Happy Father's Day from County Properties

By the way…if you know of someone who would appreciate the level of service in real estate we provide, please call me or have them go to www.CountyProperties.net and I’ll be happy to follow up and take great care of them.

Origins of Father's Day

The campaign to celebrate the nation’s fathers did not meet with the same enthusiasm--perhaps because, as one florist explained, “fathers haven’t the same sentimental appeal that mothers have.” On July 5, 1908, a West Virginia church sponsored the nation’s first event explicitly in honor of fathers, a Sunday sermon in memory of the 362 men who had died in the previous December’s explosions at the Fairmont Coal Company mines in Monongah, but it was a one-time commemoration and not an annual holiday. The next year, a Spokane, Washington woman named Sonora Smart Dodd, one of six children raised by a widower, tried to establish an official equivalent to Mother’s Day for male parents. She went to local churches, the YMCA, shopkeepers and government officials to drum up support for her idea, and she was successful: Washington State celebrated the nation’s first statewide Father’s Day on July 19, 1910.  Slowly, the holiday spread. In 1916, President Wilson honored the day by using telegraph signals to unfurl a flag in Spokane when he pressed a button in Washington, D.C. In 1924, President Calvin Coolidge urged state governments to observe Father’s Day. However, many men continued to disdain the day. As one historian writes, they “scoffed at the holiday’s sentimental attempts to domesticate manliness with flowers and gift-giving, or they derided the proliferation of such holidays as a commercial gimmick to sell more products--often paid for by the father himself.”

Father's Day: Controversy and Commercialism

During the 1920s and 1930s, a movement arose to scrap Mother’s Day and Father’s Day altogether in favor of a single holiday, Parents’ Day. Every year on Mother’s Day, pro-Parents’ Day groups rallied in New York City’s Central Park--a public reminder, said Parents’ Day activist and radio performer Robert Spere, “that both parents should be loved and respected together.” Paradoxically, however, the Depression derailed this effort to combine and de-commercialize the holidays. Struggling retailers and advertisers redoubled their efforts to make Father’s Day a “second Christmas” for men, promoting goods such as neckties, hats, socks, pipes and tobacco, golf clubs and other sporting goods, and greeting cards. When World War II began, advertisers began to argue that celebrating Father’s Day was a way to honor American troops and support the war effort. By the end of the war, Father’s Day may not have been a federal holiday, but it was a national institution.In 1972, in the middle of a hard-fought presidential re-election campaign, Richard Nixon signed a proclamation making Father’s Day a federal holiday at last.  Today, economists estimate that Americans spend more than $1 billion each year on Father’s Day gifts.

3.0

read reviews

Busalacchi's Italian Restaurant

3683 5th Ave., San Diego, CA 92103 (map)

Calling all wannabe Tony Sopranos! Busalacchi's is the place for an old-school family Italian meal a la The Godfather. Take a stroll down to Little Italy after dinner and splurge on canolis at their sister cafe Zucchero.

---

write review

Riviera Supper Club and Turquoise Room

7777 University Ave, La Mesa, CA 91941 (map)

For the hip, scenester Dads out there, Riviera Supper Club is the perfect spot for a family dinner. Dad can show off his grilling skills at the DIY grill and, on Sundays, there's live music in the lounge.

---

3.0

read reviews

Island Prime

880 Harbor Island Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)

For all the fathers who flock to the finer things in life, Island Prime is the perfect special occasion restaurant. The steaks are prime, the seafood's fresh, the wine list is excellent and the views of the skyline top it all. A perfect, upscale, go-all-out choice.

---

4.0

read reviews

Jake's Del Mar

1660 Coast Blvd, Del Mar, CA 92014 (map)

Give Dad the gift of great steaks, fresh fish and a sparkling ocean view at Del Mar's waterfront grill. Just be sure to make reservations, as this is local favorite up in Del Mar.

---

3.5

read reviews

Karl Strauss Brewing Co

9675 Scranton Road, San Diego, CA 92121 (map)

For the home-brewing Papa, this locally owned brewery and restaurant is a perfect place to plan a beer/food pairing for dinner. We love the All-American menu (Dad will, too), but be sure to make reservations early.

---

5.0

read reviews

Pal Joey's

5147 Waring Rd, San Diego, CA 92120 (map)

Stop in to Allied Gardens' neighborhood watering hole on Father's Day for steak and a surprise: It's been completely overhauled! the dance floor is bigger, the colors are lighter and brighter and, on Father's Day, they're serving up an old-fashioned steak and baked beans BBQ for just $2 per ticket.

---

5.0

read reviews

Eclipse Chocolat

2121 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104 (map)

Make reservations at Eclipse Chocolat for a chocolate-themed Father's Day BBQ. That's right, chocolate BBQ! Give dad a break from the grill and just let him enjoy the chocolate caramel cheesburger, chile-roasted corn with cocoa nib butter and more. Cost is $25 per person, and advanced reservations are required.

---

Father's Day Gift Ideas

---

write review

Brady's Clothing For Men

1500 Orange Ave, Coronado, CA 92118 (map)

If you've got Benjamins to burn on some new duds for Dad, this sophisticated men's clothing store hidden away in the shops in the underground level at The Del is a good place to start.

---

write review

West Marine

1250 Rosecrans St, San Diego, CA 92106 (map)

This place is always crowded in the weeks leading up to Father's Day for a reason: It's the end-all, be-all retail store for anyone interested in boating, sailing, or fishing. If your dad hangs out on the water, you'll have no trouble finding him something special at West Marine.

---

3.0

read reviews

The Jeanery UTC

4405 La Jolla Village Dr, Store I-6, San Diego, CA 92122 (map)

Nothing says I love you like a nice pair of jeans, right? OK, so this might be more desirable for newer, younger dads who aren't quite excited by brunch at te country club just yet. A sweet pair of nice designer jeans (or, if you're on a budget, maybe a hat or a cool belt?) is the perfect way to let him know he's still hip to you.

---

write review

Shops At Las Americas

4211 Camino de la Plaza, San Diego, CA 92173 (map)

Calling all one-stop shoppers: The Shops at Las Americas are the answer for you. Whether you want to get Dad a nice shirt a tie, a new golf glove or just a nice card and a bottle of wine, you can find it all in South Bay's mega-outlet mall.

---

More Ideas, Events for Father's Day

---

3.0

read reviews

Barnstorming Adventures Limited

2016 Palomar Airport Rd, Carlsbad, CA 92011 (map)

Take Dad up, up and away on a barnstorming adventure in a real airplane. Ex-Navy and Air Force piltos give tours on the classic airplanes (yes, they do barrel rolls!) in the skies above Rancho Santa Fe. Be sure to call ahead for reservations, as they only have a limited number of flights available on Father's Day.

---

write review

Coronado Ferry Landing

1201 1st St Ste K-6, Coronado, CA 92118 (map)

Take the ferry over to Coronado, and treat Dad to lunch and a bike ride along the beach path. Or splurge on a nice sunset dinner at Il Fornaio or Candelas. Both are within walking distance of the ferry landing, and both have panoramic views of the city skyline.

---

5.0

read reviews

Seaport Village

879 W Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)

On a budget? Still want to plan a fun day for Dad? Why not pack up a picnic and head to Seaport Village? Wander through the shops, stroll along the promenade, check out all the boats in the marina, or grab coffee and treats at Upstart Crow. It's a perfect place to make a special day without spending a lot. in the restaurant.

---

write review

USS Midway

910 N Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101 (map)

What better way to honor Dad than to spend a day learning about and paying homage to all the Dads (and moms) who've served in the Navy? Touring the USS Midway, a floating museum, gives a unique glimpse into all things maritime along the San Diego Bay.

---

write review

Sail Ho Golf Club

2960 Truxtun Rd, San Diego, CA 92106 (map)

Sail Ho is an easy little Par 3 course that's perfect for a half-day out with Dad. We love the Bar & Grill at the course, too--awesome burgers and beer selection.

---

2.5

read reviews

Torrey Pines Golf Course

11480 N Torrey Pines Road, LA Jolla, CA 92037 (map)

Set on the cliffs amongst the indigenous Torrey pines, two 18-hole courses are famous for unrivaled views of the ocean. If you can score dad a tee time here, you'll be a champ for years to come. But it sure isn't an wasy task, and there are no tips, tricks, or screts. Just. Keep. Calling.