Tag: south bay

New website follows the life of San Ysidro.

There’s a brand new website that follows the life and history of San Ysidro. It’s called San Ysidro Archive.

I learned about this new community resource today during my visit to The FRONT gallery and cultural center in San Ysidro.

San Ysidro Archive‘s stated mission is to serve as a living repository for the countercultural histories of 92173. By documenting local activism, joy, and resilience, the archive curates a communal memory that thrives independently of the border.

The website collects old and new photographs that people can contribute. It also tells the stories of individuals who make San Ysidro their home, including business owners, artists, longtime residents, and everyone in between. The website also helps people stay up to date with what is going on in the neighborhood through upcoming events, recent happenings, or ways to get involved.

What an awesome community project!

The San Ysidro Archive website is up and running, even though it officially launches in a couple days. I encourage you to check it out today!

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Casa Familiar art collection exhibited in San Ysidro!

Casa Familiar has been serving residents of South San Diego County since 1968. Over those many years, the organization has amassed a collection of art that represents the life and culture of the South Bay border community. Through the collection, preservation, and exhibition of art, Casa Familiar promotes and encourages appreciation for the vibrant artistic community it serves.

Casa Familiar operates a gallery and cultural gathering space called The FRONT in San Ysidro. Today–and for about another week–The FRONT is home to an exhibition of pieces from Casa Familiar’s art collection. The exhibition is titled MOMENTOUS.

The exhibit contains four distinct sections: transborder culture, the poetics of living, the original people of this land, and art created for Casa Familiar’s annual ABRAZO Award.

I stopped by today to enjoy this important exhibition. The artwork is not only quite good, but it stems from each local artist’s personal experience, and is emotionally stirring. The image of a heart enters much of the art.

I was amazed and happy to learn some of the fine pieces were created by individuals that Casa Familiar has assisted!

Abrazo Award 2015, by David Flores, watercolor on Arches paper.
Bodies, by Andrea Echeverri, high temperature glaze ceramic.
Untitled, 2004, by Paulino Marquez, oil painting.
Mi Abuelita, mi nietecita, 2015, by Arturo Rodriguez Torija, photo print.
Triptych, 2014, by Jamex and Einar De La Torre, photo transfer on metal.
Hotel Nelson, 2024, by Paola “Panca” Villaseñor, acrylic on wood.

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Nature murals near Gaylord Resort in Chula Vista.

Last weekend, while walking around the new Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in Chula Vista, I stumbled upon these three very beautiful murals. They’re located near the water park at the southwest corner of the resort, next to the roundabout at the end of H Street. They decorate a small plaza.

The artist of all three murals is Lauren Elyse S. According to information beside each mural, she’s a San Diego interdisciplinary artist who loves the medium of paint and how brushstrokes communicate mood and energy. You can see her love for nature in the images she created!

I’ve noticed the Gaylord Resort has also placed informative signs about our natural environment in various spots near outdoor walkways. Very cool!

Lilac, Pine, Cypress, Sage by artist Lauren Elyse S., 2025. A painted landscape, inspired by the radiant light in Chula Vista.
Spilled Honey by artist Lauren Elyse S., 2025. Inspired by spring plant life in the mountains of Chula Vista.
Coral Hour by artist Lauren Elyse S., 2025. Depicting the trees of Chula Vista Bayfront Park, with the Coronado Bay Bridge in the background.

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A Day at the Park in National City!

Lots of families came out to A Day at the Park in National City today! The fun waterfront event was held at Pepper Park, thanks to the Port of San Diego.

There was free food, plus live entertainment by the San Diego Symphony, Mariachi Nuevo Aguadulce, and others. For the kids there was face painting and henna tattoos. Many community organizations showed up as well.

The Port of San Diego was demonstrating how they are electrifying their maritime operations to help protect the environment.

I also learned how the National City Historical Society is trying to save Granger Music Hall, an architecturally important building designed by Irving Gill and on the National Register of Historic Places. If you’re curious about their efforts, or would like to help, check out this webpage.

I was eager to see how Pepper Park’s major redevelopment has turned out. I’d seen the new beach during my last visit, but now there’s also the pirate-themed playground and splash pad!

As you can see from my photos, the park has become truly amazing! People who reside in National City and San Diego’s South Bay are very fortunate!

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Petition to save Chula Vista’s official tall ship!

I’ve recently learned a bit of unsettling news. A petition has been launched to save Bill of Rights as Chula Vista’s official tall ship.

Here is the text of the petition:

The Schooner Bill of Rights has called Chula Vista, CA home for decades. In fact, she is the official tall ship of the city. Recently, we were notified that her home dock had decided to terminate our lease…and we have less than 2 months until the date they’ve decided we have to leave.

The Bill of Rights has been instrumental in thousands of people’s lives, between Sea Cadets, Boy Scouts, and sailors from around the world. We want the lease renewed so we can continue to be an accessible, contributing member of our local community and to the tall ship community as a whole.

If you have known her personally, please share how she has affected you and why it was so important. We’d love to hear from you.

Please, sign and save the Bill!

To visit the petition website, and perhaps add your own name and remarks, click here.

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Help preserve history, education in Chula Vista!

The historic tall ship Bill of Rights makes its home in Chula Vista Marina. Launched in 1971, today it offers charters, tours and, perhaps most importantly, it is an asset used for training youth interested in careers at sea. Bill of Rights is used by the U.S. Navy Sea Cadets, Navy Junior ROTC, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and others.

The all-volunteer South Bayfront Sailing Association owns and operates Bill of Rights. An over half-century-old wooden schooner needs a lot of maintenance. Right now the original decking is being replaced. Captain Don Johnson is an expert carpenter, fortunately, but to redeck the beautiful, historic yacht in the most economical way practical still takes significant money.

Lately, the youth organizations that train on Bill of Rights have seen a significant reduction in their own funds. That has placed the South Bayfront Sailing Association in a position of needing donations from local businesses and generous individuals to continue the programs.

Would you like to help preserve both history and education in Chula Vista?

Please visit the South Bayfront Sailing Association website by clicking here. Consider volunteering or making a donation. Simply visiting the tall ship and its nearby gift shop kiosk makes for a fun excursion. They’ll gladly give you a tour, too!

Everything you do helps a lot!

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The amazing Bill of Rights kiosk in Chula Vista!

An incredible tall ship makes its home in Chula Vista. Walk along the Chula Vista Marina and you’re bound to see the beautiful Bill of Rights at her dock.

Nearby, a kiosk is operated by the South Bayfront Sailing Association, which maintains and operates Bill of Rights.

The Bill of Rights is a historic, 136 foot gaff rigged schooner launched in 1971. Here’s their website. The tall ship is open to tours, charters and is often used to train U.S. Navy Sea Cadets, members of Navy Junior ROTC, and other youth organizations.

Last time I walked along the marina, I noticed the tall ship’s kiosk was open. So I took a peek inside!

Look at all the amazing stuff I discovered! In addition to lots of great gifts, there’s an art gallery featuring the work of local artists. As you might imagine, a nautical theme prevails.

I was greeted by the smile of Susan. She informed me the kiosk is open from 9 to 11 am, Tuesday through Sunday. It is operated entirely by volunteers. (They welcome new volunteers, too!)

I encourage a visit. The “Gallery & Gifts” kiosk is located at 604 Marina Parkway. By purchasing a souvenir or beautiful art, you’ll be supporting the educational programs of Bill of Rights, too!

My final photograph shows the October, 1971 issue of Sailing magazine. That’s Bill of Rights on the cover!

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Sweetwater Park native garden teaches ethnobotany.

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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Beautiful murals at Flowers Tino in Chula Vista!

Without a doubt, these two murals delight the eyes of people driving down Third Avenue in south Chula Vista. Very beautiful artwork is painted on two sides of the Flowers Tino flower shop!

Both murals were created years ago by San Diego artist David Mena (@menamurals).

The bright, colorful images are bursting with many different types of flowers. It’s like a vertical garden with a bit of added Toltec imagery!

Here’s the amazing mural on the north side:

And here’s the south side:

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Beautiful historical mosaic at Chula Vista bank.

Perhaps you’ve seen this beautiful mosaic while driving through downtown Chula Vista. It decorates the California Bank and Trust building at 444 Third Avenue.

The mosaic mural was the creation of internationally renowned artist and architectural designer Millard Owen Sheets. He with the help of other Sheets Studio artists produced many such mosaics for Home Savings Bank branches around Southern California. Perhaps you’ve seen his work in Pacific Beach and Coronado.

This particular mosaic in Chula Vista was created in 1987. It depicts ocean waves and seagulls. According to this website, it was worked on by Denis O’Connor, Monika Scharff; Studio MosaicArt Colledani Milan/NOVA Designs; Kathryn Yelsa.

The mosaic mural stretches horizontally just below the bank’s rooftop. Situated high up, partially obscured by nearby trees, it can be easy to miss. Pause on the sidewalk below to enjoy this very beautiful, historical public art!

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