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A History of Paradise - Paradise Point Resort & Spa in San Diego, California
Every year, thousands of travelers enjoy tropical vacations in “paradise” without ever having to cross an ocean, because of the curiosity of a Portuguese explorer, far-sighted San Diego city fathers and an imaginative Hollywood movie producer. The 4,600-acre wonderland, now known as the Mission Bay Aquatic Park, was discovered by Portuguese shipbuilder and navigator Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo in 1542. Disenchanted with the bay because it was not sufficiently deep to accommodate his ships, Cabrillo named the area Bahia Falza, False Bay.
In 1902, George Hall, city horticulture commissioner, suggested the swamp Bahia Falza be developed into an aquatic park. A master plan was approved by the city council in 1958 and the $60 million project created 30 miles of shoreline beaches, grassy knolls, areas for sailing, swimming, picnicking, powerboats, fishing, water skiing, SeaWorld and Paradise Point Resort & Spa. Producer Jack Skirball, famous for movies such as It’s in the Bag, Shadow of a Doubt (directed by Alfred Hitchcock) and Saboteur, was introduced to the property and immediately saw miraculous possibilities for creating the ultimate movie set – a permanent oasis that would endure generation after generation. He envisioned a fantasy-island setting that would feature family vacationers as the cast. Enlisting architect Eldridge Spencer and builder Bob Golden to help implement his ideas, the trio worked to create an extraordinarily beautiful vacation island escape, insulated from the city, but not isolated from San Diego’s features and attractions. Film-making ideas and artifacts were incorporated, such as the porpoise fountain from the movie Cleopatra that Skirball produced in 1920. Decorative masonry from another film adorned the entries to the original cottages.
An abundance of tropical and subtropical flowers and foliage amongst the cabana-style cottages gave each a picturesque view of Mission Bay, lagoons or tropical gardens. Vacation Village (as it was originally named) became a reality when is opened in 1962 with 150 guestrooms, one restaurant, two tennis courts and a small golf course. With continuing expansion and renovation, the property became Paradise Point Resort & Spa in 1998 and now includes three distinctive restaurants overlooking spectacular Mission Bay, 462 guest cottages and an expansive lobby.
There are now five hard-surface tennis courts, five swimming pools, a full-service spa and beauty salon, a state-of-the-art fitness center, which features Cybex and Precor exercise equipment, an 18-hole golf putting course, a full-service marina, a 1.3-mile jogging course, bicycle rentals and lawn croquet. With all of the activities available, many guests have remarked that there’s no reason to leave the island. Another renovation in the spring of 2001 included a sweeping revitalization to this tropical island property, bringing all facilities to premier resort standards.
Today, the philosophy of excellence also extends to Paradise Point’s family of 400 employees who, through intensive training, continuously strive to upgrade their skills to provide the best atmosphere and service for their guests. The resort’s special event and meeting facilities have recently undergone a $9 million renovation, which included a stunning interior and architectural package upgrade. The beautiful, park-like resort has received honors from the national Professional Grounds Management Society for “best landscaped and maintained grounds” among U.S. hotels and motels.
Paradise Point was also named one of the “Top Ten Family Resorts in the World” by Forbes.com. AOL City Guide named Paradise as best choice for outdoor drinks at the resort’s Barefoot Bar & Grill and best outdoor dining at BALEENsandiego, which offers stylized, serious dining overlooking the sparkling waters of Mission Bay. Although the resort is well-known for its family-centric atmosphere and activities, many celebrities and dignitaries have visited Paradise including: Janet Jackson, Michael McDonald, Paul Newman, Roseanne Arnold, Sandra Bernhart, Dan Jansen, Robert Wagner, Hulk Hogan, Mr..T., Corbin Bernsen and Amanda Pays.