Tag: embarcadero

Art, music and fun on San Diego’s waterfront!

Street performer on a bench plays guitar and sings.
Street performer on a bench plays guitar and sings.

Enjoyed my walk today. Took a bunch of pics. Street artists and performers use their talents to add zest to the colorful San Diego waterfront.

Silver robotic mime and a frozen high five.
Silver robotic mime and a frozen high five.
Resting on the grass, waiting to sketch a tourist portrait.
Resting on the grass, waiting to sketch a tourist portrait.
Playing a bluesy guitar near Seaport Village.
Playing a bluesy guitar near Seaport Village.
Passersby talk with a funny caricature artist.
Passersby talk with a funny caricature artist.
Man with horn plays Mariachi tunes near the USS Midway.
Man with horn plays Mariachi tunes near the USS Midway.
Little girl on wall awaits a cool twisted balloon creation.
Little girl on wall awaits a cool twisted balloon creation.
Hand painted names make memorable souvenirs.
Hand painted names make memorable souvenirs.
Caricature artist at work on a sunny San Diego day.
Caricature artist at work on a sunny San Diego day.
Birds perch on guitar-playing white statue-man.
Birds perch on guitar-playing white statue-man.
Captain America patrols San Diego's Embarcadero.
Captain America patrols San Diego’s Embarcadero.
Sax player entertains people on San Diego waterfront.
Sax player entertains people on San Diego waterfront.
Artist sells space art and handmade crafts on the Embarcadero.
Artist sells space art and handmade crafts on sidewalk.
A beautiful day by the water put to music.
A beautiful day by the water put to music.

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The dynamic, spiritual chalk art of Steve Mac.

Steve Mac, chalk portrait artist at Seaport Village.
Steve Mac, chalk portrait artist at Seaport Village.

Artists abound along the Embarcadero near Seaport Village. They’ll paint a quick portrait for a modest donation. Today during my walk, I stopped for a bit to chat with Steve Mac.

Steve uses his talent to capture the essence of his subjects. He has a philosophical outlook on life, shunning the material and the ego for the beautiful essence found everywhere around, and within us. About a year and a half ago he had a profound spiritual experience not far from where we spoke, and he woke up from a state of worry and confusion to a spirit-filled life in the now.

Here are a few of his works he had out on display:

Chalk art contains symbols of yin and yang, and the four elements.
Chalk art and symbols of yin and yang, and the four elements.
Serene face between wolves of creativity and destruction.
Serene face between wolves of creativity and destruction.
Sample of colorful double portrait rendered in chalk.
Sample of colorful double portrait rendered in chalk.
Amazing abstract chalk art captures life's essence.
Amazing abstract chalk art captures life’s essence.

I promised to link to his Facebook page.

Colorful scenes from San Diego’s MLK parade.

Here come some San Diego firefighters.
Here come some San Diego firefighters.

This afternoon I enjoyed watching a good portion of San Diego’s Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade.  Every January, MLK’s dream of racial equality is celebrated downtown in one of the largest parades of its kind in the United States.  The parade route runs down Harbor Drive on San Diego’s waterfront.

I got a whole lot of photos.  Please feel free to share and enjoy them!

Crowd gathers for annual San Diego MLK parade.
Crowd gathers for annual San Diego MLK parade.
MLK Parade kicks off with many local politicians.
MLK Parade kicks off with many local politicians.
A cool police car fitted with hydraulics.
A cool police car fitted with hydraulics.
A vintage fire truck rolls down Harbor Drive.
A vintage fire truck rolls down Harbor Drive.
This cute little dog is a member of law enforcement.
This cute little dog is a member of law enforcement.
Watching the parade from the announcer platform.
Watching the parade from the announcer platform.
Goodies are handed out by an MLK Parade participant.
Goodies are handed out by an MLK Parade participant.
Candidate for San Diego Mayor, David Alvarez.
Candidate for San Diego Mayor, David Alvarez.
A huge Homeland Security armored vehicle.
A huge Homeland Security armored vehicle.
Border Patrol agents on all-terrain vehicles.
Border Patrol agents on all-terrain vehicles.
Coast Guard patrol boat towed along parade route.
Coast Guard patrol boat towed along parade route.
Patriotic colors precede bagpipes.
Patriotic colors precede bagpipes.
Attending to sound board beside the announcers.
Attending to sound board beside the announcers.
People watch parade from hotel balconies across the street.
People watch parade from hotel balconies across the street.
Here comes the Gadsden Elementary School marching band.
Here comes the Gadsden Elementary School marching band.
Tuba players march in the San Diego MLK parade.
Tuba players march in the San Diego MLK parade.
Gecko celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. birthday.
Gecko celebrates Martin Luther King Jr. birthday.
Crowd enthused by a great parade performance.
Crowd enthused by a great parade performance.
A dance routine on Harbor Drive.
A dance routine on Harbor Drive.
Kids perform a fun routine for MLK Parade onlookers.
Kids perform a fun routine for MLK Parade onlookers.
Looking very elegant.
Looking very elegant.
The UCSD band passes by.
The UCSD band passes by.
Young kids have difficulty with SDSU letters.
Young kids have difficulty with SDSU letters.
SDSU Aztec Warrior at MLK Parade in San Diego.
SDSU Aztec Warrior at MLK Parade in San Diego.
Veterans for Peace parade a drone.
Veterans for Peace parade a drone.
Members of a lodge parade on by to loud cheers.
Members of a lodge parade on by to loud cheers.
Marchers honor the Martin Luther King Jr. dream.
Marchers honor the Martin Luther King Jr. dream.
Colorful dancers from the House of Panama.
Colorful dancers from the House of Panama.
Drummers perform with pride on parade route.
Drummers perform with pride on parade route.
Poster on side of truck shows historic MLK speech.
Poster on side of truck shows historic MLK speech.
Some guys having fun in yellow mini cars.
Some guys having fun in yellow mini cars.
Inflatable float from USS Midway Museum.
Inflatable float from USS Midway Museum.
Children determined to achieve great things.
Children determined to achieve great things.
Another fun performance by kids for the parade announcers.
Another fun performance by kids for the parade announcers.
Banner holders stand up for human dignity.
Banner holders stand up for human dignity.
Music and youthful energy on parade.
Music and youthful energy on parade.
Folks in back of a truck celebrate MLK and his dream.
Folks in back of a truck celebrate MLK and his dream.
King and Queen of San Diego MLK Parade.
King and Queen of San Diego MLK Parade.
A beautiful parade queen waves to the large crowd.
A beautiful parade queen waves to the large crowd.
Pooches with American flag bandanas.
Pooches with American flag bandanas.
Mr. Black San Diego greets the crowd.
Mr. Black San Diego greets the crowd.
Inspirational messages head down the Embarcadero.
Inspirational messages head down the Embarcadero.
Students from City College are agents of change.
Students from City College are agents of change.
A smiling beauty perched high atop a parade float.
A smiling beauty perched high atop a parade float.
MLK impersonator relives speech at Lincoln Memorial.
MLK impersonator recreates famous speech at Lincoln Memorial.

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A quiet New Year’s Day on San Diego Bay.

Anthony's Fishette is empty, closed on New Year's Day.
Anthony’s Fishette is empty, closed on New Year’s Day.

It didn’t matter that most places were closed.  The Embarcadero was wide open.

On this sunny New Year’s Day people were simply walking or sitting at the edge of San Diego Bay, gazing out at the water and boats.

People gaze at San Diego Bay from benches by The Fish Market.
People simply talk or gaze at San Diego Bay near The Fish Market.
Kids climb in trees near Greatest Generation Walk.
Kids climb in trees near Greatest Generation Walk.
Ice cream vendor near USS Midway scoops New Year's Day treat.
Street vendor near USS Midway scoops a New Year’s Day treat.
Man reads book on Tuna Harbor Pier on New Year's Day.
Man reads book on Tuna Harbor Pier for New Year’s Day.
Gull relaxes atop pile of yellow floats on pier.
Gull enters the new year atop pile of yellow floats.

Crafts, curios and small clutters of color.

Corn husk roses, crosses, scepters and dragonflies.
Corn husk roses, crosses, scepters and dragonflies.

A carefree walk with open eyes is a feast.  One meanders into endless discoveries.  Even cheap wares on the sidewalk or cart are worth a moment’s attention.

These photos of crafts, curios and colorful clutter were taken during an ordinary walk along San Diego’s Embarcadero.

Dazzled by sunglasses shining in the sun.
Dazzled by sunglasses shining in the sun.
Painted skulls, beads and assorted Mexican trinkets.
Painted skulls, beads and assorted Mexican trinkets.
Beads are a common product on sidewalks along the Embarcadero.
Beads are a common product on sidewalks along the Embarcadero.
Shells and dangling ornaments for sale on small vendor's cart near the Midway.
Shells and dangling ornaments for sale on small vendor’s cart near the Midway.
A rainbow of colors! Name bracelets alphabetically ordered.
A rainbow of colors! Name bracelets alphabetically ordered.
Layered dreamcatchers might catch really big dreams.
Layered dreamcatchers might catch really big dreams.
Combination of football helmets and skulls on display for passing tourists.
Combination of football helmets and skulls on display for passing tourists.
Bright piles of tie-dye shirts for sale on Embarcadero sidewalk.
Bright piles of tie-dye shirts for sale on Embarcadero sidewalk.
Whiskery, crazy, colorful faces painted on palm fronds.
Whiskery, crazy, colorful faces painted on palm fronds.

Just another lazy day in sunny San Diego.

A tourist rental quadcycle heads down the park's pathway.
A tourist rental quadcycle heads past boats in the Marriott Marina.

A sunny Saturday afternoon in San Diego.  A perfect time to enjoy life!

Lots of people were out at Embarcadero Marina Park South making the most of the holiday weekend.  During my walk I noticed a number of Zonies (visitors from Arizona) wearing ASU gear–their team will play in the Holiday Bowl on Monday.

Here are a few more miscellaneous photos:

Basketball game at Embarcadero Marina Park South.
Basketball game at Embarcadero Marina Park South.
Boy fishes with dad on Embarcadero Marina Park South pier.
Boy fishes with dad on Embarcadero Marina Park South pier.
Heading to the pier with a bunch of fishing rods.
Heading to the pier with a bunch of fishing rods.

Amazing rock balancing at Seaport Village.

Amazing rock balancing at Seaport Village.
Amazing rock balancing at Seaport Village.

If you ever visit Seaport Village, there’s a good chance you’ll see the fellow on the right and his amazing gallery of balanced rocks.  He hangs out behind the wall at the water’s edge, right next to the grassy park.  (The park is called Embarcadero Marina Park North, by the way.)

People passing by are encouraged to take photos and try out their own rock balancing ability.  This lady was having a lot of trouble.  Even a small rock edgewise  on a water bottle isn’t easy.

Lady finally succeeds at balancing a rock!
Lady finally succeeds at balancing a rock!

With a little cheating she finally succeeds!

A variety of fun Embarcadero photos!

Someone is getting a great tour on a pedicab.
Someone is getting a great tour on a pedicab.

Here comes a fun batch of photos taken Saturday during my walk along San Diego’s beautiful Embarcadero!

Glowing green urban tree artwork on Embarcadero.
Glowing green Urban Trees artwork on San Diego’s Embarcadero. Green Fire, Robert Verhees, 2006.

This sculpture was originally part of an Urban Trees bayside art exhibit some years ago.  A few remain on display here and there along the bay and elsewhere in San Diego.  In this photo, the sun is directly behind the translucent green material, making it glow!

Coast Guard cutter docked at San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal.
Coast Guard cutter docked at San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal.
Tourists at the Visitor Information shack.
Tourists at the Visitor Information shack.
Kid kicks a ball on grass by Ruocco Park.
Kid kicks a ball on the grass in Ruocco Park.
Stone and steel ants by an artist near Seaport Village.
Stone and steel ants by an artist near Seaport Village.
Balloon Mario, Little Mermaid and Hulk attract kids.
Balloon Mario, Little Mermaid and Hulk attract kids.
Children's Miracle Network volunteers near Tuna Pier.
Children’s Miracle Network volunteers near Tuna Harbor.
Heron stands on rocks beside San Diego Bay.
Heron stands on rocks beside San Diego Bay.
Colorful pedicab drivers wait on Embarcadero for riders.
Colorful pedicab drivers wait on Embarcadero for riders.
Street performer plays sax by the USS Midway.
Street performer plays sax by the USS Midway.
Balloon twister guy sits patiently on the Embarcadero.
Balloon twister guy sits patiently on the Embarcadero.

This guy looks a bit bored!

Captain Swordfish does terrible pirate mischief.

Captain Swordfish readies to engage in pirate mischief.
Captain Swordfish readies to engage in pirate mischief.

Sadly, my stroll along the Embarcadero today was interrupted by a terrible turn of events.  That half-crazed pirate, Captain Swordfish, was out on the sidewalk near the San Diego Maritime Museum, badgering passing tourists and other innocents with his patented piratical mischief.  Good grief!

Here he comes now about to draw his sword.  There seems to be no escape.  Isn’t ordinary pillaging and mayhem enough?  Aaarrrrr, matey!

Figurehead of the HMS Surprise wears a Santa hat!
Figurehead of the HMS Surprise wears a Santa hat!

I wonder if Captain Swordfish was responsible for this, too?

A mob of Santas and one green elf.

A mob of Santas and one green elf.
A mob of Santas and one green elf.

Not sure who all these Santas are, but they were strolling down the Embarcadero and turning heads.  Perhaps it’s a new fashion craze.