The VHPASoCal Chapter invites you to our hometown...San Diego, CA, AKA, America's Finest City.  There is so much to do and with the reunion only 5 days long, we're hoping you take this R2010 as an opportunity to extend your stay in beautiful Southern California.  We plan on showcasing a number of must-do-things and places to visit while enjoying our bright sunshine and balmy ocean breeze.  We'll build on this site as time progresses.  Feel free to contact us via email with any questions or comments you have and we'll endeavor to answer your question in a timely manner.  Enjoy the site and above all attend and enjoy the camaraderie of the VHPA 27th Annual Reunion. 

To view the latest itinerary from National Headquarters please view this .pdf file. **New R2010 REUNION INFO FOR ATTENDEES  **New..updated January 27, 2010

**Join us for the 62nd Annual Coronado 4th of July Parade**

March with your unit Banners & Guideons

It’s really fitting that we are holding our Reunion in San Diego, more so that we are walking in the 62^nd Annual Coronado Parade. Coronado or more accurately what used to be North Island (there was an estuary between the two spits of land back then) was the home of Army and Navy Aviation training. It all started in 1914 under head flight instructor Glenn Curtis.

The Parade was really a home town fourth from 1949 to 1968 when the Coronado Ferry company was the only easy way to get to Coronado in a car, but it grew rapidly after the opening of the Coronado Big Blue Bridge in 1969. The single biggest military contingent was in the Parade after the first Gulf War, including lots of very low flying Aircraft.

Between the Parade, Fireworks on the bay, pristine white sand beaches, band in the park, Art in the Park and lots of great pubs and restaurants they say the Island sinks two feet with over a hundred thousand visitors that day.

About this year

For those coming over for the Parade this year from San Diego here’s some info.

Click on the map below to view the OLD TOWN TROLLEY& SEAL TOUR Route  (D) Marriott  (H) Parade Staging Area

We are securing the Old Town Trolley for parade attendees...they will pick us up in front of the Marriott, exact times TBD, drop us off at the staging area.   After the parade they'll pick us up, at a pre-arranged location, then you can continue on the Trolley tour, as outlined on the map, and drop you off at the Marriott.  This is a VHPASoCal Chapter arranged event.  More detailed info to follow...where to obtain tickets, cost, etc.  

The parade kicks off promptly at 10:00AM and is 2 hours long & had 123 groups marching in 2009.  They anticipate around 120,000 people will be in Coronado to view  this years parade!  We at the SoCal VHPA chapter are coordinating directly with the parade officials to make this an event you won't soon forget.  Our EC Board members are invited to have an honored position on the reviewing stand plus much more info to follow.

Orange Blvd. Orange Boulevard is the main drag and runs north and south starts on first St. (on the bay) to the Hotel Del Coronado (on the Ocean). It’s about 13 blocks in total. The Hotel Del Coronado or “the Del” as locals call it, was opened for business in 1898 and is a National Landmark. If you get a chance have a drink on one of its patios looking out over the Ocean. It has great scenery in the summer. The Parade ends there and it’s also the general area where grandstands are.

We are working on getting special grandstands for our folks or an area roped off where we can have chairs brought in.

The Parade goes down the side of Orange going south to the Del (there is a medium dividing north and south traffic.). Both sides of the south 13 blocks to the Del are open to the public to set up beach chairs and blankets for the event. If you are driving over in a rent car come early. The Parade starts at First St. at 10AM people start setting up at 6AM but there’s still room at 8AM. Parking on side streets past 3^rd St is not too bad, around first and second St’s they are blocked off for those in the Parade.

You’ll find pubs and restaurants between first St and Second St. and then again starting on 8th St to the Del. The VFW has the cheapest drinks and food in town and is on the corner of 6^th St.

Finally for this edition there are three (3) types of water transportation to and from Coronado. The Marriott has a water taxi to the Coronado Marriott, the city has a Ferry to Coronado and there are private water taxis. Check at your hotel for times.

Torrey Pines Gliderport - We have negotiated special rates for the VHPA 2010 attendees. 

ONLY $100 (normally $150 - $200) for Tandem Paragliding or Tandem Hang Gliding

The Great San Diego Helicopter Pilot MOTORCYCLE Tour & Sightseeing Ride