Tag: streets

Beautiful face on North Park street corner.

For many years, the face of Jimi Hendrix could be seen at the corner of Adams Avenue and Ohio Street in North Park. The cool spray painted art decorated a tattoo parlor. You can see a photo of that now vanished mural here.

During a recent walk, I noticed a new image has appeared in the same spot! Do you recognize this beautiful face? Leave a comment!

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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 (formerly known as Twitter)!

Flaming woman: hidden art in Middletown!

Extraordinarily beautiful public art can be found in a seldom seen corner of San Diego’s Middletown neighborhood. A tile mosaic appears to depict a fiery, spiritual woman, rising above surging waves of colorful artwork composed of individually made tiles.

The mosaic is mostly hidden in a cranny by Kettner Boulevard, east of the Middletown trolley station, near the bottom of stairs that climb to the pedestrian bridge over Interstate 5. Few people use these stairs.

I can find no information about this mysterious public art. I took these photos today. The last time I observed it, about four years ago, the mosaic hadn’t been completed. You can see those images here.

If you know who created this stunning, very complex mural (perhaps a community project?) please leave a comment below!

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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)!

Adam T. Gastelum street sign in Barrio Logan.

Have you wondered about an Honorary Adam T. Gastelum street sign in Barrio Logan? I recently noticed it on Evans Street, at the intersection of Logan Avenue.

Curious to learn more about Adam T. Gastelum, I did a little searching.

An obituary summarizes several accomplishments of the proud Hispanic American Army veteran. He is credited with helping to found nearby San Diego VFW Post 7420. It also explains: Adam joined the Army to serve in World War II. His campaign battles included Normandy, Northern Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe.

I also discovered that on October 22, 2018, a San Diego City Council Resolution designated the 900 block of Evans Street between the intersection of Logan Avenue and National Avenue to be known as Adam Trejo Gastellum Street.

Many in San Diego appreciate his service.

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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 beautiful new Piazza Costanza in Little Italy.

On November 28, 2023, the new Piazza Costanza was dedicated in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood. The public space, filled with inviting tables and umbrellas, honors Margaret “Midge” Costanza, a trailblazer who became the first woman to hold the title of Assistant to a United States President.

Costanza was a daughter of Sicilian immigrants. Her illustrious career included fighting for the cause of civil rights. In 1978 she moved to Southern California and eventually worked in the San Diego District Attorney’s office advocating for senior citizens.

The beautiful Piazza Costanza is located at the corner of Columbia Street and Ash Street. It features a bronze bust, historical photographs and several inspiring quotes.

I walked through the piazza late yesterday afternoon…

It is the link from the present to the past that gives us a spirit to address the future.

I will never apologize for allowing people to participate in a government they help select and that belongs to them.

Human dignity is a right, not a privilege, a right inherited at birth.

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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)!

Christmas colors illuminate U.S. Grant Hotel!

You know it’s the holiday season in San Diego when Christmas colors illuminate downtown’s U.S. Grant Hotel!

During the night the hotel turns bright green and red. I took these photographs as I walked down Broadway very early this morning, while it was still dark.

You might notice some scaffolding. The building’s exterior is presently undergoing a refresh.

Did you know the U.S. Grant Hotel was built by the son of President Ulysses S. Grant, has hosted twelve United States Presidents, and was the very first location for San Diego Comic-Con?

Learn more about the elegant hotel’s amazing history 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)!

Two happy skeletons party in Barrio Logan!

A happy skeleton couple (and their dog) have been partying day and night on a street corner in Barrio Logan. Perhaps you’ve seen them, drinks in hand, having a good time, on the side of a building at Logan Avenue and Sampson Street!

I spied this mural for the first time a few days ago during a Barrio Logan walk. According to the spray painted signature, the mural was designed by Diego Romo and painted by Dent Angeles (@dentloktattooarts) earlier this year.

Enjoy these photographs!

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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)!

New sign in San Diego welcomes to Cortez.

Walking down from the top of Cortez Hill a couple days ago, I noticed a brand new landmark sign that welcomes people to the neighborhood!

The metal, ribbon-like sculpture greets those driving into downtown San Diego via California State Route 163 and Ash Street. It’s located at the corner of Eighth Avenue and Ash Street, near the southeast corner of the historic El Cortez building.

(Did you know the El Cortez had the world’s first outdoor glass elevator? See photos and a video by clicking 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)!

Holiday decorations arrive in Little Italy!

San Diego’s downtown Little Italy neighborhood always celebrates the holiday season in a big way. That is certainly the case in 2023!

I missed the Christmas tree lighting yesterday evening, but I did walk around this afternoon to see many of the festive sights.

Piazza della Famiglia, which has become a community gathering place, has its big old-fashioned Christmas tree, giant nutcrackers, and special box that receives letters for Santa Claus. As in years past, Piazza Basilone has its shiny, more modern Christmas tree.

Many of the restaurants have decorations, including poinsettias near outdoor tables and whimsically painted windows. Banners along sidewalks celebrate Christmas (Buon Natale) and the New Year (Felice Anno Nuovo), and abstract holiday art can be found on many street corners.

Come along on a short walk. I headed up and down India Street, then east on Cedar Street. (The colorful “gingerbread house” is the Queenstown Public House restaurant.)

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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)!

Clean and Safe readies for the holidays!

Poinsettias have appeared on street corners in downtown San Diego. Festive lights and banners along sidewalks anticipate another holiday season!

This morning I came upon a Downtown San Diego Partnership Clean and Safe worker planting poinsettias along Fifth Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter. He smiled for a photo!

Thank you to those who strive to keep our city clean and safe. Downtown residents like myself are especially grateful.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

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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)!

Street art shows reasons to Visit Escondido!

A love for Escondido shines brightly from an electrical box that is situated near the corner of Valley Parkway and Broadway. Award-winning local artist Suzanne Nicolaisen (aka Zanniki) painted this street art, infusing it with light, color and life.

What small scenes on the four sides of this box do you recognize?

I believe I see the Escondido gateway arch on Grand Avenue, Maple Street Plaza, the old train depot at Grape Day Park, City Hall, not to mention sunshine, palm trees, flowers, grapes, avocados, and above all an airplane towing a banner that reads: Visit Escondido!

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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)!