San Diego, LA, Ventura sites to see?

[Billy Bones]

Alright, forumites, I've decided to travel next week. I'm going to San Diego, and Ventura for abt two weeks and will have lots of time on my hands. What is there to see? Originally, I heard that there isn't much, but I just read a wonderful article in MAIB about a famous boat at the museum in SD called Butcher Boy now sailing periodically along the waterfront.

Anything else in the Must See category? Nautical or otherwise? All input welcome.

Thanks,

Bones

[htom]

San Diego used to have a fine zoo.

If you drive north, be nice to the feds at the internal customs barrier. They do NOT like it when you say "Papieren, Bitte?" to them.

[John G]

1. While making your way north toward Ventura, you might check out the LA Maritime Museum ( www.lamaritimemuseum.org (http://www.lamaritimemuseum.org) ) in San Pedro. It's not huge, but they have the sail training vessels, and for a long while were building two new brigantines(Irv & Exy) just next door. I *believe* these are now touring, but usually there's someone around that'll show you the boats if you ask.

2. Wooden Hull Yacht Club's got a race on April 19th, 2003 from Marina del Rey¨/Long Beach to Newport, might email these guys for crew spots, or just to see the start or finish www.whyc.org (http://www.whyc.org)

3. Ventura Harbor Boatyard's where we haul out, there's usually a couple woodies on the hard but the nice thing is you can wander by/through the yard...a rare thing on the Left Coast.

4. Agree on San D, but you might wander down by Koehler, that's the woodenboat yard/marina for the most part. Try the board here ( www.kettenburgboats.com (http://www.kettenburgboats.com) ) for more locals

have a good trip...I'd offer a sail, but am currently about 9,000 miles from LA

[John of Phoenix]

Ahhh, San Diego. Living in Phoenix, I know lots about San Diego. (Dave grimaces. They call us "Zonies" when we invade each summer.) If you’re into Mexican food, and even if you’re not actually, Old Town Mexican Café is a must. One of the best meals in your life awaits you.


Old Town Famous Carnitas
Delicious pieces of pork served in Mexico's traditional style, with cilantro, onion, avocado, tomato, peppers, beans and our own tortillas. Served Regular or Crispy
http://www.oldtownmexcafe.com/107.jpg
http://www.oldtownmexcafe.com/5.html
I prefer the regular style. The tortillas, corn and flour, are made right there and they're wonderful.

Point Loma Seafood is a good bet for seafood. (Duh) And the Greek Islands Café at Seaport Village is good for, well, you know.

Have a great trip.

[Billy Bones]

Thanks all! I'm off to see what I can. Wish me luck!

[Dan Payne]

billy b. Just read your posting...too late I'm sure. give a call for a ride on Mission bay on the "Payne's Pleasure". 1941 Stephens 39' Sedan. Did I miss ya???dp

[Dave Fleming]

Dan, that big ex-US Army Alaska supply boat still moored at and end slip there?

[Norm Harris]

Billy,
If you have a full day to spend in Ventura, a trip to Anacapa Island in the Channel Islands National Park is a day well spent. Arrangements can be made through the park headquarters which is located in Ventura Harbor.

Also in the harbor is Ventura Harbor Boatworks, a yard that does a big business in restoring wooden boats. Who knows what you'll find if you nose around in their yard.

[Billy Bones]

Hi all and Thanks!

The trip was wonderful, despite having caught my daughter's cold. For a few days I had to keep a low profile lest I wind up in SARS quarantine!

Dan, Thanks for your wonderful offer! I wish I'd caught it in time to take you up on it!

Dave, I think that boat you mention is indeed still there. I had a gander while on Mission Bay. I rented a little outboard 18'er and took a spin around the bay to see what's what. There was a LOVELY gaff cat ketch in the western basin, all coverd up at a mooring. Despite there being a sea of fg, I was amazed by the amount of wooden boats there. Guess that shows how bereft we are in the virgin islands of anything like wooden craft.

Norm, I DID make arrangements to go out to Anacapa...that is to say that my wife works for the NPS and several of us from parks involved in marine resource monitoring were at Channel Islands NP for meetings and a field trip out to Anacapa. But I was (fortunately) still recovering from my cold and daughter was a bit under the weather, so, of us, only my wife went. They rode out in heavy seas (in a pretty big boat, 90'+) and were tossed around pretty badly. Once they arrived a steel door flipped shut on the hand of one of the attendees and broke several of her fingers! The trip was aborted, my wife set to work attending to others' wounds and the CG dispatched a helo to evac the wounded. Upon arriving, the CG turned around and left. Don't know why, but intend to find out. In worsening seas they returned by midday and were happy to be ashore! The girl with the smashed fingers went to the ER and reportedly will be fine.

In Ventura I did see that woody yard and was impressed! they were working on some pretty extensive projects. I was well impressed with the marina too. As was mentioned, you can wander very close to the boats without assault by locked gates and dire warning signs. Very pleasant. There was even a nice junk and a meadowlark along the western bulkhead.

From Ventura we headed to Sequoia Kings Canyon where we stayed for two nights. A late season snow graced us with about 18" of the stuff which made for a great time for my tropical daughter! We saw heaps of mule dear and 5 black bears, incl two cubs. The big trees were amazing, and the canyon is a place of indescribable beauty.

We came back through the mojave desert, San Bernadino and back to SD and home.

Great trip, though next time I won't assume that SD is warm, just because it's 10 miles north of Mexico, for heavens' sake.

If any of you ever make it to the Virgins, let me know!

[ 05-05-2003, 09:11 AM: Message edited by: Billy Bones ]

[Dan Payne]

to DAVE FLEMMING...Yes, the 61' ft. 1943 Army Supply boat is still at the end of the 200 dock. It may be on the market soon. I am intimate with that boat, working for the last and current owners who are both good friends. What a great boat. Built to last. 8 cylinder Superior diesel. No ignition switch on the dashboard like "normal" boats. You start her up by pushing a button on a panel and spraying starter fluid into the carbs (this may be regular stuff for you shippy types but this blows my mind). Look me up if you're in SD and we'll take her for a spin (needs a crew of about 4 but the ex-o took her out alone).

[Dave Fleming]

to DAVE FLEMMING... Shoot Laddy Buck I live a block away from the SD Yachit Club and traverse the Mission Bay/Ingraham St viaduct several times a month but, driving in that crazy traffic doesn't give me much chance to looky-loo over towards Sea World.