A weekend in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood

A mural and more are reflected in a window along Ohio Street in San Diego’s North Park, a culturally diverse neighborhood with the requisite art galleries, boutiques, trendy bars and foodie-approved eateries.   (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

A mural by artist Billy Martinez decorates a parking lot in the San Diego hipster neighborhood of North Park.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Vintage clothing and accessories await at the Girl Can’t Help It in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The scene outside Cirello Gallery on Ray Street in San Diego’s North Park area. Ray at Night takes over the street the second Saturday of each month. This celebration of the arts features galleries, street vendors and music.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Stop by Caffe Calabria on 30th Street in San Diego for a decadent hot Mexican cocoa and more.   (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The Italian-style coffeehouse Caffe Calabria in North Park was once a Bank of America (the vault is still there).  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

A booth at Caffe Calabria. In addition to coffee and tea, the cafe servers Neapolitan pizza.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The Linkery on 30th Street in San Diego’s North Park neighborhood is a rock star of the local dining scene.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The farm-to-table indie Linkery is a shrine to craft beer and much more.   (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Bob Hope stayed here back in the day. Now his image graces the lobby of the Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows in San Diego’s North Park area.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

The covered courtyard of the Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows. The San Diego inn was built in 1946 in the Grand Colonial style and has hosted many Tinseltown luminaries.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

Legend has it that the pool at San Diego’s Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows was designed by Olympic swimmer Johnny Weissmuller, a.k.a. Tarzan.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)

A room in the main building at the Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows in San Diego. After a recent $6-million restoration, the hotel is ready for its close-up.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / Los Angeles Times)