Tag: shops

The Headquarters opens by Seaport Village.

The Headquarters shops by Seaport Village.
The Headquarters shops by Seaport Village.

Several weeks ago a cool new small shopping center opened up adjacent to Seaport Village on downtown San Diego’s waterfront.  It’s called The Headquarters at Seaport District, and it’s located in the old police headquarters.

I remember visiting the San Diego Police headquarters here back in the early eighties, before it moved.   For a couple decades these historic and beautiful buildings sat empty and unused.  I’m glad that they’ve finally been restored!

Looking through festive arch at The Headquarters.
Looking through festive arch at The Headquarters.
This was the location of the old police headquarters.
This was the location of the old police headquarters.
Historical sign shows location of old San Diego barracks.
Historical sign shows location of old San Diego barracks.

Across Harbor Drive to the north you can find an interesting historical marker. First established as an Army supply depot, this was the location of the San Diego Barracks from 1850 to 1921.

A farmers market is held on Sundays at The Headquarters.
A farmers market is held on Sundays at The Headquarters.

I took the above photo on a sunny Sunday afternoon!

Colorful market on a corner in Old Town.

The Old Town Market is one very popular destination.
The Old Town Market is one very popular destination.

Little shops selling all sorts of colorful souvenirs, curios and crafts can be found everywhere in Old Town, both in the State Park and in the touristy area just to the south. Many of the items for sale are Mexican in origin or style. You can find pottery, painted tiles, jewelry, maracas, pinatas, lucha libre masks, and all sorts of unique leather and wood-carved crafts. A few stores have a Western theme and sell cowboy hats, boots, Native American art and other stuff related to the American frontier experience. It’s fun just to browse and soak it all in!

Kid checks out a bunch of Mexican Lucha Libre masks.
Kid checks out a bunch of Mexican Lucha Libre masks.
Tourists take a stroll through the colorful Old Town Market.
Tourists take a stroll through the colorful Old Town Market.
Very colorful pottery can be found everywhere.
Very colorful pottery can be found everywhere.
Painted tiles for sale hang on an orange wall.
Painted tiles for sale hang on an orange wall.
Vendor at Old Town Market at work with a power drill.
Vendor at Old Town Market at work with a power drill.
Painted plates for sale in a corner of Old Town.
Painted plates for sale in a corner of Old Town.
Many Western items on display in an Old Town shop.
Many Western items on display in an Old Town shop.
Hundreds of Mexican ornaments and trinkets.
Hundreds of Mexican ornaments and trinkets.
Colorfully painted gourds and posters.
Colorfully painted gourds and posters.
A guitarist performs for shoppers.
A guitarist performs for shoppers.

Downtown Donut Bar’s window of treats!

downtown donut bar's window of treats

While walking to the Fifth Avenue trolley station yesterday morning, I passed the window of the Donut Bar on B Street. They’d just filled it with the day’s freshly-baked yummy treats and were preparing to open for business. I almost began to drool right there on the sidewalk!

The Donut Bar is frequently listed as one of the top doughnut shops in the entire country!  Wow!

Thought you’d like to have a peek! Good morning!

A pic taken later…

Oh no! The Donut Bar is Sold Out!
Oh no! The Donut Bar is Sold Out!

Look at this bonus pic!

Homer Simpson was out greeting a long line of Donut Bar customers one Saturday morning!
Homer Simpson was out greeting a long line of Donut Bar customers one Saturday morning!

A surprise around every corner in Seaport Village.

many enjoy san diego's seaport village

There’s a surprise around every corner in Seaport Village. The inviting place, with its meandering paths, specialty shops, eateries, historic merry-go-round, tranquil duck pond and fountains is a fine place to spend a sunny afternoon. Even native San Diegans enjoy it! One can fly a kite in the neighboring Embarcadero Marina Park, barbeque by a picnic bench, and watch buskers perform.  One can walk along the water and gaze out at the sparkling blue bay, sailboats and Coronado Island, or walk out on a working public pier for sweeping views from the Coronado Bay Bridge to the USS Midway, and beyond to Harbor Island.

Child takes delight at the Kite Flite shop in Seaport Village.
Child takes delight at the Kite Flite shop in Seaport Village.
Candied apples in window of the Seaport Village fudge store.
Candied apples in window of the Seaport Village fudge store.
Cookie shop lighthouse at Seaport Village.
Cookie shop lighthouse at Seaport Village.

You can see one of the Manchester Grand Hyatt towers in the background.

Folks board the Seal Tour amphibious vehicle for a harbor adventure.
Folks board the Seal Tour amphibious vehicle for a harbor adventure.
People sit on wall near the Pier Cafe.
People sit on wall near the Pier Cafe.
Pirate stands guard outside a Seaport Village nautical shop.
Pirate stands guard outside a Seaport Village nautical shop.
Seaport Village street performer prepares to swallow fire.
Seaport Village street performer prepares to swallow fire.

Click to follow the Cool San Diego Sights blog on Twitter or Facebook!

Halloween art on display at Seaport Village.

halloween art on display at seaport village

Here’s a fun pic of an artistic Halloween display seen on a random shop wall in Seaport Village. I don’t recall the name of the store. The colorful arrangement of crafty witches, owls and pumpkins is a feast for the eyes!

I notice this morning that temperatures outside are cooling. Autumn is in the air and Halloween is around the corner!

Wind-driven witch in front of Kite Flite shop.
Wind-driven witch in front of Kite Flite shop.