Tag: marinas

Bayside Performance Park rises on San Diego Bay!

Look what I spotted this afternoon during my walk along San Diego Bay. I was approaching the Marriott Marina when my eyes were surprised by a monumental steel structure rising from Embarcadero Marina Park South.

It’s the enormous stage of the new Bayside Performance Park, now under construction!

This permanent concert venue is an amazing gift from the San Diego Symphony to all of San Diego. How appropriate it appeared in time for Christmas!

As I walked around the construction site on my way to the Embarcadero Marina Park South pier, I spoke to a crew member of the Silvergate, a Coronado ferry that docks nearby, and he informed me the steel structure you see in my photographs went up rapidly four or five days ago.

You can also see a banner on a fence that shows what Bayside Performance Park might look like when completed. The concert stage’s curving shell is not only visually attractive, but it’s designed to provide a high quality acoustic experience.

Bayside Performance Park is due to open in time for the 2020 season of San Diego Symphony’s Bayside Summer Nights.

I can’t wait to see how it looks (and sounds) when completed!

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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 fun walk along Shelter Island Drive.

Fun shark street art on a utility box at the corner of Shelter Island Drive and Rosecrans Street.
Shark street art on a utility box at the corner of Shelter Island Drive and Rosecrans Street.

This morning I headed to Point Loma to visit three sites participating in the San Diego Architectural Foundation’s 2019 OPEN HOUSE SAN DIEGO. All three are located in a neighborhood at the foot of Shelter Island–an area once populated by many Portuguese fishermen. I think you might enjoy a look at Little Portugal’s history and some of its landmarks.

Before I sort through all those photographs, however, please enjoy others photos I took during a fun walk down Shelter Island Drive, from Rosecrans Streets to the recently improved Shelter Island boat ramp.

(To see additional street art I photographed along Shelter Island Drive a couple years ago, click here!)

The Union Bank on the same corner has a colorful mural depicting fishermen near its entrance.
The Union Bank on the corner of Shelter Island Drive and Rosecrans Street has a colorful mural near its entrance. Tuna fishermen with poles out on the Pacific Ocean.
Plaque describes the artwork. Sean Wells - Art Teacher. Mural completed Spring 2010 depicting historic scenes of the Point Loma region.
Plaque describes the above artwork. Sean Wells – Art Teacher. Mural completed Spring 2010 depicting historic scenes of the Point Loma region.
As I began walking along Shelter Island Drive, a gigantic yacht passed down the street!
As I began walking along Shelter Island Drive, a gigantic yacht passed down the street!
A few benches overlook a corner of the Shelter Island Yacht Basin. It's a nice place to sit and relax.
A few benches overlook a corner of the Shelter Island Yacht Basin. It’s a nice place to sit in the sun and relax.
I spotted this cool stained glass panel in a window of The Marlin Club.
I spotted this cool stained glass panel in a window of The Marlin Club.
I remember seeing some huge fish suspended here years ago, before I began taking photos for this blog.
I remember seeing several huge fish suspended here years ago, before I began taking photos for this blog.
Someone bikes past a huge boat lift at the Shelter Island Boatyard.
Someone bikes past a huge boat lift at the Shelter Island Boatyard.
Those yachts being repaired seem to be up in the sky!
Those yachts being repaired seem to be up in the sky!
People bicycle near the Ocean Song sculpture in front of Humphreys Half Moon Inn.
People bicycle near the Ocean Song sculpture in front of Humphreys Half Moon Inn. This cool public art was created by Alber De Matteis.
As I approach San Diego Bay, I see the Pacific Portal sculpture by local artist James T. Hubbell.
As I approach San Diego Bay, I see the Pacific Portal sculpture by local artist James T. Hubbell.
I've arrived at the recently improved and enlarged Shelter Island Launch Ramp. Many recreational watercraft enter San Diego Bay here.
I’ve arrived at the recently improved and enlarged Shelter Island Launch Ramp. Many recreational watercraft enter San Diego Bay here.
Looks like these guys backing their boat into the water intend to spend the day fishing.
Looks like these guys backing their boat into the water intend to spend the day fishing.
Someone hangs out nearby, sitting among beached dinghies.
Someone hangs out nearby, sitting among beached dinghies.
Looking across the boat launch basin, the San Diego downtown skyline in the distance.
Looking across the boat launch basin, the San Diego downtown skyline in the distance.
I see some sailboats racing in the distance, between here and Harbor Island.
I see some sailboats racing in the distance, between here and Harbor Island.
Here comes an amphibious SEAL tour boat. These cool boats head out toward the entrance to the San Diego Bay channel and turn about near the submarines at Naval Base Point Loma.
Here comes an amphibious SEAL tour boat. Tourists float out toward the entrance of San Diego Bay, then turn around near the submarines at Naval Base Point Loma.
These cool vessels drive right out of the water and up onto the boat ramp!
These cool vessels drive right out of the water and up onto the boat ramp!
After walking a bit, I'm nearer those small sailboats that were racing in the distance.
After walking a bit, I’m nearer those small sailboats that were racing in the distance.
Some people by the rocky shore watch even more distant sailboats with binoculars.
Some people by the rocky shore watch even more distant sailboats with binoculars.
My camera zooms and just manages to capture a nice image.
My small camera zooms and just manages to capture a nice image.
Look! Here comes San Salvador, the Maritime Museum of San Diego's amazing Spanish galleon replica!
Look! Here comes San Salvador, the Maritime Museum of San Diego’s amazing Spanish galleon replica!
Now that is one very cool sight!
Now that is one very cool sight!

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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 fine Sunday walk along the bay.

Another perfect day in San Diego for a walk, ride or four-legged run by the bay!
Another perfect day for a walk, ride or four-legged run by San Diego Bay!

Favorite sights (plus a few surprises) greeted my eyes as I enjoyed a slow walk along San Diego Bay this afternoon!

Many others were out and about. The breeze was pleasantly cool. Blue sky and sunshine peeked through dramatic clouds.

I walked from the Maritime Museum of San Diego down to the Hilton San Diego Bayside, before turning for home.

Guys at the Maritime Museum of San Diego were busy cutting a chain on the barge.
Guys at the Maritime Museum of San Diego were busy cutting a chain on the barge.
Another volunteer cleans the top of Steam Ferry Berkeley. Good progress is being made on this historic ship's exterior restoration!
A museum volunteer cleans the top of Steam Ferry Berkeley. Good progress is being made on this historic ship’s exterior restoration!
Cool guy Gary Reid provides soulful music by the USS Midway.
Cool guy Gary Reid provides soulful music by the USS Midway.
Visitors to San Diego move through the Greatest Generation Walk toward the Embracing Peace statue.
Visitors to San Diego move along the Greatest Generation Walk toward the Embracing Peace statue.
Bright flowers in the garden by The Fish Market restaurant.
Bright flowers in the garden by The Fish Market restaurant.
A couple pauses to gaze at fishing boats in Tuna Harbor.
A couple pauses to gaze at fishing boats in Tuna Harbor.
I aim my camera through stacked lobster traps.
I aim my camera through stacked lobster traps. I believe the fuzzy white stuff is dead, sun-bleached algae.
I think I recognize that pedicab driver.
I think I recognize that pedicab driver.
A bright sailboat on San Diego Bay, with Coronado in the background.
A bright sailboat on San Diego Bay, with Coronado in the background.
I knew I recognized her! It's Diane!
I knew I recognized her! It’s Diane!
Kyler MacKenzie plays gypsy music on his guitar near Seaport Village.
Kyler MacKenzie plays gypsy music on his guitar near Seaport Village.
A balloon twister guy heads off on his bike.
A balloon twister guy heads off on his bike.
Kids examine a kite near a tree at Embarcadero Marina Park North.
Kids examine a kite near a tree at Embarcadero Marina Park North.
Almost like a dream. Perhaps you can tell why I love San Diego.
Almost like a dream. Perhaps you can tell why I love San Diego.
People with dogs on the grass, the Coronado Bay Bridge in the distance.
People with dogs on the grass, the Coronado Bay Bridge in the distance.
A crow on some roots.
A crow on some roots.
The silvery Marriott Marquis and Marina.
The silvery Marriott Marquis and Marina. No rain in the afternoon, but dramatic clouds linger.
Back near Seaport Village, I spotted this cool Popcorn Bar!
Back near Seaport Village, I spotted this cool Popcorn Bar!
Today is the second day of Seaport Village's annual busker festival. George Gilbert from Fort Myers Beach, Florida entertains a good crowd.
Today is the second day of Seaport Village’s annual busker festival. George Gilbert from Fort Myers Beach, Florida entertains a good crowd.
I always seem to see a snowy egret at this same spot in the Marriott Marina.
I always seem to see a snowy egret at this same spot in the Marriott Marina.
Workers string some lights near the Marina Terrace.
Workers string some lights near the Marina Terrace.
A pinwheel and a smile! You can't go wrong with that combination!
A pinwheel and a smile! You can’t go wrong with that combination!
It's a Wonderful Life.
It’s a Wonderful Life.
But getting old does present difficulties.
But getting old does present difficulties.
The Flame of Friendship sculpture gleams up on the San Diego Convention Center.
The Flame of Friendship sculpture gleams up on the San Diego Convention Center.
Walking along.
Walking along.
Trees and clouds seen from Embarcadero Marina Park South.
Trees and clouds seen from Embarcadero Marina Park South.
A large gull near diners at Burgers, Bait and Beer.
A large gull near diners at Burgers, Bait and Beer.
Here come Spirit of San Diego and Admiral Hornblower. Both are coming from South Bay on a harbor tour.
Here come Spirit of San Diego and Admiral Hornblower. Both are coming from the South Bay on a harbor tour.
A water taxi comes in from Coronado. That huge yellow Dole Atlantic ship is loading containers at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.
A water taxi comes in from Coronado. That huge yellow Dole Atlantic ship is loading containers at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.
Those empty containers being loaded by the ship's crane will fill up with bananas eventually and come on back to San Diego.
Those empty containers being loaded by the ship’s crane will fill up with bananas eventually and come on back to San Diego.
A look up at the Hilton San Diego Bayside from the side that faces away from downtown.
A look up at the Hilton San Diego Bayside from its side that faces away from downtown.
Near this bayside entrance to the Hilton there's a place to take photos. Greetings from San Diego.
Near the bayside entrance to the Hilton there’s a place to take photos. Greetings from San Diego.
Another perfect early March day on San Diego Bay.
Another perfect early March day on San Diego Bay.

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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!

Rising and shining on the Embarcadero!

I walked slowly along the Embarcadero this morning. As I started along San Diego Bay, the February sky was gray and occasionally drizzly.

For a Saturday relatively few people were about. The popular Tuna Harbor Dockside Market was busy, of course, but the first part of my walk was rather quiet. A couple firefighters were jogging on the grass near their fire engine at Seaport Village. I saw some birds, including a beautiful snowy egret. A few fisherman were trying their luck on the pier at Embarcadero Marina Park South.

I said hello to some familiar people.

As I turned back north, I noted a bit more activity. Guys in scuba gear were at work cleaning the hulls of boats in the Marriott Marina. Workers were getting tables ready at various waterside restaurants. Vendors were setting up booths at Ruocco Park’s new Saturday farmers market. Tourists were gathering at the foot of the Embracing Peace statue (originally called Unconditional Surrender) and atop the flight deck of the USS Midway Museum.

And, best of all, the street performers were out and smiling.

As usual the sun came out.

San Diego is magical.

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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!

Evening magic at Embarcadero Marina Park North.

This evening, just before sunset, I walked around Embarcadero Marina Park North.

Here are some photos of the magic…

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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!

Photos from the Embarcadero around nightfall.

It’s late in the year and I’m feeling lazy. Time to go through thousands of old photos, to see if there are any I can use!

While searching through my computer, I rediscovered a folder of photos taken from various spots on the Embarcadero around nightfall. Some of the images are fairly striking. Here they are!

When these photographs were taken, I don’t remember. During this summer, I believe.

You might recognize the Marriott Marina, the Donal Hord sculpture Morning, harbor tour ships that take on passengers near the Broadway Pier, and an aircraft carrier docked across San Diego Bay at North Island.

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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 discouraging visit to Harbor Island.

Early this morning I headed to Harbor Island, hoping to capture photos of the sun rising over downtown San Diego. Alas, the sky remained gray and overcast.

Even worse, I observed something that was ugly and very discouraging.

I’ve never seen gang-style graffiti on Harbor Island. Not until today.

Harbor Island, the home of large bayfront hotels, elegant restaurants and marinas, has always seemed immune from any negative influences from downtown San Diego. Growing homeless and drug problems downtown and in neighboring communities haven’t seemed to reach this tourist destination. That appears to be changing.

I seldom post photos of the street people, the drug addicts and drug dealers on stolen bicycles, and the many broken souls that now fill most corners of downtown. I try to keep my blog positive. But this extremely sad and sometimes frightening reality seems to be growing worse.

Fortunately, on my quiet morning walk along San Diego Bay, I also saw much that was beautiful and good.

And I discovered something cool! Fun photos of some colorful artwork on Harbor Island are coming up in my next blog post!

On the bright side, this friendly guy caught some fish at one of the beautiful Harbor Island marinas.
On the bright side, this friendly guy caught some fish at one of the beautiful Harbor Island marinas.
And grass is still green, and flowers still bloom.
And grass is still green, and flowers still bloom.

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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!