San Diego’s Sunset Cliffs Nature Park dates back to the early 20th century. The bluffs stretch for approximately 1.5 miles along the western face of the Pt. Loma peninsula. A picturesque paved road curves along the top of the cliffs, and multi-million dollar homes sit majestically along the route.
The spectacular scenery attracts photographers from far and wide. Fishermen stand on wave-sculpted terraced outcroppings in the midst of waves; and almost 100 weddings take place here each year. Daredevils like to jump off cliffs into the churning waves below, although it is illegal to do so.
But it sure looks like fun.
Locals have labeled various sections with names such as Claiborne’s Cove, Pappy’s Point, Luscomb’s Point, Rock Pile, Abs’s Reef, Newbreak Beach, and No Surf Beach.
There should be a section called Spaulding’s beach, or maybe Curveball Beach.
Albert Goodwill Spaulding, the man who opened the famous sporting goods store (and was also elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame with a pitching record of 253 wins and 55 losses, a 2.14 ERA, and a . 313), built a large park along the cliffs in 1915.
The park cost Spaulding $2 million to build and contained landscaped pathways, thatched-roof shelters, arched bridges, and several caves to explore. The featured attraction was a 15×50 saltwater pool artfully carved out of natural rock to be cleaned by high tides each day.
When Spaulding later bequeathed the park to the city of San Diego, he asked the city to keep it. Instead, the city neglected the park, and over the years, despite attempts by other San Diegans to save it, Spaulding’s park was lost. Today, only a few foundations and handrails can be seen here and there from the old park structures.
Thousands of locals and tourists visit Sunset Cliffs each year, yet few are aware of the connection between the famous cliffs and Albert Spaulding. It’s just another dark footnote in San Diego history.