San Diego's Biggest Fan

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. 

The Show Must Go On

You might be surprised to know that San Diego has a world-famous reputation for original theater and many Broadway-bound musicals make their debut here.  In addition to The Old Globe’s always stellar line up, there are many theater companies and different stages where you can catch amazing productions of smash hits or soon-to-be-classics.  Here are some of our favorite companies and events you’ll want to keep an eye on.

UC San Diego is not only home to Birch Aquarium and stunning architecture, it is also home to the La Jolla Playhouse.  Founded in 1947 by legendary movie stars Gregory Peck, Dorothy McGuire, and Mel Ferrer, this not for profit professional theater has been lauded with countless awards over the decades.  In fact, they have been the chosen venue for 75 world premiere theater pieces, like the musical Jersey Boys, a staple on Broadway and later a movie directed by Clint Eastwood.  Any show that runs here has been carefully selected, so even if you haven’t heard of it, chances are you’ll love it and it will go on to become a theater classic.  From February 2^nd to the 28^th, the Playhouse will be performing the black comedy, "Guards at the Taj."  This is an existential piece that critics and audiences have been raving about all over the country (this show commonly needs to extend its run to accommodate the crowds).  Tickets at the La Jolla Playhouse start at $20. 

The San Diego Repertory Theatre (known as San Diego REP), is a slightly more subversive but just as entertaining as the La Jolla Playhouse in their productions.  Even their location in downtown San Diego is very unique.  You’ll know you’ve reached the Lyceum Theatre, home to San Diego REP, by a sunken entrance in Horton Plaza and a towering, colorful mosaic monolith in the center.   The intimate theater is known for experimental plays (one past production was entitled “The Great American Trailer Park Musical”), as well as re-staged favorites.  The REP was founded in 1976 and its mission is to “feed the curious soul.”    Currently showing is the hilarious romantic comedy, “Outside Mullingar,” a play written by the Oscar-winning writer of “Moonstruck.”  Tickets start at $31 and the current play will run until February 14^th.    

Lest you think theater is only for the grown-ups, San Diego also has some options for families with young children as well.  The San Diego Junior Theatre is an independent nonprofit organization which started in 1948.  Famous alumni from this company include Dennis Hopper, Raquel Welch, and Broadway star Brian Stokes Mitchell.  The theater which houses the SDJT is worth a visit alone, as all productions are in the Casa del Prado Theatre in Balboa Park.   Each production is chosen with the mindset of entertaining both young children and the parents who accompany them.  There are currently two shows this weekend (January 22 to 24^th), with productions on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  The popular children’s book from 1972, “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day,” has been re-imaged for the stage.  There is also the musical “Ivy + Bean,” based on the 10-book series of the same name.  If you can’t make this weekend, check their calendar, as they always have something up their sleeve.

For the past 31 years, San Diego has been participating in an incredibly special event known as the “Plays by Young Writers.”  Every year playwrights under the age of 18 submit their original work in hopes of being selected to stage their pieces as complete productions (costumes, sets, et al) at The Old Globe Theatre.  This year four plays were chosen and the winners’ ages range from 11 to 18.  Two different programs will be available to see, one geared towards an audience of 11 and older, and the other for an audience of 16 and older.   Tickers start at $20 and opening night is this Saturday, January 23^rd, and will run until January 31^st.   

Whether you are a true theater lover, or just like to catch the occasional show, our town has something for everyone.  The fact that we have a theater company just for children is one of the many examples of San Diego having it all.  If attending the theater is on your agenda, might we remind you that Mission Bay is just minutes from La Jolla, downtown, and Balboa Park, so it makes sense to start with booking one of our dramatic homes for your stay.