San Diego readies for America 250!

Walking around San Diego the past week or so, I’ve seen signs that the city is getting ready for the big America 250 celebration. The 250th anniversary of the United States is coming up on Saturday, July 4th–Independence Day!

I’ve been taking photos of things that concern America’s birthday. Here’s what I’ve found so far, including event information you might find useful…

In Old Town:

In Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, an Old-Fashioned 4th of July will include a flag raising ceremony, live music, art, lawn games, a watermelon eating contest, a quilt raffle, and loads of free family fun. The patriotic event starts at 11 am and continues to 3 pm.

In the Marriott Marina:

At the Coronado Ferry Landing:

At the San Diego County Fair:

In Coronado at the VFW:

At a hotel and restaurant in East Village:

I forget where:

In Balboa Park:

In Balboa Park, the House of USA will present America’s 250th 4th of July Celebration! There will be food, dancing, music and patriotic fervor! It all takes places at the International Cottages from 11 am to 4 pm.

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Free summer concerts in Balboa Park!

San Diego band 8 Track Highway filled Balboa Park’s Spreckels Organ Pavilion with classic 70s and 80s rock ‘n roll music this evening, and the concert was free! Do you know about the concert series Twilight in the Park?

During the summer, Tuesday through Thursday, a wide variety of musical performers entertain all comers for free up on the stage of the historic Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Concerts last one hour, from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.

It’s the 45th anniversary of Twilight in the Park. Can you believe it? They’re providing 28 concerts this year–right through the end of August.

Offerings include everything from Jazz to Blues to Zydeco to Classic Country to Musicals to Oldies to Funk, to songs by the Beatles, the Pretenders, Santana and much more! You can see the upcoming schedule (and perhaps help them out with a donation) by clicking here.

This year Twilight in the Park is partnering with Save Starlight, the organization working to revitalize the Starlight Bowl amphitheater in Balboa Park. Their mission is to repurpose San Diego’s abandoned historic Starlight Bowl, restoring and modernizing the facility under community collaboration into an inclusive and innovative interaction of arts, culture, and education for all.

With the help of the San Diego community, Save Starlight has been making progress toward their goal.

I’ve supported the organization over the years. I have great memories of the Starlight Bowl from my youth.

One way you can help revive the Starlight Bowl is by becoming a Legacy Donor. Among other perks, you’ll get a personalized star on the Walk of Fame and a commemorative plaque on the Donor Wall! And you’ll help bring one of San Diego’s most iconic outdoor venues back to life!

To learn more about Save Starlight and many different opportunities, visit their website here!

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Marvel Super Heroes assemble in San Diego!

Five powerful Marvel superheroes have arrived in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter! These members of the Avengers are assembling in time for upcoming Comic-Con 2026!

Check out these sidewalk advertisements for Magic the Gathering.

Marvel Super Heroes are featured in action poses. I see Black Widow, Hulk, Black Panther, Iron Man and Thor!

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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

Family Guy and American Dad on Comic-Con trolley!

More San Diego trolley wraps keep showing up for Comic-Con 2026! I spotted one today that promotes Family Guy and American Dad on Disney/Hulu!

I’m not sure whether other shows are featured on the wrap’s opposite side. If I spot anything, I’ll post an update!

If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con so far, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!

Horse racing mural at Del Mar Fairgrounds.

In my previous blog post, I shared photos of a colorful fair mural at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. It decorates one side of the long tunnel under the horse racing track. The tunnel connects the Grandstand with the infield.

Now I’ll share photographs of the mural that decorates the tunnel’s opposite side. Also painted by artist Tom Fagan, it depicts the history of horse racing at the racetrack!

The Del Mar Racetrack was added to the fairgrounds in 1936 by the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club. Founding member Bing Crosby led the effort. You know, he who famously sings “Where the turf meets the surf down at old Del Mar. Take a plane, take a train, take a car. There is a smile on every face and a winner in each race…”

Back in the day, Hollywood movie stars and celebrities would flock to the races, including frequent visitor and avid horseplayer Jimmy Durante. The mural shows some of that.

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Colorful fair mural at Del Mar Fairgrounds!

A long tunnel at the Del Mar Fairgrounds allows visitors to walk under the race track, from the Grandstand to the infield. Those attending the San Diego County Fair often use it to walk from the Fun Zone to Family Funville.

Two very different murals cover the tunnel walls, one on either side. The first depicts fair activity through the years. The second, which I’ll cover in my next blog post, depicts horse racing at the fairground. According to various signatures, both long murals were painted by artist Tom Fagan over the course of several years.

The painted side you’ll see in this blog post show activities at the fair during its rich history. There are carnival rides, farm animals, garden shows, entertainment, food and fun!

After beginning in 1880, the fair moved to the Del Mar Fairgrounds in 1936 where it has been known at various times as the San Diego County Fair, the Southern California Exposition, and the Del Mar Fair.

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Centennial Time Capsule buried in Balboa Park!

San Diego’s amazing cultural hub, Balboa Park, is the ideal location for a time capsule. Years ago I photographed one such time capsule in the House of Hospitality’s courtyard. Find that photo here.

Another time capsule was placed in Balboa Park in 2015. Why 2015? That was Balboa Park’s centennial!

This particular 24-inch stainless steel time capsule was buried near the Old Globe, in the Craig Noel Garden. (The shady garden under the California Tower has comfortable benches for relaxation–a place I often visit.)

You might ask: When people open the Centennial Time Capsule in 2115, what will they find? This article explains. Artifacts include a letter from President Obama, cultural artifacts, and documents from eleven Balboa Park institutions.

Will Balboa Park be much different almost a century from now? Changes large and small are certainly coming. Hopefully the park remains just as magical and beautiful.

A plaque tops the buried capsule. It reads:

This Centennial Time Capsule is presented to the citizens of San Diego, to be unearthed during the 2115 Bicentennial of our beloved Balboa Park. Contents include artifacts depicting our lives, times and culture. May it see light at a time of peace, joy and celebration.

Patrons of the Prado is committed to raising funds to benefit eleven arts and science institutions on the Prado in Balboa Park, and for programs that provide educational access for San Diego school children to the world-class treasures of Balboa Park, inspiring cultural fluency for future generations.

Patrons of the Prado

November 16, 2015

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Statue of Don Diego at Del Mar Fairgrounds.

If you go to the San Diego County Fair this summer and enter through the main O’Brien Gate, you might notice this statue to one side of the Will Call window. It’s a bronze representation of Don Diego, legendary host and goodwill ambassador of the old Del Mar Fair.

The sculpture, created by artist Maher Morcos, was unveiled at the Del Mar Fairgrounds back in 1985. It is dedicated to Spanish actor Tom Hernandez. For 37 years he portrayed smiling Don Diego, a character based on historical late 1800s Del Mar landowner Don Diego Alvarado. Tom used to greet fair-goers with a friendly “¡Bienvenidos Amigos!”

Tom Hernandez was greatly missed when he passed away in 1984. Over the years his character Don Diego had become a true San Diego icon.

The statue is 16 feet high and weighs 1,500 pounds. At its base is a plaque, which I will transcribe here…

DON DIEGO

GOODWILL AMBASSADOR OF THE DEL MAR FAIR 1947-1984

TOM HERNANDEZ SERVED AS THE OFFICIAL HOST OF THE DEL MAR FAIR, SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA EXPOSITION, FOR 37 YEARS. HE PORTRAYED DON DIEGO, THE MAGICAL FIGURE WHO APPEARED EACH YEAR TO ESCORT THE FAIREST OF THE FAIR AND PRESIDE OVER THE DEL MAR FAIR.

DEDICATED BY THE 22ND DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION JUNE 20, 1985

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Graphics in windows of Brain Observatory!

Have you heard of the Brain Observatory in downtown San Diego? It’s a fascinating place that you can visit!

Curious? I posted a blog about my own visit to the Brain Observatory a couple years ago. Read about it by clicking here.

Look at the graphics I saw today on the Brain Observatory’s windows while walking along Broadway!

Now is your own brain really curious?

Students paint boxes outside Central Library!

Students attending e3 Civic High were painting an electrical box on a sidewalk next to San Diego’s downtown Central Library today!

The charter school is actually located within the Central Library. It serves grades 9-12 with a mission to “Engage, Educate, and Empower” students through a partnership with the library.

After looking at the young artists’ progress painting the San Diego skyline, I walked around the corner and found another box that is nearly finished!