Tag: events

Whale Watch Festival at Cabrillo National Monument!

Whale Watch Festival 2026 will be held tomorrow at Cabrillo National Monument, Saturday, January 10th, 9 am to 4 pm.

Visitors to the National Park will have panoramic views of passing whales from the high Kelp Forest and Whale Overlook. During the day there will be exhibitors, speakers and activities, and people with good eyes pointing out distant spouts and flukes.

It’s now the peak of the winter migration of gray whales from Alaska to Baja California. I’ve heard reports of many sightings off our coast.

I’ll be busy elsewhere tomorrow, so I headed to Cabrillo National Monument today to see what I might see.

I noticed the tall ship America out on the wide Pacific Ocean. Assuming it was on a whale watching excursion, I watched the water in its vicinity for a while. I think I glimpsed a spout. An expert at my elbow would’ve helped me with sightings!

It was a beautiful sunny day and the weather should be the same for the festival. If you go, have fun!

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3D printing rocks as art in La Jolla!

A rather unusual exhibition of art can now be viewed in La Jolla at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library. Yes, those shelves in the above photo are full of 3D printed “rocks!”

They’re actually a kind of lightweight plastic material, but they do resemble black volcanic rocks. Visitors to the Athenaeum’s Joseph Clayes III Gallery can watch a rock being printed and handle a specimen and consider the deeper meaning of Nolan Oswald Dennis: Demonstrations (i).

As the exhibition webpage explains, this collection of art, selected by The Athenaeum and INSITE from many entries, is informed by the study of geological and planetary systems—and situated within African and diasporic relations to the land, cosmos, and anti-colonial political structures.

A further description in the gallery includes: This artwork explores the political and spiritual history of the land in South Africa as a proxy for an after-history of the planet as a discontinuous but interrelated whole, imagining that we can use the digital shadow of a simulated rock (the thing without itself) to hold the immaterial social, spiritual and political relations which are also part of the geo-physics of the planet.

I’m afraid I’m not terribly sophisticated, so those explanations are a little beyond me. It struck me the exhibition is about something that is universal: the enormous complexity of essence and connection. That’s probably too simple.

Visit this very unique exhibition, turn over a simulated rock, and arrive at your own particular conclusion!

Nolan Oswald Dennis: Demonstrations (i) can be experienced through January 17, 2026.

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Big dreams at 2026 Holiday Bowl Parade!

Dreams were absolutely gigantic this morning in San Diego. That’s always the case during the annual Holiday Bowl Parade. In 2026, those watching the balloon parade along Harbor Drive were dreaming very big things.

There were the dreams of college football fans, who’d gathered in San Diego for the evening game between the Arizona Wildcats and SMU Mustangs. The booming sound of their marching bands would stir dreams of a victory at Snapdragon Stadium.

There were the dreams of young and old, viewing beloved characters soaring overhead. Garfield, Mr. Potato Head, Horton the elephant, the Grinch, Mother Goose and Humpty Dumpty were like marvelous visions, parading past the eyes of thousands as the sun broke through morning clouds.

There were the dreams, as well, of those who are more philosophical. If so many different people can gather together for a fun and harmonious celebration, why can’t the people of the world live together this way?

I walked around and took photos before the Holiday Bowl Parade began, then positioned myself on San Diego’s iconic tall ship Star of India, to enjoy the “best seat in the house” for the big parade!

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Donal Hord special exhibit in San Diego.

A special exhibit at the San Diego Central Library was recently installed in a large display case at the Special Collections Center. It concerns the work of San Diego’s world-renowned sculptor Donal Hord.

Historical photos concentrate on Hord’s creation of the Literature East and West bas-relief panels, which still exist on the library’s previous, now-vacant building. Photos (such as the one above) show the preparing, casting and hanging of the sculptural panels back in 1953. I blogged about these panels and other art at that old downtown library many years ago. See that past blog post here.

This special exhibition also showcases a few small but very beautiful works, and covers Donal Hord’s public art that can be found all around San Diego. I’ve covered most of these iconic sculptures. Click here and here and here and here and here and here and here!

Would you like to go see this fascinating exhibit yourself? Head up to the 9th floor of the Central Library and look for the door to Special Collections. You can also enjoy amazing rooftop views of San Diego!

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The art of Mike McCarley at the Central Library.

I really like this fun artwork. It’s now on public display at San Diego’s downtown Central Library. The five original paintings and the digital illustration prints were created by Mike McCarley (aka Mike Mike), who resides in Ocean Beach and imbues his work with a playful, laid-back beach vibe.

As a sign explains, his work has roots in skateboard art, cartoons, and an enduring love for the color blue. To see these in person, head up to the Central Library’s second floor near the escalators and look for the glass display cases. I believe the exhibit continues through December, so there isn’t much time left.

If you dig Mike Mike’s stuff, check out his Instagram page here. He works professionally in architecture, but his creative heart belongs to painting and illustration.

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Have a very Merry (-go-round) Christmas!

Ready for Christmas in San Diego? The merry-go-round in Balboa Park is!

The Balboa Park Carousel brings joy to all those who climb aboard. I hope this Christmas and Holiday Season bring all of my readers happiness. Have a Happy New Year, too!

A powerful winter rainstorm is arriving in San Diego. Stay warm and safe!

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The Giving Machine returns to San Diego!

The Giving Machine has returned to Old Town San Diego in time for the holiday season. Operate this unique donation vending machine and you’ll generously help those less fortunate than you.

The many different charities that can benefit from your donation are mostly local, but you can help those who live in poverty around the world, too. You choose which charity to help, and they receive one hundred percent of your donation!

This is the second year of San Diego’s Giving Machine. It’s a project of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The people I met in the above photo were super nice, even though my personal beliefs are very different. They want to do good in this world.

I learned that last year, this same machine outperformed every other machine out there, in over a hundred international cities! That’s impressive.

The Giving Machine is located on Twiggs Street again, a bit up the street from last year. It stands on the patio in front of the old Cygnet Theatre building. If you visit Old Town during the holidays, you might see it.

Why not spread a little human kindness?

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Photos at San Diego Bay Parade of Lights!

Enjoy a collection of fun photographs taken this evening before and during the 55th Annual San Diego Bay Parade of Lights!

Thousands lined San Diego Bay as boats strung with lights and decorations for the holidays floated by in a festive procession. The theme for 2025 was An “Out of this World” Christmas!

I took photos before the boat parade began while I walked along the Embarcadero. I started near the Maritime Museum of San Diego, headed south past the USS Midway Museum and Seaport Village, then back, with a brief stop at the end of Broadway Pier. As I walked along the sun set and the evening grew darker.

Parents were buying lighted bubble balloons and whirly wands for their excited kids from boardwalk vendors. A bunch of lighted bicycles went by! Out on the pier food trucks were parked behind a small grandstand from which the crowd could watch the parade.

By the time I returned to the Maritime Museum it was night. The brightly lit parade boats, after coming down from Shelter and Harbor Islands, were beginning to pass by!

The USS Midway and its aircraft were illuminated colorfully, as was the exterior of the County Administration Building and other bayside landmarks.

Christmas is now only four days away!

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Resource Fair for seniors in San Diego!

Are you a senior in San Diego? Do you know a senior?

The City of San Diego will be presenting the AgeWell Services Senior Resource Fair on January 26, 2026. The free event will take place from 10 am to noon at the Park de la Cruz Community Center, which is located at 3901 Landis Street.

At the Senior Resource Fair you can connect with service providers and recreational programs throughout San Diego! It’s healthy and fun to stay active!

You can learn more about this free, very positive event by clicking here.

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Holiday decorations at Old Poway Park!

Imagine my surprise! Nine days until Christmas, and most of the holiday decorations at Old Poway Park are now being taken down!

A worker was removing holiday decorations today as I walked through the historic park. My arrival was just in time to photograph ribbons, wreaths and ornaments before they vanish. Yes, a bit sad.

I was told everything except the lights and Christmas trees (stripped of ornaments) will remain. The big annual “Christmas in the Park” event was held several days ago.

Folks in the Old Poway Park office explained the pre-Christmas removal is being done to preserve the decorations from the weather.

I’m glad I took my Poway walk today and got these photos!

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