Talkin’
Walkin’ in San Diego.
By Jimmy Kelly
For over ten years, early each Friday morning, I met a
friend or two, and walked 12 miles through beautiful sunny San Diego. Most walks began near the statue of Kate
Sessions, at the Sixth Avenue entrance to Balboa Park. And each week a new adventure began as we
traveled over the Prado Bridge into the park.
Gardens, statues, structures, museums, and fountains became close
friends. Hills, trails and canyons all
had identities.
From Balboa Park, on to the world famous San Diego
Zoo. With annual passes, we often
included the entire zoo on these walks (highly recommended). Not only are the animals entertaining, but
the hills of the zoo are great additions to a training walk. 
From the zoo, we’d travel to the north end of the
park, follow the hilly trail across the 1946-built Bubba’s Bridge, (crossing over
163), up Cheney Hill, and to Banker’s Hill.
In this area, there are two historic walking bridges over canyons that
must be experienced – not far from each other. On the Maple Canyon Bridge, the “Rock Game”
was invented. Walkers selected five
small rocks from the side of the street, and from atop the bridge, attempted to
drop their rocks into a trash can, far below. Since that time, the trash can has been
removed and Where You Want to Be Tours has created a new version of the Rock
Game. Then, down Mission Hills, past the
airport to the harbor. A left on Harbor
Drive and it was time to experience the Star of India and the ever-changing art
work, vendors, cruise ships, and foreign vessels.
Then it was time for the Midway and the wooden
platform walkway. As we’d walk into
Seaport Village, the fishing boats were usually unloading their catches and
we’d watch massive amounts of fresh fish prepared for markets and
restaurants. Seaport village, its marina
and the Embarcadero were always calm and quiet at that early hour.
Over the years we viewed the convention center
expansion; building (and delay) of Petco Park; construction of several new hotels
and restaurants; and retailers would come and go. We experienced downtown San Diego’s
preparedness for two Super Bowls and one World Series. Over the years we were invited by
construction managers to tour their new facilities; interviewed live on the
morning news; and we knew the location of all clean rest rooms in downtown San
Diego (Marriott, Horton Grand, Hard Rock and Hilton get five stars).
Our next points of interest were the Gaslamp; Horton
Plaza; and the rest of downtown San Diego.
Then, we’d begin the long trek up Fifth or Sixth Avenue, back to the
park. We also saw the El Cortez Hotel
transitioned from dilapidation to its present state of beauty. For several years, the Spice House on Ninth
Avenue, just south of the park served us breakfast – but even that was torn
down and replaced with a condominium building.
This particular route served as our training course
for the 2004 Rock n Roll Marathon. With
a few additions, such as Harbor Island and Shelter Island, it’s easily extended
for more miles. Whether a walk or run,
regardless of the distance or pace, there are so many points (and people) of
interest and enjoyment, the time quickly passes. Upcoming articles will highlight a few of our
stops.
Every time I return to San Diego, I must walk this
course. Each step is filled with great
memories, and many new additions always await their discovery. For updates, maps, details and shorter tours,
contact Marc and Darlynne. Anyway you do
it, walking in San Diego is a fine adventure.
Editors Note- Jimmy encouraged Marc Menkin to come along on one of these Friday walks in 2002, one year prior to the start of Where You Want To Be Tours. The passion for power walks around Balboa Park and downtown is a big part of what led to the start of the business. Jimmy also was a huge baseball fan and showed us where home plate would be and numerous other quirky and colorful sights in the East Village area, prior to Petco Park being opening in 2004!
Jimmy and Marc are pictured above. Jimmy now lives in Florida with his wife Val.
