With the appearance of this year’s Comic-Con trolley wraps, many people I speak to are starting to get excited.
Now that I’m thinking about Comic-Con, too, it has occurred to me that over the years my blog has featured lots of photos concerning one of the absolute biggest franchises in pop culture: Star Wars!
I’ve rounded up a bunch of links that would be fun to check out. You’ll find unique photos of Star Wars artwork, models, cosplay, and even some humorous Star Wars street art!
Conan O’Brien flies a jet pack on a 2018 San Diego Comic-Con trolley!
I got photos of the Conan O’Brien trolley wrap that debuted yesterday in San Diego for 2018 Comic-Con. Sorry the photos are a bit bright. Our nearest star was shining very brightly this morning!
Here they are!
A trolley for 2018 San Diego Comic-Con has a wrap promoting the Conan show on TBS.Conan 2018, Live From Comic-Con. TeamCocoHouse Fourth Avenue.Conan flies toward the Spreckels space station in outer space, which is orbiting somewhere above Comic-Con!
Small sea creatures made of ceramic swim about a tile mosaic bench at a bus station in Solana Beach.
Check out these colorful benches at a Solana Beach bus station on Pacific Coast Highway!
Passengers waiting for a North County Transit BREEZE bus at this station are surrounded by all sorts of sea creatures in the form of ceramic tiles. You can find the public art just north of Lomas Santa Fe Drive, on the west side of the Solana Beach train station. Bicyclists heading down Solana Beach’s Coastal Rail Trail can also pause to enjoy the artwork.
The fun mosaics, decorating 11 concrete benches, were created by artist Michelle Griffoul.
Here are photos from several benches that you might enjoy!
Two of eleven concrete benches decorated with images of marine life on Pacific Coast Highway, just north of Lomas Santa Fe Drive.A colorful fish, shell and seahorse among small blue tiles.Sit here and you can ride a dolphin that is swimming among abundant sea life.More fun public artwork at a Solana Beach bus station.Butterflies! It appears that not all of the images concern aquatic life.More fish in their watery element.More beautiful artwork at the bus station.A bike rider rolls past public art. This station is part of the Coastal Rail Trail in San Diego’s North County.So much sea life it seems we’re somewhere out in the nearby Pacific Ocean.A small school of beautiful fish swimming in blue tiles.Enjoy The Path.The sun is shining atop this bench.I’ve spotted a whale!
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This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego! Are you curious? There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!
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Bold spray paint street art in a Logan Heights alley features the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!
Several long alleys in Logan Heights have been spray painted with super cool street art. I visited one alley recently that contains awesome images of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
This particular “Alley Gallery” can be found north of Commercial Street and west of 32nd Street. The colors are bold and the artwork is fantastic. Walking down the alley is almost like turning the pages of a TMNT comic book or graphic novel.
(I learned on a later visit to Logan Heights that this cool art is the creation of a community group called the San Diego Art Team!)
Enjoy these fun photos!
Leonardo, leader of the Ninja Turtles, stands alert beside some bold, colorful graffiti.Michelangelo of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is surrounded by enemies.Donatello appears to be ready for action in an alley mural in Logan Heights.An ordinary turtle wandering through the sewers is caught in some strange glowing green ooze. This innocent, unassuming reptile is almost certainly destined to mutate into a humorous humanoid martial artist!Splinter, the rat sensei, is hanging out on a wall between more cool graffiti.Raphael emerges from a spray painted city. This particular turtle does not appear to be amused.
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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!
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 Rockademy performs on the main stage at 2018 Fiesta del Sol in Solana Beach.
Today I rode the Coaster train from downtown San Diego up to Solana Beach to experience the annual Fiesta del Sol street festival!
I’d never been to Fiesta del Sol, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. What I found was a lot of family fun, live music, a tasty chicken quesadilla, and a perfect bench overlooking the event where I could read and gaze out at the beach and Pacific Ocean!
This cool event continues through the weekend. You’ll find it just off the Pacific Coast Highway, right next to Fletcher Cove Beach Park!
Fiesta del Sol, presented by the Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce, takes place beside Fletcher Cove Beach Park. The street festival continues through the weekend.Thousands turn out for a fun community event on a spring day in Solana Beach.Lots of tasty food could be found.Lots of art, too.This guy recycles surfboards.GC Dance Company performs at Fiesta del Sol.Photo of Fletcher Cove Beach Park from Overlook Park. I found a nice bench where I sat and read a book. (After visiting the food trucks to grab a mouthwatering lunch!)I wandered down to Fletcher Cove and looked north along the cliffs. Not many people were on the beach this overcast, slightly chilly day.A stand up paddle surfer was out on the Pacific Ocean waiting for the perfect wave.Walking back up from the beach toward the colorful festival.A cool Solana Beach sign above the tops of tents at Fiesta del Sol.Some people checked out some old school music for sale.Another vendor had all sorts of unique wooden items, including awesome model ships.The Solana Beach Civic Historical Society had a fascinating display of old photos. I learned about their Heritage Museum in La Colonia Park, which I’ll visit someday!Teenage rock band The Elements gets ready to perform at another stage near Pacific Coast Highway.More food!This artist surrounded by cool surf images displays his artwork at various festivals. I remember seeing him at the Ocean Beach Street Fair.These super long skateboards are Blue Murphy’s original Wonderboards! Murphy was a very friendly guy!On my way back to the Solana Beach train station to catch the Coaster, I spied this friendly stiltwalker. She was inviting people to a gallery down the street in the Cedros Avenue Design District.Lots of folks were having a great time today at Fiesta del Sol in Solana Beach!
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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!
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 vintage biplane is almost ready to embark on an historic flight.
Today I witnessed a bit of history. I headed to the Allen Airways Flying Museum at Gillespie Field to watch three vintage Stearman Speedmail biplanes take off on the first leg of the old Contract Air Mail 8 (CAM 8) route.
The very special six-day event marks the centennial of United States Air Mail service, which began on May 15,1918 with a flight from Washington D.C. to New York. Today’s flight, endorsed by the U.S. Postal Service, was the beginning of a 1200 mile journey up the West Coast that will include 12 stops, finally ending at Paine Field in Everett, Washington.
Many hobbyists, pilots and history enthusiasts were on hand to see the trio of vintage biplanes begin their commemorative flight. I read that only seven Stearman Speedmail airplanes survive today; 41 were originally built to transport the U.S. Mail by air.
As the planes taxied down the runway for takeoff, a friendly gentleman provided me with a little more history. I learned the original CAM 8 route up the West Coast took about two days, depending on the weather and the wind. He explained how the highly dependable Stearman Speedmail planes have a powerful 450-horsepower engine, and we observed how they took to the air very quickly. In the early days of aviation, before modern airports with lengthy runways, this was a requirement.
I also learned that many other owners of vintage aircraft flew in for today’s event, parking their colorful planes outside the Allen Airways Flying Museum. The museum itself is home to a variety of cool, historical aircraft, and welcomes visitors by appointment.
Here come some photos!
One of three Stearman Speedmail biplanes which will fly from San Diego to Seattle to commemorate the centennial of U.S. Air Mail service.Special mail collected at a USPS table is put into a canvas airmail bag. Each piece will be postmarked at the 12 stops along the 1200 mile flight.The City of El Cajon issued a proclamation to mark the 100th Anniversary of U.S. Airmail Service.A vintage Ford U.S. Air Mail truck was on display during the event, courtesy of the San Diego Air and Space Museum.Loading a sack of official U.S. Mail into the front of one Stearman Speedmail biplane.Another plane participating in the event waits nearby.People roll the biplane off the grass so that it can taxi away from the Allen Airways Flying Museum.These two planes are ready to safely head out onto the Gillespie Field runway.It’s almost 11:45, the time the three planes will start their U.S. Air Mail centennial celebration flight.The first Stearman Speedmail biplane taxis out onto the runway.It slowly heads down the runway to prepare for takeoff.The second Stearman Speedmail aircraft follows.And here comes the third. An historic flight will soon begin!The trio of vintage biplanes heads down to the end of the airport’s runway.People watch as the Air Mail centennial celebration flight begins in San Diego!A vintage biplane flies north, beginning a 12-stop 1200-mile flight that retraces the Contract Mail 8 (CAM 8) air mail route.Today many enjoyed a fun celebration of American history at Gillespie Field in El Cajon!
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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!
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!
Jacaranda trees add color to downtown San Diego’s beautiful Cortez Hill neighborhood.
Today I headed to Ocean Beach to check out a big kite festival. As I left my home atop Cortez Hill, and when I returned home a few hours later, I wandered through a fun neighborhood event just outside my front door. What in years past was playfully called the Jacaranda Spring Thing is now the Jacaranda Flower Fest. The event is organized every spring by the Downtown San Diego Partnership.
One nice aspect of living atop Cortez Hill are all the flowers. Especially along Tweet Street Park.
Another reason why I love to walk outdoors every day!
As I was leaving home in the morning, I spotted this nice lady setting up a table for the Jacaranda Flower Fest on Cortez Hill.Later in the day, the Flower Fest was underway. Neighbors relax and enjoy a fun community event.Little Dandelions had some activities at the Flower Fest. They are a non-profit organization based in Imperial Beach. Their mission is to inspire and teach the importance of agriculture to all ages.Visitors to the Jacaranda Flower Fest could propagate a succulent cutting in a small pot.There are many flowers on Cortez Hill along linear Tweet Street Park.I took this beautiful photo at the corner of Ninth Avenue and Date Street.More flowers along Tweet Street!Local artist Cecelia Linayao creates a beautiful jacaranda-themed piece of chalk art on Date Street.
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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 sea lion greets people who walk down the sidewalk. Humorous street art on Fenton Parkway.
I’ve noticed an increase in the amount of street art along Fenton Parkway in Mission Valley. A variety of electrical boxes have been painted, and others appear to be works in progress.
There’s so much fun street art now, I figured I’d post some photos! These photographs were taken late today during a short walk between the trolley tracks and Friars Road.
Enjoy!
Another side of the same box, and another happy sea lion!This box appears to be a work in progress. One side has an elaborate moth completed.Surfer girl street art on another electrical box. She’s on her surfboard awaiting a perfect wave.A girl and dog overlooking the ocean at sunset.The ocean in this street art seems to be populated by all sorts of odd prehistoric creatures!This fun scene was created by imaginative art teacher Anna Farrell.Another colorful side and another toothy monster.A cool bird of prey painted by artist Rachel Dipasupil Alberto. I believe it might be an osprey.These prickly pears seem to be growing beneath the nearby shopping mall’s palm trees!A very cool eagle or hawk near the intersection of Fenton Parkway and Friars Road.A stunning image on another side of the same box. Thousands of motorists enjoy seeing this beautiful artwork as they drive east down busy Friars Road.
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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!
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!
Talented floreador Miguel Bautista performs rope tricks in Balboa Park during Cinco de Mayo!
Today was the first time I’ve gone to a big, festive Cinco de Mayo celebration in Balboa Park. What fun!
In the early afternoon I wandered down El Prado to absorb the general flavor of the event, but I spent most of my time watching cultural performances in the Plaza de Panama. The day’s highlight in my opinion was the noontime equestrian parade and rope handling entertainment.
I’ve included some fascinating info in my photo captions!
The festive 2018 Cinco de Mayo celebration in Balboa Park was the scene of great pageantry and life today!Many traditional Mexican costumes, crafts and entertaining activities filled the Plaza de Panama.Ballet folklorico dancers with the community group La Fiesta Danzantes de San Diego entertain a crowd in Balboa Park during Cinco de Mayo.Buoyant traditional Mexican music is provided by City Heights Mariachi, an ensemble that welcomes all ages. They are actively seeking trumpet players!Many people in diverse and colorful garb were in the audience.The noon Equestrian Procession is entering the Plaza de Panama! The group is called Escaramuza Charra las Golondrinas.Riders on horseback wear various traditional costumes. The caballero carrying the American flag is in the gala dress of a charro.Circling in the Plaza de Panama so that all can enjoy.The equestrian group’s floreador performs elaborate rope tricks for the crowd.Great agility and showmanship on display.Performing more amazing rope tricks up on the back of his horse!This cool lowrider was out in the plaza. It’s a 1958 Chevy Del Ray Sedan Delivery painted with flames!Several Balboa Park museums and organizations had tables in the plaza where kids could create Cinco de Mayo-themed artwork.Many food trucks were lining El Prado!When not on the main stage, City Heights Mariachi did some more entertaining along El Prado.At one o’clock there was a Traditional Dress Showcase with models wearing regional attire from different Mexican states.The various traditional Mexican dresses were from the Olga de la Vega private collection.I believe this was said to be a dress from the Michoacán region. The shawl is an important aspect of the attire–it is used to send social signals.Dress from the Mexican state of Guerrero, if my notes are correct. Images in the fabric include flowers and jaguars.Abundant color and pageantry filled the Plaza de Panama during the 2018 Cinco de Mayo celebration in Balboa Park!
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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!
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!
Having an amateur photoblog is loads of fun. My eyes are constantly moving about, searching for and anticipating interesting images.
Cool San Diego Sights helps me to perceive what I otherwise might not. Unusual reflections, shadows, hues, angles, spatial relations, minute details: an object’s complex, often momentary essence.
Before sunset today I walked along the Embarcadero, just north of the Broadway Pier. Glass buildings along the waterfront were shining. A jumble of bright reflections produced all sorts of fascinating contrasts.
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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!
Cool San Diego Sights! 