Downtown San Diego is about to become even more fun! That’s because Downtown Skate will soon be returning to the the Marriot Marquis San Diego Marina hotel!
As you can see from these photos taken today, workers have been busy setting up the outdoor roller skating rink on the Marina Terrace!
If this seems familiar, perhaps you recall how Downtown Skate popped up in the same place during the holiday season. I visited back then and took these photographs.
This time Downtown Skate will be operating from June 27 to July 9, 2025. You can find the hours and other information on the event website here.
Like last time there will be food and snacks available, and DJs playing music to skate by!
Have fun in the summer sunshine beside San Diego Bay!
A reenactment of the Boston Tea Party was performed today in Chula Vista Harbor aboard tall ship Bill of Rights!
The reenactment was part of a larger San Diego event celebrating the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party. I blogged about it and posted photographs here.
During the Boston Tea Party reenactment, a crowd watched from across the marina as Sea Scouts in historical attire rowed out to the schooner Bill of Rights, boarded her, and proceeded to toss crates of tea from her stern!
I photographed the action from the deck of Bill of Rights and the adjacent dock!
Yes, those weren’t really crates of tea, and the performance was a bit improvised and very loosely based on the actual historical event, but the spirit of the reenactment was appreciated by all who watched.
As tea was flung over the ship’s side, a cheer rose from the onlooking crowd at Bayfront Park on the other side of the marina!
Because the crowd continued to stand and watch, the floating crates were gathered up, reloaded onto Bill of Rights, and tossed into the water again!
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A very unique event is coming to Chula Vista. On Saturday, December 16th, there will be a reenactment of the Boston Tea Party in San Diego’s South Bay!
The event, marking the 250th anniversary of the Boston Tea Party, will be held at Chula Vista Bayfront Park, beside the marina. The event runs from noon to 4 pm, with the historical reenactment starting at 1 pm.
The event is free and open to all. It will be a great opportunity for young people to learn a little about our country’s history. You can read more about this special event and view a map showing where it is taking place exactly by clicking here.
I was told Chula Vista based tall ship Bill of Rights will take part in the reenactment. By sheer coincidence, I spotted the Bill of Rights last weekend at the Maritime Museum of San Diego, where it was docked for a Tall Ships America Pacific Coast community muster. That’s when I snapped these photos!
Six years ago I stepped aboard Bill of Rights during the Festival of Sail. See those photographs here!
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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 X (formerly known as Twitter)!
Several interesting sculptures can be found at the Pier 32 Marina in National City. Two sculptures I documented six years ago here. A third I hadn’t noticed until a couple days ago. It stands among trees by a parking lot at the south end of Marina Way, near the entrance to the Bayshore Bikeway.
The kinetic sculpture is called Helicoid III. Created by Robert Pietruszewski in 2007, it was once part of an Urban Trees outdoor exhibition along San Diego’s Embarcadero.
Helicoid III silently moves about in the sea breeze, its metal arms turning in different directions like a complex three-dimensional clock marking time. A timely analogy when you consider today is New Year’s Day. We continue to quietly swing into the future.
As I continued my walk and approached Pepper Park, I noticed another sculpture from an old Urban Trees exhibition. It’s the Sea Dragon, by Deana Mando in 2006.
Sea Dragon once stood on the boardwalk between the USS Midway and Seaport Village. Today it makes its home between the National City Aquatic Center and the Pepper Park Boat Launch Ramp. You can see photos I took of Sea Dragon seven years ago here!
Both of these outdoor sculptures are now part of the Port of San Diego Tidelands Collection of public art.
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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!
Have you seen this interesting public art in Coronado? It was installed earlier this year. You can find it north of the Coronado Community Center, on the walkway beside the Glorietta Bay Marina.
The simple but beautiful bronze sculpture is titled The Knot. It’s by James Albert Wood. Created in 2004, The Knot is described as an artistic portrayal of life’s transitions.
That makes me think. The tying of a knot is a transition, as is the untying of a knot.
The sculpture entices eyes to follow its short length through space. The bending curve is sort of like a journey in life. We are continuously moving and turning, in transition, forming ties with the world around us and with others we meet.
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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!
I was walking recently through Chula Vista’s Bayside Park, and out onto the peaceful Chula Vista Marina fishing pier when I took these photos.
The new resort and convention center is going to be gigantic. According to this article from last year, the total estimated cost for the resort hotel, convention center, parking structure and associated public infrastructure and parks is estimated to be approximately $1.23 billion. The plan is for the project to be completed in 2025. Fortunately, the long, grassy Bayside Park, at the edge of San Diego Bay, will remain open to the public.
About all I could see during my walk were these big cranes, some trucks, excavation machinery and mounds of dirt. The last couple photos were taken from the fishing pier, then from a point next to a sculpture called The Fisherman.
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
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These photographs were taken during a walk around beautiful Oceanside Harbor.
I began where Harbor Drive descends to the water and intersects with North Harbor Drive.
The walk proceeds west along the South Harbor, then curves to the North Harbor, taking in many interesting sights along the way.
At a point across the water from the Jolly Roger restaurant, I turned about, retraced my steps, then explored the South Harbor’s various shops and attractions.
I then made my way west to North Pacific Street, next to Oceanside Harbor Beach, and headed past the boat ramps to the jetty that juts out into the Pacific Ocean beyond a parking lot.
Hopefully you’ll get a taste of what this walk on a sunny, late February weekend afternoon was like!
Descending Harbor Drive to beautiful Oceanside Harbor.Looking past Joe’s Crab Shack and boats in the South Harbor marina toward the picturesque lighthouse.Across from the Oceanside Harbor boat ramps, which we’ll see close up later in the walk.Turning north, walking past the Oceanside Broiler restaurant, where diners sit outdoors gazing at boats in the Southern California sunshine.Many benches along Oceanside Harbor are dedicated to loved ones, or feature inspirational messages.Monument to Erwin Sklar, 1910-1974. During his term as Mayor and City Councilman this harbor was designed and built, fulfilling a Dream of Erwin Sklar and the People of Oceanside.Small boats pass stand up paddleboarders near the entrance to Oceanside Harbor.Watching activity on the water from the end of the Oceanside Harbor Fishing Pier.Monument by the Oceanside Harbor Fishing Pier. Remember Pearl Harbor.Fishermen wait patiently for a bite on the pier. I was told many types of fish can be caught here, especially when the water warms up later in the year.A large ship’s anchor with a small plaque across from the entrance to Oceanside Harbor.In memory of those lost at sea. Dedicated January 9, 1979.Along North Harbor Drive, large blue and white letters spell OCEANSIDE.Many along the boardwalk were watching Sea Lion Island, where there appeared to be a lot of napping.Sea lions relax in the Oceanside sunshine.A better view of the OCEANSIDE sign, which is visible to boaters entering the harbor.Continuing the walk, now along the North Harbor.People pass me on the boardwalk carrying a kayak.I pass the Oceanside Weighing Station. No fish being weighed at the moment.The Jolly Roger restaurant across the North Harbor.Kayaks stacked on the nearby dock.Right around here I turned about to retrace my steps.Back by Joe’s Crab Shack. The walk now proceeds in that direction.People walk out onto the docks.Some sportfishing vessels can be boarded nearby.Approaching shops and restaurants and other touristy attractions of the New England-style Oceanside Harbor Village.Sportfishing and whale watching trips are available at the Oceanside Sea Center.A great view from up there.I like this mail box!Interesting photo of the red and white faux lighthouse, which is actually home to Lighthouse Oyster Bar and Grill.Lots of beachy souvenirs attract passersby.Looking back at the lighthouse and Oceanside Harbor Village.We’ve arrived at North Pacific Street, which runs between the harbor and the beach.Heading north again, but on the west side of Oceanside Harbor.We’ve come to the boat ramps, which are very active on a sunny weekend day.Marker at the Oceanside Harbor Boat Launching Facility.Curtis Landing, dedicated September 17, 2005, honors two people named Curtis. Jon W. Curtis was a harbor police officer hero. Joe V. Curtis contributed as a community leader.Photo taken across the harbor from beside the boat ramps.Another photo.Continuing north.Kites were flying near the harbor entrance.I’ve turned west and am heading toward the jetty which protects Oceanside Harbor from the Pacific Ocean. In the distance past a sailboat you can see the Oceanside Marina Suites.A right turn on the water leads to Camp Pendleton Harbor’s boat basin.That sailboat we just saw is now entering the harbor.Near the foot of the T-shaped jetty. The beach is on the left.People by the shining Pacific Ocean.And to the south, far beyond this surfer on the beach, juts the long Oceanside Pier.
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I took these photographs this afternoon during a long, slow walk along the Embarcadero.
It’s early winter. On such a pleasant January day, during an ordinary year, one would expect to see more people about. But the COVID-19 pandemic has altered life on San Diego Bay.
Closed attractions. Fewer tourists. Few boats on the water. A quiet boardwalk and sleepy Seaport Village. An almost empty fishing pier…
A lone sailboat passes the presently closed Maritime Museum of San Diego.From the boardwalk I took a photo of Star of India’s cathead. This sturdy beam, used to raise and lower the ship’s anchor, has a cat’s head!Walking past a mostly closed Portside Pier.Many empty benches and tables can now be found along the Embarcadero.Light sparkles from the wake of a turning Coronado Ferry.Play of light on rippled water, reflected onto the hull of the USS Midway.Hanging out on the grass, gazing across the bay.I raised my camera to take this photo of the USS Midway aircraft carrier’s island. The USS Midway Museum is also closed now.Long shadows cast by the two figures in Seward Johnson’s sculpture Unconditional Surrender, which is now more often called Embracing Peace.Walking by the water.Cool photo taken of Tuna Harbor.Bright floats on a rusty fishing boat.A family walks along near Seaport Village. Few people are about this sunny January afternoon.A kite zips around making fast aerial circles, to the delight of both young and old.Quietly reading on the grass at Embarcadero Marina Park North.A fine day for riding bicycles!Marriott Marquis tower reflects bright sunlight into the hotel’s marina.I’m still getting used to Seaport Village’s new color scheme. It’s growing on me.Looking skyward.A snowy egret searches for dinner in shallow water at the edge of the Marriott Marina.More walkers, and a runner.Light makes for an interesting photo at the Marriott Marina.The San Diego Symphony’s new outdoor concert venue, The Shell, seems nearly complete. I believe you’ll walk up here to buy tickets.Beyond the ticket office you can see the acoustically designed structure where the musicians will play.Walking out on the pier at Embarcadero Marina Park South. Not much fishing activity today.From one end of the pier I took this photo of The Shell. A grassy slope descends toward the concert stage. Structures for lighting and speakers have also been erected.Turning on the almost empty pier, facing the Coronado Bay Bridge.Another guy quietly walking along. A perfect day for that.But this pelican will have to wait a long time if it’s expecting a free morsel!
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Looking southeast across beautiful Glorietta Bay Marina in Coronado.
Check out these scenic views from the second level of the Glorietta Bay Marina Building in Coronado!
To the east you can see the many boats docked in Glorietta Bay, the green trees of Coronado Municipal Golf Course beyond, and tiny glimpses of distant downtown San Diego.
To the south lies the Coronado Civic Center and its Glorietta Bay Park Promenade. There’s some public art that way. See photos of a beautiful fountain here and crazy rooftop sculpture here.
To the west rise the ten white Coronado Shores condominium towers.
And finally to the north, you can see public art titled “Imagine Tent City” which I once blogged about here, plus the distinctive former Hotel Del Coronado Boathouse, with its Victorian architecture–now home to Bluewater Boathouse Seafood Grill.
The Glorietta Bay Marina Building was dedicated in 2009. Wonderful views surround it.
Plaque near stairs to outdoor second level of the Glorietta Bay Marina Building.
Looking northeast. In the distance rises part of San Diego’s downtown skyline.
Looking south toward Coronado’s City Hall and Civic Center.
Two of the Coronado Shores towers to the west. Just beyond, unseen, lies the Pacific Ocean.
To the north you can see Coronado public art titled Imagine Tent City.
And you can also see the Hotel Del’s historic Victorian boathouse.
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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 surfer begins southwest down Point Loma’s Bessemer Path beside San Diego Bay.
Yesterday I enjoyed a leisurely walk down the scenic Bessemer Path in Point Loma. The dirt trail follows the edge of San Diego Bay between Talbot Street and Qualtrough Street.
As other walkers and bicyclists passed me, I looked out at boats in the La Playa Anchorage behind Shelter Island, at people and dogs enjoying several small beaches, and the yards of handsome houses with a view of the water.
I took photos as I walked. I began at the northeast end of Bessemer Path near the San Diego Yacht Club and a bench with an historical marker, which I blogged about yesterday. If you want to see the marker and its plaque, which concerns an old Chinese village that was located here over a century ago, click this link.
When my feet finally reached the short pier of the La Playa Yacht Club, which extends into San Diego Bay at the southwest end of the Bessemer Path, I lowered my camera and enjoyed an easy return walk.
Someone rides along the path one beautiful summer day.
Looking out at boats in the La Playa Anchorage near the San Diego Yacht Club.
One of several small beaches along the Bessemer Path. I saw sailboats moving across the water.
I saw many bicyclists.
The Conard-Arrington House built in 1949. This ranch style home, designed by Roy Drew, is City of San Diego Historical Landmark No. 460.
Trees ahead.
Some shade near the end of the path.
A swing in one tree.
A girl sits in a window in the tree.
Beyond the trees, a heron watches for small fish in the water.
And a fisherman in a yellow slicker sits on a rock in the ice plant.
I’ve reached the short pier of the modest La Playa Yacht Club. Beyond lie boats of the much larger Southwestern Yacht Club.
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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!
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