You see all sorts of boats and ships on San Diego Bay. The Silvergate might be my favorite.
Operated by Flagship (the new name of San Diego Harbor Excursion), the small ship is often used as a Coronado ferry.
A varnished wooden bench runs around the outside perimeter of the little ship, where you can just sit and enjoy the fresh air and amazing views. I love it!
Silvergate ferry has discharged passengers behind San Diego Convention Center.San Diego ferry Silvergate departs behind convention center.A favorite little ship, the Silvergate begins across San Diego Bay for Coronado.Silvergate ferry heading across the water with Coronado Bay Bridge in background.
Here are some more photos that I took in late 2017…
Photo of downtown San Diego from the Silvergate ferry.Flagship employee ties up the Silvergate at the Coronado Ferry Landing’s floating dock.People arriving at Coronado Island ready to disembark the small ferry.The Silvergate awaits passengers at the Coronado Ferry Landing.
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Lounging and enjoying a stunning view of San Diego.
People gravitate toward water. Water sparkles, soothes, delights, attracts the eye and invites reflection. I love the opening to Moby Dick, where Melville says: “Let the most absent-minded of men be plunged in his deepest reveries–stand that man on his legs, set his feet a-going, and he will infallibly lead you to water . . . ”
Look at these folks just gazing at the water!
The Ferry Landing in Coronado offers amazing views of San Diego Bay. Stand out on the pier, splash on the small beach, sit on the grass or on the patio of a restaurant, and just gaze in a quiet reverie at the passing boats and the gleaming San Diego skyline. Call me crazy, but I could linger here for hours.
That’s one reason why I love to take the ferry to Coronado!
The second pic shows people on the Coronado Ferry Landing pier. During the day, San Diego’s downtown skyline is a beautiful sight. At night, all lit up, it’s like a glowing dream. If you were turn to the left, you’d see a whole bunch of people fishing.
Fishing from the small Coronado Ferry Landing pier.People board the Silvergate ferry for downtown San Diego.
Next we see people filing from the pier down to the float where the ferry ties up. During the tourist season, the Silvergate ferry takes people to the Convention Center; a larger ship takes people to the Broadway Pier. You can bring your bicycle on board (or rent one at the Ferry Landing) and bike across the island to the ocean side, where you’ll find the Hotel del Coronado.
The Coronado ferry is great short cruise on the bay.Silvergate docked at Coronado with San Diego skyline.Visitors to the island of Coronado arrive and depart.People stroll down a path near the ferry landing.Kids play on the beach next to the ferry landing pier.Paddleboarding just off the Coronado Ferry Landing.Amazing view of a beautiful sunlit city.
“Imagine Tent City” is a cool bit of public art I discovered while walking along Coronado’s Glorietta Bay. The artwork is composed of photographic images arranged like a mosaic, embedded in ceramic tiles. It depicts the historic Tent City, which was a popular tourist destination for many years just south of the Hotel Del Coronado.
Established in 1900 by entrepreneur John D. Spreckels, the beach tents could be reached by Coronado Belt Line trains operated by the Coronado Railroad Company, running from San Diego around the bay and up the narrow Silver Strand. (Coronado is technically a peninsula, not an island.) The tracks have since been replaced by a very popular bike and pedestrian pathway.
Here’s a pic taken from the south side, walking toward the Hotel Del Coronado’s old Boathouse. The building you see is part of the Coronado Shores condo complex.
And here’s a bunch more cool pics I took at the beginning of 2015…
Imagine Tent City was created by artist Todd Stands.Water skiing in the past, and present-day boats in Glorietta Bay Marina.Two ladies row a pleasure boat.Kids prepare to jump into the water!Sailor and sweetheart beside a beach tent.Old photographic portrait and postcard of Tent City.Coronado Tent City News was a popular newspaper.One image in this amazing mosaic of Tent City history.A postcard shows a crowd around Pavilion at Tent City.Small child and mom have fun in the sand.More nostalgic postcards from historic vacation spot.Illustration of people playing and relaxing on Coronado Beach.Just hanging out at Tent City and enjoying life.Postcard image shows layout of Coronado’s Tent City.Photo of Victorian-style Boathouse, which resembles nearby Hotel del Coronado.Historic 1887 boathouse on bay side of island near Hotel del Coronado.
(This is a photo of the Boathouse as it appears today, a bit to the north up a sunny walkway.)
Another small part of Imagine Tent City public artwork.Lady hangs sign on tent: Our Tenth Season 1909Swimmers enjoy the huge sandy-bottomed Plunge.Lots of vacationers out in calm water–possibly San Diego Bay.Bicyclist pauses to admire wonderful public art in Coronado.
Over the decades, many of Hollywood’s biggest movie stars have stayed at the world famous Hotel Del Coronado. Most checked in for personal pleasure; others were working. The Hotel Del Coronado has been used in the filming of over a dozen movies.
Outside the hotel, a few steps from the sidewalk, you’ll find a glass display containing photos of movie superstar guests. I tried to take a bunch of photos, but most didn’t come out so great.
In my first decent pic, you see a photo with the caption: Screen legend Clark Gable stayed at the Del during the filming of Hell Divers, shot in 1931.
I also recorded a photograph from 1958 of the acting trio starring in Some Like It Hot. The caption reads: Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe proved to be a winning combination for Billy Wilder’s romantic comedy.
And here’s a third photo (which I took on a later date) with the caption: Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe’s steamy love scenes still heat up the screen more than fifty years after the 1959 film was released.
Photo of Tony Curtis and Marilyn Monroe movie love scene.
Here come even more pics!
Esther Williams and sons on the beach.Rosalind Russell out in the water.Kirk Douglas seems to have quite an appetite!
The Hotel Del Coronado is one of my favorite places for a stroll. The beautiful architecture, the white sandy beach, the rich history, the sunshine and leisurely vibe, all combine for a wonderful experience.
The Del’s unique appearance makes it an unmistakeable landmark in San Diego. It’s a classic Victorian beach resort, and one of the largest wooden structures in California. In 1888, when it opened, it was the largest resort hotel in the world!
Today, the spacious beach that it overlooks is routinely considered a top beach in the United States.
Sixteen different American presidents have been guests at the Del, as well as numerous celebrities. These include royalty from many nations, Thomas Edison, Babe Ruth, and loads of Hollywood movie stars: Charlie Chaplin, Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, Vincent Price, James Stewart, Bette Davis and Katharine Hepburn, to name just a few.
L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, did much of his writing at the Hotel Del Coronado.
Numerous movies have been filmed at the hotel, most notably Some Like It Hot, which starred Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, and Tony Curtis.
Many photos and signs throughout the amazing hotel remind visitors of its rich past history!
Walkway winds past elegant cottages north of the Del.People enjoy the grassy area in front of the famous beach resort.Just relaxing and talking near the beach.Pushing strollers past some outdoor dining.This herb garden is used for the hotel restaurant.The immense hotel has all sort of angles and contours.Chandeliers in the famous Crown Room were designed by Wizard of Oz author.An interesting study in complex architecture.Old clock stands on sidewalk among palm trees in front of hotel.The iconic Hotel del Coronado is unbelievably gorgeous.
Here are three more pics that I took on a somewhat more cloudy day!
View of Hotel del Coronado near the front entrance.The Hotel del Coronado is a California registered historical landmark.During the summer facilities are set up for guests right on the beach!
Check out this very cool art on an electrical transformer! I discovered it near a bus stop, directly across Orange Avenue from Coronado island’s famous Hotel Del Coronado. Other utility boxes on the sidewalk closeby were painted in similar fashion. In addition to dolphins and a sexy mermaid, I saw some colorful coral and a sea turtle!
Yellow fish swims through an underwater scene.Turtle head peeks around Coronado utility box.
I had a busy weekend! On Sunday I took the ferry from downtown San Diego across the bay to Coronado. You’ll soon see some photos I took from the ferry.
In the middle of my island adventure, while walking down Orange Avenue, I met a friendly man in front of the VFW. He was selling a bunch of amazing airplanes that he’d created using soda and beer cans.
Before he retired, he explained, he’d worked on actual aircraft, so he transfered his knowledge to this very unique hobby. The models he makes all have propellers that whirl in the wind. Each design is aerodynamic, and every plane takes several hours to produce. Only a couple other people in San Diego produce similar work.
He went on to say that over the years, he’s sold thousands of these cool planes! He also displays them in Balboa Park and other locations. I almost bought one!
This colorful street art dazzles the eye on a downtown parking lot wall. It contains elements from many different cultures. You can find the cool art on the west side of Ninth Avenue just south of C Street.
I took a closer, more complete pic about half a year later. The bold black graffiti has obliterated part of the old artwork.
Street mural has been altered months later with graffiti.
Three more pics! The fence around the parking lot was open one morning, so I could walk up close to the mural!
Close look at very cool mural on 9th Avenue.Beautiful spray painted face behind some fencing.A great face in a striking example of street art in San Diego.
I saw this funny sight and had to take a photo. It’s a sign in the form of a pig.
Phil’s BBQ serves barbeque in the Park at the Park during Padres home games. Seems they were winners this year of the Stadium Food King Challenge, a tastiest food contest put on by USA Today. Phil’s tri-tip sandwich beat out the Diamondbacks Sororan Dog, the Brewers pulled pork parfait, and the Royals Cheesy Brisket-acho for top honors.
Here’s a pic I took another day…
Giant pig with Padres logo and baseball cap seems trapped behind bars at Petco Park!
Another very well-liked person in San Diego is Padres radio announcer Jerry Coleman. His accomplishments have been so impressive, he’s got a statue and memorial at Petco Park, just inside the east entrance to the Park at the Park.
I remembering listening to Jerry when I was a kid. At the time he did the Padres radio play-by-play, and was teamed with Dave Campbell who provided color commentary. Today, at the lively age of 89, he takes part in the broadcast during day games.
Jerry, also known as “The Colonel”, was named major league baseball Rookie of the Year in 1949 as Yankees second baseman. In 1950 his defensive plays made him most valuable player in the World Series.
As a Marine aviator, Lieutenant Colonel Jerry Coleman interrupted his baseball career to serve in the Korean War. He flew 120 combat missions and received two Distinguished Flying Crosses. He also flew during World War II, making him the only major league baseball player to serve in two wars.
Jerry, famous for his enthusiastic phrases “Oh, Doctor!” and “You can hang a star on that baby!” was inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame in 2007.
Cool San Diego Sights! 