Tag: people

Exciting start to San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Marathon!

People arrive at dawn to participate in Rock 'n Roll Marathon.
People arrive at dawn to participate in Rock ‘n Roll Marathon.

I woke up very early this morning to check out the start of today’s big San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Marathon. I’d never been to the event in past years, so the magnitude of the race really floored me. The west part of Balboa Park and many blocks of Sixth Avenue were packed with super energetic humanity!

Here are a bunch of pics!

Dozens of UPS trucks served as the gear check.
Dozens of UPS trucks served as the gear check.
Marathon runners warm up in west Balboa Park.
Marathon runners warm up in west Balboa Park.
San Diego Rock 'n Roll Marathon corrals fill up.
San Diego Rock ‘n Roll Marathon corrals begin to fill up.
Just minutes before the big marathon starts!
Just minutes before the big San Diego marathon starts!
Thousands are ready to race at Rock 'n Roll Marathon.
Thousands are ready to race at the Rock ‘n Roll Marathon.
Athletes With disabilities are first to begin the race!
Athletes with disabilities are first to begin the race!
They're off from the start line!
They’re off from the start line!
Full marathon runners get ready to begin big race.
Full marathon runners get ready to begin their race for glory.
Lots of photographers record the race action.
Lots of photographers record the colorful action.
San Diego Rock 'n Roll full marathoners go!
San Diego Rock ‘n Roll full marathoners go!
Runners start up Sixth Avenue with great excitement.
Runners start up Sixth Avenue with great excitement.
Photos were being taken all over the place.
Photos were being taken all over the place.
Racers pass announcer stand and American flag.
Racers pass announcer stand, San Diego mayor and American flag.
Runners wave at Cameron of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
Runners wave at Cameron of Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
KUSI reporter Kerri Lane looks bored.
KUSI television reporter Kerri Lane between live shots.

And now I’m hungry for breakfast!  Walking back toward home, I snap a couple more photos!

Half marathoners gather into the corrals for their race.
Half marathoners gather into the corrals for their race.
Late arrivers walk up Sixth Avenue from downtown.
Late arrivers walk up Sixth Avenue from downtown.

…

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

Flowers remember somebody’s best buddy.

Flowers remember somebody's best buddy.
Flowers remember somebody’s best buddy.

I snapped this pic today after work, while walking to a trolley station in Mission Valley. The simple memorial was by a busy sidewalk. It’s a sidewalk traveled by many homeless people. I’m almost certain Dago Dog was the best buddy of a homeless person. No more words are necessary.

…

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

San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial.

Flags above San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial.
Flags above San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial.

The large new waterfront park around San Diego’s County Administration Building contains an important memorial in a prominent location. The San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial is a glass wall etched with the names of fallen officers. It used to be situated on a patch of lawn a bit south of where it now stands. The beautiful memorial was created by the San Diego County Deputy Sheriff’s Association, the San Diego County Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation, and the County of San Diego.

Wreath placed before the names of fallen officers.
Wreath placed before the names of fallen officers.
Glass wall memorial in park by County Administration Building.
Glass wall memorial in park by County Administration Building.
Remembering those who fell in the line of duty.
Remembering those who fell in the line of duty.

…

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

Happy Easter sandcastle on Coronado Beach.

Sandcastle on Coronado Beach wishes a Happy Easter.
Sandcastle on Coronado Beach wishes a Happy Easter.

I went for a great walk around Coronado today. Lots of pictures are coming!

Seeing how today is Easter, I thought I’d post this pic of a Happy Easter 2014 sandcastle.  Lots of people were enjoying the sunny beach and streaming all around the picturesque Hotel del Coronado!

Boy plays on beach near the Hotel del Coronado.
Boy plays on beach near the Hotel del Coronado.

In the second photo, that’s Point Loma you see in the distance.

View of the Hotel del Coronado from across the beach.
View of Hotel del Coronado from across the beautiful beach.

Dazzling colors at Little Italy’s Mercato.

Ripe red strawberries mixed with Easter candies.
Ripe red strawberries mixed with Easter candies.

Every Saturday thousands of people converge on Date Street to take a stroll through Little Italy’s Mercato, an amazing Farmers Market that stretches half a dozen city blocks! Residents of downtown San Diego and the surrounding communities mingle in the sunshine, checking out an amazing variety of organic produce, freshly cut flowers, unique arts and crafts, tasty food and live music.

I took a walk through Little Italy’s Mercato this morning and was struck by the many vivid colors. There were over 150 booths to check out. I hardly knew which direction to point my camera!

I hope you enjoy these cool pics.

A variety of fresh produce at Little Italy's Mercato.
A variety of fresh produce at Little Italy’s Mercato.
These brilliant colors are ready to eat!
These brilliant colors are ready to eat!
Hand-crafted pizza at Little Italy's farmers market.
Hand-crafted pizza at Little Italy’s farmers market.
Colorful crafts line Date Street in Little Italy.
Colorful crafts line Date Street in Little Italy.
Purses of every hue at one of over 150 booths!
Purses of every hue at one of over 150 booths!
Checking out crafts for sale near Amici Park.
Checking out crafts for sale near Amici Park.
Lots of colorful tiny cacti and succulents.
Lots of colorful tiny cacti and succulents.
Endless bright flowers can be found at the Mercato.
Endless bright flowers can be found at the Mercato.
More tasty food in Little Italy!
More tasty food in Little Italy!
Smiling lady sells a bunch of organic preserves.
Smiling lady sells a bunch of organic preserves.
Saturdays in Little Italy are brimming with color.
Saturdays in Little Italy are brimming with color.

People dance as Catillacs rock Seaport Village.

People dance as the Catillacs rock Seaport Village.
People dance as the Catillacs rock Seaport Village.

Whenever I take a weekend walk through Seaport Village, I always hope the Catillacs are playing their vintage rock and roll at the East Plaza Gazebo. Because nobody can resist dancing to those classic tunes!

There’s just something magical about the sunshiny, laid-back atmosphere. Everyone loses their inhibitions. Young and old alike are moved by the music, and twirl about like delighted maniacs!

People let loose and just enjoy the weekend.
People let loose and just enjoy the weekend.
Everyone is jamming to vintage rock and roll music.
Everyone is jamming to vintage rock and roll music.
Dancing to a live band near the East Plaza Gazebo.
Dancing to a live band near the East Plaza Gazebo.
Catillacs guitarist in Seaport Village gazebo.
Catillacs guitarist in Seaport Village gazebo.

Whirl of green life before St. Paddy’s parade!

St. Patrick's Day Parade participants with signs.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade participants with signs.

San Diego’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade was held this morning. It ran along Fifth and Sixth Avenue, on Bankers Hill just west of Balboa Park.

I captured a whole bunch of fun pics just prior to the parade’s start. There’s no shortage of the color green! All sorts of people and pets were gathering and preparing and positioning themselves for the exciting event!

People head up Sixth Avenue to watch the big annual parade.
People head up Sixth Avenue to watch the big annual parade.
Bagpipers in kilts assemble for the parade near Balboa Park.
Bagpipers in kilts assemble for the parade near Balboa Park.
A colorful calliope stands by near start of parade route.
A colorful calliope stands by near start of parade route.
Mounted participants in San Diego's St. Patrick's Day Parade.
Mounted participants in San Diego’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Marines stand at the ready for the big event.
Cal Fire stands at the ready for the big event.
Girls anticipate marching on a sunny Saturday morning.
Girls anticipate marching on a sunny Saturday morning.
Junior Achievement kids hold THANK YOU spelled out for a photo.
Junior Achievement kids hold THANK YOU spelled out for a photo.
Hanging some Irish green tinsel.
Hanging some Irish green tinsel.
Last minute preparations on a School of Irish Dance float.
Last minute preparations on a School of Irish Dance float.
Another Smiling Irishman.
Another Smiling Irishman.
Gentlemen in capes and plumed hats hold flags.
Gentlemen in capes and plumed hats hold flags.
A band was playing on a float even before the parade started.
A band was playing on a float even before the parade started.
Kermit the Frog is proud to be green!
Kermit the Frog is proud to be green!
Big American Flag is ready on Sixth Avenue.
Big American Flag is ready on Sixth Avenue.
Another half hour until things really get rolling.
Another half hour until things really get rolling.
Clown's tie indicates Irish For a Day.
Clown’s tie indicates Irish For a Day.
Green-antlered hood ornament.
Green-antlered hood ornament.
Even dogs are wearing the green.
Even dogs are wearing the green.
San Diego Elks Lodge No. 168 and lots of shamrocks.
San Diego Elks Lodge No. 168 and lots of shamrocks.
A funny little wooden vehicle in line to start the parade.
A funny little wooden vehicle in line to start the parade.
Lincoln High School band members in green.
Lincoln High School band members in green.
St. Patrick's Day Parade in San Diego is a wonderful tradition.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade in San Diego is a wonderful tradition.

True believers line up to seek converts.

Child asks passersby if they are ready for death.
Child asks passersby if they are ready for death.

Balboa Park is a great place to see lots of street performers. It’s also a fine place to spot true believers. Lining El Prado on any given weekend, people who avidly believe in all sorts of religions, philosophies and political ideas hope to make converts of passersby. You can check out their posters and pamphlets, ask a question, or just walk on by. Being in southern California, it’s mostly laid back and good-natured.

I walked down El Prado yesterday and got a few pics:

Proselytizing in Balboa Park and argumentation.
Proselytizing in Balboa Park occasionally includes heated debate.
Muslims use Jesus to engage possible converts.
Muslims use Jesus to engage possible converts.
Atheists on El Prado make their case to tourists.
Atheists on El Prado make their case to passing tourists.
Scientologists with mysterious stress-detecting machines.
Scientologists with mysterious stress-detecting machines.
Hare Krishna advocates sit chanting their mantra.
Hare Krishna advocates sit chanting their mantra.

Love, play and relaxation on San Diego Bay.

Lovers have an intimate moment by the water.
Lovers have an intimate moment by the water.

These pics were all taken at Embarcadero Marina Park North.

People fascinated by beautiful San Diego Bay.
People fascinated by beautiful San Diego Bay.
Just relaxing on the grass enjoying a nice day.
Just relaxing on the grass enjoying a nice day.
Couple paddling boards in Marriott Marina.
Couple paddling along on boards in Marriott Marina.
Children explore the water from rocks.
Children explore the blue water from rocks.
Walking in Embarcadero Marina Park North.
A stroll  through Embarcadero Marina Park North.
Walking along the water past a picnic bench.
Walking along the water past a picnic bench.

Art, music and fun on San Diego’s waterfront!

Street performer on a bench plays guitar and sings.
Street performer on a bench plays guitar and sings.

Enjoyed my walk today. Took a bunch of pics. Street artists and performers use their talents to add zest to the colorful San Diego waterfront.

Silver robotic mime and a frozen high five.
Silver robotic mime and a frozen high five.
Resting on the grass, waiting to sketch a tourist portrait.
Resting on the grass, waiting to sketch a tourist portrait.
Playing a bluesy guitar near Seaport Village.
Playing a bluesy guitar near Seaport Village.
Passersby talk with a funny caricature artist.
Passersby talk with a funny caricature artist.
Man with horn plays Mariachi tunes near the USS Midway.
Man with horn plays Mariachi tunes near the USS Midway.
Little girl on wall awaits a cool twisted balloon creation.
Little girl on wall awaits a cool twisted balloon creation.
Hand painted names make memorable souvenirs.
Hand painted names make memorable souvenirs.
Caricature artist at work on a sunny San Diego day.
Caricature artist at work on a sunny San Diego day.
Birds perch on guitar-playing white statue-man.
Birds perch on guitar-playing white statue-man.
Captain America patrols San Diego's Embarcadero.
Captain America patrols San Diego’s Embarcadero.
Sax player entertains people on San Diego waterfront.
Sax player entertains people on San Diego waterfront.
Artist sells space art and handmade crafts on the Embarcadero.
Artist sells space art and handmade crafts on sidewalk.
A beautiful day by the water put to music.
A beautiful day by the water put to music.

Click to follow the Cool San Diego Sights blog on Twitter or Facebook!