1. Sing Sing: Karaoke Without The Embarrassment
The Shout! House may be the place that comes to mind when the younger generation thinks of sing-a-longs and dueling pianos, but Sing Sing in the Gaslamp district did it first. And, some might argue, a little better.
2. The PB Block Party, AKA The Coolest Party Ever
I think someone is trying to gentrify Pacific Beach. Good luck with that. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending upon whom you ask, the Pacific Beach Block Party is no more. Somebody didn’t like the displays of public drunkenness and unruly crowds. Wait, I thought that was what people moved to PB for in the first place?
3. The Original Children’s Museum
So maybe you’ve taken the little ones to The New Children’s Museum down by Harbor Drive so they could get their inner Sheldon Cooper on. But back when most of San Diego was little, there was the Original Children’s Museum located in La Jolla.
4. Palisades Gardens Roller Rink in North Park
Most San Diegans drive by this apartment complex on a regular basis, but did you know that it used to be a roller rink back in the 80s? A giant neon sign would point the way for many a lost soul on a dark night.
5. Lisko Deli & Fish Market
The brightly colored French macaroons at Lisko’s were pretty much the only reason I set foot on El Cajon Blvd. Like every day.
6. La Jolla Brew House
It was sometimes hard to overlook the leftover particles of Kobe beef cooked onto the plates, but Tuesday Trivia Nights kind of made it worth it. That and the ridiculous amount of deals you could get off of Groupon for this place. Come to think of it, I might know why they went out of business.
7. Padres Games At The Murph
Back before Qualcomm Stadium was home to the Chargers, it was called Jack Murphy Stadium and was the stomping grounds of the Padres. Remember when you could watch the game from behind home plate for only $10? And, you know, the Padres actually won games? I kid, I kid.
8. Gingham
I guess when you get your own TV Show a little restaurant in La Mesa stops being important to you. Damn you, Brian Malarkey. I thought we were friends.
9. Skeevy Mayor Bob Filner
Don’t worry, ladies, the streets are safe once again.
10. The Original "Unconditional Surrender" (Or Is It The Kiss Statue?)
Actually, most people probably won’t even be able to tell the difference between the new "Unconditional Surrender" and original one. The new one is made of bronze, so it looks less worn down. The old one had character, though, didn’t it? And it’s where everyone already took their picture of themselves kissing their girlfriend. Time for another one!
11. The Epicness That Was Street Scene
The oldest and largest rock festival in San Diego came to a screeching halt in 2010 when the organizers went into massive debt. Trying to book over 70 acts for a two-day festival in a crappy economy probably didn’t help matters. I’m a little sad I missed the Black-Eyed Peas.
12. The Giant "S" On Cowles Mountain
The older generations might recall that Cowles Mountain was more commonly known as “S” Mountain. That’s because as far back as 1931 students at SDSU would paint a 400-foot tall S on the side of it. It came and went throughout the years, but it won’t see a resurgence again anytime soon. The mountain is a protected area now.
13. The Glass Elevator
Nobody too young will remember this, but there was a working elevator on top of the old El Cortez Apartment Hotel downtown at one time. It was a hydraulic glass elevator called The Starlight Express and it would give families a view of the city on their way to eat. Very Wonka-esque.
14. Hubcap And The Drink That Knocked You On Your Butt
Well, that didn’t last long. No more $5 El Take It Easy during Happy Hour?
15. Vogue, The Little Theater That Could
Guess what? They’re actually bringing this Chula Vista landmark back. No longer will it be a single-screen movie theater, though. They’re renovating and expanding it to include a mezzanine to hold concerts, exhibitions and civic meetings, among other things. It’s nice that they’re not letting it get demolished, but it’ll never be what it once was.
16. People Getting Drunk On The Beach–Legally, At Least
San Diego officially made it illegal to drink alcohol on the beaches a few years back. Not that it’s actually stopped anyone.
17. The Food At Pernicano’s Casa Di Baffi, Because The Building Is Clearly Never Leaving
This 6th street staple is still standing–almost three decades after it closed down. It isn’t coming back anytime soon, as good ole’ George Pernicano has repeatedly stated that he’s not interested. So why the heck won’t he sell or tear it down? Residents of Hillcrest see it as an eyesore, but everyone else still gets a little chuckle when they pass by.
18. The Naval Training Center Before It Became A Victim Of Urban Sprawl
Here’s one for the old-timers. News flash: The Liberty Station, before it became a “mixed-use community” (read: strip mall), was actually home to the Naval Training Center. Top Gun was filmed there.
19. Kung Foo? No, Kung Food!
The only place in the world that could make a person want to voluntarily turn vegan. I mean, you probably didn’t, but I bet you thought about it after eating here.
20. Simic New Renaissance Galleries
America’s Finest City doesn’t exactly have a reputation as a destination for the arts, but the Simic Galleries certainly helped bolster our standing in the world. Until they closed. No more strolls to La Jolla to bask in artistic displays of glory.
21. Anthology–Where All Of My Jazz Dreams Died
Where’s a guy supposed to get his jazz fix now? This once-hopping place closed down at the beginning of last year, but there’s talk of it possibly reopening under new ownership in the near future, but once something’s gone, it’s never the same.
22. Zagarella (More Cheese, Please!)
This place smelled like cheese, which might have turned people off. Unless you love cheese, like me, then you freaking loved Zagarella Italian Restaurant. The $5 martinis sure didn’t hurt, either.
23. That China Inn Restaurant in PB
This Pacific Beach staple closed it doors recently and you can still hear the Rastafarians and frat boys that inhabit PB weeping into their pillows. No more Egg Foo Yung to satisfy those munchies.
24. Voyeur. The Eye Doctors Will Miss This Place The Most.
You know how you see those floating dots in your eyes for a few minutes after a camera flash goes off in your face? That’s kind of how the LED screen at this dance club would leave you feeling for days.
25. FedMart: The Everyman’s Walmart
Before there was Walmart, we had FedMart. This little discount store was a grocery and mini-shopping center all in one. It went out of business when the founder decided to start Price Club. When’s the last time you saw one of those, anyway?
26. Casa Di Bandini’s Margaritas
It was home to some of the largest and tastiest margaritas in the world. Supposedly the owners moved and turned it into the Cosmopolitan. One of these things is not like the other, my friends.
27. Boll Weevil–The Restaurant, Not The Insect
Yes, there are a few of these dotting the landscape in places like IB and over on Clairemont Mesa, but they’re franchises that held on (far too long) after the actual company folded under. And they don’t taste the same. At all. Not that they’re bad–they’re just not the same. 
