Senior Wednesdays
2024-05-29 03:00 - 09:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | CA
Seniors 65+ can enjoy free admission to the Center on Wednesdays. Discover the science of archaeology through our interactive Archaeology 101 exhibit, explore the cultural periods of San Diego, and uncover the Lives and Lifestyles on Block 112: The Untold Story of San Diego’s Working Class.

Storytime with an Archaeologist
2024-05-30 03:00 - 04:00, 2024-05-30 07:00 - 08:00 | CA
Join us on select Thursday mornings and afternoons for archaeology-themed story time at the Center. Stay afterwards to explore the museum with family-friendly activities like our Archaeology Quest and Field Lab. Kids 12 & under: Free; Adults: $5 (includes museum admission)

Free Family Day
2024-06-01 03:00 - 07:00 | CA
Enjoy a free day of activities for the whole family and get a taste of all the fun we’ll be having at our upcoming summer camp! Camp Leader Adam will kick things off with an interactive “What is Archaeology?” presentation and Education Specialist Hayden will teach kids how to make clay pottery. Kids can explore the museum on an Archaeology Quest, and families are invited to bring picnics to enjoy in the museum’s native plant garden along with lemonade and cookies.
Please note: Activities will start promptly at 10 AM and 12 PM.

ASM Affiliates: Saging the World Documentary Screening
2024-06-01 10:00 - 13:00 | CA
Sage smudging has become a viral trend. What’s the truth behind the smoke? Documentary film screening followed by Q&A with Heidi Harper Lucero. Screenings at 5:30 and 7:30 PM on Saturday, June 1, 2024 at Blue Fire Brewing. Try Blue Fire’s “White Sage” brew to support ASM Public Archaeology workshops!
This event is hosted by ASM Affilates, the California Native Plant Society, and Blue Fire Brewing. Contact msherman@asmaffiliates.com for more information.

Art with an Archaeologist
2024-06-08 03:00 - 07:00 | CA
Free admission for kids on select Saturdays! Join us for family-friendly activities in our classroom, where you can create your own art with an archaeologist, become a junior archaeologist with our miniature excavation units, and curl up with a book on our cozy reading rug. Families can also explore the museum on an Archaeology Quest and check out our Excavation Station and Field Lab.
Kids 12 & under: Free; Adults: $5 (includes museum admission)

2nd Saturday Lecture Screenings
2024-06-08 03:30 - 07:00 | CA
Join us every 2nd Saturday of the month for two screenings of our Living Room Lectures by archaeologists, experts, and authors. Lecture screenings start at 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM and are included with museum admission. No reservations needed. Seating is first come, first served.
10:30 AM – More Than Just Food. More Than Just Faunal Remains. Ethnozoology of the Kumeyaay People by Richard Carrico
For the Kumeyaay people of San Diego County, animals, birds, insects, and other creatures hold a special place in the cosmos and played a variety of important roles. Their embodiment is not always easily visualized because some creatures, large and small, exist in worlds not always seen by most humans, and rarely acknowledged by archaeologists. For many of the native people, there was a time when animals were actually human. In the mythic, ancient time what we now know as humans, or more correctly as mortals, did not exist. The world was inhabited by animals and by animals who were humans but not mortals—these were the Early People and some creatures could embody traits of what came to be known as the mortal humans and animals. Only later in time did the separation grow between animals and humans, and at that time the humans became mortal. This presentation will provide an analysis and discussion of the role and place of non-human creatures within the world and cosmos of the Kumeyaay people of San Diego County.
12:30 PM – Communing with Earth and Ancestors: Ancient Maya Cave Rituals by Jon Spenard
The ancient Maya are perhaps best known for their jungle-covered cities with large plazas and grand temples standing taller than the forests encasing them. These built places are often depicted as the settings of elaborate state rituals where elites would perform their ceremonial duties in front of the masses. Yet important rituals were not performed only in cities. Archaeological research over the last few decades has come to reveal that caves and cave-like spaces were among the most potent and important places for ritual performances by the ancient Maya. They were the places where the ancestors originally emerged from and where they returned to after their passing. They were also portals to where powerful Earth forces, particularly the rain deity, could be ritually accessed and negotiated with. In this talk, Dr. Jon Spenard will discuss his ongoing cave ritual research in Belize with a particular focus on understanding the relationship between cave rituals and the ancient Maya collapse.

Save Our Heritage Organization: Penning the Past Zoom Lecture - Point Loma
2024-06-08 04:00 - 05:00 | CA
Join the Save Our Heritage Organization to learn about the unique character of San Diego’s historic neighborhoods through the eyes of impassioned writers and historians. Brought to life by esteemed local authors, Penning the Past promises to be an enriching exploration of San Diego’s architectural legacy and historical tapestry. The series is free for SOHO members, $10 per lecture for non-members. Your participation supports SOHO’s mission of education and advocacy to preserve the historic architecture, sites, and cultural landscapes that surround us and add meaning to our daily lives.
Point Loma by Eric DuVall and Kitty McDaniel
From the arrival of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo in 1542 to the current world-class yachtsmen and women, San Diego’s beautiful natural harbor hugs the peninsula of Point Loma and boasts a significant past. The strategic location of Point Loma has been home to both military defense and business genius. The fishing fleets of the Chinese and Portuguese communities earned the Roseville area of Point Loma the nickname “Tunaville.” Today, Point Loma is one of San Diego’s most historic neighborhoods; a destination for culture, fine dining, and sportfishing; and host to important military bases. Visitors from around the world enjoy spectacular vistas and waterfront views of the Pacific Ocean, harbor, city, and islands and mountains of Mexico from atop the peninsula at Cabrillo National Monument and Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.
Author bio Eric DuVall is a freelance writer, photographer, and graphic designer. He has worked in the hospitality industry, the grocery business, radio, television, print media, and had his own graphics and printing business. A graduate of Point Loma High and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, he was once a grad student at SDSU. Eric is the founder of the University Heights Community Development Corporation, co-founder of the University Heights Community Association, and is currently the president of the Ocean Beach Historical Society. He has twice been recognized by the California State Assembly for his work in the community. Eric has one cat, two adult daughters, and three grandchildren, who are, of course, his favorites.
Kitty McDaniel is a native San Diegan who grew up in Pacific Beach during the 1960s and 1970s. She attended San Diego State University where she earned her BA and teaching credential. Her joy of teaching led to a successful career for 35 years, and she still enjoys tutoring children in elementary and middle school. She is president of La Playa Trail Association in Point Loma, and in her spare time she loves to run, surf, and research the history of her beloved hometown, San Diego.
This event is hosted by the Save Our Heritage Organization. For more information, questions, and registration, please contact the event organizer.

The Nat: Canyonners Guided Hike at Cleveland National Forest
2024-06-15 02:00 - 07:00 | CA
Walk under pines, oaks, and incense cedars, on this 6-mile hike that follows the Agua Dulce fire road with a return on the Gatos Spur.
This is an intermediate 5-mile hike with an elevation change of 750 feet. The hike is scheduled from 9 AM–2 PM. (Mount Laguna) From I-8 E, exit on the Sunrise Highway (S-1). Turn left and go 8.1 miles. Turn left at the Wooded Hills Campground sign. Go 0.6 mile to the Agua Dulce Trailhead parking lot on the right. A National Forest Adventure Pass is required to park. See http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/cleveland/passes-permits/recreation#adventure for more information. Facilities. (GPS N32.853845, W116.435488).
This event is hosted by the San Diego Natural History Museum. Advance registration required. For more information, questions, and registration, please contact the event organizer.

Save Our Heritage Organization: Seventh Avenue Walking Tour
2024-06-16 05:30 - 06:30 | CA
Tour starts at the Marston House Museum Shop in the carriage house.
What began as a ten-acre, barren enclave owned by George W. Marston is now the shady and secluded 3500 block of Seventh Avenue, a cul-de-sac that is perfect for a one-hour guided walking tour. This tour contains new content inspired by SOHO’s celebration called Irving Gill: Progress & Poetry in Architecture. The Marston House Museum & Gardens is one of about ten homes on the street, built between 1905 and 1913. Many were designed by Gill, when he was a partner in Hebbard & Gill, and they illustrate his design progression from English Arts & Crafts to Prairie Style to his ultimate triumph, cubistic Early Modernism-all in the space of two years, 1905 and 1906.
Marston was San Diego’s most prominent leader of the Progressive Movement. He, Gill, and other Progressives championed civil rights for African and Mexican Americans, women’s suffrage, child labor laws, food and drug safety measures, while they opposed corruption, alcohol and vice. Gill translated Progressive values of good health through fresh air and contact with nature, cleanliness and sanitation, and incorporated labor saving devices into his architecture, including the Marston House.
This tour is ADA accessible.
This event is hosted by the Save Our Heritage Organization. For more information, questions, and registration, please contact the event organizer.

The Nat: Canyoneers Guided Hike at Cuyamaca Rancho State Park
2024-06-22 01:00 - 05:30 | CA
Paula Knoll Memorial Hike. This loop trail begins and ends at Paso Picacho Campground. The walk is through meadows and dense forest, following a creek. Azaleas, columbines, and tiger lilies bloom along this shady, cool stream.
To celebrate the end of the Canyoneer hiking season and honor long-time Canyoneer Paula Knoll, the Canyoneers invite participants to a picnic and potluck following this hike. We will be barbequing hamburgers and brats and also some other items for you to enjoy. Please feel free to bring your own drinks and anything else you would like to have or share. This is an intermediate 5-mile hike with an elevation change of 850 feet. The hike is scheduled from 8 AM–12:30 PM. (Descanso) From I-8, exit north on CA-79 and go 2.6 miles. Turn left to stay on CA-79 and go 9.3 miles to the entrance of the Paso Picacho Campground on the left. Meet the Canyoneer host in the parking lot. A Day Use Fee or California State Park Pass is required for each vehicle (1 day for $10). Day use passes can be purchased online using the Yodel app (follow instructions on the signs found at parking locations – $0.35 fee added), at a kiosk, or Iron Ranger, depending on the location. Note: Any Day Use pass is valid at all locations that require a pass within the park. See https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=1049 for more information. Facilities. (GPS N32.960090, W116.580295)
This event is hosted by the San Diego Natural History Museum. Advance registration required. For more information, questions, and registration, please contact the event organizer.

Story Time with an Archaeologist
2024-07-04 10:00 - 11:00 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States
Join us on select Thursday mornings for archaeology-themed story time at the Center. Stay afterwards to explore the museum with family-friendly activities like our Archaeology Quest and Field Lab.

Archaeology Summer Camp Session 1
2024-07-08 02:00 - 08:00 | CA
Join us for an unforgettable week at the San Diego Archaeological Center’s KIDS DIG Archaeology Summer Camp! Kids will embark on a journey through time as you explore the rich history and culture of our shared human past through a variety of hands-on activities, including basketry, local hiking, honing your archery and atlatl skills, crafting pottery, ancient games, and decoding Ice Age rock art from around the world.
Whether your child or grandchild is a budding archaeologist or just eager to experience the past in a whole new way, our summer camp offers something for everyone. Get ready for a week filled with adventure, discovery, and endless fun! Space is limited to 25 campers per session. Ages: 6-12. Sign up now and let the adventure begin!
Registration is closed for Session 1. View our Archaeology Summer Camp page for Session 2 registration and more details.

Save Our Heritage Organization: Penning the Past Zoom Lecture - La Jolla
2024-07-13 04:00 - 05:00 | CA
Join the Save Our Heritage Organization to learn about the unique character of San Diego’s historic neighborhoods through the eyes of impassioned writers and historians. Brought to life by esteemed local authors, Penning the Past promises to be an enriching exploration of San Diego’s architectural legacy and historical tapestry. The series is free for SOHO members, $10 per lecture for non-members. Your participation supports SOHO’s mission of education and advocacy to preserve the historic architecture, sites, and cultural landscapes that surround us and add meaning to our daily lives.
La Jolla by Carol Olten

La Jolla, California, famously known as “The Jewel,” is noted for its natural beauty and appealing Mediterranean-like climate. Magnificent sea cliffs and caves, bathing coves, and sandy beaches have attracted visitors, developers, and residents since the 1880s. By the early 1900s, a small community developed with artists congregating to the internationally known Green Dragon Colony. Newspaper heiress Ellen Browning Scripps and her half-sister Eliza Virginia established residences and became the community’s renowned philanthropists. Many beautiful homes and institutions, along with a growing commercial district next to the sea, owe their designs to architect Irving Gill. Today La Jolla still attracts visitors from around the world and is home to the rich, the famous, the avant-garde, and intelligentsia.
Author bio Author Carol Olten is the historian for the La Jolla Historical Society and a former journalist on subjects of art, film, history, and architecture. She is a longtime La Jolla resident and currently owns and resides in one of the community’s oldest homes. Working with Heather Kuhn the society’s archivist and curator she traced La Jolla’s history with many rare and never before published photographs selected from the archives of the La Jolla Historical Society. Carol’s writing is educational, investigative, and intriguing, and covers a wide range of topics from the history of movie theaters in La Jolla to the development and construction of some of its most iconic historic buildings.
This event is hosted by the Save Our Heritage Organization. For more information, questions, and registration, please contact the event organizer.

2nd Saturday Lecture Screenings
2024-07-13 10:30 - 14:00 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States
Join us every 2nd Saturday of the month for two screenings of our Living Room Lectures by archaeologists, experts, and authors. Lecture screenings start at 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM and are included with museum admission. No reservations needed. Seating is first come, first served.
10:30 AM – Ethnozoology of the Kumeyaay People by Richard Carrico
For the Kumeyaay people of San Diego County, animals, birds, insects, and other creatures hold a special place in the cosmos and played a variety of important roles. Their embodiment is not always easily visualized because some creatures, large and small, exist in worlds not always seen by most humans, and rarely acknowledged by archaeologists. For many of the native people, there was a time when animals were actually human. In the mythic, ancient time what we now know as humans, or more correctly as mortals, did not exist. The world was inhabited by animals and by animals who were humans but not mortals—these were the Early People and some creatures could embody traits of what came to be known as the mortal humans and animals. Only later in time did the separation grow between animals and humans, and at that time the humans became mortal. This presentation will provide an analysis and discussion of the role and place of non-human creatures within the world and cosmos of the Kumeyaay people of San Diego County.
12:30 PM – The First Chicken Burrito in Western North America: Zooarchaeology of Avian Remains for the San Diego Royal Presidio by Dr. Aharon Sasson
The San Diego Presidio, established in AD 1769, was the first European settlement in Upper California. Very little is known about chicken husbandry in colonial America, which makes this study the first comprehensive analysis of chicken remains in North America. Chickens are scarcely mentioned in historical accounts describing early California, and information on their sex, age, or management is rare. Small-scale poultry production, likely managed by women and children, provided California presidios with a form of subsistence independence.

Escondido Creek Conservancy: Conservation Conversation - San Diego Geology
2024-07-18 11:00 - 12:00 | CA
The rocks, mountains, faults, and fossils found in San Diego County make it one of California’s most interesting and diverse geological hot spots. San Diego County’s geology nearly matches the region’s biodiversity! Join Richard Halsey, director of the California Chaparral Institute, as he shares why our region’s geology shouldn’t be taken for granite!
This event is hosted by the Escondido Creek Conservancy. For more information, questions, and registration, please contact the event organizer.

Historic Archery at the Center
2024-07-20 09:00 - 12:00 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States
We’re stringing our bows for a spot of archery right here at the San Diego Archaeological Center!
Shoot some rounds, make some new friends, and learn about how different cultures around the world crafted, hunted, and fought with bows and arrows. We’ll be showcasing handmade traditional bows, arrows, quivers, and cordage, and demonstrating how to craft them out of natural materials.
No previous experience required. Please bring your own gear if possible. A limited amount of gear will be available to borrow – first come, first served.
Family-friendly range time: 9 AM to 10 AM
Adults only: 10 AM to 12 PM
Cost: $10 (includes museum admission); SDAC Members Free

Save Our Heritage Organization: Marston House Garden Tour
2024-07-21 06:30 - 07:30 | CA
Tour starts at the Marston House Museum Shop in the carriage house.
With its uniquely California interpretation of the English Romantic and Arts & Crafts period landscape designs, this tour is a must for garden lovers. The garden tour takes you on an easy walk through two and a half acres of the estate beginning with the first plantings and landscape plan by nationally recognized landscape architect Samuel Parsons, Jr., and George Cooke in 1905 to the 1928 introduction of a formal garden.
Several portions of the garden tour are not wheelchair accessible.
This event is hosted by the Save Our Heritage Organization. For more information, questions, and registration, please contact the event organizer.

Archaeology Summer Camp Session 2
2024-07-22 02:00 - 08:00 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States
Join us for an unforgettable week at the San Diego Archaeological Center’s KIDS DIG Archaeology Summer Camp! Kids will embark on a journey through time as you explore the rich history and culture of our shared human past through a variety of hands-on activities, including basketry, local hiking, honing your archery and atlatl skills, crafting pottery, ancient games, and decoding Ice Age rock art from around the world.
Whether your child or grandchild is a budding archaeologist or just eager to experience the past in a whole new way, our summer camp offers something for everyone. Get ready for a week filled with adventure, discovery, and endless fun! Space is limited to 25 campers per session. Ages: 6-12. Sign up now and let the adventure begin!
View our Archaeology Summer Camp page for more details and registration.

San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy: Walk N' Talk at Bernardo Mountain Lake View Trail
2024-07-26 02:00 - 04:30 | CA
Join the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy for the first hike of the 8th year of the Walk N Talk Coast to Crest Trail Challenge! Lace up your hiking boots and get ready to explore stunning trails with fellow nature enthusiasts, while staying active, soaking up some sunshine, and making new friends along the trails. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to embark on a memorable outdoor adventure! Feel free to enjoy the hike with us, as a group, or complete the challenge hikes in any order on your own schedule! Remember to send your 5 selfies at the completion of your challenge to sdrvc@sdrvc.org to receive your exclusive patch designed by Canyon Crest Academy students, as well as a certificate of completion!
This event is hosted by the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. For more information, questions, and registration, please contact the event organizer.

Nature Collective: San Elijo Lagoon Discovery Tour
2024-08-03 03:00 - 04:00 | San Elijo Lagoon, 2710 Manchester Ave, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA, 92007, United States
Discover the beauty of San Elijo Lagoon with the Nature Collective: where fresh water and saltwater meet and mix, migratory and resident birds share a sanctuary, and many animals find a home. This guided tour will inspire all to watch and listen for various birds that rest in – and fly across – the salt marsh and mudflats. No matter the season, you can enjoy, photograph, and identify a host of native plants. The Nature Center Loop Trail is accessible, providing fun for all. Volunteer Emmy Garnica leads your nature experience.
This event is hosted by the Nature Collective. For more information, questions, and registration, please contact the event organizer.

2nd Saturday Lecture Screenings
2024-08-10 03:30 - 07:00 | CA
Join us every 2nd Saturday of the month for two screenings of our Living Room Lectures by archaeologists, experts, and authors. Lecture screenings start at 10:30 AM and 12:30 PM and are included with museum admission. No reservations needed. Seating is first come, first served.
10:30 AM – It’s Grind Time! Recent Investigations of the Ancestral Maya Ground Stone Tool Industry in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, Belize by Dr. Jon Spenard
While conducting opportunistic regional survey in summer 2022 in the Mountain Pine Ridge Forest Reserve, Belize, Dr. Jon Spenard’s Rio Frio Regional Archaeological Project was informed of a series of granitic rock debitage piles nearby. Investigations revealed them to be ancestral Maya quarries and ground stone tool workshops, the first of their kind recorded anywhere in the Maya region. Naming the site the Buffalo Hill Quarries, the project mapped over a dozen extraction features (quarry pits and cut faces) surrounded by debitage piles spread over an area of approximately 16 hectares (40 acres). Aided by data from an aerial LiDAR survey of the region, the project returned in summer 2023 to finish mapping the site and conduct test excavations on an extraction locus to investigate ancestral Maya quarrying methods and techniques. In this talk, Dr. Spenard will present the results of those two field seasons, introduce more results from the LiDAR survey, and discuss the next stages of the project, including examining who the quarry workers were and how their products may have been distributed.
12:30 PM – The Skeletons of La Consentida, Oaxaca, Mexico by José “Pepe” Aguilar
Twelve burials, comprising 14 individuals, were excavated from an Early Formative Period (1950–1525 BC) site called La Consentida, in Oaxaca, Mexico in 2009 and in 2012. These burials were later analyzed in 2012 and 2019. Collectively, they represent the earliest formal cemetery in the Mesoamerican west coast. Note: this presentation will show photographs of human skeletal remains.

Save Our Heritage Organization: Penning the Past Zoom Lecture - La Mesa
2024-08-10 04:00 - 05:00 | CA
Join the Save Our Heritage Organization to learn about the unique character of San Diego’s historic neighborhoods through the eyes of impassioned writers and historians. Brought to life by esteemed local authors, Penning the Past promises to be an enriching exploration of San Diego’s architectural legacy and historical tapestry. The series is free for SOHO members, $10 per lecture for non-members. Your participation supports SOHO’s mission of education and advocacy to preserve the historic architecture, sites, and cultural landscapes that surround us and add meaning to our daily lives.
La Mesa by James Newland

On February 16, 1912, La Mesa Springs, a community of 700 citrus farmers, home seekers, developers, and businessmen, incorporated into the City of La Mesa. Located among the rolling hills and mesa lands between San Diego and El Cajon, today’s suburban city of over 56,000 is still renowned for its small-town character, featuring its historic village business district, family-friendly neighborhoods, good schools, and ample retail and recreational amenities. The area’s centuries-old prehistory and history can be traced to the natural springs that attracted stockman Robert Allison in 1869. Allison Springs, later renamed, prospered and grew after the arrival of the railroad in 1889. After incorporation, the young city grew steadily, reaching 3,925 residents by 1940. Post World War II La Mesa exemplified the exponential suburban growth of the region, expanding to the north and west of the old downtown to accommodate 50,000-plus residents by 1980—all were attracted, as today, to the “Jewel of the Hills.”
Author bio Historian and planner for the California State Parks Department, James Newland has been a stalwart in the field of historic preservation since 1991, and is past president of the La Mesa History Center. He has an MA in public history from San Diego State, has authored four insightful books on local history—Cleveland National Forest, Grossmont Hospital: A Legacy of Community Service, Around Mt. Helix, and La Mesa—and has made countless contributions to our community’s heritage.
This event is hosted by the Save Our Heritage Organization. For more information, questions, and registration, please contact the event organizer.

San Diego Children's Discovery Museum: Science & Engineering Night
2024-08-10 10:00 - 12:30 | Children’s Museum of Discovery, 320 North Broadway, Escondido, CA, 92025, United States
Join the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum for an after-hours event and watch the Museum transform to host hands-on activity booths featuring science, technology, reading, engineering, art, and math (STREAM)! Through hands-on activity booths and an endless amount of fun, children will learn about:

Animals and biodiversity with Biology Through Art
Aerodynamics with Fleet Science Center
Physics of golf with San Diego Pop Up Mini Golf
Hands-on ocean science with Ocean Connectors
Archaeology with San Diego Archeological Center
Satellites with Sally Ride Science Program
Science of scent
Electrical engineering with Snap Circuits
Nano Materials

Plus, you won’t want to miss a special dry ice presentation by Science Guys of San Diego! Conducting science experiments is hard work! Be sure to enjoy the food truck, Taco Spot and Cabetos Pops for a sweet treat.
This event is hosted by the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum. For more information, questions, and registration, please contact the event organizer.

Lecture: Geology of San Diego County – The Formative Years
2024-08-17 11:00 - 13:00 | CA
This talk will focus on amazing geological forces and events from the last 200 million years that have shaped the San Diego County we see today. From regional tectonics to massive volcanism, uplift and erosion, and the many current infrastructure challenges San Diego currently faces, Mike Thacker will tell the story behind our broad mesas, dramatic coastlines, canyons, and wide valleys. Attendees will be sure to come away with a deepened understanding of and appreciation for the geological history of our unique region.
Cost: Pay what you wish
Advance registration is closed. Please pay at door.

About the Presenter
Mike Thacker is a retired Senior Staff Research and Development Scientist at Thermo Fisher Scientific. He has a B.S. in zoology from San Diego State University and studied anthropology and archaeology at University of California Santa Barbara, Palomar College, and San Diego State University. He has been a member of the Board of Trustees for the San Diego Archaeological Center since 2018 and is a volunteer teaching assistant for Palomar College archaeological excavation field school and survey programs. Mike is passionate about his home of San Diego and leads interpretive hikes for the San Dieguito River Park and San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. His interest in geology has motivated his study of the geology of the San Diego region for the last 14 years.

Save Our Heritage Organization: Marston House Architecture Tour
2024-08-18 07:30 - 09:00 | Marston House Museum, 3525 7th Ave, San Diego, CA, 92103, United States
Tour starts at the Marston House Museum Shop in the carriage house.
Take a walk on the architectural side with a 90-minute guided tour of the 1905 Marston House Museum inside and out. The San Diego firm of Hebbard & Gill designed the inviting English Arts & Crafts mansion with fluid indoor-outdoor connections. Irving Gill, who soon became San Diego’s pioneering Modernist, created many of its design features and innovative conveniences. This tour was curated for SOHO by Erik Hanson, a leading authority on Gill and contributor to the book Irving Gill and the Architecture of Reform by Thomas S. Hines. The story begins at the carriage house for the estate (now SOHO’s Marston House Museum Shop), then circles around the house in its Balboa Park and formal garden setting. Inside and out, architectural and construction details and period materials are highlighted, and include the Marston family’s public and private rooms. Managed by SOHO for the City of San Diego, this property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The museum is wheelchair accessible on the first floor only; several exterior portions of the tour are not wheelchair accessible.
This event is hosted by the Save Our Heritage Organization. For more information, questions, and registration, please contact the event organizer.

San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy: Walk N Talk - Lake Hodges Piedras Pintadas Trailhead
2024-08-30 09:30 - 11:00 | Bernardo Bay Staging Area, W Bernardo Dr, San Diego, 92127, United States
Join the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy for a fun and exciting hike on the new Walk N Talk day, the last Friday of each month.
Get ready to explore the beautiful interpretive trails, enjoy the fresh air, and connect with nature. This event is perfect for hikers of all levels, so grab your friends and family and come join us for a memorable day outdoors. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to challenge yourself and experience the beauty of the great outdoors!
This event is hosted by the San Dieguito River Valley Conservancy. For more information, questions, and registration, please contact the event organizer.

Art with an Archaeologist
2024-09-07 09:00 - 13:00, 2024-09-14 10:00 - 13:00 | San Diego Archaeological Center, 16666 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, CA, 92027, United States

Save Our Heritage Organization: Penning the Past Zoom Lecture - Little Italy
2024-09-14 11:00 - 12:00 | Virtual
Join the Save Our Heritage Organization to learn about the unique character of San Diego’s historic neighborhoods through the eyes of impassioned writers and historians. Brought to life by esteemed local authors, Penning the Past promises to be an enriching exploration of San Diego’s architectural legacy and historical tapestry. The series is free for SOHO members, $10 per lecture for non-members. Your participation supports SOHO’s mission of education and advocacy to preserve the historic architecture, sites, and cultural landscapes that surround us and add meaning to our daily lives.
Little Italy by Dr. Thomas J. Cesarini

Italian immigrants settled along San Diego’s waterfront in the early 1900s and formed the “Italian Colony,” a tightly knit community that provided refuge, shared culture, and heritage. Extended families, new businesses, and church traditions formed the foundation for a lasting social code. It was no coincidence that the area would become known as Little Italy—it was exactly that for its inhabitants—a home away from their native land. But by the mid-1960s, changes brought by war and urban modernization began to unravel the community. Take a compelling journey through this unique immigrant enclave. Vivid images and descriptive captions highlight essential elements of this community, such as labor and longing, fishing and family, ritual and revitalization. Through photographs contributed by local community members, this volume traces the evolution of a humble fishing village into the chic urban neighborhood that is Little Italy today.
Author bio Dr. Thomas J. Cesarini, a distinguished academic and nonprofit leader, founded Convivio, a nonprofit dedicated to Italian humanities. Holding a PhD in leadership studies and an M.A. in nonprofit leadership and management from the University of San Diego, he is known for his advocacy for San Diego’s Italian community and was appointed as the Italian Honorary Consul in 2019. He established the Italian Historical Society of San Diego in 2006, aiming to create a comprehensive Italian cultural center and museum. Dr. Cesarini’s commitment to fostering Italian arts, culture, and heritage makes him a stalwart advocate in the San Diego Italian-American community.
This event is hosted by the Save Our Heritage Organization. For more information, questions, and registration, please contact the event organizer.
