Tag: monsters

Very strange creatures lurk downtown!

Alligators have been sighted in downtown San Diego!
Alligators have been sighted in downtown San Diego!

This morning I spotted several very strange creatures lurking downtown.

Some appear dangerous.

Chili Dog blast off!
Chili Dog blast off!
For this frog's sake, I hope they don't turn the heat up slowly.
For this frog’s sake, I hope they don’t turn the heat up slowly.
This might be Kingpin. Or perhaps Skull and Crosspins.
This might be Kingpin. Or perhaps Skull and Crosspins.
This peculiar creature responds very strangely to caffeine.
This peculiar creature responds very strangely to caffeine.
Godzilla and his pals from Monster Island haven't arrived in San Diego yet, but they're on the way!
These caffeinated creatures haven’t arrived in San Diego yet, but they’re on the way!

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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!

Creepy clowns, ghosts and demons in a park!

Legions of creepy clowns, ghosts, demons and undead are slowly gathering in a popular city park. I photographed them lurking among shadowy trees and spooky buildings, waiting to terrify nice, innocent, completely unsuspecting people who happened to be walking down the park trail!

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As you might have guessed, this morning I took a stroll around the perimeter of The Haunted Trail, which is being built once again in the southwest corner of Balboa Park for Halloween!

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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!

Japanese pop culture party during San Diego Comic-Con!

A Japanese pop culture party--Yokai Omatsuri--will be held during San Diego Comic-Con at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park.
A Japanese pop culture party–Yokai Omatsuri–will be held during San Diego Comic-Con at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. (Click this image to enlarge it for easy reading.)

I found out something really cool this afternoon! During a quick visit to the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, I learned that they’ll be hosting a Japanese pop culture party during San Diego Comic-Con!

Click the flyer’s photo to read it. A supernatural world of anime and manga will take over the garden and its beautiful Inamori Pavilion on Friday, July 21st, from 7:30pm to 11:30pm. There will be cosplay, a costume contest, food, activity booths and lots of yokai running about. Yokai is Japanese for supernatural monsters, demons, phantoms, etc.

Anyone visiting San Diego for Comic-Con should spend some time in Balboa Park anyway. It is truly our city’s crown jewel. And as a member of the Japanese Friendship Garden myself, I assure you the beautiful garden is well worth a visit!

You can learn more about the Japanese pop culture party and find a link to purchase tickets online here. If you purchase tickets before July 10th, you will receive an Early Bird bundle pack with tickets redeemable for food at the event!

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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!

I plan to cover Comic-Con like crazy this year! I live a short walk up the street from the Gaslamp Quarter and the San Diego Convention Center!

Conan O’Brien Live at Comic-Con trolley wrap!

A new San Diego Comic-Con trolley wrap features Conan O'Brien turned into what appear to be Funko POP! toy figures. Here he's a blank-eyed zombie, and his own ordinary bland self.
A new San Diego Comic-Con trolley wrap features Conan O’Brien turned into what appear to be Funko POP! toy figures. Here he’s a blank-eyed zombie, plus his own ordinary bland self.

I spotted another 2015 San Diego Comic-Con trolley wrap in the past couple days! This one promotes Conan O’Brien’s television show on TBS. He’ll be hosting his talk show live from Comic-Con July 8-12. I’ve read that he’ll also be moderating two panels in Hall H: The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 2 and The Last Witch Hunter.

The images on the trolley wrap seem to show Conan turned into several Funko POP! toy figures!  Cool!

And here Conan O'Brien has been transformed into Batman and a green Frankenstein monster. The latter seems true-to-life in various ways.
Here Conan O’Brien has been transformed into Batman and a green Frankenstein monster.
Here's a wrap on an older version San Diego trolley at America Plaza. Conan will be live from Comic-Con July 8-11.
Here’s a wrap on an older version San Diego trolley at America Plaza. Conan will be live from Comic-Con July 8-11.
Finally, here we have a commuter who's entirely unconcerned that Frankenstein Conan is threatening him with scary outstretched monster arms.
Finally, here we have a commuter who’s entirely unconcerned that Frankenstein Conan is threatening him with scary outstretched monster arms.

Stay tuned for a ton more cool Comic-Con stuff in the coming few weeks!

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To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook, or follow me on Twitter.

Spooky fun Boulevard BOO! Parade thrills kids.

Boy dressed as tin man enjoys Boulevard BOO! Parade in San Diego.
Boy dressed as tin man enjoys Boulevard BOO! Parade in San Diego.

I’ve heard about San Diego’s only Halloween parade for years. Today I checked it out!

The Boulevard BOO! Parade is now ten years old. It takes place every late October on El Cajon Boulevard near College Avenue. The neighborhood, just south of San Diego State University, appears to have really embraced this annual Halloween event!

Hundreds of families turned out to view the fun spectacle. The BOO! Parade is mostly for kids, and many young spectators had trick-or-treat bags and were in costume themselves!

Here are my best pics!

10th annual BOO! Parade took place on El Cajon Boulevard.
10th annual BOO! Parade took place on El Cajon Boulevard.
Two scary zombie kids were seen lurching down the street before the parade began.
Two scary zombie kids were seen lurching down the street before the parade began.
These pirates were being rascally and rambunctious in the parade staging area!
These pirates were being rascally and rambunctious in the parade staging area!
BOO! Parade kicks off a few blocks west of College Avenue in the late morning.
BOO! Parade kicks off a few blocks west of College Avenue in the late morning.

The tall ghostly blue creature is the character Boo!

Super tall Boo is blue, and he seems to blend in with the clouds.
Super tall Boo is blue, and he seems to blend in with the clouds.
Looks like all the regular monsters have shown up for this big Halloween parade!
Looks like all the regular monsters have shown up for this big Halloween parade!
There were a few not-so-scary clowns around, too!
There were a few not-so-scary clowns around, too!
Marine Corps marching band gets things rolling near start of parade.
Marine Corps marching band gets things rolling near start of parade.
One of many creative floats seen during the fun late October parade.
One of many creative floats seen during the fun late October parade.
Two different Ghostbusters cars were in the parade.
Two different Ghostbusters cars were in the parade.
Kids get goodies from a ghostbuster patrolling El Cajon Boulevard.
Kids get goodies from a ghostbuster patrolling El Cajon Boulevard.
Costumed parade participants from San Diego Center for the Blind.
Costumed parade participants from San Diego Center for the Blind.
Here come some smiling SDSU cheerleaders.
Here come some smiling SDSU cheerleaders.
The San Diego State University mascot Aztec Warrior gives a high five!
The San Diego State University mascot Aztec Warrior gives a high five!
Lots of cars in the parade were draped with creepy cobwebs.
Lots of cars in the parade were draped with creepy cobwebs.
Kids marching in the parade wore every sort of cool costume you can imagine!
Kids marching in the parade wore every sort of cool costume you can imagine!
Here comes a long line of classic cars with spooky decorations.
Here comes a long line of classic cars with spooky decorations.
A witch waves to a passing skeleton!
A witch waves to a passing skeleton!
The San Diego Police Department must be hiring guys with evil pumpkin heads!
The San Diego Police Department must be hiring guys with evil pumpkin heads!
One of two pirate ships I saw. This was most definitely very cool.
One of two pirate ships I saw. This was most definitely very cool.
Little zombies do a dance routine!
Little zombies do a dance routine!
Several schools were in the parade and everyone was having a blast.
Several schools were in the parade and everyone was having a blast.
Here come the Shriners in their Halloween-themed mini-cars!
Here come the Shriners in their Halloween-themed mini-cars!
And here come more clowns out of the woodwork.
And here come more clowns out of the woodwork.
The second pirate ship rolls along with some waving beauty queens.
The second pirate ship rolls along with some waving beauty queens.
A beauty queen is wearing a big, golden pharaoh headdress!
A beauty queen is wearing a big, golden pharaoh headdress!
I suppose these young ladies are the queens of Zombieland!
I suppose these young ladies are the queens of Zombieland!
And this beauty queen is dressed up as macaroni and cheese!
And this beauty queen is dressed up as macaroni and cheese!
Looks like the ROTC is recruiting young monsters.
Looks like the ROTC is recruiting young monsters.
Headless parader thrills girls and shocks poor old mom.
Headless parader thrills girls and shocks poor old mom.
A whole lot of fun was enjoyed by thousands today, young and old.
A whole lot of fun was enjoyed by thousands today, young and old.
Utility box on El Cajon Boulevard painted with scenes from BOO! Parade.
Utility box on El Cajon Boulevard painted with scenes from BOO! Parade.

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Signs of Halloween in downtown San Diego.

Scarecrow and hay bales at pumpkin patch in San Diego's new waterfront park.
Scarecrow and hay bales at pumpkin patch in San Diego’s new waterfront park.

During my mid-afternoon walk around downtown San Diego today, I was watching for fun Halloween photo opportunities. It’s less than two weeks away!  I had a little bit of luck…

(The above pic was taken after all the pumpkins were snatched up, but lots of families were still about enjoying the pleasant day!)

Spiders on side of Little Italy building wrap a skeleton.
Spiders on side of Little Italy building wrap a skeleton.
Spooky shredded sails of haunted Star of India on Embarcadero.
Spooky shredded sails of haunted Star of India flutter in wind on the Embarcadero.
Gaslamp parties celebrate Halloween and Day of the Dead.
Gaslamp parties celebrate Halloween and Mexico’s Day of the Dead.
Alamo Flags at Seaport Village has a smelly witch foot!
Trick or treat?  Alamo Flags at Seaport Village has a smelly witch foot!
Just relaxing on a nice Autumn Sunday by the Seaport Village carousel.
Just relaxing on a nice cool Autumn Sunday by the Seaport Village carousel.
Kid checks out pumpkins and colorful display at Seaport Village.
Kid checks out pumpkins and colorful leafy display at Seaport Village.
Gaslamp banners advertise a monster bash block party.
Gaslamp banners advertise a monster bash block party.
Donut Bar window contains a scary skull-headed server!
Donut Bar window downtown contains a scary skull-headed server!

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To enjoy future posts, you can “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook. or follow me on Twitter.

Ghosts seen rising from graves on Haunted Trail.

One of several huge monsters awaiting visitors to the 2014 Haunted Trail.
One of several huge monsters awaiting visitors to the 2014 Haunted Trail.

Warning! Some of the upcoming pics are pretty darn scary! You’ve been warned!

Runner in Balboa Park passes behind a grinning ghoul!
Runner in Balboa Park passes behind a grinning ghoul!

This morning I was nearly frightened out of my wits. I was taking a nice brisk walk up the west side of Balboa Park, enjoying the fresh air and at peace with the world…when I found myself surrounded! I couldn’t escape from silent ghosts rising from the cold ground all around me!  A catastrophe!  The horror!  I had met my doom!

Oh, thank goodness, I realized at last. It’s just the Haunted Trail. You know, the yearly outdoor “haunted house” that’s extremely popular in San Diego around Halloween.

The spooky attraction, which brings in thousands of thrill-seekers on dark Autumn nights, is under construction once again. It’s larger than ever and looks super spooky. I walked around the perimeter and tried to get a bunch of cool daytime photos for you to enjoy. Here they are…

Black-robed ghosts and grim reapers are rising in the popular Halloween attraction.
Black-robed ghosts and grim reapers are rising in the popular Halloween attraction.
A ghost town in the mournful trees contains many grisly and horrible surprises!
A ghost town in the mournful trees contains many grisly and horrible surprises!
Welcome to Silent Hill, where nightmares rise from a well.
Welcome to Silent Hill, where nightmares rise from a well.
Props on ground behind a school bus filled with Halloween frights.
Props piled on ground behind a school bus filled with Halloween frights.
In late September, the Haunted Trail is a work in progress.
In late September, the Haunted Trail is a work in progress.
Mangled cloth mannequins lie lifeless on dead leaves.
Mangled cloth mannequins lie limp and lifeless on dead leaves.
Artists creating the scary park trail use gallons of paint each year.
Artists creating the scary park trail use gallons of paint each year.
Entrance to Haunted Trail rises again this year, as do many spooky old props.
Entrance to Haunted Trail rises again this year, as do many spooky old props.
Close look at skulls embedded in the castle-like entrance.
Close look at skulls embedded in the castle-like entrance.
Structure made of bones beside a Haunted Trail sign just inside entrance.
Structure made of skeleton bones beside a Haunted Trail sign just inside entrance.
Here's that huge bloody yeti I took a pic of last year, just as frightening as ever!
Here’s that huge bloody yeti I took a pic of last year, just as frightening as ever!
This poor guy has sat in that electric chair for so many years he must have a stiff back.
This poor guy has sat in that electric chair for so many years he must have a stiff back.
Surprise! Another zombie, ghoul or creature waiting to scare some nice visitor.
Surprise! Another zombie, ghoul or creature ready to scare a nice fun-seeking visitor.
This prop lying on the ground is quite eerie and realistic.
This prop lying on the ground is quite eerie and realistic.
A ravenous, hellish hound prowls the perimeter of a vast cemetery.
A ravenous, hellish hound prowls among tombstones in a dark cemetery.
I suppose all the undead have risen from this scary graveyard on the Haunted Trail!
I suppose all the undead have risen from this scary graveyard on the Haunted Trail!

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