Here’s to September, filled with Labor Day Weekend events, wine harvest fun, annual festivals, museum exhibits, area dining and much more! Check it out here! https://buff.ly/2oumY4R
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.
March is blooming with action-packed events! Check out St. Patrick’s Day fun, festivals, museum exhibits, sight-seeing activities, wine-tasting, dining and more in our newsletter! https://us3.campaign-archive.com/?u=1f5f6c72c5913e0abb8de2ecc&id=0b6f56d646
Enjoy sweet San Diego offerings in our February newsletter! Toast to Valentine’s Day dinners at area wineries and restaurants, tour museums for half price, catch a play, watch the Super Bowl at exciting venues and much more! Check it all out here: https://buff.ly/2GECSBP
Contact us today: sales@passport-sd.com