Tag: color

Scenes of people enjoying life in Balboa Park.

Lady plays harp on El Prado in Balboa Park.
Lady plays harp on El Prado in Balboa Park.

Just some photos taken in Balboa Park of people enjoying life.

Glassblower at work in Balboa Park's Spanish Village.
Glassblower at work in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village.
Folks walk past fountain near Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.
Folks walk past fountain near Reuben H. Fleet Science Center.
Girl tries to grab brass ring on Balboa Park carousel.
Girl tries to grab brass ring on Balboa Park carousel.
Man plays guitar in Spanish Village gazebo.
Man plays guitar in Spanish Village gazebo.
People ride the Balboa Park Miniature Railroad.
People ride the Balboa Park Miniature Railroad.
Street performer plays an Australian didgeridoo.
Street performer plays an Australian didgeridoo.
Two artists on El Prado paint colorful canvases.
Two artists on El Prado paint colorful canvases.
Two young men enjoy slacklining in Balboa Park.
Two young men enjoy slacklining in Balboa Park.
Boy plays with ball while man reads Balboa Park plaque.
Boy plays with ball while man reads Balboa Park plaque.
Man sails small boat near Balboa Park fountain.
Man sails small boat near Balboa Park fountain.
Handmade boat near Balboa Park fountain.
Handmade boat near Balboa Park fountain.

Stunning sunrise over downtown San Diego.

Blazing sunrise seen from Tweet Street park in San Diego.
Blazing sunrise seen from Tweet Street park in San Diego.

Check out these photographs!  I captured these three amazing images early this morning.  Sunrises over San Diego are often beautiful, but today the brightly painted clouds were absolutely stunning!

Fiery sunrise over Cortez Hill in downtown San Diego.
Fiery sunrise over Cortez Hill in downtown San Diego.
Beautiful sunrise colors clouds above El Cortez Hotel.
Beautiful sunrise colors clouds above El Cortez Hotel.

Just for fun, here are a couple more photos! I took these in March of 2015…

El Cortez seen from a couple blocks away early one morning at sunrise.
El Cortez seen from a couple blocks away early one morning at sunrise.
The sun begins to rise as I take a picture on Cortez Hill.
The sun begins to rise as I take a picture on Cortez Hill.

Surreal images transform a Hillcrest sidewalk.

The heart's persistent eye stares out at the city.
The heart’s persistent eye stares out at the city.

An electrical transformer box on the sidewalk near Sixth and Robinson in Hillcrest has been painted with surreal images.  Here are several colorful pics!

Surreal image transforms a Hillcrest sidewalk.
Surreal image transforms a Hillcrest sidewalk.
Peace symbol, planet Earth, paintbrush and stars on side of Hillcrest transformer.
Peace symbol, planet Earth, paintbrush and stars on side of Hillcrest transformer.

Colorful art on a downtown San Diego street.

Colorful art on a downtown San Diego street.
Colorful art on a downtown San Diego street.

You can find this colorful artwork on the side of a building on Tenth Avenue as you enter downtown San Diego from Highway 163.

Looks to me like the artist has inserted architectural elements from the California missions into a Mediterranean scene.

Looking down the sidewalk where the mural is located.
Looking down the sidewalk where the mural is located.

Beautiful color and art at Broadway Pier.

Roof of Broadway Pier Port Pavilion and clouds in blue sky.
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.
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.

Front of Broadway Pier structure faces Harbor Drive.
Tidal Radiance on front of Port Pavilion, facing Harbor Drive.

Here’s another pic taken on a later day just for fun…

Pier pilings, harbor cruise boat and the beautiful pavilion.
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 Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier.
Altered photo of the glittering Tidal Radiance.
Tables and umbrellas have been added near the foot of the Broadway Pier.
Tables and umbrellas have been added near the foot of the Broadway Pier.

…

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Lots of Balboa Park December Nights photos!

Here comes a batch of photos taken Friday afternoon and early evening at 2013 December Nights.  If you haven’t been to Balboa Park’s massive holiday festival, you’re really missing out.  Hundreds of thousands of people turn out during the two day event, enjoying colorful lights, decorations, music, Christmas carols, food, entertainment, and just a whole bunch of fun.  Every corner of the park is crammed with stuff to see and do.  And it seems half of San Diego comes out to experience it all!

Some might recall that December Nights was once called Christmas on the Prado.  Fortunately, the event is as joyful, bright, inspirational and heart-warming as ever.  And the crowds seem bigger than ever!

Vendors set up festive booths in courtyard in front of the Museum of Man.
Vendors set up festive booths in courtyard in front of the Museum of Man.
Front of the Old Globe Theatre features a banner of the Dr. Seuss Grinch.
Front of the Old Globe Theatre features a banner of the Dr. Seuss Grinch.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas holiday tree in Balboa Park's theatre complex.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas holiday tree in theatre complex.
Getting ready for the evening crowds in Balboa Park's central plaza on Friday afternoon of December Nights.
Getting ready for crowds in Balboa Park’s central plaza on Friday afternoon.
Funnel cakes, lemonade and kettle corn for the holidays!
Funnel cakes, lemonade and kettle corn for the holidays!
December Nights crowd grows in Spanish Village by late afternoon.
December Nights crowd grows in Spanish Village by late afternoon.
Santa awaits beyond colorful decorations in Spanish Village.
Santa awaits beyond colorful decorations in Spanish Village.
An enormous Christmas tree decorates the stage of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
Enormous Christmas tree decorates the stage of the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
One nativity scene in the large creche at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
One nativity scene in the large creche at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
Tijuana school kids dressed as vaqueros and angels wait to perform at December Nights.
Tijuana school kids dressed as vaqueros and angels wait to perform.
Children perform in front of big Christmas tree on Spreckels Organ Pavilion stage.
Children perform by big Christmas tree on Spreckels Organ Pavilion stage.
The December Nights fun zone rides will become more active after dark.
The December Nights fun zone rides will become more active after dark.
This guy's shirt wishes everyone a Merry Solstice.
This guy’s shirt wishes everyone a Merry Solstice.
Food and yummy smells can be found all over Balboa Park.
Food and yummy smells can be found all over Balboa Park.
Sunset nears and the tower atop the San Diego Junior Theatre building turns gold.
Sunset nears and the tower atop San Diego Junior Theatre building turns gold.
A December day fades above Balboa Park and the clouds are tinged with color.
A December day fades above Balboa Park and the clouds are tinged with color.
Now the evening crowd is really growing at December Nights!
Now the evening crowd is really growing at December Nights!
Glee Club of Australia kids sing and dance in Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
Glee Club of Australia kids sing and dance in Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
One of several Santas in Balboa Park.
One of several Santas in Balboa Park.
San Diego Junior Theatre kids sing Christmas carols.
San Diego Junior Theatre kids sing Christmas carols.
Balboa Park Miniature Train in front of San Diego Zoo lit up with Christmas lights.
Balboa Park Miniature Train in front of San Diego Zoo lit with Christmas lights.
Balboa Park fountain and Natural History Museum illuminated for December Nights.
Balboa Park fountain and Natural History Museum lit up for December Nights.

Poinsettia Christmas tree at Seaport Village.

Poinsettia Christmas tree by Seaport Village carousel.
Poinsettia Christmas tree by Seaport Village carousel.

Every year during the holiday season you can find this enormous bright red Christmas tree standing right next to the Seaport Village carousel.  It’s built entirely of poinsettias!  Lots of visitors enjoy posing for photographs beside it!

Manchester Grand Hyatt towers behind poinsettia Christmas tree at Seaport Village.
Manchester Grand Hyatt towers behind poinsettia Christmas tree at Seaport Village.

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.

Art at Santa Fe Depot shows San Diego history.

Check out this cool public art!  A series of beautiful, detailed scenes from San Diego history decorate ten columns just north of downtown’s Santa Fe Depot, where they can be viewed by trolley riders as they head toward Little Italy.  The handmade tiles which form the exquisite sculptural mosaics were pieced together by Betsy K. Schulz in 2008. Located on the west side of downtown’s Sapphire Tower residential condominium, the artwork is titled The Tracks We Leave Behind.

As one proceeds north one moves forward through time, from the earliest days of San Diego right up to the present day.  I sorted these photos in such a way that you move backward into the past…

01 san diego arts and gaslamp
San Diego arts and the Gaslamp.
02 san diego on the move
San Diego on the move.
03 san diego a generation ago
San Diego a generation or two ago.
04 palomar telescope and bay bridge
Palomar telescope and Coronado Bay Bridge.
05 tuna fishing and ship building
Tuna fishing and ship building.
06 lindbergh and san diego zoo
Lindbergh and the San Diego Zoo.
07 half a century of history
Half a century of history.
08 sagebrush to city
From sagebrush to city.
09 an american town
An American town.
10 citizens of old san diego
Citizens of Old Town San Diego.
11 san diego's californios
San Diego’s Californios.
12 spanish missions and settlements
Spanish missions and early settlements.
13 cabrillo discovers bay
In 1769 the Presidio and Mission San Diego are established.
14 early explorers
Cabrillo and early explorers map San Diego Bay.
15 native americans in san diego
Native Americans in San Diego.
16 wild nature and wide open spaces
Wild nature and wide open spaces!

Colorful street art in Mission Valley.

colorful dog breeds painted on utility box

Check out these two photos of utility boxes I spotted while walking to work today in Mission Valley.  They sit side-by-side a bit north of the San Diego River on a corner of Camino del Este.

The first box is painted in an amusing fashion with all sorts of dog breeds.  Looks like the artist was definitely a lover of canines!

beautiful flowers decorate a utility box

This second box is super colorful.  I’ve observed that flowers are often central elements in street art.  Perhaps people crave a bit of natural beauty in the concrete jungle.