This evening, just before sunset, I stood on the Embarcadero and watched more than one hundred sunlit sailboats race across the north part of San Diego Bay.
From May 21 through August 1, the Cortez Racing Association, in partnership with the Silver Gate Yacht Club (which is based on Shelter Island), puts on Wednesday races called the San Diego Bay Beer Can Series.
As the sailboats began across the water, and late sunlight slanted over Point Loma, the colorful sails were so bright they seemed like a dream. The race was too distant for my camera to take sharp photos–so I have increased the contrast to make the images even more dreamy!
In case you’re curious, those two active aircraft carriers you see in my photos are docked at Naval Air Station North Island. They are the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70).
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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!
Late light reflects from the Marriott Marquis onto San Diego Bay near Seaport Village.
So far this Memorial Day weekend I’ve enjoyed short walks through several favorite places. I’ve done a lot of sitting, reading, writing, eating ice cream, enjoying sunshine. And I’ve taken photos, of course. I always carry my little camera in hand. So why not?
Here are some random images. The first eight photos are from Friday evening along the Embarcadero. They are followed by photos from Saturday and Sunday.
Another beautiful day at Embarcadero Marina Park North.Evening kites fly in the remaining daylight above Donal Hord’s sculpture Morning.Sunset clouds reflected in the still water of Marriott Marina.Many downtown buildings reflect light magically.A fine late Friday walk by the water to begin the long Memorial Day weekend.A bright moon above tinted clouds.Leonardo Nierman’s sculpture Flame of Friendship catches the sun’s last rays as the lights come on at the San Diego Convention Center.Artist Pete Tillack creates stunning new artwork in front of Michael J Wolf Fine Arts in the Gaslamp Quarter.Three sailboats pass the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) aircraft carrier docked at Naval Air Station North Island.A bunch of happy people on the ferry to Coronado wave at me from beneath the ship’s American flag.Looks like a family enjoyed a tour of the USS Midway Museum during the Memorial Day weekend.Many people were out on enjoying the San Diego sunshine.A restored PCC streetcar of the San Diego Trolley’s Silver Line passes near Kansas City Barbeque. A huge inflatable Uncle Sam is out for the Memorial Day weekend.In Balboa Park, at the International Cottages, a big food festival was underway on Sunday. Yummy smells filled the air.Colorful dancers grace the outdoor stage at the International Cottages.San Diego Civic Organist Raúl Prieto Ramírez greets people up on the stage at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion after the Sunday concert.Marine and a new bride head for their stretch limousine in Balboa Park.Street entertainment delights a crowd in Balboa Park’s Plaza de Panama.The WorldBeat Cultural Center had lots of colorful flowers out on the sidewalk beside Park Boulevard.Many flags fly proudly on the Memorial Day weekend near the Veterans Museum and Memorial Center. Including the POW/MIA flag. You Are Not Forgotten.
Today I published two new stories on my website Short Stories by Richard. They’re both very quick reads.
A spring day in San Diego that feels a whole lot like summer.
Many say San Diego has the best weather in the whole wide world. I can’t disagree. Most days in San Diego are comfortable and sunny.
As I walked along the Embarcadero this fine Sunday afternoon I felt like I was on summer vacation. Even though it’s still spring.
Come along with me…
Working up a sweat at Embarcadero Marina Park South.Dancing in some Seaport Village sunshine.Bubbles and kites at Embarcadero Marina Park North.Soaring joy.A didgeridoo summons deep magic by the water.A friendly sun smiles at Alamo Flags.Three lazy dogs in hammocks. It’s not quite the dog days of summer–not yet!Lots of sails between blue sky and gentle San Diego Bay.Walking by Ruocco Park. It’s always a good time for ice cream!Beautiful spring blossoms by the USS Midway.Stopping for a moment on bikes at the end of Broadway Pier.Disney Wonder cruise ship at dock in its happy, welcoming home port.A smiling sun on one of the tile benches along the Embarcadero.A large ladybug has landed nearby! Fun artwork on the Embarcadero.It must be another summerlike day in beautiful San Diego!
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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!
Early this morning I headed to Harbor Island, hoping to capture photos of the sun rising over downtown San Diego. Alas, the sky remained gray and overcast.
Even worse, I observed something that was ugly and very discouraging.
I’ve never seen gang-style graffiti on Harbor Island. Not until today.
Harbor Island, the home of large bayfront hotels, elegant restaurants and marinas, has always seemed immune from any negative influences from downtown San Diego. Growing homeless and drug problems downtown and in neighboring communities haven’t seemed to reach this tourist destination. That appears to be changing.
I seldom post photos of the street people, the drug addicts and drug dealers on stolen bicycles, and the many broken souls that now fill most corners of downtown. I try to keep my blog positive. But this extremely sad and sometimes frightening reality seems to be growing worse.
Fortunately, on my quiet morning walk along San Diego Bay, I also saw much that was beautiful and good.
And I discovered something cool! Fun photos of some colorful artwork on Harbor Island are coming up in my next blog post!
On the bright side, this friendly guy caught some fish at one of the beautiful Harbor Island marinas.And grass is still green, and flowers still bloom.
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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!
Cool new optical public art in San Diego. The temporary outdoor installation can be found on Broadway Pier through next weekend.
You’ve got another week to head down to the Broadway Pier to experience some very cool public art!
Sojourner, created by San Diego artist Adam Belt, seems to bend reality as you walk around it and step inside. Mirrors cause the viewer see our city’s beautiful blue bay in a whole new way!
Sojourner was commissioned by the Port of San Diego as part of their Port Spaces public art initiative. The installation will be removed after April 29, 2018.
Sojourner is temporary public artwork near the end of San Diego’s Broadway Pier, by local artist Adam Belt.Sojourner invites people on the pier to walk up a ramp and enter its mirror interior. Once inside, the mind and spirit are stimulated by optical effects.San Diego artist Adam Belt created the structure. Once inside, the viewer seems surrounded by a universe of blue water. Odd reflections are produced by infinity mirrors.A mirror in the world, and a world in the mirror.On this Sunday afternoon two visiting cruise ships were docked near the Broadway Pier.A harbor tour boat heading out onto the bay is transformed into strange, dreamlike fragments.A bicyclist journeys through some magical public art in San Diego!
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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!
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Early this afternoon I enjoyed a short walk through Sweetwater Marsh. I’ve already blogged about a guided hike through the marsh here, where you’ll find a bit more detailed information.
My solo walk today was for quiet introspection. And the absorption of natural beauty.
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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!
An old pile once used to support Anthony’s Fish Grotto on San Diego’s Embarcadero is removed with a large crane.
Here’s a quick, fun post . . . about posts!
I got off work early this afternoon, so I took a slow walk along the Embarcadero. By sheer chance, today happened to be the day that old piles from the now demolished Anthony’s Fish Grotto were being extracted.
After watching a large crane on a barge lift one pile skyward, I asked a nearby worker to describe what I was seeing. He explained that the long concrete piles had been installed in 1964, and had supported the old Anthony’s Fish Grotto structure for half a century. I stood for a while and watched the crane do some more heavy lifting.
My friend Carlos, who shows his cool artistic creations near the water, had watched this activity for much of the day. He told me that in the morning some powerful machinery had gripped and violently vibrated each pile for 30 seconds or so, in order to loosen them prior to extraction. I wish I had seen that!
Many extracted piles were already stacked on the barge beside the crane when I walked by.Several construction workers were making ready for a new project. The Portside Pier will include a Brigantine restaurant, several smaller eateries and a public observation deck. I believe the supporting structures you see in the water will remain.My friend Carlos points toward some fascinating activity on the bayfront. I see the Star of India and the Maritime Museum of San Diego in the distance.A gull circles overhead as a long, dripping wet pile is carefully hoisted skyward!
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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 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.All sorts of working boats are nearby.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!
Banner along entrance gangway explains the Historic National Landmark 1898 Steam Ferry Berkeley Preservation Project.
The Maritime Museum of San Diego’s historic 1898 steam ferry Berkeley is undergoing much-needed restoration. The wooden superstructure, exposed for many years to direct sunlight and weather, is in need of repair, as you can see from a couple of my photographs. The south side of the ship, which receives the most sunlight, is in especially poor condition. Work has already begun there.
The museum has received funding for the restoration in the form of a $200,000 grant from the National Maritime Heritage Grant Program. This prestigious grant will match every dollar contributed by the public. Funds are being used to create a watertight, weatherproof, much more durable structure that will last for another generation.
Every contribution you make will be effectively doubled by the matching grant. To make your 100% tax-deductible donation, and learn much more, please visit this page.
To see more photos of this truly amazing vessel and learn about its special place in history, you might want to visit this past blog post. Berkeley was not only the first screw propeller driven steam ferry on the West Coast, but it assisted in the evacuation of a burning San Francisco after the devastating earthquake of 1906. Make sure to scroll down to the bottom of that blog post and read the extensive comment by the former museum librarian, who provides more fascinating information concerning the Berkeley!
The beautiful Berkeley is hub of the Maritime Museum of San Diego. The vessel houses many exhibits, and hosts special events and education programs.Damage from sun, salt, wind and weather is visible in this photo taken shortly before restoration began.Guests to the museum are asked to be part of preserving local history. Contributions can be made online. Every dollar will be matched by a Maritime Heritage Grant.Scaffolding along a section of the steam ferryboat Berkeley’s south-facing side. Restoration has begun.
UPDATE!
Look at the great progress made by early 2019!
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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!
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