A Tropical Landmark Steeped in Local Heritage
A Tropical Landmark Steeped in Local HeritageBali Hai Restaurant is a unique wedding venue located in San Diego, CA. This destination has a rich history that is peppered with the romance of mystery and Hollywood. To this day, the establishment remains one of the largest original tiki temples in the world. The restaurant opened in 1954, but its history began even earlier. To understand restaurateur Tom Ham’s accomplishment at Bali Hai Restaurant, the past must be delved into, focusing on about 20 years prior. It was in the year 1935 that a movie titled “The Bounty” was filmed on Catalina Island. This film starred actor Clark Gable, who played a man named Fletcher Christian. A Tahitian village was erected on the island, creating the set for the cinematic tale. To support the crew as filming took place, a bar was built below Gable’s sleeping quarters. This bar was fondly referred to as Christian’s Hut, named after his character. The bar was subsequently relocated to Newport Beach after shooting, inspiring franchises to spring up in various locations. The last surviving of these was San Diego’s. Tom Ham saw an opportunity in the bankrupted building, bringing it back to glory and renaming it Bali Hai. In addition to this endeavor, he also opened a functioning lighthouse, thus creating lasting landmarks in the San Diego region. With elements from the roots of the establishment, including a goofy and lovingly conserved tiki-head, the Bali Hai Restaurant was refurbished in 2010. This helped to bolster the location’s success in the modern era, influencing the Ham family’s growing record of Mai Tais sold. This island environment is an enchanting wedding location with a picturesque backdrop. Couples and their guests will be able to enjoy scenic views of San Diego Bay and the downtown city skyline. Events large and small can find an ideal spot on the island, and there are plenty of versatile event spaces to choose from. A private event team is on-hand to assist a betrothed couple’s every need. This team is prepared to provide their expertise in event planning in order to make a wedding celebration one to remember. They are skilled in offering both solutions and guidance throughout the entire process, making events run smoothly with practical finesse. Should couples have questions about spaces or services, they are encouraged to reach out to Bali Hai Restaurant to have a chat about their wedding possibilities.