SAN DIEGO —
Welcome to Barrio Logan and Chicano Park
At Chicano Park, you might find yourself in the middle of a cultural event, surrounded by food, dance and music, all of which represent Barrio Logan.
As you walk through the park, you can admire dozens of highway pillars covered in colorful murals. Each one paints the stories and the struggles of hard-working families.
There's also the Chicano Park Museum and Cultural Center, both working to keep every inch of the Barrio Logan Chicano history alive.
Dr. Alberto López Pulido grew up in Barrio Logan and is now the vice chair of the museum, a cultural hub that supports Chicano and Latino artists. Most recently, the exhibition focused on immigrant families.
"The art showing here today features the challenges around immigrant communities, the issues around surviving the border crossings, the butterflies behind me, representing a life without borders," Pulido said.
The museum's art and history change through each exhibition. But the Chicano Park murals stay focused on the difficulties that came with making the park happen.
"That's what this neighborhood is about." Pulido said. "That's what we always think about. You know, this neighborhood was destroyed when I-5 and the Coronado Bay Bridge went through, where 75% of the neighborhood was lost."
In the 1970s, the Logan Heights community and Chicano groups fought for this park after stopping the erasion of their neighborhood and cultural history. The community back then had been promised a park but leaders at the time had plans to build a highway patrol station instead.
It's why Chicano Park and the Chicano Park Museum are so important to Latino and Chicano families. It pays respect to the protests that led to the park's creation.
San Diego Vintage Co. and the BSide Players
From He-Man to Skeletor, playing on the Atari 2600, and rewinding those cassettes, San Diego Vintage Company in Barrio Logan will take you back to a precious time before the internet when handheld devices did not include a cell phone, when Jordan Jerseys were the hottest and when...the Chargers were still in San Diego.
Karlos Paez is seeking nostalgia throughout his years."That's my pops right there. So Los Moonlights is a huge Tijuana band that made it really big back in the sixties and seventies."
His dad, a legendary singer in Mexico provided him a childhood rich with tunes and that's part of why Karlos' life goes far beyond his vintage shop.
Karlos has traveled the world for three decades as the founder and lead singer of BSide Players performing at festivals and still creating new music.
His latest music was made right here in Barrio Logan, highlighting some iconic locations throughout the neighborhood.
"This is the mecca of like Aslan and uh you know, fighting for social justice," Karlos said. "It started with the Chicano movement and the Farmer's Rights."
Karlos was born in Tijuana and as a kid, he was already crossing into San Diego all the time. His music took him from country to country playing a cross of reggae, salsa, samba, hip hop and jazz, any sound he discovered along the way.
And when he's not performing, you'll find him here ready to talk vintage with anyone who can appreciate their roots.
8 great things to do in Barrio Logan
There are many diverse things to do and see in Barrio Logan including several opportunities to see Mexican-American culture and art. CBS 8 is highlighting 8 great spots you need to check out.
This national historic landmark under the Coronado Bridge has a pavilion or Kiosco for cultural celebrations and its own museum. Lots of people gather here for the annual Chicano Park Day, a free event featuring performances, low riders and vendors.
The park is home to the largest concentration of Chicano murals in the world, with more than 100 paintings.
Barrio Logan is home to several art galleries including Bread & Salt andNeveria Los Mochis, which claims to be Southern California's only ice cream shop and art gallery.
This event happens on the second Saturday of the month. It's a self-guided tour of art around the neighborhood.
San Diego's premier family-owned coffee-roaster in now on its third generation of leadership. We take a look at it's Barrio Logan roasting facility and Cafe Moto's popular tasting room.
Historic Logan Avenue
This main street runs through the heart of Barrio Logan. You can find many boutiques food, coffee and drinks here.
This restaurant has a simple menu of authentic Mexican food but almost always has a long line out the door. The family-owned restaurant has been serving Barrio Logan since 1933. Just make sure to bring some cash.
San Diego's first Latina-owned brewery aims to empower women to enjoy and learn about craft beer. They host tons of community events including markets, featuring other small businesses.
They're known for their Mexican craft beers and they host events like Familia Loteria night and Chicano-Con.
So come have a beer, grab some food and enjoy the art and culture of this beautiful neighborhood.
Throwback
Journal 1979 Inside Barrio Logan, a San Diego community | News 8 Throwback Special
In February 1979 Judy Elfenbein and photojournalist Ron Johnson highlighted the San Diego community of Barrio Logan. It's a four-part series exploring the iconic neighborhood.