Ready to board the small Pilot boat, one of many historic vessels at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. We’re going to enjoy a short harbor cruise!
A couple months ago I went on a short tour of San Diego Bay on the Pilot, a historic vessel owned by the Maritime Museum of San Diego. When you buy a ticket for the museum, you can pay a little extra and enjoy a fun look at San Diego’s harbor in the open air aboard the Pilot. I recommend it!
Come with me and get a small taste of what you’ll experience. Obviously, these few photographs are no substitute for the ocean breeze, sunshine and sparkling blue water.
A plaque indicates the 1914 Pilot Boat has 82 years of service and has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. For decades it helped thousands of ships safely enter and exit San Diego Bay.Captain of the Pilot is getting ready to pull away from the floating museum.Here we go out onto San Diego Bay! I see Californian, the official tall ship of the state of California, to our left.It’s a pleasant day out on the water. We head initially in the direction of Shelter Island and Point Loma.We’ve turned southward and pass the ships of the Maritime Museum. Part of San Diego’s skyline is visible in this photo.There are two big cruise ships in port today. Some of these ships are larger than downtown buildings!Out toward Point Loma many sailboats are participating in a regatta.We’re continuing south and now I see the second cruise ship by the Port Pavilion.We’ve passed the USS Midway. Just enjoying the blue water and sunshine.Yay! We get to slow down to photograph sea lions sleeping on a harbor buoy.Beautiful sailboats were tilting in the breeze and many passed so close we could hear the canvas flapping.Looking south as we approach the Coronado Bay Bridge. Way off in the distance I see Mexico. Nearer, to the right, is a part of Coronado–the Naval Amphibious Base where Navy Seals train.Under the bridge we go, while looking east at two Navy ships.Shortly after passing under the bridge, we turn around and head back north near the shipyards. I see BAE Systems Ship Repair’s huge dry dock. These two friendly passengers were visiting San Diego.Back north of the Coronado Bay Bridge, now passing the 10th Avenue Marine Terminal.A magical look west toward sails, clouds and the descending sun.Here comes a speedy sailboat behind us!The handsome Manchester Grand Hyatt buildings. One can observe San Diego from two large windows on the 40th floor. They are in the tower on the right. This Hyatt is the tallest waterfront hotel on the West Coast.Our tour guide points toward Seaport Village. I see the silvery Marriott Marquis to the right.I love the G Street Pier and the fishing vessels that dock by it. Just beyond is Tuna Harbor. Sometimes I post photos of lobster traps and other cool stuff piled on this working pier.This harbor tour is going fast! We’re already passing under the immense bow of the USS Midway aircraft carrier museum.Some guys watch us from the end of Navy Pier near the USS Midway Museum.We’ve returned to the Maritime Museum of San Diego. There’s the beautiful Star of India, oldest active sailing ship in the world, one of our city’s prized gems.And here’s HMS Surprise. If this replica Royal Navy frigate looks familiar, you might have seen Russell Crowe walking her decks in the great movie Master and Commander.It’s the distinctive County Administration Building.About to tie up near the museum’s restored Swift Boat. I went on a ride aboard the Swift Boat some time ago. We went further south in the bay on that tour and got a good look at many active Navy ships.While I linger at the museum and check out lots of cool nautical stuff, the Pilot takes off on another fun tour. Should you visit San Diego, I recommend buying a ticket!
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A seagull stands atop a pile of nets and floats on San Diego’s picturesque G Street Pier.
You won’t believe all the birds I identified today during my walk along the Embarcadero. You really will not believe it!
Check out these fun flighty photos taken beside beautiful San Diego Bay!
American coots (also called mud hens) stand on rocks near the Marriott Marina.A Canada goose on San Diego’s Embarcadero! Now that’s a very unusual sight! This bird seems to have joined a local flock of American coots. Maybe it was blown off course during the recent windy storm.Another strange bird near the sparkling water about to take flight! Oops. My mistake.A female black-crowned night heron among rocks near the Embarcadero Marina Park South pier.A gathering of pigeons on the grass at Embarcadero Marina Park North.Rare exotic birds photographed in flight! Oops. Those are actually colorful kites. Fooled me again!I’ve arrived at Seaport Village. Okay, I’m certain these are real birds–maybe. Looks like a parrot, flamingo and some egrets.Gulls, pelicans and sea lions await handouts of leftover fish parts. Early Saturday afternoon, and the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market is wrapping up.Two sneaky gulls with hungry, watchful eyes.There’s gotta be some yummy fish scraps here somewhere!Commercial fishermen unload on the small dock behind this gate at Tuna Harbor. Birds wait eternally here, too!A bird in the sky above broad-winged sailboats flying across San Diego Bay.Seabirds love hanging out around the fishing vessels at Tuna Harbor.A snowy egret near the net of a live bait catching seiner.A double-crested cormorant flaps its wings in the water of San Diego Bay near the USS Midway.Birds above an ocean wave, painted on a ceramic tile by a young person. Many fun tile benches along the Embarcadero were created for a project called Celebrating the Big Bay in 2004.Many birds in flight.
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One of the three large Son of Zorn banners hung on the parking garage of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront for 2016 Comic-Con.
Zorn the friendly warrior has invaded downtown San Diego! This morning I spotted him right next to the convention center! He’s “hanging out” on three enormous banners draping the parking garage of the Hilton San Diego Bayfront!
I’m not sure where his son is… Perhaps the two got separated in the large San Diego Comic-Con crowd depicted in the fun promotional graphic!
I haven’t observed any Comic-Con wraps applied to buildings yet; right now, the only huge building wrap near the San Diego Convention Center is that MLB All-Star Game one on the Marriott Marquis that I posted several days ago…
Hang tight! The fun around here is just getting started!
The Son of Zorn, an imaginative television show combining animation and live action, will premiere on September 25 on FOX.Zorn the friendly warrior seems to be walking through a San Diego Comic-Con crowd. In addition to a sword, he’s got his badge, a soda and smartphone handy!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Visible in this photo, taken from the walking path at the south end of the Marriott Marina, are two prominent hotels on San Diego’s picturesque waterfront. To the left is the elegant Manchester Grand Hyatt, and in the center are the two curved, shining, sail-like buildings of the Marriott Marquis. On the far right you can see the north end of the long San Diego Convention Center.
After gazing awhile at the hundreds of sailboats and small yachts docked in the marina, you might head a short distance west to enjoy views of the grassy Embarcadero Marina Park South and its fishing pier on San Diego Bay.
Two San Diego bayfront hotels seen through trees.View of Hilton San Diego Bayfront behind tall masts and trees.
You’ll find the Hilton on the other side of the San Diego Convention Center.
Hilton hotel seen beyond San Diego Harbor Excursion ticket booth.Marriott Hotel as seen from the bayside walkway.Looking north from the silvery Marriott toward the sandy Hyatt.One more look at the two Manchester Grand Hyatt towers.
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