Concierges' Pick... Patriotic Places

San Diego’s deserved reputation as a military town has given us a host of memorials, museums and monuments to honor those who carry out the defense of our nation in the armed services. What better month than July to spend some time visiting those patriotic places? Five local hotel concierges recommend their favorite sites and offer
suggestions for accompanying activities and nearby eateries to make your day a memorable one.

Paula Lanning of Hyatt Regency La Jolla encourages visitors to indulge in America’s favorite summer pastime, baseball! “Go to a Padres game, sing the National Anthem before and enjoy the fireworks afterwards,” she says. For those who prefer a historical jaunt, she is not alone in recommending a visit to the USS Midway. “Afterwards, have lunch at Kansas City Barbeque where they filmed Top Gun,” she says.   

“Everyone whom I’ve sent there absolutely loves both of these places,” says Gabrielle McElroy of Four Seasons Resort Aviara. She’s gushing about the USS Midway and the Cabrillo National Monument with the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. The cemetery grounds boast one of our town’s most beautiful views, as does Gabrielle’s favorite restaurant, Island Prime. “It’s right on the water, with a view back to the San Diego skyline. You can even see the Midway from there, and watch the cruise ships, too,” she says.

Many of the cruise passengers agree with Matt Hurdle at Grand Pacific Palisades that a visit to Seaport Village and the Gaslamp Quarter make for a pleasant afternoon of shopping and dining. Both are near Matt’s first choice of patriotic places, the USS Midway. “We’ve sent lots of veterans there,” he says. “It’s not too expensive, and you can go inside the ship, which is unique.” He tells visitors to spend an hour or two on the ship and then dine at the San Diego Pier Café in Seaport Village. “It overlooks Coronado, and it’s great for sunsets, too,” he says.

Chris Cashman of the Hotel Del Coronado loves the Cabrillo National Monument so much he even takes his own out of town guests there. The cemetery is his personal favorite, he says, “because you get a feeling in your stomach about all those who served our country. It’s so beautiful.” Chris is a film maker, so he knows scenic!

Norma Cupp of the Coronado Island Marriott Resort thinks her entire island is a patriotic place. “The North Island Naval Base is on the island, so even after July 4th, our town exudes patriotism,” she says. She recommends visitors tour by bicycle. “It’s relatively flat, and you can tool up and down the streets,” she says, adding that a plethora of red, white and blue flower beds make for an even more pleasant peddle as you pass tiny cottages and huge mansions. 

If you arrive on the weekend ferry, Norma encourages you to check out the live music at Ferry Landing Market Place or the summer concert series at Spreckels Park every Sunday evening. “Sometimes, there are military bands playing,” she says. You can find the schedule at www.coronadovisitorscenter.com.