A bronze hero stands guard on the sand in Ocean Beach. The long OB pier stretches out into the Pacific Ocean in the background of this photo.
Not far from Ocean Beach’s main lifeguard station, a hero stands day and night with unblinking eyes focused on the nearby water. This noble hero is made of bronze.
The bronze lifeguard statue, created by artist Richard Arnold, was installed in 2013. It commemorates the creation of the San Diego Lifeguard Service after 13 people tragically drowned in dangerous rip currents off Ocean Beach in 1918.
The sculpture represents a typical lifeguard, with head up scanning the Pacific Ocean surf. It’s a very fine addition to a very cool beach neighborhood.
Colorado sculptor Richard Arnold, who grew up in OB, at one time was a junior lifeguard.
The muscular bronze lifeguard statue holds a rescue tube and a pair of swim finsColorado artist Richard Arnold created this bronze sculpture. It memorializes 13 tragic drownings in 1918, and the subsequent creation of San Diego’s lifeguard service.Beachgoer with two boogie boards passes between the bronze sculpture and the main Ocean Beach lifeguard station.A couple of surfer dudes carrying surfboards approach the memorial plaque, a few feet from the lifeguard tribute statue.Today, lifeguards in San Diego rescue between 4000 and 6000 people every year. They are real-life heroes.
Sculpture of woman fish processor holding a large tuna. This area south of downtown was once the home of many San Diego canneries.
A month or two ago, during a leisurely walk from downtown to the pier at Cesar Chavez Park, I was thrilled to discover some truly amazing public artwork!
The Cannery Workers Tribute at Parque del Sol is tucked away in a place where very few people go. You’ll find it just a bit north of the Coronado Bay Bridge (which you can see in some of my photographs), near the entrance to Cesar Chavez Park.
The large gleaming sculpture honors thousands of hard-working people who were employed by San Diego’s tuna canneries decades ago. I’ve blogged about our city’s once-thriving tuna industry on several occasions. Not only was San Diego home to the world’s largest tuna fishing fleet during much of the 20th century, but numerous canneries dotted our bayside. In the 1950s, the tuna industry provided more than 17,000 local workers with a living. Many of the jobs involved cleaning and packing fish that would be shipped around the world.
According to the Port of San Diego website, this public artwork is situated in a spot where workers at a nearby cannery would take their break. “During the 1970s, former cannery maintenance worker Roberto Carrero and co-workers dug a hole and planted a small tree. This, now large, coral tree was incorporated into the artwork.”
Four bronze plaques mounted on bits of old machinery recall the history of this area and the once-thriving tuna industry. Click the plaque photos to read them.
The Cannery Workers Tribute sculpture was created in 2009 by Valerie Salatino and Nancy Moran, with assistance from Sheila Moran. It is indeed a very cool sight!
Coral tree planted by a cannery maintenance man decades ago is an important feature of the Cannery Workers Tribute at Parque del Sol.A high arch of gleaming fish seems to rise above the nearby Coronado Bay Bridge. This public art is located in Barrio Logan, near the entrance to Cesar Chavez Park.Few people pass this way. This public art is definitely a hidden San Diego gem.A large catch of ocean tuna seems to burst from a basket!The advent of the cannery industry in the early 1900s. For most of the 20th century, San Diego was the tuna fishing capital of the world.The people included Italian, Japanese, Mexican and Portuguese fishermen, and many cannery workers. Fishing boats have no schedule. When the cannery bell rang, it was time to go to work.The process was smelly and messy! For tuna to go into a sandwich or salad bowl, it often traveled up to 7000 miles!The end of the San Diego tuna fishing era came in the 1980s, due to foreign competition, high expenses and other factors.Another photograph that you might enjoy.An arch of abundant fish above tuna cannery workers. Public artwork that honors an important chapter in San Diego’s history.
UPDATE!
I took additional photos on a later walk past the park…
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A beautiful live oak grove in Balboa Park honors men who died tragically on the USS Bennington in 1905.
Balboa Park is without a doubt one of America’s national treasures. Located just north of downtown San Diego, its 1,200 acres is the home of magnificent museums, gardens, architectural marvels, many recreational facilities and perhaps the world’s most famous zoo. The amazing urban park is so gigantic most visitors see only a small fraction of it. Some out-of-the-way corners of Balboa Park are enjoyed by locals who live nearby; other overlooked areas seem almost forgotten.
The USS Bennington Memorial Oak Grove is one such area. While many drive by it on any given day, as they travel along 26th Street just before it turns into Florida Drive, and a few joggers pass through the shady grove, I’d wager only a handful of San Diegans know of the oak grove’s existence or historical significance.
There are 66 live oak trees in this grove. They were planted to memorialize 66 men killed on the USS Bennington on the morning of July 21, 1905, when the gunboat’s boiler suddenly exploded and the ship nearly sank in San Diego’s harbor. No markers in the grove indicate the significance of the large gnarled oaks. (A 60 foot high granite obelisk stands at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma, a memorial to those sailors who died on the USS Bennington. Most of the dead are buried there.)
The USS Bennington was a warship with a long and proud history. Commissioned in 1891, she was the ship that claimed Wake Island for the United States. After the boiler explosion in San Diego Bay, eleven men were awarded the Medal of Honor for extraordinary heroism.
Earlier this year, when I visited an exhibit in Balboa Park created by The Daughters of the American Revolution San Diego Chapter, I learned the local DAR would like to place plaques in the grove to memorialize the USS Bennington and the men who tragically died. If you, your business or organization would like information about the project, or to help, you might contact them from their page. Should this project come to fruition, I’ll be very pleased to blog about it!
View of the Bennington Memorial Oak Grove from Golden Hill Park, located near Balboa Park’s southeast corner. Balboa Park’s public golf course and Naval Medical Center San Diego are also visible.Wooden footbridge along 26th Street leads to a little-used trail through USS Bennington Memorial Oak Grove in Balboa Park.Beautiful old oak trees memorialize 66 sailors killed in 1905 when the USS Bennington’s boiler exploded in San Diego’s nearby harbor.Looking up through the leaves of the live oak trees at blue sky and clouds.These trees, honoring fallen men, remind us of a sudden tragic moment in San Diego’s military history.A commercial airplane flies overhead as it crosses Balboa Park heading in toward Lindbergh Field.A jogger enjoys the shady old trees on a warm day in early October.
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Three bronze fishermen on Shelter Island together reel in a large tuna.
A monumental bronze sculpture in Shoreline Park on Shelter Island has become an iconic image. The Tunaman’s Memorial, by artist Franco Vianello, dedicated in 1988, honors the courage and hard work of generations of tuna fishermen in San Diego. The 9,000 pound sculpture depicts three individuals pole fishing from a boat of the once-large tuna fleet out on the Pacific Ocean. The history of San Diego’s tuna fishing industry contains generations of life stories. These unwritten stories involve fishermen who immigrated from many different nations, including Italy, Portugal and Japan.
One polished side of the sculpture contains names of fishermen who were pioneers in our region, and those who were lost at sea. An inscription reads: Tunaman’s Memorial honoring those that built an industry and remembering those that departed this harbor in the sun and did not return. Anthony Mascarenhas.
The Tunaman’s Memorial on Shelter Island is a 9,000 pound bronze sculpture honoring generations of diverse fishermen.Tuna fishing in local waters was once a major industry in San Diego.Polished side of Tunaman’s Memorial contains names of San Diego fishing pioneers, and those who were lost at sea.This iconic sight on Shelter Island provides a glimpse back in history, at those in our community who worked the sea.
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Friendly guy at Pacific Islander Festival representing Tokelau shows how skirts are fashioned using natural fibers.
Today I went to San Diego’s annual Pacific Islander Festival. Wow!
The awesome event was held at Ski Beach Park on Vacation Isle, at the center of Mission Bay–and it was much, much bigger than I had expected. Thousands sitting in lawn chairs or walking among dozens of colorful tents enjoyed music, dance, food, fascinating crafts and a huge variety of cool sights.
Here’s some of what I saw. I’ll let the photo captions tell the story…
Miss Pacific Islander of San Diego greeted me with a warm smile!The popular annual festival attracts thousands, who enjoy lots of music and dance on a big main stage.The theme for 2015 was Heroes of the Pacific, honoring military veterans from Melanesia, Micronesia and Polynesia.Youthful dancers on stage were a favorite of the crowd.Many tents contained interesting artistic and cultural exhibits from different Pacific islands. Here we see Guam.Native arts and crafts fascinated visitors to the festival.Lots of super nice people were enjoying the day at Ski Beach Park in Mission Bay, and many wore colorful costumes!Glass floats are incredibly beautiful, like solid bubbles of light.Tivaevae Polynesian quilting from the Cook Islands, finely made fans, and other handcrafted works on display.Those are two very cool ukuleles!Chamorro outrigger canoe (proa) Sakman could be boarded by curious festival visitors at Ski Beach.An exotic boat in genuine blue Pacific Ocean water on a glorious San Diego day.This lively juggler simply had to be photographed.Drummers create rhythmic beats for event performers rehearsing behind the stage under some shady trees.The Heiva San Diego tent contained colorful Tahitian sights.Typical foods one might find on a South Pacific Ocean island.A sea turtle is swimming above the grass!Artist representing Samoa creates Siapo, also known as tapa, using ink made from native seeds and tree bark.A funny octopus and dancing knife on display at the Samoa tent.Books include Myths and Legends of Samoa.A beautiful wooden bowl was among many cultural artifacts from American Samoa.Palau’s tent had many interesting photos and unique objects for everyone to enjoy.Lots of life and energy at the Pacific Islander Festival!
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Photo of guy surfing near the pilings of the awesome Ocean Beach Municipal Pier.
The Ocean Beach pier is one of my favorite, favorite places in all of San Diego. Why? Check out these photos!
The beach near the foot of the OB pier is a favorite place in San Diego for tourists and locals alike.Climbing up to the high pier from the beach boardwalk below. This is almost like a stairway to heaven!Guy at top of the steps looks down to greet surfer on the sand below!Loads of surfers are out on the Pacific Ocean on this perfect late summer day. The water is warm and the waves have nice form.Looking down the Ocean Beach Municipal Pier, my own favorite pier in San Diego. It’s long and always jammed with cool sights!Kids gaze over the rail at surfers directly below. The action is amazing today!Two surfers wait for a good wave.This guy caught one, and is riding it in toward the shore, just south of the pier. That low wall you see on the right belonged to the long-defunct saltwater Plunge.Pick a wave any wave! The OB vibe is laid-back and life-loving!Photo of someone on the foaming crest of a curler.Two surfers share a wave side-by-side. They went completely under the pier and came out the other side!This surf dude caught himself a sweet liquid ride!While surfers catch cool waves, people farther down the OB pier try to catch some big fish!These fishermen at the t-shaped end of the pier are trying to catch bass, bonito, mackerel, or just about anything that bites!When you stand at the very end of the Ocean Beach pier, you feel like you’re far out on the ocean. I love it!Someone’s got something big on their line! A kid leans way over the rail to see!He’s got a nicely sized bonito! Everyone likes catching this active fish closely related to the tuna. It puts up a good fight!And these guys caught a really big Calico bass! The fish are definitely biting today!
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The Ocean Beach Municipal Pier was the place to eat an awesome pancake breakfast this morning!
This morning a very cool local event took place. The annual Ocean Beach Pier Pancake Breakfast was held near the end of the long OB pier!
Proceeds from the breakfast are used to fund the OB Food and Toy Drive, which benefits many families in the beach community who could use a helping hand. This tasty event is put on each year by the Ocean Beach Town Council!
Enjoy a few photos!
The Annual Ocean Beach Pier Pancake Breakfast raised funds for the Ocean Beach Christmas Food and Toy Drive.The Ocean Beach Town Council puts on the cool event. Some people bought tickets at the foot of the pier from Team Pancake members!Here comes the OB Pier Pancake Breakfast Shuttle!A long line of hungry folks waits near the much-beloved Ocean Beach pier cafe, which has been a cool place to go for many years.Various tables in front of the WOW Cafe had sumptuous, mouth-watering goodies ready to eat.A few people were lucky to enjoy breakfast right at the edge of the pier. This might be one of the most scenic dining spots in San Diego!These hungry guys have their hands full of super yummy pancakes, eggs and sausage!There was even live music just outside the pier’s unique cafe high over the Pacific Ocean.Tables were arranged near the end of the pier for the special, super popular annual event.I tried not to stare drooling at the food as I walked nonchalantly by.Speaker of the California State Assembly Toni Atkins is a powerful politician, but she’s addressing a Queen! Toni said she’s happy to be back in San Diego, where it’s cooler than Sacramento.Unfortunately, I had already eaten breakfast. Looks delicious!
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Volunteers remove litter from beautiful Ocean Beach during Coastal Cleanup Day.
Today is Coastal Cleanup Day! This huge environmental undertaking, involving thousands of energetic volunteers, is I Love A Clean San Diego’s biggest event of the year!
Over 7,600 people participated in San Diego County last year. Over a hundred tons of nasty garbage was removed from our beaches, bays and inland waterways!
This year, in Ocean Beach, a small army of volunteers fanned out along the shore looking for litter and other debris. The items they collected were carefully recorded. I saw many families, organizations and community-minded businesses participating. Everyone was having a great time.
San Diegans, who feel fortunate to live in such a beautiful corner of the world, are very keen on maintaining a clean environment. What’s good for Mother Earth is good for us, as well!
Many local organizations helped during I Love a Clean San Diego’s Coastal Cleanup Day, including the Surfrider Foundation.Speaker of the California State Assembly Toni Atkins had a team helping to clean up the beach!Many Coastal Cleanup Day volunteers assembled for a photograph, with the Pacific Ocean and long Ocean Beach Municipal Pier in the background.This guy came in after surfing some fine waves this morning, just as the cleanup was getting started.Someone found a piece of trash under lifeguard tower number one!The friendly lifeguards were cruising along the sand making sure everyone enjoying the warm water was safe.A lone guitarist performs a duet with the mighty ocean.This cool kid showed me a bit of plastic he picked up with his nifty grappler.People were combing the beach for trash of every kind, including styrofoam, plastic wrappers and cigarette butts.Someone was nice enough to let me photograph their trash! This is what they’d found so far.Lots of smiles were seen all over Ocean Beach during the trash removal event.Someone found a piece of garbage by some kelp near the foot of Ocean Beach’s popular pier. I definitely love a clean San Diego!
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A portion of the elegant Pearl of the Pacific, by artist James T. Hubbell.
On the southwest end of Shelter Island you’ll discover some wonderful public art titled Pearl of the Pacific. Benches, a soaring sculpture, and a circle of colorful tiles arranged around a pearl-like bubbling fountain celebrate the diverse nations of the Pacific Rim. Local artist James Hubbell and a group of architectural students worked with artists from San Diego’s sister cities Vladivostok, Russia, Tijuana, Mexico and Yantai, China, to create this very cool sight. The central mosaic of tiles, pointing north, south, east and west like a fantastic compass, includes images that represent the sister cities. Pearl of the Pacific pays tribute to San Diego’s cultural and economic relations with peaceful neighbors united by the ocean.
I’ve already blogged about several of James Hubbell’s works of art around San Diego. You might enjoy seeing his Pacific Portal, Sea Passage and Pacific Spirit.
Gazing south past Pearl of the Pacific toward the channel that leads from San Diego Bay to the ocean.At the southwest end of Shelter Island, a circle of colorful tiles is arranged about a large pearl.The central pearl is a fountain that bubbles with water. It wasn’t running the day I took these photographs.Pearl of the Pacific Park plaque describes tile images and their meaning.North. An inspirational American bird.South. The mythical Quetzalcoatl of Mexico.West. A Siberian tiger from Russia.East. A dragon representing China.Plaque reads Tijuana, Mexico.One column contains a pearl-like globe of shining blue tiles.A soaring sculptural arch made of beautiful ironwork.A bench in the small park-like area is topped with more colorful tiles.Another artistic bench. This is a good spot to watch sailboats and ships on the nearby water.Bits of sea shells, broken pottery and cultural motifs in a curving concrete wall.Pearl of the Pacific pays tribute to San Diego’s ocean neighbors and sister cities.
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It’s a beautiful day by the ocean in La Jolla. Some kayakers have noticed the entrance to a sea cave in the sandstone. Curious eyes spot them from above and watch the unfolding drama.
Please forgive me for this imaginative little story. It’s hot today and perhaps my brain overheated.
The summer heat is why I went down to La Jolla this morning. By the water it was thankfully a few degrees cooler. While I walked along the Pacific Ocean near La Jolla Cove, I watched some kayaks enter the nearby sea cave.
Upon studying my photographs, this short story emerged. For the exciting conclusion, please read the captions, beginning with the above first photo…
The kayakers can’t resist a strong impulse to enter the cave. They turn carefully to peer into the darkness deep within the earth. There seems to be a strange blue light shimmering inside.The mysterious glow lures them into vast blackness and possible danger. As their kayaks start to fade, the weird light intensifies…Drawn forward into the unknown, the courageous kayakers paddle along the dancing beam of light. They are explorers. Life is a great adventure.Beyond darkness lies the magical source of shining blue. They soon vanish–passing from one amazing world into another.
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Cool San Diego Sights! 