On May 12, 1986, the City of San Diego established Tom Cruise’s career for the top one percent of actors. Its purpose was to showcase the lost art of volleyball montage scenes and to insure that the handful of exterior scenes that graduated to the final cut were the best images of 1986 San Diego in the world.
They succeeded.
Today, the city calls it “San Diego Feels the Need for Speed.” The movie lovers call it: Top Gun!
This weekend marks the 30th anniversary of the classic film Top Gun and the star of the movie, San Diego, is ready to celebrate!
Top Gun Parties
Kansas City Barbecue Celebrates Its Role
To celebrate the anniversary, the restaurant will feature food and drink specials May 9 – 19, have the movie showing onscreen, and will be selling 30th Anniversary commemorative T-shirts and challenge coins.
Where: 600 W Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101
When: Through May 19, 2016
> Find out more about Kansas City Barbecue Celebrates Its Role
Top Gun Party at The Lafayette Hotel
Come relive your favorite movie memories right here where history was made…The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows – a wingman you can count on. In addition to screening the movie, there will be a pool party, karaoke contest and specialty cocktails based on the movie.
Where: 2223 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92104
When: May 13, 2016
Time: 2:00 to 10:00 PM
Cost: Varies
> Find out more abou the Top Gun Party at The Lafayette Hotel
Top Gun Day at The Del
The Hotel Del Coronado will celebrate the 30th anniversary of the movie “Top Gun” with a fun tribute day in honor of our naval aviation neighbors. The day will consist of celebrated elements across the property with a charitable component, with the showing of the movie in the evening.
Where: 1500 Orange Avenue, Coronado, CA 92118
When: May 13, 2016
Time: 7:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Cost: Varies
> Find out more about Top Gun Day at The Del
Top Gun Filming Sites You Can Visit
Feel the need for speed at these filming locations according to IMDB:
Charlie’s House
https://www.instagram.com/p/BEyehDev4fd
Even though it’s surrounded by a fence, Charlie’s House in Oceanside is a most stop for any true Top Gun nut!
Where: 102 Pacific Street, Oceanside, California, USA
Kansas City Barbeque
https://www.instagram.com/p/BDw5hdgp5PD
Relive the famous bar scene by sitting at Goose’s piano! Also, they do serve great barbecue and beer as well.
Where: 600 W Harbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92101
Mississippi Room
You’ve won’t lose that loving feeling at The Lafayette Hotel’s Mississippi Room
Naval Training Center (NTC)
30 years ago, NTC trained future sailors. Today, NTC has transformed into Liberty Station – a popular destination for dining, shopping, arts and culture and more.
Where: 2640 Historic Decatur Road, San Diego, CA 92106
Mission Beach Plunge
While ongoing repairs may prevent you from visiting the locker room, you can still visit the building located in the heart of Mission Bay’s Belmont Park.
Where: 3115 Ocean Front Walk, San Diego, CA 92109
Viper’s House
https://www.instagram.com/p/1eDu_GIY7g
Viper must have been moonlighting as a lighthouse keeper since his house is an actual lighthouse at the Cabrillo National Monument.
Where: 1800 Cabrillo Memorial Dr, San Diego, CA 92106
North Island Naval Air Station
https://www.instagram.com/p/BBrAC7_tjxD/
Visiting North Island can be a bit difficult since it’s an active Navy base, so I would suggest exploring the base during the annual Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival.
Where: North Island Naval Air Station (Halsey Field), San Diego, CA 92135
Marine Corps Air Station Miramar
https://www.instagram.com/p/8ZRWL-oSnI
See the former Fightertown USA in its loud, flying glory during the Fall’s MCAS Miramar Air Show.
Where: Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, San Diego, CA 92145
See the Real Top Guns
USS Midway Museum
Imagine living aboard a floating city at sea with Maverick, Goose, Iceman and 4,500 shipmates, by exploring galleys, officer’s country, sleeping quarters and the 4 acre flight deck. Admission includes a self-guided audio tour to over 60 locations from the engine room to control tower, narrated by Midway sailors who lived or worked in each.
Where: 910 Harbor Dr, San Diego, CA 92101
> Find out more about the USS Midway Museum
San Diego Air & Space Museum
Take a walk through aviation history with a visit to the San Diego Air & Space Museum. The Museum houses a collection of historic aircraft and spacecraft from all over the world, including a flyable replica of Lindbergh’s Spirit of St. Louis, the actual Apollo 9 Command Module spacecraft and the only real GPS satellite on display in the world.
Where: 2001 Pan American Plaza, San Diego, CA 92101
> Find out more about the San Diego Air & Space Museum
Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum
What sets this museum apart from all others is the fact that it is the only museum in the world dedicated to preserving the incredible contributions made by Marine Corps aviators and their ground support personnel.
Where: 4203 Anderson Avenue MCAS Miramar, San Diego, CA 92145
> Find out more about the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum