Albert Spaulding Park – A Lost Treasure

San Diego’s Sunset Cliffs Nature Park dates back to the early 20th century. The bluffs extend for approximately 1.5 miles along the western face of the Pt. Loma peninsula. A picturesque paved driveway curves along the top of the cliffs, and multi-million dollar homes sit regally along the route.

The spectacular scenery attracts photographers from far and wide. Anglers stand on wave-sculpted terraced outcroppings amid the waves; and nearly 100 weddings take place here each year. Daredevils like to jump off cliffs into the waves churning below, although it is illegal to do so.

But it sure looks like fun.

Locals have tagged various sections with names like 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 started 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, palm-thatched shelters, arched bridges, and several caves to explore. The featured attraction was a 15×50 saltwater pool cleverly carved out of the natural rock to be washed clean by high tides every 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 footings and handrails can be seen here and there from the old structures in the park.

Thousands of locals and tourists visit the Sunset Cliffs each year, and yet few know of the connection between the famous cliffs and Albert Spaulding. It’s just another dark footnote in San Diego history.