Old Point Loma Keepers Quarters - Exhibit and other San Diego, CA Things to Do Tips

Just some of the wonderful exhibit

The assistant keeper had their own quarters and was constructed at the same time as the lighthouse. It now serves as the Lighthouse Exhibit. It is filled with some really nice information about the keepers and what they endured. Please don't miss it. Take the time to explore and read some of the wonderful features and facts. Some really nice displays.

22 assistant keepers had lived here and two of those assistant keepers where including two women Eliza Jenkins and Maria Israel who keep the light glowing welcoming sailors to safety into San Diego harbor.

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Phone: (619) 557-5450
Address: 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive
Website: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/cab

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Cabrillo National Monument: Old Point Loma Lighthouse - 1855-1891

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Updated by Yaqui

on Jul 30, 2008

New picture of the light house,

2008

There are two light houses. The first was complete in 1855, keeper James P. Keating lit the oil lamp for the first time and keeper Robert Israel was the last that had served 21 years here. It was in serviced for 36 years with 11 keepers and 22 assistant keepers including two women Eliza Jenkins and Maria Israel who keep the light glowing welcoming sailors to safety into San Diego harbor.

Eventually another was built closer since the other was 422 feet to high, since fog was closer to the shore, so the newer one was built closer in 1891 so the ships could see the newer light house better.

You can go inside and see the interior behind secure door with viewing glass. It is nice to see to so you can understand the hardships and yet the comforts during this time period. There is a really neat spiral wood stair case that takes you to the top quarters. Be careful because it is steep and narrow.

Saturday and Sunday, March 1 - 2, and March 15 - 16

9:00 a.m.

Bird Watching Tours � Mendocino Coast Audubon Society

10 a.m. � 4 p.m. Daily

California Historical Landmark NO. 51 OLD POINT LOMA LIGHTHOUSE and on the National Register of Historical Landmarks

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Phone: (619) 557-5450
Address: 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive
Website: http://edweb.sdsu.edu/cab/lighthouse.html

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Things To Do: Star Of India

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Written by Yaqui

on Oct 12, 2008

This very real exhibit is part of the Maritime Museum in San Diego. If you enjoy the sea and love exploring this is the place for you. My family absolutely loved being on the boats and actually feeling the water. Many of ships are still used for special events all year long. The Star of India is a real beauty. She is the oldest active ship and a California and National Historic Landmark. She was constructed at the Ramsey Shipyard on the Isle of Man. She was originally known as the Euterpe, Greek muse of music. She began her very long career in 1863 as a full rigged ship and was constructed of iron mostly instead of wood, which was rare back then.

She had a very rough start with many unhappy times, but eventually in 1871 she began a new career transporting emigrants to New Zealand for the Shaw Savill of London. She sailed around the world 21 times lasting almost a year for each trip. Life on board while sailing was tough. Sea sickness and others diseases claimed many during her journey. Yet, many survived to embark with a new life in New Zealand. Eventually she was sold again back to the America's in 1898 to work as a fishing boat.

Her new owners Alaska Packers renamed her the Star of India in 1906. By 1923 old sailing ships fell on hard times with the steam ships taking over and many found themselves docked for good. Yet, in 1926 San Diegans wanted to save her and bought her for $9,000 and this is where she found her home. She was docked for some time because of the depression and WWII. Finally in 1957 famous author Captain Alan Villiers wrote about her said condition and once again money began trickling in to restore her.

Historical Marker NO. 1030 STAR OF INDIA

Volunteers offered their services and by 1976 she was fully restored. She sailed once again after a fifty years. She still is one of San Diegans pride and enjoys and is dedicated in keeping her maintained.

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Phone: 619-234-9153
Address: 1492 North Harbor Drive, SD, Ca 92101
Directions: On Harbor Drive & Ash Street
Website: www.sdmaritime.org

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Things To Do: H.M.S. Surprise

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Written by Yaqui

on Oct 12, 2008

18th Century Royal Navy Frigate (replica)
She was recreated as a Great Britain�s Nelson era Royal Navy and was originally known as the H.M.S. Rose in 1970. She served as a training vessel for over 30 years. She was purchased by the Maritime Museum in 2004 as the H.M.S. Surprise from 20th Century Fox and was modified for the production film Master and Commander: Far Side of the World. Director Peter Weir and Russell Crowe join forces to create an epic, emotional adventure. Based on author Patrick O'Brian's series of Aubrey/Maturin novels, the movie is set during the Napoleonic Wars. She cannot sail as a training vessel till she is modified back to being a passenger or training vessel.

What is really neat about this vessel is she is like a museum. The exhibits have lots of information about Pirates and the sailor life during the 18th century. Plus they educated school children by having field trips here with some hands on and crafts.

I will admit I was a little startled when a speed boat spun by and caused lots of waves. Wow, this ship started was bobbing up and down really good. In fact, when we got top side the sidewalk railing were banging up and down and did not look safe. One of the attendants ran up it to ensure that we didn't attempt walking on it at the time. I looked at him and said, Ah no problem we'll wait till it calms down. We had three more vessels to explore. When we were in the submarine, we didn't feel the waves hardly at all.

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Phone: 619-234-9153
Address: 1492 North Harbor Drive San Diego, Ca 92101
Directions: N. Harbor Drive & Ash Street.
Website: www.sdmaritime.org

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Things To Do: Berkley 1898 Steam Ferry

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Written by Yaqui

on Oct 12, 2008

From 1898 to 1958 Berkley operated as a ferryboat in the San Francisco Bay. She is a California State Historic Landmark and a National Historic Landmark. She is still very stately and elegant. She nows serve as a museum, library, workshop, model shop, museum gift shop, and you can rent her for special events. Really take your time because she has so much to offer. There are lots to see aboard her. If you go on top is where the passengers use to sit and this is where the special events are held. It is where the restrooms are located at. There are numerous historic photographs and you can see the Californian Vessel passenger�s board and unload from her.

Historical Marker NO. 1031 FERRYBOAT BERKELEY

In 1906 when San Francisco had deadly earthquake, the Berkley carried thousands of survivors to safety since the much of the city was engulfed in fire. She went in extensive restoration in 2003 and in hopes that it will last another 50 years. She is truly a treasure!

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Phone: 619-234-9153
Address: 1492 North Harbor Drive San Diego, Ca 92101
Directions: N. Harbor Drive & Ash Street.
Website: www.sdmaritime.org

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Things To Do: Medea 1904 Steam Yacht

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Written by Yaqui

on Oct 12, 2008

by Yaqui , 2 more photos

Named after a figure in Greek mythology, she was originally owned by William Macalister Hall of Torrisdale Castle, Scotland. She was built of imported teak and quarter-sawn oak, which would explain her elegance to this day. She was built to use as a hunting vessel for around the waterways around Scotland. She eventually ended up back in hand of the very individual who built her, John Stephen. When WWI broke out, she was purchased from the French Navy, renamed the Corneille and put into service as a gun boat complete with a 75mm gun, depth charges, and an observation balloon and escorted the French sailing ships. She returned to her original British colors and name. When WWII she was put into service again for the Royal Navy as barrage balloon vessel. In the 50-60�s she served as a charter yacht. Then in 1971 she was brought by Paul Whittier from a Swedish owner and was restored and donated to the Maritime Museum in 1973. She still sails occasionally during special events.

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Phone: 619-234-9153
Address: 1492 North Harbor Drive San Diego, Ca 92101
Directions: N. Harbor Drive & Ash Street.
Website: www.sdmaritime.org

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Things To Do: B-39 Foxtrot Russion Soviet Submarine

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Written by Yaqui

on Oct 12, 2008

This was an actual Russian Soviet era �Foxtrot� class NATO designation or �Project 641� Soviet Navy designation submarine. She was constructed in the Sudomekh shipyards near Leningrad and commissioned in 1974. This was one of largest diesel electric submarines ever built in its class. She shadowed much of the US navy ships during the cold war. B-39 carried a crew of 78 and could dive to a depth of 985 feet before threatening the integrity of her nickel steel pressure hull. These ships played a big part of the cold war during the Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam War.

I will admit I was very reluctant to board her, but my family was pretty excited to get to explore in it. As we enter her, you need to be careful because there are hazards everywhere. Steep medal stair, valves, knobs, pipes, panels and many other things you could potentially hit your head on. Yet, the one thing of course is the close quarters. One family came in just behind us, but before you know it they went around us except for the dad. He kind of turned around and said, hey were did my wife go. I said, I think she headed out as soon as she could. We practically had the whole sub to ourselves and explored all it had to offer. We were all impressed and enjoyed it very much. You have to admire the individuals who served on vessels like these. It was not an easy task.

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Phone: 619-234-9153
Address: 1492 North Harbor Drive San Diego, Ca 92101
Directions: N. Harbor Drive & Ash Street.
Website: www.sdmaritime.org

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Things To Do: Pilot 1914

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Written by Yaqui

on Oct 12, 2008

� 2006 - Maritime Museum of San

Diego

by Yaqui

Built by Manuel Goularte, Pilot served for 82 years as San Diego�s official pilot boat, what that is when Harbor Pilots are used to help steer very large vessels in and out of ports safely. During WWII she was put into service as patrol boat and still carrying passengers to and from other ships. Secretary of War authorized the display of six chevrons on her stack for every six months of service. She was docked in 1996 due to her deteriorating condition and donated to the Maritime Museum where volunteers lovingly restored her to her former glory.

This vessel was gone at the time, but is part of the Maritime Museum and have they give harbor tours. Check out their web line for more information Pilot Harbor Tours

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Phone: 619-234-9153
Address: 1492 North Harbor Drive San Diego, Ca 92101
Directions: N. Harbor Drive & Ash Street.
Website: www.sdmaritime.org

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Things To Do: Californian 19th Century Replica

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Written by Yaqui

on Oct 12, 2008

by Yaqui , 2 more photos

Constructed at the Spanish landing in San Diego, she is a replica of the 1848 Revenue Cuter C.W. Lawrence that patrolled the coast of California during the gold rush in 1851. The revenue Marines along with other federal vessels were consolidated into the US Coast Guard in 1915. She has 7,000 square feet of canvas for speed and armed with four six pound deck guns. Launched in 1984 for the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles, she was official made in 2003 the designated tall ship of the State Of California. Now she serves as a sea educational program for young and old alike that sails out almost everyday. She is a real gem to the San Diego and to the state of California.

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Phone: 619-234-9153
Address: 1492 North Harbor Drive San Diego, Ca 92101
Directions: N. Harbor Drive & Ash Street.
Website: www.sdmaritime.org

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Heritage Park: Heritage Park Village - Burton House 1893

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Updated by Yaqui

on Jul 30, 2008

by Yaqui