Taking the ferry from downtown San Diego to Coronado is like crossing into a dream. It’s a journey to a magical place. The island is like a small, carefree paradise.
I had a variety of photos from my ferry ride and walk yesterday, so I thought I’d try converting a few into oil paintings! I cropped selected images then used the Oilify artistic filter that comes with the GIMP graphics editor.
It was a beautiful misty winter day.
Those are sea lions lying on a buoy in the bay!
The words etched in the sand near the Coronado Ferry Landing? I’ll let you decide.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
A couple days ago I posted photos of two super fun benches in National City’s Pepper Park. Today, during my walk in Coronado, I visited Tidelands Park in order to photograph two additional benches that were created by the same San Diego artist, Doug Snider.
These colorful benches are located at the playground in Coronado Tidelands Park. They also debuted in 2006 and are made of painted concrete.
Doug Snider is a member of the San Diego Potters’ Guild and operates out of Studio 15 in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village Art Center.
These benches appear to have emerged from a strangely wonderful dream. Wouldn’t you like to sit in one?
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
Today I enjoyed a short walk in Coronado. I strolled along the edge of San Diego Bay, from the Coronado Ferry Landing to Tidelands Park, then turned around and made my way back. The overcast winter day was chilly and even a few raindrops fell.
I was in the mood to walk slowly, while gazing across the gray water.
As I began south, a flock of seagulls stood preening on a strip of wet sand below the rocks near the Coronado Island Marriott Resort. From time to time gulls stretched their wings. Some would suddenly launch into the sky. I paused to watch and take photos.
When I reached Tidelands Park, I spotted a great blue heron and a few shorebirds that I believe were marbled godwits.
I took a few random photos of this scenic stretch of the Bayshore Bikeway as I made my way back to catch the ferry. San Diego’s skyline beckoned in the distance.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Old Point Loma Lighthouse at Cabrillo National Monument.
I had some more fun altering photographs to make them appear like oil paintings. I selected a number of images from my computer and applied GIMP’s Oilify filter to convert them into splendid works of art!
I also used GIMP’s Cubism filter once. With a couple easy clicks of the mouse, I created some cool impressionistic “paintings” of streets and buildings in downtown San Diego!
Here are my latest productions. Enjoy!
Fishing from the pier at Embarcadero Marina Park South.Sunset over Point Loma across San Diego Bay.View of the Hyatt Regency Marina near the Mission Bay Sportscenter.People wait to cross Mission Boulevard in Mission Beach.The Geisel Library Building at University of California San Diego.Seagulls fly above San Diego Bay.Fresh fish for sale at Tuna Harbor Dockside Market.Walking across the Harbor Drive pedestrian bridge toward Petco Park and the downtown Central Library.The beautiful Casa del Prado in Balboa Park.Lawn bowling in Balboa Park.A flower and window at the International Cottages in Balboa Park.St. Mary’s Chapel and Tower at The Bishop’s School in La Jolla.Junipero Serra Museum on Presidio Hill.Ballet folklórico dancer at Fiesta de Reyes in Old Town San Diego.The historic former Hotel Del Coronado Boathouse.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Marilyn Monroe of Some Like It Hot, filmed at the Hotel del Coronado, in colorful new street art. Art Outside the Box features decorated utility boxes around Coronado.
As I walked around Coronado before the big Fourth of July parade, I noticed all sorts of cool public artwork I’d never seen before.
Most notably, a whole bunch of utility boxes have recently been jazzed up with images that represent the life and history of Coronado. The project, called Art Outside the Box, is sponsored by The City of Coronado Cultural Arts Commission and Caltrans. I photographed two of the eight boxes. I suppose I’ll swing by the other six some other day.
I also saw a couple of cool public restroom trailers that the City of Coronado uses during special events. I’m not sure how many of these exist, but I do recall seeing one years ago during a walk near the Hotel Del and Coronado Shores. It didn’t occur to me to photograph that one back then!
The two trailers I spied today at either end of Spreckels Park celebrate Coronado’s railroad history and the fun Tent City carousel, which today makes its home in Balboa Park.
Finally, I got some photos of a public piano that had been set up in Rotary Plaza. A plaque on it suggests that people passing by Sit a Spell and Play a Tune! It’s covered with images of Coronado landmarks.
Very cool!
Forgive me for being ignorant and not identifying this face. UPDATE! Sharon left a comment indicating this is Jim Morrison. He lived in San Diego as a child and his parents lived in Coronado.And I can’t identify this person either! UPDATE! Sharon identified this as Bela Lugosi! He performed in San Diego, but I can find no Coronado connection…Art Outside the Box celebrates Coronado’s zip code 92118.Surf breaks on a utility box. Coronado is not a true island, even if it’s almost entirely surrounded by water.Unusual public restroom trailers used during city events each celebrate a different aspect of Coronado history.Sign describes the history of Coronado’s railroads. John D. Spreckels built a line that went up the Silver Strand, bringing passengers to the Hotel del Coronado and Tent City.Graphic on restroom trailer shows the faces peering from a streetcar that ran along Orange Avenue to the original ferry landing.All aboard!Another restroom trailer features images from Coronado’s historic carousel at Tent City.The old Tent City carousel moved away from Coronado in 1922. Today it offers rides to young and old alike in Balboa Park!The carousel was built in 1910 by Herschell Spillman Co. in North Tonawanda, New York.Sign describes the golden age of carousels and the history of one beloved merry-go-round that lives on in San Diego.Another photo of the trailer.If these images seem familiar, you might have seen them in Balboa Park, where the historic carousel provides rides today!A cool public piano had been placed in Rotary Plaza during Coronado’s Fourth of July Celebration.Sit a Spell and Play a Tune!The public piano is decorated with memorable landmarks found around Coronado.A look at the top of the piano.One more side of the Popcorn utility box. Orville Redenbacher was a famous resident of Coronado!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
Flags move forward down Orange Avenue during the 2018 Fourth of July Parade in Coronado.
This morning I headed to Coronado to enjoy another Fourth of July parade.
This is the third year I’ve photographed the epic event. I had considered going elsewhere this year, but Independence Day in Coronado is special, and their patriotic parade is arguably the very best in the entire country, so I couldn’t resist experiencing it all again one more time!
I arrived early to Coronado and walked about for a bit, then found a spot on the parade route just before it started down Orange Avenue.
Here are some colorful photos…
People slowly gather in Coronado for a patriotic Fourth of July Celebration.A guy waits on the sidewalk for the big morning parade with his flag ready.Red, white and blue bunting could be seen on shops and buildings throughout Coronado.Kid heads down Orange Avenue on a small bicycle decorated for Independence Day.Many homes had patriotic banners and decorations. Most residents in Coronado support our country and its core principle of human liberty.A smiling Uncle Sam at someone’s front gate.These tie-dye Coronado shirts in front of a shop are red, white and blue.People relax and look at artwork for sale in Spreckels Park. An afternoon concert in the park features patriotic music.Patriotic wreath and bouquet in front of the Coronado Police headquarters honor and remember Senior Volunteer Patrol volunteers who recently passed away.Portraits of hometown heroes.People head down Orange Avenue to get in their spots as the parade is about to begin.Hats are removed and hands placed over hearts as thousands sing the National Anthem.Can you see it yet? The parade? Here it comes!Members of San Diego County law enforcement from Escondido ride down the parade route on horseback.The distinguished Grand Marshall this year was Vice Admiral Brown.Several heroic Pearl Harbor survivors received great applause from the crowd.The Fourth of July Parade in Coronado goes on and on with too many participants to mention!A patriotic pooch.Here comes Marine Corps Band San Diego.Military based in San Diego march by on Independence Day.Wounded Warriors get a big Welcome Home!A gigantic American flag carried by many hands.Smiles from many who are happy to live in the Land of the Free.Here comes the Castle Park High School Trojan Brigade! They came up from Chula Vista.As you might imagine, lots of cool cars were in the parade.A driver touches hands with the crowd as kids wave.I think I see Maverick of Top Gun in that cockpit! No, it’s actually a young Tom Cruise look-alike who sometimes poses for photos by the USS Midway Museum. I spoke to him once and he’s a super friendly cool guy.The USS Midway Museum is always an important participant in San Diego’s patriotic events.During patriotic holidays, the Rotary Club of Coronado lines Orange Avenue’s grassy median with American flags.Look! Here comes Honest Abe!I was getting hungry and hoped this lady might accidentally flip a pancake my way.Guys in wheelchairs shoot hoops behind the Rotary float.Another hero is celebrated. He represents The Distinguished Flying Cross Society.There were lots of parade participants on horseback.Another American veteran is saluted. I saw many members of The Greatest Generation being thanked for their service long ago.More pageantry, another marching band.Members of the United States Navy march past.A flag held high greets passing musicians.A beauty queen, seeing my camera, smiles and waves!People watch the big parade from a building on Orange Avenue.Flags everywhere.
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The sunshine was strong. I settled on a bench facing a margin of white beach and let my mind wander.
I and many others were sitting, relaxing, playing, speaking, thinking, soaking in one more summer at the edge of an ocean. A canvas of wide blue unrolled into the distance. Tiny glints of light beckoned from very far away.
My eyes were drawn irresistibly to a mystery beyond the horizon.
As our eyes rise to peer beyond life’s ebb and flow, we drift to strange places beyond our reach.
My photographs have been altered slightly. You might recognize Point Loma, Mexico and the small, rocky Coronado Islands that jut from the ocean a bit southwest of Tijuana.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
