Savoring San Diego...

Here we are in the land where Denise Began. Wanting to share the rich history of my birthplace and the birthplace of California we headed south.

Historically home to the Kumeyaay people, it was the first site visited by Europeans on what is now the West Coast of the United States. Upon landing in San Diego Bay in 1542, Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo claimed the area for Spain, forming the basis for the settlement of Alta California 200 years later. The Presidio and Mission San Diego de Alcalá, founded in 1769, formed the first European settlement in what is now California. In 1821, San Diego became part of the newly independent Mexico, which reformed as the First Mexican Republic two years later. California became part of the United States in 1848 following the Mexican–American War and was admitted to the union as a state in 1850.

It was pretty amazing to be here for The Day of the Dead (Spanish: Día de Muertos), the Mexican holiday which focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey. In 2008, the tradition was inscribed in the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. I love the festiveness of it all.

We fortified ourselves with Margaritas at Fiesta de Reyes before heading out for more exploration.

We strolled through Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, the center of Old Town. "Here you can experience life from the early Mexican-American period of 1821-1872 through rich living history programs. Watch forms come to life at the blacksmith and woodworker shops, and read a newspaper from the 19th century."

A surprise find was meeting the donkeys, Don and Dulce. We learned a lot from the handler. Did you know that all California donkeys are offspring from the original work animals brought here by the Spanish? Donkeys were a preferred draft and pack animal because of their spine, which pound for pound is much stronger than a horse. A donkey can pull half its weight and are closely related to the zebra. They are resilient and need little water. Horses are way higher maintenance.

Our last stop was at the Seeley Stable, a "well built and sturdy" two-story, square-sided, shingle-roofed barn used to stable horses and house stagecoaches. It probably was the first structure that Albert Seeley, who operated a stage line between Old Town and Los Angeles, constructed after buying the Bandini property in 1869. It now houses a fine collection of 19th-century overland transportation gear and vehicles, including a carreta (an ox-drawn cart), mud wagon, Concord stage, and huge two-wagon freighter. Most of these rare artifacts were given to California State parks by Roscoe E. Hazard, a former rancher and retired highway contractor.

Lunch was at Old Town Mexican Café, a childhood memory evoker. It was muy deliciosa.

We coffeed in Little Italy in honor of Casey's Italian heritage.

Once home to San Diego's flourishing tuna fishing industry and generations of Italian families who made their living on the sea, Little Italy is now a lively neighborhood filled with patio cafés, packed restaurants, craft brew stops, urban wineries, art galleries, sophisticated shops, boutique hotels and the beautiful Amici Park.

San Diego's harbor is rich in history and the best way to learn the lessons was by boat. Through an awesome groupon coupon we boarded a Flagship boat for a two hour cruise.

We learned a great deal about the Navy presence, its history and the power of the ships here. Wow.

We even learned about the fishing industry.

I had never seen bait barges before. They were very unique looking and housed some darling residents.

Our ship's dock was right next to the USS Midway. We have toured this amazing ship before but to see it illuminated was a treat.

Our final San Diego stop was for a visit to the Hotel del Coronado (also known as The Del and Hotel Del). This historic beachfront hotel in the city of Coronado, just across the San Diego Bay from San Diego, is a must. It is one of the few surviving examples of an American architectural genre: the wooden Victorian beach resort. It is the second largest wooden structure in the United States and is designated a National Historic Landmark and a California Historical Landmark in 1970. It really is something to see.

When it opened in 1888, it was the largest resort hotel in the world. It has hosted presidents, royalty, and celebrities through the years. The hotel has been featured in numerous movies and books. As a matter of fact, L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, did much of his writing at the hotel, and is said to have based his design for the Emerald City on it.