Honoring San Diego Legacies: 2025 Edition

Celebrating community milestones preserves the stories, values, and achievements that shape our shared identity, inspiring future generations to build upon the foundation of those who came before them. In 2014, Ranch & Coast’s late Arts & Culture Editor Darlene G. Davies commemorated San Diego’s cherished Balboa Park and the centennial of the 1915-1916 Panama-California Exhibition that was the catalyst to its creation with a 19-part editorial series. At the time, she wrote that the monumental occasion “bestowed a great gift on San Diego.” Her tribute opened our eyes to the other many gifts given to our community by visionaries, entertainers, intellects, and dreamers. Here, we showcase some of the San Diego institutions — and their unique contributions — celebrating notable anniversaries in 2025.

San Diego is home to the largest concentration of naval power in the world, anchoring missions across the Indo-Pacific and standing as a cornerstone of American defense.

The Continental Congress established the U.S. Navy on October 13, 1775. That same year, the Congress commissioned Samuel Nicholas of Philadelphia to raise two battalions, leading to the creation of the Marines. Nicholas is traditionally regarded as the first Commandant of the Marine Corps, and the first place he sought recruits was at his local watering hole, the Tun Tavern.

Since their founding 250 years ago, the United States Navy and Marine Corps have valiantly defended our nation with honor, courage, and unwavering commitment. They have fought in countless battles, and San Diego’s military roots run deep, dating back to 1846, during the Mexican-American War, when sailors and Marines from the USS Cyane secured what is present-day Old Town and took a stand at Mule Hill during the Battle of San Pasqual.

Theodore Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet made a stop in San Diego following the completion of the Panama Canal in 1908, and soon after, the Marines established Camp Howard, now known as the Marine Corps Recruit Depot. By 1921, the region was home to Naval Air Station North Island, Naval Station San Diego, and Marine Corps Base San Diego as well.

San Diego also played a pivotal role in World War II as a major staging ground for Pacific operations in addition to building warships, training aviators, and preparing Marines for combat. That legacy continued through the Korean and Vietnam Wars, Desert Storm, and now continues into the current post-9/11 era.  Bill Abrams

Celebrating its 100th anniversary, Belmont Park remains an iconic San Diego destination, blending historic charm with modern-day attractions. The beachfront amusement park at Mission Beach delights locals and visitors with rides, games, dining, bike rentals, a full-service athletic club, and endless entertainment. Central to its legacy is the historic Giant Dipper Roller Coaster, one of the country’s oldest, and Plunge San Diego, Southern California’s largest heated pool — both carefully preserved and still beloved today. Guests can ride the coaster, zipline, climb rock walls, play carnival games, or enjoy beachside dining while taking in stunning ocean views. Belmont Park’s vibrant event calendar, from concerts to trivia nights, ensures there’s always something new to experience. belmontpark.com    Mia Park

Midway is a group of tiny islands in the middle of the Pacific, roughly halfway between North America and Asia, where the United States had an airbase. It was there, six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, that the United States sank four Japanese aircraft carriers over the course of a three-day battle.

Although less famous than the events of December 7, 1941, the Battle of Midway was even more decisive, and 80 years ago, in 1945, eight days after the end of World War II, the U.S. Navy commissioned the aircraft carrier USS Midway, which would be the largest warship in existence until 1955.

The retired warship, which last saw action as flagship of American forces during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, was decommissioned in 1992 after 47 years. The Midway celebrated her 20th anniversary as one of San Diego’s most popular destinations as the USS Midway Museum in 2024, and this year is celebrating 80 years since commissioning.

The Midway literally changed naval war tactics when she took to the seas in that she was the first U.S. carrier too large to travel through the Panama Canal. At the same time, when first launched, Midway’s flight deck was ringed with antiaircraft machine guns to guard against kamikaze pilots, the greatest threat imagined at the time.

The machine guns were removed when the original flight deck, designed for propeller planes, was refitted in 1955 with a larger,  angled flight deck to accommodate the new jet-powered aircraft.

Now captained by retired Admiral Terry Kraft, a Navy pilot who served three deployments aboard Midway including more than 40 combat missions during Desert Storm, the Midway passed the million-visitor mark in 2012 and has welcomed more than 20 million visitors overall.

Ironically, one of the hardest parts about bringing the decommissioned ship to San Diego was convincing the city council it could be viable as a museum. Many on the council feared she would turn into a rusting hulk that the city would have to pay to tow away.

Instead, with its history and four-acre flight deck offering some of the finest views anywhere in San Diego, the Midway, in addition to being a living museum, now hosts more than seven hundred events a year, including weddings, Navy retirements, reenlistments, and changes of command. midway.org   Bill Abrams

Founded as St. Mary’s of the Wayside in 1950 and later becoming St. Vincent de Paul Center, Father Joe’s Villages helps San Diegans who are struggling with homelessness and need with respect and dignity. Though it existed for more than 30 years before his arrival, Father Joe Carroll, who was assigned to take the helm in 1982 upon the retirement of his predecessor, quickly gained national and global acclaim for his tireless efforts to serve and support those who needed it most. In 2015, this beacon of hope in the East Village was officially renamed in honor of the great man it had already long become synonymous with — the same year that current president Deacon Jim Vargas took the reins. Though Carroll died in 2021, his legacy lives on in the care and kindness offered to thousands of San Diegans daily though programs including meals, temporary shelter, healthcare, and substance use treatment. The 24th Annual Thanksgiving Day 5K, one of Father Joe’s Villages’ most popular events, takes place on November 27 in Balboa Park. my.neighbor.org   Deanna Murphy

A friend once told me she donates blood regularly as her act of community service. It was an eye-opening statement that provided instant perspective on the simplicity of such a gift: it costs nothing, takes barely any time, and can be done at a time and location of your convenience. Since 1950, the San Diego Blood Bank has relied on this selfless contribution to the health and wellness of strangers, with donations of blood used in treating patients with life-threatening conditions, emergencies, and surgeries as well as research (Dr. Jonas Salk, creator of the polio vaccine, spoke at the dedication ceremony of the bank’s grand opening; more on him and his groundbreaking vaccine to follow). The blood bank enjoyed early success: even in its first years, it averaged 27,000 pints of donated blood annually. Today, that number has soared to more than 150,000 pints. Eight locations throughout the county as well as ten bloodmobiles make giving easy when the time is right — donors can make whole blood donations as frequently as every eight weeks. sandiegobloodbank.org    Deanna Murphy

Seventy years ago, on April 12, 1955, a scientific breakthrough changed the course of public health. The polio vaccine developed by Jonas Salk and colleagues was officially declared “safe, effective, and potent” — a moment heralded as a triumph of medicine over one of the most feared diseases of the 20th century. “The most successful public health interventions are often overlooked or underappreciated — we take them for granted because you don’t see what’s not there,” says Salk Institute President Gerald Joyce. “The near-total absence of polio in the U.S. over the past several decades makes it difficult for most of us to understand just how terrible it was and too easy to devalue the heroic efforts that went into eradicating it,” he adds. Salk’s decision not to patent the vaccine ensured its widespread distribution and exemplified his commitment to humanity. In 1960, Salk furthered his vision of advancing science for public good by founding the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. Designed in collaboration with renowned architect Louis Kahn, the Institute continues to be a hub for life-changing research. salk.edu   Mia Park

The city’s first performing arts center, the San Diego Civic Theatre, celebrates 60 years of entertainment in the heart of downtown this year. Since its 1965 debut, which featured a performance by the San Diego Symphony, this cornerstone of culture has brought us thrills, joy, laughter, and tears through thousands of world-class performances in the form of musicals, operas, ballets, dramas, and more. The venue gave itself a $7.5 million birthday glow-up with beautiful updates to its interior including paint, artwork, textiles, and lighting, upgraded amenities on both sides of the stage for both audiences and performers, and enhancements to the building’s exterior and surrounding spaces. The renewed Civic Theatre was unveiled at a celebration this September, offering the public the chance to honor its past and celebrate the future of this esteemed entertainment destination. sandiegotheatres.org   Deanna Murphy

From its penthouse perch atop the Manchester Financial Centre, Mister A’s has been a beacon for epicures and jetliners alike for six remarkable decades. Since opening in 1965, the Bankers Hill landmark has seen just three owners — founder John Alessio, restaurateur Bertrand Hug, and now Ryan Thorsen, its former operations manager, who took the helm in 2023. Thorsen’s deep admiration for Mister A’s inspired a full renovation of its 11,000-square-foot dining room and menu, thoughtfully balancing modern elegance with cherished history — ensuring this beloved San Diego classic continues to shine for generations to come. asrestaurant.com   Mia Park

The lush, 37-acre San Diego Botanic Garden is home to 5,300 plant species including the largest public bamboo collection in North America and the rare and — ahem — fragrant corpse flower, which was gifted to the garden in 2016 and only just bloomed for the first time this past September. This urban oasis in Encinitas proved to be an oasis of a different kind when my kids were young, its children’s gardens a haven of discovery, exploration, and fun, but the garden’s calendar also features adult programming and workshops that make purchasing an annual membership an easy decision to make. Not only is it an inviting destination for the public to explore both exotic and native plants, the garden is also actively involved in conservation projects including seed banking, restoration, and education, and it collaborates with scientific institutions, nonprofits, and local Tribal organizations to research and innovate within the world of plants as medicine. sdbg.org   Deanna Murphy

This year marks a milestone 50 years for Hoehn Motors, a trusted name synonymous with integrity, innovation, and exceptional service in San Diego’s North County. The Hoehn family’s automotive legacy began nearly a century ago, when T.W. Hoehn founded Hoehn Chevrolet in Memphis in 1938. His son, T.W. Hoehn Jr., expanded the business nationwide before settling in La Jolla. In 1975, recognizing the promise of the growing North County region, he purchased Brooking Oldsmobile-Honda-Mercedes in what would become Car Country Carlsbad — one of the first auto malls in the nation. Over the past five decades, the Hoehn family has built upon that foundation of excellence, growing with the community and earning a reputation for quality, trust, and family-driven values. Today, the Hoehn Family of Dealerships represents seven world-class brands in Carlsbad — Audi, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Sprinter — along with a second Audi dealership in Temecula. Now led by brothers Bill Hoehn and Bob Hoehn and their children, Ted, Adrienne, Jo Hannah, and Susanah, the family continues to uphold the tradition of customer care and community commitment that has defined the Hoehn name for generations. hoehnmotors.com    Mia Park

From its genesis in 1980 at the hands of two determined women, retired social worker Elizabeth Bacon and then law student Kathryn Ashworth, Esq., Voices for Children has evolved to be a powerhouse organization that has provided advocacy for more than 100,000 children in the foster care system in San Diego and Riverside Counties. By activating court-appointed special advocates, or CASAs, to offer support, companionship, guidance, and hope, Voices for Children speaks up for children when they need it most. If you take a moment to chat with a CASA volunteer, it’s quickly apparent that the responsibility is also a privilege, enriching the lives of both advocate and child. “The reinforcement that you get not only from your child, but from the team who wants to have such a good outcome and acknowledges that you play a vital role in that outcome is so rewarding, and was something that I did not expect,” a CASA told us in 2017. Ashworth, Voices for Children’s trailblazing co-founder and longest-serving volunteer, was honored with the inaugural CASA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024. speakupnow.org    Deanna Murphy

Founded by brothers Peter Najjar and John Najjar in 1985, Seaside Market has become a beloved gathering place in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, known for its premium products, warm service, and deep community roots. From its world-famous “Cardiff Crack” tri-tip to its ongoing support of local causes, the cherished coastal institution is where great food and good people come together. As part of its 40th Anniversary Celebration, Seaside Market will host The Holiday Taste of Seaside on Saturday, November 8, from 11am to 4pm. The free community event invites guests to kick off the holiday season with a day full of flavor, fun, and festive cheer. The front patio will transform into a lively farmers market-style pop-up featuring local vendors, live music, giveaways, and family-friendly activities. Guests can enjoy complimentary tastes from Seaside’s beloved holiday menu, along with samples from favorite local partners and producers. “We’re incredibly grateful for 40 amazing years of community support,” says Peter. “The Holiday Taste of Seaside is our way of saying thank you — celebrating the season with the people who have made Seaside such a special part of Cardiff for four decades.” seasidemarket.com   Mia Park

Nestled in the heart of Rancho Santa Fe, Mille Fleurs has been synonymous with fine French dining and elegant celebrations since Bertrand Hug first opened its doors in 1985. Set in an inviting country-home setting with gardens, patios, and a charming piano bar, the restaurant has earned national acclaim including Food & Wine’s “Top 25 in America.” Adorned with vintage Portuguese tilework and its iconic courtyard shaded by a century-old Chinese oak, Mille Fleurs remains a cherished destination for unforgettable meals and music. On weekends, longtime entertainer Randy Beecher fills the piano bar with warmth and song — a fitting tribute to four decades of timeless charm. millefleurs.com   Mia Park

Barry Podwell’s long-time neighborhood eatery, Firenze Trattoria, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Located in The Ranch (formerly the Rancho Santa Fe Plaza), this beloved restaurant has long been a gathering place for families, not just for everyday dining, but also for countless special occasions including weddings, bar mitzvahs, graduation dinners, and bridal showers. Large Italian frescoes adorn the interior, while Firenze’s romantic patio complete with a fountain and string-lighting sets the stage for an authentic Tuscan-style dining experience. Many of the dishes have stood the test of time, remaining on the menu since opening day. Standouts include the Polenta Funghi — soft polenta with sautéed mushrooms, gorgonzola, and truffle oil; the Linguine Vongole, with baby clams, garlic, shallots, and white wine sauce; and the Agnello alla Chianti, a rack of lamb served in a red wine and pancetta reduction. The celebration continues with half-priced bottles of wine every Monday night, and no-corkage Tuesdays, when guests are invited to bring their own bottle to enjoy with dinner.  firenzetrattoria.com   Terryl Gavre

On Sunday, November 2, Susan G. Komen will host the 30th annual San Diego More Than Pink Walk at Balboa Park, uniting breast cancer survivors, those living with metastatic breast cancer, and supporters for a day of community, hope, and action. The event raises critical funds — with a $700,000 goal — to support lifesaving research, patient care, and advocacy. In fiscal year 2025 alone, Komen’s Patient Care Center provided assistance to 2,108 Californians, including $478,400 in financial aid to eligible patients in active treatment or living with metastatic breast cancer, demonstrating the organization’s meaningful local impact. komen.org/sandiegowalk   Mia Park

With a fierce love and unwavering commitment to the preservation of the California and Baja coastlines, Wildcoast’s co-founder and executive director Serge Dedina has led the nonprofit for a quarter century, activating passion into success through initiatives that address everything from protecting gray whale lagoons and sea turtle nesting beaches in Mexico to working with governments on both sides of the border and generating millions in funding for conservation projects on land and in the water. His no-nonsense approach and undeterred spirit galvanize support from both those who have the power to support efforts financially and those living in remote communities that are deeply impacted by the ravages of climate change, creating jobs and empowering them to improve the future of their home. “The idea is conservation from the ground up,” Dedina told Ranch & Coast in 2024, “where you’re really saying, ‘How can we support efforts to protect these amazing places and protect and recover wildlife and restore nature?’” wildcoast.org   Deanna Murphy