VHPA 2010 Reunion - Special Events

June 30 - July 5, 2010
VHPA 27th Annual Reunion in...
'America's
Finest City' San Diego, California - Home of the VHPA Southern
California Chapter
WELCOME TO SAN DIEGO
This is a list of places we at the VHPA SOCAL CHAPTER think are the top sight seeing places in southern California, If you are going sight seeing do it after 11:00 AM
1. CABRILLO NATIONAL MONUMENT.
2.BEACHES. Coronado (by the Hotel Del) and La Jolla Beaches are fine family beaches and close to the hotel, but if you want the beach life, Boardwalk, Amusement Park with a wooden roller coaster and other rides then MISSION BEACH is the one. But a word to the wise during the 4th of July Week All of the beaches will be packed and parking is very hard to find, so think of car pooling our riding the bus. If you have never been in the Pacific ocean in California the water is COLD.
3.OLD TOWN. Old town is covered in detail at a other listing on this site.
4. MT SOLEDAD VETERANS MEMORIAL, Mt Soledad has a spectacular view of Mission Bay Park, the Ocean at La Jolla Beach, and Inland county, Mt Soledad is covered in detail at a other listing on this site
5. THE GASLAMP AND PETCO PARK. Petco Park is home to the San Diego Padres and is covered in detail at a other listing on this site,
The Gaslamp has lots and lots Restaurants and Night Clubs (Bar’s). we will have a list of Restaurants and night clubs with special offers for our members, but if HAPPY HOUR is what you are looking for go to http://www.happyhourmagonline.com/ we will have some copies of the HAPPY HOUR MAGAZINE at the registration desk.
6. THE FLYING LEATHERNECK AVIATION MUSEUM, The Museum is at the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, It has a public museum gate on Miramar Rd and is . FREE. For more Info. Go to http://www.flyingleathernecks.org/ 7. SEA WORLD, LEGOLAND, SAN DIEGO ZOO/WILD ANIMAL PARK. HOTEL DEL CORONADO.
SEA WORLD. See
http://seaworld/sandiego/LEGOLAND. See
http://www.legoland.com then click on USASAN DIEGO ZOO. See
http://www.sandiegozoo.orgHOTEL DEL CORONADO. See
http://hoteldel.com8. TIJUANA MEXICO. If you want to go to Tijuana you will need you passport to get back into the USA. The Trolley will take you to the border. Gray Line Tours has a shopping tour, but only on Tue. Thur. Fri. Sat. AM 0800-2:30. PM 1:30-7:30 PM. $36.00 With $5.00 off with coupon from the Visitors Guide you will get one at registration, or see
http://sandiego.org or you can call me TOM CROSBY 858-486-6535 for more info. On TIJUANA9. LOS ANGELES. If you still have time or planned to go to LOS ANGELES. GOOGLE LOS ANGELES VISITORS BUREAU, Then click on 100 Free things to do in LA. When I take out of town visitors to LA. For a 1 day trip I would take them first to the GETTY CENTER, a world class art museum,
http://www.getty.edu/visit/ after that the GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY,http://www.griffithobs.org You have seen the Observatory as the back drop of many movies, and a spectacular view of the city on a clear day (but not in July) and a good view of the Hollywood Sign over by the snack stand, after Griffith Park it is a short ride to the Hollywood walk of fame, were parking is hard to find on the streets, if you want a picture of the Hollywood sign go to the back of the mall at the other end of the street from the Chinese theatre, when done if you would like a different restaurant try YAMASHIRO RESTAURANT, (250 feet above the Chinese theatre on Hollywood blvd,) with views like Griffith Observatory and Japanese gardens. http://www.yamashirorestaurant.comThere are a lot of other places to go the list goes on and on, VENICE BEACH/OCEAN FRONT WALK, SANTA MONICA PIER, MALIBU BEACH, AND ON.
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To view the latest itinerary from National Headquarters please view this .pdf file. R2010 REUNION INFO FOR ATTENDEES **New..updated May 27
Latest BULLETIN - R2010 OVERFLOW HOTEL INFO .pdf file
**New..updated May 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 62nd 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, from 8:30AM - 9AM, 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. Our units will be
towards the beginning of the parade, bring and display your unit
banners... tickets will be available in the registration area (at
table marked Parade and Old Town Trolley), cost is $25 for an Old
Town Trolley ticket that can be used all day (normal cost is $34).
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.
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 3rd 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 6th 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


If you have ever wanted to taste a Paragliding or Hang Gliding flight, the Torrey Pines Gliderport is the place to be! Torrey Pines offers Tandem flights year round. Their team of fully qualified Tandem Instructors have provided over 35,000 injury free tandem flights since 1997! The Instructional Tandem Flight program is available seven days a week, 9am to 5pm, as long as winds allow. This means there will be Tandem Instructors there on a daily basis and if the winds are suitable then we can fly tandems! Peak flying hours at TPG typically takes place in the early afternoons between 12 and 3pm. All you need to do to make it happen, is call the Gliderport the morning you want to fly, just to check if wind conditions are suitable, and then it is simply first come first serve! The phone number is (858) 452-9858.
:Visit the Torrey Pines Glider Port: and read about Tandem Paragliding and Tandem Hang Gliding and the SPECIAL DISCOUNT negotiated for VHPA attendees. Be sure to thank the Gliderport owner, Robin Mariam.
Send requests/reservations or questions to Mike O'Neil at Hq@VHPASoCal.org
The
Great San Diego Helicopter Pilot MOTORCYCLE Tour & Sightseeing Ride
The ride is planned for Thursday, 1 July 2010 beginning around 0800 or so. Final routes will not be declared until May as we are still looking at road conditions. The plan is to have both a spirited group and a group more interested in sightseeing. One probable destination is Julian for some apple pie. Mount Palomar is in the discussion as well as other southern destination. I am working on getting discounted rentals for those who need them, but I do need a count of those needing to rent and the number of days the rental will be desired.
Contact information – John Gretzinger, jdgretz@linkline.com or jgretzinger@socal.rr.com Tel:818-314-5039 (cell) 818-340-5264 (home) leave message on voicemail.
Major
League Baseball Fans - The San Diego Padres will be in town during
our reunion
PETCO Park is spectacular in every way, combining the best sight lines in baseball with breathtaking views of San Diego. Architecturally magnificent, it celebrates the sea, the sky, the natural beauty, cultural diversity and unique spirit of our region. Innovative design features evoke the timeless traditions of baseball in an intimate setting, with state-of-the-art fan amenities to suit every taste and budget.
Enjoy beautiful PETCO Park while you're in San Diego, the park is within walking distance from the Marriott, less than 5 minutes away! The crown jewel of downtown San Diego, PETCO Park serves up baseball Southern California style-complete with swaying palm trees and a sandy beach beyond center field.
The Padres will be at home playing Colorado, June 28 - 29 -30. The 28 & 29 are evening games starting at 7:05PM, enjoy an afternoon game Wednesday July 30th beginning at 12:35PM. During July 1 - 4 the Padres will be hosting Houston with a 4 game series. Thursday & Friday (July 1 & 2) are evening (7:05PM) games, Saturday July 3 the game starts at 5:35PM, Sunday July 4 is a 1:35PM game...you all have 7 games to choose from and believe me you'll have a fun time at beautiful PETCO Park in 'Americas Finest City'. Be sure to bring your sunscreen if you choose a seat in the sun.
The Padres have new owners as of 2009 and for 2010 they have instituted a new FOOD & BEVERAGE pricing (Lower!!) to attract more fans. Please check their website for SEATING & TICKETS INFO and remember we qualify for senior discounted tickets! See you at the Ball Game, enjoy beautiful San Diego.
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park
presents the opportunity to experience the history of early San
Diego by providing a connection to the past.
Learn
about life in the Mexican and early American periods of 1821 to
1872. Even today, life moves more slowly in this part of San Diego,
where the hustle and bustle is balanced with history and fiestas.
Visitors are offered a glimpse into yesteryear, as converging
cultures transformed San Diego from a Mexican pueblo to an
American settlement. The core of restored original historic
buildings from the interpretive period are complemented by
reconstructed sites, along with early twentieth century buildings
designed in the same mode. The Historic Plaza remains a gathering
place for community events and historic activity. Five original
adobe buildings are part of the historic park, which includes
museums, unique retail shops, and several restaurants.
La
Casa de Estudillo is a mansion built around a garden
courtyard. La Casa de Machado y Stewart is full of
artifacts that reflect ordinary life of the period. Some of the
other historic buildings include the Mason Street School
(California's first public schoolhouse), La Casa de Machado
y Silvas, the San Diego Union Printing Office
(site of the city's oldest surviving newspaper office), and the
first brick courthouse. The Seeley Stables Museum,
with newly rehabilitated exhibits on overland transportation, houses
one of the finest wagon and carriage collections.
Visitors can experience a working blacksmith shop, enjoy music, see
or touch the park's burros and engage in activities that represent
early San Diego.
San Diego became California's first Spanish settlement when a
mission and fort were established in 1769.
Old Town is easy to get to from the Marriott Hotel, walk across the street and board the trolley at the Seaport Village Station going to the Old Town Trolley Center...and you're there! It's easy and fun.
Shops at Seaport Village
Located behind the Marriott Hotel on the Embarcadero North Marina Park with over 50 places to shop, very well might have everything. Clothing for women, men and kids. Souvenirs, art, toys. Gifts for others, gifts for yourself. And in between the variety in all the shops, the everything continues—a lagoon, a carousel, a marina and much more. You'll be able to see Seaport Village from your hotel room if your room is facing the Bay. Request a Bay view hotel room!
Click
picture to view write-up.
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