Al Capone, murders, a Miracle, and more in Oceanside!

The City of Oceanside has a remarkably rich and complex history.

Perhaps you know a thing or two about the Oceanside Pier, Camp Pendleton, and even the Top Gun House. But did you know the story of Oceanside includes Al Capone, unsolved murders, a notorious madam, the involvement of Hollywood movie stars, and a mysterious Miracle?

If you’re interested in learning these scintillating bits of Oceanside history, you really should visit this great website. It’s titled Histories and Mysteries.

Histories and Mysteries is the creation of Oceanside Historical Society’s very knowledgeable Kristi Hawthorne. Her website is loaded with old photographs and detailed descriptions that provide truly gripping reading.

I visited the Oceanside Historical Society’s museum yesterday, and I’ll soon be blogging about it. Meanwhile, go ahead and check out Histories and Mysteries. You’ll end up knowing more about Oceanside’s wild history than most of its residents!

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Goose and Maverick’s real prop helmets in Oceanside!

Two super cool props that were actually used in the filming of the hit movie Top Gun can be viewed by the public in Oceanside: the helmets worn by fictional Navy fighter pilots Goose and Maverick (actors Anthony Edwards and Tom Cruise!)

Look for the helmets in the historic Top Gun House near the Oceanside Pier, now the home of An’s Gate D5 Gelato shop!

You’ll find other cool memorabilia too, like a signed Top Gun poster and photographs from 1986.

(No, the Tom Cruise motorcycle in front of An’s Gate D5 is a replica.)

Check it out!

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Coraline mural in Oceanside’s Artist Alley!

Check out this cool mural! It was recently painted in Oceanside’s Artist Alley for a Coraline themed event! (You know–that classic, spooky movie by LAIKA, the movie studio that uses stop motion animation–the same studio that recently released Wildwood.)

Enjoy these photographs taken during today’s walk in downtown Oceanside…

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Joe Musgrove mural in Sorrento Valley.

Caught a glimpse of the Joe Musgrove “LET’S GO!” mural in Sorrento Valley today while on the Coaster train. Got a quick pic!

Joe Musgrove is a locally popular Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Not only did he grow up in San Diego, but he was the first Padre in history to throw a no-hitter!

The mural was painted on the back side of Torrey Holistics in 2024. The intense image of Joe Musgrove was created by artists Paul Jimenez and Signe Ditona of Ground Floor Murals.

Cool!

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Sacrifice and freedom celebrated in Balboa Park!

A special House of USA lawn program was held today at the International Cottages in Balboa Park. It was a celebration of sacrifice and freedom!

Veterans Day is coming up this week, but that didn’t stop early festivities.

The House of USA lawn program included food (I had two chili cheese dogs), patriotic music and the spoken word. The American Legion was on hand, and kids could enjoy a variety of red, white and blue games.

The sacrifices made by United States veterans in defense of the freedoms we enjoy was the central theme of the lawn program.

The ceremony began with the presentation of colors by two members of the Sons of the American Revolution. They wore colonial uniform.

Following the National Anthem and Pledge of Allegiance, four young members of the House of USA’s Royal Court recited poems that express gratitude for the sacrifices of veterans.

Singer-songwriter Oceanna, whose father was a survivor of the Bataan Death March, then sang two moving songs that were filled with quiet strength and sadness.

Later, the San Diego City Guard Band entertained those who’d gathered on the lawn with patriotic music.

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Have fun and be inspired by an artist in North Park!

You have the opportunity to be inspired by a cool San Diego artist during a free community event in North Park next Saturday!

My friend and downtown neighbor James Watts will be sharing his artwork at Expressive Arts, and you’ll have the opportunity to create your own art, too!

To experience the liberating joy of your own creativity, come by the Expressive Arts studio at 3201 Thorn Street on Saturday, November 14, 2026 between 5 and 7 pm.

James Watts will share what inspires him. His heartfelt art on display will include pieces from his 100 Portraits project. My photos provide a few examples.

Expressive Arts in North Park is a refuge for the soul. It’s where people are encouraged to simply create and enjoy life. Art is not only fun, but it can be therapeutic and healthy in so many ways.

Why not swing by for the free community event and have a great time?

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King of Hollywood and a Rolls-Royce in San Diego!

The San Diego Automotive Museum in Balboa Park has opened an amazing exhibition of elegant, historical cars. Art Deco: The Machine Age in Motion features some of the most fantastic automobiles your eyes will ever admire.

When I noticed one of the beautiful cars, a 1931 Rolls-Royce 20/25 Sedanca de Ville by Barker, was purchased by Hollywood legend Douglas Fairbanks for his wife Mary Pickford, I was immediately intrigued!

Perhaps you know that Douglas Fairbanks was once called the King of Hollywood. He was the first actor to play Zorro. He was a founding member of United Artists as well as the Motion Picture Academy. He hosted the first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929.

Here’s a video that explains how he became cinema’s first action hero.

Do you also know that he and his famous actress wife, Mary Pickford, owned a 1237-acre tract of land east of Del Mar, south of the San Dieguito River? The community is now gated and called Fairbanks Ranch.

Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford were divorced in 1936 and their property was abandoned. Their “Casa Zorro” home, an intended refuge from Hollywood, was never built.

The museum’s Rolls-Royce is not only amazing, but two of Hollywood’s greatest stars once rode in it. A museum docent told me the car was named Gladys. Gladys Louise Smith was Mary Pickford’s real name.

The historic vehicle also serves as a reminder that, a century ago, the King of Hollywood intended to build his Casa Zorro in San Diego’s North County.

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Inspirational art painted at Chollas Creekside Park!

Time flies. Hard to believe, but it’s been over five years since I last walked in Chollas Creekside Park. Today I returned and made these discoveries!

At the south end of the main walkway, electrical boxes have been painted with positive messages about nature, life, love and compassion. I also noticed that along the dirt trails on either side of the creek, boulders have been painted with more fun, inspirational art!

I happened to notice this change from across the street, so I hopped on over to investigate. Enjoy my photos.

(To learn more about the Chollas Creekside Park, and see additional photos, check out my past blog post by clicking here.)

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USS Midway Museum prepares for Jingle Jets!

Look what I observed today!

The USS Midway Museum is preparing for their annual Jingle Jets holiday tradition!

Many of the airplanes on the aircraft carrier’s flight deck have already been wrapped with colorful Christmas lights!

I also noticed that the lights strung around one plane (the F-8 fighter jet) were turned on this evening!

Jingle Jets lights up in earnest beginning November 27, 2026 and continues through December 30.

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Sunset photos from flight deck of USS Midway!

Enjoy this collection of photographs. They were taken today around sunset from the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum aircraft carrier.

Yes, the sunset was rather dramatic this evening on San Diego Bay!

Many of these pictures were taken up near the horns of the historic aircraft carrier. You can see North Island and two active carriers across the bay: the Carl Vinson and Abraham Lincoln.

A couple of my photos show aircraft on the flight deck in the foreground.

Here we go…

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