Heritage of the Americas Museum

ADDRESS: 12110 Cuyamaca College Drive W. El Cajon, CA 92019 

 HOURS: Tuesday - Friday: 10 a.m - 3 p.m. 1st & 3rd Saturday: Noon - 3 p.m. 

Sunday/Monday: Closed 

 WEBSITE: https://www.heritageoftheamericasmuseum.com/ 

 The Heritage of the Americas Museum, is located on the campus of Cuyamaca College in El Cajon, Ca. It is a  cultural & educational facility showcasing the prehistoric and historic art, culture, and natural history of the Americas through four wings of exhibits: Natural History, Archaeology, Anthropology and Art. The Tropical Garden Patio, the Desert Garden Patio, and the surrounding landscaping may be considered a fifth wing. At the heart of the museum is their unique gift shop. Come and enjoy a “Journey Through Time” at this amazing museum, which invites visitors of all ages to experience a journey through time.

Every second Friday of the month, both the Heritage of the Americas and the Waster Conservation Garden next door grants visitors  FREE Admission

Natural History 

The Natural History Wing features a large collection of rocks, minerals and fossils from around the world 

The Anthropology Wing

Here you will find a collection of artifacts that were used in daily life, religious ceremonies. 

The Archaeology Wing

Are you will find artifacts that were used by early humans such as pottery, tools and arrowheads 

2025 Cherry Blossom Season at The Japanese Friendship Garden San Diego

 

Watch on TikTok

For Updates and Event news check out https://www.niwa.org/ 

The Japanese Friendship Garden is open 7 days a week 10am to 4pm/6pm seasonally

Photos from first weekend in March 2025 

 

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Navy Blue Angels Winter Practice Flight in SOCAL

 

Naval Air Facility El Centro

January through March, 6 days a week 8am & 1pm flights

The United States Navy Flight Demonstration Team, The Blue Angels,  arrives in Southern California in early January and spends the next 12 weeks practicing and honing their precision flight maneuvers over NAF El Centro and its surrounding areas. Each pilot is required to complete 120 flights in this 3 month period before they are signed off and are able to perform in front of an air show crowd. 

The flight Team is made up of 7x pilots, 10 FA-18 Super Hornets,  3x C-130 Pilots, 2x C-130 Fat Albert Aircraft. The Flight Team is support by nearly 160 men and women covering specialities in Engine Power Plant, Life Support, Avionics, Medical, Logistics, and Event Planning. Each weekend this team of navy professional decends on new township to put on 90 minute display of naval aviation precision.  

The Blue Angels perform 60 plus airshows in over 30 cities across the United States from March through November. Visit the Blue Angels website for full schedule. 

Balboa Botanical Building

 

The Botanical Building inside Balboa Park was built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, which celebrated the opening of the Panama Canal. The exposition was meant to bring attention and interest to San Diego as the first United States port of call for ships traveling north after passing westward through th canal. The botanical building is one of four structures that remained permanent after the exposition. 

The building is 250 long, 75 feet wide and 60 feet tall. It is one the largest lath structures remaining in the world. Since its opening, it has served as a living museum, housing a diverse collection of plants from around the globe. 

The Botanical Building reopened in December of 2024 after a 3 year long restoration and renovation. It will take many years and decades for the plant life to grow and mature to the stature it had prior to the 2021 closing. It is open daily from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

Santee Recreational Lakes

 

Santee Recreational Lakes is a 190-acrea privately owned park and campground run by the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. The park is made up of seven lakes that are filled with recycled water from a water treatment plant nearby. There is plenty of parking along the loop road that runs around the property. Lakes 1-6 have flat paved concrete sidewalks next to the roadway. 

Dogs are not allowed in the day use area of the park. Between Lakes 6 and 7 in the north there is a limited  dog walk area accessible on the west side. 

The campground offers cabin rentals and RV sites for pricing and availability check there site 

I originally found out about the Santee Recreational Lakes through the Palomar Audubon Society website. I was looking for birding groups in my area and joined them on a walk of Santee Lakes. I have since been pack many times on my own and have scene a variety of both native and transient birds at the lakes. 

Gian Pandas at San Diego Zoo

 

 

https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/#

In August of 2024 the San Diego Zoo opened up the Panda Ridge Habitat for its two chinese Giant Pandas. The habitat was expanded to over 6000 square feet and can accomidate around 150 guests at a time. Panda Ridge was inspired by China's geological formations, including mountains, canyons, and cliffs. The enclosure features: Pools and misters to keep the pandas cool, Rock outcroppings, and Lush trees and bushes.

 There are 3 ways you can visit Panda Ridge.

 Giant Panda Timed Tickets 

Make the most of your day by securing a complimentary Giant Panda Timed Ticket when you arrive at the Zoo. Simply scan the ticket QR code located on signs posted throughout the Zoo, select an available time, and head to the Timed Ticket line at Panda Ridge at your designated time. You may also seek assistance with timed tickets at any Admissions Booth. Timed tickets are only available day of, on a first come, first served basis until the daily limit is reached.

 Standby Line 

No ticket is needed to join the standby line at Panda Ridge any time from 9:30 a.m. until giant pandas are off habitat or the Zoo closes, whichever occurs earlier. Wait times may vary. The standby line does not guarantee visitation to Panda Ridge and is first come, first served.

 Early Morning with Pandas Walking Tour 

A special 60-minute paid Early Morning with Pandas Walking Tour, where an expert guide will lead you to exclusive viewings of giant pandas. This tour is at an additional cost and is not included with admission. Reservations are required. You can make an advanced reservation for the Early Morning with Pandas Walking Tour by reserving online or calling (619) 718-3000.

Winter King Tides Return To San Diego

 The next California King Tides events are coming to San Diego coast line on November 15-17 and December 13-15. These extreme tides shift are caused by the alignment of the sun, moon and Earth and will create the highest and lowest tides of the year. 

The Coastal California Commission has put together a map with dates and times of the winter King Tides available here 

Popular Areas to view 

Location        Date        HIGH Tide    

La Jolla          11/15        7:44am

Mission Bay  11/15        7:54am

Imperial Beach 11/15.     7:49am 

La Jolla         12/14.       6:49am

Mission Bay 12/14.        7:35am

Imperial Beach 12/14    7:30am

Updated with Images from King Tide Weekends in Imperial Beach