Take a look at these very colorful fantasy characters! They were spotted roaming about the San Diego County Fair, thrilling children and adults alike!
The San Diego County Fair’s theme in 2026 is Once Upon a Fair.
The Del Mar Fairgrounds in summer is where San Diegans go for boundless fun. This year the magical place has been infused with fantastic characters from human imagination and the pages of beloved books!
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Look at this beautiful, smiling face. It was painted on a wall beside University Avenue in City Heights. Back in 2019 I photographed another long mural along this wall, but little of that faded, vandalized mural remains visible.
You can find this colorful street art near 50th Street. I didn’t see a signature when I walked past it this afternoon.
When old street art passes away, inspired artists leap into action. New life springs up!
I enjoyed a big adventure today. My long walk along University Avenue included Hillcrest, North Park, City Heights . . . and continued all the way to College Avenue!
I took oodles of photographs, so lots of fun blog posts are coming up!
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Valentine’s Day is coming up next Saturday. I noticed today that Balboa Park is getting ready. Hearts are appearing all over San Diego’s dearly beloved park!
First, look what I found when I stepped into the Balboa Park Visitors Center. Smiles and matching hearts!
I noticed Valentine’s Day balloons in the Plaza de Panama…
The 50th Annual Small Image Show is taking place in Spanish Village’s Gallery 21, now called the Village Arts Outreach Gallery. The free exhibition continues through Sunday, February 22, 2026.
I found a heart among the small works of art!
Here’s a beautiful kiln formed glass heart created by Spanish Village artist Jackie Murphy.
Perhaps not the heart you were expecting! One of many unique works at the San Diego Sculptors Guild seems made for pumping . . . love?
I found another heart–this time in the House of France cottage at the International Cottages.
This cool old 1909 International Harvester 5-Passenger Tourer at the San Diego Automotive Museum has a big heart!
Sign in the House of Germany cottage states: Balboa Park is the heart of San Diego! Keep it FREE for Everyone!
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I ran into these good people this morning before the start of San Diego’s annual Holiday Bowl Parade. They operate the Char Car!
What’s the Char Car? A vehicle that celebrates Pokémon character Charmander, and that delivers books to kids in hospitals, schools and libraries!
Dr. Elizabeth Valles is a member of this smiling gang. She works at Rady Children’s Hospital. You might have seen her on KUSI television the other day. She was honored as KUSI Community Champion for her #ReadingonFire literacy campaigns. She and her team make the lives of children so much better, by promoting child literacy and spreading happiness.
Follow the Char Car’s Instagram page by clicking here. You can learn about their future events and perhaps even help them out!
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Ready for Christmas in San Diego? The merry-go-round in Balboa Park is!
The Balboa Park Carousel brings joy to all those who climb aboard. I hope this Christmas and Holiday Season bring all of my readers happiness. Have a Happy New Year, too!
A powerful winter rainstorm is arriving in San Diego. Stay warm and safe!
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If you’d like to see San Diego through my lens, find the “Follow” box in the sidebar to receive new posts in your email, or bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
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The Giving Machine has returned to Old Town San Diego in time for the holiday season. Operate this unique donation vending machine and you’ll generously help those less fortunate than you.
The many different charities that can benefit from your donation are mostly local, but you can help those who live in poverty around the world, too. You choose which charity to help, and they receive one hundred percent of your donation!
This is the second year of San Diego’s Giving Machine. It’s a project of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The people I met in the above photo were super nice, even though my personal beliefs are very different. They want to do good in this world.
I learned that last year, this same machine outperformed every other machine out there, in over a hundred international cities! That’s impressive.
The Giving Machine is located on Twiggs Street again, a bit up the street from last year. It stands on the patio in front of the old Cygnet Theatre building. If you visit Old Town during the holidays, you might see it.
Why not spread a little human kindness?
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If you’d like to see San Diego through my lens, find the “Follow” box in the sidebar to receive new posts in your email, or bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
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I saw Mrs. Claus today! She was reading a storybook at the big, colorful Holiday in the Village event in downtown La Mesa!
I also saw multiple Santas, a couple Grinches, lots of Christmas trees, families and kids having tons of fun, and vendors selling food and festive gifts along several blocks of La Mesa Boulevard! A stage featured entertainment, and an ice rink featured slippery fun!
(Unrelated, but I also saw a poster in a window indicating the La Mesa landmark arch sign is now being fabricated!)
Look! A friendly writer!
Reina Salome is an author of inspirational fiction and poetry. One of her books is Finding Christmas in the Heart. Check out her stuff on Amazon by clicking here.
Be Merry and Bright!
These kids who love sewing made amazing “travel dollhouses” that festival-goers could purchase!
Check out their “My Darling Home” creations on Instagram here!
Smiles from The Salvation Army Kroc Center!
Feeling inspired this holiday season? Help them do good in the community by clicking here!
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If you’d like to see San Diego through my lens, find the “Follow” box in the sidebar to receive new posts in your email, or bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
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My friends in Balboa Park’s Senior Lounge told me the AgeWell Services Holiday Dance was taking place this afternoon, so I had to poke my nose into the Balboa Park Club building to see what might be going on. What did I find? All sorts of fun holiday sights!
Folks were enjoying a break between dances when I arrived, so I just wandered about the big ballroom.
I spied Santa, Frosty, the Grinch, silly elf Minions, very beautiful Christmas trees, and a sparkling variety of colorful holiday decorations! Happy people, too!
Look what I found!
A smiling, dancing Christmas tree!
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If you’d like to see San Diego through my lens, find the “Follow” box in the sidebar to receive new posts in your email, or bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
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The San Diego Floral Association is putting on another Festival of Trees during this year’s December Nights. The glittering roomful of uniquely decorated Christmas trees is one of the December Night’s most beloved attractions!
A whole host of San Diego and Balboa Park organizations were getting their Christmas trees ready today when I peeked into Room 101 of the Casa del Prado. The trees are decorated to reflect the organization they represent.
The Festival of Trees will actually have a special preview today, Thursday, December 4, 2025. The public can freely enjoy the sparkling displays from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Imagine the room darkened and hundreds of bright tree lights on!
There will be cookies available for purchase, too!
Of course, the trees will be on display throughout December Nights on Friday and Saturday. The Festival of Trees typically has a sign out on El Prado directing visitors in. Look for it!
Hello! Folks from the Balboa Park Senior Lounge, as they added ornaments to their (ever so slightly leaning) tree, gave my camera a big smile!
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If you’d like to see San Diego through my lens, find the “Follow” box in the sidebar to receive new posts in your email, or bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
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The Savannah Bananas have arrived in San Diego. They will be playing their wacky Banana Ball today and tomorrow at Petco Park. I’m told the wildly popular event is sold out!
A crew was setting up a row of canopies north of Petco Park’s Gallagher Square, where there will be fun activities for fans. I see there will be loads of yellow Savannah Banana merchandise for sale.
I happened to walk this morning down J Street. I took these photos. Lots of smiles!
So, what, you wonder is Banana Ball and how is it different than baseball? Check out the website here.
Among a bunch of strange rules are: batters can steal first base, batters are out if a fan catches a foul ball in the stands, no walks are allowed, no bunts are allowed, there’s a two hour time limit . . . and other peculiar, exciting stuff.
I hear players at Savannah Banana games do choreographed dances and engage in trick plays.
The Savannah Bananas are sort of like the Harlem Globetrotters–but baseball.
Get ready to Go Bananas!
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
