How can you not love this colorful mural at Point Loma’s Liberty Station? It was created in 2023 for the arched passage between Barracks 14 and 15.
The over 2,500 square foot mural, designed by local Chicana artist Scarlett Baily, is titled Home. The installation was painted by many in the community.
According to a nearby plaque, it bridges the history of the Naval Training Center with regional indigenous maritime culture. Native flora and fauna stage the celebration of San Diego’s heritage and acknowledge the generations that have called Point Loma home…
You can’t help smiling as you walk up to and through this lively artwork!
I see faces, flowers, a whale, seagulls, a heron, even a sea lion!
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There’s a museum in Liberty Station that visitors might mistakenly pass by. When I walked by today, it occurred to me I hadn’t stepped into Visions Museum of Textile Art for many years. So I had to see what I’ve been missing!
Long before I started Cool San Diego Sights, I remember how the museum was called Quilt Visions. The last time I visited, in 2019, it was called Visions Art Museum. I was told the name has evolved over time as the museum has enlarged its scope to cover many different types of textile art.
Today I was excited to see the Visions Museum of Textile Art is thriving!
I discovered several current exhibits, and chose to blog about one that features some very unique pieces. It’s titled INTIKA: Men In Textiles. As a sign explains, the INTIKA exhibition seeks to showcase the diverse works of male artists from various backgrounds, each employing different textile techniques. These artists push the boundaries…by experimenting with unconventional materials or incorporating elements from other disciplines like sculpture or installation art.
Check out the next photo. This visually complex piece, composed of sliced and woven street posters collected from the walls of New York City, Berlin and Venice, is definitely unconventional!
There’s all sorts of textile art to admire, including unique clothing, hangings and other needlework. More examples…
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A famous car race was held in Point Loma in 1915. A historical display at the San Diego Automotive Museum recalls how the San Diego Exposition Auto Road Race involved many famous race car drivers of the era and received nationwide attention.
The race promoted the Panama-California Exposition in Balboa Park. It is estimated 50,000 people watched the 305 mile race as it looped through Point Loma’s rather rough-appearing streets. The winning purse was a whopping (for 1915) $5,000. Only five of the eighteen drivers would finish the race.
The race winner would be Earl Cooper in Stutz No. 8. His average speed was a nail-biting 65.3 miles per hour!
A vintage car accompanies the museum display. The 1932 Morgan Super Sports, as much as it resembles some of the earlier race cars, debuted 17 years after the San Diego Exposition Auto Road Race was held. It can go 100 miles per hour–much faster.
When I saw this historical display, I immediately remembered my experience of the 1915 Road Race vintage car show. That amazing event was held in the parking lot by the San Diego Automotive Museum during Balboa Park’s centennial in 2015. See those photos here.
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Billowing Bait is a kinetic sculpture on Shelter Island, mounted near the entrance of Nielson Beaumont Marine. I spotted it during a recent walk in Point Loma.
The sculptor is Jon Koehler. His shimmering work of art features over 300 small stainless steel elements that move together but independently with the wind. Created in 2013 according to its webpage (2012 according to the nearby plaque), the sculpture is part of the Port of San Diego Public Art Collection.
The shining sculpture is meant to resemble a school of small bait fish . . . or a billowing spinnaker sail. You can learn more about it here.
If you ever walk past 2420 Shelter Island Drive on a breezy day, pause to watch Billowing Bait come alive!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
Few people enjoy the scenic view in the above photograph. That’s because the remote Coast View parking lot is seldom visited at Cabrillo National Monument.
The small parking lot can be found at the end of Cabrillo Road, just before the gate to the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant. Most park visitors who drive down Cabrillo Road stop at Tidepools Parking and go no farther.
I recently posted a blog about my amazing hike up the Coastal Trail. I began from a spot near Tidepools Parking and walked north to Sea Cove Parking, where the trail ends. I didn’t mention that from the latter parking lot, I continued north a short distance along the side of Cabrillo Road, in order to reach Coast View Parking. That’s where these photographs were taken.
An overlook at the Coast View parking lot not only offers scenic views of the Pacific Ocean and sandstone bluffs, but there are information signs well worth reading.
Here I am carefully walking north along the side of Cabrillo Road…
I’ve arrived at Coast View Parking. There are benches where people can relax and gaze out toward the ocean.
A sign contains a poem…
“…The great rhythms of nature…have here their spacious and primeval liberty…”
Above the parking lot, up atop the Point Loma peninsula, one can see Battery Ashburn…
Embedded in the ridge in front of you was one of San Diego’s most important defenses during World War II. Well-hidden from approaching ships, Battery Ashburn housed two 16-inch guns…
Workers finished building the battery in March of 1944… Vibrations from the blast were so intense that they were rumored to have cracked windows in Hotel del Coronado across the harbor…
Turning east, I lifted my camera and took this photo of historic Battery Ashburn:
I then noticed a truck leaving the Point Loma Wastewater Treatment Plant, which handles sewage and gray water created by more then 2.2 million people who live nearby!
A beautiful day at Cabrillo National Monument, and a parking lot that few people visit…
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
It seems everybody in San Diego who loves fishing showed up today for Day at the Docks!
The big annual event, which takes place at San Diego’s sportfishing landings in Point Loma, attracts those who have an interest in the world-class saltwater fishing that can be experienced off our coast.
This morning I saw a big crowd at Day at the Docks, including many kids. Every sort of organization and business with a tie to sportfishing was on hand. There were how-to-talks, a kids fishing adventure, a casting tournament, a knot tying competition, harbor boat rides, a sportfishing fleet open house, gear for sale, clubs to join, unique gifts, art, fresh seafood…
I was interested to see many charitable organizations. Please read my photo captions.
It had been years since I’ve headed down to Day at the Docks. I’m glad I went!
Reel Stoke Adaptive Sportfishing is a new program of Oceanside-based non-profit Stoke For Life Foundation. The program’s purpose is to expose novice or seasoned adaptive anglers and people with disabilities to southern California sport fishing up close and personal. Don’t let any obstacle stand in the way of your dreams!Catalyst Cares does many things. They organize community cleanups, provide assistance to veterans and those who have a criminal record, and disaster relief.Mission Fish organizes and plans fishing day trips and provides FISH therapy for PTSD and TBI for Veterans, Active duty service members, 1st responders and Gold Star families.Southern California Deaf Anglers Club (SCDAC) was founded in 1973. Its main purpose is to promote and educate deaf and hard of hearing people in fishing. That’s awesome!HUBBS-SeaWorld Research Institute was on hand. They are a non-profit scientific research organization committed to conserving and renewing marine life, which includes working to maintain healthy white seabass populations.
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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 X.
The Coastal Trail provides an incredibly scenic walk at Cabrillo National Monument. It runs for about half a mile along rugged sandstone bluffs beside the Pacific Ocean.
The easy to moderate trail, with occasional steep steps leading up and down, begins by the park’s Tidepool Parking and winds north to Sea Cove Parking.
I asked a park ranger her favorite aspect of this trail. She loved how lines of pelicans soar along the ocean’s edge at eye level. I love that too.
I went for a walk along Coastal Trail the other day and took photos as I proceeded north. One comes to the tidepools very quickly. If you’d like a closer look at the tidepools, you can click here.
Starting north along the Coastal Trail near the Tidepool Parking at Cabrillo National Monument.Map shows the Coast Trail and other parts of Cabrillo National Monument, which is located near the south end of San Diego’s Point Loma.The scenic trail is very popular. Misty fog drifting in from the ocean is common.The tidepools come into view soon.Visitors like to pause and relax in this wide area just north of the tidepools.Continuing north along the Coastal Trail, up then down some narrow steps.Indescribable natural beauty.A climb is coming up…This stretch of steps is fairly long. I took it slow and easy. The steps are uneven in places.Here comes something interesting…This is an underground searchlight shelter from World War II. Visitors must safely stay off the unstable roof.More stunning ocean vistas ahead as walkers proceed through native coastal vegetation.The farther north you go, the fewer walkers you’ll likely encounter.Brown pelicans soar along at eye level. Your spirit might soar, too.Almost to Sea Cove Parking, also called Lot 2.A welcoming bench at Sea Cove Parking overlooks vast beauty.
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In April, 2024, a new trail opened at Cabrillo National Monument. The Oceanside Trail starts at the Kelp Forest and Whale Overlook south of the Old Point Loma Lighthouse, and descends via several switchbacks to the Coast Trail, intersecting it a few steps from the main tidepool parking lot.
The Oceanside Trail is fairly steep and rugged, but if you’re in good physical shape, wearing good shoes and carrying plenty of water, the hike is really great!
I enjoyed the hike recently and took photographs as I walked down to the tidepools through incoming wisps of ocean fog!
I’ll provide some description in photo captions…
Here’s where you start, from the looping path south of the lighthouse, just beyond the whale overlook.Map shows the Oceanside Trail. It’s about a 2.5 miles round-trip and can be strenuous.Approaching a World War II observation bunker, which guarded the coast from a potential Japanese invasion.The trail leads around the old military bunker.You can see the New Point Loma Lighthouse in the distance by the water. It’s a residential area for Coast Guard officers.Watch your step!There are several switchbacks. Most feature steps.A walker heading up. You can see how wisps of fog were drifting inland from the Pacific Ocean.There are a couple of benches for resting and viewing the scenery, too.Native coastal plants along the Oceanside Trail provide additional beauty and interest.We’re approaching Cabrillo Road, which descends to the tidepool area from the Cabrillo National Monument entrance gate. Before the Oceanside Trail opened, it was the only way down.The Oceanside Trail crosses Cabrillo Road twice.A park ranger told me the circular platform with a track was used to rotate a gun during World War II.Those people ahead are on the Coast Trail, heading between the nearby parking lot and tidepools.The end of the Oceanside Trail. To reach the tidepools, turn right! You can’t miss them.
I’ll be blogging about the Coast Trail shortly. It extends north from here along the rugged, sandstone bluffs, providing amazing views.
Years ago, I walked down to the water and experienced the Cabrillo National Monument tidepools. I posted photographs here!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
A magnificent Osprey stood guard upon its large nest high above Shelter Island. It was turning its head, watching the world below and all around. That’s what I observed the last time I walked along Shelter Island, a short distance from the Japanese Friendship Bell.
A sign across the street from the high nest-supporting platform provides interesting facts concerning the Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) and its nest. Included:
In flight, Ospreys wings are angled slightly backwards. They have drooping “hands” giving them a gull-like appearance.
Ospreys collect sticks to build large nests in high trees and on rocky outcrops and poles.
Ospreys are year-round residents of San Diego Bay. This medium-large raptor is particularly well adapted to diving for fish, with reversible outer toes, closable nostrils to keep out water during dives, and backwards facing scale on the talons which act as barbs to help hold its catch.
Board of Port Commissioners and their Environmental Advisory Committee funded construction of this nesting platform for the Osprey.
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Did you know that glider history was made above the bluffs of Point Loma in San Diego?
Two landmark plaques that commemorate this history (which includes the breaking of a sailplane flight duration world record) are located just inside the entrance gate of Cabrillo National Monument. A small dirt footpath leads up to the boulder upon which they are mounted. Beyond, a slope descends steeply to the Pacific Ocean.
I recently walked from the Cabrillo National Monument’s visitor center down to the plaques to have a close look…
The plaque on the left states:
IN COMMEMORATION OF THE EARLY AVIATION PIONEERS THAT FLEW AMERICAN DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED SAILPLANES IN SAN DIEGO. THESE AVIATORS ARE REMEMBERED BY THOSE WHO FLEW AFTER THEM AND THE CITIZENS OF SAN DIEGO
John C. Barstow – William Hawley Bowlus – Alan R. Essery – Forrest H. Hieatt – Anne Lindbergh – Earle R. Mitchell – Adolph R. “Bud” Perl – William Beuby – Lowell E. Bullen – Albert E. Hastings – I. N. Lawson – Charles A. Lindbergh – Allison J. Moore – William Van Dusen
SAN DIEGO SAILPLANE ENTHUSIASTS – THE ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST
(Yes, the names include Anne and Charles A. Lindbergh!)
The plaque on the right states:
POINT LOMA
THIS LANDMARK IS DEDICATED TO THE PIONEERING SPIRITS OF THE PILOTS WILLIAM HAWLEY BOWLUS AND JOHN C. BARSTOW WHO MADE MILESTONE FLIGHTS IN GLIDER HISTORY AT THIS SITE
WILLIAM HAWLEY BOWLUS – FIRST AMERICAN SOARING FLIGHT TO EXCEED ONE HOUR DURATION – 1 HOUR 21 MINUTES OCTOBER 19, 1929
JOHN C. BARSTOW – DURATION FLIGHT OF 15 HOURS 13 MINUTES EXCEEDING THE WORLD RECORD – APRIL 29-30, 1930
DEDICATED APRIL 27, 1996
THE NATIONAL SOARING MUSEUM – HARRIS HILL, ELMIRA NY – AN AFFILIATE OF THE SOARING SOCIETY OF AMERICA
SPONSORED BY THE ENVIRONMENTAL TRUST
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
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