Restoring the rose garden pergola in Balboa Park!

The pergola at the center of the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden in Balboa Park is being rebuilt!

I took these photographs today as construction workers were busy recreating the historically inspired pergola. The original structure had been torn down several years ago due to wood rot and being exposed to the weather for decades.

Now the pergola (what I’ve previously called a gazebo) is coming back! When completed, visitors to Balboa Park will once again enjoy a shady retreat in the middle of a world-class rose garden.

Learn more about this project by clicking here.

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San Diego students create art for Dia de los Muertos!

Should you visit Old Town San Diego State Historic Park in the next couple weeks, be sure to watch for signs leading to an incredible exhibition of Dia de los Muertos art created by students from schools all across San Diego!

The exhibit is made possible through the Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) program of the San Diego Unified School District in partnership with California State Parks.

What will you see? A whole lot of amazing art, created by hundreds of highly creative TK-12 students!

There are Dia de los Muertos drawings, paintings, miniature ofrendas, dioramas, sculptures, Catrinas, ceramics, sugar skulls, and so much more. Every participating school has their own special little spot to showcase student artwork.

This now seems to be an annual exhibition, which is quite exciting! Congratulations to all participating students! Excellent work!

As one sign explains: Through a variety of media and artistic approaches, students explore remembrance, cultural traditions, identity, healing, and connection. Together, their individual works create a collective celebration of the people, stories, and communities we carry with us.

My photos…

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Photos of great surf action in Del Mar!

Lots of great surf action going on today in Del Mar!

I paused at Seagrove Park and gazed down at the beach and Pacific Ocean just taking it all in.

It’s a sunny mid-October day, the recent heat wave is coming to an end, and the conditions for surfing are perfect.

Clean surf, long smooth rides…what could be better?

Some photos of the action…

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Fall comes to Del Mar in a colorful display!

Walking in Del Mar today.

As I passed the old Del Mar Post Office on 15th Street, I noticed the Del Mar Garden Club has put together a colorful box display that celebrates the fall season and Dia de Los Muertos.

Thought you might enjoy seeing this…

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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

Photos of chalk art at Bella Vita Fest!

Bella Vita Fest is being held this weekend in San Diego’s Little Italy. A big part of the Italy themed festival is the creation of chalk art along India Street.

This morning–Sunday–the chalk artists (many traveled to San Diego from places far away) were busy at work completing their amazing creations. Subject matter included anything and everything from Italian history or culture.

I took these photographs of talented chalk artists at work on the street…

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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

A free Winter Carnival in San Diego!

There’s a free, family-friendly Winter Carnival coming up in San Diego that you should mark down on your calendar!

On Saturday, December 5, 2026, the fun event will be held at Park de la Cruz at 3911 Landis Street. Come by between 11:30 am and 2 pm to enjoy games, cookie decorating, face painting, and yummy food!

There will be booths selling handmade crafts, too. It will be the perfect opportunity to find special Christmas gifts!

You can register in advance by following the info in my above photo, or just show up the day of the event.

If you do register in advance, kids can receive a free gift!

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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

The new Prayers mural at Pokez in East Village.

Early this morning, walking through East Village in downtown San Diego, I noticed there’s a new mural painted on the side of Pokez Mexican Restaurant.

The beautiful mural appears to be titled Oraciones, which is Spanish for Prayers.

If you’d like to view the previous mural painted here, visit this past blog post.

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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

Italo Scanga sculptures at Carlsbad’s Elmwood House.

There’s a house in Carlsbad at the corner of Laguna Drive and Elmwood Street, across the street from the Georgina Cole library. This building, the Elmwood House, is where you’ll find the City of Carlsbad Sculpture Garden.

When I visited weeks ago, the Sculpture Garden’s main gate was closed. In the front yard of the Elmwood House, however, I was able to approach these two sculptures.

The first sculpture I photographed is quite unique. It’s blue, appears to have a mysterious function, and seems to belong on a farm.

The public art is Untitled, by notable Italian born artist Italo Scanga, who taught for many years at UC San Diego. The sculpture is from the Art in Public Places Program, Carlsbad Arts Commission, May 2009.

The second, mostly green sculpture is also quite unique. It appears to be a tree (or a cloud?) with a bird flying above. I like how it casts a mysterious shadow on the grass.

I couldn’t find a title for this piece of art. It’s also by Italo Scanga and is dated 1998.

One day I’ll return to the Elmwood House. Hopefully, on that day, the City of Carlsbad Sculpture Garden’s main gate will be open.

I’ll be sure to share any photos I take!

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Dreams Beyond Tomorrow at Chula Vista library.

Eight stunning works of digital art add beauty to the walls of the Chula Vista Public Library Civic Center Branch. They were created by artist Galina Semenova and are titled Dreams Beyond Tomorrow. Take a look at them.

The Dreamscape portraits “visualize the inner worlds of eight women navigating metastatic breast cancer…”They encourage us to slow down and live in the moment. As the artist states: “I invite you to stop running. Let these stories remind you than in an uncertain world, our most powerful act is to truly see one another in this very moment.”

Slowing down in a hectic, demanding world can be hard. But in our uncertain lives, what is truly important?

It’s a question we all should ask ourselves

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The new Chula Vista Museum and History Center.

Several weeks ago a new museum opened in Chula Vista. It’s called the Chula Vista Museum and History Center. I visited it for the first time late last week.

The museum building at first sight might be mistaken for an ordinary home, until you notice the banner in front. Stepping inside, you’ll find yourself surrounded by multiple displays recalling the rich, diverse history of this South Bay community.

The museum’s inaugural main exhibition is The Chula Vista Japanese American Story.

Photographs and historical artifacts tell the story of Japanese immigrants who established farms in Chula Vista, becoming an important part of the community. Then visitors are shown, with the advent of World War II, how these loyal Americans were unjustly incarcerated.

When the war finally concluded and families returned home, these hard-working residents of Chula Vista would go on to become successful once again.

By seeing photographs of real people, and by learning all that they endured, an unfortunate period in history is better understood.

The museum features several rooms. They’re overflowing with more fascinating stuff. From early Chula Vista to the present time, you can visually appreciate the city’s enormous growth and evolution.

If you’d like to visit this new museum, make sure to check out their website by clicking here first.

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