Tag: highways

Community gathers for Green Corridor Holiday!

A special event was held today in National City, near that city’s border with Southeast San Diego. The Green Corridor Holiday brought together local families to celebrate the holidays and to connect with community organizations.

The Green Corridor is a name for the area north of Division Street and east of Palm Avenue/47th Street. Transforming the bare space, near a tangle of Interstate 805 and ramps, has been the subject of much discussion. Many in the community have advocated making this Green Corridor into a proud cultural center and green space.

I was told many would also love to have the freeway pillars painted with beautiful murals–a sort of smaller Chicano Park. I’m no expert concerning the project, or where it stands, but it all sounds great to me! The place does seem ideally located for a native garden and park.

The Green Corridor Holiday event brought families together for music, tasty food, arts and crafts, a toy distribution, a tree giveaway, fun with Santa Claus and the Grinch, and Azteca dancing (which I unfortunately missed). I did notice an artist was painting one of the freeway pillars.

Organizations working to improve the neighborhood were present, including Mundo Gardens, the Urban Collaborative Project, Caltrans, the San Diego Library, and others. They were happy to connect with one and all, listen to community members, and provide empowering information.

If you’d like to get involved, check out the two links above!

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National City installs Historic U.S. Route 101 signs!

Earlier this month, National City installed seven new Historic California US 101 Route street signs. They were placed where old Highway 101, the source of many fond memories, once ran. These seven new signs join thirteen others that were installed in Chula Vista and San Ysidro near the beginning of the year.

This very cool project, which commemorates an important part of history in San Diego’s South Bay, was spearheaded by Jack Gechter of the South Bay Historical Society.

Jack indicated these new signs are located along National City Boulevard, from a spot just north of Chula Vista to a spot just south of Division Street. Here are the exact addresses:

North Bound – National City Blvd. north of C Street (just north of Chula Vista)
North Bound – 2501 National City Blvd.
North Bound – 701 National City Blvd.
North Bound – 141 National City Blvd.
South Bound – 128 National City Blvd.
South Bound – 700 National City Blvd.
South Bound – 2340 National City Blvd.

Learning this, I had to check these new signs out! I spotted six of them and took the upcoming photographs during a walk on Sunday.

Are you curious where US 101 ran south of San Diego?

This 1947 Chevron Map shows the Historic California US 101 Route starting near the US/Mexico Border in San Ysidro, and continuing north along Beyer Blvd toward Chula Vista, along National Avenue (Broadway in Chula Vista and National City Blvd in National City) to 8th Street, along 8th Street to Harbor Drive, then along Harbor Drive to Pacific Highway.

This 1933 AA Map shows a slightly different Historic California US 101 Route at the northerly end of National Avenue (National City Blvd) to 1st Street, then along Main Street.

Should you drive along National City Boulevard, keep an eye out for these new signs!

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Beautiful nature art on Encinitas Boulevard!

If you’ve driven down Encinitas Boulevard under Interstate 5 you’ve seen this wonderful, very colorful public art. Four long mosaic strips depicting local plants and animals have added life to the freeway undercrossing for about a year now.

In 2021 the City of Encinitas chose this design by Minneapolis-based artists Amy Baur and Brian Boldon.

The three foot tall strips feature glazed ceramic surfaces that shine in the sunlight and resemble stained glass. Here’s an article concerning the installation. The artist has stated: “Imagery from Encinitas’ environment — birds, plants, water, coastal and mountain flora and fauna — are layered with geometric shapes reflecting concrete patterns above and below the artwork.”

During my last walk in Encinitas, I took photographs of the beautiful artwork. What birds and plants do you recognize?

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!

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Historic Route US 101 signs for South Bay!

Jack Gechter stands next to Historic Route California US 101 sign at South Bay Historical Society booth during Chula Vista Lemon Festival.

A very cool project is now being undertaken by the South Bay Historical Society. I learned about it last Saturday as I explored the Lemon Festival in Chula Vista.

A number of Historic Route California US 101 signs (like the one you see above) have been created, to be installed in National City, Chula Vista and San Ysidro along those streets where the legendary highway used to run.

Old timers might recall how US 101 ran north from near the US/Mexico Border in San Ysidro, along Beyer Blvd toward Chula Vista, along National Avenue (now Broadway in Chula Vista and National City Blvd in National City) to 8th Street, then along 8th Street west to Harbor Drive, before heading up through downtown San Diego and eventually into North County. Old U.S. Route 101 during its history saw various realignments, before being entirely replaced south of Los Angeles by Interstate 5 in 1964.

Here’s a great article detailing where the historic highway ran through San Diego and the South Bay cities. You’ll see current photographs of those places where it ran. Here’s another article with a map depicting an earlier US 101 Route, running up today’s National City Blvd to Main Street.

Many similar Historic Route US 101 signs have already been installed in San Diego County, particularly through the coastal cities of North County.

Once these new signs are installed, they will add a fine, nostalgic touch to those South Bay communities that the old highway once connected to the rest of California. And they will resurrect many fond memories.

Historic 101 Route Sign in San Ysidro, California. Image courtesy Jack Gechter.

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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 Twitter!

World record bridge spans Lake Hodges!

Did you know there’s a world record bridge in San Diego’s North County?

The David Kreitzer Lake Hodges Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge is the longest stress ribbon bridge in the world!

You’ve possibly seen the 990 foot long bridge when driving up Interstate 15 next to Lake Hodges. I walked across the remarkable bridge yesterday and noticed several information signs describing its history and unique characteristics.

The San Dieguito River travels 55 miles to the Pacific Ocean. In 1918 this section of the river was dammed creating the reservoir Lake Hodges, which has 27 miles of shoreline. The watershed of Lake Hodges covers 248 square miles.

Lake Hodges was designated a Globally Important Birding Area in 1999.

(When I was a young man, I fished with a friend for bass in Lake Hodges.)

Historic old U.S. Highway 395 became a wide hiking trail that passes by these signs.

Several bridges have spanned the water over the past century, including a wooden pile bridge near Mule Hill that was washed away after the creation of Lake Hodges.

Pictured in the above sign is the Bernardo-Lake Hodges Station Bridge in 1919. It was demolished when a nearby 1955 bridge was replaced by the dual bridges that serve Interstate 15 today.

The David Kreitzer Lake Hodges Bicycle/Pedestrian Bridge opened in 2009.

The world record bridge’s design features a long thin ribbon of concrete that produces low visual impact. Enlarge my photo of the above sign to read details of the stress ribbon bridge’s construction.

The bridge provides an elegantly simple passage through the beauty of the lake and its trees.

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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 Twitter!

Spring green next to Interstate 15!

If you’re ever a passenger in a vehicle heading north on Interstate 15, between West Bernardo Drive and Via Rancho Parkway, look to your right and down. You might see the heads of nearby walkers and bicyclists!

A stretch of the Coast to Crest Trail follows the busy freeway right next to and about ten feet below it. On the opposite side of the trail, not far away, stand beautiful trees that line the San Dieguito River and Lake Hodges.

During the Spring these river trees turn bright green!

Today I walked from the trailhead at the south end of Sunset Drive to the place where the Coast to Crest Trail passes under Interstate 15. (And I continued on, as you’ll see in upcoming blog posts.)

The roar of freeway traffic above me to the right . . . tranquil trees, green grasses and wildflowers of the San Dieguito River Park to my left . . . and an occasional bike or two passing by . . .

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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 Twitter!

River life near a freeway bridge.

Walk the Coast to Crest Trail along the San Dieguito River where it passes under Interstate 5 and you’ll see signs of life.

Indeed, several signs east of the freeway bridge concern river life that can be found nearby!

Walking east in Del Mar along the San Dieguito River, approaching the Interstate 5 bridge. It’s early March and native vegetation is green from recent rains.

About to pass under the concrete freeway bridge.

On the other side, near bush sunflowers, we arrive at a place where one can relax and learn about the San Dieguito Lagoon environment.

Several old signs ahead…

Fish of the San Dieguito Lagoon. Over twenty different fish species have been observed in the lagoon providing evidence that habitats here act as a fish nursery. Species include California Halibut, Giant Kelpfish, Staghorn Sculpin, Kelp Bass and four species of Gobies. Small jumping fish are Mullet.

Pickleweed likes the salty environment in the lagoon. It is also known as sea asparagus, Pacific swampfire, or glasswort!

What’s for dinner for various wetland animals who live here, including raccoons, American kestrels, killdeers and bats?

In one day a Great Blue Heron will eat…

…23 anchovies, 2 mice and a frog. Yummy!

A place near the freeway bridge to rest, gaze at the river and think about life.

In Life, Choose Happiness.

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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 Twitter!

Historic 1930 Mobil Gas Station in Lakeside.

Drivers heading down Maine Avenue in Lakeside, California might recognize the old Mobil symbol of the winged red horse, Pegasus, flying above a smog check station. What they might not realize is the building they are passing is one of the oldest gas stations remaining in San Diego County.

During my recent visit to Lakeside, I noticed a plaque near the front door of Lakeside Auto Service, so I had to check it out. I then met Ramon, the friendly owner, who told me a little about the history of his building. The original gas station was built in 1930. It also housed Lakeside’s first volunteer fire company.

I learned that Ramon has been working hard to maintain and improve the historic building. He takes pride in helping to preserve this important part of the community.

I was told that, among other plans, Ramon would like to add some old-fashioned gas pumps in front of the building. Like those you see in my photo of the Historical Landmark banner. That would be really cool!

MOBIL GAS STATION

BUILT 1930 ON THE JULIAN HIGHWAY (LRN 198 – LATER HIGHWAY 67)

HOME OF LAKESIDE’S FIRST FIRE TRUCK AND VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPARTMENT, ESTABLISHED 1954 FIRE CHIEF AND STATION OWNER/OPERATOR ED HARRISON

ONE OF THE OLDEST GAS STATIONS REMAINING IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY RESTORED BY RAMON IBARRA 2018

“OUR MISSION IS TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND GIVE PEOPLE A PLACE THEY CAN BE PROUD OF”

MAINE AVENUE REVITALIZATION ASSOCIATION (EST. 1993)

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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 Twitter!

This freeway bridge is a musical instrument!

Did you know there’s a bridge over a freeway in San Diego that is also a musical instrument?

Drivers passing over State Route 94 on the 25th Street bridge might not realize they are traveling beside an interactive chime rail that pedestrians with a good stick or (better yet) metal rod can play!

Called the Crab Carillon, this musical feature of a very unique bridge is part of the City of San Diego’s Civic Art Collection. The Crab Carillon, created by artist Roman de Salvo in 2003, features 488 individually tuned chimes spanning the full length of the bridge, which can be played by passersby.

De Salvo commissioned Joseph Waters to compose a short, sophisticated palindrome, which sounds the same played forward or backward. The title refers to the way that crabs scuttle from side to side, similar to the movement of those who interact with the artwork.

As I walked south down 25th Street from Golden Hill toward Sherman Heights, I happened to find a piece of broken wood on the sidewalk. Perfect! I thought. Up ahead is San Diego’s musical bridge! Now I’m ready to play the Crab Carillon!

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Famous head pokes above freeway wall!

Driving north on Interstate 5 near Old Town, have you glimpsed the top of a huge head poking over the freeway wall? Just past the Courtyard by Marriott?

It’s the curly-haired head of Michelangelo’s famous sculpture David!

The Head of David mural was painted on the side of an apartment building back in 1984 by San Diego Mesa College physics student Jeff Sale. The entire mural used to be visible from the freeway, until a wall was built by Caltrans that conceals much of it. You can read an old article concerning the artist and his creation here.

Yesterday I walked through Old Town to see if it’s possible to get photographs of the two story high Head of David from a spot away from the freeway. By standing in the cul-de-sac just north of the Marriott, I took these pics.

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