Tag: balboa park

Winter beauty at the Japanese Friendship Garden.

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I took a slow walk this afternoon through the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. Even in winter, the garden is indescribably beautiful.

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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!

To read a few stories I’ve written, click Short Stories by Richard.

Balboa Park, beautiful after the rain.

Girls in ponchos take photos with Will the bronze-gold Bard near the Balboa Park reflecting pool after the rain.
After the rain, girls in plastic ponchos take photos with Will the friendly Bard near the Balboa Park reflecting pool.

A major storm hit San Diego yesterday, causing flooding and uprooting trees.

I went for a walk through Balboa Park this morning. As I started across the Cabrillo Bridge, my hat protected my face from a few lingering very light showers. But they didn’t last long. My camera was out.

Rain has painted the arching west entrance to Balboa Park.
Rain has painted the arching west entrance to Balboa Park.
Leaves, puddles and a few early visitors entering Balboa Park after the latest San Diego storm.
Leaves, puddles, and a few early visitors entering Balboa Park after the latest San Diego storm.
Leaves blown by a very windy storm on a wet tile bench in the Alcazar Garden.
Leaves blown by a very windy storm on a wet tile bench in the Alcazar Garden.
The aftermath.
The aftermath.
The Plaza de Panama might be wet, but people find tranquility and many wonders in the park.
The Plaza de Panama might be wet, but people find tranquility and many wonders in the park.
Dripping branches and leaves seem to overhang The Watchers. This outdoor sculpture is by artist Lynn Chadwick.
Dripping branches and leaves seem to overhang The Watchers. This outdoor sculpture is by artist Lynn Chadwick.
Rainwater has collected in this beautiful flower.
Rainwater has collected in this beautiful flower.
Walkways glisten and the air is clean and cool.
Walkways glisten and the air is clean and cool.
The colors of the tiles in Spanish Village's patio are made bold and cheerful with the lingering moisture.
The colors of the tiles in Spanish Village’s patio are made bold and cheerful with the lingering moisture.
A magical passageway.
A magical passageway.
Magical life. A squirrel on the damp green grass feasts.
Magical life. A squirrel on the damp green grass feasts.
Walking toward the Casa del Prado, between the huge Moreton Bay Fig and the San Diego Natural History Museum.
Walking toward the Casa del Prado, between the huge Moreton Bay Fig and the San Diego Natural History Museum.  Everything is so green.
A photographer gets his subjects to pose. Hopefully nobody slips!
A photographer gets his subjects to pose. Hopefully nobody slips!
An iconic sculpture in the rain-wet courtyard of the House of Hospitality. Aztec Woman of Tehuantepec by Donal Hord, 1935.
An iconic sculpture in the rain-wet courtyard of the House of Hospitality. Aztec Woman of Tehuantepec by famed San Diego artist Donal Hord, 1935.
Beads of water on bright jewel-like flowers.
Beads of water on bright jewel-like flowers.
Cleaning up after the muddy, messy storm with a smile.
Cleaning up after the muddy, messy storm with a smile.
Gazing down at the Japanese Friendship Garden's canyon from an overlook by the koi pond.
Gazing down at the Japanese Friendship Garden’s canyon from an overlook by the koi pond.
The strong storm yesterday knocked over a towering eucalyptus tree at the Japanese Friendship Garden canyon's edge. Guys with chainsaws cut it up.
The strong storm yesterday knocked over a towering eucalyptus tree at the Japanese Friendship Garden canyon’s edge. Guys with chainsaws cut it up.
That long puddle almost looks impassable!
That long puddle almost looks impassable!
Rain or not, it seems an umbrella and cell phone simply can't be put aside.
Rain or not, it seems an umbrella and cell phone simply can’t be put aside.
Patches of dampness add character to the side of the Balboa Park Club.
Patches of dampness add even more character to the side of the Balboa Park Club.
A seldom used path to the old cactus garden is lined with bright rain-loving moss.
A seldom used path to the old cactus garden is lined with bright rain-loving moss.
Just a beautiful photo.
Just a beautiful photo.
The picnic benches behind the Balboa Park Club are empty as usual. Grass has turned bright green in collected pools of water.
The picnic benches behind the Balboa Park Club are empty as usual. Grass has turned bright green in collected pools of water.
The clouds are clearing. I hear a cry above. Paired Red-tailed Hawks whirl and dance in the sky together above Balboa Park.
The clouds are clearing. I hear a cry above. Paired Red-tailed Hawks whirl and dance in the sky together above Balboa Park.
This is Engineer Joe. He was blowing a train whistle to attract an audience. He is performing at the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre! The super nice guy told me that this puppet theater has been in continuous operation since 1948! He also said Marie Hitchcock created the puppets used by the San Diego Zoo to feed California Condor chicks, saving the species from extinction!
This is Engineer Joe. He was blowing a train whistle outside to attract an audience! He is presently performing at the Marie Hitchcock Puppet Theatre.

Engineer Joe is a super nice guy. He told me that the Balboa Park puppet theater has been in continuous operation since 1948.  That’s a long time for a puppet theater! He also said Marie Hitchcock created the hand puppets used by the San Diego Zoo to feed endangered California Condor chicks in the early 1980s, saving the species from extinction!

The sun is out after the storm. A Balboa Park ranger opens the colorful table umbrellas in the Plaza de Panama.
The sun is out after the storm. A Balboa Park ranger opens the colorful table umbrellas in the Plaza de Panama.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around taking photographs!  Just for fun! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Do you love Balboa Park? Follow my special blog which I call Beautiful Balboa Park!

A cool Star Wars character created by local artist!

Vernell Jones III, also known as Machinecore, creates a very cool, completely new Star Wars character in Balboa Park.
Vernell Jones III, also known as Machinecore, creates a very cool, completely new Star Wars character in Balboa Park.

I was walking through Balboa Park’s lively Plaza de Balboa, not far from the Bea Evenson Fountain, when my eyes suddenly fell upon a truly fantastic work of art.

I learned from the artist, Vernell Jones III, also known as Machinecore, that the unusual Star Wars character he’d created was some sort of futuristic Stormtrooper. My first thought was that the helmet kind of resembled General Grievous. My second thought was that this great artwork should be on the cover of a graphic novel. It’s that good.

Check it out! Then check out Vernell’s Facebook page!

Check out this Star Wars-inspired artwork. Looks pretty amazing to me!
Check out this Star Wars-inspired artwork. Looks pretty amazing to me!
More colorful, fantastic works of art by Vernell Jones III.
More colorful, fantastic works of art by Vernell Jones III.

To see even more Star Wars art on my blog, click here!

To see lots of cosplay photos on my blog, click here!

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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!

Creativity, expression, and one wonderful park.

Young lady is about to get a surprise during a fun magic show in Balboa Park.
A young lady is about to get a surprise during a fun magic show in Balboa Park.

I observed many emotions today.  These emotions were expressed in the eyes and faces of people I encountered during a walk through wonderful Balboa Park.

Balboa Park is like a small slice of some ideal world: so many people coming together, sharing dreams and happy visions. A walk through the park is like all the good things in human life stirred into one potent elixir, with smiles, freedom, friendship, rampant creativity on every side, and much sunlight. And, of course, memories of special moments and of past loved ones–and, sometimes, sadness.

Kenny Shelton juggles in between magic acts. Today he tossed dizzy feelings of joy toward hundreds of people on El Prado.
Kenny Shelton juggles in between magic acts. Today he tossed dizzy feelings of joy toward hundreds of people on El Prado.

Kenny seems like a great guy. He’s definitely funny and a crowd-pleaser! Need some entertainment in San Diego?  Find him here!

The San Diego Harmony Ringers conjure bright, cheerful music in Balboa Park.
The San Diego Harmony Ringers conjure bright, cheerful music in Balboa Park.
Intense sadness near the Museum of Man, as people remember the Sewol ferry disaster in South Korea, which happened 1000 days ago. The victims' families are still searching for answers.
Intense sadness near the Museum of Man, as people remember the Sewol ferry disaster in South Korea, which happened 1000 days ago. The victims’ families are still searching for answers.
A belly dancer and musicians draw a large crowd near the Botanical Building. The audience is spellbound.
A belly dancer and musicians draw a large crowd near the Botanical Building. The audience is spellbound.
A group prays under a beautiful tree. Human hope, pain, love . . . among the dropping leaves.
A group prays under a beautiful tree. Human hope, pain, love . . . among the dropping leaves.
Creating a labyrinth in Balboa Park's Zoro Garden. This gentleman created a similar labyrinth which I photographed near the Botanical Building some time ago. If he mentioned his name, I apologize for forgetting and not writing it down.
Creating a labyrinth in Balboa Park’s Zoro Garden. This gentleman created a similar labyrinth which I photographed near the Botanical Building some time ago.
I'm shown a notebook. A Native American basket on the left depicts a radiating labyrinth. Labyrinths are one very ancient human expression, filled with spiritual meaning.
I’m shown a notebook. A Native American basket on the left depicts a radiating labyrinth. Labyrinths are a very ancient human expression, filled with spiritual meaning.

To learn more about his fascinating labyrinths, please visit this Facebook page.

A canvas on El Prado asks random passersby to Paint On Me.
A canvas on El Prado asks random passersby to Paint On Me.
Dogs and people mingle, happy and free at Balboa Park's Nate's Point Dog Park.
Dogs and people mingle freely.  Sheer happiness at Balboa Park’s busy Nate’s Point Dog Park.
This musician was so joyful, he lit up many lives in this wonderful park.
This musician was so positive and so alive, he lit up countless hearts in wonderful Balboa Park.  Joy conquers.

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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!

Do you love Balboa Park? Follow my special blog which I call Beautiful Balboa Park!

Colorful mural: Greetings from San Diego!

The distinctive Victorian roof of the Hotel del Coronado, a top San Diego resort and tourist attraction, appears in the letter S in a North Park mural.
The distinctive Victorian roof of the Hotel del Coronado, a top San Diego resort and tourist attraction, appears in the letter S in a North Park mural.

I walked through North Park today with my camera. I had intended to continue up to Normal Heights and walk along Adams Avenue, photographing lots of street art, but I got distracted! I’ll head that way another time.

Meanwhile, stay tuned, because a whole bunch of super cool North Park street art is coming up!  (I think North Park probably has more street art per city block than any other San Diego neighborhood.)

To get things started, check out this cool mural that caught my eye while I walked along 30th Street. Using the magic of the internet, I now send it to you! Greetings from San Diego!

Balboa Park's iconic California Building and bell tower appear in the letter G in the same colorful North Park mural.
Balboa Park’s iconic California Building and bell tower appear in the letter G in the same colorful North Park mural.
Greetings from SAN DIEGO. Cool urban art on 30th Street, just south of El Cajon Boulevard in North Park. Locations in the letters include the Ocean Beach Pier, La Jolla Cove and the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster at Belmont Park in Mission Beach.
Greetings from SAN DIEGO! It’s a postcard painted on a building wall!  This cool urban art is on 30th Street, just south of El Cajon Boulevard in North Park. Images in the eight letters include the Ocean Beach Pier, La Jolla Cove, the U.S./Mexico border, and the Giant Dipper Roller Coaster at Belmont Park in Mission Beach!

This cool urban art was created in 2016 by New York graffiti artist Victor Ving and Ohio photographer Lisa Beggs. They have been traveling around the United States in an RV painting these postcard-like murals!

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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 waterfall inspires a story about grieving.

One of several small waterfalls at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park.
One of several small waterfalls at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park.

Today I went to the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. I’m a new member.

After walking along the beautiful stream in the garden’s canyon, and crossing a few bridges, I sat down at a table overlooking the moat and magnificent waterfall near the Inamori Pavilion. And I pulled out my notebook.

A story came to me at once. From where, I don’t know. Perhaps from the falling water. Perhaps from the water’s voice. I really don’t know.

The story is about grieving, the passage of time and release. It’s just a tiny, tiny little story, but I think it might strike deeply. You can read it very quickly on one of my other blogs, Short Stories by Richard, by simply clicking here. If you like it, there are ten other very short stories that you might also enjoy. Just click around.

I’ll be sitting at that table often this year. So I’m positive coming stories will also be filled with beauty, hope and joy. The garden inspires those things, most of all.

Oh–I recently provided a quick photo tour of the Japanese Friendship Garden on my blog Beautiful Balboa Park. You can check out those posts here and here.

Salk Institute architect Louis Kahn: an amazing exhibit!

Photo of exterior of The Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla. The famous building was designed by renowned modernist architect Louis Kahn.
Photo of exterior of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies in La Jolla. The famous building was designed by renowned modernist architect Louis Kahn.

One of the world’s most famous works of modern architecture is located in San Diego.  I’m referring to the Salk Institute building in La Jolla. Its designer was Louis Kahn, considered to have been one of the most important, innovative architects of the 20th century.

An exhibition now running at the San Diego Museum of Art takes a thorough look at the remarkable life, work and genius of Louis Kahn.

Last weekend I was given a personal tour of the amazing exhibit and found myself completely blown away by its scope. The photos, films, sketches, notes and architectural models, including a life-size portion of an extraordinary house–even works of art produced by Louis Kahn himself– were too much for my mind to absorb in one visit.

Kahn was undoubtedly a genius. His unique modern structures seem like ancient timeless monuments, made beautifully functional. They are simultaneously complex and simple. They are geometric, symmetric, modular, clean. They seem solid but light-filled. They contain unusual surprises of line, curve and angle. They are iconic.

Louis Kahn had a long, prolific career.  His work can be found throughout the world, and includes the enormous, citadel-like National Assembly Building of Bangladesh. Some of his more famous creations in the United States include the Kimball Art Museum, the Yale University Art Gallery, the library at Philips Exeter Academy, the Norman Fisher House in Philadelphia, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Park, and, of course, San Diego’s own remarkable Salk Institute.

There is so much to see in this impressive exhibit–there were so many amazing designs produced by Kahn during his productive lifetime–that I can’t begin to cover it all in this blog. So I must direct you to the San Diego Museum of Art’s website. To get a small hint of what you will discover at the museum, you might want to check out the Wikipedia article on Louis Kahn.

This weekend I headed up to La Jolla to see if I could snap some good photos of Louis Kahn’s very famous Salk Institute building. Walking around, I managed to photograph the exterior, but I was unable to access the interior courtyard. So I’ve included one photo from Wikimedia Commons, just to provide a quick idea. Peering through a fence, I did glimpse some scaffolding in the interior area, so I suppose that would have nullified my photographic attempts, anyway.

The Salk Institute building’s walls are made of smooth exposed concrete. While this material might appear stark, the monumental appearance, the intriguing shapes and architectural symmetry are absolutely impressive. There is a mathematical, complex interaction between shadow and light that is difficult to describe–and quite beautiful.

Want to see more of Kahn’s brilliant work? Head over to the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park before this special exhibition closes on January 31, 2017.

Louis Kahn The Power of Architecture is a special exhibit showing at the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park through January 31, 2017.
Louis Kahn: The Power of Architecture is a special exhibit showing at the San Diego Museum of Art in Balboa Park through January 31, 2017.
Salk Institute in La Jolla from the interior courtyard. (A cropped public domain photo from Wikimedia Commons.)
Salk Institute in La Jolla from the interior courtyard. (A cropped public domain photo from Wikimedia Commons.)
Interior section of the Salk Institute just beyond the main entrance.
Interior section of the Salk Institute just beyond the main entrance.
Kahn's design seems both simple and futuristic. The interior space utilized by medical research scientists is said to be uniquely inspiring and functional.
Kahn’s design seems both simple and futuristic. The interior space utilized by medical research scientists is said to be intellectually inspiring and uniquely functional.
Another photo of the Salk Institute building's fascinating exterior.
Another photo of the Salk Institute building’s fascinating exterior.
A monumental building made of smooth exposed concrete with simple, clean lines, between green grass and blue San Diego sky.
A monumental building made of smooth exposed concrete with simple, clean lines, between green grass and blue San Diego sky.
A small but interesting portion of the Salk Institute building.
A small but interesting portion of the Salk Institute building.
The surface of the Salk Institute building is stark but surprisingly beautiful. Time has made the concrete appear more earthen and natural. Almost like marble.
The surface of the Salk Institute building is stark but surprisingly beautiful. Time has made the concrete appear more earthen and natural. Almost like marble.
Laboratory visible through one window. Jonas Salk invented the polio vaccine. Salk Institute today is a world leader in medical research.
Laboratory visible through one window. Jonas Salk invented the polio vaccine. Salk Institute today is a world leader in medical research.
It's a sunny day in La Jolla as someone walks toward a brilliant creation of the human mind--a building designed by famed modernist architect Louis Kahn.
It’s a sunny day in La Jolla as someone walks toward a brilliant creation of the human mind: a building designed by famed modernist architect Louis Kahn.

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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 interesting photos for you to enjoy!

People meditate (or have fun) walking a labyrinth.

Visitors to Balboa Park walk the meandering single path of a labyrinth near the Botanical Building.
Visitors to Balboa Park walk the meandering single path of a labyrinth near the Botanical Building.

Life is a bit like walking a labyrinth. We navigate twists and turns on our forward path.

Yesterday I saw a cool labyrinth set up on a lawn in Balboa Park, right next to the Botanical Building. String was laid on the grass, creating boundaries defining the path.

A labyrinth is not a maze. The walk is peaceful, the sudden smooth turns reorient one’s vision, there is no hurry. Many use labyrinth walking for meditation. It also looks like fun exercise!

Walking through a curving labyrinth can provide meditation, bringing together body, mind and spirit. Everyone is on their own path through life. (Click image to read.)
Walking through a curving labyrinth can enhance meditation, bringing together body, mind and spirit. Everyone is on their own path through life. (Click image to read.)
It's a beautiful December weekend in Balboa Park. There is much to do, much to see. Our walk through life takes many turns.
It’s a beautiful December weekend in Balboa Park. There is much to do, much to see. Our walk through life takes many turns.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! Navigating downtown streets can be like moving through a labyrinth! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Do you love Balboa Park? Follow my special blog which I call Beautiful Balboa Park!

A heartwarming Christmas tradition in San Diego.

A very special Sunday organ concert in Balboa Park. Today ordinary residents of San Diego and random visitors from around the world joined together to sing Christmas carols!
A very special Sunday organ concert in Balboa Park. Today ordinary residents of San Diego and random visitors from around the world joined together to sing Christmas carols!

I wish you could have been there. At the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, this afternoon at 2:00. Your heart would’ve been warmed by the most amazing spectacle.

Young and old, residents of San Diego and random tourists visiting Balboa Park from around the world–all came together spontaneously to sing beloved Christmas carols. Right up on the stage, all together, as one.

What a sight. What a wonderful yearly tradition.

There is hope for this old world.

The holiday season at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion includes candy canes, Christmas cookies and gingerbread men.
The holiday season at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion includes candy canes, Christmas cookies and gingerbread men.
The free organ concert the Sunday before Christmas began with classical and unique organ music composed for Christmas.
The free organ concert in Balboa Park this afternoon began with classical and unique organ music composed over the years for Christmas.
Spreckels Organ Curator Dale Sorenson smiles as he turns pages for San Diego Civic Organist Emeritus Robert Plimpton.
Spreckels Organ Curator Dale Sorenson smiles as he turns pages for San Diego Civic Organist Emeritus Robert Plimpton.
The fancy organ music is over. Time for the public to come up on stage to sing familiar Christmas carols!
The more fancy organ playing is over. Time for the public to come up on stage to sing familiar Christmas carols!
A crowd heads up onto the Spreckels Organ Pavilion stage. Anybody could join in the happy singing.
A crowd heads up onto the Spreckels Organ Pavilion stage. Anybody could join in the happy singing.
A heartwarming San Diego tradition in Balboa Park. Young and old, everyone and anyone--together people sing many beloved Christmas songs.
A heartwarming San Diego tradition in Balboa Park. Young and old, everyone and anyone–together people sing many beloved Christmas songs.
Ross Porter, Executive Director of the Spreckels Organ Society, leads the proceedings with unabashed zest.
Ross Porter, Executive Director of the Spreckels Organ Society, leads the proceedings with unabashed zest.
A small sample of humanity singing Christmas carols with joy.
A small random sample of humanity singing Christmas carols with joy.

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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!

I wish you all Happy Holidays and best wishes in this coming New Year!

Searching for Santa at December Nights!

This might be Santa and Mrs. Claus walking happily through Balboa Park during 2016 December Nights. At least, there's a good chance. Right?
This might be Santa and Mrs. Claus walking happily through Balboa Park during 2016 December Nights. At least, there’s a good chance. Right?

I went to December Nights this afternoon hoping to photograph Santa Claus. December Nights is one of the largest festivals in the United States that celebrates the holiday season, so one would suppose Old Saint Nick might drop on by. This year I headed home before dark, before the glittering Christmas lights turned on, and before the really huge crowds!

Because I left before nightfall, I missed seeing jolly Bill “Santa” Swank spreading good cheer at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Check out his book Christmas in San Diego! It’s all about the history of Christmas in our fair city.  I feel very honored that Cool San Diego Sights has a bunch of photos in it!

Now, did I have any success locating the real, actual, honest-to-goodness Santa Claus this afternoon at December Nights? You be the judge!

Over 300,000 people are attending December Nights this year. Surely good old Santa Claus is present somewhere in this crowd.
Over 300,000 people are attending December Nights this year. Surely good old Santa Claus is present somewhere in this crowd.
Look! Over there! I think I see Santa wearing sunglasses! Oops. Just a vendor selling treats during December Nights.
Look! Over there! I think I see Santa wearing sunglasses! Oops. Just a vendor selling treats during December Nights.
These fun but sadly inanimate Santas are made of beads!
These fun (but sadly inanimate) Santas are made of beads!
You guys aren't Santa. You can't fool me! You're elves from the North Pole.
You guys aren’t Santa. You can’t fool me! You’re elves from the North Pole.
With so many Santa ornaments and gifts everywhere, one might conclude that Old Saint Nick is actually a very astute businessman.
With so many Santa ornaments and gifts everywhere, one might conclude that Old Saint Nick is actually a very astute businessman.
Oh, goodness gracious! A fan man Santa Claus waving arms like a silly goof! Nothing is sacred anymore.
Oh, goodness gracious! A “fan man” Santa Claus waving his arms like a silly goof! Nothing is sacred anymore.
I see the image of Kris Kringle toting a sack of presents just about everywhere. So the actual guy has to be around here somewhere.
I see the image of Kris Kringle toting a sack of presents just about everywhere. So, logically, the actual guy has to be around here somewhere.
I've seen this Santa before. He hangs out in Balboa Park every holiday season. But his sled doesn't actually fly. It's all a complete fake. Impostor!
I’ve seen this Santa before. He hangs out in Balboa Park every holiday season. But his sled doesn’t actually fly. It’s all a complete fake. Impostor!
Tried to fool me again! That isn't Father Christmas! It's Snoopy!
Tried to fool me again! That isn’t Father Christmas! It’s Snoopy!
If Santa Claus actually looks like this, I'd really like to meet him. Now that would be quite an amazing experience!
Now if Santa Claus actually looks like this, I’d really like to meet him. That would be quite an amazing experience!
Multiple possible Santas! Oh, wait. They all are cloggers, waiting to perform at December Nights. Santa only clogs chimneys.
Multiple possible Santas! Oh, wait. They’re all cloggers, waiting to perform at December Nights. Santa only clogs chimneys.
I might not spot the actual real Santa, but this December Nights is rather fun. These folks are singing their hearts out in front of the big Spreckels Organ Pavilion Christmas tree. When the lights come on at night, Balboa Park becomes a magical wonderland!
I might not spot the actual real Santa, but this December Nights is rather fun. These folks are singing their hearts out in front of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion’s annual Christmas tree. When the lights come on at night, Balboa Park becomes a magical wonderland!
If Santa had a dog, it would probably dress like this. It gets chilly up north.
If Santa had a dog, it would probably dress like this. It gets chilly up north.
Perhaps this is why I haven't positively identified the real Santa Claus. He might be at the beach in San Diego getting some sun.
Perhaps this is why I haven’t positively identified the real Santa Claus. He’s probably kicking back at a San Diego beach getting some sun.
I'll just have to make do with Santa Mouse.
I’ll just have to make do with Santa Mouse.
Wait! I found him! There he is! Santa!
Wait! I found him! There he is! Santa!

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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 enjoy!

Do you love Balboa Park? Follow my special blog which I call Beautiful Balboa Park!