When we first planned a trip to San Diego to visit some of my husband’s family members, I envisioned beach time with the 1940s-1950s tropical outfits I had recently sewn. What a great photo op that would be!
However our packed schedule prompted me to not pack the vintage outfits.
Meanwhile I consoled myself that visiting Southern California around autumnal Thanksgiving week, would be chilly and totally non-tropical.
SURPRISE!
Landing at the San Diego the weekend before Thanksgiving, we were immediately greeted by Christmas decor and Christmas music in the airport.
Outdoors showcased stunning bay and beach views while the palm trees swayed under cloudless blue skies with 70 degree temperatures…and more Christmas decorations.
Wow! Northern Virginia is behind San Diego in Christmas decorating!
After we hopped into our rental car we turned on the radio station…Mele Kalikimaka was playing…like, all the time!
When my annoyed husband changed the station, there was a different Christmas song playing, so he changed the station again, only to find more festive Christmas music.
One of those stations even advertised that they play 100% Christmas music around the clock!
As I laughed, I told him it was just like a script from a Hallmark movie!
Meanwhile I enjoyed listening to the Christmas tunes among the tall palm trees, which reminded me of my earliest Christmases in Hawaii.
From our lodging to the palm tree lined streets to the historical sites we saw lots of Christmas decorations.
Most unique was finding Christmas wreaths on the outside of the USS Midway, with their planes lit up at night, and the decks bedecked with holly throughout!
When we visited La Valencia in La Jolla every room was trimmed with Christmas decor…
…as was Hotel del Coronado when we visited the day before…
THANKSGIVING DINNER – JAKES AT DEL MAR
And then Thanksgiving Day arrived, so my husband and I took his mom to her all-time favorite restaurant, Jake’s Del Mar where we got a window seat of the tropical beach!
While they enjoyed typical Thanksgiving fare, I opted for Texas food. I missed my kids and Virginia and the coziness of a true autumn.
So…if I’m going to be in tropical Del Mar, I decided to enjoy my favorite food for the day.
On any other day I’d have chosen a seafood dish, but I wanted enough left overs to keep me going, since nearly everything is closed on Thanksgiving.
This ribeye and asparagus were perfectly cooked…
Curious about the Hula Pie at Jake’s Del Mar, we shared the monstrous treat.
This pie is as large as a Hawaiian volcano, easily shared by all at the table.
First created in Maui, Hula Pie is comprised of macadamia nut ice cream frothed with whip cream that is positioned to replicate a hula skirt.
The tip of the slice always points towards the letter I on the unique serving plate.
HORSE RACING – BING CROSBY
As we left the restaurant we returned to Rancho Bernardo on back streets so I could see some new views.
Driving down Jimmy Durante Blvd, we passed by Del Mar Thoroughbred Club and Racetrack. Jimmy Durante? Horse racing? Like in…Seabiscuit?
The Del Mar Race Track attracted the Hollywood elite because of Bing Crosby.
In 1936, Bing Crosby was approached by William Quigley of La Jolla who had an idea: Del Mar should follow in the hoofbeats of the Santa Anita Racetrack that opened in nearby Arcadia on Christmas Day, in 1934.
Thus, Bing Crosby became both a major investor and a member of the board of directors.
On opening day in 1937, Bing Crosby, himself greeted crowds at the gate.
The following year the infamous Seabiscuit raced at Del Mar, winning by a nose at the first national radio broadcast of a thoroughbred race.
Check this video clip of Seabiscuit’s race with Bing Crosby watching his friend’s horse win!
By the 1940s and 1950s, Del Mar Racetrack was known as the Saratoga of the West.
Hollywood followed Bing to the tracks: Rita Hayworth, Lucy and Desi Arnaz, Ann Miller, Dorothy Lamour.
Check this video clip of the stars at the track on Jimmy Durante Day in 1958.
We continued driving to our destination of Rancho Bernardo in the mountains through much countryside with views galore of golf courses, horse parks, polo fields, and gorgeous homes.
GOLF – BING CROSBY
Then we stumbled upon Bing Crosby Blvd which was near both his home and the golf club named after him: The Crosby Club at Rancho Santa Fe.
Crosby loved to play golf, and played quite well, had only a 2 handicap which is amazing, so he initiated his own golf tournament, inviting his Hollywood friends to play golf alongside the professionals.
Inaugurated in 1937, the Clambake Tournament was first held at Rancho Santa Fe: they’d play first, then enjoy a clambake.
One of the funniest stories is of Johnny Weissmuller who yelled his famous Tarzan yell as he climbed a tree to retrieve his ball. Check it out in the previous link.
While we’re on the topic of golf, check this video clip of Fred Astaire dancing on a golf course (often a song and dance partner with Bing Crosby).
MELE KALIKIMAKA
Driving past all the Bing Crosby history from Del Mar to Rancho Bernardo was only topped by listening to him croon Mele Kalikimaka on the 24/7 Christmas dedicated San Diego radio station.
We could not have staged this if we had tried…nor could Bing.
Today you and I know of the song Mele Kalikimaka because of golf.
In 1949, R. Alex Anderson, who was born in Honolulu, wrote a Hawaiian Christmas song…Mele Kalikimaka.
While playing with singer Bing Crosby, Anderson played the song for the famous crooner who turned it into a hit in 1950 with the Andrews Sisters.
In 1955, it was included in his Merry Christmas album, which has become so popular, even my parents had a copy of the album that I think they got while we lived in Hawaii.
I loved that song then…and I loved it throughout this trip! How fun to experience it in the land of Bing!
