This year the Pet Day on the Bay’s costume theme was mermaids and pirates. In addition to lots of cool sights, I photographed four-legged passengers dressed for the occasion!
Any dog owner who would like to have a memorable experience with their pet should go on one of these unique cruises. The Hornblower ship is equipped with everything a canine or human could desire, including drinks and snacks and a live narration describing all that you see during the one hour harbor tour. A couple of pet experts were also aboard offering lots of helpful advise.
I could tell the dogs were enjoying themselves. A bunch of their human companions were smiling, too!
People wait in line for the first of four special harbor tours. It’s the annual Pet Day on the Bay!Furry passengers meet each other before enjoying a cruise on San Diego Bay.The theme this year for Pet Day on the Bay was mermaids and pirates. Looks like a mermaid to me!All sorts of local celebrities joined us on the fun cruise. That’s Dave Scott of KUSI News!We’re at the foot of Hornblower’s pier, almost time to board the ship.Here come some colorful pirates!I’m greeted with a big smile. I see another celebrity! It’s world-famous Chopper, San Diego’s motorcycle riding therapy dog!Helen Woodward Animal Center was there, too, with licks of love and some puppies to adopt.Mary Read hangs out with a tail-wagging friend, waiting for a forever home.Open up your home–save a life. Foster homes are urgently needed for canines and felines. With your help, the Helen Woodward Animal Center saves thousands of precious lives. Please visit AnimalCenter.orgHeading along the Grape Street Pier, about to board the Adventure Hornblower for a one hour harbor tour!Some of the passengers have a pre-boarding meet and greet.Photos are taken for Hornblower Cruises’ Pet Day on the Bay.A friendly greeting by the ship’s captain!Doggie bags with lots of cool stuff from Petco were handed out to those participating in Pet Day on the Bay.Up some steps onto the upper deck…Some dog-friendly turf and great views await the pooch passengers.New friends are made on deck, as we await our departure.Is this sailor one of the crew?As we waited to begin our cruise, the nearby Admiral Hornblower headed out onto the bay.Sunshine breaking through the morning clouds turns the Admiral Hornblower bright white.Here we go! We leave downtown San Diego behind.We head out toward the entrance of San Diego Bay, with views of Point Loma, North Island and the distant Coronado Islands.Some people rowing outrigger canoes flew past us on the calm water of San Diego Bay.Approaching the live bait dock, where sportfishing boats stop before heading out into the Pacific Ocean.Sea lions lounge on the floating dock along with a motley group of sea birds.A group of kayakers was passing Naval Base Point Loma, not far from four nuclear submarines.The dogs enjoy the amazing views just as much as the humans.All sorts of characters are hanging out on the ship’s deck.There seem to be happy dogs everywhere!As we headed back toward the Embarcadero, I poked my head inside the ship to check out some displays, including this one presented by Petco, who also provided doggie treats.The Petco Foundation is helping to save the lives of animals. Learn how you can put your love for animals into action at PetcoFoundation.orgThe billowing Hornblower flag and the approaching San Diego skyline.As we come beside the dock, a dog carefully supervises the maneuvering of the ship.Passengers disem-bark after a wonderful one hour cruise!Pet Day on the Bay is a great annual event for those with two or four legs!
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Sun shines through late clouds, splashing light across San Diego Bay in its peaceful Crescent Area.
It was another beautiful evening on San Diego’s Embarcadero. I went for a slow walk.
What more can I say?
Boat moored in San Diego Bay becomes darkly mysterious in the late light.Inspiration Hornblower heads out into San Diego Bay near the Grape Street Pier on an early Friday evening.The new Coast Guard vessel USCGC Benjamin Bottoms will soon be commissioned. The public can tour the Sentinel-class cutter this weekend on San Diego’s Embarcadero, just north of the Maritime Museum.Some of the vessels of the Maritime Museum of San Diego splashed with late sunlight.Glowing clouds through the rigging of Star of India.Rays of light crown Star of India’s female figurehead, the Greek Muse of lyric poetry, Euterpe.A gull swoops down onto Broadway Pier to investigate some seated people.The reflections of downtown skyscrapers shine in the Port Pavilion’s windows, a few minutes before sunset.Flags and a sail illuminated by late light.Tables and seats at the end of Broadway Pier are empty at the close of another day.Another beautiful evening on San Diego’s Embarcadero.
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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!
Many cool sights await visitors who come aboard Peruvian Navy training ship BAP Unión.
This morning I stepped aboard an amazing ship. The enormous Peruvian tall ship BAP Unión visited San Diego for the weekend!
The BAP Unión is a beautiful sailing vessel that is used to train cadets in the Peruvian Navy. The 378 foot, four-masted barque also operates as a floating goodwill ambassador, uniquely representing the nation of Peru.
San Diego is the first stop of BAP Unión’s first ever tour of the West Coast!
Please read the photo captions for more interesting information. Click the signs and they will enlarge for easy reading.
Four-masted barque BAP Unión docked at Broadway Pier in San Diego, during its 2019 tour of the West Coast.People explore the impressive tall ship during its visit to San Diego’s Embarcadero.Sign explains the BAP Unión’s figurehead, which represents emperor Túpac Inca Yupanqui, who led a fleet of rafts on a voyage of exploration across the Pacific Ocean.The bronze figurehead was sculpted by Peruvian artist Pilar Martínez.A gangway welcomes curious visitors during a sunny San Diego weekend.Bienvenidos a bordo al B.A.P. “Unión”On the main deck of BAP Unión, near the aft mainmast and its many working ropes.The ship’s shining bell.Tilting my head upward to gaze at the tall ship’s masts, yards and rigging.I’ve turned about to face the ship’s stern. I see plaques, the ship’s wheel and the bridge.Sign explains Peru’s coat of arms, a national symbol used by the country’s armed forces.Plaque commemorates the launching of BAP Unión on December 22, 2014. The ship was commissioned on January 27, 2016. At the time of her commissioning, she was the largest sailing ship in Latin America.Artistic metalwork can be found all over the perfectly maintained tall ship, including these medallion-like designs.Shining plaques in the wooden deck at the foot of some steps.Climbing up the steps that lead to an area near the ship’s bridge.Engraved at the edge of each step is BUQUE ESCUELA UNION.Looking back down at the wooden deck around the aft mainmast.A visitor aboard the BAP Unión checks out the impressive ship’s wheel.The words BUQUE ESCUELA A VELA UNION.A sign provides a description of the ship’s wheel.Looking forward across the amazing ship. Many downtown San Diego buildings rise in the background.Mounted above the ship’s bridge is Peru’s coat of arms.Walking past the bridge toward the stern of BAP Unión.Visitors pose for a photo at a second wheel at the rear of the large tall ship.Looking straight up into the San Diego sky at the billowing flag of Peru.Starting forward, about to pass the ship’s bridge.Sign explains the bridge, where modern navigation and steering controls are located, and where naval cadets train. The ship’s watch is constant under the command of an officer.About to descend steps, as I continue forward along the port side of the ship.A crew member on deck tends to some ropes.Another look upward before heading into an internal part of the ship.Inside a spacious cabin, visitors enjoy looking at many cultural displays that concern Peru, including exquisite crafts and textiles.A fantastic work of art represents Peruvian culture.A colorful Peruvian folk art figurine.An officer’s cap with books and more artwork on a shelf.As the self-guided tour proceeded, I took a photo through a window into the ship’s kitchen. This is where Peruvian dishes are prepared for the crew and foreign guests.Sign describes the kitchen of BAP Unión.I see some food being prepared!Back outside in sunlight on a more forward part of the main deck. Souvenirs from Peru could be purchased by visitors.Another flight of steps leads toward the ship’s bow.I couldn’t stop looking up.Visitors learn a bit about the tall ship’s operation, including how an anchor is lowered.An anchor chain, winch and other equipment operated by naval cadets near BAP Unión’s bow.Looking back across the upper deck of the picturesque Peruvian tall ship.One last sets of steps to descend before the self-guided tour ends.The incredible Peruvian tall ship BAP Unión visits San Diego.
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The Peruvian Navy training ship BAP Unión is presently docked at San Diego’s Broadway Pier. I walked out onto the pier late today to check out the enormous, four-masted tall ship!
The 3-year-old BAP Unión is a 378 foot steel-hulled barque, with a crew that includes many Peruvian naval cadets. As young sailors learn about duty aboard an amazing sailing ship, the BAP Unión serves as a fine ambassador for the nation of Peru wherever it goes. The handsome bronze figurehead, which includes symbols from the Inca culture, was created by Peruvian sculptor Pilar Martinez Woodman.
Today the tall ship begins her very first tour of the West Coast, following earlier stops at San Juan, Miami, Mayport, Norfolk and Boston. The BAP Unión will be docked at San Diego’s Embarcadero through this weekend, and visitors can enjoy tours aboard the vessel with an admission ticket to the Maritime Museum of San Diego!
As I walked out on Broadway Pier, I took some cool photos!
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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 photos for you to enjoy!
Planes Roar Into Action from the U.S. Aircraft Carriers Wasp and Enterprise, watercolor, 1941. The Irvine Museum Collection.
An extraordinary exhibition of work by one of America’s greatest artists is now on display at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. Art of the Sea collects many iconic works by Arthur Beaumont (1890-1978), renowned for his wartime commissions for National Geographic Magazine, and for being named by the U.S. Navy the Artist Laureate of the Fleet in 1958.
Arthur Beaumont’s dramatic paintings not only depict massive warships in action at sea, but ships of every type in locations around the world, and diverse landscapes painted from his travels and rich personal experience.
As a young man Beaumont worked on a ranch in Canada, where he developed his love for sketching and painting. He moved to California and became a ranch hand in the San Joaquin Valley; he then later lived in Los Angeles, working as an artist. His fine portraits were noticed by the U.S. Navy, for whom he was commissioned as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve. He eventually became America’s foremost military artist. His dramatic paintings record important aspects our nation’s history through many decades.
My poor yellowish photographs in the softly lit Gould Eddy Gallery hardly do justice to the dynamic, brilliantly colorful paintings you’ll experience in this world-class exhibition. Over the years, the Maritime Museum of San Diego has featured some very important artwork, including a breathtaking collection of works by James E. Buttersworth, but this might be my favorite so far!
If you love fine art, or military history, or the sweep of American and world history in general, you must not miss Art of the Sea. After you check out these amazing paintings, stretch your legs and enjoy the many historic ships of the Maritime Museum of San Diego, rated one of the very best maritime museums in the world!
Dozens of extraordinary paintings by famed artist Arthur Beaumont fill the Gould Eddy Gallery in the Steam Ferry Berkeley, at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.Sign describes the life and work of Arthur E. Beaumont, named by the Navy the Artist Laureate of the U.S. Fleet in 1958. He is also known for his wartime commissions for National Geographic Magazine.A painting of a California Mission, watercolor on paper, 1949. The Irvine Museum Collection.Cowboy at the Corral Lassoing a Steer, oil, 1929. The Bowers Museum.John Paul Jones on the USS Ranger, July 4, 1777, pen and ink, 1934. The Stuart Bourdon Collection.Portrait of Admiral William D. Leahy, oil on canvas, 1936. U.S. Naval Academy Museum.Heavy and Light Cruisers Range Far to Scout or Fight; USS Astoria and USS Phoenix, watercolor on board, 1941. The Irvine Museum Collection.Navy Sea Planes, watercolor, 1941. The N. Arthur Astor Family Trust.War Weary USS San Diego Returns to Home Port, watercolor, 1967. The Hilbert Museum.Snow Field Training, watercolor, 1942. Catherine Campbell Beaumont Collection.Fog Horn, watercolor, ca. 1950. The Hilbert Collection.Chinese Junk Boat, watercolor, 1963. Robert Dreibelbis Collection.Stella Polaris, Howard Hughes’ yacht, watercolor, 1935. The Los Angeles Maritime Museum.Relief of McMurdo, watercolor, 1959. The Irvine Museum Collection.The Last Voyage of the Queen Mary, in the company of the USS Long Beach, watercolor, 1972. Catherine Campbell Beaumont Collection.
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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 photos for you to enjoy!
Another perfect day for a walk, ride or four-legged run by San Diego Bay!
Favorite sights (plus a few surprises) greeted my eyes as I enjoyed a slow walk along San Diego Bay this afternoon!
Many others were out and about. The breeze was pleasantly cool. Blue sky and sunshine peeked through dramatic clouds.
I walked from the Maritime Museum of San Diego down to the Hilton San Diego Bayside, before turning for home.
Guys at the Maritime Museum of San Diego were busy cutting a chain on the barge.A museum volunteer cleans the top of Steam Ferry Berkeley. Good progress is being made on this historic ship’s exterior restoration!Cool guy Gary Reid provides soulful music by the USS Midway.Visitors to San Diego move along the Greatest Generation Walk toward the Embracing Peace statue.Bright flowers in the garden by The Fish Market restaurant.A couple pauses to gaze at fishing boats in Tuna Harbor.I aim my camera through stacked lobster traps. I believe the fuzzy white stuff is dead, sun-bleached algae.I think I recognize that pedicab driver.A bright sailboat on San Diego Bay, with Coronado in the background.I knew I recognized her! It’s Diane!Kyler MacKenzie plays gypsy music on his guitar near Seaport Village.A balloon twister guy heads off on his bike.Kids examine a kite near a tree at Embarcadero Marina Park North.Almost like a dream. Perhaps you can tell why I love San Diego.People with dogs on the grass, the Coronado Bay Bridge in the distance.A crow on some roots.The silvery Marriott Marquis and Marina. No rain in the afternoon, but dramatic clouds linger.Back near Seaport Village, I spotted this cool Popcorn Bar!Today is the second day of Seaport Village’s annual busker festival. George Gilbert from Fort Myers Beach, Florida entertains a good crowd.I always seem to see a snowy egret at this same spot in the Marriott Marina.Workers string some lights near the Marina Terrace.A pinwheel and a smile! You can’t go wrong with that combination!It’s a Wonderful Life.But getting old does present difficulties.The Flame of Friendship sculpture gleams up on the San Diego Convention Center.Walking along.Trees and clouds seen from Embarcadero Marina Park South.A large gull near diners at Burgers, Bait and Beer.Here come Spirit of San Diego and Admiral Hornblower. Both are coming from the South Bay on a harbor tour.A water taxi comes in from Coronado. That huge yellow Dole Atlantic ship is loading containers at the Tenth Avenue Marine Terminal.Those empty containers being loaded by the ship’s crane will fill up with bananas eventually and come on back to San Diego.A look up at the Hilton San Diego Bayside from its side that faces away from downtown.Near the bayside entrance to the Hilton there’s a place to take photos. Greetings from San Diego.Another perfect early March day 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!
Early this morning I walked from Cortez Hill down to San Diego Bay. I spent a few quiet minutes between the Maritime Museum of San Diego and the Grape Street Pier.
The sun was very bright. It wasn’t long before I noticed wavy reflections of ships on the water!
Without reading the photo captions, can you identify each ship by its mysterious reflection?
Reflection on the water of Steam Ferry Berkeley.Reflection on the water of HMS Surprise and Steam Ferry Berkeley.Reflection on the water near USS Dolphin of Steam Ferry Berkeley.Reflection on the water of Medea, Pilot, America, San Salvador, and Californian.Reflection on the water of Admiral Hornblower.Reflection on the water of Star of India.Reflection on the water of Star of India.Reflection on the water of Star of India.
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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!
Step inside the Steam Ferry Berkeley of the Maritime Museum of San Diego and you’ll see nautical Christmas decorations in the Model Shop!
A bright Christmas tree is ornamented with ships, boats, signal flags and lighthouses. It even appears that Santa Claus has been repairing and cleaning one model ship in the small workshop. I guess his elf helpers are busy making toys up at the North Pole!
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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!
Star of India and Californian navigate south down the channel of San Diego Bay, heading out into the Pacific Ocean.
I will remember this amazing morning for the rest of my life.
Standing on the Bayside Trail of Cabrillo National Monument, near the end of the Point Loma peninsula, I watched as Star of India, oldest active sailing ship in the world, headed out of San Diego Bay into the wide blue Pacific Ocean.
It was a truly historic moment, and magical.
The Star of India, now 155 years old, is sailing this weekend for the first time in five years.
Tall ships Californian and San Salvador, which also belong to the Maritime Museum of San Diego, accompanied the Star of India, as did two other tall ships based in San Diego: America and Cloudia. I saw Bill of Rights, a tall ship that makes its home in Chula Vista, heading out of the channel a bit later in the morning.
Please enjoy these photos.
People walk down Cabrillo National Monument’s Bayside Trail in order to watch a bit of sailing history.The north part of San Diego Bay is visible from the Bayside Trail. In the distance, with other tall ships, Star of India makes its way around Coronado.Star of India is towed past Naval Base Point Loma as it heads out of San Diego’s harbor toward the open ocean.Star of India is accompanied during its historic sail by Californian, San Salvador, America and Cloudia. Bill of Rights would leave the channel a bit later in the morning.Californian and Star of India pass Naval Air Station North Island.The downtown San Diego skyline behind Star of India and Californian.Two beautiful tall ships of the Maritime Museum of San Diego, Star of India and Californian, head out into the Pacific Ocean.The amazing group of tall ships is almost out of the channel and into the wide open ocean.Star of India, oldest active sailing ship in the world, and Californian enter the Pacific Ocean together.Behind come America, Cloudia and the Spanish galleon replica San Salvador.Pure magic. Like a dream.The beautiful tall ships continue past Point Loma, making their way south.A view of the tall ships from Cabrillo National Monument’s sunny Bayside Trail.155 year old Star of India and its companion tall ships sail across the water on an historic weekend in November, 2018.I and a few other photographers head back up the Bayside Trail to get more photos as the ships head out to sea.Californian and America on the distant water. Mexico lies on the horizon.Five fantastic tall ships together on the peaceful, blue Pacific Ocean.A magical vision of historic tall ships seen from the end of Point Loma. Time’s curtain seems to open for a moment, and we peer into the past.People enjoy the magic near a bench on the Bayside Trail.Star of India crew members can be seen upon its yards. The sails will soon billow in the wind.The ships sail past the end of Point Loma. My old camera can barely photograph them at this distance.Out into the wide, hazy Pacific Ocean.People just below the whale watching overlook of Cabrillo National Monument watch the ships. They gaze past the New Point Loma Lighthouse, which is down by the water’s edge.Among smaller boats, the tall ships are just visible in the hazy distance.Photographers with powerful cameras do their best to get good photos of the tall ships that are now very far away.Light reflects from a passing plane. The distant Coronado Islands poke out of the haze. And the Star of India sails proudly upon the Pacific Ocean.A vision I will remember for the rest of my life.
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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 photos for you to enjoy!
As I stood at the edge of San Diego Bay late Sunday afternoon, Californian returned across the water to its home at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
Californian, official tall ship of the State of California, floated into a world of magical light.
Yesterday I had a chance to go aboard Polynesian canoe Hikianalia, which was offering tours to the public over the weekend. The traditional voyaging canoe will conclude its environmentally themed ocean journey and return to Hawaii later this month.
I added lots of cool photos with an update to my original post here!
It’s hard to believe this silly blog has now surpassed 3000 followers. Thank you for coming along on my walks!
Cool San Diego Sights! 