The winter solstice occurred early this morning. The days will now begin to grow longer. Christmas is nearly here.
On the beach by the Hotel del Coronado, Bill Pavlacka, The Sandcastle Man, created a unique sand sculpture today that pays tribute to the 2024 winter solstice!
His fun sand sculpture, and another that rises a few steps away, also celebrate the holiday season! Season’s Greetings!
This is the 17th year that The Sandcastle Man has been making sand sculptures in Coronado. Whenever I walk along the ocean side of the Del, I always look for his latest creation!
Some photographs…
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The exhibition is described as a retrospective about the work of husband-and-wife team of Helen Mayer and Newton Harrison, who were among the earliest and most notable ecological artists. Founding members of the Visual Arts Department at UC San Diego, Helen and Newton were local San Diego artists for nearly four decades, where they developed their pioneering concepts of Ecological Art.
Would I see paintings? What exactly was this ecological art?
What I discovered was unexpected and thoroughly thought-provoking!
The walls of the La Jolla Historical Society’s museum–the Wisteria Cottage–were covered primarily with technical drawings, maps and designs that conveyed innovative environmental ideas the couple developed over many years of working together.
If you love invention and human creativity, you’ll want to view this exhibition. You’ll see how human genius can create previously unthought-of technology that can benefit both people and the planet. You’ll observe how our understanding of nature and the ecosystems we all live in might conceivably be improved.
There were dozens of surprising ideas. I saw a proposal to create flood-reducing canals around downtown San Diego, practical Survival Pieces intended to create self-sustaining ecosystems (including a portable fish farm), and even a huge, Earth-orbiting sky mirror!
The Harrisons’ work is so expansive and full of variety that it’s hard to describe it all. So you’d better check it out yourself!
Helen and Newton Harrison: California Work is actually a multi-museum exhibition in San Diego County. The La Jolla Historical Society’s part of this exhibition is sub-titled Urban Ecologies, and traces the Harrisons’ collaborative practice during the late 1960s-1990s.
Additional parts of this exhibition can be viewed at the California Center for the Arts Escondido, and at the San Diego Public Library Gallery. Helen and Newton Harrison: California Work continues at all three locations through January 19, 2025.
If that’s not enough, this exhibition is part of a much larger Southern California event now underway: the Getty’s 70+ institution PST: Art and Science Collide!
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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 X.
Jewels of the Season has returned to the Timken Museum of Art in Balboa Park. The elegant lobby of the museum is decorated with over a thousand of jewel-like ornaments, creating perhaps the finest, most dazzling indoor Christmas display in San Diego!
Take a look at these photos. I’ll let you judge for yourself.
These one-of-a-kind ornaments were hand crafted by artists Florence Hord and Elizabeth Schlappi over the course of decades. Many of these precious works of art include colorfully embroidered and sequined patches that feature the San Diego Zoo, the Padres, the Star of India and other local attractions.
Visitors might stand in the museum lobby and simply stare with astonishment at the richly decorated Christmas tree, or the ceiling from which many ornaments hang like glittering stars.
Jewels of the Season can be freely enjoyed during the Timken‘s open hours until December 29, 2024. If you love Christmas, it’s a can’t miss for the entire family!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
There’s a fun holiday parade in San Diego that seems to grow in popularity every year. The 2024 Gaslamp Quarter Pet Parade was held this afternoon, and thousands converged in downtown San Diego to enjoy the spectacle!
Excited dogs joined spectators lining the Fifth Avenue sidewalk. Costumed dog participants walked up the parade route or rode on small floats, while marching bands from several local high schools performed favorite Christmas music. Students from Eastlake High School, Castle Park High School, Chula Vista High School, and Montgomery High School contributed to the happy pageantry.
I joined the crowd smiling at the dog-gone merry parade! My camera got busy!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
The holiday season wouldn’t be the same without a new San Diego tradition: the Holly Jolly Trolley!
Excited people gathered this morning for a festive ride aboard the original, now vintage 1001 car of the San Diego Trolley.
Today only, the Holly Jolly Trolley travels in a loop through downtown San Diego. Before and after the trip, passengers meet Santa, enjoy hot cocoa, get a trolley Christmas tree ornament, take photographs at a special booth and more at the Gaslamp trolley station.
This year–the event’s Second Annual–seats were quickly sold out, but that didn’t prevent me from walking around the Gaslamp station and seeing the fun!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
The installation of San Diego’s newest neighborhood gateway sign was completed today. It welcomes visitors to Old Town San Diego!
Both sides of this new gateway arch (which straddles San Diego Avenue at Twiggs Street) contain the words: The Birthplace of California – Historic Old Town San Diego. The arch stands at the edge of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park and in front of the historic Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.
Images incorporated in this new landmark arch, as I understand it, represent three different stages of San Diego history. Hawks represent the Native American Kumeyaay and the wild, unspoiled land they inhabited. Mission bells represent the Spanish and Mexican, or Californio, period. Wagon wheels represent the early American period.
Several days ago I noted how the two columns that support the sign had been erected. That blog post can be found here. Yes, the beautiful sign itself was installed quickly!
I’ve learned the arching gateway sign was designed by Robert Barros who works with the Old Town San Diego Chamber of Commerce. He is publisher of Old Town San Diego Guide and owner of Visual Media Group.
Check it out! A little more history has been made!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
If you love whimsical, inventive works of art, head over to Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park. The walls of Gallery 21 are now bursting with happily tipsy, distorted watercolor paintings known as Skinny Art. Skinny Art is the specialty of San Diego artist Mark Smith!
Buildings, rooftops and landscapes tilt every which way in Mark’s delightfully elongated images. While his perspectives might be dizzy and uncertain, his sharp watercolors are minutely detailed–he paints over pencils. One might say his unique art is kind of realistic, kind of surreal.
Mark also creates totem-like sculptures containing old objects from years past. When I viewed these skinny sculptures I felt a sweet rush of nostalgia. You must see them with your own eyes! Then perhaps bring some great artwork home–all the pieces in Gallery 21 are available for purchase.
Mark is a super cool guy who loves to talk with those visiting the gallery. I really enjoyed my visit a few days ago!
You need to step into Gallery 21 by December 16, 2024, which is the final day of this very cool exhibition.
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
The 68th Annual La Jolla Christmas Parade was held today. In 2024, this community holiday parade was bigger and better than ever!
I positioned myself on Prospect Street with my camera and awaited the excitement. I admit I love parades, whatever the occasion. People come together and can’t help being happy. It’s life as it could be… No, it’s life as it should be.
I took almost 700 photographs. I’ve selected my favorite images–those that caught the occasion and the mood best.
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
Natalie Miragliotta, 2024 California Cinderella Teen, smiles at the La Jolla Holiday Festival!
Before the 68th Annual La Jolla Christmas Parade kicked off today, a Holiday Festival beside the parade route got underway in the late morning. Fun-seekers and families gathered for the colorful event in front of the Athenaeum Music and Arts Library!
A variety of activities could be freely enjoyed, including robotics demonstrations by students, a kids entrepreneur exhibit, face painting, and, of course, the opportunity to take photographs with Santa Claus!
I arrived for the afternoon’s Christmas Parade much too early. To pass the time, I took a long walk around the Village of La Jolla, which included a visit to the Holiday Festival!
I found plenty of smiles and fun!
Look at all the Santa hats!Photos were snapping at the Kiwanis Santa’s Village. Was that dog naughty or nice?La Jolla Youth Robotics had a cool demonstration table.A sophisticated robot created by Overclocked, Team 2485, a FIRST Robotics Competition team from Francis Parker School in San Diego.Table featuring Young Entrepreneurs Club. I think those tubs contain slime!The Kumeyaay First Peoples exhibit featured native wildlife images that kids could color.Friendly guy from The Salvation Army with a red kettle.My Gym Children’s Fitness provided more fun at the La Jolla Holiday Festival.A nearby shooting star above the Village of La Jolla.La Jolla Christmas Parade participants smile for a photo near the Holiday Festival!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
The public is invited to tour a working farm in Mission Valley. I did that today!
MAKE Farm at SDSU Mission Valley is located a short distance from Snapdragon Stadium. Perhaps you’ve seen the farm from the elevated Stadium trolley station, or the parking lot east of the stadium.
I first noticed the new half-acre urban farm early this year and posted this blog. Today, as I walked through the SDSU Mission Valley river park, I saw a sign indicating there was a tour today. It turned out today was the farm’s very first “trial” tour–the official tours will begin next January on Saturday mornings.
The MAKE farm is flourishing! Adam and a farming trainee (a friendly refugee) showed me rows upon rows of organically grown vegetables. They pointed out beets, radishes, peas, spinach, lettuce, tomatoes, bok choy, kale, parsley, carrots, strawberries, onions . . . and more! During the summer they also grew corn, beans and other warm weather crops.
After taking a look at the growing food, I learned how the farm has a special CSA Program. For a monthly subscription, you can receive a weekly bag full of farm-fresh healthy vegetables! You also receive an invitation to a fun seasonal gathering on the farm! Cool! Learn about the program by clicking here!
Students from San Diego State University are also visiting the farm to learn about sustainability. Once SDSU Mission Valley is fully developed, the farm will be ideally located!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
Cool San Diego Sights! 