Author: Richard Schulte

Downtown San Diego has been my home for many years. My online activities reflect my love for writing, blogging, walking and photography.

Japanese pop culture party during San Diego Comic-Con!

A Japanese pop culture party--Yokai Omatsuri--will be held during San Diego Comic-Con at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park.
A Japanese pop culture party–Yokai Omatsuri–will be held during San Diego Comic-Con at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. (Click this image to enlarge it for easy reading.)

I found out something really cool this afternoon! During a quick visit to the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, I learned that they’ll be hosting a Japanese pop culture party during San Diego Comic-Con!

Click the flyer’s photo to read it. A supernatural world of anime and manga will take over the garden and its beautiful Inamori Pavilion on Friday, July 21st, from 7:30pm to 11:30pm. There will be cosplay, a costume contest, food, activity booths and lots of yokai running about. Yokai is Japanese for supernatural monsters, demons, phantoms, etc.

Anyone visiting San Diego for Comic-Con should spend some time in Balboa Park anyway. It is truly our city’s crown jewel. And as a member of the Japanese Friendship Garden myself, I assure you the beautiful garden is well worth a visit!

You can learn more about the Japanese pop culture party and find a link to purchase tickets online here. If you purchase tickets before July 10th, you will receive an Early Bird bundle pack with tickets redeemable for food at the event!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

I plan to cover Comic-Con like crazy this year! I live a short walk up the street from the Gaslamp Quarter and the San Diego Convention Center!

New 2017 Comic-Con trolley wrap: The Crossing.

A fourth trolley wrap for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con promotes The Crossing, a new television series on ABC.
A fourth trolley wrap for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con promotes The Crossing, a new television series that will debut later this year on ABC.

Look what I spied a short while ago! A fourth trolley wrap for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con!

This one promotes a new television show that’s coming to ABC. The Crossing will be about refugees from a war-torn future in America–refugees who have traveled back in time 250 years. Sounds like an intriguing idea!

From the network that brought you Lost. The future is coming on ABC.
From the network that brought you Lost. The future is coming on ABC.
The Crossing wrap on a San Diego trolley is spied downtown several weeks before 2017 Comic-Con.
The Crossing wrap on a San Diego trolley is spied downtown several weeks before 2017 Comic-Con.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to share and enjoy! Including many photos of past San Diego Comic-Cons!

A walk through history in The Village of La Mesa.

Photo taken from the intersection of La Mesa Boulevard and Spring Street shows a small stretch of The Village.
Photo taken from the intersection of La Mesa Boulevard and Spring Street shows a small stretch of The Village.

On Sunday morning I took a short walk in the heart of La Mesa. The most fascinating stretch was through the historic area of the city known as The Village. I walked up La Mesa Boulevard from Spring Street to Legacy Park, then back down along the opposite sidewalk.

Not only is this stretch full of local history, but it’s home to the La Mesa Walk of Fame, which honors individual contributions to the city by accomplished and generous residents. In my photos I’ve included a few notable plaques.

The Village on a Sunday morning was very quiet, with a smattering of locals eating breakfast or an early lunch in the small eateries that I passed. The Village, with its plain, practical buildings from a bygone era, feels very modest. It doesn’t strike me as a place that attracts hipsters–more a cherished place for families and ordinary folk and people like me who enjoy a slow Sunday stroll.

I took photos. Please read the captions for a few explanations of what I saw.

The City of La Mesa Walk of Fame can be experienced on both sidewalks along La Mesa Boulevard, between Spring Street and 4th Street.
The City of La Mesa Walk of Fame can be experienced on both sidewalks along La Mesa Boulevard, between Spring Street and 4th Street.
Bill Walton graduated from La Mesa's Helix High School. He was inducted into the NBA basketball Hall of Fame as one of the greatest players of all time.
Bill Walton graduated from La Mesa’s Helix High School. He was inducted into the NBA basketball Hall of Fame as one of the greatest players of all time.
Walking through the Village up La Mesa Boulevard. The buildings are modest but retain local history and many memories.
Walking through the Village up La Mesa Boulevard. The buildings are modest but retain local history and many memories.
The La Mesa Craft Corner on a quiet Sunday morning.
The La Mesa Craft Corner on a quiet Sunday morning.
A nice lady with some Fourth of July crafts smiles for my blog about San Diego.
A nice lady with some Fourth of July crafts smiles for my blog about San Diego.
The Lookout is public art project in Legacy Park, the small triangle where La Mesa Boulevard, 4th Street and Allison Avenue meet.
The Lookout is public art project in Legacy Park, the small triangle where La Mesa Boulevard, 4th Street and Allison Avenue meet.
The Lookout was created by a family of artists--Jesus Dominguez, Mary Lynn Dominguez and Amy Dominguez. It depicts the colorful history of La Mesa.
The Lookout was created by a family of artists–Jesus Dominguez, Mary Lynn Dominguez and Amy Dominguez. It depicts the colorful history of La Mesa.
Closer photo of The Lookout at Legacy Park. Eight mosaic panels made of tile show historical events in La Mesa from 1912 to 2012.
Closer photo of The Lookout at Legacy Park. Eight mosaic panels made of tile show historical events in La Mesa from 1912 to 2012.
At the center of The Lookout is the John B. Reed Centennial Time Capsule, to be opened in 2062.
At the center of The Lookout is the John B. Reed Centennial Time Capsule, to be opened in 2062.
Legacy Park also includes a memorial clock and a bronze sculpture of the Helix snail.
Legacy Park also includes a memorial clock and a bronze sculpture of the Helix snail. The 1939 U.S. Post Office Building is seen in the background.
Children are encouraged to ride this fun bronze snail!
Children are encouraged to ride this fun bronze snail!
Felix the Helix. The story goes that Rufus King Porter named Mount Helix after the Helix aspersa, a European garden snail that was discovered locally.
Felix the Helix. The story goes that Rufus King Porter named Mount Helix after the Helix aspersa, a European garden snail that was discovered locally.
Now I'm walking back down La Mesa Boulevard on the other side of the street. A small slice of Americana. The modest shops and buildings recall a simpler time.
Now I’m walking back down La Mesa Boulevard on the other side of the street. A small slice of Americana. The modest shops and buildings recall a simpler time.
La Mesa Historical Society plaque shows a prosperous Lookout Avenue circa 1929. The street was renamed La Mesa Boulevard in 1940.
La Mesa Historical Society plaque shows a prosperous Lookout Avenue circa 1929. The street was renamed La Mesa Boulevard in 1940.
Family and a flag bench in front of Amethyst Moon, a unique gift store in The Village of La Mesa.
Family and a flag bench in front of Amethyst Moon, a specialty gift shop in The Village of La Mesa.
The are many plaques in the City of La Mesa Walk of Fame. This one celebrates James Culbert, inductee into the National Sprint Car Racing Hall of Fame.
The are many plaques in the City of La Mesa Walk of Fame. This one celebrates James Culbert, inductee into the National Sprint Car Racing Hall of Fame.
Another plaque celebrates Dr. Ellen Ochoa, graduate of Grossmont High School and the first Hispanic woman astronaut.
Another plaque celebrates Dr. Ellen Ochoa, graduate of La Mesa’s Grossmont High School and the first Hispanic woman astronaut.
A photo of the Heller Building, now home of an escrow company.
A photo of the Heller Building, now home of an escrow company.
La Mesa Historical Society photo of the Heller Building in the 1940s. It has housed many businesses including Gilbert's five and dime and Culver's drugstore.
La Mesa Historical Society photo of the Heller Building in the 1940s. It has housed many businesses including Gilbert’s five and dime and Culver’s drugstore.
Maxwell's House of Books adds life to The Village.
Maxwell’s House of Books adds life to The Village.
It is a tie between men to have read the same book. Ralph Waldo Emerson
It is a tie between men to have read the same book. Ralph Waldo Emerson
Old photo on ATT building shows telephone company worker in the undeveloped hills of La Mesa many years ago.
Old photo on AT&T building appears to show telephone company worker in the undeveloped hills of La Mesa many years ago.
The Village is a modest few blocks in the city. Full of history and memory, it provides a taste of days when La Mesa was a small American town.
The Village is a modest few blocks in the city. Full of history and memory, it provides a taste of days when La Mesa was a small American town.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!

Murals in urban park celebrate La Mesa volunteers.

A small park located on the 8300 block of La Mesa Boulevard contains murals that celebrate people helping people.
A small urban park located on the 8300 block of La Mesa Boulevard contains murals that celebrate people helping people.

Yesterday I discovered a very special park in San Diego’s East County city of La Mesa. The small urban park is called Walkway of the Stars. You can find it in the historic heart of the city, a stretch of La Mesa Boulevard called The Village.

Civic-minded volunteers who have worked over 10,000 hours for the community are celebrated with stars embedded in the park’s walkway. Colorful murals on either side show people helping people.

Come with me and we’ll take a look…

City of La Mesa Walkway of the Stars, in recognition of our community volunteers.
City of La Mesa Walkway of the Stars, in recognition of our community volunteers.
One mural in the park shows youth working to clean up graffiti.
One mural in the park shows youth working to clean up graffiti.
One mural behind a small succulent garden shows musicians in a public concert.
One mural behind a small succulent garden shows musicians in a public concert.
Volunteers in the community help to teach swimming.
Volunteers in the community help to teach swimming.
A volunteer coach teaches baseball.
A volunteer coach teaches baseball.
A closer look at humanity in one mural.
A closer look at humanity in one mural.
I believe this mural depicts the annual La Mesa Flag Day Parade.
I believe this mural depicts the annual La Mesa Flag Day Parade.
Clowns bring joy.
Clowns bring joy.
Volunteers help to keep La Mesa parks beautiful and friendly.
Volunteers help to keep La Mesa parks beautiful and friendly.
Lots of dogs and a smile.
Lots of dogs and a smile.
Painted dog on a utility box seems to have jumped out from the bustling mural.
Painted dog on a utility box seems to have jumped out from the bustling mural.
One mural pays tribute to volunteer law enforcement.
One mural pays tribute to volunteer law enforcement.
This pedestrian walkway has been transformed into a landmark known as the Walkway of the Stars. The park and its murals honor La Mesa volunteers who have 10,000 hours or more of service.
This pedestrian walkway has been transformed into a landmark known as the Walkway of the Stars. The park and its murals honor La Mesa volunteers who have 10,000 hours or more of service.
Walkway of the Stars provides a public "Thank You" to dedicated citizen volunteers who make La Mesa a better place to live.
Walkway of the Stars provides a public “Thank You” to dedicated citizen volunteers who make La Mesa a better place to live.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!

Dreams by the water one Sunday afternoon.

Fisherman on pier and a sailboat.
Fisherman on a pier, and sailboat.

This morning I explored the heart of La Mesa. I’ll blog about my adventure shortly.

This afternoon I returned downtown, then strolled for a couple of magical hours along San Diego Bay. I gazed at the whirl of people all around. I glimpsed moments in life.

Near the softly rippling, bright water, life can seem like a dream.

Walking along, touching a tree.
Walking along, touching a tree.
A momentary pause on some steps.
A moment on some steps.
Ice cream on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Ice cream on a sunny Sunday afternoon.
Resting on the shady grass.
Resting on the shady grass.
Family and a passing white sail.
Family and a passing white sail.
A kite high in the blue sky.
A kite high in the blue sky.
Dreams float on sparkling blue.
Like dreams on sparkling blue.
Looking down into mystery.
Looking down into mystery.
A busy day and a smile.
A busy day and a smile.
A story some will not see.
A story some will not see.
Fishing for memories.
Fishing for memories.
A wave upon waves.
A wave upon waves.
Fishing beyond an old fence.
Fishing beyond an old fence.
Many choices.
Many choices.
The passage of time.
The passage of time.
Realizing dreams.
Realizing dreams.
A moment of fantasy.
Youth and fantasy.
A bite to eat.
A bite to eat.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Two cool murals in an Ocean Beach alley.

Spiritual revelation is suggested by many eyes and mandalas in an Ocean Beach mural. This cool street art can be experienced in a little-visited alley. The whole can be glimpsed from any place where you stand.
Spiritual revelation is suggested by many eyes and mandalas in an Ocean Beach mural. This cool street art can be experienced in a quiet alley. The whole of this world can be glimpsed from any place where you stand.

Each life has an infinity of roads not taken. Robert Frost touched upon regret with his famous poem. But, you know, every road that is taken contains an abundance of life, if we choose to see.

Yesterday, during the Ocean Beach Street Fair, I ventured, by chance, through a seldom-visited alley. And discovered two amazing murals.

And then I moved on. Chances are I won’t go that way again.

Hope, flying saucers and flaming green hair, part of a second mural on two walls in the same alley.
Hope, flying saucers and flaming green hair, part of a second cool mural in the same alley.
Guys load empty kegs during the Ocean Beach Street Fair.
Guys load empty kegs during the Ocean Beach Street Fair. Day-to-day work, surrounded by wonder.
Swirling, blooming beauty painted in a nook. A mermaid is perched above flowers.
Swirling, blooming beauty painted in a nook. A mermaid is perched above flowers.
I see a lot of names. I assume these are the beautiful mural's creators. I might never meet them, but their art has touched me.
I see a lot of names. I assume these are the beautiful mural’s creators. I might never meet them, but their art has touched me.
This alley that is seldom taken contains untrod flowers, and life, and no regrets.
The human world contains many alleys. This one contains a glimpse of untrod flowers, and surprising life. We turn a corner right or left, and continue the journey.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

To read a few thoughtful stories I’ve written, click Short Stories by Richard.

Artists add life to the Ocean Beach Street Fair!

Peace. Love. Art. OB.
Peace. Love. Art. OB.

Late this morning I went to the annual Ocean Beach Street Fair. As usual there was lots of live music, tons of yummy food, endless smiles, and a whole bunch of friendly artists creating amazing art.

Here is just a little of what I saw…

Someone tries their hand at creating with chalk during the Ocean Beach Street Fair. I Love Art.
Someone tries their hand at creating with chalk during the Ocean Beach Street Fair. At the center, I Love Art.
A large Artists' Alley was full of life and energy.
A large Artists’ Alley was full of life and energy.
One artist was painting while people looked at her colorful canvases.
One artist was painting while people looked at her colorful canvases.
This artist was just getting started. All art begins with an empty space that is full of infinite potential.
This artist was just getting started. All art begins with an empty space that is full of infinite potential.
Many different musical artists entertained the crowd at the OB Street Fair. This band could be heard at the Wonderland Stage.
Many different musical artists entertained the crowd at the OB Street Fair. This rollicking band could be heard at the Wonderland Stage.
Meanwhile, another keg of beer is arriving in an alley by the Kilowatt Ocean Beach mural.
Meanwhile, another keg of beer is arriving in an alley by the Kilowatt Ocean Beach mural.
Kids enjoyed a bounce house that featured comic book art.
Kids enjoyed a bounce house that featured comic book art.
This bubble blower guy is an artist. He creates shimmering joy.
This bubble blower guy is an artist. Right? He creates shimmering joy.
Another artist at the Ocean Beach Street Fair concentrates on her work.
Another artist at the Ocean Beach Street Fair concentrates on her work.
One guy in Artists' Alley had a bunch of cool robot artwork for sale.
One guy in Artists’ Alley had a bunch of cool robot artwork for sale.
Kids were learning how to make music, and were entertaining the crowd like rock 'n roll superstars!
Kids were learning how to make music, and were entertaining the crowd like rock ‘n roll superstars!
Some surfers pass fun public art on Newport Avenue. They hear music coming from the main stage by the beach.
Some surfers pass fun public art on Newport Avenue. They hear music coming from the main stage by the beach.
These skateboarders hear it, too.
These skateboarders hear it, too.
A band pleases the OB crowd.
A band pleases the OB crowd.
Others were happy to just sit by the sand and gaze out at the ocean.
Others were happy to just sit by the sand and gaze out at the beautiful ocean. The sun finally came out.
A local photographer was showing off his art to those passing by.
A local photographer was showing off his art to those passing by.
Members of the Ocean Beach community (or anyone) could paint a square of a new community mural.
Members of the Ocean Beach community (or anyone at all) could paint a square of a new community mural.
A number of colorful squares have already been painted!
A number of colorful squares have already been painted!
Love of life and love of art combine at the Ocean Beach Street Fair!
Love of life and love of art combine at the always wonderful Ocean Beach Street Fair!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!

A few cool sights anticipate San Diego Comic-Con!

Fatman on Batman with Kevin Smith and Marc Bernardin will be showing during San Diego Comic-Con at the American Comedy Co. in the Gaslamp.
Fatman on Batman with Kevin Smith and Marc Bernardin will be showing during San Diego Comic-Con at the American Comedy Co. in the Gaslamp.

Later today I’m heading to the OB Street Fair. But, first, this morning I walked through downtown San Diego and caught a few cool sights that anticipate 2017 Comic-Con, which is only a month away! I noted that workers were hanging more Comic-Con banners in the Gaslamp, now that the big Bio conference and the Startup San Diego events are completed.

If you follow Cool San Diego Sights but don’t care all that much about Comic-Con, fear not! I’ll be blogging a lot of other San Diego stuff in the days ahead!

Workers hang San Diego Comic-Con banners along Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter.
Workers hang San Diego Comic-Con banners along Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter.
Conan O'Brien's funny TBS talk show will be in San Diego during Comic-Con, as the marquee at the Spreckels Theatre on Broadway attests!
Conan O’Brien’s funny TBS talk show will be in San Diego during Comic-Con, as the marquee at the Spreckels Theatre on Broadway attests!

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This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego! Are you curious? There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!

Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts.  If you’re using a small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!

To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

Thor and Black Panther banners for 2017 Comic-Con!

Banner for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con promotes the upcoming Marvel movie Black Panther.
Banner for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con promotes the upcoming Marvel movie Black Panther.

Another cool discovery! A few banners for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con have already been hung along Harbor Drive near the convention center. For 2017, the promotional banners depict Thor and Black Panther, Marvel superheroes who have highly-anticipated movies coming up!

Thor, one of Marvel Comics' Mighty Avengers, appears on a banner for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con. I depicts a scene from the upcoming movie Thor: Ragnarok.
Thor, one of Marvel Comics’ Mighty Avengers, appears on a banner for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con. It depicts a scene from the upcoming movie Thor: Ragnarok.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!

The Gifted trolley wrap for 2017 Comic-Con!

New trolley wrap for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con promotes The Gifted, an upcoming Marvel series on FOX.
New trolley wrap for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con promotes The Gifted, an upcoming Marvel series on FOX.

I spotted a third new trolley wrap for 2017 San Diego Comic-Con! This cool wrap promotes the upcoming FOX series The Gifted, which will concern Marvel’s universe of mutant X-Men. Looks like the Sentinel Services mutant transport will be filled with gifted Comic-Con attendees this year! Hopefully it transports them to the convention center, and not somewhere less pleasant!

I spoke to an MTS supervisor at America Plaza and he believes there will be one more wrap this year!

The Gifted will be based on Marvel's popular X-Men characters.
The Gifted will be based on Marvel’s popular X-Men characters.
During San Diego Comic-Con, lots of mutants will be transported on this Sentinel Services vehicle. I wonder if it's made of plastic, in case Magneto comes along!
During San Diego Comic-Con, lots of mutants will be transported on this Sentinel Services vehicle. I wonder if it’s made of plastic. Magneto might make an appearance!

Here’s another photo I captured the following day!

That looks like some sort of prisoner transport. Wait! Don't go in!
That looks like some sort of prisoner transport. Wait! Don’t go in!

And yet another photo! There now seems to be a different variation of this wrap for the older style trolleys. It comes with a warning!

Mutants Aboard. For your safety please keep your distance.
Mutants Aboard. For your safety please keep your distance.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of fun photos for you to share and enjoy!