Landscape Information
Formerly known as the G Street Mole, Tuna Harbor Park extends into San Diego Bay between the Navy Supply Pier and Seaport Village. Originally built as part of the city’s historic coal wharf, the Mole served as an important naval fleet landing site until the mid-twentieth century, when it evolved into a hub for commercial tuna fishing. Although tuna was the city’s third-largest industry in the 1960s, the fishery business declined in subsequent years and most of the park’s current site was left vacant until the late 1980s.
Through a series of waterfront memorials and interpretive signage connected by concrete paths, the park honors the tuna industry’s contributions to San Diego, as well as the city’s significant historic and ongoing naval presence. A pedestrian pathway known as the “Greatest Generation Walk” connects multiple memorials and art installations dedicated to World War II. The park’s northern half parallels the Embarcadero’s wooden esplanade and pier, moving from the USS Midway Museum through a swath of shady lawn dotted with naval aircraft memorials. At G Street, the eastern section of the park juts into the bay atop the riprap-lined park. The park contains several memorials and commemorative plazas, including one designed by Wimmer Yamada and Caughey (WYAC) in the 2013 to hold the controversial Unconditional Surrender (also known as “Victory Kiss”) sculpture by Seward Johnson, depicting the famous Times Square embrace between a sailor and a woman following the surrender of Japan. An elevated, circular plaza at the park’s eastern corner provides sweeping views of the USS Midway and San Diego Bay.
