It’s winter. Many trees along the San Diego River have shed their leaves. Except for a few clinging brown leaves, most of the cottonwoods and sycamores are bare.
I aimed my camera upward this morning in Mission Valley, as I walked down the river path between the Rio Vista trolley station and Mission Center Road. Even in winter, the trees are very beautiful.
(Can you find a tiny moon in one photograph?)
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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!
On a clear morning, viewed from Pantoja Park, many of the highest buildings in downtown San Diego shine brightly. Particularly those that rise north and northwest of the park.
These photos that I took today provide a glimpse.
If you’d like to learn a little more about Pantoja Park and its statue of Benito Juarez, a gift from the Mexican government, you can visit one of my earlier blog posts 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!
My walk through Balboa Park today included a slow circle around the Timken Museum of Art.
While the building doesn’t really fit with the park’s nearby Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, the museum is quite beautiful in its own way. For a description of this masterpiece of Southern California Modernism, you can visit an earlier blog that I posted here.
Few people journey next to the Timken’s bright walls. The walkway can be a bit hidden.
Here are a few scenes from this afternoon…
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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!
At the top of Mother Miguel Mountain you’ll find the Rock House and its flags, and a view of nearby San Miguel Mountain.
Today I enjoyed a hike to the top of Mother Miguel Mountain, just northeast of Chula Vista. While not as high as nearby San Miguel Mountain, the views of the southern part of San Diego from Mother Miguel Mountain are pretty amazing.
On a clear day you can see Mexico, San Diego Bay, Coronado, downtown, Point Loma, and various peaks including Otay Mountain, Mount Soledad, Cowles Mountain and Mt. Helix. Looking down to the south you can see Salt Creek Golf Course, which was closed a couple of years ago and will undergo future development.
Fortunately it wasn’t very hot today, being early January. I just wore jeans, a simple shirt and some good shoes. Should you hike this steep rocky trail on a hot day, make sure to bring lots of water. There are virtually no trees and no shade. And it’s a constant very rocky climb. Pay attention to where you step and wear boots or shoes with a good grip!
In addition to a fair number of other hikers and some mountain bikers, I saw half a dozen ravens circling above and below, a few cacti, lots of sagebrush and wild grass, and many crumbled rock outcroppings. To the northwest one can look down at Sweetwater Reservoir. And of course, there’s impressive nearby San Miguel Mountain, rising not far to the northeast.
I started at the trailhead at the corner of Paseo Veracruz and Paseo Los Gatos and started up the Rock House Trail for the peak! It’s a moderately difficult 4.3 miles round trip with a 1,171 feet elevation gain. Follow the designated trail, which has many switchbacks.
Halfway up you find a sign which points out and names many of the distant sights that are visible. From there, the trail gets steeper. (Those airplanes flying overhead are making their approach to San Diego International Airport which is near downtown!)
At the top of Mother Miguel Mountain is the Rock House: a large mound of rocks with several flags and an adjacent low stone open shelter. On all sides are scenic views. If you proceed a little beyond the Rock House, there’s a large outcropping and nearby crude wood bench with a small plaque. From it you can look toward the northeast and see distant El Cajon Mountain, often called El Capitan.
If you want to read the photos of signs, click the images and they will expand for easy reading.
Now come along with me and get a taste of this rewarding hike!
The Mother Miguel Trail Head Bulletin Board contains useful information and a topographic map for hikers.The Mother Miguel Mountain Trail is inside the San Diego National Wildlife Refuge. Stay on the designated trail to protect the habitat of many animal and plants species, some of which are endangered.Starting up the trail, which was muddy in spots. This winter it has been rainy in San Diego.One of two information signs, on opposite sides of a very small bridge spanning a tiny creek.Sign describes this part of San Diego National Wildlife Refuge and protecting natural biodiversity.The small California gnatcatcher makes its home on Mother Miguel Mountain.Second sign describes the Quino checkerspot butterfly, which is listed under the federal Endangered Species Act.A section of very rocky trail.Looking down after climbing for a bit. I could see downtown San Diego and Point Loma in the far distance.Sweetwater Reservoir appears below.
Another sign ahead.Left part of long sign, showing peaks and features from Mexico northward.Right part of sign shows sights to the northwest, as far away as Mount Soledad in La Jolla.
Looking southward toward the San Ysidro Mountains and Mexico.Looking back down the trail, you can see green Mount San Miguel Park with its sports fields, not far from the trailhead.The view of Sweetwater Reservoir keeps getting better as we climb.
You can see some of the now closed Salt Creek Golf Course to the southeast.San Miguel Mountain rises to the northeast.
Someone stands on an outcropping just below the summit of Mother Miguel Mountain.Mount San Miguel Park is now far below.Flags show we’ve almost reached the Rock House atop Mother Miguel Mountain.We made it!A couple of hikers brought a blanket to rest on the grass beneath the sky.This rocky enclosure at the Rock House might provide a little bit of shelter on a windy day.
Continuing along, we approach another rock outcropping atop Mother Miguel Mountain.The view to the northeast includes part of the Cuyamaca Mountains.A simple wood plank serves as a bench. I was surprised to see it has a plaque.TO MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THE MOUNTAIN FOR THE BETTER APPRECIATION OF HOME — 2016
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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 photos for you to enjoy!
I AM POSSIBLE. A public mural expresses hope for at-risk youth.
A large mural has been recently painted in a neighborhood that is home to a significant population of at-risk youth. The public mural offers hope, positive reinforcement and inspiration. It reads simply: I AM POSSIBLE.
You can find this powerful new artwork painted at the corner of University Avenue and Marlborough Avenue in City Heights. It’s the creation of @midcitycanyouthcouncil and @channinfulton for #schoolsnotprisons.
This public art is a great example that other communities might follow.
For youth who feel trapped, or hopeless, or tempted to go down a self-destructive path, these beautifully painted words provide a constant visual reminder of life’s better possibilities.
Yes, winter does come to San Diego. It begins in about one week. Winters in coastal Southern California are generally mild, due to our arid climate, and the moderating influence of the nearby Pacific Ocean.
Winter storms tend to be short-lived, gray and drizzly. In San Diego, if you want to see occasional snow, you need to head to the mountains of East County, and even then the returning sun and dry desert winds melt it in a day or two. Temperatures at the lower elevations almost never reach freezing.
However, winter storms in San Diego have been known to provide drama!
There have been unusually violent windstorms, huge surf and flooding. A few of those memories have been preserved in photographs on this blog. And so have examples of winter’s unique beauty!
To see photos from past winters, click the following links:
Golden nutcracker stands guard at west end of Piazza della Famiglia in Little Italy.
Looks to me like Little Italy is just about ready for Christmas!
Enjoy a few photos from early this morning!
A silvery Christmas tree and white snowflakes near Piazza della Famiglia’s many outdoor tables and chairs.Felice 2020! Festive words and wreaths painted on a restaurant window.A colorful nutcracker on India Street near the Little Italy landmark sign.Green garlands and red ribbons, colors of Christmas.Buon Natale. Buon Capodanno.Santa’s elves are painting a huge candy cane on this window.A shining crystalline Christmas tree at Piazza Basilone in Little Italy. Have I arrived at the North Pole?It promises to be another beautiful holiday season in San Diego’s Little Italy!
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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 photos for you to enjoy!
The Athenaeum Music and Arts Library in La Jolla is now showing their recently acquired artwork. A variety of paintings, sketches, books, collages, sculptures and other works are on display in several galleries of the elegant library. The pieces have all have been added to their permanent collection since 2016.
Yesterday, during a visit to the Athenaeum, I stepped into the light-filled Joseph Clayes III Gallery, Rotunda Gallery and North Reading Room to see these new acquisitions. Many styles are represented–something for every taste.
I tried to capture some of the artwork with my camera, but to experience it best you should see it with your own eyes.
The Athenaeum Music and Arts Library is open free to the public. This current exhibition of Recent Acquisitions comes to an end December 28, 2019.
Reading, Charles Glaubitz, 2017. Acrylic on paper.Study for “Study of Rods, Holes, and Balls”, Joshua Miller, 2016.#9, Sue Whitman, 2018. Paint on canvas.Restaurant Musicians, Hunza Valley Pakistan, Eloise Duff, 2016. Watercolor and ink on paper.Platycerium Biturcatum/Cuerno de Alce, Mariana Magdaleno, 2018. Watercolor on watercolor paper.
Patricia, James E. Lasry, 1999. Lithograph on Arches Cover, Bistre ink.Maple, Marshall Weber, 2017. Signed by artist, one of a kind.El juego del reflejo = The Game of the Reflection, Derli Romero, 2017. Signed by artist.Waiting (London), Adrienne Joy, 2016. Oil on panel.
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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 photos for you to enjoy!
During my walk this weekend through Balboa Park, I was excited to discover that the historic Old (1935) Cactus Garden behind the Balboa Park Club has been recently revitalized!
Dead and unsightly vegetation has been removed, the cacti and succulents look more beautiful than ever, and the pathways are in great condition!
I was also surprised to see a family of cats walking casually about in the sunshine, greeting me and a few other visitors who were passing through the cactus garden!
If you ever find yourself in Balboa Park and would like a quiet place to read or eat lunch, head over to the Old (1935) Cactus Garden. Not only will you be surrounded by natural beauty, but there are views of the Cabrillo Bridge and the distant California Tower.
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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!
Cool San Diego Sights! 