Have you ever wondered about those Victorian houses that stand together behind a fence near the corner of 2nd Avenue and Ash Street in downtown San Diego?
I walk by these colorful old houses frequently, but apart from seeing “Victoria Square” on a sign in front of one, for years I’ve known absolutely nothing about them. So I finally did a little research on the internet.
Victoria Square Vacation Homes is what they’re called now, but originally the houses together were known as Kiessig Corner. The handsome blue corner house, in the Italian Renaissance style, was built by Charles Keissig in 1894. Keissig was a Gold Rush-era immigrant from Germany who supposedly buried $20 gold pieces under the house in glass jars. The house directly adjacent to it on Ash Street was built in 1904-1906. A third, one-story house on Second Avenue (the yellow one you can see on the left in the next photo) was moved to the site from another location at about the same time. A fourth smaller building, which is difficult to see from the street, was originally a carriage house.
In 1976, the site was declared an historic property by the San Diego Historic Site Board, and the run-down romantic turn-of-the-century buildings were purchased by real estate development attorney Sandor Shapery. The houses were rehabilitated by Del Mar architect Paul Thoryk to be used commercially. Apparently years ago there was a restaurant in addition to offices, but my poor old brain cannot remember it. After 2008 the buildings were converted back to residential use.
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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 familiar sign as drivers enter Old Town from Interstate 5. Welcome to Old Town. Birthplace of California.
I have more photos to post from my long walk yesterday. But first I’m going to share pics that I took during today’s walk from downtown San Diego to Old Town!
I didn’t pull out my camera until I was well past the airport, heading up Hancock Street. I passed very few people. My mind was far away. As you can see, I did capture a few amusing images!
After a brief detour to explore Witherby Street and the semi-decayed old bridges and underpasses leading to an entrance of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, I passed over Interstate 5 and entered Old Town.
I took a look around the quiet streets as I headed up Jefferson Street and Congress Street. Making sure there were no signs posted saying I couldn’t enter, I quickly passed through Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, which was almost deserted. Then I headed back south down San Diego Avenue.
Most of the shops and restaurants in Old Town were closed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. A few restaurants were offering take-out, but very few potential customers were anywhere to be seen…
I’m heading up Hancock Street. If that’s not a NOT, can one legally park here?This might be the coolest little free library I’ve come across!A superhero who resembles Superman flies from what might be San Diego’s last phone booth.These pigeons regarded me as I walked along a gritty walkway under the Witherby Street train bridge.Now I’ve entered Old Town. Check out this cool sculpture in someone’s front yard!Flowers through a white fence.The African Latin Museum was closed. It’s on my list of things to do.This was part of the 1890 Ballast Point Light Station on Point Loma!
To learn more about the history of this lighthouse, and why part of it is now sitting on a sidewalk in Old Town, click here!
Mural in front of some small businesses on Congress Street depicts the early days of San Diego.Right part of the mural.Signs by the parking lot of Rockin’ Baja point to different distant destinations.On the small island beneath the signs I spotted this plaque.In Memory of Joe Flynn. 1902 – 1963. Joe loved Old Town and helped re-create Casa de Lopez. Old Town Chamber of Commerce.Mexican themed outdoor decor, but no customers at this eatery during the coronavirus pandemic.Voted best pizza in America! I gotta try a slice one day.The plaza in the middle of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is deserted. But the grass is long and green!The many Old Town museums and attractions are all closed due to COVID-19.On an ordinary Sunday, this photo would be filled with people.Now I’m heading down San Diego Avenue. Another popular restaurant is temporarily closed.But Cafe Coyote is open for take out! And I got two yummy handmade fresh tortillas to munch on as I walked!
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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!
Funny comic panels featuring Star Trek characters, standing near Captain Kirk’s Coffee in South Park.
It was hot today as I walked through South Park, so I stopped at Captain Kirk’s Coffee to get an ice cold green tea. And look what I saw and learned!
All sorts of humorous Star Trek imagery can be found on and around this popular sidewalk coffee shack!
The super nice people who served up my green tea explained they’ve been there for many years now. Then they told me something amazing that I didn’t know. Whoopi Goldberg, before she became a superstar, worked at The Big Kitchen just a block south of Captain Kirk’s Coffee! They said she signed her name on a wall of The Big Kitchen, and while the interior has been repainted many times over the years, her signature remains untouched.
Among her many big Hollywood roles, you might recall that Whoopi Goldberg played Guinan in the television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, and in the films Star Trek: Generations and Star Trek: Nemesis.
Captain Kirk’s Coffee by the Fern Street sidewalk in South Park.Various spaceships have landed or crashed atop the roof of Captain Kirk’s Coffee.At the front counter. Bean me up Scotty!Big Kitchen Café in South Park, where Whoopi Goldberg worked before becoming a Hollywood superstar.Star Trek meets Star Wars in these silly panels near Captain Kirk’s Coffee.Whoopi Goldberg as Star Trek character Guinan says: I miss Judy’s delicious coffee cake at The Big Kitchen.
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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!
Museums around San Diego are currently closed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. So I thought you might enjoy exploring a collection of cool photographs from a wide variety of local museums!
Following are 41 links to blogs documenting past visits to museums, exhibitions and museum-like places that I found particularly interesting.
Hopefully you’ll be inspired to check out many of San Diego’s unique and amazing cultural attractions once the pandemic subsides and our world returns to normal!
Click the following links to see lots of cool photographs!
This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego! Are you curious? There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!
Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts. If you’re using a phone or small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!
To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
Another weekend of staying mostly indoors. Hopefully the coronavirus pandemic will soon subside. For everyone’s sake.
Be careful out there!
We’re well into April, so I thought now might be a good time to once again look back five years.
Included in these old blog posts are photographs of two very cool things under construction: the Maritime Museum of San Diego’s replica Spanish galleon San Salvador, and downtown’s Horton Plaza Park.
This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego! Are you curious? There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!
Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts. If you’re using a phone or small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!
To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
Every year, dozens of colorful festivals around the city and county celebrate diverse cultures, themes, communities and historical moments. Those who participate enjoy great music, art, food and all sorts of unique entertainment, not to mention the cool vibe of America’s Finest City!
Over the past six and a half years, I’ve attended many of these festivals. I’ve met lots of amazing people and have taken hundreds of photographs.
Unfortunately, with the current coronavirus pandemic, nearly all public events scheduled for the first half of 2020 have been cancelled or postponed. So, as we wait for life to return to “normal,” wouldn’t it be fun to have another look at some past festivals?
I’ve selected 35 festivals that have been featured on Cool San Diego Sights!
To see lots of colorful photographs, click the following links:
This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego! Are you curious? There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!
Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts. If you’re using a phone or small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!
To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
Looking up at the impressive chandelier in the Grand Salon of the San Diego Civic Theatre.
I’ve lived in downtown San Diego for nearly 20 years. It’s sad to admit, but there are places of great interest within easy walking distance that I still haven’t visited. Until today, one of those places was the San Diego Civic Theatre.
This morning I took a guided tour behind the scenes at the San Diego Civic Theatre, courtesy of the San Diego Architectural Foundation’s big annual Open House event!
According to the event website: “The 2,967 seat San Diego Civic Theatre is the region’s largest and most attended performing arts venue. Owned by the City of San Diego, the theater hosts performances in opera, classical and contemporary music, dance and Broadway shows, in addition to serving as a community gathering place for inaugurations, governmental addresses and public meetings. Built at a cost of $4.1 million, the Grand Salon features back lit Italian onyx panels and an iconic $35,000 chandelier made of Bavarian crystal.”
Our group entered the lobby from Civic Center Plaza, ascended stairs and stood with heads tilted back as we took in the awesome beauty of the Grand Salon. Overhead, the impressive 2800 pound chandelier sparkled with its 186 lights and 52,000 crystals, casting magic about the elegant gathering place.
We then walked into the enormous theatre and stood for a moment “atop” the orchestra pit, the floor of which can be raised or lowered like an elevator. Then we went backstage to see the positively enormous space that is utilized to produce major shows of all sorts. In one corner of the dark stage, out of sight of the audience, there’s a very cool shrine to Elvis Presley!
It’s hard to describe the immense grandeur of this venerable theatre. The world’s biggest stars have performed here over the years, including Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, Johnny Cash, Diana Ross, Tony Bennett, Bruce Springsteen, Bob Dylan and many others. Several United States Presidents have also attended events in the building. Today, the venue is the home of San Diego Opera, Broadway San Diego and California Ballet Company.
The lighting inside the building wasn’t ideal for my poor little camera, but during the tour I did manage to capture a few photos.
An outside view of the architecturally interesting San Diego Civic Theatre as I approached from the east down B Street.A poster outside the lobby entrance. The San Diego Civic Theatre is celebrating its 55 year anniversary.Waiting outside in Civic Center Plaza for the tour to begin.We enter the building lobby, which as you can see is dimly lit.Graphic shows the Civic Theatre under construction, before opening in 1965. It was designed by Lloyd Ruocco, one of San Diego’s most influential architects.Looking up inside the gorgeous Grand Salon, which is located on the building’s second floor. The original design had the salon at ground level.The sunbursts decorating the edges of each level were removed years ago.The amazing chandelier is the centerpiece of the Grand Salon.I believe this bust in the Grand Salon is of Giuseppe Verdi.A glimpse of the gritty inner workings of a major theatre, tucked between the audience and the stage.Now we are backstage, looking at dozens of ropes that might be used to lift or manipulate props, lighting, drop curtains–and perhaps even actors!Looking up!Here’s the shrine to Elvis in a corner of backstage. I didn’t catch the story behind it.Old black and white photograph shows a packed house.Looking out from the stage upon thousands of empty red seats!
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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!
People bicycle past huge colorful murals painted along the Bayshore Bikeway in Chula Vista.
In 2019, some of the largest, most impressive outdoor murals in San Diego were completed in Chula Vista along a stretch of the Bayshore Bikeway. Very few people see them–only those who ride or walk down a segment of the bike path west of L Street.
The bold, very colorful murals, representing different art styles throughout history, were painted by eleven talented artists. Check out these photos, then hop onto your bicycle to experience the amazing wall for yourself!
This public art was the result of the Chula Vista Art Through History Outdoor Art Gallery project, organized by the City of Chula Vista. The variety of styles portrayed celebrates the diversity that thrives in this South Bay community.
A row of bold murals that represent different art styles through history.Art has the power to transform, to illuminate, to educate, inspire and motivate!In Full Color, by Allison Bamcat. Classical Greek and Roman art.Wally, by Chloe Becky. Expressionism.The Warrior, by Guillermo “Memuco” Munro. Arte Mexicano.Crying Girl, by Daryl Shawn1. Pop Art.Michelle Guerrero. Primitive Art.
Niz. Art Nouveau.Us Watching You, Watching Us, Watching You, by Jhelen Ramirez and George Shaffer. Post-Impressionism.In Bloom, by Andy Rios. Graffiti.Self-Actualized, by Sergio Daniel Robleto. Feminist art movement.Carve Your Path, by Sergio Daniel Robleto. Social Realism.Picasso, by Michelle Guerrero. Cubism.
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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!
Beauty fills and surrounds the Botanical Building in Balboa Park. As do words that honor those who’ve made our world more beautiful.
Seeds that were planted many years ago live on and on.
Last weekend I saw and read a few plaques.
Alfred D. Robinson, Founding President of the San Diego Floral Association in 1907, originated the use of a “lath house” for displaying plants at the 1915 Panama-California Exposition.
Ruth C. Smith, founder of the City Beautiful of San Diego, who worked to plant 10,000 trees in San Diego parks, has left a legacy of beauty for all San Diegans to enjoy for years to come.
In Memory of Miss Daisy O. Tompkins, Teacher. This world is a better place because of her.
Barbara Hart McLean. Artist, Scientist, Mother, Friend. She loved life in all of its diversity and color.
Honoring a man whose vision of a “Palace of Lath” became reality, adding beauty to the lives of millions of Balboa Park visitors for over a century.
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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!
Would you like to walk beneath the branches of one of the most impressive and beloved trees in San Diego?
I remember when I was a boy, people used to walk right up to the trunk of the huge Moreton Bay Fig tree in Balboa Park–that enormous tree just north of the Natural History Museum. Kids would even climb about its limbs. But over the years too many feet compacted the soil above the tree’s root system, threatening to kill it. So the historic tree, planted just before the 1915 Panama-California Exposition in Balboa Park, was fenced off to the public.
But there are plans that will allow people to approach this mighty tree once again!
A raised platform is to be built at the base of the Moreton Bay Fig. The structure will not interfere with the tree’s root system, which has been carefully mapped. Once the project is complete, the public will be able to more fully appreciate the beauty and majesty of this amazing 78 feet tall tree.
The Friends of Balboa Park, an organization whose mission is to preserve Balboa Park’s legacy for future generations, is raising money to construct the platform, and they could use a few more donations.
If you’d like to learn more about this cool project, and perhaps help out the Friends of Balboa Park, visit their website here!
An old photograph from my blog of a sign in Balboa Park. It describes this particular Ficus macrophylla, or Moreton Bay Fig. The enormous tree is listed as a co-champion with the Santa Barbara Fig in the California Department of Forestry Registry of Big Trees.
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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! 