Tag: skyscrapers

Mysterious morning fog in downtown San Diego.

Flags, palm trees and early morning fog on Cortez Hill in San Diego.
Flags, palm trees and early morning fog on Cortez Hill in San Diego.

My walk early this morning was a real treat. Magical, mysterious fog had crept during the night into the very heart of downtown San Diego, where I live. High skyscrapers disappeared into the gray. Please enjoy a few photos…

The historic El Cortez Hotel seems to vanish into the gray morning fog.
The historic El Cortez Hotel building seems to vanish into the gray morning fog.
Many seagulls were enjoying the fog, and were circling over the city streets everywhere I walked.
Many seagulls were enjoying the fog, and were circling over the city streets everywhere I walked.
Skyscrapers aren't scraping so much this morning. They are being softly engulfed by the elements!
Skyscrapers aren’t scraping so much this morning. They are being softly engulfed by the elements!
Looking up toward the unusually thick fog past a San Diego Symphony banner downtown.
Looking up into the unusually thick fog past a San Diego Symphony banner downtown.
An Orange Line trolley heads down a quiet C Street.
An Orange Line trolley heads down a quiet C Street.
Cranes and construction next to several high towers, in a San Diego fog.
Cranes and construction next to several high towers, in a San Diego fog.
The magical, mysterious fog made the forms of buildings seem like abstract things emerging from some other world.
The magical, mysterious fog made the forms of buildings appear like abstract shapes emerging from some other world.
Looking down Kettner Boulevard past Santa Fe Depot and America Plaza into the distant fog.
Looking down Kettner Boulevard past Santa Fe Depot and America Plaza into the distant fog.
A fairly heavy fog made downtown San Diego appear very atmospheric and mysterious this morning. I loved walking through it!
An unusual fog made downtown San Diego appear very atmospheric and mysterious this morning. I loved walking through it!

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A quiet spot in bustling downtown San Diego.

View of skyscrapers from Pantoja Park in San Diego's Marina District.
View of skyscrapers from Pantoja Park in San Diego’s Marina District.

Downtown San Diego might be a bit more laid back than other big cities, but it’s still a bustling place. And so it feels good once in a while to just sit in a quiet, green place to relax.

Pantoja Park is a welcome patch of tranquility in the Marina District of downtown San Diego. Registered as a San Diego Historic Landmark, it was created in 1850 and is the city’s oldest park. The park was named after Don Juan Pantoja y Arriola, a Spanish navigator who drew the first map of San Diego Bay in 1782. A couple centuries ago ships would periodically enter the bay to supply the old Spanish presidio.

Fringed with gleaming skyscrapers, Pantoja Park today contains one notable sight: a statue of Benito Juarez, by Mexican artist Ernesto Tamariz, which was a gift to San Diego from the Mexican government in 1981.

I happened to walk through recently, so I took several pics…

Statue of Benito Juarez, a gift from the Mexican government.
Statue of Benito Juarez, a friendly gift from the Mexican government.
Plaque on statue of Benito Juarez, who served as the president of Mexico for five terms.
Plaque on bronze statue of Benito Juarez, who served as the president of Mexico for five terms.
Some cool public art on a trash can in Pantoja Park.
Some cool public art on a trash can in Pantoja Park.
Caffeine can be found across the street near the Seaport Village trolley station.
Caffeine can be found across the street near the Seaport Village trolley station.
Pantoja Park is a welcome, quiet grassy area in the midst of downtown San Diego's bustle.
Pantoja Park is a welcome, quiet grassy area in the midst of downtown San Diego’s bustle.

UPDATE!

Here’s a better pic of the statue I took on a later date…

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A walk down to the water during sunrise.

January sunrise tints calm water of San Diego Bay.
January sunrise tints smooth water of San Diego Bay.

I feel so fortunate to live where I do. Early this morning I walked from Cortez Hill down to the water just to see, feel and breathe in the sunrise.

Morning light is reflected jewel-like from Point Loma's windows across the bay.
Morning light reflected jewel-like from many Point Loma windows across San Diego Bay.
Sun is about to rise beyond the sleepy USS Midway. Photo taken from Broadway Pier.
Sun is about to rise beyond the sleepy USS Midway. Photo taken from the Broadway Pier.
Sunlight reflects from silvery skyscraper beyond domes of the Santa Fe Depot.
Newborn daylight reflects from silvery skyscraper beyond domes of the Santa Fe Depot.
Birds take flight above palm trees in downtown San Diego.
As the sun lifts into the sky, birds take flight above palm trees in downtown San Diego.

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A shiny new skyscraper. A little old firehouse.

New Cisterra building rises behind Tony Gwynn statue at Petco Park in East Village.
New Cisterra building rises behind Tony Gwynn statue at Petco Park in East Village.

As the local economy has improved, I’ve noticed a spate of new construction underway in downtown San Diego. Several skyscrapers are on the rise!

Last weekend I walked past the rapidly progressing Cisterra building which will overlook East Village. It stands just a block north of Petco’s Park at the Park. The future home of gigantic Sempra Energy, the high-rise is being built directly next to one of San Diego’s most interesting old buildings: Fire Station 4. The beautiful little firehouse is San Diego’s oldest, dating from the 1930’s. Once the shiny new skyscraper is completed, the two buildings side-by-side will create quite a contrast!

New skyscraper in San Diego to be headquarters of Sempra Energy.
New skyscraper in San Diego to be headquarters of Sempra Energy.
Steel, glass and reflections make for interesting photos.
Steel lattice, glass grid and odd reflections make for an interesting photo.
Construction of this gleaming high-rise can be observed in downtown San Diego.
Construction of this gleaming high-rise can be observed in downtown San Diego.
Stately little Fire Station No. 4 beside new modern skyscraper.
Stately little Fire Station No. 4 beside new modern skyscraper.
This is the oldest firehouse in San Diego, in service since 1938.
This is the oldest firehouse in San Diego, in service since 1938.
Fire Station 4, built as a New Deal WPA project, is a designated historical landmark.
Fire Station 4, built as a New Deal WPA project, is a designated historical landmark.
Beautiful old San Diego firehouse at the foot of a shiny new skyscraper.
Beautiful old San Diego firehouse at the foot of what will be a shiny new skyscraper.

Here’s a bonus pic which I took on a morning in early February…

A rising skyscraper shines brightly in the early morning.
A rising skyscraper shines brightly in the early morning.

…and another I took in March…

Fire Station Number 4 at base of silvery, shiny new skyscraper.
Fire Station Number 4 at base of silvery, shiny new skyscraper.

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A few glimpses upward around San Diego.

Helicopters and clouds above San Diego Bay.
Helicopters and clouds above San Diego Bay.

Life at eye level can be so darn busy that I often forget to look upward.  Occasionally I remember there’s a world above me.  Here are a few recorded glimpses.

A whale atop Seaport Village's Pier Cafe swims above a flying gull.
A whale atop Seaport Village’s Pier Cafe swims above a flying gull.
Palm trees rise beside high downtown skyscrapers.
Palm trees rise beside high downtown skyscrapers.
Downtown skyscraper reflecting early morning sunshine.
Downtown skyscraper reflecting early morning sunshine.
YMCA sign atop building near Emerald Plaza.
YMCA sign atop building near Emerald Plaza.
An old church bell is mounted on the roof of Old Town's Five and Dime General Store.
Old church bell mounted on roof of Old Town’s Five and Dime General Store.
Full moon rises behind clock tower at 12th and Imperial Transit Center.
Full moon behind clock tower at 12th and Imperial Transit Center.
America Plaza seen through palm trees.
America Plaza seen through palm trees.
Looking up at a shining cluster of condos and office buildings.
Looking up at a shining cluster of condos and office buildings.
Old clock on side of building at Sixth and Broadway.
Old clock on side of John D. Spreckels Building at Sixth and Broadway.
Gazing up the curved side of the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Gazing up the curved side of the San Diego Air and Space Museum.
Apex of the wood lath Botanical Building in Balboa Park.
Apex of the wood lath Botanical Building in Balboa Park.
Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter building behind branches.
Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter building behind branches.
Plane approaches San Diego International Airport high in sky during sunrise.
Plane approaches San Diego International Airport high in sky during sunrise.
Looking upward near Tom Ham's Lighthouse restaurant on Harbor Island.
Looking upward near Tom Ham’s Lighthouse restaurant on Harbor Island.

San Diego skyline and Tuna Harbor boats.

Fishing boats in Tuna Harbor and downtown skyscrapers.
Fishing boats in Tuna Harbor and downtown skyscrapers.

The above photograph was taken near the public pier that stretches into San Diego Bay from the G Street Mole. It can be found next to the top rated Fish Market restaurant, a bit south of the USS Midway. The picturesque skyline rises behind a number of inactive fishing boats in the always interesting Tuna Harbor this fine sunny summer day.

San Diego’s Tuna Harbor decades ago was home to the largest tuna fishing fleet in the world. That was before fishing regulations and tuna populations shifted, sending most of the boats away. The American Tuna-Boat Association office is still located near the foot of the pier.

Here are a variety of pics taken at different times…

Fisherman heads to a boat in Tuna Harbor.
Fisherman heads to a boat in Tuna Harbor.
Ramp down to docks in San Diego's Tuna Harbor.
Ramp down to docks in San Diego’s Tuna Harbor.
Hyatt, Marriott and Hilton rise behind Tuna Harbor fishing boats.
Hyatt, Marriott and Hilton rise behind Tuna Harbor fishing boats.
A number of fishing vessels docked inside San Diego's Tuna Harbor.
A number of fishing vessels docked inside San Diego’s Tuna Harbor.
This typical small boat is part of the large local fishing fleet.
This typical small boat is part of the large local fishing fleet.
Colorful floats of different sizes tangled over the railing at edge of Tuna Harbor Pier.
Colorful floats of different sizes tangled over the railing along edge of the G Street Pier.
Fishing boats docked in Tuna Harbor next to downtown San Diego.
Fishing boats docked in Tuna Harbor next to downtown San Diego.
Lobster traps lined up on a Tuna Harbor dock.
Turning a bit to the right.  Lobster traps are lined up on a Tuna Harbor dock.
Fishermen sort sea urchins from large tank, to be sold at nearby public fish market.
Fishermen sort sea urchins from large tank, to be sold at nearby public fish market.
Gazing down one dock at a line of fishing vessels in San Diego.
Gazing down one dock at a line of fishing vessels in San Diego.
Small boat painted with various names, including Rambo!
Small boat painted with various names, including Rambo!
A clutter of work gear all along the wooden dock.
A clutter of work gear all along the wooden dock.
Downtown highrises in the blue sky behind a Tuna Harbor boat.
Downtown high-rises in the blue sky behind a Tuna Harbor boat.
USS Midway aircraft carrier museum can be seen beyond the fleet of fishing vessels.
USS Midway aircraft carrier museum can be seen beyond the fleet of fishing vessels.
Sun, wind, salt water and frequent use take a toll on these hard-working boats.
Sun, wind, salt water and frequent use take a toll on these hard-working boats.
Old navy boat has been converted for civilian purpose.
I believe this is an old Navy boat which has been converted for civilian purpose.
A couple more fishing boats tied up in beautiful San Diego Bay.
A couple more fishing boats tied up in beautiful San Diego Bay.
Many boats are out on Friday afternoon, seeking fresh fish for Saturday morning market.
Many boats are out on a Friday afternoon, seeking fresh fish for Saturday morning market.

That shiny cylinder-like drum will be mounted on the rear of a fishing boat, and used to unspool then haul in a very large net!

Blue sky, white clouds reflect on skyscraper.

blue sky and clouds reflected on skyscraper

This photo turned out pretty good! Wish I could say it was the result of incredible photographic skill! But I must admit to being lucky once in a while…

This dazzling downtown skyscraper, not far from the Santa Fe Depot, reflects the deep blue summer sky and broken white clouds in a truly spectacular way! Look closely, and you can also see the reflection of the One America Plaza building which stands directly across Broadway.

I love that most of the newer skyscrapers in San Diego are a shiny silver or blue or green–like gleaming ocean waves rising above the sandy tan-colored buildings at their feet. The color scheme gives the skyline a watery cool, light and inviting appearance.

Here come two fun pics I took of the same building on a later date…

Reflection on glass skyscraper of America Plaza across Broadway.
Reflection on shiny glass skyscraper of One America Plaza across Broadway.
Three tall buildings reflect from downtown San Diego window.
Three tall buildings near Santa Fe Depot reflect from downtown San Diego window.