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Published

October 30, 2015

Growing Up in San Diego

Before the malls in Mission Valley, and the 5, the 805, and the 52, there was a simpler San Diego. One filled with wide-open spaces and dirt roads, daylong Padres games that ended with a Beach Boys concert and fireworks, beachfront properties that sold for $600, and the freedom to swing from the branches of that big banyan tree in Balboa Park. Being a kid in San Diego was magic—and we're not alone in our nostalgia. Here, 26 notable locals share their childhood memories of the city that was.

By Kimberly Cunningham with additional reporting by Troy Johnson

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

Growing Up in San Diego

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