Mount Soledad Overlooking San Diego

Mount Soledad, above La Jolla of San Diego, is the site of the Mount Soledad cross. The monument is dedicated to the veterans. The mountaintop offers spectacular views of the landscape of the city, its rugged hills and choppy waters. Across the city, Cabrillo National Park is another high point of the city offering views from above (previous post).

Cabrillo of San Diego Where the First Europeans Stepped

Cabrillo National Monument, located at the southern tip of the Point Loma Peninsula in San Diego, commemorates the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542. Thus, marking the first time a European expedition had set foot on the West Coast of the US. 

A statue of the Portuguese sailor overlooks the ships passing in and out of the bay.

A short walk south from the statue takes one to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse museum, marking the highest point in the park. In 1851, the site was chosen to build a lighthouse as a navigational aid. In 1854, a first keeper moved in with his family. Robert Decatur Israel of mixed European descent was the last lighthouse keeper and for the longest period of 18 years from 1874 to 1892. Between 1871-1873 he was an assistant lighthouse keeper. With his Mexican wife Marie Arcadia Alipas they had four children.

 

Due to the fog and low clouds obscuring the visibility of the light from the ships, a new lighthouse was built at a lower elevation. In 1891, the keeper moved his family into a new lighthouse. However, he was dismissed in 1892, as the lighthouse was deactivated.

 The park offers views of San Diego’s harbor and skyline, as well as Coronado and Naval Air Station North Island. 

The annual Cabrillo Festival Open House, held on Sunday in October, commemorates Cabrillo’s landing with a reenactment, offering Kumeyaay, Portuguese, and Mexican singing, dancing, and food. The park offers other events throughout a year, including whale watching (end of Dec. - end of Feb).

More info at: http://www.nps.gov/cabr/index.htm

The New York Renaissance Faire

The New York Renaissance Faire, in Tuxedo Park, is filled with many attractions, events and presentations of crafts. From jousting, acrobatics, magic, fairies folk and storytelling to Celtic music, including pipers and much more, the fair truly resembles a period time.

Every year, it starts at the beginning of August and ends at the end of September. For 2015, it is Aug.1-Sept.27; open on the weekends and Labor Day from 10am to 7pm.

More info at http://www.renfair.com/ny/