24 Days ’til Tiki – Bradley’s 5 & 10, Horton Plaza
A 1957 photo showing Bradley’s 5 & 10 in Horton Plaza, San Diego. They served 150 brands of imported rum and many exotic tiki cocktails in their day…
25 Days ’til Tiki – Behind the Scenes: Sanborn Fire Maps
25 | Behind the Scenes: Sanborn Fire Maps How do you check up on old addresses and buildings when researching? Cross-referencing newspaper articles and city directory listings with Sanborn Fire Insurance Maps is always a good bet. These huge books are stored...
26 Days ’til Tiki – The Island Cafe, Coronado
The Island Cafe was Coronado’s first pre-tiki, Hawaiian-themed restaurant and bar, operarted by John Douglas Jacks and family.
27 Days ’til Tiki – Tropic Cafe, San Diego
The Tropic Cafe (1935-1946), San Diego’s first pre-tiki nightclub, was helmed by ‘Skipper’ John Ewing, and served its large transient military population.
28 Days of Classic San Diego Tiki
28 | Aloha Cafe, Tijuana The Aloha Cafe (1928-2011), Tijuana’s first pre-tiki bar, was located on Avenida Revolución (then known as Main Street by Americanos) for over eighty years. The cantina changed hands, was burned down and rebuilt several times, but stood...
Recipe: Chicken of the Gods from Bali Hai
Chicken of the Gods This is a classic entrée from Bali Hai’s midcentury Cantonese menu, and to this day is remembered fondly by many San Diegans. Bali Hai Restaurant is an iconic Tiki Modern restaurant and bar on Shelter Island in San Diego, originally opened as...
Happy Independence Day from Classic San Diego
The travels and experiences of thousands while serving in the US Navy helped to inspire later Polynesian and Tiki crazes. Many of these servicemen came through San Diego at the US Naval Training Center (NTC). Established in 1923 and expanded in 1927, it served as...
Aloha Cafe, Tijuana, 1948
The Aloha Cafe (1928-2011) Tijuana’s first pre-tiki bar, was sporadically located on Avenida Revolución (then known as Main Street by americanos) — for eighty years! It changed hands, was burned down and rebuilt several times, but stood the test of time until a fire...
Recipe: Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas from La Plaza
This is the family recipe for chicken enchiladas baked in a mild sour cream sauce, from Helen Hernandez of La Plaza, Mi Burro and Hernandez’ Hideaway restaurants. Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas La Plaza Mexican Restaurant, La Jolla Recipe for sour cream chicken...
Recipe: Victor’s Salad from Victor’s Tijuana
Victor’s Salad Recipe for the original Victor’s Salad, from Victor’s Sombrero, Tijuana. The recipe below is based on that published in a 1972 cookbook. It has been modernized and quantities have been adjusted for the home cook. For the Salad 2 Cloves garlic, peeled...
Recipe: Whaler’s Grog from the Whaling Bar
A little holiday tummy-warmer from times past! Here’s a simple, hot-cocktail recipe from the old Whaling Bar at the La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, California. Whaler’s Grog, La Valencia Hotel Recipe for Whaler’s Grog cocktail, from the Whaling Bar, La Valencia Hotel,...
Marilyn Monroe at the Hotel Del
Whomever it was to catch the stars while eating breakfast, they certainly scored with this autographed menu from the Hotel del Coronado.