Tag: balboa park

Beautiful garden of Balboa Park’s Marston House.

Flowers and bench by historic Marston House.
Flowers and bench by historic Marston House.

The historic Marston House is nestled among some trees in the seldom-visited northwest corner of Balboa Park. The house museum and its beautiful gardens are truly one of San Diego’s hidden gems.

I strolled about the grounds recently and took a few photos. Roaming about the gardens is free; to take a guided tour of the house’s interior one must pay a small entrance fee.

The house, in the Arts and Crafts architectural style, was built in 1905 by George W. Marston, a wealthy philanthropist who owned a prominent department store. He was also founder of the San Diego Historical Society, and was instrumental in preserving the site of the original San Diego Presidio.

The Marston House was designed by the internationally famous architects William Sterling Hebbard and Irving Gill. Its five acres of lawns and formal gardens have become a very popular wedding location.

Marston House Museum and Gardens in a corner of Balboa Park.
Marston House Museum and Gardens in a corner of Balboa Park.
Arts and Crafts style house was built in 1905.
Arts and Crafts style house was built in 1905.
This beautiful garden is a popular wedding location.
This beautiful garden is a popular wedding location.
Looking from hedge pathway toward Marston House.
Looking from hedge pathway toward Marston House.
Small fountain at end of garden.
Small fountain at end of garden.
Outdoor archway and oven are part of the delightful scenery.
Outdoor archway and oven are part of the delightful scenery.
A pic of the lath greenhouse interior.
A pic of the lath greenhouse interior.
The Marston House is a San Diego hidden gem.
The Marston House is a San Diego hidden gem.

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War Memorial Building forgets Memorial Day.

Veterans War Memorial in Balboa Park.
Veterans War Memorial in Balboa Park.

I thought of heading up to Mt. Soledad for the Memorial Day ceremony this afternoon, but the thought of crowds and a parking hassle was just too much. Instead, I went for a long walk!

My brilliant plan was to head up Park Boulevard to check out the Veterans War Memorial Building in Balboa Park, just north of the San Diego Zoo. The War Memorial Building was built in 1950 to honor Americans who’d served in the military overseas. Certainly something had to be going on there for Memorial Day!

Boy was I wrong.

The place was dead. Closed. No people. Nothing. Not even a flag on the flagpole. They couldn’t even raise a flag for Memorial Day?

No flag flies for Memorial Day.
No flag flies for Memorial Day.
San Diego Veterans War Memorial Building plaque.
San Diego Veterans War Memorial Building plaque.

The plaque reads:

SAN DIEGO VETERANS WAR MEMORIAL BUILDING

DEDICATED BY THE CITIZENS OF SAN DIEGO AS A LIVING MEMORIAL TO OUR HONORED DEAD OF ALL WARS AND TO THOSE AMERICANS WHO HAVE FOUGHT FOR THE FOUR FREEDOMS

I

FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND EXPRESSION

II

FREEDOM OF EVERY PERSON TO WORSHIP GOD IN HIS OWN WAY

III

FREEDOM FROM WANT

IV

FREEDOM FROM FEAR

Veterans War Memorial is closed on Memorial Day.
Veterans War Memorial is closed on Memorial Day.

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House of Norway’s Balboa Park lawn program.

Parading flags open House of Norway lawn program.
Parading flags open House of Norway lawn program.

My leisurely walk through Balboa Park yesterday took me past a number of  interesting sights. The House of Norway, in the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages, had their lawn program between 2 and 3 o’clock. I just happened to walk by as it started. Here are a few quick pics!

Norway cottage at Balboa Park International Village.
Norway’s quaint cottage in Balboa Park’s International Village.
Crowd watches Norwegian singers on stage.
Crowd watches Norwegian singers on stage.

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Native American Pow Wow in Balboa Park!

Mothers in native costume in a large round dance.
Mothers in different native costumes perform a large round dance.

Yesterday my wandering feet led me to a Pow Wow in the south end of Balboa Park. What a colorful, amazing event! The Native American Heritage Pow Wow featured a large grassy stage with a variety of costumed dancers. I lingered for a bit and got a few pics.

Making a dash for Mother's Day goodies on grass.
Making a dash for Mother’s Day goodies scattered on the grass.
Adjusting costumes before performing a dance.
Adjusting colorful costumes before performing a dance.
Native American art at Balboa Park pow-wow.
Native American art for sale at the Balboa Park Pow Wow.
Big crowd at American Indian Heritage Pow Wow.
Big crowd checks out Native American food and culture.
Young dancer at San Diego pow-wow.
Young dancer at San Diego Pow Wow.

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Mother’s Day at Balboa Park’s rose garden.

View of Balboa Park rose garden from nearby bridge.
View of Balboa Park rose garden from nearby bridge.

Mom passed away some years ago. She loved roses. This blog post is dedicated to every precious mom on Mother’s Day.

I took these photos today at Balboa Park’s three-acre Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden. It’s located across Park Boulevard from the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center, and features about 1,600 roses of more than 130 varieties. People love to stroll through the lush award-winning displays. Many mothers and families were present today!

Hundreds of roses surround a large, shady gazebo.
Hundreds of roses surround a large, shady gazebo.
Path near the edge of rose garden's gazebo.
Path near the edge of rose garden’s gazebo.
Plaque on one gazebo bench with romantic sentiment.
Plaque on one gazebo bench with romantic sentiment.
A fountain among the roses.
A fountain among the roses.
Mother's Day at the Balboa Park rose garden.
Looking across colorful blooms toward entrance.
Looking north toward main entrance near Park Boulevard bridge.
Families enjoy a world-class rose garden on Mother’s Day.
Looking over white roses at the Natural History Museum.
Looking over white roses at the Natural History Museum.
Dedicated to the memory of Inez Grant Parker.
Garden is dedicated to the memory of Inez Grant Parker.
Simply beautiful.
Simply beautiful.

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Tranquil beauty near the center of San Diego.

Botanical Building by reflecting pool in Balboa Park.
Botanical Building by reflecting pool in Balboa Park.

In Balboa Park you can retreat from life’s turbulence. Simply walk, read a book, or sit quietly and reflect. You can delight your senses with splashing fountains, green lawns, music, museums. Pleasing architecture is on every side. And there are many beautiful gardens.

My favorite garden of all grows in the Botanical Building. Stroll down El Prado and you’ll see an imposing wood lath building at the opposite end of the reflecting pool. That’s the Botanical Building.

Built for the 1915 to 1916 Panama-California Exposition, the beautiful old structure contains a collection of more than 2000 permanent plants. Take a slow walk through it and you’ll discover ferns, palms, orchids and other tropical plants. You’ll hear the soothing bubble of water tumbling into small rocky pools. You’ll smell sweet fragrances and be touched by many colors. You’ll want to linger.

The Botanical Building is open to the public every day except Thursday, from 10:00 AM until 4:00 PM. Admission is free!

People walk through the huge, lush botanical collection.
People walk through the huge, lush botanical collection.
Information and guest book near entrance to historic Botanical Building.
Information and guest book near entrance of historic Botanical Building.
Alfred D. Robinson used the lath house to display plants at 1915 Panama-California Exposition.
Alfred D. Robinson used building to display plants at 1915 Panama-California Exposition.
Hundreds of different plants and endless beauty.
Hundreds of different plants and endless beauty.
Visitors walk quietly through the cathedral-like space.
Visitors walk quietly through the tranquil, cathedral-like space.
Some people just sit on benches and absorb the tranquil atmosphere.
Some people just sit on benches and absorb the tranquil atmosphere.
A section of wall bright with colorful blooms.
A section of wall bright with colorful blooms.
A sample of the natural beauty found in this special place.
A sample of the natural beauty found in this special place.
Platycerium, commonly known as the Stag Horn Fern.
Platycerium, commonly known as the Stag Horn Fern.
Beautiful orchids and other plants on display in Balboa Park's Botanical Building.
Beautiful orchids and other plants on display in Balboa Park’s Botanical Building.
Botanical Building visitors near display of Easter lilies.
Botanical Building visitors near seasonal display of Easter lilies.
Lots of cheerful, colorful Hippeastrum hybrids.
Lots of cheerful, colorful Hippeastrum hybrids.
Bare carnivorous plant bog isn't yet in season.
The carnivorous plant bog!
Delicate beauty on display for anyone to see.
Delicate beauty on display for anyone to see.

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Earth Day and EarthFair 2014 in Balboa Park.

Activist at EarthFair fights the Keystone Pipeline.
Activist at EarthFair fights the Keystone Pipeline.

I couldn’t resist heading over to EarthFair today. What’s EarthFair? It’s a gigantic annual event that celebrates Earth Day in Balboa Park!

Put on by San Diego EarthWorks, this year’s EarthFair featured more than 300 exhibitors, promoting pro-environment concepts, policies, programs, business and education. The event is billed as a big tent celebration, and so the multitude of participants often seem an unlikely hodgepodge. From more traditional viewpoints, to those that are truly radical, all sorts of ideas and visions are expressed. It’s a colorful, thought-provoking and entertaining event with endless photographic opportunities!

Here are some pics!

Old objects reused to create art and jewelry.
Old objects reused to create art and jewelry.
Learning to make yarn from plastic bags.
Learning to make yarn from plastic bags.
Crafts at EarthFair include tennis racket mirrors.
Crafts at EarthFair include tennis racket mirrors.
Kids have fun with great big bubbles.
Kids have fun with great big bubbles.
Costumed characters greet a child at EarthFair.
Costumed characters greet a child at EarthFair.
Booth in Balboa Park promotes camping nude.
Booth in Balboa Park promotes camping nude.
Hemp enthusiasts check out wares at EarthFair.
Hemp enthusiasts check out wares at EarthFair.
Meat eaters enjoy barbeque for Earth Day.
Meat eaters enjoy barbeque for Earth Day.
1912 Baker Electric Car fitted with solar panels!
1912 Baker Electric Car fitted with a solar panel!
Kids learn how to set up teepees on a Balboa Park grassy area.
Kids learn how to set up teepees on a Balboa Park grassy area.
Big Mama Earth provides green lessons for kids.
Big Mama Earth provides green lessons for kids.
San Diego Public Library's booth with many interesting books.
San Diego Public Library’s booth with many interesting books.
A lovely blue recycle bin poses for my camera!
A lovely blue recycle bin poses for my camera!
SoCal Parrot lady and a bright green friend.
SoCal Parrot lady and a bright green friend.
Earth Day activists conceal anti-abortion sign with banners.
Earth Day activists conceal anti-abortion sign with banners.
Toyota shows hybrid vehicles in front of Museum of Art.
Toyota shows hybrid vehicles in front of Museum of Art.
Old hiking gear can be fixed up and used again.
Old hiking gear can be fixed up and used again.
Table with information about pest control using copper.
Table with information about pest control using copper.
Two rescued raptors shown to crowd on El Prado.
Two rescued raptors shown to crowd on El Prado.
Huge canvas interprets the reflecting pool with vivid colors.
Huge canvas interprets the reflecting pool with vivid colors.
Mellow steel drum entertainment during EarthFair.
Mellow steel drum entertainment during EarthFair.
Balboa Park's trashcans were blocked with flower pots.
Balboa Park’s trashcans were blocked with flower pots.
Looking west down El Prado at huge Earth Day crowd.
Looking west down El Prado at huge Earth Day crowd.
Advocating for the protection of seals.
Advocating for the protection of seals.
Activists oppose new power plant at Mission Trails Park.
Activists oppose new power plant at Mission Trails Park.
A table demonstrates the benefits of composting.
A table demonstrates the benefits of composting.
Smokey the Bear stands near Surfrider Foundation booth.
Smokey the Bear stands near Surfrider Foundation booth.
Man painted blue advocates for lower carbon emissions.
Man painted blue advocates for lower carbon emissions.
High school student with Save the World Fridays sign.
High school student with Save the World Fridays sign.
Scripps Aquarium brought some big shark jaws.
Scripps Aquarium brought some big shark jaws.
Peace sign and coexist sign in the crowd.
Peace sign and coexist sign in the crowd.
Banner in booth opposes eating animals.
Banner in booth opposes eating animals.
Petitions include dividing California into six states.
Petitions include dividing California into six states.
Secret chemtrail and HAARP programs are opposed.
Secret chemtrail and HAARP programs are opposed.
Free hugs are offered to visitors of Balboa Park's EarthFair!
Free hugs are offered to visitors at Balboa Park’s EarthFair!

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Rescued art in Balboa Park’s Casa del Prado.

Original staff plaster memorial to Fray Junipero Serra, founder of the Franciscan missions in Alta California. Was part of the 1915 Exposition's Food Products Building.
Original staff plaster memorial to Fray Junipero Serra, founder of the Franciscan missions in Alta California. Was part of the 1915 Exposition’s Food Products Building.

In the outdoor Panama-California Sculpture Court at Balboa Park’s Casa del Prado you’ll discover a small collection of rescued art. Most of these sculptures and decorative motifs are made of staff, which is gypsum plaster mixed with hide glue, reinforced with fibers. They were found in 1975 dumped in an unused corner of the nearby Casa de Balboa.  Many are remnants of the old Food and Beverage Building from Balboa Park’s 1915 Panama-California Exposition and were designed by architect Carleton Monroe Winslow. Visitors today can admire these beautiful historical pieces up close.

Castle, on left side of the base of Serra Memorial, depicts the heraldic emblem of the former Spanish Kingdom of Castile.
Castle, which was located on the left side of the Serra Memorial, depicts the heraldic emblem of the former Spanish Kingdom of Castile.
One of four identical heads created in 1914 for the Panama-California Exposition. It was located on the Varied Industries Building facade.
One of four identical heads created in 1914 for the Panama-California Exposition. It was located on the Varied Industries Building facade.
Plaster models of famous 17th century Spanish painters Velazquez, Murillo and Zurbaran. Used to cast sculptures above what is now the San Diego Museum of Art.
Plaster models designed in 1924 of famous 17th century Spanish painters Velazquez, Murillo and Zurbaran. Used to cast sculptures above what is now the San Diego Museum of Art.
This round staff plaster Spanish Conquistador vignette, dated 1914, formed a pendant beneath sculptural groups on the Varied Industries Building.
This round staff plaster Spanish Conquistador vignette, dated 1914, formed a pendant beneath sculptural groups on the Varied Industries Building.
Freestanding figure of a woman in flowing robes titled Religion. It stood atop the 1914 retablo of the Varied Industries Building.
Freestanding figure of a woman in flowing robes titled Religion. It stood atop the 1914 retablo of the Varied Industries Building.
Unused cast concrete replica of an original 1914 angel head finial. Cast for the 1971 reconstruction of the Casa del Prado.
Unused cast concrete replica of an original 1914 angel head finial. Created for the 1971 reconstruction of the Casa del Prado.
Beautiful works of art in Panama-California Sculpture Court at the Casa del Prado.
Beautiful works of art in Panama-California Sculpture Court at the Casa del Prado.
Plaster column seen through arch of Casa del Prado.
Angelic column seen through arch of Casa del Prado.

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Kaleidoscope and a revolving bowl of flowers.

Interesting contraption in a nook at Spanish Village.
Interesting contraption in a nook at artsy Spanish Village.

In a nook of Balboa Park’s Spanish Village, right next to the San Diego Mineral and Gem Society building, you’ll find this interesting contraption. Is it an antique device once used to navigate a ship? Is it a microscope? What is it?

It’s a kaleidoscope mounted above a revolving bowl of flowers! Instead of turning the kaleidoscope tube, you whirl the bowl of blooms and watch different colorful patterns form through the lens. Several mirrors in the tube create the complex symmetry.

Once I figured out what the contraption was, I tried putting my camera right up to the eyepiece. I got a bunch of interesting photos!

A kaleidoscope aimed at turning bowl of flowers.
A kaleidoscope aimed at turning bowl of flowers.
Mirrors of kaleidoscope turn flower blooms into art.
Mirrors of kaleidoscope turn flower blooms into art.
Revolving the bowl turns flowers and leaves into amazing patterns.
Revolving the bowl turns flowers and leaves into amazing patterns.
Infinite beauty created via the reflection of light.
Infinite beauty created via the reflection of light.

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Big indoor mural at San Diego Museum of Art.

In Search of Earthly Delights mural at San Diego Museum of Art.
In Search of Earthly Delights mural at San Diego Museum of Art.

If you’re walking around Balboa Park and feeling adventurous, you can sneak into a portion of the San Diego Museum of Art and enjoy a stunning indoor mural. Just enter the unlocked door near the Sculpture Garden’s outdoor cafe! Like the sculpture garden, this area of the museum is free to the public!

The 70 foot mural is named En Busca de las Delicias de la Tierra/In Search of Earthly Delights. Created by Writerz Blok, an innovative graffiti mural organization, it was painted by young artists Sake, Daze, Izze and Krown. Pieces from the museum’s collection of Mexican modern art were used for reference and inspiration.

San Diego Museum of Art visitor walks past large indoor mural.
San Diego Museum of Art visitor walks past large indoor mural.
San Diego organization Writerz Blok helped to create this mural.
San Diego organization Writerz Blok helped to create this amazing mural.