“The Cradle of the Navy”. That’s what they used to call this place.

Built in 1921, San Diego’s Naval Training Station was built to provide sailors with the skills and education needed to operate increasingly sophisticated battleships. During the peak of World War II, the population of Liberty station had reached 33,000 and a total of 41 distinct schools had been established. It was officially closed in 1997, sat unused for nearly a decade, and finally reopened recently as part of a North Bay revitalization effort featuring restaurants, shops and a variety of other facilities.

Please join us at for no-host food and cocktails as we look back on San Diego’s contribution to American Naval history.

Cocktail attire requested. Vintage cocktail attire heartily encouraged.

We look forward to seeing you there!

One year ago this month, we kicked off Cocktails in Historic Places at one of San Diego's most haunted places. This year, we will be celebrating our anniversary with a tour of the single most haunted locale in America's Finest City: The Whaley House.

Please join us as we celebrate one year of Cocktails in Historic Places and learn about some of the more spine-tingling aspects of Old Town San Diego History.

We will meet at a Cafe Pacifica, a terrific seafood and Italian restaurant that has been a fixture of Old Town for nearly 30 years, despite being located right next to San Diego's oldest cemetery. Yes, I mean that quite literally. Glance out the restaurant windows and you're peering over leaning headstones, elaborate wrought iron plot enclosures and gnarled oak trees. But we will be doing more than glancing out the windows. After a few cocktails and socializing, we will joining Jay McKibben, our presentor for the evening, at the cemetery gates. He will introduce us to some of El Campo Santo's illustrious -- and sometimes infamous -- permanent residents.

SO MUCH FOR THE TRICKS . . . HERE'S THE TREAT:

Stick around until 9:00, if you dare, and receive a special, half-price tour of the Whaley House just a short stroll away. ($5 per ticket instead of $10)

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please arrive at Café Pacifica 7:00 if you intend to take the tour. We will need a headcount (and your $5 ticket fee in cash) in order to purchase tour tickets in advance. I am afraid we cannot guarantee you a spot on the tour otherwise. This is a busy season for the Whaley house (for obvious reasons). All ticket proceeds go to directly to the Whaley House. Cocktails in Historic Places does not keep any monies collected.

WHAT TO WEAR

Black - We ask that you wear black to honor any restless spirits we may encounter.

No Costumes. Hats Encouraged. - Because of the short walk to the Whaley House, and the close quarters within, we have opted not to don costumes as originally planned. So, as per usual, cocktail attire is requested, and vintage cocktail attire (and hats!) are heartily encouraged.

PARKING NEAR CAFE PACIFICA

Don't be intimidated by Old Town Parking! There are actually quite a few options.

Drive Past Cafe Pacifica on San Diego Avenue (heading northwest) and make a left (at the stop sign) onto Conde Street (heading southwest).

After making a left, there are two parking garages within 1/2 block on Conde Street.

Old Town Corral on the left (south side of Conde street) has 2-hours free and is $3.00 for parking after that. Look for a sign painted like a big Mexican Flag with Red, White, and Green stripes. Entrance is just underneath that. You can't miss it!

The other parking lot is on the right (north side, under Cafe Coyote) has 2-hours free and is $3.00 for parking after that.

There is an overflow parking in a lot behind Cafe Pacifica. Drive behind the restaurant, proceed up the road (past the cemetery on your right) and you will see a lot on your right that says "Customer Parking Only".

Let's toast the glamor of old Hollywood together in this wonderful triumph of Historic preservation. Please join me for cocktails at another of my FAVORITE spaces, Hawthorn's Restaurant in the North Park Theatre.

Classy and upscale, this Hawthorn's is nestled in the heart of San Diego's very first suburb in what was once the lobby of North Park's own movie palace! Neglected and underutilized for decades, the North Park Theatre is now immaculately restored and home to the San Diego Lyric Opera. You will find the group in the bar/louge toward the rear of the restaurant.

PARKING
Those of you intimidated by downtown parking will be pleased to know that parking here is a piece of cake! There is a shiny new parking structure less than one block south of the theatre on the corner of 29th Street and North Park Way.

As always, my dearies, cocktail attire is requested, and vintage cocktail attire is heartily encouraged!

Can't wait to see you there!

-- Kristine

Feeling romantic? Would you like to?

Please join me for our most romantic Cocktails in Historic Places yet. If you've been thinking about bringing a date or a spouse along to one of these, or if you've been wanting to chat up another "Cocktails" member you've had your eye on, THIS is the setting in which to do it:

The La Valencia Hotel. . .

In beautiful La Jolla. . .

Just in time for sunset. . .

http://www.lavalencia.com/

THE DETAILS

When you enter, you may be tempted by the cosy, men's club feel of the Whaling Bar to the right of the entrance, but instead head straight through to the back of the hotel and look for the group in the La Sala Bar. From here we will be able to relax, unwind and take full advantage of the amazing sunset view. We can hit the Whaling Bar once the sun goes down (at 7:26, by the way!).

As always, cocktail attire is requested and VINTAGE cocktail attire is heartily encouraged!

MAP:

http://www.lavalencia.com/LaValencia.pdf

PARKING:

Please note that parking in this part of La Jolla can be tricky, but valet service is available at the La Valencia for a reasonable $7.

That's all I have to say. This one sells itself, baby.

Can't wait to see you there!

-- Kristine