A few diehards hang out as the North County Corvette Club’s Plastic Fantastic car show comes to an end on a drizzly Sunday afternoon.
San Diego was a wee bit damp today. Light showers off and on. May has been unusually wet this year, not unlike our winter.
Early this afternoon I walked along the Embarcadero with my hood up and my camera protected from water and wind. We residents of San Diego are spoiled by our city’s near perfect weather. When a drop or two falls, many become discombobulated. But others relish the change.
During my walk what did I discover?
Dancing in the rain–or light showers–by the gazebo in Seaport Village.An umbrella is at the ready near the Marriott Marina.One last look at some remaining Corvettes.Cool cars under overcast skies.A few cars remain parked on the grass of Embarcadero Marina Park North.See you next year. Hopefully the weather is sunny.A big puddle awaits a good number of visitors at Seaport Village.But the nearby pier is almost empty.Some fishermen docked at the pier are busy working. A little rain is just a little more water.Someone near the USS Midway has taken shelter under a tarp.A scooter and its reflection in another puddle.The showers have torn purple jacaranda blooms from nearby trees.An interesting pattern in wet wood on the Broadway Pier.The wind was blowing pretty hard, and flags were flapping wildly.Few were walking or running along the wet, chilly Embarcadero.Some tourists take a look at downtown and San Diego Bay from the dry comfort of an Old Town Trolley.The Port of San Diego and Maritime Museum are hosting a big Festival of the Sea this coming Memorial Day weekend. Rain or shine, you can bet I’ll be there!Clouds and wind observed from the passenger deck of the Maritime Museum’s steam ferry Berkeley.My street musician and artist friend Carlos assured me the sun would soon come out . . . and he was right!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
This morning I took a short hike through the west part of Peñasquitos Canyon. I started at the developed trailhead on Sorrento Valley Boulevard, and walked down the dirt trail to the historic El Cuervo adobe ruin, which I will blog about shortly.
It’s springtime, the air is warming, and the hills all about San Diego are bright yellow with blooming mustard. Many beautiful parts of Peñasquitos Canyon seem to have painted with an artist’s brush.
Even though most of the mustard one sees in San Diego isn’t native, the cheerful appearance of yellow hillsides reminds those who live in our city that summer is just around the bend.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
There was much to see and do at the 36th Annual Encinitas Spring Street Fair!
This morning I rode the Coaster north to Encinitas. It’s the weekend of the big annual Encinitas Spring Street Fair!
Lots of food, art and entertainment could be found along many blocks of South Coast Highway 101. As I slowly walked along, I made a whole bunch of cool discoveries. It seemed I encountered new surprises every few steps!
Several tents featured art that I particularly liked. I also met some interesting people, found out about noteworthy community projects, and learned a tiny bit about the history of Encinitas.
(Click photos that contain information and they will expand for much easier reading.)
People fill several blocks of scenic Highway 101 and enjoy a fine April weekend at the Encinitas Spring Street Fair.One of these artistic surfboards for sale has Encinitas written on it.One of the guys at the City of Encinitas booth had a smile!I spotted a fun map of Encinitas in a shop window. It illustrates many landmarks and local businesses in this awesome beach city.A dog heads over to smell some locally grown flowers.Some sweet treats to eat, and another smile!More yummy food on a grill.The local band Nathan & Jessie provide some sidewalk entertainment. Check out nathanandjessie.comSome silly stuff!Author Scott Sussman was autographing his kids books. His website is octopusinkpress.com. Weird the Beard sounds like several characters I know.Beautiful, translucent Scented Gem Candles in different fantastic shapes could be seen at the Gemtera table.Sea-themed artwork by Marea Baja. Check out mareabajadesigns.comHer sea glass mosaics are created from surf tumbled sea glass collected on the beach!The yellow “Old School Shave Ice” school bus has arrived!Someone walks their bike down Highway 101 past this beach sunset mural by @CloeHakakianEncinitas artist Carla Funk had many fantastic pieces displayed at her table.I LOVE YOU THIS MUCHCarla Funk offers Art Camp in Encinitas, featuring classes in ceramics, painting and drawing. Her website is ArtTilesByCarla.comI spun the prize wheel of North Island Credit Union and won some sunscreen, which I promptly put on my nose.The San Diego County Fair had a table with these free fans. The theme in 2019 is the Wizard of Oz! It’s gonna be OZsome!Think Possible Apparel has unique screen-printed shirts with tiny positive phrases forming cool designs. Check out ThinkPossibleApparel.comOfficers of the San Diego Sheriff’s Department Senior Volunteer Patrol told me they need volunteers. You can serve your community and meet cool friends!I’m greeted by a big smile above a collection of books! Teri is of Top Reads Publishing, found at topreadspublishing.comThese books are by authors around Southern California. If you’re an author or reader, learn more at sandiego.readlocal.orgHere’s some info concerning PWSD, Publishers and Writers of San Diego.These nice folks from @kinndproject sell shirts with a golden message. 10 meals are donated for each item purchased. Visit their website kinndproject.comkindness is goldenA vendor had this fun stuff at their table.Some cool t-shirts.It’s the Welcome Home Soldier Foundation. Help vets and get some salsa at whsfnow.orgThese amazing rope animals were made by an outstanding artist in Thailand named Nong.The Encinitas Lions Club had a table at the Spring Festival.Get a ticket for An American in Paris. Funds raised go toward a program that helps those who are blind learn to surf!Here’s my favorite of the festival. Pixie Village Cottages made from fallen logs by Dennis Patterson. Visit his website pixievillagecottages.comMembers of Team Paradox strike a pose!Team Paradox is a group of local high school students who build robots. They compete with other high school teams around California, the United States and the world!Somebody investigates the fascinating displays at the Encinitas Historical Society’s tent.I’m shown the Encinitas Historical Society’s 1883 Schoolhouse on a shirt. The building overlooks the Pacific Ocean and today houses a museum.A poster details The 25th Annual Encinitas Heritage Tree Contest! The heritage tree was planted in 1952 above Moonlight Beach.These historical photos are of old sites in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, just south of Encinitas.More historical photos of Cardiff-by-the-Sea.Ted White, The Song Peddler brought his cool bicycle piano contraption to the festival! Check out facebook.com/TedWhiteMusic
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
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Sunday afternoon I took the trolley to East County to enjoy a quiet walk near Gillespie Field. I knew that along Marshall Avenue there’d be no traffic.
As I walked down the long, empty sidewalk I turned my eyes toward sleepy hangars across the street, burgeoning spring flowers at my feet and a large construction site abandoned for the day. All I heard was the whisper of the breeze, birds flitting here or there and small planes rising into the sky.
The time and place was perfect for a stretch of thinking. I’m struggling with a short story that is particularly difficult. It’s a story about the complexity of people and the small actions that help to define a life. I keep changing the words.
As I walked along in a state of abstraction I slowly became aware of surprising shapes and contrasts in the world all around me. Exactly like the complexity we find in ourselves.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Starting across Cabrillo Bridge, looking south toward downtown San Diego.
On Sunday I walked slowly through Balboa Park. I began at the Cabrillo Bridge and headed east along El Prado. My wandering feet finally took me down into Florida Canyon.
I discovered many scenes of natural beauty: green canyons, bright trees, yellow hillsides, spring flowers, newly opened roses and even cacti.
Come along…
Near the center of the bridge. Sunlit trees line the median of scenic State Route 163, also known as the Cabrillo Freeway.Looking back along historic Cabrillo Bridge toward the West Mesa of Balboa Park.Near the east end of the bridge, gazing down at the Rube Powell Archery Range.Passing through the California Quadrangle. Palm trees cast shadows on the California Tower.Turning back to photograph the California Tower from the Alcazar Garden.Twisty trunks and shadows near the Timken Museum of Art.Staghorn ferns on one wall of Balboa Park’s Botanical Building.Orchids inside the Botanical Building.More natural beauty inside the Botanical Building.A small yellow flower greets me inside the Casa del Prado. I stumbled upon a sale by the Southern California Plumeria Society.A bloom along El Prado near the Casa de Balboa.Walking along El Prado, just above the Zoro Garden.Like orange flames.Looking backward as I finally approach the east end of El Prado.About to cross over Park Boulevard on the pedestrian bridge, pausing for a moment to look south toward the Fleet Science Center.Strolling among early spring blooms in the Inez Grant Parker Memorial Rose Garden.In the rose garden, aiming my camera toward the fountain.Another rose.Another.Gazing east across Florida Canyon. A rainy winter has brought forth lush spring greenery.Now I am moving north, into the Desert Garden.Strange cactus beauty.More beauty.About to head down a winding path into Florida Canyon.A hillside bright with cacti and spring flowers.Nature has painted the hillside.Slanting cacti.The natural beauty in Balboa Park never ends.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Yellow mustard is blooming across San Diego’s hillsides, and other early spring flowers are thriving, too! The rainy winter has produced a cheerful show of bright color all around the city.
I walked near the San Diego River by Fashion Valley this morning and found many patches of sunflowers.
UPDATE!
I goofed! Most of these flowers are actually garland chrysanthemums (also called crown daisies), which aren’t native to our region. But these invasive plants do flourish in San Diego now.
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
It’s the morning of 2019 Padres Opening Day! Things are beginning to get exciting around Petco Park!
Optimism is sky high for this new season. It’s the 50th Anniversary of the San Diego Padres and the new roster is loaded with promising talent and baseball superstars!
Here are some quick photos that I took while walking past the ballpark!
GO PADS!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
The 2019 Cherry Blossom Festival at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park drew huge crowds! I enjoyed stopping by on the weekend and was pleased to see so many people.
The festival is now over.
Late this afternoon I entered the garden again to experience the cherry blossoms in a more tranquil setting. Sunlight slanted through the pink and white flowers, making them shine.
If you love beautiful gardens but dislike crowds, now is the time to go!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
I wrote a very short story about people and cherry blossoms a couple years ago. It’s titled A Short Bloom. You can read it here.
These photos are from early this morning. I pulled out my camera and began walking west down Ash Street from the top of Cortez Hill. I ended near the trolley and railroad tracks, just north of the Santa Fe Depot.
Over the years my blog has shown many of these downtown buildings. Often I provide description. Today I just want to share what it’s like to walk down Ash Street on a clear spring morning.
Here we go…
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Dancers entertain visitors to Balboa Park as the House of China celebrates Chinese New Year at the International Cottages.
It’s February already, and beginning to feel a tiny bit like spring!
Visitors to Balboa Park today could enjoy many wonderful experiences: the Chinese New Year Festival . . . the International Dance Festival . . . and even a few early cherry blossoms!
As I walked in sunshine and scattered sprinkles, I took many photos.
Colorful young dancers on stage celebrate the Chinese New Year in San Diego.Food, culture and sunshine (and scattered, sprinkling clouds) at the Chinese New Year Festival in Balboa Park.A glimpse of the El Cid statue in Balboa Park on a springlike Sunday in February.Sunshine on bubbles.There’s plenty of bright green down in the Balboa Park Rube Powell Archery Range.A beautiful photo between the House of Hospitality and Casa de Balboa.Prado Perk’s chalkboard indicates it’s almost Valentine’s Day!Athletes in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association gather during a time out during the Third Annual Brad Rich Invitational at Balboa Municipal Gymnasium.The ornamental pear trees are blooming near the Plaza de Balboa.Members of the San Diego Bonsai Club work on small olive trees in the Casa del Prado.I spotted Captain America in the cafe of the Federal Building, future home of the Comic-Con Museum! (He’s actually a member of San Diego’s Science Fiction Coalition.)A beautiful springlike day on El Prado.I was welcomed to the International Dance Festival in the Balboa Park Club.Flags of many nations follow a bagpiper through Balboa Park as the annual International Dance Festival is about to begin.Colorful banners approach the Balboa Park Club.Folk dancing is ready to begin!A banner of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.Meanwhile, folks walk through the always beautiful Japanese Friendship Garden.Looks to me like spring is coming fast!A few early cherry blossoms are blooming in February at the Japanese Friendship Garden.Yes! Spring is around the corner!
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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Cool San Diego Sights! 