Tag: sunrise

Golden morning light on downtown buildings.

Golden morning light near Horton Plaza creates a cool sight in downtown San Diego.
Golden morning light near Horton Plaza creates a cool sight in downtown San Diego.

It’s raining right now in downtown San Diego. I hear the patter outside my window.

The antidote to gloom? Some warm, beautiful photos of golden morning light!

I took these photographs a couple months ago during a pleasant walk to the Convention Center trolley station. The sky was clear. Slanting light touched high buildings.

Photo of early sunlight slanting onto a few Broadway buildings in the heart of San Diego.
Photo of early sunlight slanting onto a few Broadway buildings in the heart of San Diego.
The historic U.S. Grant Hotel with splashes of morning light.
The historic U.S. Grant Hotel with splashes of morning light.
Bright morning reflection in windows.
Bright morning reflection in windows.
Light shines on the Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter building.
Light shines on the Westin San Diego Gaslamp Quarter building.
Peering at reflections on the AT&T building and beyond.
Peering at reflections on the AT&T building and beyond.
Looking skyward along a path of light.
Looking skyward along a path of light.
Turning to look north along Front Street early one morning.
Turning to look north along Front Street early one clear morning.
East side of the New Children's Museum. Glass and interesting architecture in the morning light.
East side of the New Children’s Museum. Glass and interesting architecture in the morning light.
The beautiful Horizons Condos San Diego towers catch light from the rising sun.
The beautiful Horizons Condos San Diego towers catch light from the rising sun.
Palms along Harbor Drive and morning light on the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel.
Palms along Harbor Drive, and morning light and shadow on the Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel.

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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!

Beautiful morning photos at Broadway Pier.

Someone gazes from the Broadway Pier across the water toward Coast Guard Air Station San Diego, whose buildings shine, reflecting the early morning sun.
Someone gazes from the Broadway Pier across the water toward Coast Guard Air Station San Diego, whose buildings shine, reflecting early morning sunlight.

I was surprised at the number of beautiful photos I was able to capture this morning during my leisurely walk out on the Broadway Pier. All was quiet. The sun was rising…

The sun is about to rise above a part of the San Diego skyline.
The sun is about to rise above a part of the San Diego skyline.
A gull glides over still water.
A gull glides over still water.
Early morning light turns aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) golden. It is docked at Naval Air Station North Island.
Early morning light turns active aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) golden. It is docked at Naval Air Station North Island.
Colorful reflection on San Diego Bay of the USS Midway Museum, seen from the Broadway Pier.
Colorful reflection on San Diego Bay of the USS Midway Museum, seen from the Broadway Pier.
Bronze plaques create an historical timeline as one walks toward the pier's end. The construction of the Broadway Pier took place in 1913.
Bronze plaques create an historical timeline as one walks toward the pier’s end. The construction of the Broadway Pier took place in 1913.
An exquisitely beautiful seagull feather on the wet concrete at my feet.
An exquisitely beautiful seagull feather on the wet concrete at my feet.
Someone rides out to the end of the Broadway Pier early one Friday morning. Few people are about.
Someone rides out to the end of the Broadway Pier early one Friday morning. Few people are about.
Water droplets cling to the metal seats and tables at the end of the Broadway Pier.
Water droplets cling to the metal seats and tables at the end of the Broadway Pier.
Three large maps on the Broadway Pier show the shape of San Diego Bay in different eras. This outline of the modern bay shows where I now stand on the Embarcadero!
Three large maps on the Broadway Pier show the shape of San Diego Bay in different eras. This outline of the modern bay shows where I now stand on the Embarcadero!
Beautiful clouds and morning light frame a United States Coast Guard Cutter in the middle of San Diego Bay.
Beautiful clouds and morning light on blue water frame a United States Coast Guard Cutter in the middle of San Diego Bay.
A dreamlike vision one morning at San Diego's magical Broadway Pier.
A dreamlike vision one morning at San Diego’s magical Broadway Pier.

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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!

Sky and water. Morning light, life, reflection.

The light of sunrise touches clouds behind upper structures of commercial fishing boats.
Sunrise touches clouds behind fishing boats.

New light. Eyes reopen. The sky regains depth. Wings stretch.

In downtown San Diego, along the Embarcadero, morning light reflects from both clouds and water.

The first smile of the day.

Life is wonderful, and good.

A beautiful sky one October morning above Tuna Harbor in San Diego Bay.
A beautiful sky one October morning above Tuna Harbor in San Diego.
Seagulls perched on a boat await the morning activity of fishermen.
Seagulls perched on a boat await the morning activity of fishermen.
A seagull circles far away like a dream.
A seagull circles far away like a dream.
Fishing boats and tinted clouds, reflected in the gentle water of Tuna Harbor.
Fishing boats and tinted clouds, reflected in the gentle water.
A mysterious reflection in the rippled water.
A boat’s mysterious reflection in the rippled water.
A sky full of fantastic clouds. Early morning above the Embarcadero near Ruocco Park.
A sky full of fantastic clouds. Early morning above the Embarcadero near Ruocco Park.
Light infiltrates complex clouds above San Diego.
Magical light infiltrates clouds above San Diego.
White clouds that seem like cotton in the blue sky.
Clouds that seem like cotton in the blue sky.
Morning birds take flight high in the air.
Morning birds take flight like windblown seeds in the air.
Photo aiming upward at clouds through The Riparium, public art created in 2012 by Roman de Salvo. Eucalyptus, steel and masonry forms rise in a corner of San Diego's Ruocco Park.
Clouds are framed by The Riparium, public art created in 2012 by Roman de Salvo. The sinuous structure rises in one corner of San Diego’s Ruocco Park.
Gazing skyward through The Riparium. Another magical day has dawned in downtown San Diego.
Gazing skyward through The Riparium. A fine day has dawned in downtown San Diego.

I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

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A colorful morning walk through Little Italy.

Colorful art in the sidewalk in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood. A fisherman sells his fresh catch to a family by the ocean.
Colorful art in the sidewalk in San Diego’s Little Italy neighborhood. A fisherman sells his fresh catch to a family by the ocean.

I walked through Little Italy yesterday morning on my way to catch the trolley. I was struck by the quiet beauty all around me. So I tried to capture a few moments with some photos.

In the interest of full disclosure, two or three of these photos are from walks on other mornings. It seems my every journey through Little Italy is magical.

It's still early morning in Little Italy, so perhaps everyone isn't quite ready to tackle the day.
It’s still early morning in Little Italy, so perhaps everyone isn’t quite ready to tackle the day.
Morning sunlight slants in to touch the side of a newly painted Victorian house near a modern hotel.
Morning sunlight slants in to touch the side of a newly painted Victorian house near a modern hotel.
Michelangelo watches--and so does a construction worker--as a new development rises in the heart of Little Italy.
Michelangelo watches–and so does a construction worker–as a new development rises in the heart of Little Italy.
This huge new development will include the public gathering space Piazza Famiglia.
This huge new development will include the public gathering space Piazza Famiglia.
Sweeping up some leaves, preparing for another day.
Sweeping up some leaves, preparing for another day.
A Little Italy Association maintenance truck has pulled up beside a wheelbarrow full of flowers.
A Little Italy Association maintenance truck has pulled up beside a wheelbarrow full of flowers.
Wisdom along the roof of one building. Do right. Fear nothing. Keep it simple. Find what you love.
Wisdom along the roof of one building. Do right. Fear nothing. Keep it simple. Find what you love.
A big red chair awaits on Little Italy's popular but now quiet India Street.
A big red chair awaits on Little Italy’s popular but now quiet India Street.
Mary and Christ Child welcome the faithful above the entrance to Our Lady of the Rosary church.
Mary and Christ Child welcome the faithful above the entrance to Our Lady of the Rosary church.
Classic bearded face provides a building wall with sculptural ornamentation.
Classic bearded face provides a building wall with sculptural ornamentation.
Little Italy San Diego street lamp banner celebrates entertainer Lady Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.
Little Italy San Diego street lamp banner celebrates entertainer Lady Gaga, whose real name is Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta.
Fanciful birdhouses sit on a fence between homes in Little Italy.
Fanciful birdhouses sit on a fence between homes in Little Italy.
Be like a pineapple! Wear a crown. Stand tall and be sweet on the inside.
Be like a pineapple! Wear a crown. Stand tall and be sweet on the inside.
Greenery flows like cascading water from planters on the outside wall of the Sorrento Ristorante.
Greenery flows like cascading water from planters on the outside wall of the Sorrento Ristorante.
A quiet moment before the day's business begins.
A quiet moment before the day’s business begins.
Life and color fill the streets of the Little Italy neighborhood in downtown San Diego.
Life and color fill the streets of the Little Italy neighborhood in downtown San Diego.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!

A warm morning glow in San Diego.

Gazing east through trees into Balboa Park. The California Tower is a dark spike inside a golden sunrise.
Gazing east through dark trees into Balboa Park. The California Tower is a small spike inside a golden sunrise.

Early yesterday morning, the weather was so pleasant that I decided to walk to work. It’s about a four and a half mile journey. I started from downtown San Diego up Sixth Avenue along the west edge of Balboa Park, walked from Bankers Hill into Hillcrest, then finally descended Bachman Place into Mission Valley.

These photos capture the golden glow of a cloudless sunrise. Moving through the warm morning light was a modest adventure in a magical world.

Buildings along Sixth Avenue on Bankers Hill reflect breaking day one early January morning.
Buildings along Sixth Avenue on Bankers Hill reflect breaking day one early January morning.
A warm glow and reflection on the Redwood Bridge Club sign at the west edge of Balboa Park.
A warm glow and reflection on the Redwood Bridge Club sign at the west edge of Balboa Park.
A stately house at Sixth Avenue and Upas Street seems magical.
A stately house at Sixth Avenue and Upas Street seems magical.
Happy orange flowers poke through some bars along the sidewalk.
Happy orange flowers poke through some bars along the sidewalk.
The Tap House has a glowing light bulb on their business in Hillcrest.
The Tap House has a glowing light bulb on their business in Hillcrest.
The sky is gradually brightening above a shadowy Hillcrest alley.
The sky is gradually brightening above a shadowy Hillcrest alley.
A reddish splash in blue water. The fountain in front of Scripps Mercy Hospital.
A reddish splash in blue water. Morning photo of the fountain in front of Scripps Mercy Hospital.
Eucalyptus trees in warm winter morning light. Photo taken while walking down Bachman Place into Mission Valley.
Eucalyptus trees in warm winter morning light. Photo taken while walking down Bachman Place into Mission Valley.
Reflection in windows of the once-proud San Diego Union Tribune building in Mission Valley. The newspaper offices are moving to a smaller location downtown.
Reflection in windows of the once-proud San Diego Union Tribune building in Mission Valley. The newspaper offices are moving to a smaller location downtown.

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Early morning photos of a walk down Eighth Avenue.

Sunrise in downtown San Diego. Photo taken from Eighth Avenue and A Street.
Sunrise in downtown San Diego. Photo taken from Eighth Avenue and A Street.

Early yesterday morning I walked down Eighth Avenue, from the top of Cortez Hill to Petco Park. Here are a few random, interesting photos…

Blue Sky apartment tower under construction in downtown San Diego.
Blue Sky apartment tower under construction in downtown San Diego.
Cool street art visible from Eighth Avenue, south of Broadway.
Cool street art visible from Eighth Avenue, south of Broadway.
Early morning activity in front of Lucky D's Hostel.
Early morning activity in front of Lucky D’s Hostel.
Some faded utility box artwork on a sidewalk in San Diego's East Village.
Some faded utility box artwork on a sidewalk in San Diego’s East Village.
A boy jumps rope on one October morning in a downtown San Diego parking lot.
A boy jumps rope on one October morning in a downtown San Diego parking lot.
Birds in a row atop a street lamp. Bright clouds as day begins.
Birds in a row atop a street lamp. Bright clouds as day begins.
Surveyors have begun their work early in a parking lot beside Market Street. Another utility box with colorful street art.
Surveyors have begun their work early in a parking lot beside Market Street. Another utility box with colorful street art.
The recently completed Sempra building, just north of Petco Park, reflects clouds and blue sky in the morning.
The recently completed Sempra building, just north of Petco Park, reflects clouds and blue sky in the morning.
Worker inside old brick building that is being renovated. Cool posters in windows advertise Underground Elephant.
Worker inside old brick building that is being renovated. Cool posters in windows advertise Underground Elephant.

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Mysterious morning light at the Broadway Pier.

Orange and yellow logo of visiting Norwegian Sun cruise ship reflected on rippled water in San Diego Bay.
Orange and yellow logo of visiting Norwegian Sun cruise ship reflected on rippled water in San Diego Bay.

A big rush this morning. But I had enough time to walk down to the Broadway Pier.  Slowing myself for a few moments, breathing in fresh air, I was enchanted by the surrounding quiet, the growing morning light, and mysterious reflections.

Bow and bridge of the Norwegian Sun, docked at the San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal. The image is reflected in the orange and clear windows of a nearby gift shop.
Bow and bridge of the Norwegian Sun, docked at the San Diego Cruise Ship Terminal. The image is reflected in the orange and clear windows of a nearby gift shop.
Early morning light at San Diego's Broadway Pier. The Coronado ferry has begun another trip across the quiet, glassy water.
Early morning light at San Diego’s Broadway Pier. The Coronado ferry has begun another trip across the quiet, glassy water.
Reflection of downtown San Diego's nearby skyline in the windows of the Port Pavilion. Photo taken as the sun climbs above building rooftops, from the Broadway Pier.
Reflection of downtown San Diego’s nearby skyline in the windows of the Port Pavilion. Photo taken as the sun climbs above building rooftops, from the Broadway Pier.

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Morning birds at the Children’s Park fountain.

Two seagulls carry bits of something while navigating the Children's Park fountain.
Two seagulls carry bits of something while navigating the Children’s Park fountain.

You might enjoy these fun photos.

Occasionally I walk past the Children’s Park fountain in the early morning, on my way to catch a downtown trolley for work. Even though the fountain is usually off (because of our long drought), birds like to hang out in the fountain’s man-made pond. It’s a sanctuary in the city where birds can easily scavenge human food.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, which runs parallel to Harbor Drive, passes right over the pond, and when I pause on the path camera in hand, I’m usually rewarded.

These shots were taken shortly after sunrise…

The Children's Park was the city of San Diego's gift to kids in 1995.
The Children’s Park was the city of San Diego’s gift to kids in 1995.
The gently sprinkling fountain was off this morning, and birds were enjoying the early sun.
The gently sprinkling fountain was off this morning, and birds were enjoying the early sun.
There are many places for birds to perch at the center of the man-made pond.
There are many places for birds to perch at the center of the man-made pond.
A gull floats over to see if I have food. I'm standing on the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, where it passes as a walkway over the blue water.
A gull floats over to see if I have food. I’m standing on the Martin Luther King Jr. Promenade, where it passes as a walkway over the blue water.
These three ducks are just cruising around the Children's Park fountain.
These three ducks are just cruising around the Children’s Park fountain.
Off to the side of the fountain, pigeons congregate on the San Diego trolley's electrical wires.
Off to the side of the fountain, pigeons congregate on the San Diego trolley’s electrical wires.
Pigeons swirl in broad circles directly overhead.
Pigeons swirl in broad circles directly overhead.
A graceful seagull patrols the park as day breaks.
A graceful seagull patrols the park as day breaks.
Photo near the fountain of sunrise and a bird with outstretched wings.
Photo near the fountain of sunrise and a bird with outstretched wings.

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Mysterious morning shadow at trolley station.

Waiting at Little Italy trolley station, I see a strange shadow climbing up the opposite wall.
At the Little Italy trolley station, a very strange shadow climbs up the wall.

Early this morning, shortly after sunrise, as I waited for the San Diego Trolley at the Little Italy station, I was confronted by a momentary mystery. A very odd spidery shadow was climbing up the wall on the other side of the tracks.

I walked toward the shadow and turned about. A few photos show the mystery solved!

Construction crew is building a large new parking garage next to busy trolley station.
Construction crew is building a new parking garage next to busy trolley station.

The rising parking garage, at the corner of Cedar Street and Kettner Boulevard, will provide 645 spaces for those who work at the nearby County Administration Center, in addition to paid public parking for visitors to Little Italy. The project is supposed to be finished this summer.

The ten-level parking structure will serve many county employees who work nearby.
The ten-level parking structure will serve county employees who work nearby.
Silhouette of worker as morning sun lights the downtown San Diego sky.
Silhouette of worker as morning sun lights the downtown San Diego sky.

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A walk down to the water during sunrise.

January sunrise tints calm water of San Diego Bay.
January sunrise tints smooth water of San Diego Bay.

I feel so fortunate to live where I do. Early this morning I walked from Cortez Hill down to the water just to see, feel and breathe in the sunrise.

Morning light is reflected jewel-like from Point Loma's windows across the bay.
Morning light reflected jewel-like from many Point Loma windows across San Diego Bay.
Sun is about to rise beyond the sleepy USS Midway. Photo taken from Broadway Pier.
Sun is about to rise beyond the sleepy USS Midway. Photo taken from the Broadway Pier.
Sunlight reflects from silvery skyscraper beyond domes of the Santa Fe Depot.
Newborn daylight reflects from silvery skyscraper beyond domes of the Santa Fe Depot.
Birds take flight above palm trees in downtown San Diego.
As the sun lifts into the sky, birds take flight above palm trees in downtown San Diego.

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