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One of my many favorite hangouts in San Diego is Bazaar del Mundo in
Old Town, and I have been very fortunate to visit there many times over
the past 30 years with family and friends. Located on the grounds of
Old Town Historic Park, Bazaar del Mundo is the vision of Diane Powers,
who leased the property from the state 33 years ago, and who converted
the crumbling and boarded-up Casa de Pico Hotel into the thriving community
it is today. It is also the most profitable state park in all of California.
In a decision that many have questioned, the state decided to award
the lease when it came up for renewal to a New York corporation, which
plans to convert the park to their vision of an Early California theme.
Because of this decision, Bazaar del Mundo, as we know it today, is
shutting down in May.
This photo essay is my way of saying thanks to Diane Powers, her associates,
and all the folks who made Bazaar del Mundo into a wonderful place that
I will never forget. I wish them every success in their future endeavors,
and promise to do my part to support them.
I know it's a fairly vague description, but what I think I like most
about Bazaar del Mundo is that it is so vibrant, and so alive. It's
a place where locals and tourists alike can let their hair down and
just soak up the ambience, along with a few birdbath-sized margaritas!
The center of Bazaar del Mundo
No matter what time of year, there always seems to be something interesting
going on there.
Colorful dancers perform at Bazaar del Mundo
And of course, who can forget the excellent restaurants?
A hungry crowd waits in line for tables at Casa de Pico
My cousins Dick and Aileen Kirby at Rancho el Nopal
Most of the restaurants offer free entertainment.
Tinku entertains diners at Rancho el Nopal
Bazaar del Mundo is a great place to visit on a warm afternoon or evening.
Birdbath-sized margaritas and a very patient server at Rancho el Nopal
Built as a single-story home by Don Juan Bandini of Peru in 1829, La
Casa de Bandini was sold in 1869 to Alfred Seeley, who added a second
story and re-opened the building as the Cosmopolitan Hotel. To see what
it looked like, click here:
http://www.sandiegohistory.org/bio/seeley/images/20203-2.jpg
After that, the building was used as a store, a pickle factory, and
a motel annex. It now hosts a great Mexican restaurant.
My cousin Barrie's favorite restaurant
What the Future Holds
Some of Bazaar del Mundo's shops are moving to a small, two-story building
just east of Casa Guadalajara in Old Town, and the new facility is scheduled
to open in June.
The new Bazaar del Mundo shop location
Casa de Pico fans living in the east county will soon have a good reason
to celebrate. The restaurant is in the process of remodeling the former
Chevy's location at Grossmont Center in La Mesa, and is scheduled to
open with an expanded menu in July.
Casa de Pico's new home in Grossmont Center
An effort is underway to convert the old police station next to Seaport
Village into what is tentatively called Bazaar del Mundo Seaport. If
approved, this structure would be the new home for another Casa de Pico,
Casa de Bandini, and some of the current Bazaar del Mundo shops. Depending
upon the decision of the Port Commission, the facility could be opened
sometime in late 2006.
A new home for Casa de Pico and Casa de Bandini?
For more information:
http://www.bazaardelmundo.com
In case you're curious, I took all the photos using my Sony DSC-V1
digital camera (5 megapixels).
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