Tag: cool

The cool America Plaza trolley station.

San Diego Trolley stops at cool America Plaza station.
San Diego Trolley stops at cool America Plaza station.

There are a few San Diego Trolley stations that are unusual and especially interesting. One is the partially enclosed station at America Plaza. Every busy day, long red trolleys snake through the skirt of the tall, glassy building. One America Plaza is the highest skyscraper downtown, and stands just across Kettner Boulevard from the Santa Fe Depot.

Looking outward from the partially enclosed trolley station.
Looking outward from the partially enclosed trolley station.
Silver Line trolley stops at America Plaza.
Silver Line trolley stops at America Plaza.
Taking a walk through the shady station on a sunny day.
Taking a walk through the shady station on a sunny day.

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Cool new Pocket Park opens in East Village.

New pocket park in East Village in downtown San Diego.
New pocket park in East Village in downtown San Diego.

Today a very cool new public park opened. It’s called Pocket Park. You’ll find it near the corner of 13th Avenue and J Street in East Village, which is a booming neighborhood in the east part of downtown San Diego. Tucked between buildings on either side, the clever little park will make a great gathering place for the neighborhood.

Large letters on the ground and stacked pallets form a gigantic word find. The puzzle contains words like PADRES and PETCO, which are associated with East Village. The Downtown San Diego Partnership helped to make this new park a reality.

Looks like a great place to relax and read a book!

People enjoy new cozy, creative urban park.
People enjoy new cozy, creative urban park.
Letters on the ground and pallets form a big word find puzzle.
Letters on the ground and pallets form a big word find puzzle.
Finding words about local places requires a bit of looking.
Finding words about local places requires a bit of looking.
Folks enjoy opening day of the new pocket park.
Folks enjoy opening day of the new pocket park.
Sign describes this lively and engaging space.
Sign describes this lively and engaging space.
East Village has a cool new gathering place.
East Village has a cool new gathering place.

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Cool pics of fun times at San Diego County Fair.

Colorful whirling Wave Swinger in the Fun Zone !
Colorful whirling Wave Swinger in the Fun Zone !

The 2014 San Diego County Fair at the Del Mar Fairgrounds is bigger, crazier and more exciting than ever. If you want to enjoy a really fun time, go check it out! But expect huge crowds!

The theme this year is the Fab Fair, a commemoration of the fifty year anniversary of the Beatles coming to America. Prepare to relive the 60’s in ways you’d never imagine!

On a lark I rode the Coaster from downtown up to Del Mar for the big Opening Day. I didn’t have any sort of plan; I just walked about the fairgrounds randomly the way I often do. But I did discover and photograph lots of cool stuff!

Would you like to see some pics? Let’s start at the West Gate and begin our walk through the enormous Fun Zone…

Make a pool shot and win a stuffed one-eyed Minion!
Make a pool shot and win a stuffed one-eyed Minion!
Persuasive carny almost convinces me to throw ring at duck.
Persuasive carny almost convinces me to throw a ring at a duck.
Gazing up at ride in San Diego County Fair's Fun Zone.
Gazing up at ride in San Diego County Fair’s Fun Zone.
The wacky Fun House lures fair-goers and one photo-taker.
The wacky Fun House lures fair-goers and one curious photo-taker.
Now we're near the Del Mar Fairgrounds Grandstand.
Now we’re near the historic Del Mar Fairgrounds Grandstand.
Ms. Senior Nevada performs on the Plaza Stage.
Ms. Senior Nevada performs on the Plaza Stage.
Lots of crafts at the Design in Wood exhibition.
Lots of crafts at the Design in Wood exhibition.

Now we’ve headed inside a building adjacent to the Del Mar Racetrack’s big Grandstand. There is also a dazzling Gems, Minerals and Jewelry exhibition which is well worth checking out.

Master woodworker demonstrates planing skills.
Master woodworker demonstrates planing skills.
Student Showcase contains art by high school students.
Student Showcase contains art by high school students.

Many of the fair’s exhibits were in the large Grandstand building. Displays of art, food, clothing, collectibles, and everything imaginable filled several floors.  It all had been entered by creative San Diegans, with the hope of winning a blue ribbon.

Home and Hobby exhibition includes many Beatles collectibles.
Home and Hobby exhibition includes many Beatles collectibles.
Big crowd outside enjoys fair beneath the Skyway.
Big crowd outside enjoys fair beneath the Skyway.
Demonstrating a fancy vegetable peeler in Bing Crosby Hall.
Demonstrating a fancy vegetable peeler inside Bing Crosby Hall.

The huge Bing Crosby hall is where all sorts of odd gadgets and unique products are touted by eager salespeople!

Psychedelic VW Beetle at the outside Garden Show.
Psychedelic VW Beetle at the outside Garden Show.

The outdoor and indoor Garden Show is one of my favorite parts of the annual fair. There were many beautiful and creative landscape exhibits.

Cool little keyhole garden can be grown anywhere.
Cool little keyhole garden can be grown anywhere.
Fab Four include Paul, John, George and Ringo.
Fab Four include Paul, John, George and Ringo.
Fun, whimsical display at the popular Garden Show.
Fun, whimsical display at the popular Garden Show.
Lots of hippie-themed stuff to buy everywhere.
Lots of hippie-themed stuff to buy everywhere.
Here are the good old Footsie Wootsie machines!
Here are the good old Footsie Wootsie machines!

I remember these crazy machines at the fair when I was a kid, and that was many years ago!

Just inside the fair's O'Brien Gate main entrance.
Just inside the San Diego County Fair’s O’Brien Gate main entrance.
Man walks into the Fab Fair Experience.
Man walks into the Fab Fair Experience.
People pose to recreate old Beatles album cover.
People pose to recreate old Beatles album cover.
Lots of displays remember the British Invasion of the 60's.
Lots of displays remember the British Invasion of the 60’s.
Sign above the Livestock Barn.
Sign above the Livestock Barn.

Now let’s go check out some livestock. It’s the county fair, after all!

Judge scores llama in a ring near livestock barn.
Judge scores llama in a ring near livestock barn.
Young lady looks worried as she prepares to show her goat.
Young lady looks worried as she prepares to show her goat.
Sheep were being sheered in a smaller nearby barn.
Sheep were being sheered in a smaller nearby barn.
I missed the Swifty Swine pig racing event!
I missed the Swifty Swine pig racing event!
Rescue personnel perform demonstration in Del Mar Arena.
Rescue personnel perform demonstration in Del Mar Arena.
Back outside we discover a giant Florida gator.
Back outside we discover a giant Florida gator.
Wall of the Wyland Center has a cool whale mural.
Wall of the Wyland Center has a cool whale mural.

That whale and the underwater scene around it were painted by famed marine-life artist Wyland at the 2006 San Diego County Fair.

Cool photo of extremely popular 2014 San Diego County Fair.
Cool photo of extremely popular 2014 San Diego County Fair.
The giant Ferris wheel turns in the summer sky.
The giant Ferris wheel turns in the summer sky.

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Views of the cool San Diego Convention Center.

View of plaza on southeast end of convention center.
View of plaza on southeast end of convention center.

I recently took a stroll around the San Diego Convention Center and took a number of cool pics. I know, I know…millions of photos have been taken of the place already. Well, anyway, here come a few more…

Interesting arches at San Diego Convention Center.
Interesting arches at San Diego Convention Center.
Looking up at glass awning above main entrance.
Looking up at glass awning above main entrance.
People descend stairs from uppermost level.
People descend stairs from building’s uppermost level.
Cool round glass elevator at top of incline.
Cool round glass elevator at top of incline.
Looking down a wide expanse of outside steps.
Looking down a patterned expanse of outside steps.
Steps on the bay side lead to Marriott Marina.
Steps on the bay side lead up from Marriott Marina.
Convention center from Embarcadero Marina Park South.
Convention center seen from Embarcadero Marina Park South.
A glass elevator nestled among trees.
A glass elevator nestled among trees.
Gazing from an upper level toward Hilton hotel.
Gazing from an upper level toward big Hilton hotel.
Sign on scenic terrace shows Star of India.
Sign on scenic terrace shows San Diego’s own Star of India.
Looking over San Diego Convention Center's sails.
Looking over San Diego Convention Center’s rooftop sails.
People enjoy amazing view of San Diego Bay.
People enjoy amazing view of San Diego Bay and Coronado.

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Horrible monsters seen in downtown San Diego.

Funny monster faces on utility box by Pokez.
Funny monster faces on a utility box by Pokez.

Yikes! Horrible monsters are on the loose in downtown San Diego, just outside the Pokez eatery! Stay clear! You’ve been warned!

Creature with four eyeballs and crooked teeth.
Creature with four eyeballs and crooked teeth.
Cool purple monsters often have green drool.
Cool purple monsters often have green drool.
Looks scarier than that Alien creature.
Looks scarier than that Alien creature.
Crazy street art on a downtown utility box.
Crazy street art on a downtown utility box.
Pink monster with messed up green eyes.
Pink monster with messed up green eyes.

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A shining Flame of Friendship from Mexico.

Flame of Friendship sculpture at Convention Center.
Flame of Friendship sculpture at Convention Center.

The Flame of Friendship burns near the heart of the city. You’ll find it on a prominent stair landing of the San Diego Convention Center, overlooking the Marriott Marina and San Diego Bay. The flame is a silvery stainless steel sculpture presented to San Diego by Mexico. In Spanish it is Flama De La Amistad.

Many eyes have been dazzled by this sunlit symbol of friendship. The artist who created the interesting abstract form is Leonardo Nierman, of Mexico City.

I walked around it and took several pics from different angles!

Light reflects from shining sculpture.
Light reflects from shining sculpture.
Flame of Friendship from another angle.
Flame of Friendship from another angle.
Cool sight at the San Diego Convention Center.
Cool sight at the San Diego Convention Center.
Friendship between San Diego and Mexico.
Friendship between San Diego and Mexico.
Sunlight glow behind silvery work of art.
Sunlight glow behind silvery work of art.
Tangled arcs of light in the San Diego sky.
Tangled arcs of light in the San Diego sky.
Flame of Friendship with hotels in background.
Flame of Friendship with hotels in background.

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A few cool sights around Mercado del Barrio.

Cool mural in new Barrio Logan development.
Cool mural in dynamic new Barrio Logan development.

Mercado del Barrio is a relatively new retail development on Cesar Chavez Parkway just south of downtown San Diego. It was designed to help revitalize Barrio Logan. You can find it situated near the base of the Coronado Bay Bridge, right next to Chicano Park. A number of very colorful murals add life to the new buildings. Some of the art can be seen when driving over the bridge.

Walking around the area I took a few cool pics that you might enjoy!

Artwork on a new building close to Chicano Park.
Artwork on a new building close to Chicano Park.
Face on bold mural at Mercado del Barrio.
A very colorful face at Mercado del Barrio, painted by renowned muralist Mario Torero.
Looking up beneath the Coronado Bay Bridge.
Looking up beneath the Coronado Bay Bridge.
Construction fence street art along Cesar Chavez Parkway.
Construction fence street art along Cesar Chavez Parkway.
Street art on transformer claims commercial area is part of Chicano Park.
Street art on transformer claims commercial area is part of Chicano Park.
Colorful art above a store's glass door.
Colorful art above a store’s glass door.
Beautiful artwork near door of Estrella del Mercado Apartments.
Beautiful mosaic artwork by artist Betsy K. Schulz near door of Estrella del Mercado Apartments.
Eye-catching artwork adds color to a new shopping center.
Eye-catching artwork adds color to a new shopping center.
Light and shadow add complexity to a fun abstract image.
Light and shadow add complexity to a fun abstract image.
These dancers are visible when driving over the Coronado Bay Bridge.
These dancers are visible when driving over the Coronado Bay Bridge.
Mercado del Barrio building seen in distance behind a mural in Chicano Park.
Mercado del Barrio building seen in distance behind bold artwork in famous Chicano Park.

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San Diego’s big new waterfront park opens!

Lots of fun at County Administration Center Waterfront Park.
Lots of fun at County Administration Center Waterfront Park.

The brand new, very awesome County Administration Center Waterfront Park opened today! This spectacular city park stretches several blocks both north and south of the historic County Administration Building, replacing two ugly parking lots.  It’s impossible to miss this expansive 12-acre park, located just across Harbor Drive from beautiful San Diego Bay.

You might have read my recent blog post about waterfront improvements, and seen some photos of this new park under construction. It’s now finished and it’s really fantastic!

I attended the grand opening this morning and got tons of cool pics!

Here we go…

Someone arrives from parking structure beneath new park.
Someone arrives from parking structure beneath new park.
Ceremony in front of County Administration Building.
Opening ceremony in front of County Administration Building.
County Supervisor inaugurates new waterfront park.
County Supervisor inaugurates new waterfront park.
VIPs and public listen to many speeches.
VIPs and the public listen to many speeches.
The Padres' friar mascot circulates in the crowd.
The Padres’ friar mascot circulates in the crowd.
Mary Roosevelt, daughter-in-law of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Mary Roosevelt, daughter-in-law of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the County Administration Building in 1938.

Everyone waves to photographer atop Star of India.
Everyone waves to photographer atop Star of India.
Unrolling the 1600 foot long ribbon!
Unrolling the 1600 foot long grand opening ribbon!
Everyone positions to cut the park-length ribbon!
Everyone positions to cut the park-length ribbon!
Boys and Girls Clubs of East County is present.
Boys and Girls Clubs of East County helps to cut the ribbon.
The fountains are turned on and wet fun begins!
The fountains are turned on and wet fun begins!
Looking through fountains on north side of park.
Looking through fountains on north side of park.
Street performer in front of County Administration Building.
Street performer in front of County Administration Building.
Kid carries footfall through Play60 obstacle course.
Kid carries footfall through Play60 obstacle course.
Kids play miniature golf on the grassy lawn.
Kids play miniature golf on the grassy lawn.
Trying to score against San Diego Sockers goalie!
Trying to score against San Diego Sockers goalie!
Star of India and waterfront behind opening day crowd.
Star of India and waterfront behind opening day crowd.
Cool hill with slides is part of the huge playground.
Cool hill with slides is part of the huge playground.
Kids have loads of fun on the big playground.
Kids have loads of fun on the big playground.
An awesome playground in downtown San Diego!
An awesome playground in downtown San Diego!
Who wouldn't love climbing in this net-filled sphere!
Who wouldn’t love climbing in this net-filled sphere!
The fountain on the park's south side is busy.
The shallow fountain on the park’s south side is busy.
Parks and Recreation had wildlife displays!
Parks and Recreation had wildlife displays!
Kid checks out a fire engine.
Kid checks out a fire engine.
A gigantic car show was held on Harbor Drive.
A gigantic car show was held on Harbor Drive.
San Diego Maritime Museum behind classic cars.
San Diego Maritime Museum behind classic cars.
A cool woodie with surfboard!
A cool woodie with surfboard!

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The historic Mission Brewery in Middletown.

Mission Revival style brewery was built in 1912.
Mission Revival style brewery was built in 1912.

A very cool building is located in San Diego’s Middletown neighborhood, near the intersection of Washington Street and Interstate 5. Here are a few photos I took the other morning!

The historic building, dating from 1912, was the first brewery in the United States to be built in the Mission Revival Style. Today it remains the only Mission Revival industrial building in San Diego.

Briefly, prior to Prohibition, a non-alcoholic drink called Hopski was produced here. The large building then served as an isolation hospital during the 1918 flu pandemic. Later it was converted into an agar plant. Today the historic landmark is a part of Mission Brewery Plaza, whose buildings contains professional offices and a new craft brewery called Acoustic Ales Brewing Experiment.

The building has served many purposes over the years.
The building has served many purposes over the years.
Acoustic Ales Brewing Experiment now occupies this area.
Acoustic Ales Brewing Experiment now occupies this area.
Where beer is made today.
Where beer is made today.
Old production vat now is an outside fountain.
Old production vat now is an outside fountain.
A very cool building!
A very cool building!

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Escaped zoo animals roam Hillcrest street!

Two metal sculpture elephants on First Avenue.
Two metal sculpture elephants on First Avenue.

Several large and dangerous wild animals have escaped the San Diego Zoo and are running loose in nearby Hillcrest!

Huh?  You don’t believe me? I’ve got some photographic proof!

Okay, okay, I’m kidding. These super cool metal sculptures stand in front of a residence on First Avenue. They appear to be made of rusted steel, but I’m not sure. I spotted them during my walk to work this morning, so I whipped out my trusty old camera!

Animal sculptures in front of a residence in Hillcrest.
Animal sculptures in front of a residence in Hillcrest.
Handsome metal horse looks out toward street.
Handsome metal horse looks out toward street.
Funny gorilla poses in front of someone's window.
Funny gorilla poses in front of someone’s window.

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