A construction fence now surrounds much of the San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park. I noticed a banner on the fence today. It states: NATURE GARDEN BLOOMING TO LIFE IN SUMMER 2024.
Pocket gardens and interpretive trails will be created around the museum, and include displays of native plants that should attract wildlife like butterflies and hummingbirds.
Anyone visiting Balboa Park will be able to freely enjoy these new outdoor garden areas. The completed project will be a cornerstone of the Natural History Museum’s 150th anniversary celebration.
I’m eager to see this new landscape take shape. I’ll probably take photos of the project’s progress in the months ahead, so stay tuned!
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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)!
Have you recently walked through downtown San Diego after dark? Brightly lit Christmas trees are now shining through windows!
Most of the large office buildings have put up a Christmas tree in their lobby for the holiday season.
I took a few photographs this morning before sunrise, while it was still good and dark outside. My short walk provides just a sample of what curious eyes might see…
Symphony Towers1200 Third Avenue501 West BroadwayAmerica Plaza
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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)!
Several weeks ago a new exhibit opened at the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park. San Diego’s New Deal Renaissance: An Artist’s Experience concerns the life and work of notable local artists during the Great Depression, with a focus on Belle Goldschlager Baranceanu.
Belle Baranceanu was painter, muralist, lithographer, engraver and illustrator who moved from Chicago to San Diego in 1933 looking for opportunity. She found employment with the Works Progress Administration curriculum project.
Her work included two monumental murals at Roosevelt Junior High School (not far from Balboa Park): Building Mission Dam and Portola’s Northern Expedition. Those two amazing murals were moved to the San Diego History Center where they have been preserved and can be viewed. The exhibit includes studies that she produced before painting the murals.
By the way, you might have seen more of her work in Balboa Park. The Progress of Man can be found in the grand foyer of the Balboa Park Club building. The mural was created for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition. The History Center exhibit includes a reproduction of the large mural.
San Diego’s New Deal Renaissance: An Artist’s Experience provides information concerning other local artists during this era, as well, including sculptor Donal Hord and painter Charles Reiffel. (Yes, the same Charles Reiffel whose pieces include two huge murals at the History Center and two canvases on a wall inside the Casa de Balboa, the building that houses the History Center.)
There’s far too much to describe here, so it would best to visit the San Diego History Center yourself! It’s always super interesting and free!
During your visit, check out the History Center’s seasonal poinsettia Christmas tree. Perhaps swing on by during Balboa Park’s big December Nights event next week!
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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 Tree ornaments in the House of Mexico cottage.
Many of the International Cottages in Balboa Park are already getting ready for the holidays. And others cottages will soon be decorating. December Nights is less than two weeks away!
I poked my nose into most of the cottages today searching for Christmas and seasonal decorations. These photographs represent what I found.
Hand-crafted holiday gifts inside the House of Sweden cottage.Hand-painted Christmas ornaments available inside House of Italy’s cottage.Beautiful candles and greenery inside the House of Hungary cottage.The House of Scotland Pipe Band will be performing during December Nights.Santa and elves at work inside the House of Denmark cottage.A uniquely beautiful wreath inside the House of Ukraine’s cottage.Here comes Santa Claus inside the House of Finland’s cottage!
As I walked around, I noticed other parts of Balboa Park are getting ready!
The big poinsettia Christmas Tree that is coming to the San Diego History Center has its framework set up. Santa, his sled and reindeer are already taking to the sky between the Plaza de Panama and the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. And the the religious nativity scenes have been set up in back of the pavilion. No Gingerbread House yet!
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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 decorations have already popped up all around Old Town San Diego State Historic Park! I took a short walk through the historic park today and snapped these photos.
As you can see, three very colorful wise men have arrived at the Fiesta de Reyes stage. And a couple of jolly Santas have arrived elsewhere in the park, too!
I learned that the Casa de Estudillo will be putting up their Christmas decorations after Thanksgiving. I suspect even more holiday decorations will be appearing at various museums and shops.
What free holiday activities can be enjoyed in Old Town San Diego this year? The following will take place outside of the State Park:
A festive Tree Lighting Ceremony will be held beside the Whaley House on December 7, from 7:00 pm to 8:30 pm.
The 65th Annual Las Posadas procession will take place in Heritage County Park on Friday, December 8, 2023, starting at 7:00 pm.
A couple of large wreaths welcome everyone to Fiesta de Reyes.A wreath with Mexican flavor hangs by a shop window.Many holiday wreaths along the balcony of the Cosmopolitan Hotel.Santa Claus welcomes visitors to Toby’s Candle & Soap Shop in Old Town.Moon and sun kiss behind a wreath’s red ribbon in front of El Centro Artesano.Merry Christmas! Good old Santa has returned to Old Town Market on his wagon!
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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)!
A disassembled 1927 Boeing FB-5 ended up as a box of parts. Almost one hundred years later, volunteer aviation enthusiasts in San Diego opened the box, then got to work in machine shops to recreate the very rare aircraft.
The reassembled FB-5 made its debut in 2022!
I saw this historical fighter in all its restored glory during my recent visit to Aerofest at the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s Gillespie Field Annex in El Cajon.
I was told that eventually this FB-5 will be exhibited at the world-famous museum in Balboa Park. A sign explained it’s one of about a dozen airplanes “built from scratch” in the museum’s extensive collection.
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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)!
There’s an extraordinary museum in El Cajon dedicated to one of the world’s finest artists depicting the American West. Olaf Wieghorst is that artist.
Olaf Wieghorst lived for many years in El Cajon. He has been called the Dean of contemporary Western artists. His depiction of the Old West–of cowboys, horses, Native Americans and vast landscapes–has been compared favorably with the work of Frederick Remington and Charles Russell.
A few weekends ago I visited the free museum. Wandering about the main gallery, I fell in love with the very fine paintings on display. They accurately portray horses and the Southwest because he knew them well.
Olaf’s life story is astonishing. He was born in Denmark. He worked in a circus, later on a farm, then moved to America knowing only three words in English. He was assigned to the 5th Cavalry patrolling the United States–Mexico border, worked as a ranch hand, joined the New York City Police Department in the Horse Mounted Division patrolling Central Park, and gradually grew in fame as an artist.
I marveled at Olaf’s prolific artwork that was used for advertisements, calendars and for the covers of Louis L’Amour novels. I enjoyed viewing artifacts from his life, such as saddles, awards, and memorabilia from the time he worked with John Wayne in Hollywood movies.
I then ventured outside to explore the actual home where Olaf Wieghorst lived, relocated to a spot near the museum’s main building. Docents are happy to open up the small rustic house and provide a tour of the rooms. One can see the window that provided natural light as Olaf painted. That same sunshine fills many of his Western landscapes.
There’s also an extraordinary cactus and succulent garden between the museum building and Olaf’s old home. The beautiful garden is open freely to the public. I blogged about the Southwest Cactus and Succulent Garden a while back here.
I urge anyone in San Diego to visit this wonderful museum. Especially if you like very fine art and the Old West! They’re always looking for volunteers, too!
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)!
Visitors to the San Diego Air & Space Museum’s Gillespie Field Annex in El Cajon yesterday were in for an extraordinary, one-of-a-kind treat!
An amazing, full-size replica of the Wright Flyer, invented and flown by Orville And Wilbur Wright in 1903, was on view as it is being restored. The famous Wright Flyer, (also known as the Kitty Hawk, Flyer I, or the 1903 Flyer) was the world’s first successfully powered and controlled aircraft.
The careful restoration has been ongoing inside one of the hangars at the Gillespie Field Annex. Right now the aircraft’s fragile wooden framework is laid bare, as the outer fabric has yet to be replaced.
A sign by the aircraft details its history, dimensions and construction. This particular Wright Flyer reproduction was obtained from Valentine Aero in 1979. When various repairs are completed, it will be proudly displayed at the Air & Space Museum in Balboa Park.
To read the sign, enlarge my photograph.
I took these photos of the Wright Flyer replica during my visit to Aerofest yesterday. The annual event allowed visitors to peer into this hangar, plus purchase all sorts of aviation collectibles in support of the museum.
I first visited the Gillespie Field Annex in early 2019 and blogged about what I saw. See that post here. (Please note that entry is no longer free–it’s $7, but well worth it!)
The first powered, controlled, sustained airplane flight in history. Orville Wright, age 32, is at the controls of the machine, lying prone on the lower wing with hips in the cradle which operated the wing-warping mechanism. His brother, Wilbur Wright, age 36, ran alongside to help balance the machine, having just released his hold on the forward upright of the right wing. The starting rail, the wing-rest, a coil box, and other items needed for flight preparation are visible behind the machine. Public domain image courtesy Wikimedia Commons.
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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)!
There’s a special place in Balboa Park where photography clubs meet and compete, and amazing photographs cover the walls.
Curious? Walk along Village Place east of the huge Moreton Bay Fig tree, toward the intersection that leads to the parking lot east of Spanish Village, and look for the small Photographic Arts Building. It’s home of the Southern California Association of Camera Clubs.
Several galleries filled with fine photographs are open free to the public on Saturday afternoons. I stepped through the door today, spoke with some friendly folks, and admired the work of exceptional regional photographers.
Clubs that meet here include the Darkroomers, Poly Photo Club, Photo Naturalists, and the Fallbrook Camera Club. According to an informative handout I received, the Southern California Association of Camera Clubs fosters enrichment programs for photographers of all skill levels through our member clubs and photographic programs. If you love photography, you’re encouraged to join!
After viewing the works on display, I asked a few questions. I learned that nearly all of the photos taken are digital, and that nearly all are photoshopped. Which is a bit disappointing to me, personally. I love a stunning, flawless picture as much as anyone, but I also love authenticity. Perhaps that’s just silly me, with my modest old camera, being jealous!
Do you love art or photography? This is definitely a place you want to visit!
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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)!
Cool San Diego Sights! 