Team USA fans in line to buy merchandise at Petco Park during the World Baseball Classic in San Diego.
Team USA beat Venezuela tonight in an exciting World Baseball Classic game in San Diego! The United States won 4-2 with an amazing come-from-behind victory! Today’s baseball game was the second in a round robin between four international teams– the Second Round’s Pool F.
I’ve got an assortment of fun photos! It was a perfect San Diego evening to take in the sights, sounds, pageantry and great play of what turned out to be classic baseball game!
Fans of the four different teams in the World Baseball Classic’s Second Round Pool F could be seen all around San Diego’s Petco Park.Baseball lovers of all ages were having fun before the game began in the Park at the Park.Some outrageous costumes and lots of patriotic clothing could be seen all about the baseball stadium. And many Padres fans, too!It’s approaching game time. Families walk up a ramp to the upper level.Fans at the World Baseball Classic in San Diego point to the outfield.Young supporters of Team USA watch their baseball heroes warm up on the field before the game.Players for Team USA come out of the dugout for the opening ceremony.Players for both Venezuela and the United States were given a rousing introduction.Team USA fans watching the opening ceremony hold up an American flag.The players for the United States and Venezuela shake hands at the end of the opening ceremony.The game has begun! It’s a beautiful evening for baseball in San Diego, of course! Even some Dodgers fans have come to Petco Park for the fun.Venezuela is at bat as the sun sets and Petco’s lights come on. Venezuela has a great team and was first to score.As I walked about Petco Park, which USA Today rated the finest stadium in Major League Baseball, I took a photo of the Chair of Honor. The empty chair represents Prisoners of War and those Missing in Action.Team USA loaded the bases in the early innings, but unfortunately failed to score.These fans of Team USA scored, however, on the Kiss Cam!George Washington was in attendance, rooting on Team USA during the World Baseball Classic in San Diego! And his team won!
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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!
Lots of tiles painted with happy environmental themes. Together they form a mosaic that decorates this trash can in downtown San Diego’s Pantoja Park.
I love mosaics that are composed of ceramic tiles painted by ordinary people–young people in particular. It’s like a patchwork of inner visions, expressed from many hearts.
The Envirocan in downtown San Diego’s Pantoja Park is a special trashcan that is decorated with tiles that were hand-painted by young artists. Most of the colorful images express environmental themes. Clean air, clean water . . . plus lots of smiles. Smiles are good for the environment, right? Of course they are.
ESI Art Corps San Diego. Envirocan – Donated by Dick Butler. “One Who Cares”One side of the Envirocan features a female face. Perhaps it is Mother Earth.Colorful tiles painted by many creative hands form a mosaic on the Envirocan’s other three sides. Here’s a happy face in a tree, and some flowers.Keep our Earth clean!A house in a beautiful pristine landscape.Flower PowerA human eye. A smudge of something looks like a tear.Fish enjoy a clean blue ocean.I’m not sure what this is, but it looks pretty cool!Someone is poking their nose over a fence.One tile on the Envirocan features the Enviro-can!A happy face of many colors.Another lively underwater scene.And another beautiful face!A clean river flows down from green hills between trees.Wisdom is often found in a balance. Yin and yang. All things are connected.Looks like a weird underwater scene. Not sure about the cube with tentacles.Birds in a clear blue sky under a golden sun.Lots more smiley faces! They almost look like leaves to me.A red heart on patchwork colors. Love.
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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!
This old rusty steel skeleton of a ship is actually one of two cool sculptures near the Pier 32 Marina in National City.
Check out these two very cool sculptures! I spotted them as I walked from a National City trolley station to Pepper Park yesterday, on my way to the big International Mariachi Festival.
Both of these sculptures are located at the Pier 32 Marina. And both are a lot of fun!
This huge metal sculpture by the marina flags is called Le Bateau Ivre, by artist Alber De Matteis, 2008.More detailed photo of this work of awesome nautical art! Looks like a ghost ship!The second sculpture, just down a pathway, is School of Blue Bottle Noses, by artist David Boyer, 2008. It was part of an Urban Trees exhibition on San Diego’s Embarcadero.Those blue Bottlenoses are actually bottles! Like a pod of turning dolphins, they shift direction in the wind!
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Buy some tasty Military Salsa and help those who’ve served in the military transition back to civilian life.
The nonprofit Welcome Home Soldier Foundation had a tent at yesterday’s Mariachi Festival. I learned their mission is to help those who’ve served in the military make the sometimes difficult transition back to civilian life. They have a very important project called Operation Sleeping Bag. They are providing homeless Veterans with sleeping bags.
Do you like to add tasty salsa to chips, tacos or breakfast burritos? The Welcome Home Soldier Foundation produces Military Salsas. The salsas come in many flavors, mild to hot, and the proceeds go to support this organization’s charitable work.
You can buy the salsas (and chips) online here! (Scroll down the page and you’ll see them.)
Sounds like a tasty, generous way to help Veterans who’d appreciate a helping hand!
Jars and bottles of salsa–from mild to spicy!Banner explains mission of the nonprofit Welcome Home Soldier Foundation. Operation Sleeping Bag helps homeless Veterans.
People watch the 5th Annual International Mariachi Festival in National City’s Pepper Park.
I took a bunch of colorful photos today at one of San Diego’s most wonderful festivals! The 5th Annual International Mariachi Festival was held today at Pepper Park in National City. (Actually, as I post this blog, the event still has about an hour to go.)
So what does one see at a Mariachi Festival? Read the captions!
The first performance featured the colorful Azteca Dancers – Danza Mexi’cayotl.The Azteca Dancers file onto the stage to the beat of drums.The audience watches the dancers perform on the Main Stage of the National City International Mariachi Festival.Dancers of all ages participate in several ancient Aztec dances, including a Rain Dance.Energy and joy are expressed as cultural traditions live on.The first of many wonderful performances at the Mariachi Festival!Now here comes Danza Folklorica Las Florecitas!Another amazing dance begins!Smiles and brightly colorful dresses are both big parts of Mexican culture.Dizzily spinning color and pure joy.Life as it should be.The happy, rhythmic music had lots of people in the audience clapping along.Here come some youthful musicians! I believe this is Mariachi Maya de Southwest Middle School. You wouldn’t believe the lung power and vocal range of that gifted young singer!Watching from the side of the Main Stage.Meanwhile lots of other fun stuff was going on at the festival, including this guy creating cool spray paint art.Vendors had all sorts of stuff for sale, including colorful Mexican dresses and fierce lucha libre masks.Speaking of lucha libre, there was some of that as well. (The blindfolded guy somehow won!)Wrestlers entertain a small crowd at the International Mariachi Festival.My favorite photo of the family event!And the event this year was very big! More people kept on arriving right into the afternoon.The excellent entertainment continued non-stop at the Main Stage.Many great mariachi groups would perform from around San Diego, Southern California and Mexico. Many middle school and high school groups participated.At the opposite end of Pepper Park, on the Port Stage, kids of all ages performed.On the grass off to the side of the Port Stage a bunch of young performers awaited their turn in the spotlight.Now I’m back at the Main Stage one last time. The crowd has grown!Rousing, emotional, much-loved mariachi music brought loud applause throughout the event.This young man sang several songs, and finished with an exciting mariachi version of Sinatra’s New York, New York!Here come some young couples dancing! I’m not sure who these performers are.A dance filled with life.Youthful energy at the Mariachi Festival in National City.And now–I believe–Danza Folklorico Nanahuatzin.Colorful skirts whirling like kaleidoscopes.A traditional Mexican folk dance delighting both eyes and ears.Pure joy.Many wonderful performances could be enjoyed at the 5th Annual International Mariachi Festival!
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Walking through a profusion of pink flowers at the Japanese Friendship Garden during the 2017 Cherry Blossom Festival in Balboa Park.
Wow! Here come photos of the amazing annual Cherry Blossom Festival, which is taking place this weekend at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park.
I recommend a visit! You’ll see lots of jaw-dropping beauty, devour lots of yummy food, and enjoy many fun and fascinating aspects of Japanese culture.
If you shy away from crowds, it’s probably best to arrive in the morning just as the festival opens. This event becomes more and more popular every year!
Tomorrow–Sunday–the festival is open from 10am to 6pm.
The annual Cherry Blossom Festival takes place all weekend. If you’re in San Diego and you read this blog in time, make sure to go!Japanese art, gifts and crafts can be found all around the garden during the festival.Many people gravitate toward the covered patio near the koi pond.Colorful koi, symbols of longevity in Japan.Some attending the Cherry Blossom Festival try their hand at the ancient game of Go.The strategic game of Go originated in China over 2500 years ago. Boards for the Japanese version are often prized for their beauty.Some super smiles at this table!Gazing beyond the beautiful Light of Friendship at many vendor tents during the festival of cherry blossoms.Lots of fun Japanese stuff is for sale at the event.Yoshi’s Jams are completely organic! So was that smile!This cool guy had genuine samurai swords for sale.Some ladies at one table were demonstrating Japanese brush painting. A special exhibition in Balboa Park’s Casa del Prado will take place March 25 and 26.Exquisite Japanese artwork created by a careful, inspired hand.People head through the Charles C. Dail Memorial Gate and toward the Lower Garden, where most of the blossoming cherry trees await.We descend into beauty.Walking into heaven.Spring cherry blossoms line the walkways and the gentle stream that runs through the Lower Garden.A purple parasol and pink flowers.Lots of food could be found around the Inamori Pavilion. These guys were preparing Okonomiyaki–yummy Japanese pancakes.Inside the Inamori Pavilion, a variety of marionettes are on display. The Edo Marionettes will perform at the Japanese Friendship Garden on April 30.I was drawn to these tents in the sun-splashed garden, where there was even more food!Preparing Taiyaki–Japanese fish-shaped cakes.I’d never eaten Taiyaki before, and it was really good!But, of course, the Japanese cherry trees are the star of the show. Crowds walk through bursts of pink flowers and rest on the green grass.Visitors to the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park enjoy the annual Cherry Blossom Festival!
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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 horse is prepared in a corner of Balboa Park for San Diego’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade along Sixth Avenue. San Diego Bay and Point Loma can be seen in the distance.
Here are some fun photos!
Look what I discovered this morning as I walked through Marston Point, heading into the heart of Balboa Park. Horses and riders had gathered in the southwest corner of the park and were preparing for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade! Every year the big parade heads down nearby Sixth Avenue.
Both horses and riders would be wearing green today during the parade.Horse and rider get ready in Balboa Park’s Marston Point parking lot.Folks dressed in cowboy attire watch the proceedings.A couple of horses from Valley Center wait by a trailer for the start of the parade.A nice smile from a rider!Law enforcement would ride in the parade, too. These two horses were wearing some green shamrocks.A horse and rider with braids and curls.This elegant carriage would soon be watched by thousands during the big St. Patrick’s Day parade.A rider heads across the grass of Balboa Park’s beautiful green Marston Point.
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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 sun sets across San Diego Bay. The sky changes color above Navy ships docked at North Island.
I saw magic today. I was standing out on the G Street Pier as the sun began to set.
What a pleasant evening for a walk.
Please enjoy these photos…
Birds soar above one last burst of sunlight.A slight rainbow appears at sunset, between clouds above Point Loma.A beautiful evening on the tranquil G Street Pier.The sunset turns fiery, painting the rippled water of San Diego Bay red.Condensation trails high in the sky reflect the sun, as light fades around fishing vessels docked at the G Street Pier.People linger at the end of the pier near Seaport Village into the evening. A pedicab with colorful lights turns around near a docked ship.The Manchester Grand Hyatt towers turn golden in the last rays of the sun. A nearly full moon rises above them.A magical moment at sunset in Tuna Harbor.Sunset’s red and yellow reflects from the Marriott Marquis, and onto the calm water of Tuna Harbor. Pure magic.
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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 pelican painted on an electrical box. Photo taken on Mission Boulevard in Mission Beach.
Enjoy these photos of street art finds in Mission Beach!
I saw lots of cool artwork while walking along Mission Boulevard from Pacific Beach Drive south to the Giant Dipper roller coaster at Belmont Park. Almost every electrical box along the sidewalk had been painted with a lively beach or ocean theme!
A sailfish swims above the sidewalk.These fish in some kelp appear to be made of a hand and two feet dipped in paint!A transformer box with a small beach scene wrapping around it.Close look at one part of the impressionistic painting of the beach.A typical beach scene with sand, palm tree and surfer.Someone with a pail and someone walking a dog.Three orange garibaldis in the Pacific Ocean.A traffic sign warns of surfers crossing!A red, white and blue fish above a garage door.Some fun surfer street art in Mission Beach.And right next to it is another colorful, psychedelic panel of street art. Find it near Mission Blvd. and San Rafael Pl.A tropical scene on a wall.Perhaps take some gyros out on the boat when you go sport fishing.A goose is loose!One of several cool, nostalgic beach images on one parking lot fence. A surfer girl and a woodie overlooking the ocean.Another cool Southern California image on the parking lot wall.A youth with a surfboard looks out at the beach and sandstone cliffs.There seems to be a large hole in this wall. I see ocean waves through it!We must take care of our land and sea. Live aloha.A wacky Deadhead tiki character at the corner of a Mission Beach shop.Another painted scene shows natural beauty along San Diego’s coastline.Another cool woodie with surfboards on the roof.Whales and seals and fish on one watery wall.And a dolphin, too!The most important things in life . . . aren’t things.Two sailboats painted on an electrical box.Another underwater scene on a utility box, faded by the sun.A ringed planet appears to be surfing! Cosmic, dude!Urban art celebrates the Mission Beach Centennial, 1914-2014. The Giant Dipper roller coaster, the main attraction of Belmont Park, is in both the artwork and the photograph’s background.More garibaldis on a large electrical box near Mission Beach’s famous roller coaster.A migrating gray whale and pod of dolphins are part of the previously shown underwater mural.
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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 fun photos for you to share and enjoy!
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