STEPHEN ESMEDINAStephen EsmedinaA number of years ago, I was persuaded by a guileful siren with designs on the music biz to share my lowly downtown apartment for “a couple of days” with the great but …
March 5, 2026
Arnold wrote news and features for the Reader in the 1980s and 1990s.
Some of his early writing:
Nov. 17, 1983 Doors Opened in Past for Mayor (Hedgecock history as concert promoter)
Apr. 26, 1990 A Town Called Bob
Jan. 7, 1993 What They Didn't Tell You About Mr. San Diego
Articles by Thomas K. Arnold
San Diego Reader writers tell their dream stories never written
Tom Arnold's Old Places: La Valencia Hotel
PlaceLa Valencia Hotel1132 Prospect Street, San DiegoThe building known by locals as La Jolla's “Pink Lady” was designed by local architect Reginald Johnson as a tribute to classic Spanish architecture. Opened in December 1926 as …
August 13, 2025
Tom Arnold's Old Places: Hamel's Action Sports Center
The idea of writing about old places in San Diego County has been something I’ve been mulling around for years – but I kept putting it off because coming up with the parameters was a …
June 25, 2025
Tom Arnold's Old Places: Oceanside Moose Lodge
The idea of writing about old places in San Diego County has been something I’ve been mulling around for years – but I kept putting it off because coming up with the parameters was a …
May 29, 2025
Tom Arnold's Old Places: The Beachcomber and The Pennant Bar in Mission Beach
The idea of writing about old places in San Diego County has been something I’ve been mulling around for years – but I kept putting it off because coming up with the parameters was a …
May 22, 2025
Tom Arnold's Old Places: Log Cabin Apartments
The idea of writing about old places in San Diego County has been something I’ve been mulling around for years – but I kept putting it off because coming up with the parameters was a …
May 14, 2025
Tom Arnold's Old Places: Pacific Shores Cocktail Lounge
The idea of writing about old places in San Diego County has been something I’ve been mulling around for years – but I kept putting it off because coming up with the parameters was a …
May 7, 2025
Tom Arnold's Old Places: The Black
The idea of writing about old places in San Diego County has been something I’ve been mulling around for years – but I kept putting it off because coming up with the parameters was a …
May 2, 2025
Tom Arnold's Old Places: Bali Hai
The idea of writing about old places in San Diego County has been something I’ve been mulling around for years – but I kept putting it off because coming up with the parameters was a …
April 24, 2025