PassPort to San Diego

LOCAL LIVING RESOURCE for Residents, Visitors & Newcomers

Del Mar Races

LOCAL LIVING RESOURCE for Residents, Visitors & Newcomers

Outdoor

 Carolyn Howard

PassPort to San Diego

This was the first time I have ever been on a ghost tour, so I really didn’t know what to expect. We met at the Hacienda Hotel in Old Town San Diego at 7 p.m., just before sunset. The purple ghost bus was not hard to miss. Our group had 12 people, most of them visitors to San Diego. We were greeted by our “Ghost Host” Dante, who was a wonderful guide. He was very animated and encouraged questions and photographs to be taken.

Our first stop was just next door at the Whaley House. We stood outside as Dante told us the story of the Whaley family and the many deaths that had occurred at this house.

We then returned to our “Coffin On Wheels” and took a short drive to Sherman Heights, where we got out to view the Villa Montezuma. What an exquisite mansion! It was nearly dark by this time. Dante provided the history on this house, from Jesse Shepard — who the house was built for — to the last resident, Mrs. Yaeger, who suffered from mental illness and was found dead in the tower. As we were standing outside, a black cat ran through the middle of our group and down the sidewalk toward our bus.

From there, we went downtown to the San Diego’s Gaslamp District. On the bus ride, Dante was showing photos, telling stories and narrating San Diego’s past. We got out at the Horton Grand Hotel and went inside. Across the street was the William Heath Davis House. This is the oldest house in the Gaslamp District and is now a museum. As we stood in the courtyard, once again, we saw a black cat on the sidewalk! Spooky! We went inside the house and were given ghost detectors, which were used to pick up on energy (spirits), within the house.

On our way back to Old Town, Dante shared some history on another haunted hotel, the Hotel Del Coronado.

Our last stop was back in Old Town at the El Campo Santo Cemetery, which was on the same property as the Whaley House. Dante gave more history about Thomas Whaley and brought his story full circle as to why so many deaths had occurred in his home.

I found the Haunted San Diego Ghost Tour to be entertaining and informative for both visitors and locals alike. The tour takes between 2- 2 1/2 hours.

Tours are at  7 p.m. year-round and 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. May through October. Tickets are $35 per person. Call (619) 225-6170 or visit Haunted San Diego Ghost Tours online. Enjoy $2 off a tour here.

    

Barbara Pape
PassPort to San Diego

As a newcomer to the San Diego area, but avid boater and overall ocean worshiper, I was anxiously looking forward to an afternoon of fishing down the West Coast with H&M Landing. After a fairly quick and painless check-in process, receiving our rods and California sport fishing license, we boarded Premier. The boat was equipped with two heads (always better than one), a kitchen and galley for drinks or hot food to order, plenty of space to spread out on deck and a gracious crew that made us feel right at home. With our journey underway, we passed Point Loma and forged south past the skyline of San Diego and Imperial Beach, stopping right at the edge of sparkling blue US Waters with the rolling green hills of Mexico close by.

The crowd on board included a friendly mix of locals and tourists. There were giddy grandkids, proud grandpas, guys who’d clearly fished a time or two, first-timers who clearly hadn’t, sun-worshipers on a girls day out, couples vacationing who’ve fished side by side for years, and even families with grumpy teenagers who were convinced this trip would be “so lame Dad”, but who ended up smiling ear-to-ear, jumping with “almost” joy when their first fish was reeled in.

As more and more fish were caught, the excitement grew and everyone suddenly became a pro. The experienced crew gave us very clear instructions on which fish to be wary of and which to happily welcome on board for that obligatory “kiss your fish” photo op. Although none of the fish caught this trip outweighed the fisherman warranting a dockside weigh-in, almost everyone ended the day watching their well-earned catch being filleted by the crew and prepared to take home and enjoy.

The price was more than right and the generous time allowed for plenty of selfies with seagulls, a school of dolphins to frolicked alongside us, stately pelicans soaring above just in case any fish were left behind, and a big sky full of sunshine and sea air that made this 5 hour+ adventure simply fly by.

Thank you to H&M Landing and to your helpful, friendly crew Captain Brandon, Mary, Eric, Eugene and that other guy (sorry man), for making it a picture-perfect day on the water. Sport Fishing in San Diego…bucket list – checked!

To book a private charter or learn more about their day trips, overnight trips and expansive fleet, call 619-222-1144 or email sales@hmlanding.com.

Lions Tigers & Bears in Alpine, California
Lions Tigers & Bears in Alpine, California

By Carolyn Howard
PassPort to San Diego

As an East County resident for 20 years, I have only recently realized that just 30 minutes east of me, in Alpine, lies one of the only accredited big cat and exotic animal rescue sanctuaries in the United States: Lions Tigers & Bears. While saddened and frustrated by the in-captivity abuse and neglect of these precious creatures prior to their rescues, I am grateful for the important work of Lions Tigers & Bears’ founder Bobbi Brink and her dedicated staff. Together they ensure that each resident — from regal African lions, Bengal tigers, bobcats, and black bears — relax and receive proper food and medical care.

We began our “Member-for-A-Day” experience with an informative video showing how these animals came to the ranch. Most seemed to come from people who thought they could care for exotic animals as pets and soon realized that once they begin to grow, the owners no longer had the means to care for them. As we toured the facility, our guide introduced us to each animal and shared the background on how they ended up at the ranch. Patrons were allowed to feed a big cat or bear of their choice (called “Feed a Wild One Experience,”) had they selected this in their ticket purchase.

The tour was very educational. My favorite part was viewing the feeding of the lions, where food was placed throughout their enclosure and they would run around to seek it out. Every animal at Lions Tigers & Bears is a rescue including a house cat. All animals have been fixed, so there is absolutely no breeding. On a rare occasion, this no-kill sanctuary will receive an infant or a pregnant female.

With such an overabundance of animals needing rescues, Bobbi cannot possibly place them all. Through donations, she is able to build more housing facilities to accommodate more animals. She also helps in relocating animals to other accredited facilities throughout the nation.

Lions, Tigers & Bears holds fundraisers throughout the year to pay for the feeding and caring of its residents. An upcoming event, “Wild in the Country 2016,” will be held from 3-7 p.m. May 14 and will feature a luau, live and silent auction, live entertainment, a catered meal and time to spend with the sanctuary’s animals. Guests may also book the facility for private events such as weddings, as well as book a private overnight safari at the luxurious White Oak Wild Nights Mountain Retreat.

Bringing awareness to the public about not raising animals in captivity is central to Lions Tigers & Bears’ mission. Bobbi’s selflessness has made a major difference in the lives of the animals at the sanctuary and throughout the world. To arrange a visit, call (619) 659-8078 or visit lionstigersandbears.org.