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.

Art, creativity and wisdom downtown.

Painting of female face in window of a small shop in East Village containing odd bits of art and miscellaneous used items.
Painting of female face in window of a small shop in East Village containing odd bits of art and used items.

Enjoy these miscellaneous photos of interesting things I’ve spotted while walking around downtown. Examples of artistry and creativity can be seen almost everywhere. Even a bit of wisdom. One simply has to look.

A fancy bird cage dangles beside Pappalecco, a cool Little Italy cafe.
A decorative bird cage dangles above the sidewalk beside Pappalecco, a popular Little Italy cafe.
Wine bottles converted into interesting human characters in the window of Michael J Wolf Fine Arts in the Gaslamp.
Wine bottles converted into human musicians in the window of Michael J Wolf Fine Arts in the Gaslamp.
Beautiful relief panel at entrance to the Embarcadero’s now closed Anthony’s Fish Grotto. An underwater scene.
Beautiful relief panel at entrance to the Embarcadero’s now closed Anthony’s Fish Grotto. An underwater scene.
Navy pinup artwork on a tattoo parlor's entrance sign in the Gaslamp.
Navy pinup artwork on a tattoo parlor’s entrance sign in the Gaslamp.
Wisdom on a corner of a downtown building. Give love. Get love.
Wisdom on a corner of a downtown building. Give love. Get love.
This artistic metal gate definitely caught my eye as I walked around San Diego!
This artistic metal gate definitely caught my eye as I walked around San Diego!
The mosaic tilework of an eatery's outdoor table in East Village.
The mosaic tilework of an eatery’s outdoor table in East Village.
Colorful tiles beneath ivy above a garage door.
Colorful tiles beneath foliage above a garage door.
Depiction of a city on the wall of Sixth Avenue Bistro.
Depiction of a city on the wall of Sixth Avenue Bistro.
Fancy artwork on column inside interior courtyard of La Pensione Hotel.
Fancy artwork painted on a column.  Photo taken in the lobby courtyard of La Pensione Hotel.
Interesting twisty iron gate and shadows.
Interesting twisted iron gate and shadows on the wall behind it.
Fascinating lamppost along Broadway near Harbor Drive.
Unusual bent lamppost along Broadway near Harbor Drive.
Cool painting of male face found leaning up against a dumpster enclosure on Cortez Hill.
Cool painting of male face found leaning up against a dumpster enclosure on Cortez Hill.

…

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!

A short story about painting angels.

Here we go again! I wrote another short story! What does it have to do with Cool San Diego Sights? Nothing. Silly me!

This very short work of fiction is about life. And painting angels. It has a happy ending! Click this link to read it on my writing blog Short Stories by Richard!

Thank you! I promise my next blog post will actually be about San Diego!

And by the way–I just posted four beautiful photos of barren trees in a heavenly sky on my other blog, A Small World Full of Beauty.  In case you’re curious, I took those photos this morning in Mission Valley.

Enough blogging for today!

Richard

How you can help beat leukemia and blood cancers!

Generous young ladies have a bake sale in Point Loma to collect donations for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Generous young ladies have a bake sale in Point Loma to collect donations for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

During my walk around Liberty Station on Sunday I passed some young ladies with a table set up at an intersection near The Rock Church. They had baked lots of treats and were trying to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

If you enjoy my photographic treats, perhaps you’ll consider visiting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s website, which shows ways you can help beat cancer!

More than 1.2 million people in the U.S. are living with, or are in remission from, a blood cancer. You can help!
More than 1.2 million people in the U.S. are living with, or are in remission from, a blood cancer. You can help!

…

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!

Are you a blogger? Do you want to help make the world a better place? You might want to join Bloggers Lifting Others Generously.

Another pleasant walk along San Diego Bay’s Crescent.

Gulls take flight beside San Diego Bay, just north of Grape Street Pier.
Gulls take flight beside San Diego Bay, just north of Grape Street Pier.

Off work early again. So I took a pleasant walk along San Diego Bay’s Crescent area, between the Grape Street Pier and the Coast Guard Station. This part of the North Embarcadero is a bit ragged and sleepy, but there’s plenty of color and sunshine.

Someone stands by the water one late afternoon gazing at moored boats in the Crescent area of San Diego Bay.
Someone stands by the water one late winter afternoon gazing at moored boats in the Crescent area of San Diego Bay.
Corroded plaque on a planter by wood benches recalls the dedication of Embarcadero Promenade in 1985. Over thirty years later, the area is a bit ragged, but a fine place to sit and enjoy the scenery.
Corroded plaque on a planter near wood benches recalls the dedication of Embarcadero Promenade in 1985. Over thirty years later, the area is a bit ragged, but a fine place to sit and enjoy the ocean breeze and scenery.
Looking south across the bay toward the downtown skyline. One could sit here and enjoy the sun all afternoon.
Looking south across the bay toward the downtown skyline. One could sit here and enjoy the San Diego sunshine all afternoon.
Cool boat has futuristic wings instead of canvas sails.
Cool boat has futuristic wings instead of canvas sails.
Fishing from the small dock behind the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary shack on the North Embarcadero.
Fishing from the small dock behind the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary shack on the North Embarcadero.
Some folks return to dry land from their boat home moored on the calm bay.
Some folks return to dry land from their boat home moored on the calm bay.
A small row boat appears to have capsized. Other dinghies have pools of collected water.
A small row boat appears to have capsized. Other dinghies have pools of collected water.
A field of sailboat masts under beautiful wispy afternoon clouds.
A field of sailboat masts under beautiful wispy afternoon clouds.

…

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!

Another photographic walk around Liberty Station.

Colorful quilting artwork in a window of the Visions Art Museum at Liberty Station.
Colorful quilting artwork in a window of the Visions Art Museum at Liberty Station.

I’ve blogged many times about Liberty Station. But there’s always more to discover.

Yesterday I walked around the historic old Navy base, and was pleased to take a few photographs that you might enjoy. I spotted some artwork and framed some of the place’s beauty.

These few moments in time and space might seem random, but it was all new to me. That’s why I like to walk.

I spotted this bust in a nook while walking along the North Promenade. It was probably created in a nearby art studio. I could find no information.
I spotted this bust in a nook while walking along the North Promenade. It was probably created in a nearby art studio. I could find no information.
The beautiful Galinson Family Fountain at NTC Liberty Station.
The beautiful Galinson Family Fountain at NTC Liberty Station.
I spotted this cool metal wire sculpture of a man dining on the planet Earth near an old, peeling Naval Training Center wall. The art includes a dangling mobile and casts a thin, weird shadow.
I spotted this cool metal wire sculpture of a man dining on the planet Earth near an old, peeling Naval Training Center wall. Plastic Dinner, by Spenser Little. The art includes a dangling mobile and casts a thin, weird shadow.
Peer into one window at IDW Publishing, headquartered at Liberty Station, and you'll see a huge statue of Leonardo, of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!
Peer into one window at IDW Publishing, headquartered at Liberty Station, and you’ll see a huge statue of Leonardo, of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!
A peaceful place of natural and man-made beauty, perfect for a slow thoughtful walk.
A peaceful place of natural and man-made beauty, perfect for a slow thoughtful walk.
Decoration above an arch. I believe that is Cabrillo's ship San Salvador. He entered San Diego Bay not far from here.
Decoration above an arch. I believe that is explorer Cabrillo’s ship San Salvador. He entered San Diego Bay not far from here.
Looking down a long colonnade where U.S. Navy sailor recruits once walked.
Looking down a long colonnade where U.S. Navy sailor recruits once walked.
Photo of the eye-pleasing USNTC North Chapel, reflecting the Point Loma sunshine one Sunday.
Photo of the eye-pleasing USNTC North Chapel, reflecting the Point Loma sunshine one Sunday.
Nautical symbols above the front entrance to the Navy's old North Chapel at Liberty Station.
Nautical symbols above the front entrance to the Navy’s old North Chapel at Liberty Station.

…

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 huge postcard from historic Liberty Station!

A huge postcard has appeared on Dewey Road in Point Loma, at the southwest end of the Liberty Station's Arts District!
A huge postcard has appeared on Dewey Road in Point Loma, at the southwest end of Liberty Station’s Arts District!

I walked around Liberty Station today before sitting down by the boat channel to write another short story. And look what I discovered! It’s the first time I’ve seen this cool mural!

This new public art resembles a gigantic postcard, which reads: Greetings from U.S. Naval Training Station. It was created by the two artists who painted the postcard-like Greetings from San Diego mural, which I photographed a month ago in North Park. Victor Ving and Lisa Beggs are travelling around the country in an RV and creating a whole bunch of these huge colorful postcard murals!

Painted inside the letters I see scenes from Ingram Plaza, the Barracks Arcade, Liberty Public Market and the USS Recruit!

As you might know, the U.S. Naval Training Station, or Naval Training Center San Diego, was a military base where thousands of sailor recruits learned the ropes upon enlisting in the U.S. Navy. It closed in 1997 and has been redeveloped into a mixed cultural, recreational, shopping, business and residential complex in Point Loma. It’s like a spacious park with lots of grass, arched walkways and fountains–a perfect place to relax!

During my stroll today though Liberty Station, I discovered even more public art, which I’ll blog about shortly. And please watch for my new work of fiction at Short Stories by Richard. I think it’s almost done!

Greetings from U.S. Naval Training Center. A cool new mural at Liberty Station by artists Victor Ving and Lisa Beggs.
Greetings from U.S. Naval Training Center. A cool new mural at Liberty Station by artists Victor Ving and Lisa Beggs.

…

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!

Fun, artistic birdhouses restored at Tweet Street!

The Birds and The Bees. Birdhouse by artist Joel Sotelo.
The Birds and The Bees, a birdhouse by artist Joel Sotelo.

Looks what I noticed today. Most of the fun, artistic birdhouses that were installed for Tweet Street in 2008 have been restored! With new coats of paint and a little work, they once again appear like new!

You might remember my blog post a couple years ago concerning these fun birdhouses. At the time, weather had gotten the better of them. Well, check them out now!

If you want to see these very creative works of public art in person, Tweet Street is another name for the linear Cortez Hill Park, located on Date Street roughly between Seventh and Ninth Avenue.

Public art restoration in progress. The City of San Diego develops, exhibits, conserves and restores the Civic Art Collection to provide meaningful aesthetic and cultural experiences for San Diego's residents and visitors.
Public art restoration in progress. The City of San Diego develops, exhibits, conserves and restores the Civic Art Collection to provide meaningful aesthetic and cultural experiences for San Diego’s residents and visitors.
Tweet Street sign on Date Street in San Diego's Cortez Hill neighborhood. Many artistic birdhouses line the narrow urban park.
Tweet Street sign on Date Street in San Diego’s Cortez Hill neighborhood. Many artistic birdhouses line the narrow urban park.
Boat House. Birdhouse by artist Kirk Crow.
Boat House, a birdhouse by artist Kirk Crow.
Anil'u. Birdhouse by artist Lilia Peji.
Anil’u, a birdhouse by artist Lilia Peji.
Coexistence. Birdhouse by artist Bob Gromofsky.
Coexistence, a birdhouse by artist Bob Gromofsky.
Cunae. Birdhouse by artist Miguel Salmeron.
Cunae, a birdhouse by artist Miguel Salmeron.
Mas Vale Pajaro en Mano. Birdhouse by artist Joel Sotelo.
Mas Vale Pajaro en Mano, a birdhouse by artist Joel Sotelo.
Bewick's Bunker. Birdhouse by artists Rafael Lopez and Daniel Renner.
Bewick’s Bunker, a birdhouse by artists Rafael Lopez and Daniel Renner.
Air Traffic Control. Birdhouse by artist Amy Ennis Achaibou.
Air Traffic Control, a birdhouse by artist Amy Ennis Achaibou.
Birdinsky, a birdhouse by artist Amy Levine.
Birdinsky, a birdhouse by artist Amy Levine.

…

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!

Fans celebrate local sports teams in San Diego!

Fans of local sports teams pose with favorite mascots during the big Celebrate San Diego event at Petco Park!
Fans of local sports teams pose with favorite mascots during the big Celebrate San Diego event at Petco Park!

Check out these fun photos! This morning I headed down to Petco Park to enjoy Celebrate San Diego, a big event today that thanks and promotes local sports teams, both professional and college. I believe the special event was designed to give a boost to local teams, now that the NFL Chargers have left San Diego. A great idea!

We’ve got lots of exciting sports action in San Diego, from baseball to hockey to soccer to college football and basketball . . . you name it! Teams strutting their stuff at the big event today included the San Diego Padres, the San Diego Gulls, the San Diego Sockers, and the athletic programs of local colleges SDSU, UCSD, USD, Point Loma Nazarene University, and California State University San Marcos.  I hope I didn’t forget anybody!

The event was so cool and uplifting, why not do this every year?

Now, I suppose I need to go watch some of these teams play!

UPDATE!  Wow!  I just now saw that a summer Padres Blood Drive was announced during the event after I left!  (Maybe somebody read my earlier blog post concerning the idea, or the Padres employee I spoke to while waiting for the gate to open relayed the idea.  In any event–hooray!  Lives will be saved!)

Heading toward Petco Park, where the San Diego Padres play. An event today promoted many local pro and college teams, now that the NFL Chargers have left.
Heading toward Petco Park, where the San Diego Padres play major league baseball. An event today promoted many local pro and college teams, now that the NFL Chargers have left our city.
A big crowd waits to enter the gates at Petco Park.
A big crowd waits to enter the gates at Petco Park.
Thousands came out today to Celebrate San Diego! We have some awesome sports teams!
Thousands came out today to Celebrate San Diego! We have some awesome sports teams!
Many tents were set up in Petco's Park at the Park by local radio stations and broadcasters. Lots of free stuff was given out. I got a cool MLB Padres cap!
Many tents were set up in Petco’s Park at the Park by local radio stations and broadcasters. Lots of free stuff was given out. I got a cool MLB Padres cap!
Lots of photos and selfies were being taken!
Lots of photos and selfies were being taken!
The event had barely begun and already the Park at the Park was getting packed!
The event had barely begun and already the Park at the Park was getting packed!
I liked this fun balloon guy on stilts. It was hard to miss him!
I liked this fun balloon guy on stilts. It was hard to miss him!
A table promoted the second round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic, which takes place March 14 - 19 at Petco Park in San Diego.
A table promoted the second round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic, which takes place March 14 – 19 at Petco Park in San Diego.
The ball field is seriously messed up with mounds of dirt and bulldozers. Oh--now I remember--Monster Jam is coming next weekend to Petco Park.
The ball field is seriously messed up with mounds of dirt and bulldozers. Oh–now I remember–Monster Jam is coming next weekend to Petco Park.
The San Diego Padres happy mascot, the Swinging Friar, greets visitors to the big local sports teams event.
The San Diego Padres happy mascot, the Swinging Friar, greets visitors to the popular local sports teams event.
A city firetruck had a Padres flag flying from their ladder behind the Tony Gwynn statue.
A city firetruck had a Padres flag flying from their ladder behind the Tony Gwynn statue.
Kids were enjoying various sport-related activities at Park at the Park, including shooting hoops.
Kids were enjoying various sport-related activities at Park at the Park, including shooting hoops.
A player from the legendary San Diego Sockers indoor soccer team defends a tiny goal as a young man prepares to shoot.
A player from the legendary San Diego Sockers indoor soccer team defends a tiny goal as a young man prepares to shoot.
Local colleges had tents up promoting their teams and schools. All sorts of games were scattered around the grass including table football.
Local colleges had tents up promoting their teams and schools. All sorts of games were scattered around the grass including table football.
The small baseball diamond at Park at the Park was alive with excitement. This young fan smashed a line drive.
The small baseball diamond at Park at the Park was alive with excitement. This young fan smashed a line drive.
Running the bases wearing an old Chargers team shirt. Now that those guys have bolted, let us support other local teams!
Running the bases wearing an old Chargers team shirt. Now that those guys have “bolted” we can boost our support for other local teams!
Posing for photos with Gulliver, the San Diego Gulls hockey mascot, and Sunny the Socker, the new mascot of the San Diego Sockers!
Posing for photos with Gulliver, the San Diego Gulls hockey mascot, and Sunny the Socker, the new mascot of the San Diego Sockers!
According to a countdown clock on the Western Metal Supply Co. building, there are 55 days until baseball's Opening Day!
According to a countdown clock on the Western Metal Supply Co. building, there are 55 days until baseball’s Opening Day!
A family descends stairs near a thank you to Padres members.
A family descends stairs near a thank you to Padres members.
Diego Torero, mascot for the University of San Diego, hangs out with the crowd at Celebrate San Diego!
Diego Torero, mascot for the University of San Diego, hangs out with the crowd at Celebrate San Diego!
Cheerleaders get the crowd pumped as free swag is thrown from the stage to the gathered sports fans!
Cheerleaders get the crowd pumped as free swag is thrown from the stage to the gathered sports fans!
Cheer squads performed from UCSD, SDSU, USD, Point Loma Nazarene University and California State University San Marcos. I hope I didn't forget anybody!
Cheer squads performed from UCSD, SDSU, USD, Point Loma Nazarene University and California State University San Marcos. I hope I didn’t forget anybody!
King Triton, mascot of University of California San Diego, gives me a hearty greeting!
King Triton, mascot of University of California San Diego, gives me a hearty greeting!
Just fun.
Just good fun. The way sports is supposed to be.
These kids seems a bit unimpressed by the Aztec Warrior, mascot of San Diego State University.
These kids seems a bit unimpressed by the Aztec Warrior, mascot of San Diego State University.
UCSD cheerleaders start an energetic routine!
UCSD cheerleaders start an energetic routine!
What a perfect day. It's a fine city with lots of great sports fans.
What a perfect day. It’s a fine city with lots of great sports fans.
San Diego came out today to celebrate and root on their local sports teams!
San Diego came out today to celebrate and root on their local sports teams!

…

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!

Volunteers paint lampposts in downtown San Diego!

Volunteers in downtown San Diego add a coat of paint to a metal post. A wonderful community project put together by the Downtown San Diego Partnership.
Volunteers in downtown San Diego add a coat of paint to a metal post. A wonderful community project put together by the Downtown San Diego Partnership.

A busy morning! I’ve got lots of fun photos coming! First, check out something really fantastic. The Downtown San Diego Partnership arranged for a bunch of generous volunteers to help beautify the city! The resident volunteers converged this morning at Eighth Avenue and B Street, were given paint and brushes, and were then shown lampposts in the area that need a coat of paint!

Thank you Downtown San Diego Partnership for working to keep the heart of our city in tip top shape! I was told this sort of event might occur in the future on a regular basis. Hopefully this blog post helps to raise awareness a bit!

Around 150 volunteers had signed up to paint lamp posts. Many had gathered at Eighth Avenue and B Street just after nine o'clock when I walked through the area.
Around 150 volunteers had signed up to paint lamp posts. Many had gathered at Eighth Avenue and B Street just after nine o’clock when I walked through the area.
Getting the paint ready at the center of the parking lot where all the volunteers gathered in downtown's Core district.
Getting the paint ready at the center of the parking lot where all the volunteers gathered in downtown’s Core district.
The base of a downtown lamp post has been primed and is ready to be painted by volunteers. Hundreds of posts would be painted today!
The base of a downtown lamppost has been primed and is ready to be painted by volunteers. Hundreds of posts would be painted today!
A worker for the Clean and Safe program beautifies downtown San Diego.
A worker for the Clean and Safe program beautifies downtown San Diego. As a resident, I thank you all.
These nice volunteers were painting their third lamp post as I walked back through the area later in the day!
These nice volunteers were painting their third lamppost as I walked back through the area later in the day!

…

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!

Photos of fun street art along Fourth Avenue!

A funny spotted creature of some kind decorates an electrical box on Fourth Avenue near the Quince Street Bridge.
A funny spotted creature of some kind decorates an electrical box on Fourth Avenue near the Quince Street Bridge.

I got off work early and wanted to enjoy the remaining daylight.  So I took the 120 bus to Hillcrest and walked down Fourth Avenue from University Avenue to Elm Street.

I found some fun street art on electrical boxes in both Hillcrest and Bankers Hill!

Spray painted face lit by sunshine early one morning, near Fourth Avenue and Robinson Avenue in Hillcrest.
A spray painted face lit by sunshine early one morning in Hillcrest, near Fourth Avenue and Robinson Avenue.

Okay, you caught me!  The above photo was taken one morning a couple months ago. It was sitting in my computer.  All the others are from late this afternoon.

A guitar and stars decorate a utility box.
A guitar and stars decorate a utility box.
Colorful art shows a street scene! Copies, bread, coffee and outdoor diners come together near Fourth Avenue and Laurel Street.
Colorful art shows a street scene! Copies, bread, coffee and outdoor diners come together under a blue sky near Fourth Avenue and Laurel Street.
Ice cream, barber, eyes, dentist. A happy stick figure walks down an imaginary Bankers Hill sidewalk.
Ice cream, barber, eyes, dentist. A happy stick figure walks down an imaginary Bankers Hill sidewalk.
A contented face on a utility box near the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Laurel Street.
A contented face on a utility box near the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Laurel Street.
Lots of stars and some hearts.
Lots of stars and some hearts.
According to some writing on this transformer, these are space plants and moon flowers!
According to some writing on this transformer, these are space plants and moon flowers!

…

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!