Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma

Seaport Village: a fascinating detour after an airport run

My discovery of Seaport Village in San Diego was strictly by accident. I had dropped off a friend at the airport and was looking for a place to have breakfast when I stumbled upon it. After following Harbor Drive from the airport past the Star of India I noticed a sign that said “Seaport Village” and thought it sounded like an interesting place to rest and have breakfast. I wasn’t disappointed – it was a wonderful place for a respite after a hard morning’s fight with traffic.

I had breakfast at the Edgewater Grill overlooking the San Diego Bay. Six years later I am still making Seaport Village and the Edgewater Grill a stop after various “people deposits” at the airport. Since the trip from Fallbrook to the San Diego Airport is over fifty miles, I always find the stop at Seaport Village a refreshing break before the long drive home.

Last week, after a “people deposit” at the airport, my father and I had a hearty breakfast at the Edgewater Grill, where he enjoyed watching US Coast Guard helicopter and watercraft training exercises on the bay.

Seaport Village offers four restaurants and 13 sidewalk “eateries.” The Pier Café is an excellent choice for lunch or dinner. It is built on pilings over the water, has a terrific view of the bay and offers excellent seafood.

Although Seaport Village is a handy place for a stop off before heading back to Fallbrook, it is also a great place to take out-of-town guests or just the family for a day of shopping and relaxation.

An antique carousel that has been refurbished is a lively attraction. The carousel animals were carved in 1895 by Charles Looff and include horses, a dragon and a lion, among other animals.

Seaport Village also boasts 54 shops. I haven’t visited all of them, but two of my favorites include a Scandinavian import shop and the Seaport Village Shell Co., which stocks a number of shells, including some rare varieties. Other fun shops are a store called Hot Licks that sells nothing but hot sauce, a colorful kite store and a Harley Davidson boutique.

Although the shops are unique and certainly a drawing card for Seaport Village, my favorite place to spend time is the long walkway above the seawall. A walk along the seawall in the fresh ocean breeze is enough to put any life challenge into perspective.

The birds flit from tree to tree and their joyful songs add to the relaxing ambiance. Brilliant red bottlebrush and towering poinsettia trees with red blooms brighten the pathways, and a pond with waterfalls and several resident ducks adds to the atmosphere of peace. The air, fragrant with the sweet scent of mock orange and jasmine, makes a walk along the seawall a time of rejuvenation. Boats rocking in the in the harbor complete the aura of relaxation.

On Saturday, May 12, and Sunday, May 13, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Seaport Village will be bustling with a “Busker Festival.” A “busker” is a street performer and Seaport Village will celebrate the art of street performing with its two-day festival.

Seaport Village

Kettner Blvd. & West Harbor Dr.

San Diego

Open 10 a.m. - 9 p.m.

(Restaurants have extended hours.)

Two hours free parking with any purchase, $3 each additional hour.

 

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