Uncharted Elsewhere: surreal art at San Diego Library!

Do these works of art represent the “real” world? Are they entirely fantastic?

Surreal pieces now on display in the San Diego Central Library’s art gallery might seem strangely familiar–but why and how?

The free exhibition is titled Uncharted Elsewhere. Stimulating pieces created by nine regional artists transport the viewer into uncharted territory located somewhere in the human mind.

I visited the Central Library’s 9th floor Judith Harris Art Gallery this afternoon and was wowed by the creativity of artists who have a special gift. Through sculpture, textile, painting and works on paper, they make curious people stand a very long while and wonder.

Are those eggs? Are those faces? Are those webs? Is that plant life? Are those landforms? What are these weird, oddly familiar things?

How did these fantastic visions come into existence? And what in our complex world is possible or real?

How, I wondered, might these visions relate to my own experiences in life?

The artists themselves, in their descriptions, explain how, through abstraction, they aim to produce enigmatic, mysteriously organic environments. Their works induce introspection, and perhaps enlightenment.

If you like weird, imaginative works of art, you’ll love Uncharted Elsewhere. For me, it’s one of the most engaging exhibitions I’ve experienced in this gallery.

You can check the artwork out for yourself through January 4, 2026. Learn more about the exhibition, the artists and the gallery hours 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!

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Chicago rocks Rady Shell in San Diego!

The legendary rock band Chicago performed before a sell-out crowd this evening in San Diego. Even after 58 years of touring, the guys can still bring it!

As the sun set, the Rady Shell filled up with fans. Hundreds more would listen to the concert from benches at the edge of San Diego Bay and the Marriott Marina. Boats anchored in the bay were there for the music, too, and dozens of people in lawn chairs on the Embarcadero Marina Park South pier had some great free seats.

Hit would followed hit all evening long–everything from Questions 67 & 68, to Make Me Smile, to Searchin’ So Long, to Old Days, to Does Anyone Know What Time It Is, to If You Leave Me Now, to Look Away . . .

The timeless jams and ballads were as great as ever. Three original band members–Robert Lamm, Lee Loughnane, and James Pankow–were unstoppable. It appears they’ve found the fountain of youth.

I hadn’t been to a Chicago concert since Bill Champlin and Jason Scheff departed as lead vocalists, so I wasn’t sure how I’d like the “new guy” Neil Donell. Oh wow! He actually sounds a whole lot like Peter Cetera!

It seems there is no stopping Chicago. America’s Band they call themselves. There’s no denying Chicago is a national treasure.

Yes, I got goosebumps. I’m sure many in the audience did, too!

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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.

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Amazing transformation coming to Balboa Park!

An amazing transformation is coming soon to Balboa Park!

Hopefully by Thanksgiving, definitely in time for December Nights I’m told, the front entrance of the Municipal Gymnasium will be radically altered. The historic building will more closely resemble how it appeared when it debuted in 1935 as the Palace of Electricity and Varied Industries during the California Pacific International Exhibition!

A construction fence in front of the Municipal Gymnasium was put up recently. Today I spotted workers atop the building’s marquee preparing the structure for its monumental transformation!

What will this amazing change look like when completed?

Click here and here to enjoy a preview, and learn more!

UPDATE!

A week later, I noticed the following changes. First, a descriptive sign appeared on the construction fence…

Municipal Gym Façade Restoration sign includes historical photo.

Second, markings have been made above the building’s marquee, in the space where the large bronze mural will be mounted…

ANOTHER UPDATE!

And a few days later…

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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.

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Historical photos of Old Town at visitor center.

1955. Sixteen shade trees were planted at the Casa de Lopez, a San Diego landmark.

Did you know there’s a visitor information center in Old Town San Diego on the second floor of the La Paloma marketplace? In addition to useful tourist info, the center features a wall of interesting historical photographs.

Find the La Paloma marketplace near the intersection of Twiggs Street and San Diego Avenue. The building stands where Old Town Trolley Tours vehicles line up. Proceed through the front door, go up some stairs, and you’ve arrived at the Old Town San Diego Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center.

During my last visit, I gazed at the old photos, trying to imagine how early San Diego once appeared. As you can see, the small town was established in a scrubby place in the middle of nowhere.

The Whaley house, the oldest brick house in California. Built in 1854.
About 1935. Casa de Lopez, located at Twiggs and Jefferson Streets. In the early days, the San Diego River flowed at its back where the Santa Fe Railroad track are now.
Old Town…1898. From Fort Stockton, now the site of Presidio Park, looking south toward Point Loma.
About 1880. Old Town Estudillo House, Ramona’s Marriage Place original condition.

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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.

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Victorians, mud and birds in National City!

Did you know National City in San Diego’s South Bay has a Historic Railcar Plaza?

The small museum-like building is located at the intersection of Bay Marina Drive and Marina Way. A train track running through the building is home to old Passenger Coach No. 1.

I posted a blog about the National City Historic Railcar Plaza almost ten years ago, after peeking inside. You can revisit that past blog post here.

From outside, anyone can peer through windows into four small display rooms at each corner of the building. When I walked by several weeks ago, it seemed that displays in two of the corner windows had changed. So I took photos!

In one window, dummies of passengers in Victorian-era attire stand or sit on a bench, as if waiting for a train or streetcar.

In a second window I found a variety of educational displays. They’re mostly about protecting the wetlands in National City and around the San Diego region.

According to one sign, the public is invited to participate in Creek Day on the last Saturday of every month, from 8 am to noon. The address where people meet is 1815 Hoover Avenue.

You can check out the Facebook page of Paradise Creek Educational Park by clicking here. (Unfortunately, that page doesn’t seem very active right now.)

Another sign inside the Historic Railcar Plaza indicates: “Display rooms are available to nonprofits to showcase artifacts and interpretive exhibits relating to the early railroads and local history. Contact the Port of San Diego Public Art Department for program information.”

What might I see the next time I walk past?

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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.

Feel free to share!

Sunday at Balboa Park 90th Anniversary Celebration!

A big festival continued today in San Diego’s Balboa Park. All weekend, the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages celebrated their 90th Anniversary!

Plenty of cultural entertainment could be experienced by park visitors at both the Spreckels Organ Pavilion and the International Cottages.

I took photographs on Saturday–the event’s first day. See those photos by clicking here and here.

Today, Sunday, I returned to Balboa Park to enjoy more of the anniversary celebration!

Here comes a selection of photos…

I watched a traditional dance performance at the International Cottages, presented by the House of Peru…

A bit later, I watched these radiant dancers presented by the House of Philippines…

I ventured into the House of Denmark, hoping to find another Danish hot dog like the one I devoured yesterday. I found a scrumptious dream cake (drømmekage in Danish) instead! I love coconut!

Inside the Hall of Nations, the House of Czech and Slovak Republics had an interesting display.

Their cottage, damaged badly by a falling eucalyptus tree months ago, is being repaired by the City of San Diego. Looking good!

Members of the House of China offered to write visitor names in Chinese!

I headed over the Spreckels Organ Pavilion at 2 pm for the Sunday entertainment, which would include the Spreckels Organ.

Umbrellas could be rented at the Spreckels Organ Society membership table. It was a very warm day in San Diego’s early September sunshine!

Super cool (and talented) San Diego Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez smiled for a photo!

A very special concert begins with the National Anthem. San Diego celebrates the 90th anniversary of the International Cottages in Balboa Park!

I hear drums and bagpipes behind us…

Here comes the House of Scotland Pipe Band! They file between the benches to the organ pavilion stage…

Scottish music marches by and steps onto the stage…

Booming drums, bagpipes and the mighty Spreckels Organ–world’s largest outdoor instrument. What an incredible combination!

If this doesn’t get your blood moving, nothing will!

After several rousing performances, the band files off the stage…

Next comes the House of Germany Choir. Several songs include the favorite Edelweiss.

Then I enjoyed beautiful selections sung by the Damekor Scandinavian Choir. The musical group includes members of House of Pacific Relations nation Houses representing Scandinavia.

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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.

Feel free to share!

A big 90th Anniversary Celebration in Balboa Park!

A big, wonderful event is taking place this weekend in Balboa Park. It’s the HPR 90th Anniversary Celebration. The International Cottages are celebrating nine decades of promoting mutual understanding among the people of the world, and working for peace.

The many members of the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages are offering cultural entertainment all weekend long, including tomorrow–Sunday. I enjoyed much of the festivities today–Saturday–and took these photos.

The event began with the Parade of Flags. I already shared photos of the parade here.

Following the colorful procession, our attention was directed to the stage of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.

After everyone stood for the beautifully sung National Anthem, the Red Warrior Singers sang, and the presidents of the member nations of the House of Pacific Relations stood for well-deserved recognition.

The House of Pacific Relations added four new nation members this year! Their mission is to foster understanding, tolerance and goodwill among all people. Diverse people have come together in San Diego for the greater good of humanity.

Human diversity could be experienced in the cultural entertainment, which then commenced.

First up, the House of Vietnam…

Next up, the House of Poland…

I then wandered over to the International Cottages lawn, where I found many happy people enjoying food, the open cottages, and various exhibits…

I confess I ate a Danish hotdog. Super yummy!

Yokohama, one of San Diego’s Sister Cities, was represented at one table.

I learned the San Diego International Film Festival is coming up, October 15-19.

The San Diego Beamers were up on stage providing live music…

The House of Chamorros had a display concerning slinging, which is an ancient and ongoing tradition of the Chamorro people. A friendly guy was demonstrating how to use a sling on the grass behind their cottage…

I then wandered back to the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. More dance, and beautiful, inspirational singing, by the House of Ukraine…

I left for home early, as the Saturday programming would continue on at the cottages until 5 pm.

Sunday’s programming will also feature cultural entertainment, food and fun. If you go, check out the Spreckels Organ Pavilion and the International Cottages between 11 am and 5 pm. You’ll love 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.

Feel free to share!

Parade of Flags celebrates 90 years in Balboa Park!

Balboa Park’s International Cottages are celebrating their 90th anniversary this weekend! They were established in 1935 for the California Pacific International Exposition.

The festivities kicked off today with the House of Pacific Relations International Cottage Parade of Flags!

Members of all the different Houses paraded through Balboa Park, to finally assemble at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Many participants wore traditional dress, representative of their nation.

Shame on me. I didn’t realize the parade was today. I was fortunate to catch the tail end of the colorful parade, as some of the nations filed proudly into the organ pavilion.

If you’re curious, that’s the House of Scotland Pipe Band with their drums and bagpipes under the huge United States flag. They were joined by young members of the Helix High School Highlanders band!

After the parade, there would be the National Anthem, speeches and cultural entertainment on the organ pavilion stage, then on the lawn at the International Cottages. (I’ll share those photos in my next blog post.)

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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.

Feel free to share!

A big Filipino feast this weekend in Balboa Park!

Do you love Filipino food?

Will you be in Balboa Park tomorrow: Sunday, September 7, 2025?

Would you like to devour Chicken Adobo, a Chicken & Pork BBQ Stick, Pancit Noodles, Lumpia, or Turon (banana dessert)? How about a Combo Plate?

You’re in luck! The San Diego History Center has a Filipino feast ready for you!

Taste San Diego Filipino Culinary Journeys, a special event inside the History Center, will be offering delicious Filipino food ready for purchase! Hours are 11 am to 4 pm.

Why this special catered feast? Balboa Park’s International Cottages (including the House of the Philippines) are celebrating their 90th anniversary this weekend.

Where is the San Diego History Center? It’s inside the Casa de Balboa. Look for signs as you walk along El Prado.

I had one of those barbeque meat on a stick offerings. The food is prepared by Gabina’s Cuisine, which is headquartered in Chula Vista.

Yummy!

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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.

Feel free to share!

Spooky tombs placed in San Diego park!

Oh my goodness! Why have these old tombs been placed in the southwest corner of San Diego’s Balboa Park? Very spooky!

You’d almost think that Halloween is approaching. Oh, wait. It is less then two months away!

So it isn’t surprising that The Haunted Trail is being set up in its usual Balboa Park location. The annual outdoor “haunted house” attraction is rather large, so putting it all together must take some time.

Imagine walking past those creepy old tombs in the dark of night. Might someone or something pop out unexpectedly?

I’d probably scream.

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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.

Feel free to share!