So excited!
Have you ever had a duty station bucket list? As a California Native, I was excited to find out that my husband was assigned to San Diego! I looked forward to sharing its rich history and wealth of National Historic Landmarks with our children. In the few years that we have been stationed in San Diego, we have experienced many of the city’s highlights. However, our five favorite places are as follows:
Cabrillo National Monument
When my husband deployed for the first time on a carrier, our children and I watched the ship from Cabrillo National Monument. This is located at the end of Point Loma, with picturesque views of the San Diego harbor. Whether we are exploring the tide pools, touring the Historic lighthouse,
or reading about the site’s World War II military history, we can always count on finding something to do at Cabrillo as a young family of four. One of the best parts about Cabrillo is that as a military family, admission is free! All thanks to the complimentary annual national park pass
generously provided by the National Park Service.
USS Midway
Being that my husband was stationed on a carrier for his first deployment out of San Diego, I had a strong desire to experience life on a ship. Located at Navy Pier in downtown San Diego, the USS Midway is a retired Navy ship. It is best known for being the United State’s longest serving carrier in the 20th century. Highlights for our family included touring the ship’s sleeping quarters. We imagined how our sailor must have felt during his time underway. Definitely one to add to your duty station bucket list!
Liberty Station
Described as “A portal to the past, an experience for the present, and a promise for the future,”Liberty Station has quickly become our favorite spot in San Diego. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places Liberty Station is now home to the Liberty Public Market, parks and open spaces perfect for little ones to run about. It also had residential, educational, retail, and arts districts. Whether you are looking for activities for the whole family, or fresh ideas for a date night with your spouse – Liberty Station has it all.
Mission San Diego de Alcala
Having descended from our Nation’s first people, it is imperative for my children to understand indigenous history. Mission San Diego de Alcala was founded in 1769 and is the first of California’s Franscician Missions to be founded and built. Home to the converted Kumeyaay people, the mission features breathtaking mission bells on the church facade as well as priceless preservation of California’s cultural heritage. This mother of California Missions also features the state’s first vineyard and has a wonderful walking tour perfect for curious little ones.
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery
As a family of service, descended from a long line of Patriots, we have been taught the importance of paying our respects and remembering those that have carried the flame of freedom before us. Located on the way to Cabrillo National Monument, the Federal Military Cemetery features breathtaking views of the San Diego Bay on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other. Once home to the former Army coastal artillery station at Fort Rosecrans, the cemetery spans over 77 acres and is a place of peace for our brave patriots to rest eternally knowing they will not be forgotten.
The cemetery is host of the city’s largest memorial day ceremony, and is honored during the month of December by Wreaths Across America. This is an organization committed to remembering our fallen with care and wreaths, honoring those who serve, and teaching children the value of freedom. We volunteered starting when the kids were one and two and were deeply moved by the experience. We look forward to attending yearly while stationed in San Diego.
