Tag: downtown

Fun photos from today’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Saint Patrick was seen in downtown San Diego banishing snakes and frowns.
Saint Patrick was seen in downtown San Diego banishing snakes and frowns.

A long, warm, wonderful walk today filled my trusty old camera with lots of photos! First up: some fun images from San Diego’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade!

Last year I took pics up and down Sixth Avenue (just west of Balboa Park) where the parade was staged, and this morning I did exactly the same thing. Predictably, cool sights were everywhere my eyes turned!

This smiling gentleman is dressed in the uniform of the Knights of Columbus.
This smiling gentleman is dressed in the uniform of the Knights of Columbus.
Crowd gathers early before the big St. Patrick's Day parade kicks off.
Crowd gathers early before the big St. Patrick’s Day parade kicks off.
Lots of dogs were wearing the green this morning.
Lots of dogs were wearing the green this morning.
Fun green hats and stuff line the grass by the sidewalk.
Green hats and fun festive stuff on the grass by the sidewalk.
Shriner mini cars are always a popular part of the St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Shriner mini cars are always a popular part of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
These clowns are relaxing in the shade as a sunny San Diego day heats up.
These clowns are relaxing in the shade as a sunny San Diego day heats up.
This cool old Ambulance and Patrol vehicle awaits start of parade.
This cool old Ambulance and Patrol vehicle awaits start of parade.
The distinctive Shriners float doesn't look very Irish to me, except for a bit of green!
The distinctive Shriners float doesn’t look Irish to me, except for a bit of green!
The Best-Rate Repair Company float is making its first appearance this year.
The Best-Rate Repair Company float is making its first appearance this year.
This guy in a traditional kilt will be playing the bagpipes for everyone to enjoy.
This guy in a traditional kilt will be playing the bagpipes for everyone to enjoy.
Marching band instruments lie on the grass before start of the St. Paddy's parade.
Marching band instruments lie on the grass before start of the St. Paddy’s parade.
The Academy of Irish Dance gets their festive float ready.
The Academy of Irish Dance gets their elaborate float ready.
These super nice San Diego Roller Derby ladies posed for my camera!
These super nice San Diego Roller Derby ladies posed for my camera!
Motorcyclist in green heads down Sixth Avenue where the parade is staging.
Motorcyclist in green heads down Sixth Avenue where the parade is staging.
These cool old-fashioned penny-farthing bicycles will take part in the parade.
These cool old-fashioned penny-farthing bicycles will take part in the parade.
Everybody was busy getting ready as the 10:30 morning start approached.
Everybody was busy getting ready as the 10:30 morning start approached.
Serviceman helps affix some green to the front bumper of a car.
Serviceman helps affix some Irish green to the front bumper of a car.
The Young Marines were folding a large American flag as I walked down Sixth Avenue.
The Young Marines were carefully folding a large American flag as I walked down Sixth Avenue.
A smiling Irish clown perfectly captures the spirit of this wonderful annual event.
A smiling Irish clown perfectly captures the spirit of this wonderful annual event.

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Morning birds at the Children’s Park fountain.

Two seagulls carry bits of something while navigating the Children's Park fountain.
Two seagulls carry bits of something while navigating the Children’s Park fountain.

You might enjoy these fun photos.

Occasionally I walk past the Children’s Park fountain in the early morning, on my way to catch a downtown trolley for work. Even though the fountain is usually off (because of our long drought), birds like to hang out in the fountain’s man-made pond. It’s a sanctuary in the city where birds can easily scavenge human food.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, which runs parallel to Harbor Drive, passes right over the pond, and when I pause on the path camera in hand, I’m usually rewarded.

These shots were taken shortly after sunrise…

The Children's Park was the city of San Diego's gift to kids in 1995.
The Children’s Park was the city of San Diego’s gift to kids in 1995.
The gently sprinkling fountain was off this morning, and birds were enjoying the early sun.
The gently sprinkling fountain was off this morning, and birds were enjoying the early sun.
There are many places for birds to perch at the center of the man-made pond.
There are many places for birds to perch at the center of the man-made pond.
A gull floats over to see if I have food. I'm standing on the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, where it passes as a walkway over the blue water.
A gull floats over to see if I have food. I’m standing on the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, where it passes as a walkway over the blue water.
These three ducks are just cruising around the Children's Park fountain.
These three ducks are just cruising around the Children’s Park fountain.
Off to the side of the fountain, pigeons congregate on the San Diego trolley's electrical wires.
Off to the side of the fountain, pigeons congregate on the San Diego trolley’s electrical wires.
Pigeons swirl in broad circles directly overhead.
Pigeons swirl in broad circles directly overhead.
A graceful seagull patrols the park as day breaks.
A graceful seagull patrols the park as day breaks.
Photo near the fountain of sunrise and a bird with outstretched wings.
Photo near the fountain of sunrise and a bird with outstretched wings.

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Hundred year old photos of Santa Fe Depot.

Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of San Diego's Santa Fe train depot!
Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of San Diego’s Santa Fe train depot!

I was walking around today when I noticed a large banner hanging above the entrance of downtown’s Santa Fe Depot. This year the historic train station and San Diego landmark turns one hundred years old!

A friendly gentleman inside the waiting room at the information booth gave me a flyer about a special event tomorrow. The public is invited to attend a celebration of the historic depot’s centennial! The festivities take place between 11 am and 1 pm. The address of the Santa Fe Depot Union Station is 1050 Kettner Boulevard, just north of Broadway in downtown San Diego. I will be working, so I’ll probably miss it.

In the past I’d thought about posting cool old photos of the depot, but now seems the appropriate time! Check out the following photographs that I found on Wikimedia Commons.

First, a little background on the depot, with a few details taken from an informative handout…

A fine example of the classic Spanish Mission-Colonial Revival style of architecture, including Moorish influences, the Santa Fe Depot is on the National Register of Historic Places. Today it lies at the southern terminus of the nation’s second-busiest Amtrak rail corridor. In addition to the Pacific Surfliner trains, it also serves as an important station for Coaster commuter trains and the San Diego Trolley.

Built by the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway, it opened on March 7, 1915. It replaced the California Southern Railway’s smaller 1887 Victorian depot. The beautiful new depot was designed to welcome rail travelers visiting the 1915 Panama-California International Exposition, which was staged in expansive Balboa Park, just northeast of downtown. You can see dozens of fantastic photos of Balboa Park from a century ago here.

The huge Santa Fe Depot waiting room is 170 feet long and 55 feet wide. The varnished oak benches are lit by 16 bronze and glass chandeliers. You can see pics of today’s interior here.

Old photo on today's information booth shows large waiting room as it was once configured, with ticket counters, checkroom and shops in wooden structures on the west side.
Old photo on today’s information booth shows large waiting room as it was once configured, with ticket counters, checkroom and shops in wooden structures on the west side.
Historical photograph of Santa Fe Depot's construction, dated August 17, 1914.
Historical photograph of Santa Fe Depot’s steel construction, dated August 17, 1914.
Santa Fe Railroad Station under construction beside the old 1887 Victorian depot. Photo dated September 3, 1914.
Santa Fe Railroad Station under construction beside the old 1887 Victorian depot, which stood on the other side of the tracks. Photo dated September 3, 1914.
Photo of the old depot tower being demolished in 1915.
Photo of the Victorian depot tower being demolished in 1915. A locomotive pulled the old tower over to great public fanfare.
Color postcard from around 1920 features inviting image of San Diego Union Depot.
Color postcard circa 1920 features inviting image of San Diego Union Depot.
The Santa Fe Depot as it appears today, with modern high-rise buildings nearby.
The handsome Santa Fe Depot as it appears today, with modern high-rise buildings nearby.

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Chefs flood the streets of downtown San Diego!

Chef carries a frying pan outside on a downtown San Diego sidewalk.
A friendly chef carries a huge frying pan outside on a downtown San Diego sidewalk.

Chefs have taken to the streets of downtown San Diego! They can be seen almost everywhere! Cooks on every corner–but where’s my breakfast?

Chef in restaurant window happily flings some pizza dough into the air.
Chef at restaurant window happily stirs the sauce and flings some pizza dough into the air.
Cook on Sixth Avenue proudly shows his chalkboard menu.
Culinary artist on Sixth Avenue proudly made a chalkboard menu.
Chef tosses a mosaic pizza at base of artistic Little Italy Landmark Sign.
Chef tosses a mosaic pizza at base of the artistic Little Italy Landmark Sign.
This smiling chef has prepared a tasty slice of pizza!
Another smiling chef has prepared a tasty slice of pizza!
This Kansas City Barbeque pig is a Top Gun chef. I bet he likes to ham it up.
This Kansas City Barbeque pig is a Top Gun chef. I bet he likes to ham it up.

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Fill the Boot in San Diego to help burn victims!

At corner of Ash and Front Street, a San Diego firefighter volunteers to collect donations to assist burn victims.
At the corner of Ash and Front Street, a San Diego firefighter volunteers to collect donations to assist burn victims.

If you’re driving about San Diego County today and you see a fireman standing at an intersection holding up a boot, throw lots of money in!

Today a small army of San Diego firefighters are volunteering to collect donations for the Burn Institute. The Burn Institute’s mission is to help the victims of severe burns recover from a devastating and very difficult situation. The organization has a strong focus on children. Be generous!

Television reporter and firemen spread the word about today's Fill the Boot campaign throughout San Diego.
Television reporter and firemen spread the word about today’s Fill the Boot campaign throughout San Diego.
Fill the Boot to help the Burn Institute and children who've suffered from critical burns.
Fill the Boot generously to help the Burn Institute help children who’ve suffered from critical burns.

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Art Deco car, train, ship and plane on Post Office.

Art Deco relief work shows female above propellers of airplane.
Art Deco relief work shows female flying above propellers of airplane.

“Through science and the toil of patient men, the nation’s thought traverses land and air and sea.” Those are the words inscribed along the top of downtown San Diego’s Post Office, on E Street between 8th and 9th Avenue. Beneath the words are nine terra-cotta panels created by Archibald Garner in 1937. The Art Deco images include a car, train, ship and airplane, the means by which mail has been delivered over many decades, transmitting the written word across the nation and around the world.

Titled “Transportation of the Mail,” Garner’s handsome panels were the result of a Department of Treasury competition. Like most Post Office public art created during the New Deal, the work was funded through the Treasury Department’s Section of Painting and Sculpture, also known as The Section of Fine Arts. The post office itself was built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and stands across the street from the now closed old Central Library. You can see a few interesting photos of the library here.

View of San Diego's downtown Post Office from Ninth Avenue.
View of San Diego’s downtown Post Office from Ninth Avenue.
Ship cuts through ocean waves on its way to deliver the mail.
Steamship cuts through ocean waves on its way to deliver the mail.
Distinctive Art Deco train can be seen near roof of San Diego's old Post Office.
Distinctive Art Deco train can be seen near roof of San Diego’s old Post Office.
Historically interesting panels, which appear at the top of high windows.
Historically interesting panels, which appear at the top of high windows.
Classic automobile in Art Deco artwork in downtown San Diego.
Classic automobile in Art Deco public artwork in downtown San Diego.

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Fun photos of colorful art on Little Italy’s streets.

Colorful tiles around base of Piazza Villaggio fountain in Little Italy.
Colorful tiles around base of Piazza Villaggio fountain in Little Italy.

I frequently walk through Little Italy, a lively neighborhood in the north part of downtown San Diego. Here are some photos of fun, colorful artwork that I’ve taken from the sidewalk during the last few months!

Unusual creation hangs from roof of a building in San Diego's Little Italy.
Unusual creation hangs from roof of a building in San Diego’s Little Italy.
Fun image on wall of The Good Sounds car stereo installation shop.
Fun image on wall of The Good Sounds car stereo installation shop.
Eye-catching clock atop tower on a street corner.
Eye-catching clock atop tower on a street corner.
Lots of whimsical art can be found on Queenstown Public House restaurant.
Lots of whimsical art on the Queenstown Public House restaurant.
Painted tiles add zest to a wall by a sidewalk.
Painted tiles add zest to a wall by a sidewalk.
Base of Little Italy Landmark Sign shows fish netted in the ocean.
Base of Little Italy Landmark Sign shows fish netted in the ocean.
Two cherubs adorn gate pillars on India Street.
Two cherubs adorn gate pillars on India Street.
Just a fun mailbox with hearts, flower and palm tree.
Just a fun mailbox with hearts, flower and palm tree.
Medallion-like artwork on wall above the Italian Cultural Center sign.
Medallion-like artwork on wall above the Italian Cultural Center sign.
Metal fish sculpture seems to leap from Piazza Villaggio fountain.
Metal fish sculpture seems to leap from Piazza Villaggio fountain.

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A fiery sunset behind glorious tall ships.

Fiery sunset in late February behind figurehead of Star of India.
Fiery sunset in late February behind figurehead of Star of India.

I was fortunate to capture some wonderful photographs this evening. I was walking along the beautiful Embarcadero near the Maritime Museum of San Diego as the sun set. Sky and clouds turned for a moment into flame.

Puffy clouds emblazoned by setting sun, and the rigging of glorious tall ships.
Puffy clouds emblazoned by setting sun, and the rigging of glorious tall ships.
Maritime Museum of San Diego's B-39 Soviet submarine is dark under tinted sky.
Maritime Museum of San Diego’s B-39 Soviet submarine is dark under tinted sky.
HMS Surprise and steam ferryboat Berkeley at nightfall on the Embarcadero.
HMS Surprise and steam ferryboat Berkeley at nightfall on the Embarcadero.
Students hauling a rope learn about sailing and seamanship on Star of India.
Students hauling a rope learn about sailing and seamanship on Star of India.
Moon behind a mast and yards of San Diego's historic 1863 bark Star of India.
Moon behind a mast and yards of San Diego’s historic 1863 bark Star of India.
Looking eastward as day ends. Amazing glowing color above downtown buildings.
Turning eastward as day ends. Amazing glowing color above downtown buildings.
Museum visitors seem to cross into a romantic, windswept dream.
Museum visitors seem to cross into a romantic, windswept dream.

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A few cool pics walking down Ninth Avenue.

Colorful splash of paint on a wall. THE END IS LATE... (AND I WAS PREPARED)
Colorful splash of paint on a wall. THE END IS LATE… (AND I WAS PREPARED)

The other morning I took a stroll down Ninth Avenue in downtown San Diego, from the top of Cortez Hill south to hip East Village. My camera was out and ready. Here are a few fun photos that I took as I sauntered through East Village!

Big fuzzy pink gorilla in the Car2Go window.
Big fuzzy pink gorilla in the Car2Go window.
Art that opens eyes. COFFEE IS FOR CLOSERS
Art that opens eyes. COFFEE IS FOR CLOSERS
Message shouted from store rooftop. JUICE SAVES
Message shouted from store’s rooftop. JUICE SAVES
Hiatt House, 1886. A tiny place with ample charm (and history).
Hiatt House, 1886. A tiny place with ample charm (and history).

The Hiatt House, located in East Village near Petco Park, used to contain a cool little eatery named Café Noir. That was a few years ago. According to an article I read, during the first part of the 20th century it was home to several generations of a Japanese-American family. The grounds have also been the site of horse stables and a blacksmith’s shop, and the Latonia Hotel, a modest room-and-board for colored people back in the days of racial segregation. Today the Hiatt House serves as a psychiatrist’s office.

Humulus lupulus (hops) gracefully drape green utility boxes.
Humulus lupulus (hops) gracefully drape green utility boxes.

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Mardi Gras morning in San Diego’s Gaslamp.

Putting up big Mardi Gras arches along Fifth Avenue in San Diego's Gaslamp.
Putting up big Mardi Gras arches along Fifth Avenue in San Diego’s Gaslamp.

I won’t be going to Mardi Gras in downtown San Diego this evening. I suppose I’m a boring old party pooper. But I did walk through the Gaslamp Quarter this morning while preparations were underway. Check out a few photos!

Mardi Gras poster features Snoopadelic (Snoop Dogg).
Mardi Gras poster features Snoopadelic (Snoop Dogg).
Workers set up and test electronic video displays for the evening festivities.
Workers set up and test electronic video displays for the evening festivities.
Three old firetrucks were decorated with Mardi Gras masks and ornaments.
Three old firetrucks were decorated with Mardi Gras masks and ornaments.
These firetrucks are ready for a big, happy carnival in the Gaslamp Quarter.
These firetrucks are ready for a big, happy carnival in the Gaslamp Quarter.
And this guy told me he's also ready for Mardi Gras!
And this cool guy told me he’s also ready for Mardi Gras!
This pedicab is covered with Fat Tuesday ads and flashing lights.
This fun pedicab is covered with Fat Tuesday ads and flashing lights.
A table brimming with colorful masks and beads.
A table brimming with glittery colorful masks and beads.
Guy getting banner ready for thousands of downtown revelers.
Guy getting banner ready for thousands of downtown revelers.
Looking north along Fifth Avenue, where people will celebrate Mardi Gras in San Diego.
Looking up Fifth Avenue, where people will celebrate Mardi Gras in San Diego.

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