Anyone having a bad day should step into Dave’s Rock Garden in Encinitas.
Thousands of colorfully painted stones in the garden radiate with happiness and positivity. For those with an open heart, it’s an awesome, uplifting experience.
Dave’s Rock Garden can be found at the corner of B Street and 2nd Street, a short distance from Moonlight State Beach. Paths into the garden invite people who might be walking down the nearby sidewalk.
“Bringing Unity to our Community” states the website that describes Dave’s Rock Garden. Bringing unbounded creativity and joy would also be appropriate!
The garden had a humble beginning. In 2015 David Dean picked up trash and pulled weeds on this sliver of abandoned public property. A painted stone that he discovered led to inspired efforts that have resulted in what visitors see today.
What did I see when I visited earlier this year? I took photos…
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As I walked through downtown’s Civic Center Plaza this morning, I noticed banners on fencing near the San Diego Civic Theatre. They recall how superstars such as Diana Ross, Tony Bennett and Robin Williams have performed in the popular venue over the past six decades.
I hadn’t realized the Civic Theatre is celebrating its 60th Anniversary this year!
Curious, I checked out the history of the San Diego Civic Theatre. Here it is.
Others who’ve entertained audiences at this historic venue include Frank Sinatra, Jerry Seinfeld, Conan O’Brien, Luther Vandross, Jerry Lewis, Patti LaBelle, Carole King, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen. Do you have any memories?
Today, if you enjoy performances by San Diego Opera or Broadway San Diego, you are part of that continuing history!
Five years ago I went on an architectural tour of the Civic Theatre building and took photographs of the grand, elegant interior. You can revisit that blog post here.
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
Interesting activity could be observed today around the USS Midway aircraft carrier, which operates as a popular San Diego museum.
I noticed during my walk along the Embarcadero that divers were in the water near the USS Midway’s hull. In addition, there was a large section of scaffolding erected against the bow on the massive ship’s port side.
My initial assumption was the hull was being cleaned underwater. I was wrong. I was told the scuba divers in the water were Navy personnel training to do security sweeps.
Someone with the USS Midway Museum told me that Navy SEALs often train near the inactive aircraft carrier, learning how to maneuver underwater. (Years ago I saw them operate in the night near the Star of India.)
As for the scaffolding–I learned the hull of the famous old aircraft carrier is being restored. Removing rust, painting and such. It’s a monumental undertaking!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
How can you not love this colorful mural at Point Loma’s Liberty Station? It was created in 2023 for the arched passage between Barracks 14 and 15.
The over 2,500 square foot mural, designed by local Chicana artist Scarlett Baily, is titled Home. The installation was painted by many in the community.
According to a nearby plaque, it bridges the history of the Naval Training Center with regional indigenous maritime culture. Native flora and fauna stage the celebration of San Diego’s heritage and acknowledge the generations that have called Point Loma home…
You can’t help smiling as you walk up to and through this lively artwork!
I see faces, flowers, a whale, seagulls, a heron, even a sea lion!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
By strolling around Collier Park, you can also discover a bit of history.
As the city of La Mesa’s first park, Collier Park has long served as a community gathering space.
Kumeyaay – The Kumeyaay Tribe of Indigenous peoples have a rich history in the area, harnessing nature’s local resources. The natural spring in the park once served as a seasonal stopping place for the local Kumeyaay.
David C. Collier – Colonel David Charles (D.C.) Collier, a pioneer community developer in La Mesa and throughout San Diego County, was responsible for donating the land to the community for what would become the City’s first public park after incorporation in 1912.
In the next photograph, you can spot La Mesa’s historical Spring House. Curious? I blogged about it here.
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
This coming Saturday, May 31, 2025, from 11 am to 3 pm, the Port of San Diego is hosting a free event at César Chávez Park (in Barrio Logan next to San Diego Bay). A Day at the Park will feature multicultural entertainment, fun kids activities and food trucks!
I see performers include Soaring Eagles Native American Indian Cultural Dance Group, Polynesian Dancers, Mariachi Victoria de San Diego, and Ballet Folklorico Ti Pa.
Sounds like a great lineup! I put it on my calendar!
In addition, the Port of San Diego will be gathering public input at the event concerning improvements to the southeastern, waterfront area of the park.
If you want to learn about this event hosted by the Port of San Diego, check out their website by clicking here!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
A little over two years ago I posted a blog about a project that was being undertaken in Coronado. A bronze statue was to be created by artists Chris Slatoff and Elisabeth Pollnow that honors military spouses.
Yesterday, as I walked into Star Park for the Coronado Memorial Day Service, I was excited to see the finished League of Wives Memorial Statue!
The beautiful sculpture was surrounded by chairs for the Memorial Day ceremony and a few people were already sitting nearby, so I self-consciously, very quickly took only three photographs.
You can learn more about the project by revisiting my old blog post here. It includes the statue’s plaque verbiage.
Here’s from March 2023, when money was being raised for the project:
And here’s the finished sculpture, from yesterday:
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
Heroes were remembered today in Coronado’s Star Park.
The Coronado Memorial Day Service brought out many families in a close-knit community, and renewed memories of great sacrifice. The ceremony honored members of the United States Armed Forces who lost their lives while defending our Nation and its fundamental Freedoms.
Many of these heroes have a connection to Coronado and San Diego. Perhaps they once served here, or their survivors now live here. The placement of memorials, after words from the guest speaker, brought out much emotion. Gold Star Families carried flowers, as did others, young and old.
After the Call to Order, Presentation of Colors, National Anthem and Invocation, General Logan’s historic 11th General Order was read, which in effect created this national day of remembrance.
Soon thereafter, guest speaker Major General Thomas B. Savage, USMC reminded us of certain important things. That Memorial Day isn’t a celebration, or about barbeques, or the beach, or a fun day off from work. It’s about reflection. It’s about remembering and honoring the sacrifices made by heroes to secure the Freedoms that you and I enjoy–and might sometimes take for granted.
The ceremony concluded with a Rifle Salute and Taps.
We must not forget.
I took these photogrphs…
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
It’s Memorial Day weekend in San Diego. As one might expect, the crowds in Balboa Park are large. Today the late spring weather was perfect for a sunny Sunday walk through our beautiful park.
As I wandered about, I discovered several signs that Memorial Day has arrived.
In the early afternoon I noticed a huge thirteen star Betsy Ross version of the Flag of the United States was being hung from one of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion’s colonnades. The flag was furnished by the San Diego Chapter SAR (Sons of the American Revolution.)
Unfortunately, wind gusts were creating an insurmountable problem and the flag was taken down before the two o’clock organ concert began. I’ve been informed another attempt to use the flag will be made during the upcoming Independence Day organ concert on Sunday, July 6, 2025.
Dale Sorenson, curator of the Spreckels Organ, was wearing a patriotic red, white and blue tie as he introduced the Sunday afternoon concert. Music selected was appropriate for Memorial Day weekend. There were–count them–five John Philip Sousa marches!
During the United States Armed Forces Medley, San Diego Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez asked audience members to stand who were Veterans. Those who stood received grateful applause.
Another perfect San Diego day…
Lawn bowlers were active out on Balboa Park’s West Mesa…
The Southern California Plumeria Society had a Cutting Sale inside the Casa del Prado…
Lots of tickets were being sold for the Balboa Park Miniature Railroad!
The San Diego History Center has a pop-up exhibit concerning Memorial Day in San Diego. There are interesting historical photographs to look at, such as:
A couple of cool guys were breakdancing near the Timken Museum of Art!
A Senior Arts Exhibition can be freely enjoyed in Gallery 21 of the Spanish Village Arts Center through June 2, 2025.
Musicians were performing on the grass at one end of the International Cottages…
Memorial Day is the final day of the San Diego International Fringe Festival. One of the festival venues is Balboa Park’s Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theater.
A video playing inside the House of USA cottage is about Memorial Day. It honors those in the United States military who made the ultimate sacrifice.
As a writer, I’m very thankful for Liberty, and I have a deep appreciation for those who’ve defended it.
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
The big 2025 Santee Street Fair was held today! Thousands of happy people came together at Santee Town Center to celebrate the start of summer! It’s Memorial Day weekend!
From entertainment on the main stage . . . to plenty of food . . . to carnival rides for the kids . . . to community organizations and vendors . . . there was plenty to see and do!
I walked around taking in the atmosphere while meeting some friendly people.
As I arrived, cheerleaders from Santana High School were performing for the gathered crowd…
As the next photograph suggests, this is one of the most popular street festivals in San Diego County!
Some of the cool rides in the fun zone…
I learned about animal sanctuary Lions Tigers and Bears in Alpine. I often see them on the TV news. It’s a place I have yet to visit.
Viola makes yummy cookies and other treats. She once was interviewed on CBS News 8!
The City of Santee was well represented at the street fair.
Santee offers many public activities for residents, including families and seniors. The Santee Summer Concerts are coming up!
The San Diego County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) trains you to protect yourself, your family, your neighbors and neighborhood in an emergency situation.
I got an emergency kit that includes a Safety Lightstick, which I’ve placed within easy reach in case my power goes out.
These smiling folks were full of information about Santee Lakes Recreation Preserve. If you like freshwater fishing, that would be a great place!
Food galore at the Santee Street Fair!
Mr. Fun smiled for my camera, and probably wondered who the heck I was.
Grama Rose hosts a radio show, which always includes heart, wisdom and a recipe!
American Legion Riders had some wheels near their canopy.
I coaxed a smile out of this VFW gent!
An honest-to-goodness chimney sweep! Did he fly in to Santee from London?
A brilliant karate demonstration receives oohs and aahs from a large audience!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
Cool San Diego Sights! 