I couldn’t stick around for today’s Veterans Day Parade, but I did pass by the County Administration Building while the participants were lining up along Harbor Drive.
I had enough time to take these quick photos that you might enjoy!
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The Oceanside Historical Society and its museum moved in August 2025 from the Civic Center to a nearby, much larger location at 510 Civic Center Drive. The new Robert A. and Bessie J. Weese Oceanside History Center is a wonderful resource for those wishing to learn all about the rich history of a fascinating city.
I visited the museum’s beautiful new location for my first time a couple days ago.
Wow!
The walls of the museum feature a comprehensive timeline of Oceanside’s history. The indigenous Luiseño . . . Mission San Luis Rey . . . pioneers . . . the coming of the railroad and establishment of early Oceanside . . . World War II and the creation of Camp Pendleton . . . an entire series of developments right up to present day . . . The evolution of this dynamic city is thoroughly covered with historical photographs and detailed descriptions.
Spend some time perusing the timeline and you can visualize how tiny Oceanside appeared long before it became a large coastal city in Southern California.
I learned during my visit that this spacious and welcoming new history center is frequently visited by local students and community groups who want to learn more about the place where they live and its early residents.
The Oceanside Historical Society also maintains an important archive of about 70,000 digitized photographs.
Did you know that the Oceanside Historical Society hosts Downtown History Walks? They’re held on the second Saturday of each month, April through September. The two hour walks provide a firsthand look at many of the city’s historically and architecturally important structures. Learn more about these walks, or enjoy a self-guided walk, by clicking here.
I definitely recommend a visit to the new Oceanside History Center! To plan your visit, check out their website by clicking here.
I took photos to provide an idea of what you’ll experience…
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RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the stories of Holocaust survivors. At this time they have an exhibition in San Diego on the second floor of downtown’s Central Library.
The extensive exhibition, featuring stories and artifacts from the Holocaust and World War II, has previously been located at the Chula Vista and La Jolla libraries. The organization is seeking to create a permanent museum.
To establish a Holocaust museum in San Diego requires a lot of time, effort and fundraising. If you think this effort is important, you can help!
First, check out their website to learn more by clicking here.
I visited the library’s exhibition again today. I learned RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust is now pursuing the acquisition of a very rare Holocaust uniform worn by a Jewish political prisoner in Auschwitz named Saba Goldschmid. You can see it in the above photograph.
You can go to the associated GoFundMe page by clicking here, where you’ll find a detailed description. The hope is to make this uniform part of the RUTH: Remember Us The Holocaust museum collection, where it can be preserved and shared with thousands of people.
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TwitchCon is a huge video livestreaming convention, and it’s returning to San Diego this weekend!
TwitchCon is organized by Twitch Interactive and focuses on the culture of livestreaming, entertainment, esports and internet culture. It seems to grow larger every year.
I noted this evening that banners celebrating TwitchCon have appeared in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.
I took theses photos of streetlamp banners along Fifth Avenue…
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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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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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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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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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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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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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