TRIPS INTO HISTORY - Page 9 of 91 - Historic Sites in the U.S. and Travel Ideas

Your La Jolla, California Getaway / Scenic and Much More

The Land of Today’s La Jolla Dates Way back

What today is a beautiful tourist destination was at one time home to Native Americans. Artifacts found in and around La Jolla, California tell us that Native Americans settled along the Pacific shoreline nearly 10,000 years ago. Archaeologists have found stone utensils and other Indian artifacts for many years.

What happened to the native Americans who called this area home is an unanswered question. Did they migrate nearby? Did they move further south perhaps into Mexico? Answers to these questions still remain a mystery.

La Jolla Becomes Part of San Diego

The area around La Jolla was made part of San Diego in 1850. This would have been about 80 years after Father Junipero Serra built his mission in San Diego which was the first Spanish mission built in California, then called Alta California. At the time San Diego took over La Jolla there were no permanent settlers in this section of land. It wasn’t until 19 years later when two brothers, Daniel and Samuel Sizer, each bought a plot here. The plots sold were 80 acres in size and cost $1.25 per acre. This was quite a long time ago but regardless who would have imagined that an acre today in La Jolla would be priced in the millions?

la jolla coastline — Sea birds gather along the La Jolla coastline

Railroads Mean Growth

The railroad made it’s way to La Jolla, California in the 1880’s. This represented a milestone for La Jolla. Whenever the railroad laid tracks to a town the result was growth and typically large growth. The railroad was the catalyst for aggressive development including that of sea side resorts that would lure travelers from San Diego and inland communities. As an example, La Jolla Park Hotel opened its doors in 1893 and cottage-style homes were built along Prospect Street and Girard Avenue.

In 1900 La Jolla, California counted about 350 permanent residents. For the next twenty years La Jolla solidified it’s tourism appeal and tourism became it’s number one economic driver and remains so today.

La Jolla became known as an artist colony during this early 20th century period. The community was also fortunate to have newspaper heiress Ellen Browning Scripps settle there. Scripps used her wealth to help further La Jolla’s cultural base. In La Jolla, San Diego proper and in parts of southern California in general, her name is on numerous landmarks and institutions. One such well known institution is the Scripps Institute of Oceanography and Ellen Browning Scripps Park.

Today’s La Jolla Attractions

Many refer to La Jolla as the jewel of San Diego. This is probably a pretty accurate description. La Jolla rests atop the bluffs that overlook the Pacific Ocean. This world famous tourist destination and jewel of San Diego has attracted millions over the years, and continues to do so to this very day.

What to expect with La Jolla is a small town feel, some of the finest ocean and coastal mountain views anywhere in southern California and an easy to access coastline. Put these all together and you have one magnificent attraction.

Beaches, Restaurants and Shopping / Something For Everyone

The three main areas of interest for La Jolla visitors is the beautiful beach, the variety of unique restaurants, and the top notch shopping. Home to some of the best coastline in southern California, La Jolla offers beach goers the opportunity to play, relax, and just enjoy the sun on some of the finest beaches that even rival those found in Hawaii for their seclusion and serenity.

From the long white sand of La Jolla Shores to the quiet and relaxing beach off Marine Street, you’ll have plenty of space to find your very own piece of southern California paradise.

La Jolla restaurants are world class and boast of having some of the finest chefs and up coming chefs in the U.S. Because La Jolla enjoys a year round growing season, these chefs have easy access to some of the finest food products found anywhere and that translates to some of the best meals you’ll ever enjoy.

You may enjoy these additional San Diego articles from our Western Trips website…

Coronado Island and the Historic Hotel del Coronado

The Oldest Building in San Diego Located in Old Town

For those who want to check out the shopping, many say that La Jolla offers some of the most unique shopping found anywhere. It’s been said that La Jolla shopping is the choice of celebrities and bargain-hunters alike. From the world’s most luxurious brands to everyday values.

la jolla attractions — La Jolla street leading to the coastline

La Jolla is a community to visit for a vacation, a great weekend getaway or if need be, just for a fun and relaxing day. If you have to pick a season in an area that has four excellent seasons, summer is probably the best time to visit, as the beaches there are truly beautiful. Looking for a trip destination out of the ordinary and one with great photo opportunities, you may want to consider La Jolla, California. For more details of dining choices and shopping see website…http://www.lajollabythesea.com/

Texas World War II Aircraft Exhibits / San Marcos Regional Airport

There are plenty of fine venues for viewing vintage and historical airplanes in Texas. One special venue is located in San Marcos, Texas and called the Commemorative Air Force Hangar Museum. Located at the San Marcos Regional Airport and operated by the Central Texas Wing, this museum displays a very interesting collection of aircraft including a B-25 Mitchell bomber, replicas of a Japanese Zero and a Japanese Torpedo Bomber, a P-39 Airacobra pursuit plane and several others Also many smaller artifacts from the war years.

The Museum Hangar

The Commemorative Air Force Hangar Museum is located inside a hangar built during the days of World War Two. During the war, the San Marcos Army Airfield was a navigator training school. There were an estimated 10,000 navigators trained at this airfield.

When the war ended, the San Marcos Army Airfield was deactivated. Military helicopter training brought the airfield back to life from 1948 to 1949. It was the largest helicopter flight training base in the U.S. After this second deactivation, the San Marcos airfield became San Marcos Air Force Base in 1951. The field was given the new name of Gary Air Force Base, named for the first soldier from Hays County Texas killed in World War Two, in 1953, later named Edward Gary Air Force Base and was deactivated for the last time in 1956.

mitchell b-25 bomber yellow rose — Mitchell B-25 Bomber “Yellow Rose”

The hangar where the Commemorative Air Force Museum resides at today’s San Marcos Regional Airport is the last remaining hangar there from the days of World War Two. The wooden hangar was one of three built in 1942 shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

The Museum’s B-25 Mitchell Bomber

The B-25 Mitchell Bomber “Yellow Rose”, built in 1943 by North American Aviation, is one of the key exhibits at the museum. The bomber is completely restored to its wartime capabilities and is operated by the Central Texas Wing of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF). The restoration effort took four years to complete. It is one of the flying museum pieces belonging to the organization’s “Ghost Squadron” aircraft collection.

The “Yellow Rose” goes on tour each year to an average of twenty-five cities and towns. This B-25 let’s people get a real close up look at this historic sixty plus year aircraft. You may even have a chance to crawl through this flying museum.

Japanese Zero Replica

Two other aircraft exhibited at the Commemorative Air Force Hangar Museum are Japanese World War Two aircraft. One of the planes is a Japanese Zero and the other a Japanese Torpedo Bomber “Kate”. The Japanese Zero and Torpedo Bomber, both replicas, were built for the movie Tora, Tora, Tora.

You may also enjoy the Trips Into History articles on the links below…

American Military Aircraft

The Famous Pitts Special Aerobatic Plane

Visit the Old Santa Fe Railroad Depot / Brownwood Texas

Visiting the Commemorative Air Force Hangar Museum

Museum hours of operation are Monday-Wednesday-Friday and Saturday 9:00-4:00 There is no admission charge but a recommended $3 donation is appreciated to keep them flying. The Commemorative Air Force Hangar Museum operates as a non-profit.

The museum is located at the San Marcos Regional Airport in San Marcos, Texas. San Marcos is located about 30 miles south of Austin along Interstate-35. For more information regarding the Commemorative Air Force Hangar Museum, aircraft, activities and shows planned around Texas by the Central Texas Wing see website…http://cafcentex.com/

The Centex Wing Museum highlights military aviation memorabilia, especially World War II. – See more at: http://txhillcountrytrail.com/plan-your-adventure/historic-sites-and-cities/sites/central-texas-wing-commemorative-air-force#sthash.fuT1odl4.dpuf

P-39 Airacobra pursuit plane

B-25 Mitchell bomber and a P-39 Airacobra pursuit plane. – See more at: http://txhillcountrytrail.com/plan-your-adventure/historic-sites-and-cities/sites/central-texas-wing-commemorative-air-force#sthash.fuT1odl4.dpuf

The USS Midway / San Diego’s Premiere Attraction

If your travels take you to San Diego, California, a visit to the historic USS Midway Museum is a must. Here you’ll be able to explore a real aircraft carrier and one which was the longest serving aircraft carrier of the twentieth century. During her forty seven years in service, the USS Midway had a total of about 200,000 servicemen assigned to the vessel.

On 30 September 2003, the USS Midway began her journey from the Navy Inactive Ship Maintenance Facility, Bremerton, Wash., to San Diego where she would be a Museum and Memorial. She was docked at the Charles P. Howard Terminal in Oakland, Calif., in October, while the construction of her pier in San Diego was completed.

The USS Midway is now docked in San Diego Bay just east of the downtown area and has been transformed into one of the most visited ship museums in the world.

Explore the USS Midway

The USS Midway CV-41, was the third vessel named Midway. Named after the Battle of Midway,

uss midway aircraft — The massive hangar deck of the USS Midway

The ship is amazingly restored and full of really interesting exhibits. The ship is literally a floating city at sea. During it’s operational years the USS Midway carried about 4,500 crew members.

Your trip though the USS Midway will take you to the crews quarters, the officers quarters, the four acre flight deck and other portions of this magnificent vessel. Your admission includes a self-guided audio tour to over 60 locations from the engine room to the flight deck. When exploring the hangar deck which housed many of the aircraft you’ll notice the large elevators on either side of the ship that raised the planes from the hangar deck up to the flight deck.

The USS Midway Service

The USS Midway was operational from 1945 to 1992. It was commissioned one week after the end of World War Two. The vessel served in every ocean on the planet.

The ship is 1,001 feet in length which is about the size of three football fields. Weighing 70,000 tons the USS MIdway is as high as a twenty story building. Each of her two anchors weigh 20 tons. The ship could carry eighty planes.

More interesting facts regarding this vessel include…

During three tours of duty in the Tonkin Gulf, aircraft from the USS MIDWAY downed the first three and last MiG in the Vietnam conflict.
USS MIDWAY was the first carrier to be “forward deployed” in a foreign country, sailing for 17 years out of Yokosuka, Japan.
When operating at sea, USS MIDWAY was refueled every three days. She burned approximately 100,000 gallons a day.

A Perfect Family Museum

The USS Midway is a terrific museum adventure for the entire family. The vessel is literally a floating city. On board the USS Midway, you can learn about life on a Navy ship and how aircraft land and take off from an aircraft carrier. Visitors can tour many of the working areas and see more than 15 restored aircraft. Volunteer docents, many who either served on the USS Midway or are former Navy pilots, provide live talks about the catapult and other operations.

See additional Trips Into History articles on the links below…

A Great Museum and a Sunken Whale Ship

The Palace Steamers of the Great Lakes

Crossing the Atlantic with Marconi’s Wireless

Your La Jolla California Getaway

An excellent book regarding the USS Midway is…USS Midway: America’s Shield by author Scott McGaugh.

Things to Know Before Your Visit

Many doorways have a high threshold, and there are many stairs, some of them quite steep. Wear comfortable shoes with soles that give you firm footing.
Elevators provide access to the hangar deck and flight deck
Bring a light jacket; it can be windy on the Flight Deck
Leave the big bags behind. Only modest-sized diaper bags and camera bags are allowed
If you have a child in a stroller, either take them out and park the stroller at the entrance or be prepared to skip visiting many parts of the ship.

The self-guided USS Midway audio tour is included in the entrance fee (available in English, Spanish and Japanese). The audio tour incorporates the voices of many who served on the USS Midway. They tell the stories of their experiences on board the aircraft carrier.

The USS Midway Museum is open daily 10A to 5P. The last admission is at 4p. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.