Huge Liberty Station flag at half-mast.

Huge Liberty Station flag at half mast.
Huge Liberty Station flag at half-mast.

I took a nice long walk this chilly morning from Spanish Landing to the edge of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot.  I followed dirt and paved walkways, staying mostly near the edge of the boat channel that runs between Point Loma’s Liberty Station and Lindbergh Field.

Here are pics of one sight that was very hard not to miss.  The gigantic flag at NTC Liberty Station was flying in the breeze at half-mast, most likely due to Nelson Mandela’s death today.

In the first photo you can see ladies getting a workout in a big grassy area, and some large guns that are monuments to the old Naval Training Center.

Today’s Liberty Station is a complex of stores, offices, museums, residential and park space.  It used to be Naval Training Center San Diego, which was closed in 1997 and eventually redeveloped using the historic old buildings.  The grassy expanse near the boat channel is Preble Field. It was the marching ground where Navy recruits assembled, marched and graduated from boot camp.

Flag at half mast at Ingram Plaza.
Flag at half mast in Ingram Plaza.

Beyond this plaque is where Ingram Plaza used to be.  Ingram Plaza was the site of tent camps in the 1920s where incoming recruits were temporarily isolated to prevent outbreaks of contagious diseases.  Here they also got haircuts, new uniforms and physical training before joining the regular routines of the base.

The plaque reads:

THIS PLAZA IS DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF OSMOND K. INGRAM GUNNERS MATE FIRST CLASS UNITED STATES NAVY WHO SACRIFICED HIS LIFE IN AN EFFORT TO SAVE HIS SHIP AND SHIPMATES DURING AN ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN THE U.S.S. CASSIN AND A GERMAN SUBMARINE ON OCTOBER 15, 1917

“GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS THAT A MAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIENDS'”

UPDATE!

Here are a few more photos I took on a later day:

Plaques at NTC Liberty Station remember the history of Naval Training Center San Diego.
Plaques at NTC Liberty Station remember the history of Naval Training Center San Diego.
Preble Field was a grinder or marching ground. However, it is most fondly remembered as the location of every boot camp graduation ceremony, where boys became men.
Preble Field was a grinder or marching ground. However, it is most fondly remembered as the location of every boot camp graduation ceremony, where boys became men.
Ingram Plaza was the site of the original tent camps in the 1920s. New recruits were isolated here for three weeks, and given haircuts, uniforms and physical training.
Ingram Plaza was the site of the original tent camps in the 1920s. New recruits were isolated here for three weeks, and given haircuts, uniforms and physical training.

…

To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

Restored Wildcat fighter lifted onto USS Midway.

Wildcat fighter plane arrives at Navy Pier.
Wildcat fighter plane arrives at Navy Pier.

Every so often a new plane is added to the Midway Museum collection.  The historic aircraft carrier USS Midway, active from 1945 to 1992, now has a couple dozen restored airplanes among its exhibits.  Today the latest addition was hoisted up onto the dockside elevator by crane from the pier below!  I was there to snap a few cool pics!

The last time I saw an airplane brought over from North Island, where the restorations take place, it was by barge.  So I was surprised this time when a plane arrived on the back of a truck.  This F4F Wildcat is a specimen  of the small carrier-based fighter that helped to win the Battle of Midway during World War II.  This particular plane was salvaged from the bottom of Lake Michigan.  Restoration in a special hangar at Naval Air Station North Island, across San Diego Bay, took three years.  You’ll notice the wings are missing from the fuselage.  They came in on a second truck!

The first photo shows the Wildcat arriving on the opposite side of Navy pier.

Historic airplane transported by truck to USS Midway.
Historic airplane transported by truck to USS Midway.

The truck has pulled alongside USS Midway’s dockside elevator, which is lowered and ready to receive the new exhibit.

Preparing to lift Wildcat onto USS Midway's elevator.
Preparing to lift Wildcat onto USS Midway’s elevator.

A small crane waits off to the left to lift the airplane.  Here we see some preliminary preparations.

Crane begins to lift F4F Wildcat onto USS Midway.
Crane begins to lift F4F Wildcat onto USS Midway.

Up it goes!  Everybody was extremely careful that no mishaps occurred!

Aircraft is placed on USS Midway while people watch from flight deck.
Aircraft is placed on USS Midway while people watch from flight deck.

And finally the F4F Wildcat is aboard its new home!  This plane will be part of a three dimensional theater exhibit called Battle of Midway Experience.  I can’t wait to see it!

The Headquarters opens by Seaport Village.

The Headquarters shops by Seaport Village.
The Headquarters shops by Seaport Village.

Several weeks ago a cool new small shopping center opened up adjacent to Seaport Village on downtown San Diego’s waterfront.  It’s called The Headquarters at Seaport District, and it’s located in the old police headquarters.

I remember visiting the San Diego Police headquarters here back in the early eighties, before it moved.   For a couple decades these historic and beautiful buildings sat empty and unused.  I’m glad that they’ve finally been restored!

Looking through festive arch at The Headquarters.
Looking through festive arch at The Headquarters.
This was the location of the old police headquarters.
This was the location of the old police headquarters.
Historical sign shows location of old San Diego barracks.
Historical sign shows location of old San Diego barracks.

Across Harbor Drive to the north you can find an interesting historical marker. First established as an Army supply depot, this was the location of the San Diego Barracks from 1850 to 1921.

A farmers market is held on Sundays at The Headquarters.
A farmers market is held on Sundays at The Headquarters.

I took the above photo on a sunny Sunday afternoon!

Poinsettia Christmas tree at Seaport Village.

Poinsettia Christmas tree by Seaport Village carousel.
Poinsettia Christmas tree by Seaport Village carousel.

Every year during the holiday season you can find this enormous bright red Christmas tree standing right next to the Seaport Village carousel.  It’s built entirely of poinsettias!  Lots of visitors enjoy posing for photographs beside it!

Manchester Grand Hyatt towers behind poinsettia Christmas tree at Seaport Village.
Manchester Grand Hyatt towers behind poinsettia Christmas tree at Seaport Village.

Small bubble bath child: a bronze sculpture.

Small bubble bath child bronze sculpture.
Small bubble bath child bronze sculpture.

This bronze sculpture can be found near the Shelter Island public pier, on the other side of the children’s playground.  It’s called Bubble Bath, by artist Dan Hill.  The tiny work of art is easy to miss while walking along the bay.  According to the Port of San Diego website, the sculpture was erected as a memorial to a toddler.

Sculpture of toddler on rock near Shelter Island playground.
Sculpture of toddler on rock near Shelter Island playground.

Colorful boats beached on Shelter Island.

colorful boats beached on shelter island
Colorful boats beached on Shelter Island.

Many of these small boats are used by people who live on San Diego Bay in sailboats and other vessels moored nearby.  Beached at the dinghy landing next to Shelter Island’s boat ramp, many appear weathered and sun-faded…but quite colorful!

Here are a few more pics I took on a later walk…

Colorful sandy-bottomed boats lie on the sand near Shelter Island boat ramp.
Sandy-bottomed boats lie scattered near Shelter Island boat ramp.
Gazing along a small beach on Shelter Island in San Diego Bay.
Gazing along a small beach on Shelter Island in San Diego Bay.
Scattered rowboats and kayaks create a fascinating image.
Various rowboats and kayaks create a fascinating image.

Skaters live a fantasy on ice at Horton Plaza.

skaters live a fantasy on ice at horton plaza

It must be the holiday season, because the Fantasy on Ice skating rink has been erected in front of Horton Plaza here in downtown San Diego. I got some pics of carefree people gliding through the sunshine. I snapped this photo while standing right next to the NBC building, at Third Avenue and Broadway. You can see the Balboa Theatre in the background.

More pics:

Beginning ice skaters hang on for dear life!
Beginning ice skaters hang on for dear life!
Christmas tree next to the Horton Plaza ice skating rink.
Christmas tree next to the Horton Plaza ice skating rink.
Fantasy on Ice banners hang along Broadway.
Fantasy on Ice banners hang along Broadway.
Ice skating rink seen from upper level of Horton Plaza.
Ice skating rink in Horton Square, as seen from an upper level of Horton Plaza.

Surfing Santa arrives by flying a water jetpack!

here comes santa claus with a water jetpack

Wow! Santa returned to San Diego in grand fashion! He’s making his big entrance over the bay using a water jetpack! Here he comes! A huge crowd on the pier just north of Seaport Village was watching with excitement this Saturday afternoon!

Wait! That’s not just a regular, ordinary, everyday daredevil Santa Claus, but the one and only Seaport Village Surfing Santa!

santa is flying high on two jets of water

Surfing Santa rises high above the awestruck crowd to wave and wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Where’s his sack of presents?

santa whirls about in a circle above the bay

Now he’s just showing off. The jolly old guy is jetting about in a circle like a certified maniac with a ridiculously huge beard. The fish below are probably frightened out of their wits. The first time I saw Santa, I was a bit spooked, too.

an elf anxiously awaits surfing santa's arrival

This happy elf and Mrs. Claus patiently awaited old Saint Nick on the pier with a huge throng of onlookers. The reindeer must be taking the weekend off.

surfing santa walks down the pier for his reception

Here he is, larger than life! Surfing Santa! He’s boarded the pier and is making his way to Seaport Village to conduct his usual Santa Claus business.

santa boards pedicab sleigh at seaport village

After boarding a pedicab sleigh, Surfing Santa parades down the bayside walkway while people munching pizza look on in joy and disbelief.

Santa and reindeer fly through Balboa Park.

santa claus rides sleigh in balboa park

Santa Claus and his magical reindeer were recently seen flying through Balboa Park. A photo was snapped as he sped from the central plaza toward the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. There he is waving at happy children and thrilled park visitors!

santa's reindeer fly through balboa park

A second photo was snapped as the reindeer lifted off into the blue San Diego sky, pulling Santa’s sleigh up and away back toward the North Pole!

Old Saint Nick has to prepare for Christmas!

UPDATE!

Santa returned the following year! Here he is!

Santa's sleigh is back again for another Christmas in Balboa Park!
Santa’s sleigh is back again for another Christmas in Balboa Park!
The flying reindeer take once more to the blue San Diego sky!
The flying reindeer take once more to the San Diego sky!

Art at Santa Fe Depot shows San Diego history.

Check out this cool public art!  A series of beautiful, detailed scenes from San Diego history decorate ten columns just north of downtown’s Santa Fe Depot, where they can be viewed by trolley riders as they head toward Little Italy.  The handmade tiles which form the exquisite sculptural mosaics were pieced together by Betsy K. Schulz in 2008. Located on the west side of downtown’s Sapphire Tower residential condominium, the artwork is titled The Tracks We Leave Behind.

As one proceeds north one moves forward through time, from the earliest days of San Diego right up to the present day.  I sorted these photos in such a way that you move backward into the past…

01 san diego arts and gaslamp
San Diego arts and the Gaslamp.
02 san diego on the move
San Diego on the move.
03 san diego a generation ago
San Diego a generation or two ago.
04 palomar telescope and bay bridge
Palomar telescope and Coronado Bay Bridge.
05 tuna fishing and ship building
Tuna fishing and ship building.
06 lindbergh and san diego zoo
Lindbergh and the San Diego Zoo.
07 half a century of history
Half a century of history.
08 sagebrush to city
From sagebrush to city.
09 an american town
An American town.
10 citizens of old san diego
Citizens of Old Town San Diego.
11 san diego's californios
San Diego’s Californios.
12 spanish missions and settlements
Spanish missions and early settlements.
13 cabrillo discovers bay
In 1769 the Presidio and Mission San Diego are established.
14 early explorers
Cabrillo and early explorers map San Diego Bay.
15 native americans in san diego
Native Americans in San Diego.
16 wild nature and wide open spaces
Wild nature and wide open spaces!