Tag: spring

Orchard blooms at Stein Farm in National City!

You can tell it’s Spring in National City, because the orchard behind the Stein Family Farm is becoming ever more colorful. Many of the fruit trees–from plums to apricots to pears–are beginning to blossom!

During my walk through the South Bay today, I was intercepted by historian and Stein Family Farm caretaker Christopher Pro. He remembered that I had blogged about the historic farm a couple years ago after he gave me an incredible tour. See all of those photographs by clicking here. (You might recall, they have many farm animals, which kids love!)

The farm, located in the middle of urban National City, continues to educate students on field trips, host meetings of local clubs and organizations, and offer their picturesque venue for weddings and other special occasions. The farm is open free to the public on Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm.

If you’ve never toured the Stein Farm, this coming Saturday, March 29, 2025 would be the perfect time! A bunch of plein air painters will be present and doing their thing! On top of that, Christopher, who is an ardent art collector, will be displaying pieces from his collection!

Check out the Stein Family Farm website here!

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Spring exhibition of ikebana in San Diego!

Another perfect Sunday in San Diego. Another amazing ikebana Japanese flower arrangement show in Balboa Park!

The 57th Annual Spring Exhibition “Nature in Balance” by Ikebana International San Diego Chapter #119 was held this weekend in Balboa Park’s Casa del Prado. Even though I’ve been to many of these shows, I couldn’t resist walking into Room 101 to experience exquisite beauty that never grows old.

I’ve said it before. Every single ikebana flower arrangement is a visual poem.

If you didn’t make the show this year, go to the organization’s website and see what free exhibitions are coming up. Or become a member!

Here are a few photos…

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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.

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Cherry blossoms bloom around Japanese Friendship Bell!

The Japanese cherry trees are in bloom on San Diego’s Shelter Island around the Japanese Friendship Bell!

Beautiful pink cherry blossoms now surround the traditional bronze bell, forged in Japan and given to San Diego in 1958 by its Sister City Yokohama.

The Sakura Grove (sakura in Japanese means a flowering cherry tree) was planted during the Japan-U.S. Nationwide Centennial Cherry Blossom Tree Planting in 2012. A nearby plaque explains the grove is a living symbol of friendship between the people of Japan and San Diego.

In 2022, I experienced the sublime ringing of the almost two and a half ton Japanese Friendship Bell. That doesn’t happen very often. If you’d like to read about the bell ringing and see those photographs, click here.

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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.

Feel free to share!

First sunrise of Spring in Balboa Park’s rose garden.

It’s the first morning of Spring. As the sun rose over the mountains east of San Diego, the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden in Balboa Park awakened.

The few rose blooms that have already opened caught the early light and became even more beautiful.

I was there to take capture a bit of the transformation.

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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.

Feel free to share!

Springing toward Spring in Balboa Park!

Daylight Savings began last night, causing everyone in San Diego to spring forward one hour. Can you believe it? In less than two weeks Spring will have sprung!

It’s beginning to look a lot like Spring in Balboa Park!

Today was a warm sunny Sunday, with thousands of visitors enjoying the park’s museums, gardens, the weekly organ concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion, and picnics on the grass.

I wandered about…

Cherry blossoms have added color to the Lower Garden at the Japanese Friendship Garden. Their big Cherry Blossom Festival is next weekend!
The sun has been rising higher and higher, so rented umbrellas are a welcome thing during another free Sunday afternoon concert at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
You can always find lots of bright color in the House of Mexico cottage.
I noticed more and more flowers. These were blooming near the Balboa Park Club building.
Kid runs down a bright green hill at Inspiration Point.
What’s all this activity in front of Balboa Park’s Activity Center?
It’s the epic annual Thursday Club Rummage Sale! That means it must be almost spring!
Across Park Boulevard, a banner promotes the 33rd Annual Multi-Cultural Earth Day, coming Sunday, April 20th, at the WorldBeat Cultural Center.
A perfect sunny day for car enthusiasts to show off their wheels in the park!
It’s even greener than usual between the House of Hospitality and the Casa de Balboa.
A fine Spring-like day in San Diego’s beautiful Balboa Park.
Nature’s beauty in the Zoro Garden.
Flowers are growing in the large beds in the Alcazar Garden!
Enjoying life on the warm grass on Balboa Park’s West Mesa.

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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.

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Spring colors in the hidden Zoro Garden.

If you don’t venture down into Balboa Park’s mostly hidden Zoro Garden, you won’t experience its colorful spring flowers that are now in bloom.

I headed to Balboa Park for a special Memorial Day program today, but I had a couple of hours to wander around. I’m so glad I caught a small glimpse of this color as I walked along El Prado. I couldn’t resist turning down a path that descends into the park’s sunken stone grotto garden.

Look at all the flowers! And another hidden surprise!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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.

Photos of Spring colors in Balboa Park!

The colors of life in Balboa Park become even more vivid in Spring. New flowers, bright greenery, San Diego’s sunlight on amazing architecture, sunshine on smiling people…

Here’s another collection of colorful photographs. I took these today while walking in one of the world’s most amazing parks.

Read the photo captions to learn a little more about each image!

New friends meet in Balboa Park.

A tour of Balboa Park stops on El Prado to learn some San Diego history. In the background, Garden Stewards tend to flowers near the reflecting pool, and beyond them rises the Botanical Building, which is being renovated.’

Spring flowers and the incredible wood lath Botanical Building, which is being rebuilt.

A closer photo of the Botanical Building’s major restoration.

Spring colors at the San Diego Epiphyllum Society’s big Plant Sale outside the Casa del Prado.

Spring flowers around the fountain at the center of Balboa Park’s Plaza de Panama.

Bicycles and spring colors outside the House of Hospitality.

Spring into Summer at the Prado Perk!

A peaceful bench near flowers and grass at the edge of the Casa del Rey Moro Garden.

A perfect day for a bike ride through the park.

Beautiful roses at the International Cottages.

A garland of flowers inside the House of Sweden’s cottage.

The Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration will take place next Saturday at the International Cottages in Balboa Park.

The Spreckels Organ Pavilion is a favorite spot for elegant photography.

Models wearing handmade Oaxacan fashions smile in Balboa Park. They represent Floresita Customs & Imports!

A painting class in the park. There is inspiration around every corner.

A painter in the Plaza de Panama interprets scenery in Balboa Park.

Chet play his guitar beautifully as usual.

Mitchell pauses with his didgeridoo to talk to a passerby.

The weekend Glass Show and Sale fills the Spanish Village Art Center with many colors.

Stunning glasswork for sale is displayed on many tables.

A sale!

Glass artist Melissa Heaney has created some truly extraordinary pieces.

What’s a Spring day without a ride on the fun Balboa Park Carousel?

A family rides over green grass on the Balboa Park Miniature Railroad.

Nearby flowers are super abundant!

The very colorful Balboa Park Pow Wow is held every year around Mother’s Day.

Native American culture comes to life in Balboa Park. It’s another beautiful, soulful Spring weekend.

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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 (formerly known as Twitter)!

Spring blooms at Japanese Friendship Garden!

Spring is in full bloom at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park!

On this sunny day, many visitors were walking through scenes of lush natural beauty.

In the Lower Garden the cherry blossoms were still like clouds of pink through which anyone could serenely amble. Being the third Tuesday of the month, San Diego residents could enter the garden for free. Lots of families took advantage!

As I walked along the high path near JFG’s newest waterfall, I noticed that an azumaya is under construction. An azumaya is defined as a traditional arbor or summer pavilion found in formal Japanese gardens.

These photographs show how dreamy the garden now appears.

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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 (formerly known as Twitter)!

The Rady Shell gets ready for a new season!

It’s now April. The days are getting warmer. The sky has turned a deeper blue. The San Diego Symphony is preparing their outdoor venue The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park for a new season!

The Shell’s red seats were being taken out of storage today in preparation for upcoming concerts. The very first concert, in a couple weeks, will be Lang Lang by the Bay. A couple days later, Peter Frampton will take the stage. And about a week later, Willie Nelson! Yes, lots of musical superstars will be swinging by San Diego in 2024. See the full schedule by clicking here!

I remember the very first concert held in 2021 back when The Shell was brand new. If you want to see photos of the historic opening concert of The Rady Shell, click here!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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 (formerly known as Twitter)!

Volunteers beautify a Balboa Park garden!

A group of volunteer Garden Stewards were busy in Balboa Park today working in the Casa del Rey Moro Garden!

Garden Stewards were trimming plants, pulling weeds, sweeping away debris, and contributing to the celebrated beauty of this elegant Moorish garden behind the House of Hospitality.

When you walk through Balboa Park, especially on a weekend, there’s a good chance you’ll see these volunteers working in one or more of the park’s eighteen gardens. Their efforts supplement work performed by City of San Diego Parks and Recreation Department employees.

Now that Spring is here, expect to see happy Garden Stewards working their magic among many colorful flowers! Say hello! They like that!

Do you love sunshine, plants and flowers? Do you live in San Diego? Would you like to become a Garden Steward and magnify the beauty of our city? Check out this web page to learn more!

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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!

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 (formerly known as Twitter)!