Even more cool street art at SILO in East Village!

A sexy San Diego lady and graffiti on a wall inside the very unique SILO venue in East Village.
A sexy San Diego lady and graffiti on a wall inside the very unique SILO venue in East Village.

Check out these photos!   I discovered more street art murals at SILO in East Village!

I’ve blogged about this very cool special event venue several times in the past, here and here and here.  The spray-painted murals and graffiti are constantly changing, and there are a number of newer works that I hadn’t seen until I walked by this morning. Here they are!

The wall along F Street at SILO has been painted with various cool bits of urban art. That doughnut is making me hungry.
The wall along F Street at SILO has been painted with various cool bits of urban art. That doughnut is making me hungry.
A San Diego Sea Walls mural on the same wall features a bearded face and two hands. Not sure about the symbolism.
A San Diego Sea Walls mural on the same wall features a bearded face and two hands. Not sure about the symbolism.
Walking along the sidewalk, we now spy a funky purplish face.
Walking along the sidewalk, we now spy a funky purplish face.
A squished-up greenish face.
A squished-up greenish face.
An orange face with oddly protruding eyeballs.
An orange face with oddly protruding eyeballs.
Some colorful graffiti I hadn't seen previously inside SILO. It's probably been a year since I walked by here. Took this and the following photos through a fence.
Some colorful graffiti I hadn’t seen previously inside SILO. It’s probably been a year since I walked by here. I took this and the following photos through a fence.
Looks like a strange scene from Alice in Wonderland.
Looks like a strange scene from Alice in Wonderland.
Female face spray painted on a wall.
Female face spray painted on a wall.
A look down into the fantastic SILO special event venue. I don't recall seeing that cargo container before.
A look down into the fantastic SILO special event venue. I don’t recall seeing that cargo container before.
Just tons of cool images. Like a crazy dream in the center of the city! I think that mural on top might be somewhat new.
Just tons of cool images. Like a crazy dream in the center of the city! I think that mural on top might be somewhat new.
A very cool abstract jumble of street art on a brick wall.
A very cool abstract jumble of street art on a brick wall.
Looks like some sort of cosmic bird deities have arrived from outer space. You tell me what this one means!
Looks like some sort of cosmic bird deities have arrived from outer space. You tell me what this one means!

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 unique photos for you to enjoy!

Holiday fun at the new SMARTS Farm in East Village!

People check out many planters full of vegetables and flowers at the new SMARTS Farm in East Village.
People check out many planters full of vegetables and flowers at the new SMARTS Farm in East Village.

Today I walked to East Village in downtown San Diego to check out a holiday event at SMARTS Farm. I didn’t realize that this cool community garden had recently moved. Their new and improved location is at the corner of 13th Street and Broadway.

At SMARTS Farm, anybody is welcome to become an urban gardener–growing flowers or vegetables in the heart of our sunny city. Downtown residents can relax here, kids can learn about farming, botany and nature, and I believe photography classes are still offered.

If you’re ever downtown, swing on by to see for yourself!

SMARTS Farm in San Diego's East Village is a community garden where hearts can grow and minds thrive.
SMARTS Farm in San Diego’s East Village is a community garden where hearts can grow and minds thrive.
A wreath is hung on the barn inside SMARTS Farm to celebrate the holiday season. They've moved to a new location and are open to everyone in the community!
A wreath is hung on the barn inside SMARTS Farm to celebrate the holiday season. They’ve moved to a new location and are open to everyone in the community!
Someone makes a wreath the week before Christmas during a special SMARTS Farm holiday event.
Someone makes a wreath the week before Christmas during a special SMARTS Farm holiday event.
These guys were rolling out yummy pizzas!
These guys were rolling out yummy pizzas!
Walking around the large colorful garden. Schools and community groups can grow their own plants in an urban environment downtown.
Walking around the large colorful garden. Schools and community groups can grow their own plants in an urban environment downtown.
Lessons about how to plant urban crops were underway in the late morning.
Lessons about how to plant urban crops were underway in the late morning.
A young gardener sows some seeds at SMARTS Farm.
A young gardener sows some seeds at SMARTS Farm.
Hands on farming includes a children's garden and plants grown by nearby school KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy--my neighbor on Cortez Hill.
Hands on farming includes a children’s garden and plants grown by nearby school KIPP Adelante Preparatory Academy–my neighbor on Cortez Hill.
A pleasant day can be had tending a garden and learning about gardening in the middle of downtown San Diego!
A pleasant day can be had tending a garden and learning about gardening in the middle of downtown San Diego!
Nature, Water, Air. At SMARTS Farm, every day is Earth Day!
Nature, Water, Air. At SMARTS Farm, every day is Earth Day!

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 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.

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.

Fun photos of Trolley Dances at Fault Line Park!

A fun performance at Fault Line Park in San Diego's East Village during 2016 Trolley Dances!
An imaginative performance at Fault Line Park in San Diego’s East Village during the 2016 Trolley Dances!

Check out these fun photos! They show the energy audiences will experience when they venture downtown to watch the Trolley Dances this year!

The Trolley Dances is all about contemporary dance in surprising public places. This year the Trolley Dances, a collaboration between the San Diego Dance Theater and our Metropolitan Transit System, begins with a performance in Barrio Logan. Mobile audiences, following guides, then make their way by trolley and foot to a variety of unusual downtown locations, where dancers appear like magic and perform. The unique experience lasts about two and a half hours and comes to a conclusion at the relatively new Fault Line Park in East Village. That’s where I snapped a few pics of the final two dances.

I’ll try not to give away too much. Let your imagination go to town–or better yet, buy a ticket. The 2016 Trolley Dances takes places this weekend and next!

A mobile audience arrives at San Diego's Fault Line Park. The park will be the setting of two energetic dances.
A mobile audience arrives at San Diego’s Fault Line Park. The park will be the setting of two energetic dances.
The audience takes a seat. Is something behind that wall?
The audience takes a seat. Is something behind that wall?
Yes, indeed! These dancers seem to have paddled in to shore!
Yes, indeed! These suddenly rising dancers seem to have paddled in to shore!
Perhaps it is an invasion!
Perhaps it’s an invasion!
Dancing on boulders at Fault Line Park! Flight of the Valkyries plays!
Dancing on boulders at Fault Line Park! Flight of the Valkyries plays!
An imaginative work of modern dance at the 2016 Trolley Dances in San Diego.
A unique work of modern dance at the 2016 Trolley Dances in San Diego.
The dancers approach the audience as if rowing a Viking longship...
The dancers approach the audience as if rowing a Viking longship . . .
They have conquered!
They have conquered!
Meanwhile, out on the nearby grass, not far from some folks practicing football, I spot a circle of baseball players...
Meanwhile, out on the nearby grass, not far from some people practicing football skills, I spot a circle of baseball players . . .
These baseball players are also dancers!
These baseball players also happen to be dancers!
Just like professional baseball players, each dancer is introduced by name to the Trolley Dances audience.
Just like professional baseball players, each performer is introduced by name to the Trolley Dances audience.
And a wonderful dance commences...
And a joyful dance commences . . .
Just a lot of fun.
Just a lot of fun.
Dancers rest for a few minutes and await the next mobile audience to arrive at Fault Line Park during the 2016 Trolley Dances.
Dancers rest for a few minutes. They await the next mobile audience that will arrive at Fault Line Park during the 2016 Trolley Dances.

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

If you’d like to read a few short stories I’ve written, please visit Short Stories by Richard.

A new MLB All-Star Game building wrap and more!

A huge MLB All-Star Game building wrap has appeared on the Marriott Marquis hotel in downtown San Diego! Promoted is the sports talk show on FS1 called Speak For Yourself, with Colin Cowherd and Jason Whitlock.
A huge MLB All-Star Game building wrap has appeared on the Marriott Marquis hotel in downtown San Diego! Promoted is the sports talk show on FS1 called Speak For Yourself, with Colin Cowherd and Jason Whitlock.

Preparation for the Major League All-Star Game in San Diego is picking up steam around Petco Park. I was excited during my walk around downtown to see a brand new building wrap on the Marriott Marquis waterfront hotel. It must have gone up almost overnight! It promotes a talk show on FS1 called Speak For Yourself, with Colin Cowherd and Jason Whitlock. As I walked around Petco Park and around the San Diego Convention Center, I spotted a number of other cool sights! Check them out!

Major League Baseball All-Star Game banners line Harbor Drive, near Petco Park. These now appear all over downtown San Diego, temporarily replacing the Doctor Strange Comic-Con banners.
Major League Baseball All-Star Game banners line Harbor Drive, near Petco Park. These now appear all over downtown San Diego, temporarily replacing the Doctor Strange Comic-Con banners.
All-Star Game sign not far from the grass where a special MLB outdoor event will begin Thursday, called PLAY BALL PARK, which will entice youth to have fun playing baseball. Inside the Hilton San Diego Bayfront is the Fox Sports Grill, which should also be a hub of activity during All-Star Game weekend.
All-Star Game sign not far from the grass where a special MLB outdoor event will begin Thursday, called PLAY BALL PARK.  The multi-day event will entice youth to have fun playing baseball. Inside the Hilton San Diego Bayfront is the Fox Sports Grill, which should also be a hub of activity during All-Star Game weekend.
Another photo of the huge Speak For Yourself building wrap on the Marriott Marquis, right next to the San Diego Convention Center with its colorful umbrellas.
Another photo of the huge Speak For Yourself building wrap on the Marriott Marquis, just beyond the San Diego Convention Center with its blue umbrellas.
MLB All-Star Game banners along the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade and the Green Line of the San Diego Trolley. The big game is Tuesday, July 12, on FOX, but there will be many other cool events all weekend leading up to the big game.
MLB All-Star Summer banners along the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade and the Green Line of the San Diego Trolley. The big game is Tuesday, July 12, on FOX, but there will be many other cool events all weekend leading up to the big game.
Here's a banner in the Gaslamp Quarter that advertises the All-Star Red Carpet Show! I'll be there and share photos!
Here’s a banner in the Gaslamp Quarter that advertises the All-Star Red Carpet Show! I’ll be there and share photos if I’m lucky!
A bonus pic. Padres faithful hope to sweep the Yankees today. This is my first photo of the outside of the new Padres Hall of Fame, which plays tribute to Padres history and its most notable players.
A bonus pic. Padres faithful hope to sweep the Yankees today. This is my first photo of the outside of the new Padres Hall of Fame, which plays tribute to Padres history and its most notable players.
And one more bonus pic from today's walk! An MCRD San Diego drill instructor keeps a steady eye on new Marine Corps recruits filing in to watch a Sunday Padres game, a proud tradition San Diego.
And one more bonus pic from today’s walk! An MCRD San Diego drill instructor keeps a steady eye on new Marine Corps recruits filing in to watch a Sunday Padres game, a proud tradition San Diego.
The countdown clock in back of the Padres scoreboard keeps on ticking down the seconds--now only 9 days until the Major League Baseball All-Star Game!
The countdown clock in back of the Padres scoreboard keeps on ticking down the seconds.  It’s now only 9 days until the Major League Baseball All-Star Game!

UPDATE!

Here are two pics I took on July 7 . . .

All-Star Game sign above the entrance to San Diego's historic Santa Fe Depot.
All-Star Game sign above the entrance to San Diego’s historic Santa Fe Depot.
A large banner on the San Diego County Administration Building celebrates All-Star Week in 2016.
A large banner on the San Diego County Administration Building celebrates All-Star Week in 2016.

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

Stay tuned for fun photos of All-Star Game events, then of San Diego Comic-Con the following week!

Even more funny signs and stuff in San Diego!

Avoid urban decay. A funny sign on the window of a dentist office in San Diego's East Village.
Avoid urban decay. A funny image on the window of a dentist office in San Diego’s East Village.

For your enjoyment, here’s another random batch of funny photos taken around downtown San Diego!

Don't break into this downtown San Diego business. A sign on the door warns: Beware of Attack Cat!
Don’t break into this downtown San Diego business. A sign on the door warns: Beware of Attack Cat!
A very odd sign near a parking lot simply states: MEOW.
A very odd sign near a parking lot simply states: MEOW.
A bench shaped like a mustache. A fun sight in front of a barber shop.
A bench shaped like a mustache. A fun sight in front of a barber shop.
Funny quote inside a store window. I only drink champagne on two occasions, when I am in love and when I am not.
Funny quote inside a store window. I only drink champagne on two occasions, when I am in love and when I am not.
Photo of a funny shirt in a Gaslamp window. We must learn to take life with a grain of salt, slice of lime and a shot of tequila.
Photo of funny shirt inside a Gaslamp window. We must learn to take life with a grain of salt, slice of lime and a shot of tequila.
A wonderfully bizarre downtown San Diego poster. Fear the power of Sushi Burrito. Finish off your evil hunger!
A wonderfully bizarre downtown San Diego poster. Perhaps I need to eat here.  Fear the power of Sushi Burrito. Finish off your evil hunger!
Funny sign on East Village sidewalk. Rubbing an eye to wake up. Maybe some coffee will help!
Funny sign on East Village sidewalk. Rubbing an eye to wake up. Maybe some coffee will help!

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!

Bright ideas, colorful art, a construction site fence.

Imagination. One work of art on a construction site fence in East Village.
Imagination. One work of art on a construction site fence in East Village.

One can find some colorful, imaginative artwork on a long construction site fence in East Village. In case you aren’t in San Diego, or simply can’t swing on by, I took some photographs!

The large city block bounded by the fence is the site of a new mixed-use development called IDEA1. The visionary urban project includes a combination of apartments, lofts, restaurants, retail and high-tech office space. At the center of it all will be a community gathering place, called The Hub. I can’t wait to see everything finished.

Meanwhile, we can enjoy this cool urban art!

A skyscraper joins the ranks of a vertical pencil, ruler and paint brush.
A skyscraper fits right in with a vertical pencil, ruler and paint brush.
A big construction crane in downtown San Diego rises over globs of color.
A big construction crane in downtown San Diego rises over globs of color.
A cloud containing llamas engulfs the upper stories of a very tall building.
A cloud containing llamas engulfs the upper stories of a very tall building. Okay, that’s just plain weird!  But I like it!
Discover Beyond. Beyond this construction fence, IDEA1 is rising. IDEA1 is a mixed-use residential and business project in East Village.
Discover Beyond. Beyond this construction fence, IDEA1 is rising. IDEA1 is a new mixed-use residential and business project in East Village.
A noodle coming out of a basket spells Idea. Care for some sushi?
A noodle coming out of a basket spells Idea. Care for some sushi?
Cool graphic shows street lamp, signs, a DecoBike station, traffic signal and trolley.
Cool graphic shows lamp, street signs, a DecoBike station, traffic signal and San Diego trolley.
Curious? I am.
Curious? I am.
A psychedelic, tree-lined eyeball between colorful barren branches.
A psychedelic, tree-lined eyeball between colorful barren branches.
Bright Idea at the corner of Park Boulevard and F Street in San Diego's East Village.
Bright Idea at the corner of Park Boulevard and F Street in San Diego’s East Village.
Top of idea, with wires coming out.
Top of one idea, with wires coming out.
A couple, a red umbrella, and city lights.
A couple, a red umbrella, and city lights.

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

Have you seen my new blog yet? I think you might enjoy it! It’s called Beautiful Balboa Park! It contains lots of fun, interesting stuff!

A big new Petco Park sign is being installed.

A brand new sign is being installed at Petco Park, stadium home of Major League Baseball's awesome San Diego Padres!
A brand new sign is being installed at Petco Park, stadium home of Major League Baseball’s awesome San Diego Padres!

Just a quick couple pics. During my walk this morning, I happened to notice a big new Petco Park sign is being installed on the San Diego Padres’ downtown stadium. The new sign is a bright, cheerful red, and I’m sure it’s no coincidence that the lettering closely resembles the Petco logo. Workers are installing it from a crane just in time for Opening Day, which is a home game–April 4th against the Los Angeles Dodgers.  Of course, the new sign will also be seen by millions of television viewers during the upcoming MLB All-Star game this summer. Go Pads!

Bicyclist heads down Park Boulevard past a new sight in East Village--a redesigned red sign for Petco Park, just in time for Opening Day and the upcoming 2016 MLB All-Star Game.
Bicyclist heads down Park Boulevard past a new sight in East Village: a redesigned red sign for Petco Park, just in time for Opening Day and the upcoming 2016 MLB All-Star Game.

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 surprising photos for you to enjoy!

San Diego residents learn a cool craft in a park!

Neighbors gather in San Diego's East Village to learn how to make cool mosaic planters!
Neighbors gather in San Diego’s East Village to learn how to make cool mosaic planters!

This morning, residents of San Diego gathered at Fault Line Park in East Village to learn how to make mosaic planters! The neighborhood event was put together by the Downtown San Diego Partnership and Home Depot.

To make your own cool mosaic planter, you need a clay pot, ceramic tile adhesive, and broken bits of tile, colored glass or mirror. Apply a generous coat of adhesive to the outside of the pot, then press in the colorful, shiny mosaic bits! I was told it takes a good 24 hours for the white adhesive to thoroughly dry and harden.

What a fun DIY gift idea! Or a cool craft project for a downtown apartment or condo!

I think I heard that events like this will be happening at different parks around downtown San Diego every first Saturday of the month!

An event held Saturday morning at Fault Line Park taught participants how to produce an easy, artistic craft.
An event held Saturday morning at Fault Line Park taught participants how to produce an easy, artistic craft.
Home Depot sponsored the Do-it-Yourself Workshop. Everyone learned how to piece together beautiful mosaics!
Home Depot sponsored the Do-it-Yourself Workshop. Everyone learned how to piece together beautiful mosaics!
A layer of ceramic tile adhesive is applied to the exterior of clay pots.
A layer of ceramic tile adhesive is applied to the exterior of clay pots.
Lots of broken bits of tile are spread out on the table like jigsaw puzzle pieces!
Lots of broken bits of tile are spread out on the table like jigsaw puzzle pieces!
Art is easy! You just gotta do it!
Art is easy! You just gotta do it!

Join me for more Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook and Twitter!

Do you like to read original, thought-provoking fiction? Please visit Short Stories by Richard.

Signs of 2016 All-Star Game appear in San Diego.

Sign in window of downtown's Omni Hotel, across Tony Gwynn Drive from Petco Park, proclaims San Diego is America's All-Star City.
Sign at downtown’s Omni Hotel, across Tony Gwynn Drive from Petco Park, proclaims San Diego is America’s All-Star City.

Winter is a week away. Time to start dreaming of next summer!

To help you dream, here are some photos I snapped in the past few months. During my walks around Petco Park, I’ve noticed a variety of signs which anticipate the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. It will be held right here in San Diego!

Digital display on Western Metal Supply Co. building at Petco Park, the downtown stadium of the San Diego Padres, counts down the days and hours until the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
Digital display on Western Metal Supply Co. building at Petco Park, the downtown stadium of the San Diego Padres, counts down the days and hours until the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
One cool window of the Omni Hotel seems to offer a view into the future, as the 2016 All-Star Game is being played in San Diego.
One cool “window” of the Omni Hotel seems to offer a view into the future, as the 2016 All-Star Game is being played in San Diego.
Baseball's All-Star Game is coming next summer! A few signs have popped up around Petco Park many months in advance. It's going to be fun!
Baseball’s All-Star Game is coming next summer! A few signs have popped up around Petco Park many months in advance. It’s going to be fun!

UPDATE!

Look what I saw in mid-December 2015…

Just before Christmas, All-Star Santa has been painted on the window of the San Diego Padres Store in the Western Metal Supply Co. Building!
Just before Christmas, All-Star Santa has been painted on the window of the San Diego Padres Store in the Western Metal Supply Co. Building!

Join me for more cool sights on Facebook and Twitter!

Do you like to read inspirational, thought-provoking fiction? Visit my Short Stories by Richard writing blog!