Day of the Dead festivity on cemetery grounds.  It’s a free jubilee, that will have lively music, singing, and folk dancing.  Come hungry as there will be yummy food and hand crafted gifts to purchase.  Spending an evening in a cemetery, celebrating life and those who have departed, in a joyous way, is the epitome of Day of the Dead.  

From October 31st to November 2nd, Old Town San Diego will be filled with non-stop Dia de los Muertos activities.  Free crafts, such as paper flower making and decorating your own paper mask, will be enjoyed by the young and young at heart.  More advanced crafts like painting plastic sugar skulls ($5-10) and making and decorating paper mache masks ($10-15) will also be available.   There will be over 40 traditional and contemporary altars set up for display and on November 2nd there will be a candle light procession from Whaley House to the cemetery (electric candles will be for sale at several places in Old Town).  Visitors are encouraged to come dressed in Day of the Dead costumes and if you don’t have a costume, you can have your face painted to resemble a sugar skull.  There will be music, dancing and more happy ways to honor those who have passed.  

 Dia de los Muertos manages to combine the words of the living and the un-living in a muy divertido (super fun), non-frightening way.  We love all the lively happenings this coming weekend that will focus on this Spanish Aztec tradition.  Why not spend the whole Day of the Dead festivities anchored at a Mission Bay vacation rental, where you can choose which of these jovial events you’ll want to haunt?  Chances are, you’ll want to stop by all of them.  

Let's Celebrate Cinco de Mayo!

Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican army’s unlikely victory over the French at the battle of Puebla.  It’s not Mexico’s Independence Day (September 16^th), as some might think, but it was an important victory that led to their ultimate freedom.  No matter its origins, it’s gained a reputation as the ultimate party day with nonstop fun here in the States.  Like any celebration, San Diego likes to do it right, and we’ve listed some of our favorite Mexican-themed activities for the next week.

If ever there’s a time to visit historic Old Town San Diego, it’s this weekend for the Fiesta Cinco de Mayo.  The 32^nd annual free festival, a San Diego tradition since 1983, will be three days (May 1^st to the 3^rd) of music, food and guaranteed fun.  There will be three live music stages, a low rider car show and equestrian performances.  This is a family-friendly event and there will be stagecoach rides and interactive games for kids to play.  Authentic Mexican food as well as ice-cold cervezas  and high end tequilas will be available for purchase.

For those wanting to celebrate Cinco de Mayo bright and early and in a healthy way, then the Cinco de Mayo Trail Run in Poway is for you.  This is a completely off road 5K, 10K and kids race and the course will take you along Lake Poway Trail and through the foothills.  There will be live entertainment and Cinco de Mayo-themed fun, as well as food and drinks at the finish line.  Tickets start at $10 for children and $45 for adults and proceeds go towards helping the Valley Elementary Education Foundation.  Registration opens at 6:30am and the first race starts at 7:30am. 

We had to highlight a favorite Mexican restaurant and El Indio was the obvious choice for us.  The world’s first tortilla machine was made in the basement in the mid-1940s, which increased production from 30 dozen tortillas per day to 30 dozen tortillas per hour!  That isn’t the only invention in this restaurant’s claim to fame.  Story goes, the taquito was invented here as well.  It’s no wonder El Indio has been recognized both locally (San Diego Magazine, SanDiego.com) and nationally (USA Today, Coastal Living Magazine).  They are also famous for sending care packages to the armed forces and have even sent food to the White House.  Oh, and we recommend everything on the menu.

To honor Cinco de Mayo with cultural flare, stop by Centro Cultural de la Raza, a cultural arts center focusing on Chicano, Mexican, Indigenous and Latino arts.  Located in beautiful Balboa Park, the museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from noon to 4:00pm (closed on Mondays).  Ballet Folklorico dancing classes and educational tours are available for children.  The staff is made of volunteers and a suggested donation is requested, although technically entry is free.  Check their calendar on the website, as they offer diverse classes and special events after hours.

Tickets are still available for the crowd-pleasing band, Mariachi El Bronx, at the Belly Up in Solano Beach.  Mariachi El Bronx is a mix of punk rock (emphasis on rock) and classic mariachi music from Mexico.  Their shows get people moving with their vocal harmonies and classic mariachi style horns.  The Los Angeles-based band dresses in the traditional “charro” (or Mariachi) suit for added flare.  Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with an entertaining mash up of American and Mexican culture.  Tickets start at $25. 

San Diego is the perfect city to really soak up Cinco de Mayo.  Mission Bay Vacation Rentals is the perfect home base for you to celebrate the different Cinco de May events around San Diego.  From charity races, to eating, to rocking out to live music, this Cinco de Mayo will be your best one yet.