The Spirit of Dana Point leaves the dock for a cannon battle at the 2017 Festival of Sail in San Diego.
I believe this is the fourth year I’ve blogged about San Diego’s annual Festival of Sail. As always, the event is wonderful beyond description.
It seems every day at the festival is the perfect blend of sunshine, beautiful tall ships, friendly people and sparkling blue water. There’s so much to see, so much to learn. I’m just going to post a few photos to provide a taste.
If you want to see my many descriptive blogs about this event over the years, and learn more about some of the ships, click the Festival of Sail tag below. Better yet, if you’re in San Diego, head on down to the Embarcadero by the Maritime Museum and experience it all for yourself. The festival runs through Labor Day.
The Spirit of Dana Point, a replica of an American Revolution privateer ship, heads out into San Diego Bay.People on kayaks enjoy the seafaring festival. Many visiting tall ships have converged in San Diego for the Labor Day weekend.Someone walks along near the Norwegian double ended ketch Cloudia.People at the Festival of Sail check out America, a somewhat enlarged replica of the victorious 1850 schooner for which America’s Cup was named.Beautiful tall ships everywhere one looks!Kayakers head toward the Exy and Irving Johnson at the end of another floating dock.Many people were boarding the San Salvador, one of the many amazing vessels belonging to the Maritime Museum of San Diego.A museum employee talks about how the Spanish galleon replica was built at Spanish Landing. You might recall I blogged about its construction.Oh, noooo! Here comes Mister Mac! That despicable pirate seems to be unstoppable!Some music could be enjoyed on the Berkeley’s beautiful passenger deck.People watch as the Irving Johnson heads out to face the Spirit of Dana Point in a cannon battle on San Diego Bay.Friendly crew member of the Exy Johnson of the Los Angeles Maritime Institute was greeting those passing by.A photo on the deck of Exy Johnson, a beautiful brigantine used in the Los Angeles Maritime Institute’s TopSail Youth Program.Another perfect day at the Festival of Sail. I could linger all day.Like a vision from the past, two glorious tall ships maneuver on blue San Diego Bay.
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I was lucky to get some amazing photos this evening!
After work I took a walk along the Embarcadero, knowing that most of the visiting tall ships had arrived in San Diego for the 2017 Festival of Sail. What I hadn’t expected was an absolutely glorious sunset.
The following photos concentrate on a cluster of just three ships, including the museum’s Spanish galleon San Salvador, and the Exy and Irving Johnson, the twin brigantine flagships of the Los Angeles Maritime Institute. I walked back and forth along the water as the sun slowly descended into the fiery clouds.
If you’re in San Diego this weekend, make sure to check out the Festival of Sail near the Maritime Museum. You can tour lots of cool tall ships from up and down the West Coast and other historic vessels. And there will be cannon battles on the bay, special harbor tours, kids activities, tons of food and probably some roving pirates! The event runs Friday through Labor Day. As an enthusiastic member of the museum, you can bet I’ll be there!
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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!
The Commodores do a sound check before their evening performance at Bayside Summer Nights.
Adventures all over today, including walks in La Mesa and Logan Heights.
The best came near the end. I just happened to arrive at Embarcadero Marina Park South as the legendary Motown group Commodores began their sound check for this evening’s Bayside Summer Nights concert. It was like a free “concert” for myself and a few lucky others.
The Commodores have provided so many good moments and memories in my life. Their stirring music has such strong rhythm and heart. Soul, defined. When you listen, you smile, then you start singing too.
Night Shift. Lady (You Bring Me Up). Easy.
I heard bits and pieces of them all.
And in the near distance, sailboats and sunshine on San Diego Bay.
Yes, life is good.
Getting the chairs ready for an outdoor concert on San Diego Bay.A sailboat tacks. I could hear the sails flapping.The Commodores on stage produce their legendary magic.Sunshine and sails. Easy like Saturday afternoon.Life is good.
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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!
I finally got my act together. Late this afternoon I renewed my annual membership in the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
Why?
Perhaps it’s that deep feeling of living inside history.
Perhaps it’s the light-splashed ships.
Perhaps it’s the water like molten silver and its dancing, inexpressible magic.
Perhaps it’s the sea, and my longing for a far horizon.
I can’t think of the right words.
So I’ll let my small camera speak its own language. I took these photos before sunset.
UPDATE! I substituted one of this post’s original photos with a new one taken a week later. Can you guess which one? The sky is a bit different, but it’s still the same time of day–perhaps an hour or less before sunset.
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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!
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.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.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!
Golden light on the steam ferryboat Berkeley, hub of the Maritime Museum of San Diego. I believe I took this photo a year or two ago.
Over the years, I’ve taken many photos around and aboard the historic steam ferryboat Berkeley. The beautiful old ship is the hub of the Maritime Museum of San Diego. I thought you might enjoy seeing some of these photographs. Read the captions to learn a little about the Berkeley’s fascinating history.
Berkeley, built in 1898, was originally operated by the Southern Pacific Railroad on San Francisco Bay. It was used to ferry up to 1700 passengers per trip between the transcontinental train terminus at the Oakland Pier and the San Francisco Ferry Building across the bay. The Berkeley was also used after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake to rescue thousand of refugees, which were brought out of the fire-devastated city safely over to Oakland.
Berkeley was acquired by the Maritime Museum of San Diego in 1973, and today she houses a large number of fascinating historical exhibits on her lower deck. She is both a National Historic Landmark and California State Historical Landmark, and a cool sight that many like to visit on San Diego’s Embarcadero.
Personally, I love to head up the stairs to the McKinney Deck, where passengers used to cross the water in elegance. I have often seen ferry visitors and members of the Maritime Museum of San Diego sitting on the beautiful wooden benches simply reading or enjoying a relaxing moment. It’s like being transported back into another era. The atmosphere is quite amazing, as you will see…
Plaque in front of the ferryboat Berkeley, which was the first successful West Coast-built ferry to be driven by a screw propeller as opposed to side wheels.Downtown San Diego skyscrapers and masts of museum ships HMS Surprise and Star of India can be seen in this photo of the Berkeley’s upper passenger deck and one of two pilot houses.Southern Pacific Lines logo on one pilot house.Photo over the roof of the ferryboat, with a black funnel projecting into the blue San Diego sky.I’m getting ready to look inside the pilot house on the east end of the Berkeley. I see the County Administration Building.The wooden wheel, binoculars and other instruments used to pilot the ferry.Many forms of communication were used during ferry operation. The Berkeley’s pilot houses contained radio receivers, the ship’s whistle, and two voice tubes.Standing outside, peering into the elegant Dan McKinney Deck of the Berkeley.Visitors aboard the Berkeley look at the beautiful long wooden benches and art glass windows of the upper passenger deck.Different art glass windows on the ship fill the passenger deck with many-colored light.More exquisite art glass. Passengers would cross San Francisco Bay in style.Walking through the passenger deck.Sunlight on one comfortable, warm wood bench. Wouldn’t you like to sit here?A painting of the ferry Berkeley and a relic from its history.More beauty aboard the old ship, which is now docked in San Diego Bay.I assume the fancy B is for Berkeley, but I’m not sure.Refreshments used to be purchased here during bay crossings. Today the Berkeley is often used for special events and drinks are still served.Over the years, countless thousands of passengers were served.Ferryboat Berkeley,1898, has been designated a National Historic Landmark. This vessel possesses national significance in commemorating the history of the United States of America.One of four old photos on the passenger deck. Berkeley was launched on San Francisco Bay on October 18, 1898.Berkeley was never a car ferry. The open deck below carried luggage carts for passengers transiting between the end of the railroad at Oakland and San Francisco across the bay.The Berkeley was heroine of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake story. She carried refugees to safety nonstop for three days and nights.In 1973, Berkeley was towed down the coast to San Diego to begin a second life as floating museum.And what a beautiful museum she is! I haven’t included them in this particular blog post, but many cool exhibits can be seen on the lower deck, where ferry passengers used to park their luggage carts.Gazing down some steps at a museum workshop aboard the Berkeley.Gazing from the passenger deck outside toward San Diego Bay. Other museum ships, including Californian and San Salvador, are docked along a float west of the Berkeley.One of the ferry’s old lifeboats.Looking up at the pilot house on the steam ferry’s bay-facing end.Some folks on the other end looking out at downtown San Diego and the Waterfront Park.An old sign above one doorway says Lunch and Grill Room on Lower Deck.That old sign was uncovered beneath accumulated paint. Working on an old vessel is a bit like an archaeological dig.Looking from the Embarcadero at the Berkeley, over the Maritime Museum of San Diego’s deep diving submarine USS Dolphin.The handsome steam ferryboat Berkeley now greets visitors on San Diego Bay.People walk through history aboard a beautiful old vessel.
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A man walks along slowly, rhythmically, playing bagpipes.
Just before sunset I found myself at Ruocco Park, between the USS Midway and Seaport Village. Many were out in the warm air enjoying life. I saw people talking, laughing, creating music, walking, skating, sitting, catching a ball on the grass . . .
People at a picnic table and on the grass at Ruocco Park.Couple rolls down the Embarcadero on inline skates and a skateboard.Kid looks with yearning at an ice cream seller’s cart.Folks quietly talk as the sun approaches the horizon.A family walks along and gazes out at a sunlit ship.A slow walk along San Diego Bay at Ruocco Park.A couple sits on a bench inside a work of public art, The Riparium, in a corner of Ruocco Park.
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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!
If you’ve followed my blog for some time, you probably know that I love Tuna Harbor. It might be my favorite spot in San Diego.
Today, a little before sunset, I had another magical walk down the G Street Pier. Sunlight sprinkled stars upon the water. Slanting light reflected from a jumble of fishing boats; it silvered the downtown skyline.
After taking many photos of interesting stuff on the working pier, I headed around Tuna Harbor into Ruocco Park.
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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!
In the morning I took the trolley down to Chula Vista and walked to the harbor. I’ve blogged on several occasions about Bayside Park and the adjacent Chula Vista Marina, but I had never explored Chula Vista Bayfront Park on the south side of the harbor, near the boat ramp.
I found a peaceful, grassy place with inviting paths, wide views of the South Bay, and a couple fascinating works of public art. And some wildlife, too!
Come with me as we walk from the tall ship Bill of Rights around the south end of the California Yacht Marina and finally to Chula Vista Bayfront Park.
The schooner Bill of Rights, based in Chula Vista, can be chartered for fun adventures. It often participates in San Diego’s annual Festival of Sail.Relaxing by the picturesque marina on a quiet, peaceful morning.Flags fly near the California Yacht Marina, located at the south end of Chula Vista’s pleasant harbor.The California Yacht Marina building appears inviting.Circling around the marina toward the boat ramp and adjacent grassy park, where you can see some trees.A quiet morning walk in San Diego’s South Bay.A person sitting on a bench in Chula Vista Bayfront Park enjoys some shade. Nearby boats float gently on the water.A boater heads into the marina, toward the tall ship Bill of Rights.The fishing pier of nearby Bayside Park lies to the north across Chula Vista Harbor’s entrance. I see the Coronado Bay Bridge and downtown San Diego in the distance!These three abstract sculptures on the grass near the walking path are titled Konoids, by Kenneth Capps, 1984.An osprey in its nest out on San Diego Bay.Sign in Chula Vista Bayfront Park describes the osprey, a large raptor.Ospreys like to dive for fish. They are year-round residents of San Diego Bay.An unusual sculpture. Powering the Arts, by artist Micheal Leaf, 2015. It stands next to the blue water at Chula Vista Bayfront Park.Sign describes how Powering the Arts was once a cylinder atop the now demolished South Bay Power Plant.A cool, unexpected sight in San Diego’s sunny South Bay!
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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!
Viking warriors gather at Embarcadero Marina Park South during 2017 Comic-Con to reenact the funeral ceremony of a fallen hero.
A special event during 2017 Comic-Con was held Friday evening at Embarcadero Marina Park South. Vikings, a popular show on History, staged a ceremonial Viking funeral that climaxed with the burning of a longship on San Diego Bay!
A large crowd gathered in the park and watched as a fallen hero was carried off by other warriors with great solemnity. Then they cheered when the principal actors made a sudden appearance.
The staged burning of the Viking longship was exactly the sort of spectacle one expects at Comic-Con!
Fans at San Diego Comic-Con await a special event that promotes History’s hit show Vikings.A 45 foot Viking longship floats on San Diego Bay. Its burning will be a central attraction of the event.Here come actors portraying a clan of Vikings. We’re almost ready to begin.A fallen warrior is ready to be carried from a small fortress-like Viking building.The body is transported out in a solemn ceremony.I knew the Vikings were great explorers, but I didn’t realize they sailed all the way to San Diego Bay!Act One is complete.After a long wait, the stars of the show arrive to much cheering. Here comes Katheryn Winnick, who portrays Lagertha.And here is Alexander Ludwig, who plays Bjorn Ironside.Alexander Ludwig greets his fans in San Diego during 2017 Comic-Con.A crowd favorite arrives. It’s Alex Hogh Andersen, who plays Ivar the Boneless.Alex Hogh Andersen heads into the fortress, from which the actors address the crowd.Everyone listens to the actors, watches a trailer and answers show trivia for prizes while we wait for twilight.People grow restless after waiting quite a long while.The Viking longship is overtaken by shadow as the sun sets, then finally the nearby boats move safely away.A Viking funeral. The longship burns on San Diego Bay.
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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!
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