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Tiki
A history of classic San Diego and Tijuana Tiki Bars and Restaurants, past and present.
Performers of the Hawaiian Village, San Diego
The Polynesian Room, Escondido
(1964-1970) The Polynesian Room was an island-themed bar and cafe established on January 1, 1964, by John Edward Mason (1924-1996) in a former storefront on Grand Avenue. Mason, a U.S. […]
The Hawaiian Village and Hula-Hula in San Diego
With the opening of The Hawaiian Village at the 1915 Panama-California Exposition in San Diego, Pacific Islander culture, cuisine, traditional hula, and hapa haole music were introduced to mainland audiences. This early cultural exchange set the stage for America’s obsession with all things exotic, Polynesian… and Tiki.
Polynesian Princess, Vacation Village
Don the Beachcomber in its later incarnation as “The Polynesian Princess,” Vacation Village, Mission Bay, San Diego.
What Is Fassionola?
Learn the history of cocktails’ most mysterious ingredient, a passion fruit syrup from the 1930s that touched the lives of druggists, dancers, and dangerous mobsters.
From the Archives: San Diego’s Neon Alley and Sailors’ Row
Along the downtown streets of San Diego during and after WWII, there were dozens of restaurants, clubs, bars, tattoo parlors — all vying for the enlisted man’s paycheck. A high […]
From the Archives: The South Seas Cafe, San Diego
Half Moon Inn Historic Entrance Renovated
Classic San Diego Tiki: The Aloha Cafe, part 1
Classic San Diego Tiki – The Aloha Cafe (1928-2011)