The 2026 Geranium Show and Sale was held this weekend in Balboa Park. Members of the San Diego Geranium Society filled Room 101 of the Casa del Prado with beautiful living color!
There’s something very homey about geraniums. They’re easy to propagate and grow, and their cheerful blooms endure most of the year. What home doesn’t have a pot of these flowering plants on a porch or window sill?
In addition to the different varieties of geranium in the show, visitors could view works of art and special displays that celebrate the geranium.
Some photographs…
…
To follow my blog, find the “Follow” box in this website’s sidebar. Or bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
(If you’re viewing this on a phone, open my website’s sidebar by tapping those three parallel lines at the top of the page.)
Fashion Redux 2026: Cocktail Hour opened last month at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park. I enjoyed a look at the exhibition today.
Once again, students from the Mesa College Fashion Program have produced inspired creations for this annual event.
As one display explains: This exhibition explores the rise of the “Modern Woman” through the lens of cocktail dresses, featuring contemporary designs by San Diego Mesa College students inspired by examples from the San Diego History Center’s historic textile collection that span the periods 1890 to 1970.
Women’s fashion has changed greatly over the decades, driven by societal “norms” of the day. History that was studied by the student designers included social movements leading to both Prohibition, its repeal, and women’s suffrage.
The cocktail dress emerged in the 1920s, as women embraced more public and social roles, moving away from restrictive floor-length dresses, into a short, semi-formal garment for early evening events…
A number of displays, including historical photographs and garments, demonstrate this fascinating evolution of fashion.
At the center of the exhibition, however, are the reimagined cocktail dresses. It’s very impressive how college students designed the four unique dresses you see in the next photograph!
…
To follow my blog, find the “Follow” box in this website’s sidebar. Or bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
(If you’re viewing this on a phone, open my website’s sidebar by tapping those three parallel lines at the top of the page.)
The 250th Anniversary of the United States is coming up. There will be big celebrations in San Diego and around the nation on July 4, 2026.
The San Diego History Center in Balboa Park will be taking part this summer, too, with a special America at 250: San Diego 1776 – 2026 exhibition. A large gallery space will be filled with fascinating displays, recalling San Diego’s rich and diverse history.
I stepped into the museum today and noticed they’re starting to get the exhibition ready. So far I noticed an El Cajon & Lakeside stagecoach, a mining ore car, an antique printing press, a vintage automobile, a model of Horton Plaza, and even a classic Jack in the Box drive-thru intercom clown head!
I can’t wait to see what else appears! Stay tuned!
UPDATE!
About a week later, more has appeared…
…
To follow my blog, find the “Follow” box in this website’s sidebar. Or bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
(If you’re viewing this on a phone, open my website’s sidebar by tapping those three parallel lines at the top of the page.)
The Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park has a great exhibit outside its east entrance that celebrates the San Diego Craft Collective. Beautiful objects crafted by members of the collective are proudly displayed!
A collaboration between the Mingei and the San Diego Craft Collective makes perfect sense. The museum collects, conserves and exhibits folk art, craft, and design. The family-friendly San Diego Craft Collective, located in Liberty Station, teaches it members traditional craft, including woodworking, ceramics, textiles, fiber arts, glass art and more. They are dedicated to sustainability, utilizing natural and recycled materials. The collective even teaches organic gardening!
A couple years ago I visited the San Diego Craft Collective. I was amazed by the extent of their facility and the diversity of work by its members. If you want to read that past blog post and see those photographs, click here.
…
To follow my blog, find the “Follow” box in this website’s sidebar. Or bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
(If you’re viewing this on a phone, open my website’s sidebar by tapping those three parallel lines at the top of the page.)
A remodel of the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center building has altered the visitor experience. The main entrance and lobby are now near the old IMAX theater lobby. The museum’s original entrance has been repurposed, turning it into new gallery space.
In addition, the Fleet Science Center’s café will soon be enlarged. Once the café reopens, there will still be outdoor dining, plus a dedicated spot where visitors can purchase always super popular soft serve ice cream.
I ventured inside the remodeled museum yesterday…
The spacious new lobby and front desk…
Looking to my left, there are displays and images on a temporary partition. Somewhere beyond it will be the enlarged café. (Not sure about a gift shop. Forgot to ask.)
After moving through much of the museum, I peeked into the original lobby, which is currently roped off. It will become new gallery space.
The new main entrance to the Fleet Science Center is where that blue canopy is. What do you think?
UPDATE!
I got a photo of the new café shortly before it opened…
…
To follow my blog, find the “Follow” box in this website’s sidebar. Or bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
(If you’re viewing this on a phone, open my website’s sidebar by tapping those three parallel lines at the top of the page.)
High school students from around San Diego created art that is now showcased in a special exhibition at the Comic-Con Museum. Visual Storytellers: Honors Show 2026 features diverse work nominated by teachers as examples of artistic excellence and meaningful storytelling.
Participating high schools in the San Diego Unified School District are: Canyons Hills, Crawford, La Jolla, Lincoln, LMEC, Mira Mesa, Morse, Patrick Henry, Point Loma, Scripps Ranch and SDSCPA.
Congratulations to everyone whose great artwork was selected!
The exhibition can be viewed along the walls of what used to be a cafeteria back when the Federal Building housed the Hall of Champions. There’s two dimensional and three dimensional art to experience.
If you need a snack or drink while walking through Balboa Park, you can enter this area next to the museum entrance and make use of the vending machines. Check out some cool Star Wars posters on the opposite wall, too!
…
To follow my blog, find the “Follow” box in this website’s sidebar. Or bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
(If you’re viewing this on a phone, open my website’s sidebar by tapping those three parallel lines at the top of the page.)
It looks like I’ll be missing Cinco de Mayo events this year. Too busy with work. So I figured: why not revisit past Cinco de Mayo festivals around San Diego?
Here we go!
Click the upcoming links to enjoy several past blog posts!
Click the following links for many more photographs…
The House of Czech and Slovak Republics, a long-time member of Balboa Park’s International Cottages, hosted their annual cultural lawn program today!
I happened by while walking around.
Shortly after 2 o’clock, everyone on the lawn enjoyed an excellent performance by the acclaimed Czech group Mladá muzika Šardice. I see from the event flyer that after the youth brass orchestra was finished, more music and dance would follow!
Sausages with a roll and pickle were being prepared inside one large tent. Almost forgot the pastries! A nearby fundraising table offered crafts for sale, including traditional corn husk dolls (slaměné panenky or panenky z kukuřičného šustí).
The Czech and Slovak Republics cottage was open too, with numerous beautiful displays to be seen, including costumes, dolls, ceramics and art.
The cottage is almost fully recovered from its unfortunate collision with a falling eucalyptus tree. Looks great!
…
To follow my blog, find the “Follow” box in this website’s sidebar. Or bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
(If you’re viewing this on a phone, open my website’s sidebar by tapping those three parallel lines at the top of the page.)
There’s a special garden in Balboa Park you might not know about. It’s located outside the WorldBeat Cultural Center. Those heading along Park Boulevard can glimpse the greenery just south of the circular WorldBeat Cultural Center building.
Known by several names, including the Healing Peace Garden and Children’s Ethnobotany Garden, this green oasis can be visited by appointment or on special occasions.
Fortunately, the garden was open during the Global Earth Day festival last weekend. Having never stepped inside, I took advantage of the opportunity!
When I entered the Healing Peace Garden, I did feel at peace. The nearby street and urban surroundings seemed to vanish. I had entered what felt like a wholly natural place–a world of deep green, full of life and living.
Several footpaths pass shady nooks–places for mediation and contemplation. There are bits of art among the trees and plants, including a seating ring where people can gather to talk, create music, or simply absorb the surrounding beauty.
I was interested to learn the award-winning garden is considered the first sustainable, edible garden in Balboa Park, as well as a monarch butterfly waystation certified by Monarch Watch, and a wildlife habitat certified by the National Wildlife Federation.
The garden is used as an outdoor classroom, too. This webpage explains: The unique organic herb, fruit, and vegetable garden honors the memory of George Washington Carver, and is dedicated to teaching young people about the role of plants in society. Gardening classes are available to schools, youth programs, individuals and families by booking a workshop or requesting a docent at the WorldBeat Center.
Now let’s enter the garden and walk around…
…
To follow my blog, find the “Follow” box in this website’s sidebar. Or bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
(If you’re viewing this on a phone, open my website’s sidebar by tapping those three parallel lines at the top of the page.)
Organizations and businesses who support the environment were lined up behind the center, while vendor canopies and diverse cultural entertainment took place on the open grass nearby. Inside the WorldBeat Cultural Center there was more life to experience, including the rhythms of San Diego Taiko that I enjoyed. Visitors could also walk through the center’s lush Ethnobotany Sanctuary Garden. (I’ll be blogging about the garden later.)
There was plenty to see and do!
Behind the WorldBeat Cultural Center’s building, several canopies were set up for Earth Day. This is where visitors could enjoy most of the environmental activities and education.The San Diego Bird Alliance was showing how to mix clay and seeds to make seed balls that melt in the rain.Local native seed libraries can be found all around San Diego County. The San Diego Beekeeping Society was present with a contained hive for the purposes of demonstration. They are working to save bees.People visiting the Global Earth Day Festival could pot a plant!There were opportunities for swapping seeds, purchasing plants and composting!Books celebrating diversity could be found here. Sitting at the table is author JohnnieRenee Nelson!Books promote positive values of African American families.Lots of smiles at the KNSJ community radio station tent!Inside the WorldBeat Cultural Center people listen to a performance by San Diego Taiko.Some of the vendors on the grass near Park Boulevard.Many people come together in beautiful San Diego. WorldBeat Cultural Center hosts their 34th Annual Global Earth Day Festival!
…
To follow my blog, find the “Follow” box in this website’s sidebar. Or bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
(If you’re viewing this on a phone, open my website’s sidebar by tapping those three parallel lines at the top of the page.)
