Tag: san diego bay

Quiet spring day at Silver Strand State Beach.

Park ranger removing weeds near beach entrance.
Park ranger removing weeds near State Beach entrance.

The Silver Strand is a narrow strip of land that connects Coronado southward to Imperial Beach. The northern portion is used as a training ground for Navy Seals. Other areas contain housing, marinas and a hotel. Much of it remains in a natural state.

Halfway down the strand, sandwiched between San Diego Bay and the blue Pacific Ocean, you’ll find Silver Strand State Beach, a beautiful state park featuring a great beach, RV parking, a large picnic area, and a boating facility. Apart from the RV area, which is very popular, the place often seems half-deserted. Even during summer weekdays.

I rode my bike through the park on a perfectly sunny spring weekday and I saw half a dozen people.

Closed lifeguard lookout on Silver Strand State Beach.
Closed lifeguard lookout on Silver Strand State Beach.
Except for RVs to the north, beach is almost empty.
Except for RVs to the north, the beach is almost empty.
Kelp on natural beaches is the home of tiny wildlife.
Kelp on natural beaches is the home of tiny wildlife.
Silver Strand Grill is closed and nobody is about.
Silver Strand Grill is closed and nobody is about.
From one empty side of the strand to the other.
From one empty side of the strand to the other.

Here I’m passing through a tunnel under the highway from the Pacific side to the bay side.

Dozens of unused picnic tables on a sunny Spring weekday.
Dozens of unused picnic tables on a sunny Spring weekday.

There are scores of picnic benches on the bay side and very few ever seem to be used.

One small figure sits at end of picnic table row.
One small figure sits at end of picnic table row.
Colorful kayaks at Crown Cove Aquatic Center.
Colorful kayaks at Crown Cove Aquatic Center.

The boating center gets a little more activity on weekends. I’ve seen folks out rowing along the water.

Lots of unused boats on the bay side of Silver Strand.
Lots of unused boats on the bay side of Silver Strand.
San Diego Bay beyond a group of beached sailboats.
San Diego Bay beyond a group of beached sailboats.
Trail leads from Silver Strand bikeway across natural habitat.
Trail leads from Silver Strand bikeway across natural habitat.

You’ll find this natural area in the north part of Silver Strand State Beach, on the east side of the highway.

The wood plank nature trail is in disrepair.
The wood plank nature trail is in disrepair.

The endangered California least tern nests in clear, sandy areas along the Silver Strand. I wasn’t able to spot any during this visit.

Information sign rusted and unreadable.
Information sign rusted and unreadable.
A rabbit among brittle coastal plants.
A rabbit among brittle coastal plants.

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San Diego’s big new waterfront park opens!

Lots of fun at County Administration Center Waterfront Park.
Lots of fun at County Administration Center Waterfront Park.

The brand new, very awesome County Administration Center Waterfront Park opened today! This spectacular city park stretches several blocks both north and south of the historic County Administration Building, replacing two ugly parking lots.  It’s impossible to miss this expansive 12-acre park, located just across Harbor Drive from beautiful San Diego Bay.

You might have read my recent blog post about waterfront improvements, and seen some photos of this new park under construction. It’s now finished and it’s really fantastic!

I attended the grand opening this morning and got tons of cool pics!

Here we go…

Someone arrives from parking structure beneath new park.
Someone arrives from parking structure beneath new park.
Ceremony in front of County Administration Building.
Opening ceremony in front of County Administration Building.
County Supervisor inaugurates new waterfront park.
County Supervisor inaugurates new waterfront park.
VIPs and public listen to many speeches.
VIPs and the public listen to many speeches.
The Padres' friar mascot circulates in the crowd.
The Padres’ friar mascot circulates in the crowd.
Mary Roosevelt, daughter-in-law of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
Mary Roosevelt, daughter-in-law of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt dedicated the County Administration Building in 1938.

Everyone waves to photographer atop Star of India.
Everyone waves to photographer atop Star of India.
Unrolling the 1600 foot long ribbon!
Unrolling the 1600 foot long grand opening ribbon!
Everyone positions to cut the park-length ribbon!
Everyone positions to cut the park-length ribbon!
Boys and Girls Clubs of East County is present.
Boys and Girls Clubs of East County helps to cut the ribbon.
The fountains are turned on and wet fun begins!
The fountains are turned on and wet fun begins!
Looking through fountains on north side of park.
Looking through fountains on north side of park.
Street performer in front of County Administration Building.
Street performer in front of County Administration Building.
Kid carries footfall through Play60 obstacle course.
Kid carries footfall through Play60 obstacle course.
Kids play miniature golf on the grassy lawn.
Kids play miniature golf on the grassy lawn.
Trying to score against San Diego Sockers goalie!
Trying to score against San Diego Sockers goalie!
Star of India and waterfront behind opening day crowd.
Star of India and waterfront behind opening day crowd.
Cool hill with slides is part of the huge playground.
Cool hill with slides is part of the huge playground.
Kids have loads of fun on the big playground.
Kids have loads of fun on the big playground.
An awesome playground in downtown San Diego!
An awesome playground in downtown San Diego!
Who wouldn't love climbing in this net-filled sphere!
Who wouldn’t love climbing in this net-filled sphere!
The fountain on the park's south side is busy.
The shallow fountain on the park’s south side is busy.
Parks and Recreation had wildlife displays!
Parks and Recreation had wildlife displays!
Kid checks out a fire engine.
Kid checks out a fire engine.
A gigantic car show was held on Harbor Drive.
A gigantic car show was held on Harbor Drive.
San Diego Maritime Museum behind classic cars.
San Diego Maritime Museum behind classic cars.
A cool woodie with surfboard!
A cool woodie with surfboard!

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Life on the water in San Diego Bay’s Crescent.

Life on the water near San Diego Coast Guard Station.
Life on the water near San Diego Coast Guard Station.

Most people walking along San Diego’s Embarcadero never venture north of the Hornblower boats docked at the Grape Street pier. They’re missing a lively, less-touristy area of San Diego Bay known as the Crescent. Many residents live on small boats moored in this corner of the bay, just west of Little Italy and south of the Coast Guard Station.

Take a walk along the sidewalk and you’ll see folks sitting on benches looking out at the bay, or bicycling along, or out on the water rowing to their floating homes. You’ll see Coast Guard boats and helicopters, folks pumping out their boats, kayaks, fishermen, sea lions and lots of different birds. Turn around and you’ll see planes landing at Lindbergh Field.

Rowing to a boat moored in San Diego Bay's crescent area.
Rowing to a boat moored in San Diego Bay’s Crescent area.
Many people live in small boats on San Diego Bay.
Many people live in small boats on San Diego Bay.
This old sign describes the Crescent Area just south of the Coast Guard Station.
This old sign describes the Crescent Area just south of the Coast Guard Station.
People love to bicycle along the edge of picturesque San Diego Bay.
People love to bicycle along the edge of picturesque San Diego Bay.
Photo taken behind Coast Guard Auxiliary station on North Embarcadero.
Photo taken behind Coast Guard Auxiliary station on North Embarcadero.
Sprinkles of light dance on the small waves of San Diego Bay.
Sprinkles of light dance on the small waves of San Diego Bay.
One boat moored in the Crescent with downtown skyline in the background.
One boat moored in the Crescent with downtown skyline in the background.
Boater walks along the Embarcadero with some drums.
Boater walks along the Embarcadero with some drums.
Wildlife sign and boats on the North Embarcadero.
Wildlife sign and boats on the North Embarcadero.
Vessel Assist boat just brought in a disabled jet ski.
Vessel Assist boat just brought in a disabled jet ski.
Living on the water near downtown San Diego.
Living on the water near downtown San Diego.
This boat has a nice potted garden for a backyard.
This boat has a nice potted garden for a backyard.
Biking and reading a newspaper along Harbor Drive.
Biking and reading a newspaper along Harbor Drive.

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Working high in the rigging of Star of India.

Clinging to the end of Star of India's bowsprit.
Clinging to the end of Star of India’s bowsprit.

Dedicated members of San Diego’s Maritime Museum were hard at work yesterday, working in the Star of India’s rigging like busy spiders on a web.

The rigging of the historic three-masted bark is undergoing an overhaul, a project that is expected to take a full year. That’s according to the person selling tickets. The large yards of the foremast have already been removed and are lying on the sidewalk awaiting inspection and a new coat of paint. I was told the ship’s trees (platforms on the masts) are infested with termites. They’ll have to be repaired. To maintain the 150 year old Star of India, the oldest active sailing ship in the world, requires a lot of work!

People tangled in picturesque ship's rigging.
People tangled in picturesque ship’s rigging.
Like highwire artists on the slender ropes.
Like highwire artists on the slender ropes.
Looks like a lot of hard work.
Looks like a lot of hard work.
Yards from foremast wait on sidewalk to be painted.
Yards from foremast wait on sidewalk to be painted.
Maritime Museum members at work on Star of India.
Maritime Museum members at work on Star of India.
High up in the blue San Diego sky.
High up in the blue San Diego sky.

I got a quick photo of a San Diego Maritime Museum volunteer working on the yards on an early July morning!

Volunteer works on Star of India's yards.
Volunteer works on Star of India’s yards.

Here come several more pics taken in October. The top third of the foremast has been removed!

Top portion of foremast has been removed in October of 2014.
Top portion of Star of India foremast has been removed in October of 2014.
San Diego Maritime Museum volunteers work high up on the historic Star of India.
Maritime Museum of San Diego workers high up on the foremast of the historic Star of India.
On the shrouds, in a tangle of ropes between masts.
On a shroud, in a tangle of ropes and cables between masts.

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Old Coronado ferry ticket booth recalls history.

Original Coronado ferry ticket booth remains as historical artifact.
Original Coronado ferry ticket booth remains as historical artifact.

About a block north of today’s touristy Coronado Ferry Landing, you’ll find the old ticket booth of Coronado’s original ferry. It stands beside a garden full of colorful roses and a pleasant walkway that runs from the end of Orange Avenue east to San Diego Bay. This beautiful area is called Centennial Park.

The original ferry was designed to transport horses and buggies; later ferries took automobiles across the bay. This vital link to downtown San Diego ran from 1886 to 1969, the year the Coronado Bay Bridge finally opened.

Looking over roses near the nostalgic old ticket booth.
Looking over roses near the nostalgic old ticket booth.
Sign reminds passersby of nearly a century of history.
Sign reminds passersby of nearly a century of history.
Plaque describes the history of the once vital Coronado ferry.
Plaque describes the history of the once vital Coronado ferry.
Old Coronado ferry ticket booth surrounded by flowers.
Old Coronado ferry ticket booth surrounded by flowers.

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Early morning light on buildings and water.

Lone rower on San Diego Bay in golden morning light.
Lone rower on San Diego Bay in golden morning light.

I went for a walk bright and early yesterday morning. I got a few photographs of downtown San Diego along the waterfront.

The bay was quiet and very smooth. A lone rower was out slowing gliding across the water. The sun had just begun to rise in the cloudless sky behind shining skyscrapers…

Anthony Fishette's boat dock on a tranquil San Diego Bay.
Anthony Fish Grotto’s boat dock on a tranquil San Diego Bay.
Sunrise touches downtown San Diego skyscrapers with light.
Sunrise touches downtown San Diego skyscrapers with light.
An early morning look down Broadway in San Diego.
An early morning look down Broadway 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!

Joshua Randle, a great musician in San Diego.

Joshua Randle and friend play music on San Diego's embarcadero.
Joshua Randle and friend play music on San Diego’s embarcadero.

I was surprised during my walk today to hear some exceptionally good music from two young performers near Seaport Village. Joshua Randle and his friend were playing extremely polished music with outstanding vocals and providing great, energetic entertainment for everyone passing by. I have no doubt that these guys will become superstars!

Please check out Joshua’s website!

Joshua Randle is a talented up-and-coming singer and musician.
Joshua Randle is a talented up-and-coming singer and musician.
A beautiful day and some great positive, stirring music.
A beautiful San Diego day and some great positive, stirring music.

Great artwork on Harbor Island marina gates.

Whales depicted on a Harbor Island marina gate.
Whales depicted on a Harbor Island marina gate.

On Harbor Island, just east of the Hilton, several gates leading down to the marina have metalwork that is really beautiful. Check out these images…

Underwater scene on a marina entrance gate.
Lively underwater scene on a marina entrance gate.
Dolphins decorate a marina gate on Harbor Island.
Dolphins decorate a marina gate on Harbor Island.
Beautiful approach to one gate on Harbor Island marina.
Beautiful approach to one gate at Harbor Island marina.

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.

Shelter Island pier, photos and reflections.

Shelter Island pier seems to stand on watery reflections.
Shelter Island pier seems to stand on watery reflections.

The above photo of the Shelter Island pier is interesting to me.  I like how the angled concrete pilings, reflected on San Diego Bay, seem to project in three dimensions downward into the rippled water.

The light blue structure that you see is vacant.  In the past it has been the home of a small fishing store and cafe.  To its left you can see an aircraft hangar at Naval Air Station North Island.

Distant Coronado Islands seen beyond the Shelter Island pier.
Distant Coronado Islands seen beyond the Shelter Island pier.

When you stand on Shelter Island and gaze south beyond the pier, you can spy the distant Coronado Islands on a clear day.

The Coronado Islands (not to be confused with nearby Coronado) are four barren islets just west of Tijuana, Mexico.  The home of numerous sea birds, sea lions and sea elephants, they are mostly uninhabited.  A few Mexican caretakers live on the largest island and maintain a modest lighthouse.

Fisherman at one end of Shelter Island pier.
Fisherman at one end of Shelter Island pier.