piers – Page 9 – Cool San Diego Sights!

Another fine summer walk in San Diego.

Six teams from California play stickball in Little Italy on a fine summer Sunday. — Six teams of firefighters from California play stickball in Little Italy on a fine summer Sunday.

My walk today began on Cortez Hill and proceeded down through Little Italy until I reached the Embarcadero. I then headed south along the water.

It’s a simple walk that never gets old.

Bayside Fire Station No. 2 is finally open!

A friendly firefighter told me the engines arrived on Friday!

Volunteers pull a huge rope together on the deck of Star of India.

Climbing into clouds of sail. — Climbing up into clouds of sail.

Visitors to the Maritime Museum of San Diego exit from the Soviet submarine.

More museum volunteers handling ropes and chains by the water.

The museum's longboat was out on San Diego Bay. An overcast but very pleasant start to the morning. — The museum’s longboat was out on San Diego Bay. An overcast but very pleasant start to the morning.

Two huge ships at the Cruise Ship Terminal. The superyacht Attessa IV and impressive U. S. Coast Guard cutter Healy (WAGB-20).

Someone rides a scooter along Broadway Pier past the Coast Guard's newest, most advanced polar icebreaker. I haven't spotted any ice off San Diego! — Someone rides a scooter along Broadway Pier past the Coast Guard’s newest, most advanced polar icebreaker. I haven’t spotted any ice off San Diego!

Family boards the Coronado Ferry near Broadway Pier. — Family boards a Coronado ferry near Broadway Pier.

Many people were out on the Embarcadero today enjoying wonderful San Diego.

America, replica of the racing yacht that won the first America's Cup, cruises past. — America, replica of the racing yacht that won the first America’s Cup, cruises past.

Walking above the shining water. — Walking and sitting above the shining water.

An easy float through the Marriott Marina.

The San Diego Symphony is set up and ready to go for their outdoor summer concerts at Embarcadero Marina Park South.

Bayside Summer Nights will feature lots of great concerts, and fireworks.

On the water in a boat, and above it on a pier.

I see the Coronado Island Marriott Resort beyond those fisherman. — I see the Coronado Island Marriott Resort beyond those fishermen.

And here's my favorite Coronado ferry, Silvergate. It usually departs near the San Diego Convention Center. — And here’s my favorite Coronado ferry, Silvergate. It usually departs near the San Diego Convention Center.

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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 walk along the Cesar Chavez Park pier.

A couple walks toward the end of the Cesar Chavez Park public pier.

Yesterday I watched the Fern Street Cirus perform at Cesar Chavez Park. I arrived at the grassy park early, so I enjoyed a walk along the nearby public pier.

The modest Cesar Chavez Park pier is popular with fishermen and those who just want to venture out a short distance over the tranquil water. The Coronado Bay Bridge arches almost overhead. Docked immediately to the south are the interesting vessels and barges of Pacific Tugboat Service. Looking to the north, one can watch ships loading and unloading at the busy Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.

I lingered at the pier’s end for a couple of minutes. San Diego Bay and downtown’s glassy buildings were shining just like magic!

A huge barge and crane are nearby, and so is the Coronado Bay Bridge.

Red and green benches along the pier are decorated with fun pictographic designs.

Someone else is taking a break, gazing out at the beautiful bay.

Approaching the end of the pier. This area can be reserved for special events. Someone was having a birthday party here later.

There are expansive views from Cesar Chavez Park pier. Across the bay lies Coronado Island.

Gazing back toward the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.

A few idle tugboats of the Pacific Tugboat Service.

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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 beach walk to La Jolla Shores tide pools.

Beachgoers have left some flip-flops and shoes at the west end of Avenida de la Playa. Sand feels good under bare toes.

Here’s a series of photos from my walk down the beach at La Jolla Shores. I began at the west end of Avenida de la Playa and headed south along the sand to the tide pools.

Come along and let’s enjoy another beautiful day!

Looking north along the beach at La Jolla Shores on a winter Saturday. I see part of the famous Scripps Institution of Oceanography up on the hillside.

A group of kayakers receives instruction before heading out onto the Pacific Ocean.

People enter the Pacific Ocean with colorful kayaks and paddles.

Running along the beach at La Jolla Shores. To the north one can see Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier, and beyond the high sandstone cliffs of Black's Beach. — Running along the beach at La Jolla Shores. To the north one can see Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier, and beyond the high sandstone cliffs of Black’s Beach.

A friendly San Diego lifeguard driving past waves hello!

A man carries his kayak across the sand toward the water. It's an overcast winter day, but very pleasant. — A man carries his kayak across the sand toward the water. It’s an overcast winter day, but very pleasant.

Two people walking south along the smooth beach. La Jolla Cove can be seen across La Jolla Bay.

Now we are walking south along the shore past the sprawling La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club resort. Some people are sitting under umbrellas enjoying the weekend.

The Marine Room is on the left. At high tide, crashing waves come right up to the windows of this elegant restaurant with a stunning ocean view. — I see The Marine Room on the left. At high tide, crashing waves come right up to the windows of this elegant restaurant with a stunning ocean view.

A palatial, almost 16,000-square-foot estate overlooking the beach in La Jolla, called Villa Pelagia. Locals call it the Sand Castle Mansion. The property built in 1929 once looked quite different. — A palatial, almost 16,000-square-foot estate named Villa Pelagia overlooks the beach in La Jolla. Locals call it the Sand Castle Mansion. The property, built in 1929, once looked quite different.

Now we are approaching some tide pools at the south end of the La Jolla Shores beach.

People (and a gull) carefully walk among slippery rocks searching for tiny sea creatures.

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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!

Storm brings huge surf to Ocean Beach Pier.

Yesterday I went to Ocean Beach. My walk included a stretch along the water, to the OB Pier. It was late morning, right around high tide.

Huge, unrelenting surf resulting from a stormy Pacific Ocean was pounding like crazy and constantly threatening to break over the pier. So the pier was closed.

I took a few photos of the dynamic waves crashing under the pier.

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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!

Walking by the water on New Year’s Day.

Time moves forward.

I spent another New Year’s Day by sparkling San Diego Bay. My feet seemed drawn to the water, as predictably as the Earth orbits the Sun. The rippling water and sea breeze always makes me feel reborn.

Today I walked from the Hilton San Diego Bayfront to a spot north of the Grape Street Pier, not quite as far as the Coast Guard Station.

Come along and we will relive the journey. Even on a relatively quiet New Year’s Day, we’ll observe fishermen, boaters, bicyclists, musicians, artists, friends and families. We will move through life.

One forward step leads to another.

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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!

Seagulls take flight in a feeding frenzy!

They were everywhere! Circling in every direction! Wheeling high overhead, skimming low near the water!

It seemed that hundreds of seagulls had gathered from every part of San Diego Bay. Patrolling the sky, they watched two sea lions feasting on discarded scraps from a nearby fishing vessel.

Everyone on Fish Harbor Pier stood transfixed by the whirlwind experience!

When a scrap of fish broke loose from the romping sea lions, a feeding frenzy on the water would suddenly begin!

I took these cool photos this afternoon, after taking the ferry back from Coronado. More of my adventure on Coronado is coming up…

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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 good day to catch mackerel in OB.

Fishermen enjoy a perfect September day along the Ocean Beach Pier. Today everybody was catching mackerel.

Today was a good day to catch mackerel in Ocean Beach. Fishermen were pulling up shining prizes all along the OB Pier.

What was their secret? Cut bait, a little patience, slathered sunscreen, and perhaps a cool beverage and some music. Nothing more. (Not even a fishing license. It’s free to fish from a San Diego pier.)

The Ocean Beach Municipal Pier was built in 1966 and is the longest concrete pier on the West Coast. Its reach into deep water makes it an excellent place to catch a wide variety of fish.

Not everyone was fishing. Some were just out enjoying the sunshine. A guy on a bike looks down on the busy beach.

This guy caught a silvery mackerel. They were really biting today along the entire length of the pier.

Young and old alike were having success!

Below the pier, there seemed to be as many surfers as mackerel in the ocean. — Below the pier, there seemed to be as many surfers as fish in the ocean.

Some kids at the OB Pier's T-shaped end catch another nice mackerel! — Some kids at the OB Pier’s T-shaped end catch another nice mackerel!

A curious glance backward as a photo is taken of a prized catch!

It appears catching that mackerel was a lot of fun!

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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!

Huge catch of fish arrives in San Diego!

Fresh opah is prepared on the fishing vessel Pacific Horizon docked at the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market! — Fresh opah is prepared on the fishing vessel Pacific Horizon docked at the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market.

Look what I happened upon during my walk this morning! The fishing vessel Pacific Horizon was unloading a huge catch of opah and bigeye tuna at the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market!

I lingered to watch some of the fascinating 2017 Opahthon action!

Opahthon 2017 was held this morning on San Diego's Embarcadero at the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market! — Opahthon 2017 was held this morning on San Diego’s Embarcadero at the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market.

A crowd had gathered around the Pacific Horizon to watch a bustle of activity.

Guys were cleaning fish caught 800-1200 miles off San Diego in the Pacific Ocean--halfway to Hawaii! The Pacific Horizon is back after one month of fishing. — Guys were cleaning fish caught 800-1200 miles off San Diego in the Pacific Ocean–halfway to Hawaii! The Pacific Horizon is back after one month of fishing.

A curious dog on deck watches the action!

The guys are now filleting bigeye tuna, which were caught along with the opah. More bigeye tuna are being hoisted onto the pier!

Some of the whole fish are put into large coolers.

Working hard to prepare your tasty seafood meal!

The cutting table was frequently hosed off.

Lots of ice was shoveled into the coolers.

Today the Pacific Horizon brought an amazing haul of fish to San Diego!

More bigeye tuna! These might be going to a restaurant near you!

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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 Port of San Diego’s harbor tour.

We pull away from the Embarcadero aboard the Admiral Hornblower, on a special harbor tour provided by the Port of San Diego.

Last Saturday I enjoyed a special boat tour of San Diego’s harbor. The free tour was created by the Port of San Diego for Maritime Month, which was actually May. (The earlier tours were so popular, an additional June date was added.) The main intention of these tours was to educate the public about the importance of San Diego Bay, and the waterfront’s many contribution’s to our local economy.

We set out on the Admiral Hornblower and checked out a number of fascinating facilities that are overseen by the Port of San Diego. The Port of San Diego manages San Diego Bay and a strip of surrounding waterfront land. Its five member cities are San Diego, National City, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach and Coronado.

According to their website “The port oversees two maritime cargo terminals, two cruise ship terminals, 20 public parks, the Harbor Police Department and the leases of hundreds of tenant and sub tenant businesses around San Diego Bay.”

Well, what exactly did we see and what did we learn?

I took a few notes, which I’ve placed in my photo captions. Let’s head out onto the water on an overcast day and see some fascinating sights!

Looking back toward the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier. This facility can host special events or welcome cruise ships. Every cruise ship adds 2 million dollars to the San Diego economy. — Looking back toward the Port Pavilion on Broadway Pier. This facility can host special events or welcome cruise ships. Every visiting cruise ship adds 2 million dollars to the San Diego economy.

Someone enjoys recreating on San Diego Bay as we pass Tuna Harbor. Tourism and commercial fishing rely on San Diego's harbor. — Someone enjoys recreating on San Diego Bay as we pass Tuna Harbor. Tourism and commercial fishing rely on San Diego’s versatile harbor.

It's Saturday morning, so the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market is open on the I Street Pier near Seaport Village. It's the place to go if you like fresh fish. — It’s Saturday morning, so the Tuna Harbor Dockside Market is open on Fish Harbor Pier near Seaport Village. It’s the place to go if you like fresh seafood.

Now we are approaching the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. Most people associate it with Dole ships that bring in about 185 million bananas and other fruit each month! — Now we are approaching the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal. Most people associate it with those big yellow Dole ships that bring in about 185 million bananas and other fruit each month!

The Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal is to undergo modernization. Some transit sheds will be removed, to create more flexible laydown space.

This part of the facility is used for transferring cement between ship and shore.

Docked south of the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal, beside the Cesar Chavez Park pier, are the vessels of Pacific Tugboat Service.

Near the east end of the San Diego–Coronado Bridge is the first of three big shipyards--Continental Maritime of San Diego. — Near the east end of the San Diego–Coronado Bridge is the first of three big shipyards–Continental Maritime of San Diego.

Navy ships are undergoing repairs and modernization. The white plastic wrap prevents paint particles from entering the environment.

The next shipyard as we head south is BAE Systems. They also provide repair and modernization services. This huge ship in one of two dry docks is completely concealed!

This is a new type of stealth Navy ship--a guided missile Zumwalt-class destroyer. DDG-1000 is the first of its class. Its radar image is similar to that of a fishing boat. — This is a new type of stealth Navy ship–a guided missile Zumwalt-class destroyer. DDG-1000 is the first of its class. Its radar image is similar to that of a fishing boat.

Another vessel is being worked on at the BAE Systems San Diego shipyard. You can see floating oil spill containment booms in many of these photos.

Finally we are nearing the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard. Ships are built here. It is the largest full service shipyard on the West Coast. — Finally we are nearing the General Dynamics NASSCO shipyard. New ships are built here. It is the largest full service shipyard on the West Coast.

It's an overcast "June Gloom" late morning on San Diego Bay. — It’s an overcast “June Gloom” late morning on San Diego Bay.

As we continue into the South Bay, we see a large ship is being moved away from the shore by tugboat.

It's the Palmetto State, a fuel-efficient ECO Class tanker that was built at the NASSCO shipyard. — It’s the Palmetto State, a fuel-efficient ECO Class tanker that was built at the NASSCO shipyard.

Now we are beginning to pass Naval Base San Diego--what some refer to as 32nd Street Naval Station. It is the principal homeport of the U. S. Navy's Pacific Fleet. — Now we are beginning to pass Naval Base San Diego–what some refer to as 32nd Street Naval Station. It is the principal homeport of the U. S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet.

This is the USS Essex (LHD-2), a Wasp-class amphibious assault ship.

San Diego is home to these three Avenger-class mine countermeasures ships.

The unusual white vessel is a barracks barge--where a crew lives while their Navy ship is undergoing major repairs. — The unusual white vessel is a barracks barge–where a crew lives while their Navy ship is undergoing major repairs.

The USS Makin Island (LHD 8) returned from deployment recently. The gold anchors indicate this ship has earned the Navy's Retention Excellence Award. — The USS Makin Island (LHD 8) returned from deployment recently. The gold anchors indicate this ship has earned the Navy’s Retention Excellence Award.

Now we are past the Naval base and approaching the National City Marine Terminal.

I see lots of cars. If you own an automobile imported from Japan or South Korea, there a good chance it arrived here.

Vehicles of all type arrive here by huge roll-on/roll-off (RORO) ships, including trucks and tractors.

Longshoremen drive hundreds of new vehicles off the ships. Warehouses nearby are used to install accessories. White wraps on cars protect them from stuff like seagull poop! — Longshoremen drive hundreds of new vehicles off the ships. Warehouses nearby are used to install accessories. White wraps on cars protect them from dirty stuff like seagull poop! Some ospreys have nests atop those high lampposts.

These totaled cars arrived from Hawaii! They're headed to San Diego salvage yards. — These totaled cars arrived from Hawaii! They’re headed to San Diego salvage yards.

Half of the new cars are then sent to their destination by train, the other half by truck. This facility accommodates super long freight trains--120 cars long! — Half of the new cars are sent to their final destination by train, the other half by truck. This facility accommodates super long freight trains–120 cars long!

We've turned about and have headed back to the North Embarcadero. Before we dock, we check out a superyacht moored in the middle of San Diego Bay. — We’ve turned about and have headed back to the North Embarcadero. Before we dock, we check out a superyacht temporarily moored in the middle of San Diego Bay.

This is the Attessa IV, owned by Dennis R. Washington, 76th wealthiest person in the United States! The Port of San Diego accommodates all sorts of ships!

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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 fun photos for you to share and enjoy!

Sitting on a bench next to Tuna Harbor.

Someone poses for a photo on a bench next to Tuna Harbor.

Yesterday I spent some time writing. I sat in the San Diego sunshine on a bench next to Tuna Harbor. From time to time my lifted eyes spied something interesting, so I’d take a photo.

Fishing vessels docked in Tuna Harbor. A pier, sailboat and the San Diego-Coronado Bridge in the distance.

As I sat on one of the benches writing, the commercial fishing boat Tommy John entered the harbor.

Fishermen on the boat get ready to dock.

Gulls swirl about hoping for fish scraps.

Folks walking by appear to be enjoying the day.

Another nearby boat is home to a curious dog.

I see a blue sail jutting up from San Diego Bay, just beyond the G Street Pier.

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