Dancers entertain visitors to Balboa Park as the House of China celebrates Chinese New Year at the International Cottages.
It’s February already, and beginning to feel a tiny bit like spring!
Visitors to Balboa Park today could enjoy many wonderful experiences: the Chinese New Year Festival . . . the International Dance Festival . . . and even a few early cherry blossoms!
As I walked in sunshine and scattered sprinkles, I took many photos.
Colorful young dancers on stage celebrate the Chinese New Year in San Diego.Food, culture and sunshine (and scattered, sprinkling clouds) at the Chinese New Year Festival in Balboa Park.A glimpse of the El Cid statue in Balboa Park on a springlike Sunday in February.Sunshine on bubbles.There’s plenty of bright green down in the Balboa Park Rube Powell Archery Range.A beautiful photo between the House of Hospitality and Casa de Balboa.Prado Perk’s chalkboard indicates it’s almost Valentine’s Day!Athletes in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association gather during a time out during the Third Annual Brad Rich Invitational at Balboa Municipal Gymnasium.The ornamental pear trees are blooming near the Plaza de Balboa.Members of the San Diego Bonsai Club work on small olive trees in the Casa del Prado.I spotted Captain America in the cafe of the Federal Building, future home of the Comic-Con Museum! (He’s actually a member of San Diego’s Science Fiction Coalition.)A beautiful springlike day on El Prado.I was welcomed to the International Dance Festival in the Balboa Park Club.Flags of many nations follow a bagpiper through Balboa Park as the annual International Dance Festival is about to begin.Colorful banners approach the Balboa Park Club.Folk dancing is ready to begin!A banner of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.Meanwhile, folks walk through the always beautiful Japanese Friendship Garden.Looks to me like spring is coming fast!A few early cherry blossoms are blooming in February at the Japanese Friendship Garden.Yes! Spring is around the corner!
…
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!
I was startled this morning during my walk through the Gaslamp Quarter.
Something peculiar was moving directly toward me along the sidewalk. For a split second I thought it was a person.
Then I did a double take.
A bundle of heart-shaped balloons was heading my way!
The cluster of balloons moved slowly down the sidewalk, propelled by a gentle breeze. Occasionally they’d float upward a foot or two, then quietly float back to Earth.
The travelling hearts came to a street corner. They seemed to hesitate. They turned decisively and began steadily down another sidewalk!
After venturing into a patio space in front of one building, they lifted with apparent delight and settled down. They leaned against the rail.
Perhaps they wanted to watch people–other travelling hearts–go by.
…
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!
To read a few honest-to-goodness short stories that I’ve written, click Short Stories by Richard.
Wonder Woman and Batman pose for photos in Balboa Park. It seems these superheroes can never get enough public adulation.
The Justice League was out in force today patrolling Balboa Park!
Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman were leading a team of powerful superheroes and supposedly reformed supervillains down El Prado, keeping an eye out for nefarious doings.
I followed the superhero team in order to capture a bit of the action.
(I learned this cosplay group is called the Science Fiction Coalition. It was cool to see many of these guys later on in the cafe inside the Federal Building, future home of the Comic-Con Museum. It kind of reminded me of that superhero-themed eatery Planet Krypton in the graphic novel Kingdom Come!)
I spotted Penguin and Riddler with members of the Justice League. Fortunately, Batman stood nearby keeping an eye on these two supposedly reformed supervillains.Batman! The Penguin is coming after me with one of his sinister umbrellas! Help!I was subjected to a Burgess Meredith-style quack-laugh from Penguin, but escaped otherwise unscathed. Now it’s time for the heroic Justice League to begin their patrol of Balboa Park.DC superheroes (and villains) in full costume begin down El Prado, looking for some action.Batwoman has a young fan. Yes, another photo.More small fans show up and the JLA gladly poses for even more photos. Watch out! Penguin is lurking nearby again.Batman is tailing that fowl Penguin to make sure there is no more evildoing today.Another typical San Diego afternoon. Super powered folk amble casually into Plaza de Panama. The Justice League patrol of Balboa Park has been a resounding success.Penguin, Clark Kent, Riddler, Wonder Woman and Mera are tired out from all the superhero action and rest on a bench awaiting their trip home.DC comic book characters gather in Balboa Park. Members of San Diego’s Science Fiction Coalition enjoy cosplay as Mera, Batwoman, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Clark Kent, another Wonder Woman, Penguin, Riddler and Superboy!
…
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 child of San Diego sits in an enormous sculpture of a living seashell, a Growing Home.
Some amazing public art was installed in East Village about a week ago!
Growing Home is an enormous stainless steel sculpture of a sea snail’s living shell. Laser-cut into the upward coiling shell are notable events from San Diego’s history. The sculpture can be found on the east side of Park Boulevard near Petco Park and the downtown Central Library. It stands at the new Park 12 – The Collection luxury apartments.
Growing Home was created by Joe O’Connell and Creative Machines and is made of stainless steel with LED lighting. Creative Machines produces interactive and monumental art for clients around the world. They are based in Tucson, Arizona.
The shell represents the ever-growing city in which we live. As history has progressed, the shell has grown and grown.
I took these photos after a rain shower, so the large wet stones arranged next to the seashell seem to lie glistening on a beach!
Growing Home rises as public art at Park 12 – The Collection, new luxury apartments in San Diego’s East Village.Growing Home, 2018, Joe O’Connell and Creative Machines, stainless steel and LED lighting. A city’s history grows like the shell of a marine mollusk.History becomes an essential part of an ever-growing city–a city that is home to many.Growing Home features headlines of events that have shaped San Diego history.The lattice dome of the San Diego Central Library rises beyond Park Boulevard.Moments in history are preserved as words written in the growing shell.San Diego history become part of our lives. The city is our home.The coiled, elongated shell of a sea snail. Sit inside on a small bench for a fun photo!Growing Home rises at Park 12 – The Collection, in San Diego’s East Village.
UPDATE!
Seven years later(!) I took a photo at night…
…
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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
A couple days ago I posted photos of two super fun benches in National City’s Pepper Park. Today, during my walk in Coronado, I visited Tidelands Park in order to photograph two additional benches that were created by the same San Diego artist, Doug Snider.
These colorful benches are located at the playground in Coronado Tidelands Park. They also debuted in 2006 and are made of painted concrete.
Doug Snider is a member of the San Diego Potters’ Guild and operates out of Studio 15 in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village Art Center.
These benches appear to have emerged from a strangely wonderful dream. Wouldn’t you like to sit in one?
…
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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
Here are photos of two colorful, super fun benches in National City’s Pepper Park!
Both painted concrete benches were created in 2006 by Doug Snider, member of the San Diego Potters’ Guild. He produces all sorts of amazing art at his Studio 15 in Balboa Park’s Spanish Village Art Center. Step into his studio and you’ll feel as if you’ve entered a fantasy world full of whimsy and imagination!
I believe Doug has created four of these fantastic benches. In the past I photographed one of two that are located in Coronado. The one I saw is in Tidelands Park, and you can see it here!
…
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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
The 2018 Holiday Bowl Parade headed down Harbor Drive the morning of New Year’s Eve. Chilly, drizzly weather couldn’t stop America’s Largest Balloon Parade!
It might’ve been a bit more chilly and breezy than usual for San Diego this New Year’s Eve morning, but the 2018 Holiday Bowl Parade was just as fun as ever!
The Port of San Diego Holiday Bowl Parade, which proceeded down Harbor Drive along the Embarcadero, is billed as America’s Largest Balloon Parade. This year the parade featured the two college football teams that are competing in the 2018 Holiday Bowl: Northwestern University and the University of Utah. The big bowl game is kicking off right as I post these photographs!
Without further ado, here we go!
Before the Holiday Bowl Parade began, three cool old biplanes made a fly-by. Trailing smoke is a 1941 Boeing Stearman; the other two are Great Lakes.The Solar Turbines 5K run begins down Harbor Drive shortly before the parade.Northwestern University and University of Utah fans wore their colors up and down the parade route.Barricades are moved as the Holiday Bowl Parade is ready to begin!First up is WorldStrides on Stage. They will perform the halftime show at the Holiday Bowl football game in the afternoon.Another super fun Holiday Bowl Parade has begun!The San Diego Harbor Police Honor Guard helps to lead things off.Here comes Marine Band San Diego.The first balloon is cheerful Cheri the Octopus!And here comes Carter the Sea Turtle!San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts waves from the Wonderfront float. San Diego’s waterfront is indeed full of wonders!I wish I’d gotten a better pic of this funny group: The World-Famous Lawn Rangers! Their synchronized routine is so absurd you have to laugh out loud!Here come the Shawnee Mission North Marching Indians from Overland Park, Kansas.Pageantry and marching bands make any parade exciting!That big balloon swimming under the clouds is Louie the Blue Whale!And now I see good old Garfield! He’s giving somebody the thumbs up.These are the Norris High School Marching Titans from Firth, Nebraska!Next up is the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.Bob the Builder has either lost his balance or the breezy weather had gotten the better of the balloon’s handlers!Herencia Hispana comes down Harbor Drive wearing elaborate dresses and folk costumes!Beautifully swirling Mexican dresses delight the eye.Chinelos dancers were viewed with astonishment by many in the audience. It’s an unusual Mexican tradition popular in the state of Morelos.Danza del los Diablos. Looks like devilish fun!Another marching band! This one comes from Palo Verde Valley High School.Go Padres!That’s one gigantic, very happy Gingerbread Man! (Any relation to the friendly Stay Puft Marshmallow Man?)Many in the audience suddenly became excited. Who is that approaching?Here comes Northwestern University, one of the teams in the 2018 Holiday Bowl!Banners twirl proudly!Members of the Northwestern University Wildcat Marching Band thunder past!Willie the Northwestern mascot is up on the purple and white float with some cheerleaders!That’s one mighty big football!Members of Sports for Exceptional Athletes demonstrate their skill during the parade.Look! Here comes the University of Utah!The Utes also had a big contingent in the Holiday Bowl Parade.Swoop, the Utah mascot had a bit of trouble donning that Santa hat!The red and white Utah Utes float with smiling cheer squad passes by.The University of Utah Marching Utes all appear to be having a great time.More college football pageantry.Goodness! Here come even more balloons down Harbor Drive!It’s Hog Heaven!There’s no need to fear, Underdog is here! (My favorite.)And here is the Deer Valley High School Marching Band!Snowman is either tipping backward in the breezy weather or gradually melting.The San Diego State University Marching Aztecs precede Nicholas the Nutcracker!SDSU, a local university with a great sports history, marches with pride through downtown San Diego.The San Diego Star Wars Society is always a sure hit with young and old alike in any parade!Darth Vader says hello to someone watching the cool parade!A tiny TIE fighter and tiny Star Wars characters!Medieval fantasy follows futuristic fantasy. It’s Merlin the Wizard!Even more fun balloons! I see a San Diego Zoo Panda!It’s the beloved Very Hungry Caterpillar!It’s Mother Goose. (She must be taking a break from her big annual parade out in El Cajon.)More pageantry and excitement. It’s the Green Valley Marching Band!Yikes! Here comes the scariest Holiday Bowl Parade balloon of them all! Tessa the T-Rex!U.S. Naval Sea Cadets march past and receive many waves.The parade program calls this balloon entry Saxophone. It sure is a big one, though!The Bobcat Marching Band came to San Diego from Western Dubuque High School.During a break in the parade I turned my camera toward San Diego Bay and captured the nearby Star of India.From the world’s oldest active sailing ship to a space shuttle! This particular balloon Space Shuttle was taxiing down Harbor Drive on tiny wheels!You know these guys simply had to be in the parade. It’s the Al Bahr Shrine and their Tin Lizzies.Here come some Al Bahr Clowns.I had fun! Did you?
…
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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
Check out this super fun art on Ingraham Street in Pacific Beach!
Two electrical boxes have been painted next to Crown Point Junior Music Academy. Looks to me like it’s the work of students…
Earth is in our hands.Crown Point Space CampA happy mermaid plays an underwater horn!…there comes a day, when you’re gonna look around, and realize happiness is where you are…We all live in a yellow submarine, yellow submarine, yellow submarine…A cool octopus kid plays drums. Crown Point Rocks!
…
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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
I see the holidays are being celebrated at San Diego’s festive Old Town Model Railroad Depot.
I just checked the Official NORAD Santa Tracker and I see that Santa Claus and his flying reindeer are presently distributing presents to everyone on the good list in Amsterdam. According to that website he has already delivered over 3.5 billion gifts. Santa must use one of those magic Harry Potter bags!
I’m so excited!
Santa Claus should be arriving in San Diego, California very soon now!
Look! It’s Santa! He has arrived in Old Town San Diego already! He must have hitched his flying reindeer to this old wagon instead of a sleigh!
Cool San Diego Sights! 