Eight stunning works of digital art add beauty to the walls of the Chula Vista Public Library Civic Center Branch. They were created by artist Galina Semenova and are titled Dreams Beyond Tomorrow. Take a look at them.
The Dreamscape portraits “visualize the inner worlds of eight women navigating metastatic breast cancer…”They encourage us to slow down and live in the moment. As the artist states: “I invite you to stop running. Let these stories remind you than in an uncertain world, our most powerful act is to truly see one another in this very moment.”
Slowing down in a hectic, demanding world can be hard. But in our uncertain lives, what is truly important?
It’s a question we all should ask ourselves
…
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.)
Several weeks ago a new museum opened in Chula Vista. It’s called the Chula Vista Museum and History Center. I visited it for the first time late last week.
The museum building at first sight might be mistaken for an ordinary home, until you notice the banner in front. Stepping inside, you’ll find yourself surrounded by multiple displays recalling the rich, diverse history of this South Bay community.
The museum’s inaugural main exhibition is The Chula Vista Japanese American Story.
Photographs and historical artifacts tell the story of Japanese immigrants who established farms in Chula Vista, becoming an important part of the community. Then visitors are shown, with the advent of World War II, how these loyal Americans were unjustly incarcerated.
When the war finally concluded and families returned home, these hard-working residents of Chula Vista would go on to become successful once again.
By seeing photographs of real people, and by learning all that they endured, an unfortunate period in history is better understood.
The museum features several rooms. They’re overflowing with more fascinating stuff. From early Chula Vista to the present time, you can visually appreciate the city’s enormous growth and evolution.
If you’d like to visit this new museum, make sure to check out their website by clicking here first.
…
To follow my blog, find the “Follow” box in this website’s sidebar. Or bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
The good news: Bill of Rights remains based in Chula Vista, thanks to the advocacy of many. The schooner will continue to train Sea Scouts and Boy Scouts and serve as an educational platform. Hooray!
However, I could see how the wooden ship still needs help with its redecking. I also learned the ship is due for its periodic haul out for hull inspection and maintenance. Of course, all of this takes money.
Interested in lending a hand?
Click this webpage to learn various ways you can keep this unique and important tall ship going strong!
…
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 Bonita Museum has had some huge changes in the past year. A bunch of cool public art has appeared outside the museum, including the striking blue building exterior! I enjoyed seeing it all a few days ago.
I’ve already posted photographs of two works of public art by the museum’s parking lot: the WR This Cats Smarthorse sculpture that debuted in 2021, and the Inner Strength sculpture, which debuted earlier this year.
The Inner Strength sculpture was created by Chula Vista artist Michael Leaf. He is also responsible for the new blue museum exterior composed of differently cut aluminum panels, whose appearance is transformed as the day’s light changes. This unique building “skin” was created with special paint that changes hues. It’s appropriately titled Chameleon IT.
Some photographs on a fairly sunny day…
Michael Leaf has also contributed these two unusual seats, which he designed and built. They seem to be erupting vertically with energy. They’re titled Communication Chairs…
And he created this happy sculpture: Lead with Your heART!
Inner Strength rises near the center of the parking lot in front of the Bonita Museum & Cultural Center and Bonita-Sunnyside Library. You can’t possibly miss it!
The striking steel sculpture debuted earlier this year. It was created by South Bay artist Michael Leaf. The public art is part of a new sculpture garden located outside the museum.
(I’ll be posting photos of two other pieces by Leaf in the sculpture garden coming up!)
A plaque at the base of Inner Strength reads:
May “Inner Strength” serve as a reminder that true strength goes beyond physical strength; it is our ability to overcome challenges and rise above adversity.
Please let this statue inspire you to recognize the resilience that lies within each of us. May it stand as a beacon of hope and a symbol of unity for our community; encouraging us all to embrace our inner strengths and support one another on our journeys.
With Love and Light, Michael, Stephanie and Canon Leaf
At the center of Inner Strength is a heart.
…
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.)
An excellent exhibition opened in July at the Bonita Museum. Strength of Service: Women of the Armed Forces celebrates the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America by highlighting voices of local women who’ve served their country.
As the exhibition webpage explains, visitors can enjoy a unique look at local Military Women, history, personal stories, and inspiring artistic tributes.
A variety of military uniforms worn by local heroes stand at the center of the museum gallery. They bring home the fact that real people actually wore those uniforms and sacrificed to protect freedoms that we enjoy.
The walls surrounding the uniforms feature military honors, articles, personal memories, emotionally moving works of art, historical flags, and posted thank you notes penned by grateful visitors.
Two of the gallery walls contain a long, detailed timeline, covering the Revolutionary War to the present. Words, illustrations and photographs recall many ways women have served our nation over the course of its history.
If you’re in the neighborhood, I recommend a visit to the free Bonita Museum before this exhibition wraps up on August 29, 2026.
(I hadn’t visited the museum in a very long time and was excited to find new public art outside. I’ll be blogging about that shortly!)
…
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.)
Last weekend, while walking around the new Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in Chula Vista, I stumbled upon these three very beautiful murals. They’re located near the water park at the southwest corner of the resort, next to the roundabout at the end of H Street. They decorate a small plaza.
The artist of all three murals is Lauren Elyse S. According to information beside each mural, she’s a San Diego interdisciplinary artist who loves the medium of paint and how brushstrokes communicate mood and energy. You can see her love for nature in the images she created!
I’ve noticed the Gaylord Resort has also placed informative signs about our natural environment in various spots near outdoor walkways. Very cool!
Lilac, Pine, Cypress, Sage by artist Lauren Elyse S., 2025. A painted landscape, inspired by the radiant light in Chula Vista.Spilled Honey by artist Lauren Elyse S., 2025. Inspired by spring plant life in the mountains of Chula Vista.Coral Hour by artist Lauren Elyse S., 2025. Depicting the trees of Chula Vista Bayfront Park, with the Coronado Bay Bridge in the background.
…
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.)
Three classes of schooner raced from a point off Shelter Island, out of San Diego Bay through the channel, around a couple of buoy markers, and back.
I was privileged to be aboard Bill of Rights out of Chula Vista. Our primary opponent of similar size during the Schooner Cup was Californian of the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
Bill of Rights began its journey out of Chula Vista Harbor under its diesel engine. At this time we got our sails ready. Once the race began under watch of the SGYC Race Committee boat off Shelter Island, it was all wind power!
Several dozen people were aboard–crew members plus passengers–and many volunteer hands were employed pulling on lines when raising the sails and tacking during the race. The ship’s dog Justice kept watch on all the activity!
I took lots of photos!
Mind you, I’m a complete novice when it comes to sailing. I asked a bunch of questions, and I hope my descriptions here have been accurate.
Who won? As of this moment I don’t know where to find the results. (UPDATE–they’re now on the Schooner Cup webpage.)
As I understand it, we DNFed because we missed our first mark! (UPDATE–we sailed the wrong course!) No matter. It was a fun, wonderful day for all on an amazing, historic tall ship, sailing out on the sunlit water.
My photographs begin as we start out from Chula Vista Harbor…
We’re near Shelter Island, where the various schooners are sailing around before the race begins…
Maneuvering for position as the America’s Schooner Cup race is about to begin!
Here we go!
Soon after this dramatic moment out on the Pacific Ocean, the schooners chose different tacks and became widely separated. No more close up photos of our competitors.
Finally, sailing back into San Diego Bay. That’s Justice the ship’s dog keeping lookout!
…
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.)
