Celebrating restored Virgin of Guadalupe in Chicano Park.

Chicano Park, a National Historic Landmark in San Diego, is experiencing a renaissance. Many of the outdoor murals that were painted in the late 1970s are being carefully restored.

One of the first murals to be restored is very beautiful. La Virgen de Guadalupe was originally painted by artist Mario Torero in 1978. Its two month renovation was recently completed by Mario with the help of several assistants, including close members of his family. Today many gathered to celebrate and rededicate this truly extraordinary mural.

The dedication ceremony included indigenous dance (Danza Azteca) and a blessing by Father Neal “Pepe” Wilkinson of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. Mario Torero and his family members then spoke about the mural–of its inspiration, creation, symbolism and importance. How it represents hope for many in the community–particularly those who are in need.

Mario Torero spoke of his experience when he once touched this painted image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He could feel that the many prayers made before the mural were alive. Everything about the place and moment felt perfect. It changed him.

Words printed on the mural state: For 45 years this monolith has kept hope and faith alive for so many people. We are sure that many miracles have been manifested.

I can say that when you stand before this glowing Virgin of Guadalupe, you feel the light she brings forth.

The next photograph is from nine years ago. It’s how the mural then appeared. A comparison shows that beautiful imagery (eagle and condor wings) and color have been added during the recent renovation…

And today…

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Make holiday crafts at San Diego History Center!

The San Diego History Center in Balboa Park is offering a fun family activity during the holiday season!

Let There Be Light invites both young and old to create holiday crafts. The crafts represent different “Festivals of Light” from cultures around the world. Easy instructions and supplies are laid out on tables, in easy reach of small hands.

Make your own Christmas ornament, paper menorah, paper diya, mkeka mat, paper Donzhi Festival lantern, or write a message on a bodhi leaf . . . and more!

Those who participate can also learn about Diwali, Hanukkah, Bodhi Day, Yaldā Night, Dongzhi Festival, Christmas, Kwanzaa and Día de Los Reyes.

Once we pass the winter solstice on December 22, the days will be growing longer. The light returns!

Let There Be Light will be available to the public through the end of the year. Bring all the kids. Admission to the San Diego History Center and this holiday activity is free!

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Outdoor garden coming to Natural History Museum!

A construction fence now surrounds much of the San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park. I noticed a banner on the fence today. It states: NATURE GARDEN BLOOMING TO LIFE IN SUMMER 2024.

Pocket gardens and interpretive trails will be created around the museum, and include displays of native plants that should attract wildlife like butterflies and hummingbirds.

Anyone visiting Balboa Park will be able to freely enjoy these new outdoor garden areas. The completed project will be a cornerstone of the Natural History Museum’s 150th anniversary celebration.

I’m eager to see this new landscape take shape. I’ll probably take photos of the project’s progress in the months ahead, so stay tuned!

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Photos at the Pacific Beach Holiday Parade!

Here’s a collection of photographs that might make you smile!

Minutes before noon today, participants in the 43th Annual Pacific Beach Holiday Parade were busy around Garnet Avenue, getting ready for the big Christmas parade.

The event’s theme in 2023? Ugly sweaters! I photographed a few!

Groups from all around Pacific Beach had gathered for the occasion. Many were getting their festive floats, golf carts, lowriders, fire engines, buses, canoes, scooters and bikes (!!!) ready by applying tinsel, ornaments, wreaths and bows. And don’t forget all the cheerful inflatables!

Elves and Santas were milling about everywhere. I spotted the Gingerbread Man, too!

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Wetland restored at Cottonwood Creek in Encinitas.

Cottonwood Creek Park in Encinitas is a place to play, picnic, relax and enjoy nature. A beautiful walkway crosses over Cottonwood Creek and leads to leafy overlooks.

At one overlook, a sign lures inquisitive eyes. It describes how the nearby wetland was re-created, where for many years the water had been piped underground directly to the portion of the creek that lies west of the Pacific Coast Highway. The park and its restored wetland lie immediately east of Vulcan Avenue (a short distance east of Coast Highway 101).

The benefit of water filtration by plants (such as bulrushes and sedges) and plant litter (decomposing vegetation) is explained. Water that eventually flows into the ocean at Moonlight Beach is naturally cleaned of contaminants like heavy metals, nitrates and phosphorus.

The reclaimed riparian habitat also supports many native species. Trees, frogs and butterflies that benefit are depicted on a second sign.

To read more, enlarge the two sign images.

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Boston Tea Party to be reenacted in Chula Vista!

A very unique event is coming to Chula Vista. On Saturday, December 16th, there will be a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party in San Diego’s South Bay!

The event, marking the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, will be held at Chula Vista Bayfront Park, beside the marina. The event runs from noon to 4 pm, with the historical reenactment starting at 1 pm.

The event is free and open to all. It will be a great opportunity for young people to learn a little about our country’s history. You can read more about this special event and view a map showing where it is taking place exactly by clicking here.

I was told Chula Vista based tall ship Bill of Rights will take part in the reenactment. By sheer coincidence, I spotted the Bill of Rights last weekend at the Maritime Museum of San Diego, where it was docked for a Tall Ships America Pacific Coast community muster. That’s when I snapped these photos!

Six years ago I stepped aboard Bill of Rights during the Festival of Sail. See those photographs 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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Two happy skeletons party in Barrio Logan!

A happy skeleton couple (and their dog) have been partying day and night on a street corner in Barrio Logan. Perhaps you’ve seen them, drinks in hand, having a good time, on the side of a building at Logan Avenue and Sampson Street!

I spied this mural for the first time a few days ago during a Barrio Logan walk. According to the spray painted signature, the mural was designed by Diego Romo and painted by Dent Angeles (@dentloktattooarts) earlier this year.

Enjoy these photographs!

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

New sign in San Diego welcomes to Cortez.

Walking down from the top of Cortez Hill a couple days ago, I noticed a brand new landmark sign that welcomes people to the neighborhood!

The metal, ribbon-like sculpture greets those driving into downtown San Diego via California State Route 163 and Ash Street. It’s located at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Ash Street, near the southeast corner of the historic El Cortez building.

(Did you know the El Cortez had the world’s first outdoor glass elevator? See photos and a video 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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

Holiday decorations arrive in Little Italy!

San Diego’s downtown Little Italy neighborhood always celebrates the holiday season in a big way. That is certainly the case in 2023!

I missed the Christmas tree lighting yesterday evening, but I did walk around this afternoon to see many of the festive sights.

Piazza della Famiglia, which has become a community gathering place, has its big old-fashioned Christmas tree, giant nutcrackers, and special box that receives letters for Santa Claus. As in years past, Piazza Basilone has its shiny, more modern Christmas tree.

Many of the restaurants have decorations, including poinsettias near outdoor tables and whimsically painted windows. Banners along sidewalks celebrate Christmas (Buon Natale) and the New Year (Felice Anno Nuovo), and abstract holiday art can be found on many street corners.

Come along on a short walk. I headed up and down India Street, then east on Cedar Street. (The colorful “gingerbread house” is the Queenstown Public House restaurant.)

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!

The light shines through Switchfoot for Christmas.

An extraordinary concert was held this evening in San Diego. World-famous local rock band Switchfoot performed during December Nights at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion in Balboa Park. It was holiday concert that will be remembered for a very long time.

Switchfoot performed many of their hits, including Meant to Live and Dare You to Move, plus several of their new Christmas songs, such as California Christmas and Scrappy Little Christmas Tree. And there was Feliz Navidad and What a Wonderful World and Silent Night.

Thousands in the pavilion listened, sang along, waved their illuminated phones like candles.

Jon Foreman, lead singer, guitarist and songwriter, came down into the audience as the concert began. His voice lifted. And that’s when the light began to shine through.

From the very first note to the last, the band opened doors to that inner light that shines through eyes during Christmastime.

It was the light that tells us we were meant to live for so much more. It was the light that tells us to live our short lives to the very fullest. It was the quiet light that waits in all of our hearts for a door to open.

Switchfoot opened that door.

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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!