It’s a breezy and drizzly New Year’s Day in San Diego. But a visit to Balboa Park proved to be just as wonderful as ever!
I was surprised that a few museums were open. Several studios in Spanish Village were also open. And, of course, there was the reliable two o’clock Sunday concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, where, due to the threat of rain, audience members got to sit right up close to the guest organist on stage!
The photo captions describe what I experienced…
Not the usual Sunday crowd on El Prado, but still pretty busy.Roger, a regular Balboa Park busker, somehow managed to escape again!Leaves and puddles in front of a colorful Spanish Village studio.Gallery 21 was open. The 26th Annual Exhibition of 7 Printmakers continues through tomorrow, January 2, 2023. (I’ll be blogging about it shortly.)I was greeted by a smile in Studio 9. Glass bottles were being converted into cool wind chimes!A videographer records a street musician on El Prado.The Palisades part of Balboa Park was unusually quiet on New Year’s Day.Color in a tree and on the grass is a reminder that winter has arrived in San Diego.Guest organist Jeobon Hwang rehearses before the Sunday afternoon Spreckels Organ concert.Jaebon Hwang, organist at First United Methodist Church of San Diego, comes on stage.I got to sit up close. The mighty Spreckels Organ thundered music directly into my bones!Some people listening on the benches have umbrellas at the ready.A flawless performance of classical music by one of San Diego’s outstanding organists!
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Today San Diego is celebrating Día de los Muertos!
By mid-afternoon, people were streaming into Old Town. Many will participate in this evening’s candlelight procession down San Diego Avenue from the Immaculate Conception Church to El Campo Santo cemetery.
In preparation, some were having their faces traditionally painted as sugar skulls. Face painting artists had tables set up at several points along the sidewalk.
As I passed through Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, then down San Diego Avenue, this is what my camera encountered!
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The Whaley House in Old Town San Diego is said to be the most haunted house in America. It has been featured in numerous articles, books and television shows.
Some believe that multiple ghosts haunt the historic building, including Whaley family members who once lived there. A few of those family members died tragically.
For the upcoming Day of the Dead celebration (Día de los Muertos), a traditional Mexican altar has been erected in the courtyard behind the Whaley House. These altars are created to entice the spirits of departed loved ones back to the world of the living.
Will the many ghosts of the Whaley House be summoned?
There are a number of portraits on the Day of the Dead altar. I recognize some of the Whaley family members. Fear not–these photos were taken respectfully from behind the rope.
I recognize Thomas Whaley, Jr., who died inside the house of scarlet fever, a baby of eighteen months. I also recognize the portrait of Violet Eloise Whaley, who committed suicide. She died by self-inflicted gunshot to the chest.
I spoke to an Old Town Trolley Tours guide, and she claimed all the ghosts who haunt the place rise up on Halloween.
Day of the Dead and Halloween!
It seems early next week might be an auspicious time to hunt for Whaley House ghosts, if you’re so inclined!
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Thank you for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often, so you might want to bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and check back from time to time.
You can explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on this website’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There’s a lot of stuff to share and enjoy!
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!
Today is the Fourth of July. Our nation’s Independence Day.
This afternoon I walked along San Diego’s Embarcadero.
Families from neighborhoods throughout the city were streaming into downtown’s waterfront, setting up tents and canopies and lawn chairs, preparing barbeque, throwing footballs, getting ready to view the Big Bay Boom fireworks show this evening.
Flags were everywhere: flying from shops, restaurants, pedicabs, boats on the water…
As I walked along, I tried to capture a little bit of the color.
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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!
Should one celebrate Independence Day on the Third of July?
Why not!
Today’s Sunday lawn program at the International Cottages in Balboa Park was presented by the House of USA. It was a patriotic event for the Fourth of July–one day early!
Before the program began at 2 o’clock, I walked around and visited friendly members of two groups: Daughters of the American Revolution and Sons of the American Revolution. One DAR member, I learned, is a descendant of Elihu Hickok, a soldier who served in the United States Revolutionary War.
The lawn program commenced with the presentation of colors and a beautiful, soaring rendition of the National Anthem sung by Ms. Helen Oh. She was followed by young pianist, Colton, who skillfully played America the Beautiful.
The Queen and Princess of the House of USA gave short speeches, then, after the main speaker, everyone enjoyed a performance of Western line dancing by the San Diego Coasters!
Then everyone was invited onto the stage to learn how to line dance!
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The famous Budweiser Clydesdales proceeded up Fifth Avenue in San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter this afternoon. The spectacle was part of a one-day-early celebration of the Fourth of July. Tonight there will be a laser light show!
A huge crowd of people swarmed around the iconic Budweiser beer wagon taking photos. Everyone was excited to see the traditional spotted Dalmatian up near the drivers.
National City will be hosting a Memorial Day ceremony tomorrow, May 30, 2022. The event will honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in our nation’s armed forces.
The ceremony will be held at 4 pm in front of the War Memorial and Veterans Wall of Honor, which is located at 12th Street and D Avenue, at the northeast corner of Kimball Park.
I noticed other San Diego websites failed to list this important Memorial Day event, so I thought I’d mention it here. Spread the word.
I plan to take the day off and simply rest. Perhaps write a little. I’m not getting any younger.
Believe me, I’m grateful to live in a free country. And I want to thank those who have sacrificed to defend freedom.
I attended the National City Memorial Day ceremony last year, and posted many moving photographs of it here.
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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!
Yes, the older I get, the faster time flies. I still haven’t figured that out.
I remember thinking as a boy: Wow, I’m probably going to be around in the distant future . . . in the 21st century!There’s going to be a year 2000! The very notion I’d be living in a whole new millennium seemed inconceivable.
Now it’s 2022!
In the blink of an eye!
And here comes the metaverse!
Having made it this far, I guess we all deserve a virtual doughnut. (A yummy Donut Bar one, too!)
Just in case the roast turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potatoes, rolls, candied yams, green bean casserole, cranberries and pumpkin pie isn’t enough to send you into a blissful post-feast coma, have a turkey donut! (I swung by the downtown Donut Bar a couple days ago.)
Today’s Independence Day parade in Scripps Ranch was a colorful example of good old-fashioned Americana!
Neighbors came out for a patriotic community parade that wound along several residential streets.
Families sat in lawn chairs on the sidewalk or under canopies on front lawns. Small flags were waved by many hands. As each parade entry passed by, rousing cheers erupted!
Politicians waved as they passed the crowd. Guys drove their red, white and blue decorated vintage cars by, wearing Uncle Sam hats. High school cheerleaders performed their routine for the parade judges. Local youth sport teams walked by holding up trophies. Little Leaguers pitched candy to the crowd. Scouts ambled by, some shy, others hamming it up. A church had a mobile pastor dunking booth. A waving, smiling group celebrated diversity. A local fitness group dropped down periodically to perform pushups on the street.
There were cheers for everybody.
What seemed most remarkable to me was how the many members of a large community can come together as one family.
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