San Diego Law Library, North County Branch - Vista, CA, USA

Part of the statewide system of County Law Libraries established in 1891, this is one of four located in San Diego County.  Open to the public six days a week.

Located at 325 South Melrose Drive, Suite 300.

Calder Revisited - Vista, CA, USA

Calder Revisited, a sculpture by Buddy Smith, was a part of the second exhibit of Vista's public art display, Kites Over Vista.  It was on display in downtown Vista from 2009 to 2010.

Circuit City - Vista, CA, USA

Circuit City was an electronics retailer with a chain of hundreds of superstores across the United States.  They began closing "under performing" stores in late 2008.  On November 10, 2008 they filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection and actively sought a buyer for the company.  Failing to find a buyer they closed all remaining stores in the first quarter of 2009.
This was the Vista, California superstore in August 2006. 

The building remained empty for several years and the property is presently occupied by a car dealership, Mossy BMW of Vista.

Located at 1715 Hacienda Drive.

Rancho Minerva - Vista, CA, USA

Greek immigrant Nicholas Huntalas and his new wife, Bessie (Papsino), settled in Vista in 1916 on a 420-acre ranch where Nick had lived since acquiring it in 1911.  He built a 4-room wooden home for his new family and named the property Rancho Minerva after the Roman goddess of wisdom.  Because water was scarce people in the area dry farmed, but the newly formed Vista Irrigation District made water available in 1923 and the Huntalases became citrus and avocado growers.  After the birth of their children they built a 3400 square foot 2-story Spanish Revival style home which still stands.  Dirt from the excavation of the basement and wine cellar was used to make the adobe bricks for the home's 14-inch thick walls.  Construction began in 1933 and was completed in 1934, and the home was the center of social gatherings for the community for many years.  Eventually the property was acquired by the Vista Unified School District.  The City of Vista gained the two-acre parcel surrounding the adobe home through a land swap with the school district.  Rancho Minerva Middle School opened across Foothill Drive in 2007 on the old ranch property.  In September 2009 the Vista Historical Society entered into a 25-year lease with the City of Vista and relocated their museum to the old adobe house.

Located at 2317 Old Foothill Drive at the intersection of San Clemente Avenue.  The home is visible from Foothill Drive, directly across the street from Rancho Minerva Middle School.

Wind Dancer - Vista, CA, USA

Wind Dancer, a sculpture by Robert Rochin, is a part of the fourth exhibit of Vista's public art display, Kites Over Vista.  It is on display in downtown Vista from 2011 to 2012.

Located on Main Street just east of the intersection of South Indiana Avenue.

Vista Fire Department-1929 - Vista, CA, USA

Vista Fire Department-1929 is a mural painted by artist Doug Davis.  It was dedicated to the City of Vista by the Vista Village Business Association in 2000.

Located on the east exterior wall of the Curbside Cafe at 307 Main Street.

Back to Basics - Vista, CA, USA

Back to Basics, a sculpture by Daniel Perez, is a part of the fourth exhibit of Vista's public art display, Kites Over Vista.  It is on display in downtown Vista from 2011 to 2012.

A May Day - Vista, CA, USA

A May Day, a sculpture by Melissa Ralston, was a part of the third exhibit of Vista's public art display, Kites Over Vista.  It was on display in downtown Vista from 2010 to 2011.  It remains on permanent display.

Located at the corner of East Broadway and South Indiana Avenue.

Delpy's, Vista Mercantile, Beattie and Travis Mural - Vista, CA, USA

This mural representing Vista's Agricultural History 1890's to 1950's was painted by Charles H. "Chuck" Rouse in 2001.  It covers the north wall of the Hanes Building in downtown Vista.

Located at 131 Hanes Place.

Higher Standards - Vista, CA, USA

Higher Standards, a sculpture by Sergey Gornushkin, is a part of the fourth exhibit of Vista's public art display, Kites Over Vista.  It is on display in downtown Vista from 2011 to 2012.

Santa Fe Depot - Vista, CA, USA

Built by the Santa Fe Railroad in 1913 this building originally was located near the intersection of North Santa Fe Avenue and Washington Street along the freight line between Oceanside and Escondido.  It was used for passenger service until sometime in the early 1940s.  It remained in continuous use for more than 80 years until it was closed in December 1969 due to the reduction of local freight along that line.  It sat empty until 1981 when it was moved to its present location on a hilltop several blocks east, restored, and dedicated for use housing the Vista Chamber of Commerce.



Located on the southeast corner of  Washington Street and Indiana Avenue.

Magic Kite Ride - Vista, CA, USA

Magic Kite Ride, a sculpture by Robert Maya, was a part of the second exhibit of Vista's public art display, Kites Over Vista.  It was on display in downtown Vista from 2009 to 2010.

Kite of Paradise - Vista, CA, USA

Kite of Paradise, a sculpture by Benjamin Lavender, was a part of the second exhibit of Vista's public art display, Kites Over Vista.  It was on display in downtown Vista from 2009 to 2010.

Muffler Man - Vista, CA, USA

In August of 2004 I pulled into the parking lot in front of Ed's Giant Muffler with the intention of snapping a quick photo of the Muffler Man from the window of my vehicle.  As I was pulling in two individuals in a white truck had just exited the lot.  They made an abrupt u-turn and rushed back into the lot and blocked my vehicle, wanting to know what I was up to.  That is their white truck reflected in the window.  The older one, whom I presume must have been Ed, seemed quite irritated that I had momentarily stopped in a parking lot shared by a number of businesses to take a photo of the giant Muffler Man he had on prominent display in front of his shop instead of buying one of his mufflers. 

By March of 2007 the shop was simply called Giant Muffler and had been renovated.  The Muffler Man had been repainted, his shirt in black and yellow checks.  By July of 2009 the Muffler Man was gone, and his whereabouts are still unknown.  Another business now occupies this location.

Formerly located at 2244 S. Santa Fe Avenue.


Addendum, April 18, 1012: 
Roadsideamerica.com is reporting that Vista's Muffler Man was moved to Rocky Point, NC in August of 2007.

Avo Theatre - Vista, CA, USA

The Avo Theatre was originally a neighborhood movie house.  Designed by architect S. Charles Lee, it opened in December 1948 and featured an avocado shaped lobby.  After closing as a movie theater it was purchased by the City of Vista in 1995 and the interior was modified to accommodate live performances.  Moonlight Stage Productions produces Moonlight at the Avo, a series of performances there each winter.  Renamed the Avo Playhouse, it is available to rent for performances and special events.

Located at 303 Main Street.

Juanita's Taco Shop - Vista, CA, USA

Casual and inexpensive, offering dine-in or take-out service.  Family friendly, no alcohol.

Located at 248 Main Street.


Addendum, October 12, 2011:
In the pre-dawn hours of October 12, 2011, Juanita's Taco Shop suffered significant fire damage and is considered a total loss.
Fire Damages Vista Taco Shop - Arson, Burglary Suspected at Juanita's Taco Shop  (10news.com article)
Taco Shop Burns Down; Cash Register Found in Oceanside  (nctimes.com article)

Rancho Vista Hotel - Vista, CA, USA

Built in the mid-1930s as part of the Rancho Vista Development and originally renting "furnished and unfurnished light housekeeping apartments." 
An ad in The Vista Press on February 4, 1937 reads:
"FOR RENT - Front unfurnished apt. on ground floor; large living room with fire place, kitchen and bedroom, $17, inc. lights, water."

My grandfather was a resident here on the 2nd floor for a time in the late 1950s.

Located at 537 S. Santa Fe Avenue.

American Legion Building - Vista, CA, USA

When American Legion Post No. 365 needed room to expand from their previous location on East Vista Way, Alvin M. Dunn offered this South Santa Fe Ave. lot.  The Alvin Myo Dunn Post No. 365 building was completed in 1948 and was named in honor of Dunn's grandson.  In 2010 Post No. 365 again needed to expand and moved into a former restaurant further south on South Santa Fe Ave. 

The American Legion Alvin Myo Dunn Post No. 365 building is located at 321 South Santa Fe Ave.

Pepper Tree Frosty - Vista, CA, USA

Originally a Tastee Freez franchise opened in 1953.  The Villaseñor family changed the name to Pepper Tree Frosty shortly after they purchased the business in 1960.  The name Pepper Tree comes from the Pepper Trees that once lined the creek next to the business.  When Vista deepened and lined the creek as a flood control channel it cut off water to the trees and damaged the roots, killing the trees.

 
One large Pepper Tree stump remains next to a patio seating area.

Located at 270 South Santa Fe Ave. the business is still operated by the Villaseñor family and is the site of the annual Burger Run car show held every January.