Sculpture of a winged cherub sits above a service entrance to the Horton Plaza shopping mall on Fourth Avenue.
Whenever I walk around town, my eyes are constantly roving, searching.
During the past few days I spied a variety of cool sights. Many were familiar but observed with fresh eyes; others to my eyes were entirely new.
Almost all of these photographs were taken in downtown San Diego. If you read the captions, you’ll note that one photo was taken in Mission Valley.
Every day is a new voyage of discovery.
Late light on Pacific Soul, a fantastic new sculpture by Jaume Plensa.Light fixtures mingle with reflections. Magic in one window of Urban Lighting.Magic Shop San Diego and a street lamp that seems to have mysteriously materialized inside their store.A colorful Rabbitville bunny that celebrates San Diego inside a window of the Hilton Gaslamp.Lucha Libre masks peer down from an upper level of Petco Park.Cool ornamentation on a building at the corner of Fourth Avenue and E Street.Looking up at one of the geometrically fascinating Pacific Center towers in Mission Valley.Ornamental detail at entrance to the elegant 1928 San Diego Trust and Savings Bank Building, now home to Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown.Late light on San Diego’s iconic 1938 County Administration Building.Gazing straight up toward the roof of the elaborate 1929 Samuel L. Fox Building at Sixth Avenue and Broadway.A tangle of rope inside the window of Crab Hut on Broadway.Stained glass windows add character to the Goorin Bros. Hat Shop – Gaslamp.Medallion-like relief sculpture of explorer Cabrillo’s galleon San Salvador on a corner of the 1924 John D. Spreckels Building.
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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!
A sea lion greets people who walk down the sidewalk. Humorous street art on Fenton Parkway.
I’ve noticed an increase in the amount of street art along Fenton Parkway in Mission Valley. A variety of electrical boxes have been painted, and others appear to be works in progress.
There’s so much fun street art now, I figured I’d post some photos! These photographs were taken late today during a short walk between the trolley tracks and Friars Road.
Enjoy!
Another side of the same box, and another happy sea lion!This box appears to be a work in progress. One side has an elaborate moth completed.Surfer girl street art on another electrical box. She’s on her surfboard awaiting a perfect wave.A girl and dog overlooking the ocean at sunset.The ocean in this street art seems to be populated by all sorts of odd prehistoric creatures!This fun scene was created by imaginative art teacher Anna Farrell.Another colorful side and another toothy monster.A cool bird of prey painted by artist Rachel Dipasupil Alberto. I believe it might be an osprey.These prickly pears seem to be growing beneath the nearby shopping mall’s palm trees!A very cool eagle or hawk near the intersection of Fenton Parkway and Friars Road.A stunning image on another side of the same box. Thousands of motorists enjoy seeing this beautiful artwork as they drive east down busy Friars Road.
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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 enjoy!
These cool guys with the San Diego Humane Society are looking for lots of animal loving volunteers! That might be you!
Do you live in San Diego? Do you love dogs, cats and other animals? The San Diego Humane Society needs your help!
I learned from two friendly guys in Balboa Park that the San Diego Humane Society needs lots and lots of new animal loving volunteers at their San Diego, Oceanside and Escondido campuses. Last week, an agreement with the City of San Diego has the humane society taking over the city’s animal control services. That’s an enormous job! That means literally thousands of more lost pets and “unwanted” critters to care for!
There are many volunteer opportunities. You can foster. You can walk dogs. You can love kittens. Yes, even cleaner-uppers are needed. The humane society already has over 5000 volunteers, but that’s not enough!
They really need your help! For more information, check out the San Diego Humane Society website here!
A spring day in San Diego that feels a whole lot like summer.
Many say San Diego has the best weather in the whole wide world. I can’t disagree. Most days in San Diego are comfortable and sunny.
As I walked along the Embarcadero this fine Sunday afternoon I felt like I was on summer vacation. Even though it’s still spring.
Come along with me…
Working up a sweat at Embarcadero Marina Park South.Dancing in some Seaport Village sunshine.Bubbles and kites at Embarcadero Marina Park North.Soaring joy.A didgeridoo summons deep magic by the water.A friendly sun smiles at Alamo Flags.Three lazy dogs in hammocks. It’s not quite the dog days of summer–not yet!Lots of sails between blue sky and gentle San Diego Bay.Walking by Ruocco Park. It’s always a good time for ice cream!Beautiful spring blossoms by the USS Midway.Stopping for a moment on bikes at the end of Broadway Pier.Disney Wonder cruise ship at dock in its happy, welcoming home port.A smiling sun on one of the tile benches along the Embarcadero.A large ladybug has landed nearby! Fun artwork on the Embarcadero.It must be another summerlike day in beautiful San Diego!
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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!
The House of Mexico had a fun display in the Plaza de Panama during the 2018 Cinco de Mayo celebration.
Yesterday during the Cinco de Mayo celebration in Balboa Park I walked around the Plaza de Panama checking out a variety of colorful tables. At the House of Mexico’s table, I learned how these good people are raising money to build their own casita at the International Cottages. The necessary permits have been obtained, now they just need to raise more money for the construction!
The House of Mexico has been a member of the House of Pacific Relations since 2004. Their mission is to promote the beauty, history, and culture of Mexico, San Diego’s close neighbor to the south.
If you’d like to help this cultural project, by becoming a member or perhaps by making a tax deductible donation, please visit the House of Mexico’s website!
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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!
Talented floreador Miguel Bautista performs rope tricks in Balboa Park during Cinco de Mayo!
Today was the first time I’ve gone to a big, festive Cinco de Mayo celebration in Balboa Park. What fun!
In the early afternoon I wandered down El Prado to absorb the general flavor of the event, but I spent most of my time watching cultural performances in the Plaza de Panama. The day’s highlight in my opinion was the noontime equestrian parade and rope handling entertainment.
I’ve included some fascinating info in my photo captions!
The festive 2018 Cinco de Mayo celebration in Balboa Park was the scene of great pageantry and life today!Many traditional Mexican costumes, crafts and entertaining activities filled the Plaza de Panama.Ballet folklorico dancers with the community group La Fiesta Danzantes de San Diego entertain a crowd in Balboa Park during Cinco de Mayo.Buoyant traditional Mexican music is provided by City Heights Mariachi, an ensemble that welcomes all ages. They are actively seeking trumpet players!Many people in diverse and colorful garb were in the audience.The noon Equestrian Procession is entering the Plaza de Panama! The group is called Escaramuza Charra las Golondrinas.Riders on horseback wear various traditional costumes. The caballero carrying the American flag is in the gala dress of a charro.Circling in the Plaza de Panama so that all can enjoy.The equestrian group’s floreador performs elaborate rope tricks for the crowd.Great agility and showmanship on display.Performing more amazing rope tricks up on the back of his horse!This cool lowrider was out in the plaza. It’s a 1958 Chevy Del Ray Sedan Delivery painted with flames!Several Balboa Park museums and organizations had tables in the plaza where kids could create Cinco de Mayo-themed artwork.Many food trucks were lining El Prado!When not on the main stage, City Heights Mariachi did some more entertaining along El Prado.At one o’clock there was a Traditional Dress Showcase with models wearing regional attire from different Mexican states.The various traditional Mexican dresses were from the Olga de la Vega private collection.I believe this was said to be a dress from the Michoacán region. The shawl is an important aspect of the attire–it is used to send social signals.Dress from the Mexican state of Guerrero, if my notes are correct. Images in the fabric include flowers and jaguars.Abundant color and pageantry filled the Plaza de Panama during the 2018 Cinco de Mayo celebration in Balboa Park!
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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 enjoy!
Funny sign in a shop window: If I agreed with you, we’d both be wrong.
As I walk semi-randomly about town, I’m always looking for amusing or uniquely interesting scenes.
Here are some fun photos…
We have coffee from Peru! But we also really really wanted to paint a llama on the sign.Budweiser banner shows Will Ferrell in a Padres baseball uniform. You stay classy San Diego!A top hat perched oddly atop a lamppost on the Cabrillo Bridge.Lots of exotic destinations. Grab and Go Subs seems to be the nearest.A street art chicken spray paints graffiti on a restaurant door.Riding a rodeo fish with wine glass raised high.
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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!
The large Reading Cinemas building on Fifth Avenue is being renovated. Once reopened, the interior will be radically altered.
Early yesterday morning I walked through the Gaslamp Quarter. As usual, I was amazed at all the ongoing renovation of buildings and businesses up and down Fifth Avenue.
It isn’t unusual for restaurants and nightclubs to come and go, but several projects are in progress that will upgrade long-time San Diego destinations.
The two projects that I observed were a radical transformation of the building that used to be home to the now closed 15-screen Reading Cinemas, and an expansion and redesign of the Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop.
The old Reading Cinemas building is being converted into a luxury movie theater and two restaurants. The developer is part owner of the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The Gaslamp’s new 8-screen Theatre Box will host film festivals, San Diego Comic-Con events, and be within steps of a tasty new Sugar Factory restaurant (which includes a candy store with superhero themes) and a Landshark Bar and Grill (part of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville food and hospitality empire).
A somewhat confined Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop down the street is being expanded and made much more roomy and inviting. When completed, it will once again welcome visitors to the Gaslamp Quarter with a tempting array of delectable, mouth-watering treats!
Fifth Avenue south of Broadway is the hub of San Diego’s popular Gaslamp Quarter.Workers beautify a building that will be home to a luxury theater and two new restaurants.One of several Gaslamp destinations undergoing renovation. Many downtown establishments strive to be attractive and upscale.The iconic Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop will also see various changes.Square footage is being increased and counters repositioned. The interior will be less crowded, more inviting.A graphic on a construction fence designed to make people drool! All these Ghirardelli treats and more will be returning to the Gaslamp!
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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 enjoy!
Having an amateur photoblog is loads of fun. My eyes are constantly moving about, searching for and anticipating interesting images.
Cool San Diego Sights helps me to perceive what I otherwise might not. Unusual reflections, shadows, hues, angles, spatial relations, minute details: an object’s complex, often momentary essence.
Before sunset today I walked along the Embarcadero, just north of the Broadway Pier. Glass buildings along the waterfront were shining. A jumble of bright reflections produced all sorts of fascinating contrasts.
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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!
Biking north along the east side of Mission Bay, heading toward De Anza Cove.
On Saturday I walked slowly along the east side of Mission Bay on my way to the Shaka Fest. Many were out enjoying the sunshine.
This is living in San Diego.
Resting in the shade of a tree.Shooting hoops outdoors with friends.Chasing a Frisbee.Walking near the De Anza Cove boat launching ramp.Some boaters come in from a pleasant Saturday out on the water.A sailboat in a corner of gentle blue Mission Bay, the largest man-made aquatic park in the United States.Enjoying the grass.The magic of Mission Bay.Heading down a path with the dog.Plaque on a park bench. In memory of Bettelu who love the walk (thru life).Enjoying another day of San Diego sunshine.
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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!
Cool San Diego Sights! 