Tag: creativity

Dots, squares, cubes, and a crazy tangle.

Colorful dots on the side of a building in downtown San Diego.
Colorful dots on the side of a building in downtown San Diego.

Every walk through the city is a voyage of discovery. Everywhere you turn there are sudden surprises of color, form and depth. An inquisitive scientist might see geometric order; an artist might discern shades, intimations, emotion.

This morning, during a walk through downtown, I photographed dots, squares, cubes and a rather crazy tangle.

Six blue squares on the north side of the Columbia Place building.
Six blue squares on the north side of the Columbia Place building.
Steel cubes on west side of Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, which is housed in the Santa Fe Depot's old baggage terminal. Art by Richard Serra, 2005.
Steel cubes on west side of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, which is housed in the Santa Fe Depot’s old baggage terminal. Art by Richard Serra, 2005.  Litter atop cube 1 is by Anonymous.  Idealized (though rusty) art meets messy (real) life.
A crazy tangle of electrical lines in the entrance of the David C. Copley Building in downtown San Diego.
A crazy tangle of electrical lines in the entrance of the David C. Copley Building in downtown San Diego. A sculpture at MCASD. Power Maze with Sconce, Roman de Salvo, 1998.

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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!

Cool, creative door handles in San Diego.

A pair of metal lobster door handles.
A pair of metal lobster door handles.

Check out some photos of cool, creative door handles that I’ve spotted while walking around San Diego. I snapped a couple of these photographs months ago, and unfortunately I’ve forgotten where I took them. I guess I’m not terribly organized! Or perhaps I’m just lazy and took no notes.

Electric guitar door handle at Hard Rock Cafe in San Diego's Gaslamp.
Electric guitar door handle at Hard Rock Cafe in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter.
Two door handles made of artistically bent rebar.
Two door handles made of artistically bent rebar.
Door handles of Yard House don't contain beer. One must step inside.
These door handles at the Yard House don’t contain beer. One must step inside.
Interesting door handles together form a disk and leaf.
Interesting door handles together form a disk and raised leaf.
One very ornate door handle in San Diego.
One very ornate door handle in San Diego.
A lion's head handle on a rusty gate.
A lion’s head handle on a rusty gate.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! 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 fun photos for you to enjoy!

Cool street art: The Nest Murals near Chicano Park.

The Nest Murals include a big blue whale on a yellow fence in Barrio Logan, not far from downtown San Diego.
The Nest Murals include a big blue whale on a yellow fence in Barrio Logan, not far from downtown San Diego.

I stumbled upon a collection of colorful murals the other day while walking through Barrio Logan. A project of The Nest, founded by San Diego artist Jorge Mendoza, this very cool street art can be found near the intersection of National Avenue and Evans Street, a block southeast of Chicano Park.

Check out these pics!

Boldly spray painted designs dazzle the eye and inspire imagination.
Boldly spray painted designs dazzle the eye and inspire imagination.
A large eye watches Evans Street, a block southeast of Chicano Park.
A large eye watches Evans Street, a block southeast of Chicano Park.
Swirls of blue, green, pink, and an old Volkswagen Beetle.
Swirls of blue, green, pink, and an old Volkswagen Beetle.
Entering an alley, we see a lot more cool street art spray painted on a fence.
Entering an alley, we see a lot more cool street art spray painted on a fence.
A brush-head and skull-flower makes one look twice.
A brush-head and skull-flower makes one look twice.
Three eyes in a blazing sun, which shines from The Nest Murals in Barrio Logan.
Three eyes in a blazing sun, which shines from The Nest Murals in Barrio Logan.
Odd creatures made of cloth, buttons and pins paint graffiti on a garage door.
Odd creatures made of cloth, buttons and pins paint graffiti on a garage door.
A hand emerges from the mouth of a fish at The Nest Murals.
A hand emerges from the mouth of a fish at The Nest Murals.
Fun colorful designs include cheese.
Colorful artwork includes images of cheese.
A face with odd geometric features in the Barrio Logan alley.
A face with odd features in the Barrio Logan alley.
Super creative street art at The Nest Murals, located near Chicano Park.
Very creative street art at The Nest Murals, located near Chicano Park.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! 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 fun photos for you to enjoy!

Weird, funny aquariums at a fishy fish show.

People enjoy unusual aquarium displays at the San Diego Tropical Fish Society Annual Show in Balboa Park.
People enjoy unusual aquarium displays at the San Diego Tropical Fish Society Annual Show in Balboa Park.

Time for a laugh! Here are some weird, funny, and wonderfully creative fish aquariums!

Today I photographed some of the most humorous aquariums on display at the San Diego Tropical Fish Society Annual Show in Balboa Park. I was delighted to see so much unleashed craziness and imagination. Looks like this fishy hobby can be a lot of fun. Check these out!

A very unique aquarium contains two upside down glass goblets and one upside down glass fish bowl. The latter acts as a sort of sky observatory for the finny inhabitants.
A very unique aquarium contains two upside down goblets and one upside down glass fish bowl. The latter acts as a sort of sky observatory for the finny inhabitants.
Star Wars characters stand atop an aquarium from a galaxy far, far away. The space-like interior features a duel between a TIE fighter and X-Wing.
Star Wars characters stand atop an aquarium from a galaxy far, far away. The space-like interior features a duel between a randomly drifting TIE fighter and X-Wing, while darting red fish appear to be laser blasts.
Dr. Who and a companion have traveled by TARDIS into the strange unearthly interior of this humorous aquarium.
Doctor Who and a companion have traveled by TARDIS into the strange, unearthly interior of this humorous aquarium.
An old blender or coffee maker make for fine tropical fish aquariums, I suppose. Just don't turn them on.
An old blender or coffee maker makes  a fine tropical fish aquarium, I suppose. Just don’t turn them on.
I'm sure a fish was hiding somewhere in the ruins of the lost city of Atlantis.
I’m sure a fish was hiding somewhere in the ruins of the lost city of Atlantis.
Who said bonsai plants couldn't be submerged? Makes for a lovely but rather fishy garden.
Who said bonsai plants couldn’t be submerged? Makes for a lovely but rather fishy garden.
And an underwater Buddha, too! These fish must be on the path to nirvana.
And an underwater Buddha, too! These fish must be on the watery path to nirvana.
An aquarium alive with silly Minions and Lego creations and color. Oh, and some shy yellow fish, too.
An aquarium alive with silly Minions and Lego creations and jumbled color. Oh, and some shy fish, too.
A yellow submarine in a Beatles-themed tropical fish aquarium. Photo taken in Balboa Park during the San Diego Tropical Fish Society Annual Show!
A yellow submarine in a Beatles-themed tropical fish aquarium. Another fun photo taken in Balboa Park during the San Diego Tropical Fish Society Annual Show!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! 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 fun photos for you to enjoy!

Create a collage in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village!

A cool work of art pieced together in Balboa Park's Spanish Village. Anyone can do this!
A cool work of art pieced together in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village. Anyone can do this!

My weekend walk in Balboa Park took me through Spanish Village Art Center. For a few pleasant minutes I paused to watch artist Kathi Vargo piecing together collages and unique assemblage at a table in the middle of the patio. Anyone passing by was invited to join in!

I learned that Kathi offers Paint and Paper Play classes where absolutely anybody can learn to create mixed media collages. If you’re interested, visit her website!

Kathi Vargo was having a fun Paint and Paper Play Collage Workshop in the middle of the Spanish Village Art Center's colorful patio.
Kathi Vargo was having a fun Paint and Paper Play Collage Workshop in the middle of the Spanish Village Art Center’s colorful patio.
All sorts of objects can be used to assemble this unique artwork.
All sorts of objects can be used to assemble this unique artwork.
Applying some paint to a strip of material.
Applying some paint to a strip of material.
Creating art expands the mind, enriches the spirit, and is just plain fun!
Creating art expands the mind, enriches the spirit, and is just plain fun!
You can make this!
You can make this!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Do you love Balboa Park? Follow my special blog which I call Beautiful Balboa Park!

Cool urban art at Quartyard in East Village.

Some cool urban art by Exist1981, created for PangeaSeed's Sea Walls: Murals for Oceans festival. The artwork, located at the Quartyard in East Village, warns that melting sea ice due to climate change will affect polar bear populations.
Cool urban art by Exist1981, created for PangeaSeed’s Sea Walls: Murals for Oceans festival. The public artwork, located at the Quartyard in East Village, warns that melting sea ice due to climate change will affect polar bear populations.

Whenever I walk past Quartyard in San Diego’s East Village, I look around to see what cool urban art I might discover. I took out my camera yesterday and snapped a few photos of the colorful artwork!

Quartyard, at the corner of Market Street and 11th Avenue in San Diego's East Village, is a place where people can gather to eat, drink, talk, and enjoy entertainment.
Quartyard, at the corner of Market Street and 11th Avenue in San Diego’s East Village, is a place where people can gather to eat, drink, talk, and enjoy entertainment.
Mail delivery person heads into Quartyard, an unusual community gathering place made from repurposed shipping containers. Coffee, beer, concerts and food trucks are found here.
Mail delivery person heads into Quartyard, a community gathering place made from repurposed shipping containers. Coffee, beer, concerts and food trucks are found here.
A colorfully painted parking meter stands strangely by the mail box.
A cheerfully painted parking meter stands strangely by a mail box.
The Meshuggah Shack occupies one shipping container. The funky place is known for their great coffee and friendly vibe.
The Meshuggah Shack occupies one shipping container. The funky place is known for their great coffee and friendly vibe.
The Meshuggah Shack offers coffee, tea, oddities, smoothies, noshes, and other fun stuff.
The colorful Meshuggah Shack offers coffee, tea, oddities, smoothies, noshes, and other fun stuff.
Words on one shipping container at the Quartyard proclaims this is Your City Block.
Words on one shipping container at the Quartyard proclaim this is Your City Block.
Sun, water, hungry sharks and a tropical island. I'm not exactly sure what is going on in this crazy street art created by Nick McPherson and MR DVICE.
Sun, water, hungry sharks and a tropical island. I’m not exactly sure what is going on in this crazy street art created by Nick McPherson and MR DVICE.

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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.

Photos of chalk art at 2016 Festa in Little Italy!

Lawrence Godfrey. Sunflowers and a peaceful country scene interpreted with chalk.
Lawrence Godfrey. Sunflowers and a peaceful country scene interpreted with chalk.

Check out these photos of amazing chalk art!

This morning dozens of chalk artists were busy working to complete their masterpieces as 2016 Festa in Little Italy officially opened. There was no special theme this year, so the artwork along Beech Street included anything and everything Italian. The photos I took yesterday (for my previous blog post) provided only a hint of what would materialize. Today’s photos show hours of hard work by the artists, who have brought their unique visions to life.

I’ve included what I believe to be the team names in the photo captions. Congratulations to all the great artists!

Artists complete their chalk art masterpieces at 2016 Festa in Little Italy.
Artists work to complete their chalk art masterpieces at 2016 Festa in Little Italy.
Santa Fe Christian High School. Colorful trees and hills. Perhaps its an orchard or vineyard in Italy.
Santa Fe Christian High School. Colorful trees and hills. Perhaps it’s an orchard or vineyard in Italy.
Elisabeth Eckert. Flowing artwork on the streets of Little Italy during Festa.
Elisabeth Eckert. Flowing artwork on the streets of Little Italy during Festa.
Canyon Crest Academy. A chalk depiction of The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio.
Canyon Crest Academy. A chalk depiction of classic painting The Incredulity of Saint Thomas by Caravaggio.
Liberty Charter High School. A scene from Venice, Italy produced with chalk.
Liberty Charter High School. A scene from Venice, Italy produced with chalk.
Pearson Family. A colorful face sure to please thousands of visitors at 2016 Festa in Little Italy.
Pearson Family. A colorful face sure to please thousands of visitors at 2016 Festa in Little Italy.
Lidia F. Vasquez. Another sensational work of art by a very accomplished young chalk artist.
Lidia F. Vasquez. Another sensational work of art by a very accomplished young chalk artist.
Lydia Puentes Phillips. The face of Christ before the Crucifixion.
Lydia Puentes Phillips. The face of Christ before the Crucifixion.
Stan Tang. A strong masculine face drawn with chalk.
Stan Tang. A strong masculine face drawn with chalk.
Chalkolate. A red Alfa Romeo made entirely of chalk. The Gesso Italiano at 2016 Festa celebrates everything Italian, including cars!
Chalkolate. A red Alfa Romeo made entirely of chalk. The Gesso Italiano at 2016 Festa celebrates everything Italian, including cars!
Mount Miguel High School. Someone is trying to reach out of the asphalt on Beech Street!
Mount Miguel High School. Someone is trying to reach out of the asphalt on Beech Street!
Alex Dejecacion. Some fine chalk artistry has produced a lovely woman.
Alex Dejecacion. Some fine chalk artistry has produced a lovely woman.
Weenie Kingdom. Another amazing chalk female portrait.
Weenie Kingdom. Another amazing chalk female portrait.
Liliana Mai. It seems a gondolier is waving from beneath a San Diego street!
Liliana Mai. It seems a Venetian gondolier is waving from some water beneath a San Diego street!
Valerie Michelle. Unusual chalk art depicts an elegantly dressed dog!
Valerie Michelle. Unusual chalk art depicts an elegantly dressed dog!
Megnificent. A chalk art portrait of Leonardo DiCaprio.
Megnificent. A chalk art portrait of Leonardo DiCaprio is being created.
Team Pinoy. Sylvester Stallone, a movie icon whose father was Italian.
Team Pinoy. Sylvester Stallone, a movie icon whose father was Italian.
Judith Arnaud Gary. The head of David, a famous sculpture by Michelangelo.
Judith Arnaud Gary. The head of David, a famous sculpture by Michelangelo.
Francois Lariviere. An elaborate chalk figure created for 2016 Festa in Little Italy.
Francois Lariviere. A chalk figure in exotic armor created for 2016 Festa in Little Italy.
Team Parada. Colored chalk has produced a stunning face.
Team Parada. Colored chalk has produced a stunning face.
Shuji Nishimura. The face of famous Italian actor and comedian Roberto Remigio Benigni.
Shuji Nishimura. The face of famous Italian actor and comedian Roberto Remigio Benigni.
Holly Lynn Schineller. In Praise of Imperfection, a tribute to Italian twin sisters.
Holly Lynn Schineller. In Praise of Imperfection, a tribute to Italian twin sisters.
Carlos Alberto Cortez Gomez. Colorful classical figures created with Gesso Italiano.
Carlos Alberto Cortez Gomez. Colorful classical figures created with Gesso Italiano.
Cecelia Linayao. A mother and child take form on the street at Festa.
Cecelia Linayao. A mother and child take form on the street at Festa.
Grasiela Rodriguez. The iconic Roman Colosseum. A work of Italian chalk art.
Grasiela Rodriguez. This Roman Colosseum is an Italian chalk art work in progress.
Brenda Mora. In loving memory of Josephine Pecoraro.
Brenda Mora. In loving memory of Josephine Pecoraro, resident of Little Italy.
Angela Checco. Two lovers enjoy romance in Rome.
Angela Checco. Two lovers enjoy romance in Rome.
Tonie Garza. Madonna in Glory by Italian painter Carlo Dolci. One of many Catholic chalk art images created for Festa in Little Italy.
Tonie Garza. Madonna in Glory by Italian painter Carlo Dolci. One of many Catholic chalk art images created for Festa in San Diego’s Little Italy.
Tiffany Garza. A face from Italian popular culture appears on a San Diego street.
Tiffany Garza. A face from Italian popular culture appears on a San Diego street.
Renee Keady. Grapes crown a beautiful female face.
Renee Keady. Grapes crown a beautiful female face.
Brianna Cunha. The Italian theme at Festa most certainly includes grapes!
Brianna Cunha. The Italian theme at 2016 Festa most certainly included grapes!
Kira Lewis-Martinez. A graceful religious figure composed of chalk.
Kira Lewis-Martinez. A graceful religious figure softly composed of chalk.
Shawnet Sweets. A classic Italian painting translated into chalk.
Shawnet Sweets. A classic Italian painting translated into chalk art.
Team Zamora. The colors of Italy. Looking upward with pride.
Team Zamora. The colors of Italy. Looking upward with pride.
Lisa Pierre-Davis. A life-filled chalk character at 2016 Festa in Little Italy!
Lisa Pierre-Davis. A life-filled chalk character at 2016 Festa in Little Italy!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

Beautiful chalk faces created on a Little Italy street!

A beautiful face comes alive on a Little Italy street. Amazing chalk art will be a central attraction at the annual Festa celebration in San Diego.
A beautiful face comes alive on a Little Italy street. Amazing chalk art will be a central attraction at the annual Festa celebration in San Diego.

Tomorrow Festa will be enjoyed by thousands of people in Little Italy. One of the annual festival’s biggest attraction is the amazing chalk art, which is also known as Gesso Italiano. Today the chalk artists began creating their masterpieces. Their unusual canvas is two blocks of asphalt along Beech Street.

I walked this afternoon from Cortez Hill down to Little Italy, to see how far the artwork has progressed. Most of the artists had already made a good start.

I looked with wonder at many colorful chalk art faces that have gradually come to life. The artists, when drawing a human form, often begin with the face. So many beautiful faces were gazing up from the asphalt.

Festa begins tomorrow, Sunday, at 10 o’clock. Thousands will enjoy the finished chalk masterpieces. I will definitely be there!

Chalk artists line two blocks of Beech Street. It's a very special October weekend in downtown San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood.
Chalk artists line two blocks of Beech Street. It’s a very special October weekend in downtown San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood.
This chalk artist uses a grid to form his emerging creation.
This chalk artist uses a grid to form his emerging creation.
Another face mysteriously materializes on the street. Many different colors of chalk can be used to create subtle effects.
Another face mysteriously materializes on the street. Many different colors of chalk can be used to create subtle effects.
Elaborate chalk artwork, also known as Gesso Italiano, is being created the day before 2016 Festa begins in Little Italy.
Elaborate chalk artwork, also known as Gesso Italiano, is being created the day before 2016 Festa begins in Little Italy.
Chalk can be used to produce truly sensational images.
Chalk can be used to produce truly sensational images.
Another chalk artist at work creating a bold face in the middle of the street.
Another chalk artist at work creating a bold face in the middle of the street.
Many classical images borrowed from Italy's rich culture will appear tomorrow on Beech Street for 2016 Festa.
Many classical images borrowed from Italy’s rich history and culture will appear tomorrow on Beech Street for 2016 Festa.
Chalk and asphalt. Passion and skill. A human face is born.
Chalk and asphalt. Passion and skill. A human face is born.
Eyes peer up from the street, regarding a talented chalk artist.
Eyes peer up from the street, patiently regarding a skilled chalk artist.
A colorful chalk angel in Little Italy.
A colorful chalk angel almost ready to take flight in Little Italy.
A beautiful face beneath a halo.
A beautiful face beneath a halo.
Flying purple hair, and a glowing face in the sunlight.
Flying purple hair, and a glowing face in the sunlight.
A laughing face slowly takes life. Chalk artists have converged to create beautiful art in Little Italy for Festa!
These eyes have been infused with life. Chalk artists have converged to create beautiful art in Little Italy for 2016 Festa!

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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.

Cool photos of creativity at Maker Faire San Diego!

A huge spider-like working octopod vehicle on display in the Plaza de Panama at 2016 Maker Faire San Diego!
A huge spider-like working octopod vehicle on display in the Plaza de Panama at 2016 Maker Faire San Diego!

Check out some cool photos! I took these this morning at 2016 Maker Faire San Diego which is being held this weekend in Balboa Park!

This now annual event–I believe this is the second year–attracts creative people of every type: engineers, inventors, dreamers, artists, students . . .  If the human imagination can envision it, these folks will build it!

If you are a dreamer and a doer, head down to Balboa Park and be inspired!

Maker Faire San Diego has taken over Balboa Park this weekend. The annual event features creations and creators who like building cool stuff!
Maker Faire San Diego has taken over Balboa Park this weekend. The annual event features fantastic creations and the inspired creators who like building cool stuff!
This super cool octopod moves slowly forward and backward using its spider-like feet. I learned that it doesn't steer very well, however.
This super cool octopod moves slowly forward and backward using its spider-like feet. I’d love to sit inside and drive it! I learned that it doesn’t steer very well, however.
In the morning, before the Maker Faire officially opened, I spotted two cupcake cars heading through Balboa Park!
In the morning, before the Maker Faire officially opened, I spotted two cupcake cars heading through Balboa Park!
This guy was flying what appeared to be a huge model of a Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer down Balboa Park's El Prado!
This guy was flying what appeared to be a huge model of a Star Wars Imperial Star Destroyer down Balboa Park’s El Prado!
A bunch of Maker Faire exhibitors set up on Saturday morning in front of the San Diego Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park.
A bunch of Maker Faire exhibitors set up on Saturday morning in front of the San Diego Air and Space Museum in Balboa Park.
This human powered submarine was created by a team of students at UCSD. It competed in the International Submarine Race and was propelled by a 3-D printed fin.
This human powered submarine was created by a team of students at UCSD. It competed in the International Submarine Race and was propelled by a 3-D printed fin.
This cool robot was created by high school students, namely High Tech High's Top Hat Technicians. It competed in an event where a ball had to be shot at a goal.
This cool robot was created by high school students, namely High Tech High’s Top Hat Technicians. It competed in an event where a ball had to be shot at a goal.
Make your own molecule using this cardboard Molecube!
Make your own molecule using this cardboard Molecube!
These awesome guitars were made by students in a special STEM Guitar-Building class at San Diego City College.
These awesome guitars were made by students in a special STEM Guitar-Building class at San Diego City College.
The Ghostbusters ECTO-1 vehicle has arrived for Maker Faire San Diego, as well as a Jeep from Jurassic Park.
The Ghostbusters ECTO-1 vehicle has arrived for Maker Faire San Diego, as well as a Jeep from Jurassic Park.
Commissioner Gordon must be nearby. I spotted his Gotham Police Department vehicle.
Commissioner Gordon must be nearby. I spotted his Gotham Police Department vehicle.
A tiny house would be built here during the Maker Faire weekend. When I first walked by, the floor was being laid down.
A tiny house would be built here during the Maker Faire weekend. When I first walked by, the floor was being laid down.
About an hour later, one wall was already up!
About an hour later, one wall was already up!
The Electric Giraffe returned for 2016 Maker Faire San Diego. It walks, talks, and has become quite a phenomenon. It has even appeared at the White House!
The Electric Giraffe returned for 2016 Maker Faire San Diego. It walks, talks, and has become quite a phenomenon. It has even appeared at the White House!
The Electric Giraffe is 17 feet tall when its neck is fully raised. Its horns (actually ossicones) appear to be lava lamps!
The Electric Giraffe is 17 feet tall when its neck is fully raised. Its “horns” (actually ossicones) appear to be lava lamps!
These creators at Maker Faire San Diego were building the Temple for Youtopia. It's an interlocking plywood parabaloid with a single light source at it's focal point.
These creators at Maker Faire San Diego were building the Temple for Youtopia. It’s an interlocking plywood parabaloid with a single light source at it’s focal point. When finished, light shines out everywhere.
A similar Temple is built each year at Burning Man and set on fire.
A similar Temple is built each year at Burning Man and set on fire.
I noticed a lot of cool Star Wars cosplay at 2016 Maker Faire San Diego.
I noticed a lot of cool Star Wars cosplay at 2016 Maker Faire San Diego.
Star Wars cosplay between Balboa Park's House of Hospitality and the Japanese Friendship Garden.
I caught this Star Wars cosplay between Balboa Park’s House of Hospitality and the Japanese Friendship Garden.
Back in Balboa Park's central Plaza de Panama, the San Diego Sabers engaged in a fast-paced lightsaber battle!
Back in Balboa Park’s central Plaza de Panama, the San Diego Sabers engaged in a fast-paced lightsaber battle!
Enthusiasts in cool costumes engage in lightsaber combat as a crowd watches during 2016 Maker Faire San Diego!
Enthusiasts in cool protective costumes engage in lightsaber combat as a crowd watches during 2016 Maker Faire San Diego!
Anybody passing by was invited to Paint a Prius near the San Diego Automotive Museum!
Anybody passing by was invited to Paint a Prius near the San Diego Automotive Museum!
Kids have a blast in front of the San Diego Air and Space Museum. Air-propelled rockets were flying all over the place.
Kids have a blast in front of the San Diego Air and Space Museum. Air-propelled rockets were flying all over the place.
Kids at Maker Faire San Diego test a carbon dioxide cannon, made from a garbage can!
Kids at Maker Faire San Diego test a carbon dioxide cannon, made from a garbage can!
This remote control robot batter was swinging wildly at beach balls. A rather amusing scene! (Wish I'd taken a better photo.)
This remote control robot batter was swinging wildly at beach balls. A rather amusing scene! (Wish I’d taken a better photo.)
Here comes AR-Duo, the Caloric Rover, a cool steampunk rolling doohickey which is beyond awesome.
Here comes AR-Duo, the Caloric Rover, a cool steampunk rolling doohickey which is beyond awesome.
There's just too much fun at 2016 Maker Faire San Diego! Head over to Balboa Park this weekend!
There’s just too much fun at 2016 Maker Faire San Diego! Head over to Balboa Park this weekend!

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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.

One voice in support of saving the Starlight Bowl.

You can help save Balboa Park's beloved Starlight Bowl!
You can help save Balboa Park’s beloved Starlight Bowl!

I’m no expert on this matter. Take whatever I say with a grain of salt. I’m just an ordinary guy who has lived in San Diego for a good chunk of my life.

I would like to raise my voice in support of saving the Starlight Bowl in Balboa Park. I’m not affiliated with Save Starlight. They have no clue who I am. But I’m attached to their cause. A chain of fond memories is my bond.

Years ago I enjoyed watching a variety of theatrical productions with my family in this beloved outdoor amphitheater. Some of those productions I experienced as a child and young adult, and they made a lasting impression. They helped me to develop my particular love for the written (and spoken) word, and for the great outdoors. My small world expanded as I sat beneath a universe of twinkling stars and absorbed great plays–those undying expressions of human longing, emotion and imagination. And it was simply exciting–like going to an outdoor concert!

I’m sure thousands–if not millions–of people have similar memories of the Starlight Bowl: memories of fine drama and pleasure under those twinkling stars, of laughs, tears and smiles, out in the fresh San Diego air, a short walk from the many other wonderful institutions in Balboa Park.

The Starlight Bowl has languished far too long. What a shame. When I walk past it during my strolls around Balboa Park, I can’t help but envision it once again filled with humanity, playing a unique role in our ever-growing city. Save Starlight is working to bring the large, functional amphitheater back to life. According to an email I received, they are now working with the city, and they intend to fill the Starlight Bowl with concerts, musicals, dance recitals, circus acts, magic shows, multicultural festivals, graduations, and much more. A few more ideas have also popped into my head: corporate events, lectures, a meeting place for large community organizations . . .

Many of my blog’s followers either live in or have a personal attachment to San Diego. Would you like to help with this effort? You know, social media sites like Facebook can have a surprisingly big impact if people post and share information and opinions. So why not make your support known? Or perhaps just tell your friends about what’s going on.

Save Starlight is making a presentation to the City of San Diego within a week, and a handwritten letter of support would be extremely powerful. Ideas for a letter might include your personal connection with Starlight, practical reasons why you would like to see the Starlight Bowl reopened, or even how you would like to become involved. Perhaps you’d like to volunteer, donate, use the venue for staging an event, have your product carried in the concessions, etc. If you plan to write, do it soon!

Letters should be sent to:

Stephen Stopper, President
Save Starlight, Inc.
9590 Chesapeake Drive
San Diego, CA 92123

The Starlight Bowl might once again be filled with humanity and magic. Your voice is important.
After languishing for many years, the Starlight Bowl might once again be filled with humanity and life. You can help make it happen.  Your voice is important.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!