San Diego recently made the news as America’s most patriotic city, according to a popular social media network. It doesn’t surprise me. San Diego has more military installations and a higher concentration of veterans than any other city in the United States.
So on the Fourth of July you might expect to see a whole lot of patriotism. You’re right!
Tonight one of the biggest firework displays in the country will take place on San Diego Bay. Right now, people are filtering into the area around the bay to claim viewing spots, have barbeques and picnics, and get themselves ready for the Big Bay Boom, until the number will reach hundreds of thousands.
This afternoon I walked around the Gaslamp and the Embarcadero. Here come some pics!
The streets of San Diego’s Gaslamp District filled with patriotic sights.Shop window in the Gaslamp filled with American flags.Friendship and brotherhood on the Embarcadero Marina Park South pier.One of many boats decked with Fourth of July bunting.The bayfront parks are crowded with tents and celebrating Americans.Thousands along San Diego Bay enjoy barbeque and play.People have claimed spots to watch tonight’s fireworks on the bay.Street performer poses with red, white and blue.Many in the crowd are wearing patriotic clothing.USS Carl Vinson, an active aircraft carrier, strung with festive colors.A display on the Embarcadero of historic diving equipment.Young man near USS Midway speaks to retired Navy diver.Just kicking back on a sunny San Diego Independence Day.The Patriot speed boat is fit for the occasion.Cool pedicab driver gives a peace sign on Fourth of July.
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The big Tony Gwynn flag flies above tall ship America at Maritime Museum.
Both before and after work today, I strolled over to the Embarcadero to take a few pics of the big, 50 foot Tony Gwynn flag. It’s been flying for a couple days from the mast of America, a tall ship owned by Next Level Sailing. America is a replica of the yacht that won the original America’s Cup.
The flag in the late afternoon was fluttering in the sea breeze and glowing brightly in the San Diego sunlight. It seemed a perfect symbol of Tony Gwynn himself. The great, always smiling Padres hitter was not only a superstar, but was like sunshine on a perfect day.
I took the first photo in the early morning, and the others in the late afternoon.
Flag is flown in memory of deceased Tony Gwynn, number 19.Tony Gwynn flag on San Diego Bay seen between Star of India masts.Star of India figurehead faces 19, uniform number of Tony Gwynn.
During my walk along the Embarcadero on June 29, I happened to notice a big Tony Gwynn Padres jersey hanging from the roof of the County Administration Building!
Tony Gwynn jersey on County Administration Building.
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Three ships of Japanese Self-Defense Force visit San Diego.
Those don’t look like cruise ships! Docked at the Cruise Ship Terminal are three visiting Japanese warships. They are participating in Dawn Blitz, a multilateral amphibious exercise. The two destroyers and big landing ship are part of the Japanese Self-Defense Force. Carefree sailboats on a sparkling blue San Diego Bay make an interesting contrast with the gray, ominous warships! Head south past the Coronado Bay Bridge and you’d see a long row of American Navy ships belonging to the Pacific Fleet.
Japanese warships docked at the Cruise Ship Terminal.
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Today is national Flag Day. So during my afternoon walk around downtown San Diego I took photos exclusively of American flags. Here are some shots that you might find interesting…
American flags top many tall office buildings.Flag Day celebrated from a modest downtown rooftop.Reflection on windows of big American flag mural.Bald eagle and American flag mural on Beech Street wall.Patriotic flags on USS Midway Museum superstructure.Red, white and blue adorn cafe below USS Midway flight deck.Small boat cruises around San Diego Bay with flag.Gulls take flight by American flag on busy Embarcadero.Old Town Trolley Tours booth has a flag out.Flag flies proudly in the sea breeze above Star of India.
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USS San Diego Memorial on the Greatest Generation Walk.
I remember walking along the Embarcadero eleven years ago (how time flies!) and just stumbling upon an amazing ceremony. The USS San Diego Memorial was being dedicated. I stood quietly in back of the gathering and watched as notable Navy and local political leaders gave speeches to honor those who served on the USS San Diego, the second most decorated military ship of World War II. One of the speakers was none other than Jerry Coleman, a hero of that war and much beloved sports broadcaster. The large memorial today is a fixture on San Diego’s waterfront, located just south of the USS Midway Museum on the Greatest Generation Walk.
The USS San Diego was a light cruiser that received 18 battle stars during World War II, more than any other ship except the famous aircraft carrier Enterprise. The ship engaged with the enemy on 34 different occasions, in battles throughout the Pacific, and never lost a single sailor during combat. It the first U.S. warship to enter Tokyo Bay at the close of the war.
Monumental art remembers a famous World War II ship.The names of those who served on USS San Diego.Terrazzo map shows movements of the ship during the war.The light cruiser is depicted in action beneath an aerial fight.
The fantastic artwork was created by Eugene Daub and Louis Quaintance.
Sculpture of a crew member of the USS San Diego.
The inscription behind the sailor sculpture reads:
Hundreds of thousands of sailors went to sea and fought in World War II, perhaps the most singular unifying event in the history of the United States. These young Americans set aside their individual hopes and aspirations, left families, home and jobs in a collective sacrifice to defend their country and their common ideals. The men of the USS San Diego (CL-53) remembered here are emblematic of all who fought for victory in this epic struggle.
Golden light before sunset highlights written remembrance.
Here are two more bonus pics I took on a later date!
Close look at artwork of naval engagement on USS San Diego Memorial.People stand on detailed map of where USS San Diego fought during World War II.
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Two of San Diego’s most iconic sights can be found in close proximity. The Star of India, the world’s oldest active sailing ship, attracts tourists just a few steps down the Embarcadero from Donal Hord’s classic Guardian of Water sculpture.
Postcards and brochures promoting San Diego are often graced with this elegant granite sculpture. Since 1939 it has stood facing San Diego Bay at the foot of the County Administration Building.
In part funded by the Works Progress Administration, the famous sculpture depicts a simple pioneer woman holding a jug of water. Pictured in the mosaic tiles and basin are cloudlike water-bearing nudes, a dam, an orchard of citrus fruit trees, dolphins, fish and sea snails!
Donal Hord’s sculpture debuted in 1939.Side view of the iconic Guardian of Water.County Administration Building stands in background.Sea snail on basin of the Guardian of Water.
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Flags above San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial.
The large new waterfront park around San Diego’s County Administration Building contains an important memorial in a prominent location. The San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial is a glass wall etched with the names of fallen officers. It used to be situated on a patch of lawn a bit south of where it now stands. The beautiful memorial was created by the San Diego County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, the San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation, and the County of San Diego.
Wreath placed before the names of fallen officers.Glass wall memorial in park by County Administration Building.Remembering those who fell in the line of duty.
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Lots of fun at County Administration Center Waterfront Park.
The brand new, very awesome County Administration Center Waterfront Park opened today! This spectacular city park stretches several blocks both north and south of the historic County Administration Building, replacing two ugly parking lots. It’s impossible to miss this expansive 12-acre park, located just across Harbor Drive from beautiful San Diego Bay.
You might have read my recent blog post about waterfront improvements, and seen some photos of this new park under construction. It’s now finished and it’s really fantastic!
I attended the grand opening this morning and got tons of cool pics!
Here we go…
Someone arrives from parking structure beneath new park.Opening ceremony in front of County Administration Building.County Supervisor inaugurates new waterfront park.VIPs and the public listen to many speeches.The Padres’ friar mascot circulates in the crowd.Mary Roosevelt, daughter-in-law of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the County Administration Building in 1938.
Everyone waves to photographer atop Star of India.Unrolling the 1600 foot long grand opening ribbon!Everyone positions to cut the park-length ribbon!Boys and Girls Clubs of East County helps to cut the ribbon.The fountains are turned on and wet fun begins!Looking through fountains on north side of park.Street performer in front of County Administration Building.Kid carries footfall through Play60 obstacle course.Kids play miniature golf on the grassy lawn.Trying to score against San Diego Sockers goalie!Star of India and waterfront behind opening day crowd.Cool hill with slides is part of the huge playground.Kids have loads of fun on the big playground.An awesome playground in downtown San Diego!Who wouldn’t love climbing in this net-filled sphere!The shallow fountain on the park’s south side is busy.Parks and Recreation had wildlife displays!Kid checks out a fire engine.A gigantic car show was held on Harbor Drive.San Diego Maritime Museum behind classic cars.A cool woodie with surfboard!
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Life on the water near San Diego Coast Guard Station.
Most people walking along San Diego’s Embarcadero never venture north of the Hornblower boats docked at the Grape Street pier. They’re missing a lively, less-touristy area of San Diego Bay known as the Crescent. Many residents live on small boats moored in this corner of the bay, just west of Little Italy and south of the Coast Guard Station.
Take a walk along the sidewalk and you’ll see folks sitting on benches looking out at the bay, or bicycling along, or out on the water rowing to their floating homes. You’ll see Coast Guard boats and helicopters, folks pumping out their boats, kayaks, fishermen, sea lions and lots of different birds. Turn around and you’ll see planes landing at Lindbergh Field.
Rowing to a boat moored in San Diego Bay’s Crescent area.Many people live in small boats on San Diego Bay.This old sign describes the Crescent Area just south of the Coast Guard Station.People love to bicycle along the edge of picturesque San Diego Bay.Photo taken behind Coast Guard Auxiliary station on North Embarcadero.Sprinkles of light dance on the small waves of San Diego Bay.One boat moored in the Crescent with downtown skyline in the background.Boater walks along the Embarcadero with some drums.Wildlife sign and boats on the North Embarcadero.Vessel Assist boat just brought in a disabled jet ski.Living on the water near downtown San Diego.This boat has a nice potted garden for a backyard.Biking and reading a newspaper along Harbor Drive.
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Dedicated members of San Diego’s Maritime Museum were hard at work yesterday, working in the Star of India’s rigging like busy spiders on a web.
The rigging of the historic three-masted bark is undergoing an overhaul, a project that is expected to take a full year. That’s according to the person selling tickets. The large yards of the foremast have already been removed and are lying on the sidewalk awaiting inspection and a new coat of paint. I was told the ship’s trees (platforms on the masts) are infested with termites. They’ll have to be repaired. To maintain the 150 year old Star of India, the oldest active sailing ship in the world, requires a lot of work!
People tangled in picturesque ship’s rigging.Like highwire artists on the slender ropes.Looks like a lot of hard work.Yards from foremast wait on sidewalk to be painted.Maritime Museum members at work on Star of India.High up in the blue San Diego sky.
I got a quick photo of a San Diego Maritime Museum volunteer working on the yards on an early July morning!
Volunteer works on Star of India’s yards.
Here come several more pics taken in October. The top third of the foremast has been removed!
Top portion of Star of India foremast has been removed in October of 2014.Maritime Museum of San Diego workers high up on the foremast of the historic Star of India.On a shroud, in a tangle of ropes and cables between masts.
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Cool San Diego Sights! 