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!
Mosaic on Walgreens building in Coronado depicts an old ferry crossing San Diego Bay.
Last weekend during my walk through Coronado I noticed a really beautiful work of art. A colorful mosaic, set into the travertine exterior of the Walgreens building on Orange Avenue, depicts a ferry crossing San Diego Bay crowned by a flock of seagulls.
According to my limited research, it appears that the mosaic was created in 1985 by Susan Hertel and Denis O’Connor, in collaboration with Millard Owen Sheets, who designed many Home Savings of America bank branches in California. The mosaic represents one of the historic ferryboats that once transported cars between Coronado and San Diego. Ferries for cars operated until 1969, the year the San Diego–Coronado Bridge opened.
When the artwork debuted, the building at 925 Orange Avenue was a Home Savings branch. Subsequently it became a Petco. As building occupants have come and gone, the extraordinary mosaic has been preserved.
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Plaque on a bench. In loving memory of Linda Sanford Fleming our Coronado Queen. July 4, 1938 – May 6, 2005. From her devoted family and friends.
During my walk last Saturday I rested for a bit on a bench near Coronado’s City Hall. After looking about the beautiful place, I noticed most of the nearby benches featured memorial plaques. I read a few and was touched by words of love and optimism.
Perhaps you’d enjoy seeing a few of these plaques…
A few tranquil paths near Coronado’s City Hall feature benches where one can rest and enjoy the day’s sunshine.A plaque on another bench. In loving memory – Clarence and Mary Muirhead – 65 year Coronado residents fondly remembered by their family.Bicyclist rides past City of Coronado City Hall, next to San Diego Bay. Coronado Shores buildings, near the Pacific Ocean, rise in the background.In memory of June Lenz, founder of Crown Garden Club, whose legacy was to encourage the love of flowers and the beautification of Coronado.In honor of Sue and Bill Williams. Look at the sunny side and make your optimism come true.More benches offer a view of boats in the nearby Glorietta Bay Marina.In memory of Kathy Griffin, beloved daughter and sister. July 25, 1959 – July 28, 2006. What we have lost Heaven has gained. Love family and friends.In loving memory of Lloyd McKinley Harmon. August 1, 1891 – September 16, 1968. Mayor of Coronado in 1952 and 1953 … and Olive Genevieve Harmon. July 4, 1907 – April 3, 2005. Absent but Dear.A sailboat out on the wide blue water.Ensign Van Andrew Wilson, U.S. Navy SEAL. September 3, 1982 – January 26, 2006. His training was finished here. He achieved his goal. The greatest mission lies ahead.
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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!
A daring man does a one-armed handstand on the edge of a high roof!
I had to do a double take during my walk through Coronado yesterday. A man was doing a crazy one-armed handstand up on the Community Center’s rooftop!
After my initial surprise, I realized the man was actually an eye-catching sculpture. Handstand was created by artist Daniel Stern in 2010 and installed atop the building in 2012.
Does the name Daniel Stern ring a bell? The sculptor is also a prolific, well known actor! He’s probably best known for his role as one of the thieves in Home Alone!
I love it!
A surprising sculpture on top of the City of Coronado Community Center turns heads!Handstand, 2010, a sculpture by artist Daniel Stern, became part of the City of Coronado Public Art Collection in 2012.A crazy handstand at the edge of a Coronado rooftop!
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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!
The Memorial Wall beside VFW Post 2422 in Coronado, California.
You can’t miss it. A proud Memorial Wall. You’ll see it near the front door of the General Henry D. Styer Post 2422 Veterans of Foreign Wars in Coronado. Tiles contain the names of heroes who served their country with honor.
Here are some photos.
Tiles on the outdoor Memorial Wall remember those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.Front of the General Henry D. Styer Post 2422 Veterans of Foreign Wars in Coronado.Plaque on nearby bench reads Dedicated to All Who Have Served or Are Serving in Support of Our Country’s Freedom.Plaque at base of flagpole reads In Honor of the Coronado Men and Women Who Served in the Armed Forces in World War II.Names on the Memorial Wall include United States Navy Vice Admiral James B. Stockdale.Painted on three small stones are words of Thank You for the service of heroes.
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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!
Rotary Plaza in Coronado includes several interesting features, including a clock, fountain and community Christmas tree.
During my recent walk through Coronado, I paused for a bit at Rotary Plaza to check out the old clock, pleasant fountain and community Christmas tree. I read a few plaques near each of these features and learned a little about the history of the place. I’ve never seen the very tall star pine lit at night during the holidays, but I bet it’s quite a sight!
Coronado Rotary Plaza (sometimes called Rotary Park) is located on Orange Avenue at Isabella Avenue.
A handsome Rotary International clock and peaceful bench await passersby in Coronado Rotary Park.Plaque on the Electric Time clock reads Presented to Coronado by the Rotary Club of Coronado for Rotary International’s Centennial, February 23, 2005.The bubbling Jim Vernetti Fountain in Coronado’s Rotary Plaza, dedicated 2009.A Hanukkah menorah stands in Rotary Plaza during the holiday season. (The trunk of the large Coronado star pine Christmas tree is in the background.)Walking along Orange Avenue toward Rotary Plaza and the high Coronado Rotary Club Christmas Tree, which is lit at night.In May, 1936, the Rotary Club planted this starpine for the citizens of Coronado. This tree given by Emily T. Thompson in memory of her husband Charles.
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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!
Elvis and cow in front of MooTime Creamery are decked out for Christmas.
I love to walk around Coronado. It’s like taking a small vacation.
In the past I’ve posted all sorts of cool sights around the island. My adventure yesterday along Orange Avenue yielded even more fun photos!
Enjoy!
A funny Roman warrior stands guard outside Village Pizzeria.A zoom photo of the north side of the Hotel del Coronado from a block or two up Orange Avenue.A view of the elegant Spreckels Building which was erected in 1917. It’s now home to the Bank of Coronado.Fancy gold ornamentation around front entrance of the Bank of Coronado, an historical landmark.Inside the front door of the Coronado Museum of History and Art one can see a Model T Laundry Truck once used at the Hotel del Coronado.Santa Elvis at MooTime Creamery is sporting a wreath around his neck.SEAL gifts and memorabilia for sale in the window of Bullshirt. Nearby Naval Amphibious Base Coronado is home to several SEAL teams.A fun tiki-style bamboo bike in front of Holland’s Bicycles. You can rent it for a ride around the beautiful island.Beautiful autumn trees and grass in Spreckels Park.The small June Miller Garden at the base of a tall palm tree in Spreckels Park. The gazebo in the background is the setting of Concerts in the Park during the summer.A joyful Victorian house on Orange Avenue reminds those passing by that it’s the holiday season in Coronado.
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This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego! Are you curious? There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!
Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts. If you’re using a phone or small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!
To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
Mosaic of Flowers: Hibiscus by Kirstin Green. City of Coronado Public Art Collection installed 2017.
During my walk around Coronado this afternoon I made a cool discovery! I noticed two exquisite flower mosaics now adorn the public restroom building in Spreckels Park. One can be found above an outside sink on the north side, the other on the south side. Both are made of many small colorful tiles.
This public artwork is bright and cheerful, a perfect match for the beautiful, spacious park which is home to the annual Coronado Flower Show.
A close-up photo of a beautiful sunflower-like zinnia made of small yellow, orange and white tiles.Mosaic of Flowers: Zinnia by Kirstin Green. City of Coronado Public Art Collection installed 2017.
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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!
Late Sunday morning I rode the Silvergate ferry across San Diego Bay to Coronado. I wanted to sit by the water for a couple of hours and read.
On my way from the Coronado Ferry Landing to my favorite bench at Tidelands Park, I watched as moving clouds seemed to transform the beautiful downtown skyscrapers into a shining, ever-changing dream. I took many photos as I went.
When it was time to make my way back to the Ferry Landing, the sky had become more blue, and glass windows in the skyline reflected brilliant sunlight. As I waited for the next ferry to arrive, I walked north past the pier and took even more photos.
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This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego! Are you curious? There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!
Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts. If you’re using a small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!
To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
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