Kid checks out a military robot at the STEM fair on the Broadway Pier during San Diego’s 2016 Fleet Week.
2016 Fleet Week is a big deal in San Diego. Our city is the home port of much of the United States Navy’s Pacific Fleet. Today, Saturday, I walked down to the Embarcadero to see a little of what is going on during the event this year. I visited the Broadway Pier and the military STEM fair, then headed over to the USS Midway Museum. The flight deck of the USS Midway was by far the best vantage point to watch today’s Sea and Air Parade, which I learned has returned to San Diego after an eight years’ absence.
As usual, many events are being held during Fleet Week in San Diego. On the Broadway Pier and the B Street Pier, exhibits demonstrate various technologies utilized by the military.Visitors at 2016 Fleet Week on the Broadway Pier peer inside an LAV-25A2 Light Armored Vehicle.A water filtration system that uses reverse osmosis in the field, often far from reliable water sources, on display for curious STEM fair visitors.This enormous gun on San Diego’s Embarcadero during 2016 Fleet Week is an M777A2 155MM Howitzer.And this is an M327 120MM Rifled Towed Mortar.Inside the Port Pavilion, an extensive exhibit demonstrates medical facilities that would be set up near an area of combat. This is a surgical tent.This is a dental chair! Even the toughest warriors occasionally need to have cavities filled.Out on the boardwalk near the USS Midway, cool cars are on display for 2016 Fleet Week in San Diego.One of many cars that visitors to the Embarcadero can check out. They are on display to promote the speed festival at North Island next weekend. Races are held every year during Fleet Week on the Navy air base’s huge runway!This car, I was told, would actually race in the Fleet Week Coronado Speed Festival. The public can watch auto races next weekend at Naval Air Station North Island, situated across San Diego Bay.People buy tickets to board the USS Midway Museum. The aircraft carrier turned 71 years old today. It has become one of San Diego’s top attractions.Inside the hangar deck of the USS Midway during 2016 Fleet Week. The aircraft carrier has been voted best museum ship in the United States.The USS Midway aircraft carrier celebrated its 71st anniversary today. She was commissioned just as World War II came to an end.A cake to celebrate 71 years of history on the USS Midway!Up on the Midway’s flight deck, people head toward viewpoints overlooking San Diego Bay. Fleet Week’s Sea and Air Parade is about to begin!At the rail of the USS Midway. There are beautiful views in every direction. Any day is a great day to visit.Navy officers and VIPs listen to some short speeches just before the Sea and Air Parade begins.USS Midway Museum volunteer salutes the American flag while the Star Spangled Banner is sung.Here comes USS America, the flagship of 2016 Fleet Week in San Diego. She is only the fourth American warship to ever be given the very special name.Sailors in white line the deck of USS America as she passes through San Diego Bay during Fleet Week’s Sea and Air Parade.Next comes the USS Champion, an Avenger class ship that can seek out and destroy mines.According to my Fleet Week program book, I believe this is an ACTUV, or Anti-Submarine Continuous Trail Unmanned Vehicle. Correct me if I’m wrong!People watch the Sea and Air Parade from launch ramps at the bow of the USS Midway.Folks gathered on Navy Pier wave to tourists and others crossing the bay on the Coronado Ferry.The Coast Guard’s USCGC Sherman endurance cutter is given an assist by a tug boat as it comes into dock during the Sea and Air Parade.Lots of people watch the action on San Diego Bay from the end of the Broadway Pier. USS Kidd is in the background, hosting public tours from the B Street Pier.A pair of jets pass overhead during the 2016 San Diego Fleet Week Sea and Air Parade.People on the flight deck of USS Midway take in sunshine and military pageantry during 2016 Fleet Week in San Diego.
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A San Diego Bike to Work Day pit stop in front of 550 West C Street early in the morning. Hello!
Today was Bike to Work Day in San Diego! There were over a hundred pit stops around the county, and I’ve learned that nearly ten thousand bicyclists participated!
This morning I started a bit earlier than usual so that I could walk past 5 pit stops downtown. (As followers of Cool San Diego Sights might know already, I happen to be a walk/trolley/bus to work person. Because I simply love walking and the outdoors, plus living downtown makes it very convenient.)
The city was still a bit sleepy as I headed west along B Street–about 6:30–and the morning light wasn’t ideal for photography when I passed two bicycle pits stops at The Donut Bar and the Wells Fargo building. I did manage to get some sharp pics once I arrived at Civic Center Plaza! Lots of people were smiling!
A couple of bicyclists pedal up Third Avenue near Civic Center Plaza during Bike to Work Day.This pit stop in Civic Center Plaza near City Hall was already seeing some incoming cyclists at this early hour. There is an active City of San Diego Bicycle Program.Bike maps, information and other goodies were given away to promote commuting by bicycle to work around San Diego.A huge Share The Road banner hung in Civic Center Plaza.Morning commuter on a bicycle waits alongside a bus for a traffic light on Broadway.On Harbor Drive at the Broadway Pier, a pit stop included a San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce table.These friendly guys representing engineering company CH2M Hill did the wave for me, but I liked this photo of them smiling better!Someone pedals past San Diego’s historic tall ship Star of India. Another beautiful day has begun.A bicyclist rolls down Pacific Highway on the morning of San Diego’s Bike to Work Day.
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Orange and yellow logo of visiting Norwegian Sun cruise ship reflected on rippled water in San Diego Bay.
A big rush this morning. But I had enough time to walk down to the Broadway Pier. Slowing myself for a few moments, breathing in fresh air, I was enchanted by the surrounding quiet, the growing morning light, and mysterious reflections.
Bow and bridge of the Norwegian Sun, docked at the San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal. The image is reflected in the orange and clear windows of a nearby gift shop.Early morning light at San Diego’s Broadway Pier. The Coronado ferry has begun another trip across the quiet, glassy water.Reflection of downtown San Diego’s nearby skyline in the windows of the Port Pavilion. Photo taken as the sun climbs above building rooftops, from the Broadway Pier.
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Workers have begun to install the first paver “bricks” dedicated to people, businesses or organizations at the foot of San Diego’s Broadway Pier.
I was walking along San Diego’s waterfront after work today, enjoying what remained of daylight, when I spied some sort of construction underway at the foot of the Broadway Pier. I moseyed over to check it out.
I discovered that the first of the custom pavers are being installed by the Port of San Diego, in the wide new plaza at the pier’s entrance. Anyone can sponsor a paver “brick” and have a name engraved upon it for posterity. Phrases such as “In memory of,” “In celebration of,” “In honor of,” “Sponsored by,” “Established in,” and “Dedicated to” are allowed. Plaques on furniture such as tables, chairs and benches can also be customized with a name of your choosing. A tall stack of pavers was ready to be installed, so it looks to me like the Port of San Diego is off to a good start!
Interested? Check out sdportwalk.org for further details!
San Diego’s North Embarcadero, often referred to as the city’s front porch, has undergone enormous improvements in recent years. I’ve lived downtown for 15 years, and the waterfront is more beautiful, friendly and functional than ever. But additional phases in its revitalization await completion. According to the Port of San Diego website, money that is raised will help fund future improvements and developments on the Embarcadero.
Anyone can place their name on a permanent paver to help support improvements to the North Embarcadero. Custom plaques on furniture, like public benches and tables, are also available.Some of the first pavers are engraved with the names of VIPs. Included are the current Mayor, several Port of San Diego officials, and City Council President.Smiling Port of San Diego guys explained to me a little about this ongoing project. Ultimately, these legacy “paving blocks” will stretch in a band across the entrance to Broadway Pier.Looking east down Broadway from the foot of the pier, on San Diego’s continually improving, very beautiful Embarcadero.
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The huge Crown Princess cruise ship is docked on San Diego’s Embarcadero.
Everyone has seen photos of cruise ships, but two beauties were docked on San Diego’s waterfront this morning and gleaming in the sunshine, so I had to whip out my camera!
Once in a while, two or three cruise ships visit downtown at the same time. Some of these vessels are so huge that stood on end they’d dwarf many nearby skyscrapers. The two ships I saw in port today are operated by Princess Cruise Line. Both are classified as Grand-class cruise ships and have nearly identical lengths. Even after seeing them in person, it’s hard for me to grasp that these ships are 950 feet long! The Crown Princess can carry 3,080 passengers with a crew of 1,201. The Star Princess accommodates 2,590 passengers and a crew of 1,150. Incredible!
Two luxurious Grand-class cruise ships gleam on either side of the Cruise Ship Terminal.Gull checks out an amazing morning sight. Photo taken from the Broadway Pier.Man gazes at the sunlit bay. The fenced area is where the Bay Cafe used to stand. It soon will be an observation platform.
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Ready to board R/V Melville from San Diego’s Broadway Pier before the research ship is retired.
The research ship Melville retired today. For five decades scientists aboard the ship helped to expand our understanding of the oceans, marine biology and planet Earth. I headed down to the Broadway Pier on San Diego’s Embarcadero this morning, because for one rare and final time the general public was invited to tour this legendary ship!
The R/V Melville, the oldest active ship in the University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System fleet of marine research ships, was launched by the Navy in 1969. Operated by the world-famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography in La Jolla, the vessel has undertaken 391 research cruises and steamed a total of 1,547,080 nautical miles. A fact sheet distributed to today’s visitors also notes that the Melville logged over 90 equator crossings and has hosted around 7,116 scientists from 237 institutions. That amounts to a lot of knowledge gained!
The amazing oceanographic research ship was named after George Melville, an arctic explorer and Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. One interesting fact: the ship was used in the filming of the 1976 movie King Kong!
I took these photos as I enjoyed this fascinating final tour of the ship. I hope my captions accurately describe what I saw. (If they don’t, please leave a comment!) Some of the interior shots are a bit blurry. I apologize.
The Melville is operated by the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, part of UCSD in La Jolla.One of many friendly, helpful people who’ve served on the history-making ship.The tour started at the bow. Downtown San Diego skyline rises in the background.Excited people climb up toward the pilot house of Melville.The shiny ship’s bell!Huge number of buttons, knobs, switches and dials in the pilot house of Melville.A second photo of the complicated ship control console.The ship’s log is open on some navigational charts.Looking out porthole from the chief scientist’s quarters below deck.The chief scientist during research cruises slept here.The library, lounge and study contains many shelves of books and several interesting displays.Graphic in library depicts the R/V Melville.Portrait of George Wallace Melville, the ship’s namesake.Bronze plaque commemorates the Melville’s launch date in 1968.Painting by artist Chuzo of the Melville hangs in a corridor near some stairs below deck.Meal hours are posted on door leading to the cafeteria.Visitors check out the mess hall where crew and research scientists enjoyed a break, to eat, talk and share knowledge.Hungry folks can choose bug juice or milk. I’ll take milk, please!Numbered mugs on the mess hall wall. Number 1 belongs to the captain.Several masks, ethnic artifacts and marine objects decorate the walls of the cafeteria.A look at a shipboard laboratory where various materials could be analyzed.At the photo’s center is a winch control. Video monitors help scientists visualize their work underwater.Gauge registers up to 75,000 pounds of tension!Massive A-frame at stern of Melville. The working deck contains exhibits for people to check out.Sea Soar is an undulating towed vehicle used to collect real-time information, from the sea surface to a depth of 400 meters.This outdoor area can be closed off during rough weather so that work can be performed when conditions are poor.M.O.C.N.E.S.S. Multiple Opening/Closing Net and Environmental Sensing System allows oceanographers to catch zooplankton and measure environmental properties like salinity and temperature.Kids examine a rock dredge, used for the recovery of heavy material on the ocean floor.Van Veen Grab for ocean floor sampling. When it hits bottom, the jaws close and grab a sample of sediment, rocks and creatures.Seismic Sound Source for sub seafloor acoustic imaging. Towed behind research vessel in conjunction with hydrophone streamer arrays to image the sub-seafloor geologic structure.Heavy machinery available on the complex ship includes multiple winches, cables, cranes.Ocean probe with multiple sensors near an A-frame at ship’s side, where it might be lowered by cable into the water.CTD and Water Sampling Rosette measures conductivity, temperature and depth with a variety of sensors. Other chemical and biological parameters can also be measured.The super strong cable runs from here to one of two A-frames, where equipment can be towed or lowered.One of many powerful winches on the research vessel Melville.View from Broadway Pier of A-frame jutting from the Melville’s side.Farewell R/V Melville. The human race learned much during your many decades of service!
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Roving lady stilt walker with parasol welcomes people to Broadway Pier celebration.
I really enjoyed checking out a special event around the Broadway Pier today. San Diego’s bayfront is in the middle of a very large-scale multi-year renovation, and the completion of the North Embarcadero Visionary Plan Phase I was marked this afternoon with a public celebration!
The big Port Pavilion on the pier itself and various improvements and new structures around the foot of the pier have added color, new life and functionality to an area popular with both tourists and locals. A once narrow sidewalk is now a broad promenade, with lots of fun and exciting new features. There are new benches, shady pavilions, beautiful landscaping and other welcome amenities.
I’ll post some of my better photos, and you can enjoy a bit of what I saw…
San Diegans check out the newly revamped section of the North Embarcadero.New benches along Harbor Drive are festive today for the celebrationMusicians near entrance to Broadway Pier entertain folks for the Port of San Diego.A crazy magician wowed young and old on the action-packed pier today.Exactly who are you pointing at?New tables and chairs provide great view of the bay at end of Broadway Pier.Brave souls soar down a zip-line with a docked cruise ship in background.A kids fun zone near the pier featured a very cool Seal Tours amphibious vehicle.Chalk art created on the pier beneath the zip-line celebrates San Diego sights and tourism.Artist of Mexikota Art works on a canvas south of the pier near Harbor Drive.Folks check out a new sign which features nearby places on the Embarcadero.The unique design on this restroom was created by renowned artist Pae White. This artwork is titled Birds’ Words.Art for the North Embarcadero improvement was created by Pae White. The pavilion buildings’ glass colors were selected based on how sunlight affects the bay.Mariachis take a break between performances near one new colorful pavilion.Mural around walls of a pavilion shows timeline of this bustling stretch of San Diego Bay.Both North and South Embarcadero have seen dramatic changes over the decades.More colorful glass artwork incorporated into a new pavilion along Harbor Drive.San Diego’s waterfront has become more beautiful, user-friendly and interesting!
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Trees ready for planting in new park on Embarcadero.
Major improvements to the North Embarcadero are well underway, and I was able to get some interesting pics yesterday!
Harbor Drive is undergoing a facelift from the Coast Guard Station down to the USS Midway Museum. This area is considered San Diego’s front doorstep, but until this renovation it’s been more parking lot than park.
Many large-scale changes are going to make San Diego even more beautiful! The two ugly parking lots on either side of the County Administration Building are being transformed into grassy waterfront parks; Harbor Drive is being made more pedestrian friendly with pavilions, flower beds and new restrooms; most of the traffic on Harbor Drive will now be diverted onto Pacific Highway.
I’m really looking forward to the project’s completion!
Workers prepare public park near Star of India.County Administration Building will have grass parks on either side.Working on a new pavilion on San Diego’s front doorstep.New pavilion being built behind the Bay Cafe.Sign near Broadway Pier describes Embarcadero improvements.Anchor on Harbor Drive near USS Midway Museum.
Here are two pics I took on 5/24/14…
New waterfront pavilion under construction.Building made of words to be part of new Embarcadero.
And two more pics from 9/20/14…
Pavilion near Broadway will complete part of North Embarcadero Visionary Plan.The word SKY allows light to shine in from the sky!
UPDATE!
I took the following pictures on November 9, 2014. The improvements around the Broadway Pier appear to be nearly finished!
New pavilion near Broadway Pier is almost finished in early November 2014.Colorful glass, shiny surfaces and word-shaped skylights are a delight!Worker putting final touches on a ticket booth to be used by harbor cruise company.Word shining from roof of pavilion spells JOY.Restroom walls are formed of crazy letters spelling various words.A new hotel is rising across Harbor Drive, at site of old Lane Field, north of Broadway.
Roof of Broadway Pier’s beautiful Port Pavilion and clouds in blue sky.
I really like the above photo. That’s the rooftop of the relatively new Port Pavilion at San Diego’s Broadway Pier. I got this colorful pic while standing to the south on nearby Navy Pier.
Until recently the Broadway Pier was a bit barren. Years ago I remember a small two-level observation structure in the middle, with some potted trees arranged about it.
The pier itself was built in 1919. It has been used by the Navy, the local fishing fleet, and even the royal yacht Britannia during a visit in 1983 by Queen Elizabeth. Today the pavilion accommodates special events and cruise ships.
Broadway Pier and downtown San Diego skyscrapers.
This second photo puts that rooftop in context. What a gorgeous December day!
Here comes a third pic taken on a summer day. The silvery stainless steel artwork on the building’s facade was created by internationally renowned artist and lighting designer Leni Schwendinger. It’s called Tidal Radiance.
The shining public art appears like sunlight reflected from rippling water. It also lights up at night.
Tidal Radiance on front of Port Pavilion, facing Harbor Drive.
Here’s another pic taken on a later day just for fun…
Water, pier piles, harbor cruise boat and the beautiful pavilion.
And, finally, two more! The last photo, taken in early October 2014, shows colorful umbrellas and tables recently added near the foot of the Broadway Pier.
Very nice!
Altered photo of the glittering Tidal Radiance.Tables and umbrellas have been added near the foot of the Broadway Pier.
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This photo was taken from Navy Pier just south of the Broadway Pier. It shows a cluster of Hornblower and Flagship harbor excursion boats, plus the big Celebrity Solstice cruise ship at the San Diego cruise ship terminal. If you were to turn to the right, you’d see the historic Santa Fe train depot and shining downtown skyline closeby.
The red, white and blue Patriot speed boat is a new addition to the growing fleet of tour and charter boats seen daily on our beautiful Big Bay!
The following pics were taken on another day:
Harbor tour ships and a Water Taxi next to Broadway Pier.Harbor tour photographer gets photographed!People linger on dock near water taxis.Harbor cruise ships with Navy Broadway Complex in the background.A view of downtown and harbor cruise ships from approaching ferry.The Lord Hornblower approaches as people disembark from Coronado ferry.Patriot speed boat leaves dock, passing USS Midway.
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