THE ART OF LIBERTY
All hands on deck! Liberty Station, a 1920s naval training facility in San Diego, has been repurposed as a mixed-use development. It’s still used for training, but now converted barracks host dance and art classes as well as galleries, shops and small museums. The Spanish Revival architecture, covered walkways and plazas are a delight to stroll through.
My husband and I popped into a watercolor exhibit, watched a flamenco dance class work on a difficult sequence and listened to a docent explain an elaborate textile piece. Best of all, the Navy commissary that served chipped beef on toast has been replaced by the Liberty Public Market, a food hall with multiple vendors.
The Courtyard San Diego Airport/Liberty Station, adjacent to a large park with waterfront views of downtown, is an easy walk to everything in Liberty Station and offers a free shuttle to the nearby airport. The rooms have enough style to overcome the feel of a standard business hotel; amenities include free Wi-Fi, mini-fridge, Keurig coffeemaker and a 40-inch flat-screen TV.
Families might want to choose the Homewood Suites by Hilton next door, which offers daily complimentary breakfast and other extras.
We grazed our way through Liberty Public Market, sampling goodies from its food artisans and chefs. There are butchers, bakers and olive oil makers as well as a roster of kitchen wizards knocking out ceviche, jambalaya, poke, lobster rolls and more. My top picks from a weekend’s worth of indulgence included the bratwurst sandwich with onions, peppers and bacon crumbles at Mastiff Sausage Co. and the seasoned chicken and beef empanadas at Parana Empanadas Argentinas.
The tiny New Americans Museum in Liberty Station celebrates immigrants. Nearby, the San Diego Comic Art Gallery features original art and often has working artists on the premises.
If you visit on the first Friday of the month, there’s the nighttime art walk with its mix of dance, theater and music performances, open museums and galleries, and opportunities to yak with local artists. Miles one way from downtown L.A.: 117 Resources: Liberty Station, www.libertystation.com; Courtyard San Diego Airport/Liberty Station, www.lat.ms/liberty stationhotel; Homewood Suites by Hilton, www.lat.ms /libertystationhomewood; Liberty Public Market, www.liberty publicmarket.com; Mastiff Sausage Co., www.mastiffsausagecompany.com; Parana Empanadas Argentinas, www .paranaempanadas.com; New Americans Museum, www.newamericansmuseum.org; San Diego Comic Art Gallery, www.sdcomicartgallery.com