Sunday, September 27, 2009

My Town Monday: Seaport Village

This is a view of Seaport Village from the Embaradero

Seaport Village is a unique shopping area on San Diego Bay.

You park your car in the Seaport Village lot (hint: make sure you get your ticket validated for two hours of free parking, even if it means buying a cup of coffee), then wander along four-ish miles of paths that lead to various free-standing buildings which make up fifty plus shops. There are several restaurants as well. No two stores are alike. For example, there's a kite store, a shell store, a wooden toys stores, a wind chimes store. Oh, and there's a hot sauce store, which figures in I So Don't Do Makeup!

Could a trip to Seaport Village end up being an over-priced bayside shopping experience? Uh, yes. If you let it be.

BUT, you are meandering right next to the water. And there's something exhilarating about that ocean view and air.

AND there's a great grassy area for kite flying.

AND you never know what street performers you'll bump into. Last April, there was a free-of-charge busker festival. (A busker festival features all sorts of street performers from sword swallowers to jugglers to musicians.) At the end of August, there were magic classes for kids. Here's a link to the Events Calendar http://www.seaportvillage.com/entertainment/



This is the sign outside one of my favorite establishments at Seaport Village.

Here's a shot from inside. It really is a terrific bookstore + coffee shop. There are even free board games (like checkers) and tables where you can play.

I always include some time at Seaport Village for my out-of-town visitors.

Seaport Village: West Harbor Drive + Pacific Highway
website for Seaport Village
phone: 619-235-4014.
>blog

And now for a little trivia....Here's what dictionary.com says about the verb "to busk":

–verb (used without object)
1. Chiefly British. to entertain by dancing, singing, or reciting on the street or in a public place.
2. Canadian. to make a showy or noisy appeal.

Say what? "To busk" has a different definition in Canada? I must check with my sisters!



I was also going to include more trivia about the "upstart crow." However, I've run out of time. I'll get to it, though. One of these days.

For links to the other MTM participants, please head over to our My Town Monday blog which was set up by Clair Dickson. Also, if you're even mariginally thinking writing a My-Town-Monday post, please do! Join in! We'd love to have you!

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seaport_Village
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/busker

14 comments:

  1. I used to want to open a bookstore/chess club, where coffee would be served.

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  2. I completelly forgot about Seaport Village! I haven't been in years, but it's a really cool place.

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  3. It made me really miss being there. I love going to Seaport Village whenever we go to San Diego. It's just like you described. Is the carousel still there and the candy shop?

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  4. I stayed at a hotel here a few years ago. It was heaven with the ground floor open to the air and sea.

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  5. Your little village spot makes me think of Baltimore. How quaint.

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  6. It's good to be back to MTM. I love coffeehouse/bookstores---especially independently owned ones!

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  7. What a gorgeous bookstore... :) Liking Sea Port.

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  8. We got to Seaport Village every time we're in San Diego. I have bought some of my favorite books (and a great dictionary!) from that book store :)

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  9. I like the sound of that: Upstart Crow. Very British pubby.

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  10. You have given me a strong desire to head on down to San Diego and visit Seaport Village. It's one place I haven't been yet in San Diego.

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  11. Great photos and a perfect destination to stroll and see the sights.

    Did the bookstore have your book?

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  12. Barbara, they didn't have my book. But they ordered it. And they said they'll definitely stock the paperback version of I So Don't Do Mysteries (Nov.) and I So Don't Do Spooky (Dec). I left bookmarks, and they asked me to come back and sign books when they come in. So, all in all, a great experience!

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  13. sounds like the perfect book store :)

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Comments are always welcome!