San Diego recently made the news as America’s most patriotic city, according to a popular social media network. It doesn’t surprise me. San Diego has more military installations and a higher concentration of veterans than any other city in the United States.
So on the Fourth of July you might expect to see a whole lot of patriotism. You’re right!
Tonight one of the biggest firework displays in the country will take place on San Diego Bay. Right now, people are filtering into the area around the bay to claim viewing spots, have barbeques and picnics, and get themselves ready for the Big Bay Boom, until the number will reach hundreds of thousands.
This afternoon I walked around the Gaslamp and the Embarcadero. Here come some pics!
The streets of San Diego’s Gaslamp District filled with patriotic sights.Shop window in the Gaslamp filled with American flags.Friendship and brotherhood on the Embarcadero Marina Park South pier.One of many boats decked with Fourth of July bunting.The bayfront parks are crowded with tents and celebrating Americans.Thousands along San Diego Bay enjoy barbeque and play.People have claimed spots to watch tonight’s fireworks on the bay.Street performer poses with red, white and blue.Many in the crowd are wearing patriotic clothing.USS Carl Vinson, an active aircraft carrier, strung with festive colors.A display on the Embarcadero of historic diving equipment.Young man near USS Midway speaks to retired Navy diver.Just kicking back on a sunny San Diego Independence Day.The Patriot speed boat is fit for the occasion.Cool pedicab driver gives a peace sign on Fourth of July.
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The big Tony Gwynn flag flies above tall ship America at Maritime Museum.
Both before and after work today, I strolled over to the Embarcadero to take a few pics of the big, 50 foot Tony Gwynn flag. It’s been flying for a couple days from the mast of America, a tall ship owned by Next Level Sailing. America is a replica of the yacht that won the original America’s Cup.
The flag in the late afternoon was fluttering in the sea breeze and glowing brightly in the San Diego sunlight. It seemed a perfect symbol of Tony Gwynn himself. The great, always smiling Padres hitter was not only a superstar, but was like sunshine on a perfect day.
I took the first photo in the early morning, and the others in the late afternoon.
Flag is flown in memory of deceased Tony Gwynn, number 19.Tony Gwynn flag on San Diego Bay seen between Star of India masts.Star of India figurehead faces 19, uniform number of Tony Gwynn.
During my walk along the Embarcadero on June 29, I happened to notice a big Tony Gwynn Padres jersey hanging from the roof of the County Administration Building!
Tony Gwynn jersey on County Administration Building.
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Three ships of Japanese Self-Defense Force visit San Diego.
Those don’t look like cruise ships! Docked at the Cruise Ship Terminal are three visiting Japanese warships. They are participating in Dawn Blitz, a multilateral amphibious exercise. The two destroyers and big landing ship are part of the Japanese Self-Defense Force. Carefree sailboats on a sparkling blue San Diego Bay make an interesting contrast with the gray, ominous warships! Head south past the Coronado Bay Bridge and you’d see a long row of American Navy ships belonging to the Pacific Fleet.
Japanese warships docked at the Cruise Ship Terminal.
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Today is national Flag Day. So during my afternoon walk around downtown San Diego I took photos exclusively of American flags. Here are some shots that you might find interesting…
American flags top many tall office buildings.Flag Day celebrated from a modest downtown rooftop.Reflection on windows of big American flag mural.Bald eagle and American flag mural on Beech Street wall.Patriotic flags on USS Midway Museum superstructure.Red, white and blue adorn cafe below USS Midway flight deck.Small boat cruises around San Diego Bay with flag.Gulls take flight by American flag on busy Embarcadero.Old Town Trolley Tours booth has a flag out.Flag flies proudly in the sea breeze above Star of India.
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View of plaza on southeast end of convention center.
I recently took a stroll around the San Diego Convention Center and took a number of cool pics. I know, I know…millions of photos have been taken of the place already. Well, anyway, here come a few more…
Interesting arches at San Diego Convention Center.Looking up at glass awning above main entrance.People descend stairs from building’s uppermost level.Cool round glass elevator at top of incline.Looking down a patterned expanse of outside steps.Steps on the bay side lead up from Marriott Marina.Convention center seen from Embarcadero Marina Park South.A glass elevator nestled among trees.Gazing from an upper level toward big Hilton hotel.Sign on scenic terrace shows San Diego’s own Star of India.Looking over San Diego Convention Center’s rooftop sails.People enjoy amazing view of San Diego Bay and Coronado.
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Pacific Portal on Shelter Island by James T. Hubbell.
Should you ever drive to Shelter Island, you’ll probably see a large, very unusual gazebo between the central traffic circle and San Diego Bay. It’s just one part of the large collection of public art lining the narrow island.
The Pacific Portal is a sculptural gazebo made of sprayed, reinforced concrete. It was erected eight years ago, replacing an old, more traditional Rotary Club pavilion. Nearby you’ll also find a small trellis structure and an interesting sculpture made of wrought iron.
The artist, James T. Hubbell, also designed the Pearl of the Pacific, the colorful public artwork featured in Pacific Rim Park at the southern end of Shelter Island.
Fanciful gazebo by the water is made of concrete.Mosaic adds color to the curved interior of Pacific Portal.
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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.Except for RVs to the north, the beach is almost empty.Kelp on natural beaches is the home of tiny wildlife.Silver Strand Grill is closed and nobody is about.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.
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.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.San Diego Bay beyond a group of beached sailboats.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 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.A rabbit among brittle coastal plants.
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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.Opening ceremony in front of County Administration Building.County Supervisor inaugurates new waterfront park.VIPs and the public listen to many speeches.The Padres’ friar mascot circulates in the crowd.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.Unrolling the 1600 foot long grand opening ribbon!Everyone positions to cut the park-length ribbon!Boys and Girls Clubs of East County helps to cut the ribbon.The fountains are turned on and wet fun begins!Looking through fountains on north side of park.Street performer in front of County Administration Building.Kid carries footfall through Play60 obstacle course.Kids play miniature golf on the grassy lawn.Trying to score against San Diego Sockers goalie!Star of India and waterfront behind opening day crowd.Cool hill with slides is part of the huge playground.Kids have loads of fun on the big playground.An awesome playground in downtown San Diego!Who wouldn’t love climbing in this net-filled sphere!The shallow fountain on the park’s south side is busy.Parks and Recreation had wildlife displays!Kid checks out a fire engine.A gigantic car show was held on Harbor Drive.San Diego Maritime Museum behind classic cars.A cool woodie with surfboard!
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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.Many people live in small boats on San Diego Bay.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.Photo taken behind Coast Guard Auxiliary station on North Embarcadero.Sprinkles of light dance on the small waves of San Diego Bay.One boat moored in the Crescent with downtown skyline in the background.Boater walks along the Embarcadero with some drums.Wildlife sign and boats on the North Embarcadero.Vessel Assist boat just brought in a disabled jet ski.Living on the water near downtown San Diego.This boat has a nice potted garden for a backyard.Biking and reading a newspaper along Harbor Drive.
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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.Like highwire artists on the slender ropes.Looks like a lot of hard work.Yards from foremast wait on sidewalk to be painted.Maritime Museum members at work on Star of India.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.
Here come several more pics taken in October. The top third of the foremast has been removed!
Top portion of Star of India foremast has been removed in October of 2014.Maritime Museum of San Diego workers high up on the foremast of the historic Star of India.On a shroud, in a tangle of ropes and cables between masts.
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Cool San Diego Sights! 