Tag: embarcadero

San Diego’s big new waterfront park opens!

Lots of fun at County Administration Center Waterfront Park.
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.
Someone arrives from parking structure beneath new park.
Ceremony in front of County Administration Building.
Opening ceremony in front of County Administration Building.
County Supervisor inaugurates new waterfront park.
County Supervisor inaugurates new waterfront park.
VIPs and public listen to many speeches.
VIPs and the public listen to many speeches.
The Padres' friar mascot circulates in the crowd.
The Padres’ friar mascot circulates in the crowd.
Mary Roosevelt, daughter-in-law of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
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.
Everyone waves to photographer atop Star of India.
Unrolling the 1600 foot long ribbon!
Unrolling the 1600 foot long grand opening ribbon!
Everyone positions to cut the park-length ribbon!
Everyone positions to cut the park-length ribbon!
Boys and Girls Clubs of East County is present.
Boys and Girls Clubs of East County helps to cut the ribbon.
The fountains are turned on and wet fun begins!
The fountains are turned on and wet fun begins!
Looking through fountains on north side of park.
Looking through fountains on north side of park.
Street performer in front of County Administration Building.
Street performer in front of County Administration Building.
Kid carries footfall through Play60 obstacle course.
Kid carries footfall through Play60 obstacle course.
Kids play miniature golf on the grassy lawn.
Kids play miniature golf on the grassy lawn.
Trying to score against San Diego Sockers goalie!
Trying to score against San Diego Sockers goalie!
Star of India and waterfront behind opening day crowd.
Star of India and waterfront behind opening day crowd.
Cool hill with slides is part of the huge playground.
Cool hill with slides is part of the huge playground.
Kids have loads of fun on the big playground.
Kids have loads of fun on the big playground.
An awesome playground in downtown San Diego!
An awesome playground in downtown San Diego!
Who wouldn't love climbing in this net-filled sphere!
Who wouldn’t love climbing in this net-filled sphere!
The fountain on the park's south side is busy.
The shallow fountain on the park’s south side is busy.
Parks and Recreation had wildlife displays!
Parks and Recreation had wildlife displays!
Kid checks out a fire engine.
Kid checks out a fire engine.
A gigantic car show was held on Harbor Drive.
A gigantic car show was held on Harbor Drive.
San Diego Maritime Museum behind classic cars.
San Diego Maritime Museum behind classic cars.
A cool woodie with surfboard!
A cool woodie with surfboard!

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Life on the water in San Diego Bay’s Crescent.

Life on the water near San Diego Coast Guard Station.
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.
Rowing to a boat moored in San Diego Bay’s Crescent area.
Many people live in small boats on San Diego Bay.
Many people live in small boats on San Diego Bay.
This old sign describes the Crescent Area just south of the Coast Guard Station.
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.
People love to bicycle along the edge of picturesque San Diego Bay.
Photo taken behind Coast Guard Auxiliary station on North Embarcadero.
Photo taken behind Coast Guard Auxiliary station on North Embarcadero.
Sprinkles of light dance on the small waves of San Diego Bay.
Sprinkles of light dance on the small waves of San Diego Bay.
One boat moored in the Crescent with downtown skyline in the background.
One boat moored in the Crescent with downtown skyline in the background.
Boater walks along the Embarcadero with some drums.
Boater walks along the Embarcadero with some drums.
Wildlife sign and boats on the North Embarcadero.
Wildlife sign and boats on the North Embarcadero.
Vessel Assist boat just brought in a disabled jet ski.
Vessel Assist boat just brought in a disabled jet ski.
Living on the water near downtown San Diego.
Living on the water near downtown San Diego.
This boat has a nice potted garden for a backyard.
This boat has a nice potted garden for a backyard.
Biking and reading a newspaper along Harbor Drive.
Biking and reading a newspaper along Harbor Drive.

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Working high in the rigging of Star of India.

Clinging to the end of Star of India's bowsprit.
Clinging to the end of Star of India’s bowsprit.

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.
People tangled in picturesque ship’s rigging.
Like highwire artists on the slender ropes.
Like highwire artists on the slender ropes.
Looks like a lot of hard work.
Looks like a lot of hard work.
Yards from foremast wait on sidewalk to be painted.
Yards from foremast wait on sidewalk to be painted.
Maritime Museum members at work on Star of India.
Maritime Museum members at work on Star of India.
High up in the blue San Diego sky.
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.
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 foremast has been removed in October of 2014.
Top portion of Star of India foremast has been removed in October of 2014.
San Diego Maritime Museum volunteers work high up on the historic Star of India.
Maritime Museum of San Diego workers high up on the foremast of the historic Star of India.
On the shrouds, in a tangle of ropes between masts.
On a shroud, in a tangle of ropes and cables between masts.

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Early morning light on buildings and water.

Lone rower on San Diego Bay in golden morning light.
Lone rower on San Diego Bay in golden morning light.

I went for a walk bright and early yesterday morning. I got a few photographs of downtown San Diego along the waterfront.

The bay was quiet and very smooth. A lone rower was out slowing gliding across the water. The sun had just begun to rise in the cloudless sky behind shining skyscrapers…

Anthony Fishette's boat dock on a tranquil San Diego Bay.
Anthony Fish Grotto’s boat dock on a tranquil San Diego Bay.
Sunrise touches downtown San Diego skyscrapers with light.
Sunrise touches downtown San Diego skyscrapers with light.
An early morning look down Broadway in San Diego.
An early morning look down Broadway in San Diego.

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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!

A national tribute to Bob Hope and the military.

Bronze audience listens to a Bob Hope comedy routine.
Bronze audience listens to a Bob Hope comedy routine.

Perhaps you fondly remember Bob Hope. Millions do. I do.

In San Diego, a fantastic tribute to the legendary comedian can be found on the Greatest Generation Walk, just south of the USS Midway Museum. Sixteen life-sized bronze figures show Bob doing a comedy routine for assorted American service members from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. An outdoor speaker plays old recordings of him telling his inimitable jokes. For five decades Bob Hope entertained the troops during his many USO tours.

Thanks for the memories.

The famous profile of legendary comedian Bob Hope.
The famous profile of legendary American comedian Bob Hope.
USS Midway can be seen behind the bronze service members.
USS Midway can be seen behind the bronze service members.
USO tours by Bob Hope over many decades are recalled.
USO tours by Bob Hope over many decades are recalled.
Man poses with bronze sculptures of American military.
Man poses with bronze sculptures of American military heroes.
Bob Hope entertains troops by USS Midway Mueum and Unconditional Surrender statue.
Bob Hope entertains troops by the USS Midway Museum and the Unconditional Surrender “Kiss” statue.
A national tribute to Bob Hope and the military.
A National Salute to Bob Hope and the Military.

Lots of fun at Seaport Village’s Busker Festival!

Baard Kolstad drums like crazy near the Pier Cafe.
Baard Kolstad drums like crazy near the Pier Cafe.

This afternoon I checked out the Spring Busker Festival at Seaport Village. A huge crowd turned out to enjoy the sunny day and some amazing street performers! Enjoy a few cool pics!

Aerial silks dancer performs near Seaport Village carousel.
Aerial silks dancer performs near Seaport Village carousel.
Crowd gathers at West Plaza for a Busker Festival magic show.
Crowd gathers at West Plaza for a Busker Festival magic show.
Funny magician wows kids at Seaport Village.
Funny magician wows kids at Seaport Village.
Folks head toward busker stage in Embarcadero Marina Park North.
Folks head toward busker stage in Embarcadero Marina Park North.
The hilarious Skip Banks prepares to enter a huge balloon.
The crazy Skip Banks prepares to enter a huge balloon.
Skip Banks' head pops out of big balloon at Busker Festival.
Skip Banks’ head pops out of big balloon at Busker Festival.

Skip Banks was absolutely hilarious. His hyperactive routine, celebrating silly slices of our pop culture, was one of the funniest things I’ve seen in a long while! His website has some great videos.

Acrobatic juggler entertains crowd with spectator's help.
Acrobatic juggler entertains crowd with spectator’s help.
Baard Kolstad, of Norway, sets up in East Plaza at Seaport Village.
Baard Kolstad, of Norway, sets up in East Plaza at Seaport Village.

Baard Kolstad came all the way from Norway to participate in the Seaport Village Busker Festival. With his dazzling skills, he seems destined to be the next big rock drummer!

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San Diego’s Embarcadero made more beautiful.

Trees ready for planting in new park on Embarcadero.
Trees ready for planting in new park on Embarcadero.

Major improvements to the North Embarcadero are well underway, and I was able to get some interesting pics yesterday!

Harbor Drive is undergoing a facelift from the Coast Guard Station down to the USS Midway Museum. This area is considered San Diego’s front doorstep, but until this renovation it’s been more parking lot than park.

Many large-scale changes are going to make San Diego even more beautiful! The two ugly parking lots on either side of the County Administration Building are being transformed into grassy waterfront parks; Harbor Drive is being made more pedestrian friendly with pavilions, flower beds and new restrooms; most of the traffic on Harbor Drive will now be diverted onto Pacific Highway.

I’m really looking forward to the project’s completion!

Workers prepare public park near Star of India.
Workers prepare public park near Star of India.
County Administration Building will have grass parks on either side.
County Administration Building will have grass parks on either side.
Working on a new pavilion on San Diego's front doorstep.
Working on a new pavilion on San Diego’s front doorstep.
New pavilion being built behind the Bay Cafe.
New pavilion being built behind the Bay Cafe.
Sign near Broadway Pier describes Embarcadero improvements.
Sign near Broadway Pier describes Embarcadero improvements.
Anchor on Harbor Drive near USS Midway Museum.
Anchor on Harbor Drive near USS Midway Museum.

Here are two pics I took on 5/24/14…

New waterfront pavilion under construction.
New waterfront pavilion under construction.
Building made of words to be part of new Embarcadero.
Building made of words to be part of new Embarcadero.

And two more pics from 9/20/14…

Pavilion near Broadway will complete part of North Embarcadero Visionary Plan.
Pavilion near Broadway will complete part of North Embarcadero Visionary Plan.
The word SKY allows light to shine in from the sky!
The word SKY allows light to shine in from the sky!

UPDATE!

I took the following pictures on November 9, 2014. The improvements around the Broadway Pier appear to be nearly finished!

New pavilion near Broadway Pier is almost finished in early November 2014.
New pavilion near Broadway Pier is almost finished in early November 2014.
Colorful glass, shiny surfaces and word-shaped skylights are a delight!
Colorful glass, shiny surfaces and word-shaped skylights are a delight!
Worker putting final touches on a booth to be used by harbor cruise company.
Worker putting final touches on a ticket booth to be used by harbor cruise company.
Word shining from roof of pavilion spells JOY.
Word shining from roof of pavilion spells JOY.
Restroom walls are formed of crazy letters spelling various words.
Restroom walls are formed of crazy letters spelling various words.
A new hotel is rising across Harbor Drive, at site of old Lane Field, north of Broadway.
A new hotel is rising across Harbor Drive, at site of old Lane Field, north of Broadway.

Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in San Diego.

The Wall That Heals honors Vietnam War veterans.
The Wall That Heals honors Vietnam War veterans.

This morning around seven I walked over to the grassy park just south of the USS Midway Museum.  I wanted to see The Wall That Heals.

A half-scale traveling replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the black wall is inscribed with over 58,000 names.  Each name belongs to a serviceman who made the ultimate sacrifice during that war.

I’m sure the weekend crowds will be huge, but early on a Friday morning very few people were about.

The Wall That Heals and several thought-provoking displays that accompany it will remain in San Diego through Sunday.

If all of the names could be in one place, these names would have great power.
If all of the names could be in one place…
Helmet and boots from Vietnam War era.
Helmet and boots from Vietnam War era.
Friends of the Forgotten, remembering those who sacrificed.
Friends of the Forgotten, remembering those who sacrificed.
The Gold Star Bike on public display.
The Gold Star Bike on public display.
Welcome to The Wall That Heals.
Welcome to The Wall That Heals.
Flowers and the names of over 58,000 who gave their lives.
Flowers and the names of over 58,000 who gave their lives.

UPDATE…

I took the following photos Sunday afternoon around one o’clock.

Half-size replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial in San Diego.
Half-size replica of Vietnam Veterans Memorial in San Diego.
People read names inscribed on The Wall That Heals.
People read names inscribed on The Wall That Heals.

Joshua Randle, a great musician in San Diego.

Joshua Randle and friend play music on San Diego's embarcadero.
Joshua Randle and friend play music on San Diego’s embarcadero.

I was surprised during my walk today to hear some exceptionally good music from two young performers near Seaport Village. Joshua Randle and his friend were playing extremely polished music with outstanding vocals and providing great, energetic entertainment for everyone passing by. I have no doubt that these guys will become superstars!

Please check out Joshua’s website!

Joshua Randle is a talented up-and-coming singer and musician.
Joshua Randle is a talented up-and-coming singer and musician.
A beautiful day and some great positive, stirring music.
A beautiful San Diego day and some great positive, stirring music.

Colorful pics from Greatest Generation Walk.

Family walks from the Aircraft Carrier Memorial.
Family walks from the Aircraft Carrier Memorial.

The Greatest Generation Walk, roughly between the USS Midway Museum and the Fish Market Restaurant, is always a hub of activity during the weekend.  There’s a huge load of stuff to do and see!  Lots of people were out and about yesterday!

Bikers and tour bus in parking lot on Embarcadero.
Bikers and tour bus in parking lot on Embarcadero.
People look at USS San Diego Memorial.
People look at USS San Diego Memorial.
Guys check out the USS San Diego Memorial.
Guys check out the USS San Diego Memorial.
Photo being taken of USS Midway aircraft carrier.
Photo being taken of USS Midway aircraft carrier.
In concrete. I shall return. General Douglas MacArthur. 1942.
In concrete. I shall return. General Douglas MacArthur. 1942.
People in a tiny Go Car enjoy a GPS tour of San Diego.
People in a tiny GoCar enjoy a GPS tour of San Diego.
Falun Gong activist holds up sign on sidewalk.
Falun Gong activist holds up sign on sidewalk.
Falun Gong poster on sidewalk near Unconditional Surrender statue.
Falun Gong poster on sidewalk near Unconditional Surrender statue.
Mingling among bronze soldiers at the Bob Hope Tribute.
Mingling among bronze soldiers at the Bob Hope Tribute.
Fishing from a small boat near USS Midway Museum.
Fishing from a small boat near USS Midway Museum.
Small cute dog enjoys a ride on a San Diego pedicab.
Small cute dog enjoys a ride on a San Diego pedicab.