A banner has been hung outside the Edward J. Schwartz United States Courthouse in downtown San Diego. It celebrates the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding.
Freedom 250 is proclaimed among images of four Founding Fathers. You can see the banner up high overlooking Broadway.
Can you believe Independence Day is now less than a month away?
The first San Diego trolley wrap for Comic-Con 2026 is now running! It debuted yesterday and I saw it this morning while walking downtown. It features Godzilla!
An article on the sdccblog describes how this wrap promotes Godzilla figures and toys.
There will be a whopping 45 trolley wraps this year, with 15 unique designs. Yes, it appears Comic-Con is going to be epic in 2026, with Marvel in Hall H, a big Star Trek reveal, and more!
Stay tuned as I discover more fun stuff in the days and weeks ahead!
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If you’d like to view my coverage of Comic-Con, which includes hundreds of cool photographs, click here!
On the Eighth Floor of the Central Library in downtown San Diego, the public can contribute to the Juneteenth Art Project!
A large tabletop covered with paper welcomes creative people. Everyone is encouraged to sketch or draw positive images or messages inspired by Juneteenth, which is coming up later this month.
Here is some of what I observed this afternoon…
This picturesque building stands in downtown San Diego’s historic Chinatown, the Asian Pacific Thematic Historic District. It’s the 1911 Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association building.
According to this webpage : The building site at 428 Third Avenue has an association with the Chinese community going back to the early days of Chinatown. In 1883 the land and structures were removed and a Taoist temple was built. On 1880’s Sanborn maps, this building was constructed and occupied by the Gee Goon Tong (Chee Kung Tong), known for helping to plot Dr. Sun Yet-Sens’s revolution and founding of the Republic of China.
Curious? Follow the above link for much more history.
A historical plaque near the entrance is now barely readable…
The original tenants of the two-story, Oriental theme structure were the Gee Goon Tong, famous for their help in plotting the 1912 revolution, which formed the Republic of China. The Benevolent Society was founded in 1920 as an outgrowth of the Tong, to serve the Chinese community.
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This happy mural was painted in 2017 at the Golden Hill Recreation Center. It depicts children together with nature.
Members of the community and volunteers with I Love a Clean San Diego came together on Coastal Cleanup Day to paint the colorful art. It decorates a retaining wall behind the center near the playground. You can see a photograph of the event and people working on the mural here.
Despite a little vandalism, the mural remains bright and beautiful almost ten years later. Flowers, butterflies, a hummingbird, coyote and rabbit populate a world where children jump and play.
A few photos for you to enjoy…
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I realize schools of fish swim under the Imperial Beach Pier, but how do fish survive swimming on top of the pier? Because they’re made of sunlight!
This cool public art can be found during an easy walk down the pier. A sheltered area permits light to pass through cut out shapes, projecting images of fish and bubbles onto the wooden pier.
Those fish made of light better be careful, however. There’s a huge shark swimming above them!
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This very colorful street art was painted on two electrical boxes on University Avenue in Hillcrest. It’s signed by artist Liz Lancaster (@lizmurals) and dated 2024.
Different heads appear to be growing atop multi-colored stalks. On the street-facing side of one box there are flowers and the words: Let Love Grow.
You can find this street art a bit west of Park Boulevard. It is so very unique that it’s hard to miss!
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I absolutely love this exhibit at the San Diego Museum of Art!
Local artists have reimagined the Spanish Colonial Revival façade of the museum, an iconic landmark in the heart of Balboa Park.
The exhibition in Gallery 6 is titled Local Visions: Reimagining the Façade. What a perfect way to help celebrate the SDMA Centennial! The art is on view through July 26, 2026.
The participating artists are Stefanie Bales, John Chang, Hilary Dufour, Annie Holley, Wagner Humphreys, Mary Jhun, Lori Mitchell, Tim Novara, Brandon Palma, and Susan Stone.
Perhaps you recognize some of these names. I personally recall photographing street art created by two of the artists. To see art that Hilary Dufour painted in Pacific Beach, click here. To see the distinctive art of Mary Jhun all around San Diego, click here.
Here are a few examples of the San Diego Museum of Art’s reimagined façade…
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I learned today this exhibit might be ending very soon. I found it inside the Comic-Con Museum, near the vending machines. It’s titled VISIBLE/INVISIBLE.
Work goggles were painted by students in Filipino Language classes at Mira Mesa High School and Bell Middle School. As a nearby sign explains: “Each pair of goggles reflects what students want others to see about them, while hidden elements inside reveal personal stories, identities and perspectives not always visible at first glance…”
It’s interesting to see what young people think about as they grow into this world. I realize that most youth seek social acceptance, so appearances are important. Difficult thoughts and feelings are kept secret and safe.
There is a reluctance to admit vulnerability. Come to think of it, that’s true for most adults, too. We humans seem to be built that way.
I was curious to find what might be hidden, not immediately seen. Some of the goggles are more revealing than others.
What do you see?
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A cool opportunity for youth in San Diego to meet others, share, learn and create is coming up on June 3, 2026!
Youth Summit 2026 will be taking place in Balboa Park. The free event is hosted by the City of San Diego Office of Child and Youth Success, in partnership with the San Diego Public Library, Youth Will, Reality Changers, The LGBTQ+ Community Center, and Our Time to Act.
There will be speakers (including San Diego Poet Laureate), art presenters, breakout sessions, workshops, fun games, and hands-on activities. Youth will learn how to access useful resources, too.
I saw the above announcement in Balboa Park today and thought I’d share it. Do you know any young people who might like to participate?
For all the information, check out this webpage.
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Cool San Diego Sights! 