kon tiki catamaran

A Standout Meeting Location Meeting and Event Venues

Elevate your San Diego event with 20,000 square feet of gorgeous indoor and outdoor meeting space. Offering customizable options for groups of all sizes, look forward to personalized service, versatile meeting and conference room facilities, and perfectly executed event details.

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Kon Tiki Ballroom

85x60 Feet  |  4,876 Square Feet

Make it an event to remember with the Catamaran’s signature venue. With an A-frame structure and a 25-foot ceiling, the dramatic setting can accommodate large groups for receptions, banquets, as well as theater and classroom seating.

Kon TIki Ballroom

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Aviary Ballroom

84x52 Feet  |  4,368 Square Feet

Featuring a panoramic 180-degree view of Mission Bay, the light-filled Aviary Ballroom is a versatile space that can easily be divided into three separate breakout rooms to make it your own. The venue also includes an expansive private balcony.

Venue Details

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44x40 Feet  |  1,728 Square Feet

Located on the second floor facing the resort’s south beach, the Boardroom is a customizable meeting venue option that can be divided into two spaces. The venue features views of Mission Bay as well as a balcony for attendees to enjoy fresh air in between sessions.

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Rousseau Suite

96x40 Feet  |  3,852 Square Feet

The Rousseau Suite offers a welcoming private environment for your San Diego meeting. The venue is located on the first floor near the lobby and Oceana Coastal Kitchen, and provides a variety of layout configurations and can be divided into three separate rooms to fit your event needs.

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3,784 Square Feet

Ideal for a convenient networking area, the open-plan foyer is located adjacent to the second-story venues for a seamless flow. The floor-to-ceiling windows provide beautiful natural lighting and highlight the expansive bay views.

North and South Beach

North: 11,000 Square Feet  |  South: 3,000 Square Feet

Enjoy two distinct outdoor spaces at the Catamaran’s doorstep. Both the Beach North and Beach South venues are ideal to host lunch and dinner receptions, networking gatherings, private luaus, and other specialty events. The outdoor areas provide easy flow to and from the indoor meeting spaces.

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William D. Evans

1,400 - 3,200 Square Feet  |  36x40 - 36x50 Feet

The stunning sternwheeler boat provides a unique setting for your next corporate or social event. Guests can enjoy a moonlit cruise aboard a luxury riverboat complete with handcrafted wooden masts, a twelve-ton paddlewheel, and a 42-foot-long skylight made of 50,000 pieces of European stained glass.

Bahia Belle

897 - 1,843 Square Feet  |  22x43 - 23x39 Feet

The Bahia Belle is an impressive 19th century-style vessel that features oak and brass railings, grand staircases, and an open-air observation deck. The beautifully appointed 74-foot boat promises an unforgettable experience of cruising on Mission Bay.

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KONTIKI CATAMARAN

A full, fun day of snorkeling, kayaking, beach time, and sailing on a Puerto Vallarta's largest trimaran.  To kick off your day of fun in the sun, Kon-Tiki heads south through Banderas Bay, passing the magnificent skyline of Puerto Vallarta, Los Arcos Marine Park, Mismaloya Bay, the set of Night of the Iguana , and Kevin Costner's house, making for some excellent photo opportunities.

THIS TOUR IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE SEE OUR CURRENT DAY CRUISES

The tour's first stop is Playa Los Colomitos, where you'll enjoy snorkeling in Puerto Vallarta's underwater world.  The next stop is Majahuitas, a beautiful sandy beach where you can enjoy kayaking, more snorkeling, or simply take in the sun under a beach umbrella.  On the way back to Puerto Vallarta, you'll enjoy music and entertainment, as you sip tropical drinks from the open bar and eat lunch.

Cruise Passengers:   Yes! This tour makes a great shore excursion.

Runs: Wednesdays at 9:00 AM from Nuevo Vallarta and 10:00 AM from Marina Vallarta.  Return at 4:00 PM to Puerto Vallarta and 5:30 PM to Nuevo Vallarta.

Duration : 6.5 hours Approximately.

Includes : Continental Breakfast, National Open Bar on board the boat, Drinks on the beach (beer, soft drinks, and water), Kayaks, Snorkeling Equipment, Lunch on board the boat.

You'll Need:

• Swimsuit and Towel
• Biodegradable Eco-Friendly Sunscreen

Departs From : The Marina in Puerto Vallarta. Directions will be provided with your confirmation.

APPROX. TOUR ITINERARY

8:30 AM - Depart Marina Vallarta 9:30AM - Pass by Los Arcos 10:00AM - Arrive Colomitos Beach 11:00AM - Depart to Majahuitas 11:30AM - Arrive Majahuitas Beach 1:15PM - Lunch on Board 1:00PM - Depart for Puerto Vallarta 3:00PM - Arrive Marina Vallarta

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Classic San Diego Tiki

A checklist of classic san diego tiki restaurants and bars.

Hawaiian, South Seas, Polynesian, Tahitian and tropics-themed restaurants and tiki bars from the San Diego area’s past and present.

How many of these classic San Diego tiki joints do you know? Most are now just memories, but establishments with checkmarks ( ✔ ) are currently in business.

San Diego may not be the birthplace of tiki, but with its transient wartime Navy population and proximity to Tijuana, it became an incubator for the mid-century Polynesian craze…

(1928-2011) The Aloha Cafe, Tijuana’s first pre-tiki bar, was sporadically located on Avenida Revolución (then known as Main Street by Americanos ) — for over eighty years! It changed hands, was burned down and rebuilt several times, but stood the test of time until a fire in 2011 finally shut down the place.

Cota regularly advertised the liquor and dancing of his place to San Diegans, beckoning them to experience the racy Honolulu Trio and their ‘latest hula thrills.’ The only things pre-tiki, really, were some decorations, the name, and the hula. Everything else screamed Tijuana tequila bar. No rum there…

In November of 1938 half a block along Main Street burned down, including the Aloha Cafe. It was a devastating loss to Tijuana business, and left many out of a job. But cleanup started the next day. Frank Cota rebuilt and re-opened bar in the early months of 1939 with neighbor Francesco ‘Frank’ Maggiora . Together the Franki boasted their establishment was the ‘liveliest nite spot in town,’ open all night.

In the 1940s, The Aloha promoted tequila drinks a-plenty and live entertainment, with floor shows every half-hour by a cast of regular dancers. Traditional folkloric Mexican dancers. Duos from ‘Old Mexico’ Panchita and Don José , Delfina and Don Ramón . Exotic burlesque strip-tease. Fan dancers.

Many rock bands, including those of Carlos Santana and Javier Batíz played at The Aloha . It became a disco in the 1970s. And strip club in the 1980s (notorious, along with The Long Bar and Club Bambi ).

Now boarded up and for sale, you can still see the neon sign on the building’s facade today.

Zona Centro Avenida Revolución 228 Tijuana, Baja California, México

Zona Centro Avenida Revolución 869 Tijuana, Baja California, México

(1934-c1936) The Aloha Cafe , San Diego, was a short-lived Hawaiian-themed cafe on corner of Oregon Street and El Cajon Blvd, founded by U.S. Navy veteran Thomas Bernard Jack . A return to naval service forced Jack to sell to partner Harold H Stafford , who sold the business a year later. The location then went on to host Haynes Streamliner , Sam Shen’s Chateau Briand restaurant, 1520 A.D. dinner theatre, and today houses San Diego Chicken Pie Shop .

North Park 2633 El Cajon Blvd San Diego, CA 92104

Tropic Cafe newspaper ad, 1937

In 1939 he opened the Tropic Village room, with moonlit dining and dancing amidst a grove of coco palms, and music by Stone’s Hawaiians . A freighter-shaped bar — the S.S. Tropic — served tropical rum drinks. Design and murals were by local artist Russell Dale Moffett ( Mexican Village murals).

Jack Ewing returned to active duty during WWII. On his return, he sold both The Tropic Cafe and The Gay Nineties to ‘well-connected’ Sicilians. In 1946, The Tropic Cafe was re-opened as The Hula Hut by Frank and Liberante ‘Leo’ Matranga . Next door, brothers Joe and Gaspare Matranga opened the Cuckoo Club , and then the Aloha Club .

Ewing retired to Kernville California and decorated his hilltop home with an extensive collection of Edgar Leeteg velvet paintings. It was reported that Ewing’s collection was lost when his home burned in 1962.

East Village 1122 Market Street San Diego, CA 92102

Horton Plaza 1040 Third Avenue San Diego, CA 92101

The South Seas Cafe on Pacific Highway in San Diego, 1955. Photo, Pea Hicks collection.

They prominently featured an 11-foot tall black velvet nudie by Morris Levine in the upstairs dining area.

Their 1951 menu advertised the ‘intriguing South Seas specialties’ Hilo Hattie and The Zombie at $1.50 each. Limit 2 to a customer. Other libations included the Pilikia, Shark’s Tooth, Doctor Funk, Waikiki Special, Sea Island Comfort, Diamond Head, Samoan Delight, Planter’s Punch, Singapore Sling, Rum Swizzle, and the South Sea Special.

After Clark retired and sold in 1968, the club went through a series of owners. The building is now part of the AMVETs thrift store properties.

Midway/Five Points 3877 Pacific Boulveard [now, 3877 Pacific Highway] San Diego, CA 92110

Newspaper ad, Coronado Citizen , 18 Aug 1938.

With the help of friends, the Jacks converted their cafe into a tropical oasis… using ‘native spears, blades, swords and guns…’ Coco palms. Bamboo. Indirect colored lights that softly changed every six minutes. Murals by local artist Russell Dale Moffett (murals in Sherman’s, Paris Inn, Eddie’s Cafe, Tropic Cafe, Mexican Village and Hillcrest Bowl ).

The New Island Cafe formally opened Saturday June 28, 1938. They had a Hawaiian duo playing live music, and served up exotic okolehao (Hawaiian moonshine) and rum drinks!

“The front entry to the Island is through a bamboo and thatch doorway, flanked on each side by brightly decorated windows on which tropical plants are painted. The interior of the Island is typically South Seas in its fittings and provides a cool comfort to patrons which is immediately appreciated… “From the booths along one side of the Cafe the lighted murals are particularly attractive, being arranged in such a manner that they give the illusion of island distances and panoramas. “Special changing lights add to the interesting atmosphere of the Island, and the punkah fans overhead heighten the tropic feel of the cafe and assure an even, cool temperature…”

During the 1950s, The Island Cafe was a local center for jazz music. Then Mulvaney’s for years, Cecil’s, and now [2016], Costa Azul .

Coronado 1031 Orange Avenue Coronado, CA 92118

Bradley’s Puka-Puka menu offered 150 varieties of rum — oh to try a Myer’s Mona 1906 Jamaican — it was 30 years old back then! Thirty liquors… And then there were 75 ‘drinks of the tropics,’ priced at 25¢ to $1.50… Demerara Dry Floated, El Diablo ‘the devil drink of Mexico,’ Pi Yi served in a baby pineapple, Zombie Punch, Vicious Virgin, Puka-Puka Punch (the most expensive, ‘positively only one to a person’) and many more. If you wanted a ‘Skull and Bones’ cocktail, looks like you had to ask general manager Heck Church first…

The original building was demolished, but rebuilt when Horton Plaza took over the downtown area in the 1980s. It is now known as the Bradley Building.

Horton Plaza 303 Plaza San Diego, CA 92101

Hillcrest 3827 Park Blvd (1939-1966) San Diego CA 92103

3811 Park Blvd (1967-c1974) San Diego CA 92103

(1945-1960) The Hurricane was a tropical cocktail lounge in Hillcrest, operated by Samuel Morris Stutz (1890-1972). He and younger brothers Louis A Stutz (1892-1961) and Walter R Stutz (1903-1978) were owner/operators of San Diego’s Palace (401 E Street), Orpheum , Rialto and Hillcrest (3825 Fifth Ave) theaters. By 1945, the Stutz family formed Walter R Stutz Enterprises, a limited partnership, which owned or operated Kokomo Cafe, Pirates’ Cave, Cave Novelty Shop, Blue Room (dancing), Pacific Club Cafe, Third Avenue Sportland, and the Dunlac Hotel, including its mob-connected bars Gold Rail, Cuckoo Club and The Tropic Cafe .

RonRico Rum souvenir mailer, 1945

Sam and Edward Bolander created their own place, The Hurricane , in the Hillcrest neighborhood of San Diego. Bolander was a beverage manager for Stutz Enterprises up until his unexpected death in December, after which, his widow Mildred Bolander stepped in as partner until about 1950.

Music by Stone’s Royal Native Serenaders (just like at Tropic Cafe ), or Maureen at the piano and Hammond Solovox! Steak dinners by chef Jean A Pelletier ( Marlborough Dining Room ). The finest of mixed drinks and liqueurs served with courtesy in a tropical atmosphere. Ask for their special ‘The Hurricane,’ or choose from their South Seas Cooler, Planters Punch, Bali-Bali, Emily’s Zither and Polynesian Paradise tropical drinks.

Today the location hosts Saigon on Fifth restaurant.

Hillcrest 436 University Avenue San Diego, CA 92103

So the police arrested everybody, including innocent bar patrons, and sorted it out later downtown.

That old downtown area – sailor’s row — had been deteriorating for awhile, and business was slowing. Post-war San Diego did not have the same number of thirsty sailors it once did. Local officials wanted to redevelop the area into a new City Center. There was even a proposal by designer Al Goodman and others to tear out the old Horton fountain and modernize the entire Plaza.

Developers Conrad Arnholdt Smith and John Alessio ( Agua Caliente Racetrack, Mister A’s ) bought up the block and built the 25-story Westgate Plaza Hotel. Where The Tropic Cafe and The Hula Hut once were, is now the Westgate Gourmet Shop.

Chi-Chi Restaurants match cover art, c1947

After dinner in the supper club, you could sip on a tropical drink while listening to Billy Carman play vibraharp with the Aristocrats in the South Seas Room. If you were lucky, you might even see some Hollywood types who were staying across the street at the U.S. Grant, or on their way back from the Caliente racetrack in Tijuana.

Schuman’s chain grew from the original location in Palm Springs to Los Angeles, Long Beach, Catalina and Riverside. He sold to The Pig & Whistle Corporation, focusing on the development of the Riviera Hotel in Palm Springs.

Most of the Chi-Chi is gone but the location still hosts a restaurant, Urban India. At the north end is the old entrance to the South Seas Room, with part of its palm tree terrazzo floor still visible. And at the south end is the old entrance to the Circus Room, now a small market. Its facade still retains some red and white circus-themed tiles, a metal ‘circus tent’ awning, and a happy clown terrazzo floor.

Horton Plaza 1039-1041 Fourth Avenue San Diego, California 92102

(1949-1969) Luau Room , tiki restaurant and bar was the Hotel del Coronado’s grand entry into Polynesian Pop.

The Luau Room in 1955.

The Luau Room opened in the summer of 1949 in the hotel’s Ocean Terrace mall, and immediately became popular with vacationists curious to experience the Hawaiian atmosphere, entertainment and exotic drinks.

The Luau Room’s cocktail list came complete with recipes for its tropical cocktails by head bartender Ebert William ‘Bert’ Chan (1916-1974). His Coronado Luau Special became the restaurant’s signature drink, and can still be ordered at tiki bars today. Over the years, Chan’s cocktail menus listed more than two dozen tropical drinks, including Amber Dream, Bachelor’s Punch, Coronado Cooler, Doctor Funk, Flat-Top Punch, North Island Jet, Pango-Pango, Royal Hawaiian, White Lily, and the Zombie. And a separate menu insert for flaming drinks!

The Luau Room closed for good at the end of 1969. Hotel del Coronado manager Carlton Lichty ( US Grant , Lubach’s ) opened in its place the Prince of Wales Grille in January 1970. Today [2016], the location hosts the seafood restaurant 1500 Ocean .

Coronado Hotel del Coronado 1500 Orange Avenue Coronado, CA 92118

Bartenders Pat Torano and Vince Clark, 1953.

The bar stood side-by-side with Cafe La Rue in the hotel, and was decorated with nautical antiques from whaling vessels from the 1880s, and murals by painter Wing Howard , who modeled them after old Currier & Ives lithographs.

Bartender Pat Torano worked there for years before opening up his own steakhouse ( Torano’s ) in La Jolla in the 1950s. And later, Rey Arcibal became revered for his famed cocktail ‘The Whaler’ — a potent shake of brandy, creme de caçao, Kahlúa, triple sec, Bailey’s and vanilla ice cream.

La Jolla La Valencia Hotel 1132 Prospect Street La Jolla, CA 92037

The Whaling Bar before it was demolished for the expansion of Cafe La Rue , 2013.

Along with their other clubs next door ( The Cuckoo Club and Club Royal ), The Aloha Club stayed open until 2am nightly. It featured music by Billy Jones and his Beachcombers , a five-piece combo, with sultry burlesque acts of Dorothy Eddy, Vivian Lee and Joy Damon ‘in the flesh!’

And B-Girls galore – waitresses who mingled with the sailors, enticing them to gamble, buy more drinks, and God knows what else. The city passed an ordinance outlawing the practice, giving San Diego Vice one more excuse to raid the bars.

In 1954, Matranga was arrested for felony assault against one of his patrons. During an argument, he hit Alvero Gonsalves in the face with a bar glass. The fisherman required 21 stitches, and courageously pressed charges. Matranga spent a week in jail, after which a friendly judge saw the altercation as merely a misdemeanor, and let him off with a $1000 fine, giving Jasper permission to go back home to Sicily for ‘a long-planned’ vacation.

Horton Plaza 1048 Third Avenue San Diego, CA 92101

In 1958, two brazen sailors robbed The Java at gunpoint. They locked Matranga and staff in a room, and attacked a waitress. The resulting news reports only increased their business.

The next year, The Java’s license was suspended by the state Alcoholic Beverage Control Department in a city-wide sting targeting businesses linked with organized crime.

Local mobster Frank Bompensiero was on their radar. In all, half of San Diego’s downtown bars lost their licenses, including many owned by Bompensiero, the Matrangas, and their relatives.

New owners John and Mary Martinico took over, and The Java survived into the mid-1960s. The location now houses an art gallery.

Horton Plaza 849 Fourth Avenue San Diego, CA 92101

(1952-1970) The Tropics was another South Seas-themed beer bar run by the Matranga family ( The Hula Hut , Aloha Club , The Java ). The location at First and Market Streets was right across from the Spreckels Theatre, and had seen quite a history.

Following Caesar Cardini’s lead, restaurateur Victor DeLu quit his businesses in Tijuana in 1935, then moved to San Diego. DeLu opened up a successful cafe in the spot. Over the years it’s identity slowly evolved toward the tropical — Vic’s Place , Vick’s Cafe , Vic’s Tropics , and finally Vic’s Tropical Nuthouse (continuous vaudevillian clown shows). In 1952 Joseph, Gaspare and Frank Matranga bought the nuthouse and simplified the name to The Tropics.

The Matrangas were continually under the scrutiny of San Diego Vice. Employee turnover was so great, they had a standing classified ad for cocktail waitresses in the newspaper. Daily. And by 1965, they were advertising for go-go girls.

The building was razed and in it’s place developer Conrad Arnholt Smith built his United States National Bank tower. The MTS Transit Store sits now where The Tropics once was.

Downtown 122 Broadway Street San Diego, CA 92101

Casa de Mañana Hotel was designed by Edgar Ulrich (who also did the interiors for Original Caesar’s Place in Tijuana) and built in 1924 as a luxury residential hotel in La Jolla, atop the cliffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Billed as ‘La Jolla’s only ocean front hotel,’ it was the California resort to stay for the summer.

The hotel had it’s regular dining room which served steak, lamb chops, shrimp, Welsh rarebit, spaghetti, their own ‘famous Caesar salad,’ and a few healthy choices — fresh California fruit salad, stuffed avocado, fresh vegetable plate. And a juice bar for their recuperating guests. The Lanai Room was the hotel’s brief affair with Hawaiian pre-tiki, offering food, drinks, live music and dancing. It formally opened Friday night, January 18, 1952. The tropical setting had blossoming trees with birds in the branches, seahorses, starfish and ‘artistic wood blocks in oil’ by the wife of hotel manager Col. Henry R. Dutton .

It didn’t last long. By April the next year, approval was granted for the property to transition from a hotel to a private retirement community. It is now an exclusive retirement community by Front Porch.

La Jolla Casa de Mañana Hotel 849 Coast Boulevard La Jolla, CA 92307

Kon Tiki Bar, brochure illustration

In 1952 San Diego Port director John Bates started work on developing a swampy old sandbar just beyond the San Diego Yacht Club’s docks into a Polynesian paradise — Shelter Island. His old friend and fellow yacht-owner Conrad Arnholt Smith envisioned the Kona Kai Club as the premiere marina in San Diego.

‘I just got sick every time a storm would hit and I would look at all the damage to the docks and boats,’ he recounted. ‘We needed another harbor to give our boats some shelter! ’

Sand dredged from the bay’s channels and marinas was built up, rip-rap added along its banks, and the old causeway extended to connect the new island to Byron Street. As it was public tidal lands property under the custodianship of the Port of San Diego, land on Shelter Island could not be sold to private concerns. But generous, long-term leases could be negotiated. C. Arnholt Smith was first in line, and had already begun pre-selling memberships.

If you had a boat, Kona Kai Club was the place to stay! It saw many rich and famous on a regular basis — Presidents John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, Jimmy Durante, Clark Gable, Arthur Godfrey, Connie Haines, Burt Lancaster, Jack Lemmon, Liberace, Gregory Peck, Danny Thomas, Dick Van Dyke, Lawrence Welk, Meredith Willson, and many more.

Thor Heyerdahl’s Kon-Tiki

“Our Kon-Tiki Bar abounds with exotic, exciting beverages — pineapple and banana daiquiri, Kiki Huna cocktails, or the more prosaic refreshments from the corners of the globe. A cozy lounge is provided for pleasant rendezvous — canasta or bridge. Dance under the stars to the soft provocative rhythms of the Kona Kai band.”

— Kona Kai advertising brochure

In 1959, the Kona Inn hotel and Voyager Restaurant were opened, adjoining the Kona Kai Club property.

Later that year, The Jack Wrather Organization acquired the Kona Kai property from Smith. Jack Wrather was the executive producer of televison show Lassie, and his Beverly Hills firm owned and operated the Disneyland Hotel.

In a letter to club members he reassured them that public guests were not allowed on Kona Kai Club grounds — unless they were club members themselves. And that members got first dibs on Kona Inn room reservations. Wrather expanded the marina, but in 1963 sold the club to the Alessio Corporation ( Hotel del Coronado, Mister A’s ). They sold the Hotel del Coronado so they could purchase the Kona Kai…

John, Angelo and Dominic ‘Bud’ Alessio began some more upgrades. They hired designer-planner Al Goodman to oversee the improvements. The Alessios’ house planner/designer had worked with the family for years on projects. Hotel del Coronado (Victorian remodel, 1960). Shelter Island Inn. Just the right guy to give the place a little modern Polynesian Pop!

They wanted to make the Kona Kai the ‘shining jewel of San Diego.’

Tahitian Lounge, Kona Kai Club

The Voyager Restaurant overlooking the bay, was a swingin’ place for music, dinner and drinks on Friday nights. Music by Dean Hawley and his Crew , Bill Green Orchestra .

BevMo be damned. Bud Alessio originated the ‘two-for-one-penny-more’ happy hour. Or at least, popularized the concept in San Diego. Years before as a student at Univerity of Arizona, he frequented a nightspot that employed the same two-fer gimmick — buy one drink get the second for just a penny more…

One day in 1969, over lunch in the U.S. National Bank cafeteria, the brothers Bill and Bernard Lipin bought the Kona Kai from the Alessios. Through the 1970s, they renovated, removed tiki details and added crystal chandeliers.

The The Kona Kai property went through a series of additional owners, renovations and changes until it was remodeled from 1995-1997 into it’s present-day modern Mediterranean theme. In 1998 it became Shelter Pointe Hotel & Marina , and today it’s known as Kona Kai Resort & Spa . There is one mai tai served at the poolside bar.

Shelter Island 450 Yacht Harbor Drive San Diego, CA 92106

Tahitian Lounge, Kona Kai Club Shelter Island 450 Yacht Harbor Drive San Diego, CA 92106

The Voyager, Kona Inn Shelter Island 1901 Shelter Island Drive San Diego, CA 92106

Aline Hudson and the Goof, 1953

Restaurateur Arthur ‘Art’ Gregg Wellington LaShelle owned the popular Christian’s Hut in Balboa, Newport Beach. He’d based the tropical restaurant on the original Christian’s Hut he opened on Catalina Island in 1934 for the cast and crew of MGM’s Mutiny on Bounty, starring Charles Laughton and Clark Cable (as Fletcher Christian).

How was he so connected to Hollywood? He started out as an assistant cameraman for Paramount, and his older brother, Joseph Wellington LaShelle , was an Oscar-winning cinematographer ( Laura, The Birds, I Was a Teenage Werewolf, The Apartment ). Art lived on Catalina Island and managed the theatres there for the Santa Catalina Island Company. To finance the project Art rounded up a bunch of Hollywood investors including Fred MacMurray, John Wayne and Red Skelton, through childhood friend and Hollywood ‘business manager to the stars’ Bö Christian Roos .

Newspaper ad, 1954.

Christian’s Hut opened on August 13, 1953 but by the next month had dropped the ‘Christian’ in favor of simply The Hut. Edward N Martinez ( Royal Hawaiian, The Tropics ) was chef. Apparently the corporation spent more money than it took in, LaShelle and Hudson weren’t paying their bills. Shelter Island Inc filed for protection in bankruptcy court, asking for more time to pay some 139 creditors. The debts and a controlling interest were snapped up by Los Angeles investor William Kirk . His accountant, Tom F. Ham Jr recommended it as a potential money-maker.

In 1954 The Hut was formally re-opened under new management with some upgrades — ‘thick carpeting throughout, a kitchen upstairs for speedy service, and an enlarged topside dining room.’ They had 400 reservations that night!

Shelter Island 1325 Yacht Harbor Drive [now, 2230 Shelter Island Drive] San Diego, CA 92106

Christian’s Hut menu, San Diego, 1953

Christmas Eve newspaper ad using imagery from The Hut magazine ads

‘Eddy’ Martinez started The Polynesian with a shoestring budget in a house in La Jolla, after The Hut was reorganized with new management and kitchen staff. His restaurant was located just two blocks south of La Valencia Hotel on Herschel Avenue. Its wooden signs had lettering made of rope, his logo was hand-drawn, and imagery for his ads was liberally borrowed from those of The Hut.

The interior was modestly decorated with bamboo, fishing nets, rattan furniture and tiki lamps.

Beside its tropical drinks, Cantonese food, charcoal-broiled and teriyaki steaks, The Polynesian was known for George , a ‘great, tropical macaw, who has a cheery hello for every new arrival.’

Martinez sold the restaurant in 1956, and chef Mickey Chung ran the kitchen from about 1960. It remained in business until the mid-1970s, when Southern California National Bank developed the block. The location is now a parking lot.

La Jolla 7805 Herschel Avenue La Jolla, CA 92037

The Polynesian, restaurant exterior.

The Polynesian, photo San Diego Magazine, 1954.

Bali Ha’i newspaper ad, 1954.

To manage Bali Hai, Ham hired Adolph Rempp, a celebrity on his own account (inventor of Adolph’s Meat Tenderizer ), who had managed Christian’s Hut Balboa Island.

Always looking for the next big gig, Rempp sold his invention (and the name) to a couple of war vets on their return from active duty. For a mere $10,000. In several years, the partners were making millions. C’est la vie…

Chef Eyvind Oas ( Rincon Springs , Del Mar Racetrack ) served prime rib from their ‘Chinese oven,’ steaks, seafood, Polynesian shrimp, and chicken curry. Head bartender A.D. Allen ( Admiral Kidd ) lead the beverage program.

Tom Ham hired authentic Polynesian dancers and musicians for nightly floorshows, which became quite popular. They went on for years!

Today, Bali Hai serves Asian fusion cuisine. The crowd-favorite, coconut shrimp still graces the menu.

And the bar continues to serve a wide variety of tropical drinks. Their Bali Hai Mai Tai is infamously strong, containing no fruit juices.

The restaurant has been going strong ever since, long a favorite with both tourists and San Diego families.

The Hut menu, 1953-54.

The Hut menu, with Bali Hai overprint, 1954.

Catamaran in 1958

Opened by William and Anne Evans ( Bahia Hotel, Bahia Belle ) in 1958 as the Catamaran Motor Hotel, it featured the Kon-Tiki Room , then the Cannibal Bar and now Moray’s Lounge . Originally built by the Scripps family as a Spanish Colonial style summer house, the buildings were rebuilt in a Hawaiian Colonial style to better fit in with the tropical grounds.

The Cannibal Bar at the Catamaran Hotel in Mission Beach was considered a standby for years, offered a variety of dance music from classic rock to reggae.

Hilo Hattie at the Catamaran, 1960

Totem poles throughout the property were handcrafted in Bali specifically for the Catamaran.

Mission Beach Catamaran Resort Hotel & Spa 3999 Mission Boulevard San Diego, CA 92109

1961 hotel magazine ad.

Do YOU have any more info about this San Diego tiki restaurant? If so, contact us!

Pacific Beach 809 Thomas Street San Diego, CA 92103

The The La Jollan was intended as a 252-room luxury hotel, developed in 1952 by Larry Imig ( Lafayette Hotel ), Grandvell Schumaker and D.E. Evans. The hotel restaurant was first called Imig’s Den.

Under the management of Allan Witwer , the hotel’s name was changed to The Town House and the restaurant remodeled into the Pagan Room. Witwer and his wife hosted many cocktail parties for visitors summering in La Jolla, and the exotic restaurant was the perfect seaside venue…

The entrance was dominated by a large carved Pagan god, and doorways hung with Hilo beads. Murals were by Del Mar artist John Helland .

In cozy nooks with rattan furniture and lamps were served Cantonese food by chef Wing How . The piano bar served up exotic drinks to La Jolla socialites and beach-weary vacationists.

The Town House was sold in 1962 and converted into rental apartments. The property is now the La Jolla Villa Condominiums .

Bird Rock La Jolla Town House Hotel 6363 La Jolla Boulevard La Jolla, CA 92037

Mai Kai Ft Lauderdale, 1968

But after five years of attempting to re-zone their property just west of Bowlero Lanes (now, the Scottish Rite Center), Reed Thornton gave up and sold to Chrysler Corporation — for a profit of $100,000. Not that long ago, there was still a Hummer dealership on the property.

Can you imagine if San Diego had its own Mai-Kai Restaurant since the 1960s?

Mission Valley 1461 Camino del Rio South San Diego, CA 92108

It was reported that the two owners spent a fortune for fixtures and served good food…

Yale Kahn bought the restaurant after they went out of business and sublet it to Mister Lucky’s Smorgette for awhile. Then it became The Connoisseur , and ultimately Su Casa Mexican restaurant.

La Jolla 6738 La Jolla Boulevard La Jolla, CA 92037

For a brief period in San Diego, Al Goodman was the favorite ‘wunderkind’ designer about town, receiving commissions from many hoteliers and restaurateurs. He did so many projects for them, you could almost say he was the in-house designer for C. Arnholt Smith and the Alessio Corporation.

He’d been a television set designer in Los Angeles ( Mickey Rooney Show, Rosemary Clooney Show, Crossroads ) for a decade before setting up shop San Diego. Today he’s probably best known for his work on Space Patrol (1950-1955) – he designed the Terra V, Mark 2 spaceship.

He had a way with olde-timey, cathouse chic. At one point, he was even signed to design Mister A’s restaurant for John Alessio . That project ultimately went to Walter Broderick and Sarah Chase .

The Tahitian Room lasted until 1970 when the U.S. Grant’s northern annex building was torn down and replaced with a larger parking structure that still stands in its place.

Horton Plaza U.S. Grant Hotel 1052 Fourth Avenue San Diego, CA 92101

Tahitian Room design sketch, Al Goodman, 1960

(1961-1962) The Tiki Room , Clayton H Davies and wife Phylis’ small tiki bar on the border of Pacific Beach and La Jolla.

Do YOU have any more info about this San Diego tiki bar? If so, contact us!

The pavilion was topped with a William Westenhaver Witco Mainlander carving named “Riki Tiki,” who still graces the pool area.

Mission Valley Town and Country Hotel 500 Hotel Circle North  San Diego, CA 92108

(1964- ✔ ) The Islands restaurant is located in the former Hanalei Hotel (now Crowne Plaza Hotel), along with Islands Sushi and Pupu Bar . Originally called The Islands Restaurant and Dragon Room .

Islands Restaurant , 2006. Photo, Joel Delano Reis.

Waterfall wall, Hanalei Hotel, 2006.

When the property transitioned from the Red Lion to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in 2006, the entire hotel — including the iconic restaurant and bar — suffered an extensive renovation. Most exterior tiki decorations were removed and the entry was stuccoed. The semi-private dining area The Dragon Room was converted to a coffee shop (its ornately carved doors remain), and most of the interior water features removed. The restaurant was streamlined, enlarged, and new windows added. Other carvings were relocated throughout the property.

Mission Valley Hanalei Hotel [now, Crowne Plaza San Diego] 2270 Hotel Circle North San Diego, CA 92108

“The Caribbean, the Calypso, and all its fun!”

Morty had the Prospector’s Club with topless cocktails and hula-hoop performers, the Booby Trap go-go cocktail lounge, and the Black Widow cocktail lounge (‘thru our portals pass the most beautiful go-go dancers in San Diego’).

In an expansion effort, Morty bought the bankrupt Stars of the 7 Nations restaurant in Grantville and turned it into a Jamaican nightclub with tropical murals by Tijuana artist Eduardo Varga (not to be confused with Alberto Varga).

As ‘Calypso Joe’ said on their menu, “Complete informality is the order of the day. No one will be admitted to my place who is not in the mood for a care-free, fun-filled evening — just like in the Islands. Coats and ties are out – bright sport shirts and slacks for men. Women wear Mu-Mus or prints — no girdles…”

Calypso Joe’s only lasted a year. Morty sold off his nightclubs to new owners with better management skills.

Artist’s concept drawing for the Tahiti Restaurant

Two years went by, and the Port of San Diego almost canceled their agreement with leaseholder William Elser . The required restaurant component was initially called Ports of Call, but changed to The Tahiti, when Stephen Crane , of Beverly Hills’ The Luau fame, got involved. Crane even signed an agreement with Irvin Kahn’s Half Moon Inn group, and worked with Richard Todd and Half Moon Inn architect Hudson Hiram Benedict on his version of the restaurant. By 1965 he was out and Elser brought in Los Angeles-based restauranteur Jean Bellon ( Villa Frascati , Hollywood).

The Tahiti restaurant was designed by Los Angeles architectural firm Armet & Davis , with Glenn W Lundberg , for new operators Jean Bellon and Maurice Chatelain . The Port of San Diego eventually allowed the French restaurant L’Escale to go into a new $500,000 Tahitian-themed building instead. Chef Maurice Galle stated on his menu ‘the essence of culinary art is time — we ask your kind indulgence.’ Tableside preparations flamed with cognac were de rigueur .

But the only things tiki about the restaurant were possibly their Long Island Duckling Tahiti — and the building. Rum drinks? No, but a great French wine list…

“A meal without wine is like a beautiful woman without a smile,” L’Escale menu .

The popular Humphrey’s seafood restaurant now graces the location.

Shelter Island 2241 Shelter Island Drive San Diego, CA 92106

Tahiti Restaurant side elevation drawing, Lundberg, Armet & Davis, 1965.

(1968-c1974) Loma Luau was restaurateur Wilton Morton Polk’s ( Do-Do Hut, Pacific Beach) American-Chinese takeout restaurant in Point Loma, with food by Chong Lee , longtime chef from Sheng Haw Low .

Point Loma 1276 Rosecrans Blvd San Diego

Stephen Crane , yet again, almost had a restaurant in San Diego. Sheraton nearly struck a deal with Crane to open another of his Kon-Tiki restaurants in the Sheraton. Didn’t happen. But King Y. Wong did open Don the Beachcomber on June 16, 1970 in the newly-built Sheraton Inn on Harbor Island. The restaurant served Cantonese and Polynesian cuisine in their South Seas atmosphere. And of course, exotic rum drinks like only the Beachcomber could provide…

Harbor Island Sheraton Inn – Airport [Bay Tower at Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina] 1590 Harbor Island Drive San Diego, CA

(1970) The Tiki , a bar at Madison and Second Streets in El Cajon, now on the spot is the Blarney Stone Pub . Anyone remember this place?

El Cajon 388 North Second Street El Cajon, CA 92120

Earl J Tauch

After tours as Senior Chief SONAR Tech in Korea and Vietnam aboard the USS Finch, US Navy veteran Earl James Tauch (1934-2011) and wife Tasuko Kajihara (1933-2001) settled in San Diego, opening The Tapa Room in 1971. In the mid-eighties, they sold and retired to the Modesto area.

The spot now hosts the San Diego Eagle (leather encouraged, ‘uniforms, rubber or latex always welcome’), one of the Eagle chain of gay leather/biker bars. Around the east corner of the tiled mid-century building are North Park’s old stand-by Lucky’s for breakfast, and The Girl Can’t Help It vintage shop.

North Park 3040 North Park Way San Diego, CA 92104

Tiki Hut newspaper ad, 1981.

The restaurants served ‘Hawaiian fast food’ – their versions of won-tons called ‘tikis,’ and small teriyaki skewers. Twelve varieties of tikis were offered in beef/pork, chicken, shrimp, vegetarian, cheese, ham & cheese, and even blueberry, cherry or peach for dessert!

Park West Tiki Hut No. 1 (1978) 2468 Fifth Avenue San Diego, CA 92101

National City Tiki Hut No. 2 (1981) 2333 Highland Avenue National City, CA 91950

Advertisement, San Diego Magazine, 1980.

“Opened as Vacation Village at the height of the Cold War in June 1962, the Barefoot Bar was built beneath a pile of sand and could double as a bomb shelter. The joke was you could get bombed at the bar but not bombed from the sky.”

Barefoot Bar at Vacation Village.

‘A lush South Seas atmosphere complete with wicker furniture, hanging baskets of plants, and bayside view is the setting’ newspaperman Alan Page wrote. They served Polynesian cuisine, the requisite Zombie, Fog Cutter, Scorpion and Mai Tai. Cantonese food. Crab Rangoon. Waitresses wore floral miniskirts and hostesses halter-tops. A favorite of many for Sunday brunch on the patio. Entertainment overlooking the bay.

But the reviews were terrible. ‘Don the Beachcomber is charming enough from the outside, its rustic wooden building decorated with tikis, torches and appropriate foliage,’ wrote Leslie James. ‘But inside, it’s full of sticky formica and sickly ferns. A few wicker chairs and ersatz rock gardens do not a Polynesian paradise make.’

Skirball sold the property in 1983 to P&O Enterprises, hotel and cruise ship operators ( The Love Boat ). Vacation Village is now called Paradise Point Resort & Spa. The Barefoot Bar returned and is back in the spot of the Beachcomber.

West Mission Bay Vacation Village [now, Paradise Point] 1404 West Vacation Road San Diego, CA 92109

Newspaper advertisement, 1980.

(1980-2013) The Tiki House , a Pacific Beach beer bar which had several tikis flanking the entrance, and a collection of masks decorating the bamboo bar’s apron. ‘Tiki’ Dave Miller ’s place is today known as the last live rock ’n roll dive bar in PB, consistently hosting bands like Superunloader, Joey Harris and the Mentals, The Nards, MacAnannys, Deep in the Shed, Psychic Vacuum, 30 Second President, Geezer, and more. Miller closed the Tiki House after 39 years in business, his landlord raised the rent over 30% in one jump.

Pacific Beach 1152 Garnet Avenue San Diego, CA 92109

The last song played at The Tiki House, Pacific Beach, 2013.

Polynesian Princess (1984-199?) opened in the former Don the Beachcomber (Barefoot Bar) location, after P&O Corporation bought Vacation Village. The property was renamed San Diego Princess Resort and heavily marketed as a vacation destination by the cruise ship operator. Unfortunately, the Polynesian Princess’ food and drink suffered from the mediocrity so prevalent in corporate chain restaurants of the time.

San Diego Princess Resort is now called Paradise Point Resort & Spa. The Barefoot Bar returned and is back in the spot of the unpopular Polynesian Princess.

Mondo Martiki cocktail

Mister Tiki was a trendy, midcentury-modern take on Polynesian Pop, with carved artwork of Bosko Hrnjak featured heavily throughout the interior. They offered sushi, pu pu platters, and tropical cocktails. Famous for their Mondo Martiki, and of course, mai tais.

The restaurant eventually suffered from a lackluster following — tikiphiles a bit too weary of corporate theme restaurants and young Gaslamp barcrowds looking for Coyote Ugly sportsbars. Mister Tiki opened in 2004 before the tiki resurgence, and closed in early 2010. The Cohns retained the lease and re-imagined the space with partner SDCM Restaurant Group ( Vin de Syrah, Kettner Exchange, The Grass Skirt ) as the Analog Bar .

Gaslamp Quarter 801 Fifth Avenue San Diego, CA 92101

The interior speaks to the sports bar, but with tiki touches here and there. Outside, there’s Tiki Charlie, a vintage root ball Tiki sculpture by Tiki Dan. And did we mention their tiki mugs by Tiki Farm? Collect ’em all!

Bay Park 1801 Morena Boulevard San Diego, CA 92110

Plus, if you can get one, their limited-edition Sophie the Cat mugs are fabulous. Closed in October 2018 to make room for a Blind Burro restaurant expansion.

Gaslamp Quarter 370 Seventh Avenue San Diego, CA 92101

(2014- ✔ ) Fairweather by Arsalun Tafazoli’s Consortium Holdings ( Polite Provisions, Rare Form, Ironside Oyster Bar ), the outside deck bar with a view of Petco Park stadium. On the roof above Rare Form deli, it serves “drinks from sunny places,” Polynesian-inspired cocktails, beverage program by Anthony Schmidt ( Noble Experiment, Fairweather, False Idol ).

Mezcal, rum and tequila reign supreme throughout Fairweather’s 32-count cocktail lineup. Daiquiris, a Mai Tai, Piña Colada, Zombie, Painkiller, and Ti’ Punch are among 16 familiar “Classic” throwbacks recreated from timeless recipes discovered in old cocktail journals by Schmidt, while 16 “Fairweather Signatures” offer unique riffs on the classics – the Oaxacan Dead (Schmidt’s riff on the Zombie with Mezcal and rum), the Monkey’s Junk (coconut, bananas and cacao rum) and Rum Row (an aged Old Fashioned with coconut bitters and banana liqueur).

Fairweather gladly serves any of their drinks frozen and also offers 12 beers on tap in addition to a handful of wines.

East Village 795 J Street San Diego, CA 92101

Gaslamp Quarter 762 Fifth Avenue San Diego, CA 92101

The Polynesian-themed tiki bar is designed by Ignacio ‘Notch’ Gonzalez , with fixtures by Paul Basile and decorations by tiki artist Bosko Hrnjak .

Go through the walk-in refrigerator door next to the bar in Craft and Commerce, and you enter a world of skulls, flames, a waterfall grotto and tiki carvings galore. The ceiling is covered with colorful, lighted fishing floats. The bar is a glass-topped shrine displaying historical San Diego tiki objects, carvings, mugs and paraphernalia. The menu includes 38 drinks The standards – Mai Tai, Singapore Sling, Navy Grog, Tradewinds, and Zombie. Plus localized concoctions Shelter Island Sling, Coronado Luau Special and Hanalei Nights.

Little Italy 675 West Beech Street San Diego, CA 92101

False Idol, San Diego, 2016. Photo, Robert Benson, San Diego Magazine.

Pacific Beach 910 Grand Avenue San Diego, CA 92109

Kearny Mesa Kilowatt Brewing Kearny Mesa 7576 Clairemont Mesa Blvd. San Diego, CA 92111

Citation: Martin S. Lindsay. ‘Classic San Diego tiki.’ Classic San Diego: tasty bites from the history of America’s finest city. Web. < https://classicsandiego.com/tiki/>

38 thoughts on “ Classic San Diego Tiki ”

A brilliant survey of San Diego’s Tiki-Lounge history. The only omission, tangentially related, although it does sort of fall under the “tiki-it-up yourself” catagory, would be Trader Mort’s tiki liquor-store at 2905 Shelter Island drive. To tell you the truth I’ve never shopped there, but having driven past it so many times at night, I’ve always marvelled at the gas-light torches which blaze away around the property, and relished the fact that someone went to so much trouble to put some fanciful character into an otherwise strictuly utilitarian retail space. It might not be a bar, and it may only date from the middle to late ’60’s, but it’s a landmark contribution to San Diego tiki. And tiki’s not the only reason it’s a landmark: it’s called “Trader Mort’s” after owners Mike Morton Sr. and his brothers, who went on to found the Brigantine chain of restaurants. Captain Cook on one hand, and the islanders on the other…San Diego wins BOTH ways!

Hi John, mahalo for words. Yes! We actually though about including the awesomely tiki Trader Mort’s. (They have their own – rare – tiki mug!) The focus of this article was Tiki restaurants and bars. A broader article on Shelter Island and all things tiki in San Diego would include many more locations. We’ll do it, rest assured!

Thank you for the memory lane walk. BIG FUN!!

Glad you liked it. Let us know what else we can add!

Great site, lots of memories with other restaurant families. My family, the Forsyths, owned and operated Mexican Village Restaurant, 120 Orange Ave, Coronado 1949-1974. Tons of history. Liz Forsyth-Lovell

I loved the Mexican Village Restaurant. It was always a go-to in Coronado. Although my memories of of the place come from a later date, the Pollo Borracho was a favorite. Rest assured, it will be included in the chapter on Mexican restaurants!

Absolutely the last stop the night before a “cruise” (“deployment” now) to Westpac (Vietnam) in the late ’60’s, by many naval aviators, especially the World Famous Golden Dragons of VA-192 (“The Bridges of Toko-Ri”). I remember serious and late farewells there, promises made (and broken), amply fortified by margaritas and excellent Caesar salads before a steak or seafood dinner. It made departures somewhat easier, at least forgettable for 4 or 5 or 6 hours. The beauty of the location was that it was a relatively straight shot down I5 from Lemoore NAS, and a couple blocks to the ferry, a right turn once you reached the Island, and you were there! Late late later, a short drive to the carrier pier (“cruise” box and uniforms already aboard), wives and sweethearts staying on the Island, and driving the cars back north the next morning…about the same time that many of us were just waking up, about 60 miles out to sea. Almost shanghaied! What a disappointment when I returned the in the mid-seventies and was shuttled to a bridge to get to North Island NAS, and no Mexican Village. Thank you Forsyth Family for wonderful memories!

Your welcome from the Forsyth family. I hope this site can present the old MEXPAC or Mexican Village Restaurant history.

Thank you for the information about the Pagan Room at the La Jolla Town House. I have an ad for the restaurants that ran in the August 1959 San Diego Magazine, there are few photos and/or information on this fairly short lived hotel. I grew up in the area and recall the building, as well as its demolition and the new apartments turned condo built in their place.

Thanks for your comments about Pagan Idol ! I’ll have to check the old San Diego Magazine issues more thoroughly for any photos or ads.

If you’d like to share any info or memories about classic San Diego restaurants, bars and the like, let me know! Pagan Idol was not around that long, and photos, menus, etc have yet to surface. We’ll track them down though…

Hi ~ I remember going to the Zanz Restaurant (and their Zanzibar) in the 1950’s with my parents, especially when my grandparents came to visit from Philadelphia. As a little kid, I loved that place! I believe it was located on Midway Drive, just north of Rosecrans. I remember a whole wall of “lava rock,” and I think it had a waterfall and tropical birds – most likely macaws. Does anyone else remember the Zanz? Ann Wilson P.S. My favorite TV show at the time was the Harry Owens Show – complete with Hilo Hattie and hula dancers and Hawaiian music. I would put on the hula skirt my dad had brought back from Hawaii (he was career Navy) and dance along with the hula girls on TV.

Yes! It was owned by the Weerts family, who also operated Topsy’s (and the Red Sails Inn for awhile). Virginia Weerts was a local sculptor and member of the San Diego Allied Craftsmen group. She supplied several statues to the Zanzibar, and served as its cashier!

How about the venerable Pacific Shores bar in OB?

Of course, yes! A classic nautical San Diego bar

Speaking of O.B. There was a Tiki Hut Bar on Newport Ave. right on the alley that borders the Pier Parking lot. The Tiki Hut shared the building with tha ABC Cab co.

What time period Rich?

The period of time that the bar was there, was the late 50s and early 60s maybe lasted 8 to 10 years. They sold the property and now there is a complex on the site called South Beach Bar and Grille.

Martin I am new to your website I saw it on voice of San Diego. I’m very interested in your site. I am a native of San Diego, born in 1950, my family has been here since the late ’30’s. I lived in the Ocean Beach, Point Loma area I worked in the restaurant business mainly in the late 60s early 70s. I have some old things and I will take photos of them and send them to you. and if you need any help researching things or have any questions don’t hesitate to email me. Thanks again for your website.

Thanks Rich! I’ll email you…

Superbly researched. Thank you.

I work at the (formerly) Hanalei Hotel (in fact the photos from 2006 are mine). A couple corrections, the Dragon Room was never a bar. It was a private dining room with a large ornately carved table and chandelier (it’s now the coffee shop), but the door remains. The priceless monkeypod tables still survive, and are in use. Also, Crowne Plaza never bought the hotel. It’s the same ownership as it has been for about twenty years, but is only changed affiliated branding flag (franchise). And side note is that we are the home of Tiki Oasis, the largest gathering of Tikiphiles on earth.

Thanks! The article has been updated to reflect your corrections. And thanks for your photos.

Does anyone remember the Polynesian Room and the Pago-Pago Bar, both located in the old Del Mar Hotel? This would have been in the late ’50s or early ’60s. It had plenty of decor and names that appear to have been heavily influenced by those at the La Jolla hotel. Even a story about a famous Asian chef (different name) supposedly hired away from Don the Beachcomber’s in L.A.

Wow! I missed that one!

As a lover of ALL things Tiki & Polynesian, I loved all these wonderful places that unfortunately, most are no more. I spent almost every formal dance in high school having dinner before the dances at the Bali Hai. They had these small lamps on every table with Polynesian grass cloth lampshades in prints of brown and beige. Customers were encouraged to sign the inside of the shades with your name and date you visited . I signed a large number of them over time. It was also my parents “Go To” place on their anniversary and I had a wonderful surprise Sunday Brunch birthday party for my mother on her 90th birthday. Needless to say, she was thrilled. Again, thank you so much for this trip down memory lane!! Loved it!!

You really did a fantastic job in putting all these tiki places together along with your well-researched history. Now if you can find cocktail recipes from all of them, all the better!

Wouldn’t THAT be fun?!!

This is a fantastic piece with great photos of days and time gone by. I love the history of this city especially the tiki stuff. Thank you!

Going to check out The Grass Skirt in Pacific Beach.

Awesome; much appreciated.

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Would LOVE to have this article with images in print!! Is it available?

Not yet Scott, but soon it will be in book form!

Great read!

Found this site looking to see what happened to El Cajon’s Tiki bar, an Irish pub? Enjoyed reading, and remembering so many cool places I have forgotten over the years. Also seeing what is relatively new, and oldies still in operation.

Jamaica Joes on Midway ABOUT 1975

I remember Mr. Tiki’s Mai Tai lounge. Despite the somewhat cheesy name, it was excellent! I visited one year and it was crammed with customers; I had to make a reservation for the next day because they had no openings left that day. Then when I came back to SD a year later — it was closed!! 🙁

How about the Bamboo Inn in imperial beach. It was a great spot for a post game visit by my officiating buddies and I after working games at Mar Vista or Montgomery high schools! Is it still there?

THe Tapa Room was around until at least late-1988. Also, time to add the Luau on El Cajon Blvd.

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The Elba 45 can accommodate up to 12 guests in 6 cabins 4+2 and has 5 toilets 4+1.

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My husband and I took this excursion booked through Royal Caribbean. This was a very special... read more

The Kon TiKi Beach & Sightseeing - A Fun Cruise to Remember

On Thursday January 23rd, 2020, from the town of Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, my wife and I took an NCL shore excursion STTL7511, namely the Legendary Kon Tiki Beach, & Sightseeing. The Kon Tiki is a large motorized glass bottom party raft on pontoons, with a glass bottom facility for viewing, used for transporting crew and guests on sea water. It has a full paying bar/snack bar, bathrooms and many life jackets on board. The Castaway Tour Company owns and operates the Kon Tiki party boat, and all tour captains are USCG licensed. We left NCL Bliss to meet around 12:20 pm at the pier, then followed guides for a long walk to board the Kon Tiki at the Charlotte Amalie Harbour. To reach our destination, people could only sit in the shade on the lower deck. During the cruise, the Kon Tiki crew served us complimentary fruit punch while we listened to calypso music, played by a live steel band. Other tropical drinks were available for a fee. Cruising gently on the turquoise waters near the Capital, we went past Bluebeard's Castle, Blackbeard’s Castle and the Governors Mansion that are nestled in the mountainside. This sightseeing information and history was given to us using loudspeakers, however with the engine noise it was very difficult to understand exactly what they were saying. Then further down we cruised on the west side of Hassell Island and Water Island. At one point, the Kon Tiki slowed down to a crawl so that people could use the glass bottom facility to view 20 feet deep coral reeves and various fish. Then just past Druif Bay and Druif Point we finally stopped at the famous Honeymoon Beach on Water Island. The Kon Tiki landed directly on the beach and brought down a metal walkway to facilitate disembarkation, and where we spent the next hour sunbathing on the white sand beach. It is a first come first serve basis, people could get a couple of chairs and an umbrella. However, it was a bit crowdy for everyone to have their own chair and umbrella. During our short stay at the beach, we were able to enjoy the sun, the warm waters, and the wonderful Caribbean scenery. The beach area also provided people with modern washrooms facilities. It was a great experience with these clear waters, amazing sea-life and one of the whitest sands we have seen. Later that afternoon, while coming back to the ship, the Kon Tiki crew was very entertaining as the party boat slowly cruised alongside St. Thomas’s coastline for us to see nature’s wonderful scenes. With the steel band and disco music blasting through loudspeakers we had barefoot dancing and various limbo contests. People really enjoyed themselves while having rum punches and other tropical drinks. We had a good time and relaxed and would rate this excursion as a five stars and would recommend it to our friends and family wishing to visit.

Best thing to do in St Thomas: avoid it. If can't be avoided just pack a looot of patience. If you dont speak american, make sure you are being understood. We asked for a taxi to get to the beach, we are told it's 30 minutes drive. In american they tend to name things as they like (rugby is football, football is soccer), in our case the taxi proved to be a shared drive which took 1 hr as it stops everywhere. The prices also are high and not only this, but are misleading. Not a single price is as displayed, always when you get to the counter is higher.

It is only a few months in the making but such an enjoyable ride and the staff is beyond friendly and fun.

Wonderful sunset sailing last night, interrupted by one of our group having a medical incident. I was SO impressed by the immediate response of Jolene and crew, who very professionally contacted the ship, reefed the sails and fired up the engines, and returned us back to shore, where an ambulance was awaiting us. After she was safely ashore Jolene took us back out for the remainder of our sunset cruise, with champagne, rum punch and snacks. You always wonder if the crew is up to emergencies .. Jolene and crew were outstanding! This is our second shore excursion with Jolene and Castaway Girl, and we'll definitely book them again on our next cruise to St Thomas. Good job, guys!

After a (long to me) walk down the cruise pier, we boarded the Kon Tiki and took a seat. Once we left the dock, our tour guide started telling us of the story of St. Thomas and Charlotte Amalie. He pointed out highlights and interesting objects around the Island. They then dropped underwater viewing ports in the center of the boat, but I didn't see a whole lot on the bottom. We then went over to a swimming beach to enjoy a period of R&R.

We finally decided to take a trip to a beach rather than shop in St. Thomas. This fun boat left from a site near the port (walking distance) and went to a beach that we were told was "Honeymoon Beach". The trip over and back was fun with a steel drum band on board and lots of dancing, etc. Generally, it was a fun excursion for the few hours we had

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