Category: Uncategorized

Terrazzo shop entries in historic Chula Vista.

Want to feel small town nostalgia?

Take a walk along Third Avenue in Chula Vista’s historic downtown.

When I passed down the sidewalk on the east side of the street recently, I was pleased to see many shops with terrazzo entries that recall the names of past businesses.

I’ve paired photographs. The current building occupant is followed by old words spelled out in terrazzo at the front entrance.

Anyone more knowledgeable about the history of Chula Vista is invited to leave a comment!

Factory of Dreams Hall.

Sprouse Reitz.

Roy’s Jewelry & Loan

Jewelers.

Hidden Beauty Salon.

Karl’s.

Onstage Playhouse.

Bakery.

Maile’s Nail Spa.

Ferrantelli.

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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 Twitter!

Cool photo memories from May 2018.

What was going on in San Diego five years ago?

In the month of May, quite a lot!

My camera recorded a number of unique events back in May 2018, from Cinco de Mayo in Balboa Park, to Fiesta del Sol in Solana Beach, to the historic centennial flight of the United States Air Mail at Gillespie Field!

Enjoy these half dozen memories!

Click the following links for many photos…

Photos of Cinco de Mayo in Balboa Park!

Cortez Hill blooms at Jacaranda Flower Fest!

Photos at kite festival in Ocean Beach!

Photos of historic centennial U.S. Air Mail flight!

Photos of Fiesta del Sol in Solana Beach!

Images from a Memorial Day weekend.

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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 Twitter!

Smiles and heroes and Buck Bastard!

I met the above super cool people today. They had a table at Fangaea Con 2023 in San Diego. They are four creators of a budding animated web series: Buck Bastard.

These makers of Official Monkey Business were among the friendliest, most outgoing, most enthusiastic people I’ve met at any pop culture convention. We talked for a bit and I learned about a new character they are bringing to life: the would-be hero Buck Bastard!

We talked about the characteristics of Buck Bastard. From what I could gather, he wants to become a larger-than-life intergalactic hero in order to gain a desperately needed sense of self worth. And in so doing he actually becomes a hero.

You can get the gist of the character by watching the first produced episode of Buck Bastard here.

I love complex, character-driven stories and this particular concept. I’m positive Buck Bastard will develop into something special!

Check out Buck Bastard’s first short adventure “Hammer Time” by clicking here! And consider providing these passionate creators with a little support!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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 Twitter!

Cool fandoms come together for Fangaea Con!

Fangaea Con 2023 is underway in San Diego! Every imaginable pop culture fandom has gathered together to enjoy, share and celebrate their passion for creativity!

It was exciting to see that a really good crowd had already gathered before noontime at the Scottish Rite Event Center in Mission Valley. I wandered through several large rooms jam-packed with artists, vendors selling art and collectibles, autograph-signing celebrities, local fan groups, and a whole lot of great cosplay!

I learned this is the fourth Fangaea Con event–the first in a couple of years unencumbered by difficulties brought on by COVID.

It seems manga and anime might be the most popular fandoms at this event, but I also noticed a love for traditional superheroes, science fiction (yes, Star Wars in particular), fantasy, and every type of gaming. What intrigued me most were the many original characters and stories brought to life by talented creators.

Diverse activities at Fangaea Con include a cosplay workshop, a Pochita plush sew along, and how to create a supervillain!

If you read this blog in time, you’ll be glad to know Fangaea Con continues through 10 pm tonight! Head on down!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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 Twitter!

Huge birds and fun at Without Walls Festival!

The big annual Without Walls Festival, presented by the La Jolla Playhouse in association with the San Diego Symphony, is taking place all this weekend at the Rady Shell!

Today after work I headed behind the San Diego Convention Center to Embarcadero Marina Park South where very unique outdoor performances and activities could be freely enjoyed!

I saw many families and theatre lovers enjoying music, food, and of course, the intriguing productions.

One play involves the actual recreational vehicle used by an actress during COVID, and her strong experiences during a cross-country expedition.

Interactive activities include exploring the inspiration behind a Mexican restaurant in Barrio Logan, negotiation between yourself and a stranger that might result in personal transformation, an imaginative playscape for children, an immense puzzle whose solution requires collective cooperation, thought-provoking artwork beside the water of San Diego Bay, and the chance to mingle among gigantic, stilt-walking puppets that resemble birds from prehistoric times! WOW, indeed!

Learn all about the what and where and when by clicking here.

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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 Twitter!

Getting ready for Art Walk in Little Italy!

Preparations are underway for this weekend’s Mission Federal Art Walk in Little Italy!

I saw some of the artwork during my own Friday morning walk through Piazza della Famiglia and Piazza Basilone. Artists were being interviewed by a television reporter to promote the event. I snapped a few fun pics as I passed by!

Looks like the annual Art Walk will be great fun as usual! Come down to Little Italy this weekend and support local artists!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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 Twitter!

Restoring historical buildings for East Village Green!

Drivers heading down G Street in downtown San Diego’s East Village might observe something unusual. Between 14th Street and 15th Street two relocated old buildings have been raised above the ground as they are being restored.

Why the restoration of these historical buildings? The Murray Apartments Building and the Daggett Family Residence will stand at the edge of downtown’s large future park: the East Village Green!

According to the Barnhart-Reese Construction website, the 4.1 acre community park…will include a 13,657-square-foot community center, an underground parking garage, a children’s playground, an outdoor stage, dog parks, a water fountain and a games area. The East Village Green is expected to be completed in early 2025.

What about the two historical buildings? The Save Our Heritage Organisation website states: The Murray Apartments were constructed in 1903 at an unknown location and moved to 14th Street during the 1920s. The 1890s Daggett Family Residence was relocated in the 1940s…

I can’t wait to see the finished East Village Green park with its two handsome Victorian buildings!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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 Twitter!

A sunny walk in La Jolla’s Kellogg Park.

During my last visit to La Jolla Shores, I enjoyed a walk through Kellogg Park.

Several interesting sights met my eyes as I wandered about the beachside park on another sunny San Diego day!

At the south entrance to Kellogg Park, there’s an unusual table-like sculpture.

I believe the octopus and compass design represents the organization Friends of La Jolla Shores.

Nearby, an octopus welcomes visitors to The Map of the Grand Canyons of La Jolla, which is located in a plaza located between the grassy park and the beach’s boardwalk, Walter Munk Way.

The following photo shows a bit of the beautiful map. I once blogged about the map, its artwork and meaning here. There’s a cool interactive website that describes the marine animals in the map here.

Entering wide grassy Kellogg Park from the south. Benches face a tall flagpole.

Another beautiful day in paradise.

Facing the flagpole from its north side.

There’s an old plaque at the base of the flagpole.

Kellogg Park, a gift to the people of San Diego from Florence Scripps Kellogg and the City of San Diego. Dedicated to the memory of Frederick William Kellogg. June 1951.

Palm trees and the nearby playground.

Gazing out toward the ocean and the La Jolla Shores boardwalk.

Picnic benches and green grass.

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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 Twitter!

Balboa Park markers for police who died in combat.

Two markers in Balboa Park, not far from the entrance to the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center, remember and honor members of the San Diego Police Department who died in combat.

I knew nothing about these markers until I visited the San Diego Police Museum recently. A display on one wall included an old photograph and an explanation of the older marker and its plaque’s history.

Veterans War Museum Balboa Park

In 1953, a stone marker was dedicated to members of the San Diego Police Department who died in combat. Located at the base of a flag pole at the entrance to the San Diego Zoo, the marker eventually became overgrown and forgotten. The monument was relocated to the Balboa Park Veterans Museum. On May 14, 2014, it was rededicated. The master of ceremonies was former SDPD officer, now Brigadier General Paul K. Lebidine, USMC.

Other monuments in and around San Diego memorialize fallen law enforcement officers.

Those monuments that I’ve observed and photographed can be found here and here and here.

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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 Twitter!

Four cool new murals in San Ysidro!

I spotted four cool new murals today in San Ysidro!

My last walk through this border community was back in October. I believe the great street art I discovered today was painted since then.

The first three murals decorate fences in San Ysidro’s Cultural Corridor, which is located on Cypress Drive, north of San Ysidro Boulevard and south of the trolley tracks.

First up is one I really like.

If you’re curious about the image, CBX is the Cross Border Xpress pedestrian bridge that connects Tijuana International Airport with a terminal in San Diego…

Next up is a mural with many diverse characters that was painted this year by Yvette Roman (@yvette_roman).

Right beside it is another mural by Yvette Roman…

Finally, here’s a super colorful street mural spray painted on a building’s side and adjacent construction wall. I spotted the artwork on San Ysidro Boulevard a bit west of Cypress Drive…

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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 Twitter!