A sign posted inside the playground at Solana Beach’s Fletcher Cove provides some history of the place. I discovered the sign this morning and thought you might enjoy a look.
An old aerial photograph allows the viewer to see how Fletcher Cove had changed between 1923 and 2023.
In 1923, Colonel Ed Fletcher began a project that would provide easy public access to the beach. High pressure water sprayed with a fire hose would carve a path down to the beach through the sandstone bluffs.
On July 4, 1924, Fletcher Cove opened with great fanfare!
Walk for a few minutes south down Seacoast Drive from Imperial Beach Boulevard and you will come to the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge Viewing Station.
Near a pair of benches, two free scopes allow curious people to view the wide green Tijuana River Estuary and search for birds. Four information signs help describe what is seen.
I took photos of the signs, but glare from the bright sun can make them difficult to read. I altered the contrast quite a bit.
The first sign explains that Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge is the largest remaining coastal wetland in Southern California.
The Tijuana River touches the lands and lives of people of three nations: the Kumeyaay Indian Nation, United States, and Mexico. Starting in the mountains of Baja California, the river crosses the international border just four miles from here before emptying into the Pacific Ocean…
In 1903, President Theodore Roosevelt established the first wildlife refuge in Florida. Today there are more than 560 refuges… Tijuana Slough shares the mission of all refuges: to conserve wildlife, restore habitat, and protect threatened and endangered species for the benefit of present and future generations.
More than 370 species of birds frequent this area, including six threatened or endangered species, four of which can be seen from this spot. High diversity means healthy habitat, where many species find food and a safe place to rest or nest.
The landscape in front of you might appear flat and quiet, but there is more than meets the eye. Between the beach behind you and the bluffs at the southern end of this reserve, inches of elevation and slight changes in water level and chemistry create many different habitats–each specially suited to a surprising diversity of plants and animals. From the elusive long-tailed weasel hunting rodents to the tiny pygmy blue butterfly perching on pickleweed, fascinating creatures are everywhere.
This place has a pulse, and just like you, it depends on healthy circulation. At high tide, oxygen-rich ocean water pumps into the marsh, while the ebb of water at low tide carries sediment out to sea…
Scientists constantly monitor the marsh’s vital signs. Data loggers, placed around the estuary, record and transmit temperature, oxygen level, water level, and more…
The Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, one of 29 and counting, was established by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to study how human activities and natural events affect estuarine habitats in the United States. People that work at the reserve include staff from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, California State Parks, City and County of San Diego, the U.S. Navy, and the Southwest Wetlands Interpretive Associates.
An old plaque is embedded in a nearby rock…
Tijuana Estuary Restoration Project
1.25 Acres
Dedicated March 24, 1999
Trying to put this plaque in context, I found this website.
Peer through one of the scopes and you might see a yellow-crowned night heron!
(At least, I believe that’s the species. I framed the nearby bird with my camera.)
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At either end of the 3800 block of Grim Avenue in North Park you might see a street sign. Honorary Lucky Lane.
A couple days ago I photographed the sign while walking down University Avenue. And I wondered: What makes this lane so lucky?
Well, this article provides an explanation. The block was renamed Lucky Lane last year after “Lucky” Wong, who opened Lucky’s Golden Phenix Restaurant on the corner of North Park Way and Grim Avenue in 1975.
Lucky was known and beloved by many in the community. He ran his restaurant for an incredible fifty years, kindly greeting and serving everyone, never changing his prices. Lucky died in December at 90 years old, in the restaurant where he lived.
A petition to change the block’s name to Lucky Lane quickly gathered signatures. Within weeks, more than 4,200 people signed.
North Park residents who traveled down this lane for half a century were indeed lucky. They were fortunate to have Lucky call the place home.
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The La Mesa Downtown District sign is rising on La Mesa Boulevard near Palm Avenue! The landmark arch, similar to many others in neighborhoods around San Diego, will welcome those entering the heart of La Mesa’s historic downtown.
Construction officially commenced in February. Yesterday I noticed the two supporting posts now stand on the opposing sidewalks, and several banners on fences announce the Future Home of the Downtown District Sign.
The La Mesa Park & Recreation Foundation website contains more details concerning the project, which has been spearheaded by the La Mesa Village Association.
The archway will feature two support columns adorned with a “Community Quilt” of 1,512 hand-painted tiles created by residents and local businesses.
As I walked up La Mesa Boulevard, I took several photos…
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Many improvements are currently being made to the Escondido Creek Trail!
An effort is being made to make the trail more inviting to pedestrians, bicyclists, and lovers of the outdoors.
New landscaping is coming, as evidenced by many flags in bare dirt. There are new shade structures and seating, and winding side paths. There is new paving, signage, bridge-spanning art, an exercise area, and even attractive brickwork that is being installed at one intersection!
Here’s a City of Escondido webpage that describes what I saw. It explains: This project aims to encourage safe and healthy lifestyles through an improved sense of security, enhanced street crossings, fitness and play amenities, native and CA-friendly landscaping, and further opportunities for walking and jogging in addition to improvements to the bike path. The goal is to revitalize the Creek Trail Corridor through enhanced activities and partnerships with local businesses, artists, schools, and other organizations.
My photographs were taken along a relatively short section of the Escondido Creek Trail, between Juniper Street and Fig Street…
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Chula Vista’s new Sweetwater Park on San Diego Bay is a place where our natural environment is protected and celebrated. Visitors can enjoy long walking trails that wind among native plants.
In the Council Ring near the restrooms and parking lot, an easy circular path features many such plants, and two informative signs explain how these plants were an important part of Kumeyaay culture.
Ethnobotany is explained as the study of how different cultures use plants native to their environments. This includes plants that provide food, medicine, shelter, soaps, fibers, dyes, waxes and more. The Kumeyaay people, who have lived in the San Diego region for thousands of years, have a deep ethnobotanical knowledge and connection to their surrounding environment.
Visitors are invited to look for certain plants, such as Sugar Bush, California Buckwheat, Mulefat and Bladderpod. Did you know that tea made from Singlewhorl Burrobush has been used to control dandruff? Or that boiled root of Lanceleaf Liveforever has been used to treat asthma?
Pause at these signs during your visit to Sweetwater Park and learn more about the history of our region, and the native inhabitants the natural environment has supported.
Look for other signs around the park identifying plants, too!
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The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile was in Santee today for Fido Fest! The iconic vehicle attracted lots of curious people, who could even enjoy a peek inside!
I took photos!
The two smiling drivers (hotdoggers) were greeting everybody and passing out hotdog whistles. Several signs on the grass nearby provided information about the Wienermobile. I learned there are six wieners-on-wheels that travel around the country.
Let’s see . . .
The Wienermobile weighs the same as 140,500 hot dogs. It has a hot dog shaped dashboard. It has a ketchup walkway and condiment splattered carpet. The bunroof is removable. It has an official Wiener Jingle horn…
Also, Carl Mayer, nephew of Oscar Mayer, designed the first Wienermobile in 1936…
The next sign contains images of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile through the years…
I had a fast look inside. Looks quite comfortable!
Okay! Let’s all sing along!
My bologna has a first name, it’s O-S-C-A-R…
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Whenever I walk through Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, I take photographs of the Pedrorena-Altamirano House. For some reason, however, I never get around to posting those photos!
Here we go, finally. These images were captured at various times under different light conditions.
As a sign on the front porch explains, the adobe and wood frame house was built by Miguel de Pedrorena Jr. in 1869 and deeded to his sister Isabel, wife of José Antonio Altamirano, in 1871. Hence its name. In Spanish the house is called Casa de Pedrorena de Altamirano.
In the 1890s it was remodeled as a Victorian bungalow, and in 1932 the house was listed as a California Historical Landmark. California State Parks rehabilitated the structure in 1982.
Today, as you can see, it’s home of Miner’s Gems and Minerals. That explains the mining equipment visitors discover in back.
The next photos were taken behind the house…
As you can see, there’s a plaque…
The plaque provides more interesting history. It reads:
Casa de Pedrorena de Altamirano
Miguel Pedrorena Jr. built this adobe structure in 1869. It was the final adobe built in Old Town. In January 1871 Pedrorena gave the building to his sister Isabel de Altamirano, joining together two pioneer California families. Isabel and her husband Jose Antonio Altamirano raised their large family in this home. Isabel’s father, Miguel Pedrorena, was a prominent merchant in Mexican California, and represented the San Diego area at the California State Constitutional Convention held in 1849. Jose Antonio Altamirano was born in La Paz, Lower California in 1835, but came to San Diego in 1849 to explore the mining possibilities of the area. He also engaged in stock raising ventures on both sides of the border.
HISTORICAL LANDMARK #70
Now let’s circle around the house and return to the front…
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Walking this morning through downtown San Diego’s Gaslamp Quarter, I photographed these two fun sights!
First is the F Street entrance sign for the old Horton Plaza parking structure. A playful jester welcomes motorists to what used to be a unique and very popular shopping mall!
Next, a sidewalk vent structure was painted to appear like Star War’s R2-D2!
You can spot this fun street art in front of Kutthroat Downtown barber shop at 437 Market Street.
Have you spotted native wildlife in the city near the San Diego River? It’s possible to sight unexpected wild animals in our urban environment!
At the east end of the SDSU Mission Valley river park, near Murphy Canyon Creek, beside Interstate 15, a sign shows some of the Animals of the San Diego River.
Featured on the sign are: Coyote, Southern Mule Deer, Bobcat, Desert Cottontail, American Badger and Southern Pacific Rattlesnake.
There’s a good chance you’ve observed coyotes, cottontails and even rattlesnakes, but how about those other critters?
Walk near this sign along the Ben & Nikki Clay San Diego River Trail, and you might experience an unexpected wildlife sighting!
