Tag: boats

Quiet spring day at Silver Strand State Beach.

Park ranger removing weeds near beach entrance.
Park ranger removing weeds near State Beach entrance.

The Silver Strand is a narrow strip of land that connects Coronado southward to Imperial Beach. The northern portion is used as a training ground for Navy Seals. Other areas contain housing, marinas and a hotel. Much of it remains in a natural state.

Halfway down the strand, sandwiched between San Diego Bay and the blue Pacific Ocean, you’ll find Silver Strand State Beach, a beautiful state park featuring a great beach, RV parking, a large picnic area, and a boating facility. Apart from the RV area, which is very popular, the place often seems half-deserted. Even during summer weekdays.

I rode my bike through the park on a perfectly sunny spring weekday and I saw half a dozen people.

Closed lifeguard lookout on Silver Strand State Beach.
Closed lifeguard lookout on Silver Strand State Beach.
Except for RVs to the north, beach is almost empty.
Except for RVs to the north, the beach is almost empty.
Kelp on natural beaches is the home of tiny wildlife.
Kelp on natural beaches is the home of tiny wildlife.
Silver Strand Grill is closed and nobody is about.
Silver Strand Grill is closed and nobody is about.
From one empty side of the strand to the other.
From one empty side of the strand to the other.

Here I’m passing through a tunnel under the highway from the Pacific side to the bay side.

Dozens of unused picnic tables on a sunny Spring weekday.
Dozens of unused picnic tables on a sunny Spring weekday.

There are scores of picnic benches on the bay side and very few ever seem to be used.

One small figure sits at end of picnic table row.
One small figure sits at end of picnic table row.
Colorful kayaks at Crown Cove Aquatic Center.
Colorful kayaks at Crown Cove Aquatic Center.

The boating center gets a little more activity on weekends. I’ve seen folks out rowing along the water.

Lots of unused boats on the bay side of Silver Strand.
Lots of unused boats on the bay side of Silver Strand.
San Diego Bay beyond a group of beached sailboats.
San Diego Bay beyond a group of beached sailboats.
Trail leads from Silver Strand bikeway across natural habitat.
Trail leads from Silver Strand bikeway across natural habitat.

You’ll find this natural area in the north part of Silver Strand State Beach, on the east side of the highway.

The wood plank nature trail is in disrepair.
The wood plank nature trail is in disrepair.

The endangered California least tern nests in clear, sandy areas along the Silver Strand. I wasn’t able to spot any during this visit.

Information sign rusted and unreadable.
Information sign rusted and unreadable.
A rabbit among brittle coastal plants.
A rabbit among brittle coastal plants.

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Life on the water in San Diego Bay’s Crescent.

Life on the water near San Diego Coast Guard Station.
Life on the water near San Diego Coast Guard Station.

Most people walking along San Diego’s Embarcadero never venture north of the Hornblower boats docked at the Grape Street pier. They’re missing a lively, less-touristy area of San Diego Bay known as the Crescent. Many residents live on small boats moored in this corner of the bay, just west of Little Italy and south of the Coast Guard Station.

Take a walk along the sidewalk and you’ll see folks sitting on benches looking out at the bay, or bicycling along, or out on the water rowing to their floating homes. You’ll see Coast Guard boats and helicopters, folks pumping out their boats, kayaks, fishermen, sea lions and lots of different birds. Turn around and you’ll see planes landing at Lindbergh Field.

Rowing to a boat moored in San Diego Bay's crescent area.
Rowing to a boat moored in San Diego Bay’s Crescent area.
Many people live in small boats on San Diego Bay.
Many people live in small boats on San Diego Bay.
This old sign describes the Crescent Area just south of the Coast Guard Station.
This old sign describes the Crescent Area just south of the Coast Guard Station.
People love to bicycle along the edge of picturesque San Diego Bay.
People love to bicycle along the edge of picturesque San Diego Bay.
Photo taken behind Coast Guard Auxiliary station on North Embarcadero.
Photo taken behind Coast Guard Auxiliary station on North Embarcadero.
Sprinkles of light dance on the small waves of San Diego Bay.
Sprinkles of light dance on the small waves of San Diego Bay.
One boat moored in the Crescent with downtown skyline in the background.
One boat moored in the Crescent with downtown skyline in the background.
Boater walks along the Embarcadero with some drums.
Boater walks along the Embarcadero with some drums.
Wildlife sign and boats on the North Embarcadero.
Wildlife sign and boats on the North Embarcadero.
Vessel Assist boat just brought in a disabled jet ski.
Vessel Assist boat just brought in a disabled jet ski.
Living on the water near downtown San Diego.
Living on the water near downtown San Diego.
This boat has a nice potted garden for a backyard.
This boat has a nice potted garden for a backyard.
Biking and reading a newspaper along Harbor Drive.
Biking and reading a newspaper along Harbor Drive.

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Old Coronado ferry ticket booth recalls history.

Original Coronado ferry ticket booth remains as historical artifact.
Original Coronado ferry ticket booth remains as historical artifact.

About a block north of today’s touristy Coronado Ferry Landing, you’ll find the old ticket booth of Coronado’s original ferry. It stands beside a garden full of colorful roses and a pleasant walkway that runs from the end of Orange Avenue east to San Diego Bay. This beautiful area is called Centennial Park.

The original ferry was designed to transport horses and buggies; later ferries took automobiles across the bay. This vital link to downtown San Diego ran from 1886 to 1969, the year the Coronado Bay Bridge finally opened.

Looking over roses near the nostalgic old ticket booth.
Looking over roses near the nostalgic old ticket booth.
Sign reminds passersby of nearly a century of history.
Sign reminds passersby of nearly a century of history.
Plaque describes the history of the once vital Coronado ferry.
Plaque describes the history of the once vital Coronado ferry.
Old Coronado ferry ticket booth surrounded by flowers.
Old Coronado ferry ticket booth surrounded by flowers.

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Early morning light on buildings and water.

Lone rower on San Diego Bay in golden morning light.
Lone rower on San Diego Bay in golden morning light.

I went for a walk bright and early yesterday morning. I got a few photographs of downtown San Diego along the waterfront.

The bay was quiet and very smooth. A lone rower was out slowing gliding across the water. The sun had just begun to rise in the cloudless sky behind shining skyscrapers…

Anthony Fishette's boat dock on a tranquil San Diego Bay.
Anthony Fish Grotto’s boat dock on a tranquil San Diego Bay.
Sunrise touches downtown San Diego skyscrapers with light.
Sunrise touches downtown San Diego skyscrapers with light.
An early morning look down Broadway in San Diego.
An early morning look down Broadway in San Diego.

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Love, play and relaxation on San Diego Bay.

Lovers have an intimate moment by the water.
Lovers have an intimate moment by the water.

These pics were all taken at Embarcadero Marina Park North.

People fascinated by beautiful San Diego Bay.
People fascinated by beautiful San Diego Bay.
Just relaxing on the grass enjoying a nice day.
Just relaxing on the grass enjoying a nice day.
Couple paddling boards in Marriott Marina.
Couple paddling along on boards in Marriott Marina.
Children explore the water from rocks.
Children explore the blue water from rocks.
Walking in Embarcadero Marina Park North.
A stroll  through Embarcadero Marina Park North.
Walking along the water past a picnic bench.
Walking along the water past a picnic bench.

Delightful heaps of junk on a working pier.

Solitary float on a pile of rusted rebar.
Solitary float on a pile of rusted rebar.

Tuna Harbor’s G Street Pier is one of my favorite places in San Diego.  The views of downtown and the bay are magnificent.  There are birds for company and swaying boats on all sides.  There are lobster traps stacked, nets in huge mounds, and heaps of amazing junk.

Take a look!

Ropes and chains in a delightful tangle.
Ropes and rusted chains in a delightful tangle.
Just a bunch of junk on Tuna Harbor Pier.
Just a bunch of junk on the Tuna Harbor pier.
Looking beyond colorful garbage at boats in the harbor.
Looking beyond colorful garbage at boats in the harbor.
Broken pallets lean against mound of nets covered in plastic.
Broken pallets lean against mound of nets covered in plastic.
Detached boat structure on pier frames San Diego skyscrapers.
Detached boat structure on pier frames San Diego skyscrapers.
Colorful floats scattered on Tuna Harbor Pier.
Colorful floats scattered on the public pier.
Adopt a Beach garbage can overflows on a pier.
Adopt a Beach garbage can overflows on the G Street Pier.
A working pier can resemble a chaotic junkyard.
A working pier can resemble a chaotic junkyard.
A leaf rake lies atop a ball of nets and ropes.
A leaf rake lies atop a ball of nets and ropes.
A large weed grows out of old nets on a working pier.
A large weed grows out of a small hill of old nets.
A beautiful image of sinuous yellow floats.
A beautiful image of sinuous yellow floats on a seine net.

A quiet New Year’s Day on San Diego Bay.

Anthony's Fishette is empty, closed on New Year's Day.
Anthony’s Fishette is empty, closed on New Year’s Day.

It didn’t matter that most places were closed.  The Embarcadero was wide open.

On this sunny New Year’s Day people were simply walking or sitting at the edge of San Diego Bay, gazing out at the water and boats.

People gaze at San Diego Bay from benches by The Fish Market.
People simply talk or gaze at San Diego Bay near The Fish Market.
Kids climb in trees near Greatest Generation Walk.
Kids climb in trees near Greatest Generation Walk.
Ice cream vendor near USS Midway scoops New Year's Day treat.
Street vendor near USS Midway scoops a New Year’s Day treat.
Man reads book on Tuna Harbor Pier on New Year's Day.
Man reads book on Tuna Harbor Pier for New Year’s Day.
Gull relaxes atop pile of yellow floats on pier.
Gull enters the new year atop pile of yellow floats.

Colorful boats beached on Shelter Island.

colorful boats beached on shelter island
Colorful boats beached on Shelter Island.

Many of these small boats are used by people who live on San Diego Bay in sailboats and other vessels moored nearby.  Beached at the dinghy landing next to Shelter Island’s boat ramp, many appear weathered and sun-faded…but quite colorful!

Here are a few more pics I took on a later walk…

Colorful sandy-bottomed boats lie on the sand near Shelter Island boat ramp.
Sandy-bottomed boats lie scattered near Shelter Island boat ramp.
Gazing along a small beach on Shelter Island in San Diego Bay.
Gazing along a small beach on Shelter Island in San Diego Bay.
Scattered rowboats and kayaks create a fascinating image.
Various rowboats and kayaks create a fascinating image.

Sailboats pass Manchester Grand Hyatt.

sailboats in front of the manchester grand hyatt

This photo shows sailboats on San Diego Bay passing the Manchester Grand Hyatt hotel, those two tall, sandy tan buildings.

Tour guides and pedicab drivers often joke that the downtown skyline resembles a set of tools. The Hyatt buildings resemble straight-edge screwdrivers; America Plaza, which you can see, resembles a phillips screwdriver; and another skyscraper, Emerald Plaza (not visible in this pic) resembles a set of socket wrenches!

Here’s a pic of a non-sailboat taken on a later occasion…

Lord Hornblower passes Hyatt hotel buildings on San Diego Bay.
Lord Hornblower passes Hyatt hotel buildings on San Diego Bay.

Big yachts docked behind Convention Center.

yachts behind san diego convention center

These private yachts are docked directly behind the San Diego Convention Center. Some can be really huge. Most are gorgeous. Over the years, I’ve seen a few that have helicopters or small airplanes!

I took the above photo while riding the ferry to Coronado island. The building jutting up in the background is the Omni Hotel, which stands in the Gaslamp adjacent to Petco Park.

The following pics were taken at various different times:

Large yachts docked behind convention center.
Large yachts docked behind convention center.
Luxury yachts with Coronado Bay Bridge in background.
Luxury yachts with Coronado Bay Bridge in background.
Crew member polishes Vibrant Curiosity.
Crew member polishes Vibrant Curiosity.
Rear of huge superyacht docked by convention center.
Rear of huge multi-level superyacht Majestic docked by convention center.
Oberon docked behind the San Diego Convention Center.
Oberon, a fast yacht support vessel, docked behind the San Diego Convention Center.
A row of private yachts docked in downtown San Diego.
A row of private yachts docked in downtown San Diego.
Looking south toward Hilton hotel behind San Diego Convention Center.
Looking south toward Hilton hotel behind San Diego Convention Center.
Two super yachts with small aircraft seen in April 2015. On the left, the enormous single-masted yacht M5 boasts a seaplane, while the Pacific carries a helicopter.
Two super yachts with small aircraft seen in April 2015. On the left, the enormous single-masted yacht M5 boasts a seaplane, while the Pacific carries a helicopter.
In October 2017 I saw Vava II, a 97-meter superyacht docked behind the San Diego Convention Center!
In October 2017 I saw Vava II, a 97-meter superyacht docked behind the San Diego Convention Center!
The Vava II, built by billionaire Swiss pharmaceutical tycoon Ernesto Bertarelli, is equipped with its own helicopter.
The Vava II, built by billionaire Swiss pharmaceutical tycoon Ernesto Bertarelli, is equipped with its own helicopter.
The brand new, blue-hulled luxury superyacht Chirundos among other impressive ships docked in San Diego in late 2017.
The brand new, blue-hulled luxury superyacht Chirundos among other impressive ships docked in San Diego in late 2017.
Beautiful yachts in a row behind the San Diego Convention Center.
Beautiful yachts in a row behind the San Diego Convention Center.
The beautiful Attessa, with helicopter, docked in San Diego in early January, 2018.
The sleek Attessa, with helicopter, docked in San Diego in early January, 2018.
People walk and jog along the south Embarcadero.
People walk and jog along the south Embarcadero.

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