Visitors to the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park prepare to enjoy a short virtual reality tour around San Diego.
During my random walk through Balboa Park today, I stumbled upon something that is unique and really fun! I wandered into the San Diego History Center and was immediately drawn to a sign at the entrance to one gallery that read: Experience San Diego, The Virtual Reality Adventure.
I wasn’t looking to blog anything after my walk today, but this short VR tour around San Diego is so cool, I definitely want to share it!
After having my VR headset strapped on, I suddenly found myself transported to a wide variety of places and events around San Diego. I was standing atop the California Tower in Balboa Park, turning my head to gaze in every direction . . .
Then suddenly I was floating over Oceanside in a hot air balloon . . . standing among hockey players during a San Diego Gulls game . . . riding a helicopter along our beautiful coast . . . right up close among the dolphins at SeaWorld . . . riding the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster at Belmont Park in Mission Beach . . . flying above the desert in Anza Borrego State Park . . . floating on a boat among sea lions on San Diego Bay . . . and much more–all in virtual reality!
The whole experience is made possible by 4DSCI. A ticket costs just five dollars and the virtual reality tour lasts for perhaps ten minutes. If you want to experience San Diego in a whole new way, head down to the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park and check it out!
Experience San Diego, The Virtual Reality Adventure. You will see many cool sights as if you were there in person!Around the corner is the VR Theater…The fun, kid-friendly room where the experience is enjoyed. Chairs swivel so visitors can easily turn and experience the virtual reality in every direction.Cabrillo National Monument is one of the beautiful places that will surround you–as if you are there!
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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!
Extraordinary beauty at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park.
I believe the world is fundamentally beautiful. Beauty permeates everything. From atoms to galaxies–and everything in between.
Beauty awaits open eyes wherever we happen to walk. Perhaps you’ve noticed this is an important theme of Cool San Diego Sights.
Yesterday I finished writing a short story that is very dark. It concerns ugliness that arises from human vanity. So now I find myself in a difficult situation.
I’d rather not have a depressing story welcome readers to my website Short Stories by Richard. I want to outshine the darkness with light.
A bright, magical story is now taking form under my pen. But finding the right words to approximate eternal truths can be a puzzle. I’m stuck for the moment, wrestling.
All living things require watering. I know that with fresh eyes and a little patience the story will grow and mature.
Until these two new short stories appear, you might enjoy reading my published works of fiction here.
Endangered, wind-sculpted Torrey pines at Cabrillo National Monument.Radiant beauty along a Little Italy sidewalk.A beautiful fountain by a sidewalk in Bankers Hill. A sculpted boy with watering can.Painted sunflowers grow upon a transformer box in Coronado.Natural beauty discovered in busy downtown San Diego.More beauty at the Japanese Friendship Garden, a welcoming retreat from life’s often stressful walk. I think I might go there today with my small notebook and pen.Moving forward down life’s path, through wild natural beauty atop Mount Laguna.
In the daily hustle and bustle, one can forget important things.
I’d like to thank you all, the readers of Cool San Diego Sights.
Thank you for following along during my walks around San Diego. We’ve peered into unexplored corners, lingered in the sunshine. We’ve had a laugh or two. We’ve experienced a good deal of wonder in a beautiful city.
Thank you for your comments and your sharing.
I’ve been thinking a lot lately–about the best way to spend my weekends and free time before and after work.
As I’ve grown older, I’ve become more inclined to sit in a tranquil place and simply write. Deep down that’s what I really love. So I’ve decided from this point forward I will concentrate more on writing fiction, less on photoblogging.
I’ll still walk, of course–and if I happen to spy something cool or interesting, I’ll post photos right here on Cool San Diego Sights, or my companion blog Beautiful Balboa Park. But once I find that perfect seat, my old camera will be set to one side as I pick up notebook and pen.
Some of those scribbled words will eventually make it to my website Short Stories by Richard. That’s where small philosophical works of fiction await curious readers.
My camera might be idle for hours as I brainstorm, dream and write, but my feet are still restless! I’m sure more photos will appear in the days ahead. Many corners await exploration!
A cheerful sun, beach and ocean bench at Liberty Station in Point Loma.
New art installations and other surprises are always popping up around Liberty Station in Point Loma.
The site of the former Naval Training Center San Diego is a historic place where culture now thrives, and inspiration awaits around every corner.
Over the years Liberty Station has become increasingly dynamic. A cool new movie theater, THE LOT, has opened. Liberty Public Market has been open and thriving for a while, too. I’ve read that a new hotel will be coming to the Arts District, and I’ve observed the old Base Exchange might become a fantastic performance venue.
During my recent walk around Liberty Station my eyes searched for stuff that I haven’t photographed before. In the past I did post an image of the “sun, beach and ocean” bench you see above, but I had neglected to provide fun up-close photos.
A happy crab, shells and a sand dollar.A seahorse and jellyfish.More sea life on a very colorful bench!These cool egg-seats await diners outside Breakfast Republic at Liberty Station. (I hope they’re hard-boiled, not soft-boiled.)I spotted this patio chair’s artistic seat while walking around the Arts District.A sculpture by the relatively new THE LOT movie theater. Afoxe, by artist Brad Howe.A music and performance venue is proposed for Liberty Station, site of the old Naval Training Center San Diego.The old Base Exchange, Building 178, of now closed Naval Training Center San Diego, awaits renovation as a possible performance venue.A banner showing a contemporary quilt outside Visions Art Museum at Liberty Station.Paintings inside the Dick Laub NTC Command Center lobby by local artists with studios at Liberty Station.New art is always appearing around Liberty Station, a unique cultural center in 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!
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!
Sycamore leaves are beginning to turn along the San Diego River as autumn begins.
It’s much cooler in San Diego now that summer has ended. Today the sky remained overcast. The temperature was perfect for an exhilarating walk after work.
During the past few days I’ve noticed signs of autumn have appeared around San Diego. No, the palm trees haven’t turned yet.
Enjoy a few photographs. And maybe a laugh!
While walking downtown I noticed Pumpkin Spice is back at Starbucks.Haunted Tales is returning to the tall ship Star of India just before Halloween.Pumpkins are beginning to arrive at grocery stores. This outdoor bin was still empty a couple days ago, but ready.Dia de Los Muertos is coming again to Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. It’s one of my favorite events.A nice harvest of squash can be found along India Street in Little Italy.These leaves are turning at the Little Italy trolley station. Wait a minute. Those are leaves, right?Colorful autumn leaves fill tiny trees at the Old Town Model Railroad Depot!
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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 Star of India, built in 1863, the oldest active sailing ship in the world and oldest iron-hulled merchant ship afloat, will once again take to the Pacific Ocean in November!
History will be made as she embarks on her first sail in five years. The short voyage upon the ocean off Point Loma and up the coast will be guided by a new captain, and made possible with the heart, muscle and skill of volunteer crew members.
This afternoon the Star of India’s sail crew was high up in the rigging practicing. From the deck below I watched as they set sails, squared yards, and performed some of the acrobatics aloft that are necessary to perform their duty with coordinated precision.
As members of the sail crew rehearsed their ballet in the sky, others were meeting in the Star of India’s saloon, charting the historic ship’s voyage into the future. An exciting future!
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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!
Ready for combat, warriors file through the 16th Annual Viking Festival in Vista, California.
Today I headed up to Vista to enjoy the 16th Annual Viking Festival, which is being held this weekend in and around Norway Hall.
This very popular festival features everything Norse, including costumes, crafts, cultural demonstrations, live music on two stages, and a wide variety of spirited competitions. There’s a Viking Beard Competition, a Viking Horn Blowing contest, a Kids Fish Fling, a Guardians of Midgard Chest Game, and an epic All Weapons Tournament. Although I didn’t stay to watch, I learned that Saturday evening concludes with spectacular flaming axe throwing!
I arrived shortly after the gate opened, then wandered about taking it all in before the festival became extremely crowded.
Here come a bunch of photos!
The Vista Viking Festival continues on Sunday. If you’re in the area, you might want to head on over yourself! If you don’t care for big crowds, come early!
The very popular Vista Viking Festival attracts thousands of visitors every year.I was given a hearty welcome by these noble members of The Norwegian Fish Club, who meet in Vista’s Norway Hall and put on the festival.The Norwegian Fish Club serves as a forum for persons attached to Norway, its history or mythology. Officers and various members dress in Viking attire!Shortly after I entered the Viking Festival, I spotted this rather unusual longship!It appears I’ve entered Vikings territory!In addition to crafts and artwork, some of the vendors sell swords, axes and other weapons used by fierce Norsemen long ago.A basket full of plastic two-horned Viking helmets.Norway Hall in Vista is where locals gather to share unique culture and history from old Scandinavia.Food and entertainment are plentiful at the Annual Viking Festival.I hadn’t realized that Vikings ate hot dogs!The festival’s Northern Territory is where the Viking clans camp. Demonstrations and reenactments can be enjoyed by curious visitors.These folk show what life might have been like in parts of northern Europe during the Viking Age.A lady at work making Viking crafts.This friendly Viking gent welcomed me to his camp. Various groups actually camp in the park-like setting around Norway Hall during the weekend of the festival.Signs explained different aspects of Norse mythology, including Valhalla, a great hall in Asgard, where fallen heroes assemble and are ruled over by Odin.The singing group Damekor performs on the Loke Stage during the Viking Festival.Hair braiding could be observed everywhere. I was told the length of a Viking’s hair was often representative of their social status. Long, elaborate braids would be “sewn together” and tended by servants.Every sort of Viking armor, costume and dress could be found throughout the festival.One vendor was showing these very cool stained glass dragons.Another vendor had magic runes for sale.Another had a big inventory of very colorful mugs.These funny bearded mugs resemble thirsty Viking warriors!A metalsmith was at work in the festival’s Northern Territory.So was a woodcarver. This guy was fashioning a Viking bowl, or skål, based on actual archaeological findings.More armor and weaponry that might have been used by marauding Norsemen.Bread was being baked in two large outdoor earthen ovens.Visitors to the Viking Festival can purchase fresh bread, crumpets, scones and other goodies.This funny fellow was guarding a Staff Only festival entry.I believe this guy was making collectible Viking charms by pouring molten metal into small molds.One vendor had all sorts of fantastic, glittering figurines on display. I see a couple of dragons perched on geodes.Visitors to the 16th Annual Viking Festival in Vista walk through the Southern Territory.A Viking combat demonstration had just ended, and some festival visitors were talking to one of the participants.I enjoyed viewing an ongoing blacksmith demonstration at Odin’s Forge.Kids pose in a Viking longship for a fun photo.At the Weapons Range, visitors to the Viking Festival try their hand at archery, spear and axe throwing.Aiming for the dragon!And there’s a large beer garden, too. Cheers!
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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!
Brise Birdsong poses for a photo by a utility box in downtown San Diego. She had just finished putting on a base coat of paint.
I was walking through downtown San Diego this morning when I spied someone painting a utility box at the corner of Seventh Avenue and B Street. It turns out the artist is Brise Birdsong, whose often humorous street art has appeared in a few of my past blog posts! For example here and here!
Brise, also known as @breezy_bird, is a muralist and illustrator, whose work gives life to the children’s book The Lonely Little Bumbershoot.
She also creates pet portraits in her own unique style, and donates 10% of what she makes to animal shelters! For more info, check out her website here!
Very cool!
The same box in the afternoon, when I walked past again. Cool new street art is materializing in downtown San Diego!And here’s the other side of Brise Birdsong’s cool new street art! I can’t wait to see it finished!
UPDATE!
Here it is finished!
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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!
A series of columns at Liberty Station have recently been painted with expressive murals by Mexican-born artist Hugo Crosthwaite, who works in both Mexico and the United States. The murals, which are located next to Stone Brewing World Bistro & Gardens and Liberty Public Market, are titled In Memoriam: Column A and Column B. I took some photographs during a recent walk around Liberty Station.
The murals touch one’s heart. A variety of emotions are depicted in the faces of people who live and move through our border city. There is happiness and pain, sadness and pride. There is fear and hope. These emotions are powerfully familiar, because at one time or another we all experience them.
A series of columns at Liberty Station have been painted by artist Hugo Crosthwaite.Hugo Crosthwaite, Column A and Column B, 2018.
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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!
A new downtown mural reads: SMILE, you’re in San Diego. This happy message was painted by Phoebe Cornog, one of the creative directors of PANDR Design Co.
There’s a brand new, very colorful mural in downtown San Diego! It had me smiling today!
This public art was painted just days ago, on a high parking lot wall next to First Avenue, north of Broadway. It’s the same wall that features another mural concerning humility and nobility that I blogged about two years ago here.
The muralist is Phoebe Cornog, an artist who is also one of the creative directors of PANDR Design Co.
Very cool!
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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!
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