Belmont Park’s fun Giant Dipper roller coaster!

Looking across Ventura Place at the Giant Dipper roller coaster.
Looking across Ventura Place at the Giant Dipper roller coaster.

Mission Beach is one of the most popular attractions in Southern California. One big reason: Belmont Park and the wonderful Giant Dipper roller coaster!

In my last blog post I walked south down the busy beach boardwalk to Hamel’s. Belmont Park stands just across the street. The historic amusement park was built in 1925 by wealthy sugar magnate John D. Spreckels, and was called the Mission Beach Amusement Center. The 2,600 foot Giant Dipper roller coaster, made entirely of wood, was built in less than two months. Over the ensuing years, the coaster fell into disrepair; it was then carefully restored in 1990 and became a huge success.

Entering Belmont Park beneath the wooden roller coaster.
Entering Belmont Park beneath the wooden roller coaster.
Looking up at tracks of the picturesque coaster.
Looking up at red tracks of the picturesque coaster.
Kid-friendly Belmont Park has thrilling rides and fun stuff.
Kid-friendly Belmont Park has thrilling rides and lots of fun stuff.
People wait to board the historic rollercoaster.
People wait to board the historic roller coaster.
The winding coaster tracks make for interesting photos.
The winding coaster tracks make for interesting photos.
Palm fronds, colorful track and clear blue sky.
Palm fronds, painted wood and clear blue sky.
A large indoor arcade features loads of classic games.
A large indoor arcade at Belmont Park features many classic games.
This small merry-go-round is a treat for kids of every age.
This small merry-go-round is a treat for kids of every age.
A carnival midway area has tests of skill and a food court.
A carnival midway area has tests of skill and a food court.
Riders whiz by as the cars rattle on wooden rails.
Riders whiz by as the cars rattle on wooden rails.
This yellow submarine requires no water!
This yellow submarine requires no water!
Wild and crazy Tilt-A-Whirl provides a big adrenaline rush.
Wild and crazy Tilt-A-Whirl provides a big adrenaline rush.
The Giant Dipper roller coaster swooshes by!
The Giant Dipper roller coaster swooshes by!
Peeking into the innards of a wooden roller coaster.
Peeking into the innards of a wooden roller coaster.

It’s interesting to walk around the perimeter of the Giant Dipper. You can peer beneath the rails and see the materials used to build and maintain the huge wooden construction.

The Plunge giant swimming pool is undergoing restoration.
The Plunge giant swimming pool is undergoing restoration.

Right next to Belmont Park’s amusement rides you’ll find The Plunge, originally called The Natatorium. The huge 12,000 square foot swimming pool originally contained salt water.  It was the largest such pool in the world with 400,000 gallons of water!

The Plunge has also become famous for its Orcas off Point Loma whaling wall, painted in 1989 by famous marine artist, Wyland.

Today the pool and surrounding structure are being repaired. It’s scheduled to reopen by the end of this summer.

I hoped to get pictures of Belmont Park’s relatively new FlowRider wave machine, which allows thrill-seekers continuous surfing without entering the ocean! Unfortunately, it was down for maintenance.

Photo mosaic on beach restroom shows bits of Belmont Park.
Photo mosaic on a nearby beach restroom shows bits of Belmont Park.
Playing football on the nearby sand at Mission Beach.
Playing football on the sand at Mission Beach.

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Pacific Beach boardwalk down to Mission Beach.

Beginning my walk south from Crystal Pier along boardwalk.
Beginning my walk south from Crystal Pier along the boardwalk.

Now please walk with me as I head south down the Pacific Beach boardwalk. We’re starting at Crystal Pier and going all the way to Hamel’s down in Mission Beach. It’s one of the most amazing walks (or bike rides) in all of the world!

Cool octopus art made of tile, stones and shells.
Cool octopus art made of tile, stones and shells.

This bit of artwork was next to the walkway right by the pier.

Folks head toward a shark and big ice cream cone!
Folks head toward a hungry shark and big ice cream cone!
Youth hostel by Pacific Beach boardwalk has sunny mural.
Youth hostel by Pacific Beach boardwalk has a sunny mural.
A small backyard is paradise on the beach!
A small backyard is paradise on the beach!
Colorful surfboards by beach contain happy messages.
Colorful surfboards by beach contain happy messages.
Fish tacos are a San Diego specialty!
Fish tacos are a San Diego specialty!
Shells and boogie boards line the boardwalk for passing tourists.
Shells and boogie boards line the boardwalk for passing tourists.
Just a sample of what you'd see while walking along the beach.
Just a sample of what you’d see while walking along the beach.
Looking out toward the blue Pacific Ocean.
Looking out toward umbrellas and the blue Pacific Ocean.
Several camps on the sand teach people to surf.
Several camps on the sand teach people to surf.
Kids learning to surf file along carrying surfboards.
Kids learning to surf file along carrying surfboards.
People chat as a lifeguard watches the beach from a tower.
People chat as a lifeguard watches the beach from a tower.
Colorful beach toys left on the concrete sea wall.
Colorful beach toys left forgotten on the concrete sea wall.
Beautiful and unusual homes line the boardwalk.
Beautiful and unusual houses line the boardwalk.
The Surf Rider building includes a huge surfboard!
The Surf Rider building includes a huge surfboard!
Bicycles are a very popular mode of transportation.
Bicycles are a very popular mode of transportation.
I reached the Hamel's castle surf shop in Mission Beach!
I reached the Hamel’s castle surf shop in Mission Beach!
Lady looks through a high stack of surfboards.
Lady looks through a high stack of surfboards.
Cool mural in alley shows a roller coaster.
Cool mural in alley shows a roller coaster.

This mural in the alley behind Hamel’s shows a roller coaster. Is there a roller coaster nearby in Mission Beach? Yes, indeed! We’ll visit Belmont Park in my next blog post!

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Walking out on Crystal Pier in Pacific Beach.

Archway of Crystal Pier Hotel and Cottages at end of Garnet Avenue.
Archway of Crystal Pier Hotel and Cottages at end of Garnet Avenue.

Many years ago (decades actually), I used to occasionally go fishing from Crystal Pier. It’s located in Pacific Beach, at the west end of Garnet Avenue, which I strolled along in my last blog post.

While it isn’t a very long pier, it’s definitely one hundred percent cool. One reason is because fishing from Crystal Pier is both free and amazingly productive. While I never seemed to catch anything but mackerel, I remember seeing nice catches of bonito, rock fish, sea bass, barracuda, guitar fish, sharks and even halibut! (One nice thing about pier fishing in San Diego is you legally don’t need a fishing license.)

Why else is this pier super cool? Because there are small cottages built right on it! The historic Crystal Pier Hotel and Cottages was built in 1930. Once known as Pickering’s Pleasure Pier, for a short time the privately owned pier featured a Crystal Ballroom and carnival midway out at its end!

If I were a tourist visiting San Diego, I’d absolutely want to stay here. At night the pier is closed to the public, and you can lie in bed listening to the ocean waves below. During the day you have easy access to the famous Pacific Beach boardwalk, which I’ll show you in my next blog post!

One of the small, quaint cottages actually on the pier!
One of the small, quaint cottages actually on the pier!
Looking along the short pier past fishermen and visitors.
Looking along the short pier past fishermen and visitors.
Turning back eastward toward the cottages.
Turning back eastward toward the cottages.
Surfers below Crystal Pier floating and waiting on their surfboards.
Surfers below Crystal Pier floating and waiting on their surfboards.
This surfer caught a good ride on a nice wave.
This surfer caught a good ride on a nice wave.
This pic shows fishing, surfing and the beach.
This pic shows fishing, surfing and the beach.
Leaving Crystal Pier, to walk down the Pacific Beach boardwalk.
Leaving Crystal Pier, to walk down the Pacific Beach boardwalk.

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Cool urban art on Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach.

Cool art on a music store window on Garnet Avenue.
Cool art on a music store window on Garnet Avenue.

Yesterday I went for a very long walk through Pacific Beach and Mission Beach, two extremely popular beach destinations just a few miles north of downtown San Diego.

I began by walking west along Garnet Avenue in Pacific Beach, from around Ingraham Street all the way to the beautiful and historic Crystal Pier. This stretch contains more bars, tattoo parlors, smoke shops and swimwear stores than just about anywhere else in Southern California. It’s a young, hip, beachy sort of place, that’s mostly laid back and unpretentious. You’ll see bikinis and skateboarders and tourists and families and surfboards atop cars and under arms just about everywhere you go.

You’ll also see a lot of very cool urban art: on walls, on windows, on rooftops, in alleys…all over the place! Here are some random pics I took as I walked westward in the sunshine…

Aloha Spirit mural on side of Pacific Beach building.
Aloha Spirit mural on side of Pacific Beach building.
Surfers are a major theme in this popular beach city.
Surfers and the ocean are major themes in this popular beach community.
Mural shows lifeguard climbing a tower among palms.
Mural shows lifeguard climbing a tower among palms.
Street art between two buildings on Garnet Avenue.
Funky street art between two buildings on Garnet Avenue.
Pacific Beach public art features a large seagull.
Pacific Beach public art features a large seagull.
Street art in an alley behind a tattoo parlor.
Street art in an alley behind a tattoo parlor.
Hubcaps and tiles add flavor to a colorful local eatery.
Hubcaps and tiles add flavor to a colorful local eatery.
Another tattoo parlor embellished with urban art.
Another tattoo parlor embellished with bold swirls of urban art.
Photo mural on one wall shows old Crystal Pier and Garnet Avenue.
Photo mural on a wall shows old Crystal Pier at west end of Garnet Avenue.
Sunny Pacific Beach has a sunny utility box.
Sunny Pacific Beach has a sunny utility box.
Images of surfers and beach scenes are everywhere.
Images of surfers and beach scenes are everywhere.

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Gotham wrap on San Diego Comic-Con trolley!

Poison Ivy, Catwoman, Penguin, Riddler on a trolley!
Poison Ivy, Catwoman, the Penguin and Riddler on a San Diego trolley!

Okay! I finally got pics of the cool 2014 San Diego Comic-Con trolley car wrap that promotes the upcoming television show Gotham. There are images of nascent Gotham City supervillains Poison Ivy, Catwoman, the Penguin and Riddler. A young Bruce Wayne (after the murder of his parents) and James Gordon (before he became police commissioner) are also shown. Looks awesome! I hope the show lives up to the hype! If I spot any more wraps in the coming couple weeks, I’ll post ’em!

Gotham television show on San Diego Comic-Con trolley.
Gotham television show on a special San Diego Comic-Con trolley.
Characters include Bruce Wayne, Harvey Bullock and James Gordon.
Characters include Bruce Wayne, Harvey Bullock and James Gordon.
San Diego Comic-Con wrap shows Bruce before becoming Batman.
San Diego Comic-Con wrap shows Bruce Wayne before he became Batman.

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Funny double takes around San Diego!

Two street lamps got themselves in a twist.
Two street lamps got themselves in a twist.

Here are some funny cool photos for you to enjoy! These were taken at various times in and around downtown San Diego. Once in while I have to blink and do a double take!

Sticker turns dog into an uncurbable beast.
Sticker turns dog into an uncurbable beast.
Buster stuck his hand in wet concrete.
Buster stuck his hand in wet concrete.
Someone has to water all these watering cans.
Someone has to water all these watering cans.
The Deli Llama is wearing his elegant best.
The Deli Llama is wearing his elegant best.
This bicycle can be ridden above the sidewalk.
This bicycle can be ridden high above the sidewalk.
This outdoor glass elevator is a bit flat.
This outdoor glass elevator is a bit flat.
This GoCar won't go.
This GoCar won’t go.
Stylish patch for an old broken window.
Stylish patch for an old broken window.

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Unexpected treasures of music in Balboa Park.

R. Jelani Eddington rehearses on the Spreckels Organ.
R. Jelani Eddington rehearses on the Spreckels Organ.

Take an amble through San Diego’s amazing Balboa Park and you never know what interesting or beautiful thing you might randomly stumble upon. Early this afternoon I was extremely fortunate!

It isn’t uncommon to hear the music of amateur street musicians throughout the gigantic urban park. Performers of all ages can be found in every nook and cranny playing a harp, a guitar, a violin, drums–you name it–hoping for a tip from generous visitors. Professional musicians, however, play in concerts that are scheduled, publicized, and attended by large, expectant audiences. Usually.

My first lucky discovery was stumbling upon famed theatre organist R. Jelani Eddington in a lengthy rehearsal for Monday night’s International Organ Festival at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Apart from a wedding party taking photographs by the pavilion’s elegant colonnade, and a few passing tourists, I seemed to have the amazing performance all to myself. Wow! The Spreckels Organ was producing pure magic, as the king of instruments was handled with world-class skill. What a privilege to listen!

R. Jelani Eddington was 2001 Theatre Organist Of The Year.
R. Jelani Eddington was 2001 Theatre Organist Of The Year.
The lawn of Balboa Park's International Cottages is empty.
The lawn of Balboa Park’s International Cottages is empty.

My second sensational discovery took place at the more modest International Cottages stage not far away. A duet was playing excellent, moving music to an all but nonexistent audience. It seems the performance was very poorly publicized, or not at all.

Reflections: Jerry and Angie, is the name of the very talented group that was being featured by the House of the United States of America. They were playing folk songs and classic American tunes with banjo and simple, heart-stirring vocals. I’m a sucker for this type of music, and I loved listening to She’ll Be Coming Round The Mountain, Country Roads, God Bless America and more. I got a kick at how they treated me and the half a dozen others on the lawn like a regular audience, asking us to sing along and providing interesting comments on many songs. I’ve never heard a banjo so well played.

Reflections is Jerry on banjo and Angie with vocals.
Reflections is Jerry on banjo and Angie with vocals.

Balboa Park contains endless magical surprises!

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Most patriotic San Diego on the Fourth of July.

Uncle Sam invites passersby into a Gaslamp bar.
Uncle Sam invites passersby into a Gaslamp bar.

San Diego recently made the news as America’s most patriotic city, according to a popular social media network. It doesn’t surprise me. San Diego has more military installations and a higher concentration of veterans than any other city in the United States.

So on the Fourth of July you might expect to see a whole lot of patriotism. You’re right!

Tonight one of the biggest firework displays in the country will take place on San Diego Bay. Right now, people are filtering into the area around the bay to claim viewing spots, have barbeques and picnics, and get themselves ready for the Big Bay Boom, until the number will reach hundreds of thousands.

This afternoon I walked around the Gaslamp and the Embarcadero. Here come some pics!

The streets of San Diego filled with patriotic sights.
The streets of San Diego’s Gaslamp District filled with patriotic sights.
Shop window in the Gaslamp filled with American flags.
Shop window in the Gaslamp filled with American flags.
Friendship and brotherhood on an American pier.
Friendship and brotherhood on the Embarcadero Marina Park South  pier.
Boat decked with Fourth of July bunting.
One of many boats decked with Fourth of July bunting.
The bayfront parks are crowded with tents and celebrating Americans.
The bayfront parks are crowded with tents and celebrating Americans.
Thousands along San Diego Bay enjoy barbeque and play.
Thousands along San Diego Bay enjoy barbeque and play.
People have claimed spots to watch tonight's fireworks on the bay.
People have claimed spots to watch tonight’s fireworks on the bay.
Street performer poses with red, white and blue.
Street performer poses with red, white and blue.
Many in the crowd are wearing patriotic clothing.
Many in the crowd are wearing patriotic clothing.
USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier strung with festive colors.
USS Carl Vinson, an active aircraft carrier, strung with festive colors.
A display on the Embarcadero of historic diving equipment.
A display on the Embarcadero of historic diving equipment.
Young man near USS Midway speaks to retired Navy diver.
Young man near USS Midway speaks to retired Navy diver.
Just kicking back on a beautiful Independence Day.
Just kicking back on a sunny San Diego Independence Day.
The Patriot speed boat is fit for the occasion.
The Patriot speed boat is fit for the occasion.
Cool pedicab driver gives a peace sign on Fourth of July.
Cool pedicab driver gives a peace sign on Fourth of July.

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Guardians of the Galaxy Comic-Con banners!

Gamora of Guardians of the Galaxy on a banner.
Gamora of Guardians of the Galaxy on a cool banner!

I took these quick photos this morning during a meandering walk through downtown. 2014 San Diego Comic-Con is only three weeks away!

A couple days ago I saw a San Diego trolley with an awesome Gotham television show wrap. I didn’t whip out my camera fast enough, unfortunately. Next time I have a chance, I’ll snap a pic and post it!

I started this blog last year, just a few weeks after Comic-Con had ended, so this year I plan to get a load of interesting images! Stay tuned!

Star-Lord in action on a San Diego Gaslamp street lamp!
Star-Lord in action on a San Diego Gaslamp street lamp!
Groot and Rocket are ready to fight cosmic evil.
Groot and Rocket are ready to fight cosmic evil.
Drax on a cool San Diego Comic-Con sign.
Drax on Comic-Con banner near San Diego Convention Center.
Big Hero 6 banners line Broadway in downtown San Diego.
Big Hero 6 banners line Broadway in downtown San Diego.

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Joy of Urban Living mural in East Village.

Joy of Urban Living mural by Rafael Lopez.
Joy of Urban Living mural by Rafael Lopez.

Another mural representing the artwork of Rafael Lopez can be spotted on a parking lot wall in East Village. Appropriately called Joy of Urban Living, this mural is also part of the Urban Art Trail project in San Diego. An unknown prankster seems to have added the funny image you see in the third photograph.

Mural by East Village parking lot adds life to neighborhood.
Mural by East Village parking lot adds life to neighborhood.
Frankenstein monster head with tentacles added to mural.
Frankenstein monster head with tentacles added to mural.

Here’s a better photograph that I snapped at a later time…

An unobstructed photo of the Joy of Urban Living mural by Rafael Lopez.
An unobstructed photo of the Joy of Urban Living mural by Rafael Lopez.

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