THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

If you are planning a trip to see your Marine in the Camp Pendleton/29 Palms/Mirimar area, take a look at some of the things you can see and do while there!

Your host for this page is none other than San Diego Sam, he's a whale of a guy!






So you find yourself with your Marine in  lovely San Diego and have no idea what to do...  Here's some ideas that will fill up that time! 


Whaley House

Do you believe in Ghosts?? Maybe your not sure...well lets quench your adventerous side and visit the Whaley House located at 2476 San Diego Avenue San Diego Ca 92110...(www.whaleyhouse.org)
 
Hurry up and grab your water bottle and some snack for the car ride.You cannot eat or drink during the tour, so make sure you are full when you arrive. I'm sure they are kept very busy with the 100,000 people who visit anually.
 
Thank goodness there wasn't too much traffic...we need to park. There's only a few un-metered parking spots in Old Town, so use the free parking that's available to the public located on Harney Street and Twiggs Street.
 
We have to get our tickets at the SOHO Museum Shop, right next door to the Whaley House. Here is some ticket info:


Daytime Admission
(10am-5pm)
$6 for adults
$5 for seniors, age 55 and over
$4 for children, ages 3-12
Free for children 2 and under
  • Includes admission to the
    Old Adobe Chapel Museum
    3963 Conde Street
    (10am-5pm, Saturday & Sunday only)


    • All tours are self-guided, but docents are always available to answer questions and provide additional information
    Maybe we will see "Yankee Jim".James (aka Santiago) Robinson was convicted of attempted grand larceny in San Diego in 1852, and hanged on a gallows off the back of a wagon on the site where the house now stands. People say they can hear his footsteps walking around the house to this day!!!

    Maybe Mr Thomas Whaley  and  or  his wife Anna will grace us w/his or her presence...Anna has been seen in the garden by many.
    There are many more ghosts that live at the house...I will let you find them yourself.

    When we went we did not see any ghosts much to my husbands dismay...maybe you will have better luck!!


     

    Bored? Here is a list of 20 things to do at 
    Camp Pendleton for under $10.00


    1. Play a round of miniature golf:
    Lake O'Neill has miniature golf for $3.00 a person

    2. Rent a boat!
    Lake O'Neill also has rowboats for $3.00 a person, Paddle boats $5.00 Rowboats with a motor $5.00 Triton boats for $7.00 Call 760-725-5611 for more info.

    3. Go Kayaking:
    For a single Kayak at the Del Mar Marina and Sailing Center, it is $5.00 per hour, or for a double $8.00 per hour call 760-725-2820 or 760-725-7245 for more information

    4. Go Fish:
    Fishing poles at the Sailing Center is $2.00 a pole, and a tackle box is $1.00

    5. Take the kids for a pony ride:
    The Stables offer $1.00 pony rides for a half an hour call 760-725-5094

    6. See a flick:
    Movies on base are $3.00 per person or $4.00 for VIP Section. Or go on Sunday for free!

    7. Work out!
    The Fitness Center offers free Yoga, Cycling and Abs, Taw Kwon Do, Combat Kicking, Pilates and more! Schedule is at http://www.mccscp.com/recreation/fitnesscenter/index.cfm

    8. Round of Golf:
    The Camp Pendleton Golf Course has golf starting at $10.00 for E5 and below

    9. Go to the Beach:
    There are many free picnic areas at the beach for free

    10. Go to the Pool:
    There is even free AquaAerobics at the 14 area pools three times a week for free. Call 763-4070 for more information

    11. Get Crafty:
    The hobby shop on base offers many classes at mccscp.com. Pottery Wheels are $3.00, Ceramics $6.00, Woodshop $3.35, Sewing $3.00. Call 760-725-4880

    12. Visit a museum on base:

    The World War II and Korea LVT Museum

    Located in Building 21561 in the base's boat basin and is maintained by the Assault Amphibious School Battalion. To visit the vintage amphibious tracked vehicles, related artifacts and informational displays contact the school at 725-2195. The museum is normally open Tuesdays through Sundays in the early afternoons.

    The Marine Corps Mechanized Command Museum

    Located in Building 2612 on Vandergrift Blvd at the base of Rattlesnake Canyon, this museum of working Marine Corps transport and battle vehicles interpret the history of Marine usage since 1942. The collection includes a large selection of Viet Nam and Desert Storm era vehicles and a Vietnamese road marker pointing the way to Hue City. The museum is open during the week and can also be opened by special arrangement.

    The Ranch House Complex

    The Complex includes the Ranch House Chapel, the oldest structure on base, the Bunkhouse Museum, dedicated in 1965 by Col James Roosevelt, and the Ranch House, built in the mid 1800s. It was the home of Pio Pico, last Mexican governor of California, and succeeding owners Don Juan Forster, the O'Neills, Floods, Baumgartners and, finally, the United States Government. Historic artifacts at the Complex document pre-history through Mission and Rancho periods to the 1942 purchase of Camp Pendleton and present times. Exhibits include early ranch equipment, photographs of President Roosevelt's historic visit, antiques donated by Anthony Quinn during the filming of "Guadalcanal Diary" in 1943 and furnishings of the Rancho period.

    The historic Ranch House, Museum and Chapel are listed as a National Historic Site and California State Historical Landmark. It is through the gracious hospitality of the Commanding General residing in the home that tours are made available. Tours are booked for Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 a.m. between the last week in September to the end of May.

    13. Read a book:
    There are three libraries on base: Carney Library at Mainside 760-725-5104, Seaside Square Library in San Onofre 760-725-7325, South Mesa Library in Wire Mountain 760-725-2032.

    14. Join a club!
    There are Enlisted and Officer Wives clubs on base. The enlisted wives club is $8.00 for 6 months to join and the dues go straight back to the club. They have a variety of activities from Scrap booking, Yoga, Movie night, Self-Defense, and Bunko. They meet the third Wednesday of the month at 7:00, at the Staff NCO Club. More information at www.EnlistedWivesClub.com.


    15. Volunteer!
    Spend some time giving back to the people who give to us. There are a ton of great programs on base desperately seeking volunteers such as the Navy Relief Society, MOMS, and LINKS etc. You can call 725-3856 for more information on volunteer opportunities. Or visit the Navy Relief Society page at http://www.nmcrs.org/pendltn-area.html.


    16. Go to a retreat:
    Credo offers free marriage enrichment, personal growth and spiritual growth and teen retreats throughout the year. Food, lodging and transportation are provided. Call 760-725-4954 for more information.

    17. Shoot Something:
    Pistol Range 33 Area, Phone: 725-4832
    Range: 102A Wilcox ?Hours: Sat 10:30am-4pm $4 Range Fee Pistols & Ammunition Available Skeet and Trap Bldg. 25167 Phone: 725-4832
    Hours: Wed, Thurs, and Fri 11am-6pm | Sat-Sun 10am-5pm | Closed Mon, Tues, and Holiday's Skeet & Trap Ranges 5 Stand Sporting Clay Range, Domestic & International Targets, Instruction Available, Shotgun and safety equipment provided at no charge

    18. Paintball:
    The Camp Pendleton Paint ball park just lowered their prices. Military Personnel pricing: (Must show ID Card) Admission fee with own equipment: $7.50, Standard Semi-Auto Paintgun and facemask: $7.50, CO2 refills: $5 all day refills. Visit their website at: http://www.cppaintball.com/

    19. Get a job!
    The Family Member employment assistance program help provide employment assistance, skill based education, training and other volunteer opportunities to spouses and family members. Call 760-725-4737 for more information.

    20. Go Bowling:
    Devil Dog Lanes have prices Monday through Friday $2.00 per game until 4:00pm, then it is $3.00 per game. Bowling shoe rentals are $2.00 per pair at all times! They also have arcades and pool tables on site. Call 760-725-6109 for more information 



    Our thanks to Damara Mautz, wife of Marine Jacob (and former Marine herself!) for providing all this neat information!