Looking down from the high viewing area at picturesque Bird Rock below.
Please enjoy some photographs!
Yesterday I took a long walk through La Jolla. Before leaving home, I checked the tide chart. My intention was to photograph the tide pools at beautiful Bird Rock. I’ve read you can actually walk out to this spectacular rock in the ocean at low tide. Unfortunately, as it turned out, yesterday the tide wasn’t low enough!
But I did get my fill of natural beauty. Will you please join me as I walk from La Jolla Boulevard a couple blocks down Bird Rock Avenue, and then down to the water?
Bench on La Jolla Boulevard sidewalk spells out Bird Rock with colorful tiles.This bench features sea shells. Let’s begin our walk down Bird Rock Avenue, a few steps away.Kid skateboards down hilly Bird Rock Avenue toward the small lookout point.Local guy is already here enjoying the beautiful view and ocean tranquility. Few tourists come here.Gazing north along the rocky shore. La Jolla Cove is on the other side of that distant jutting land.Looking down over the view point rail at rugged rocks at the edge of the shining Pacific Ocean.Here’s where we’re going to descend to the water.Heading down the short staircase to get a closer look at the beauty of Bird Rock.We quickly glance up at the viewing area, where we were a moment ago.Gazing south as we stand on large jagged boulders. Someone is walking along the base of the cliff.We carefully head a bit south, too. Watch your step! The tide is fairly low and we get close to the splashing water.These stones were made smooth and rounded by that great Earth-encompassing rock tumbler, the mighty ocean!Look out! A foamy wave is crashing in!Finally, we turn westward to look at Bird Rock. At a distance, the birds are just visible in this photo!
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Colorful umbrellas, chairs, tables, planters and even a patch of green have been added to the Plaza de Panama.
Improvements were recently unveiled in the heart of Balboa Park, San Diego’s crown jewel and cultural center. The historic Plaza de Panama is now a gathering place containing many tables with colorful chairs and umbrellas, planters brimming with green, and art-splashed benches. A once semi-barren public square has become a truly comfortable gathering place for both locals and visitors to America’s Finest City!
In June 2013, the first wave of improvements set in motion by Mayor Filner removed unsightly parking from the Plaza de Panama. Some tables and chairs were added, but a large area between the beautiful fountain and the San Diego Museum of Art remained empty. Three weeks ago, under Mayor Faulconer, additional amenities appeared. Personally, I love the scattered reds and blues of the umbrellas, a color scheme which I find very tasteful. Plaza de Panama is now a suitably dynamic and welcoming outdoor public space.
A few days ago I got some pics!
Someone walks between red and blue umbrellas that have sprouted in front of the San Diego Museum of Art.A bicyclist and tourists on a rented quadracycle head through the beautified Plaza de Panama.This cool new art bench on the east side of the plaza includes an image from Balboa Park.You can now sit on sunshine!Many trees, shrubs and succulents have been added to the once semi-barren area.Photo of House of Hospitality rising behind colorful umbrellas. I love it!Just walking along with the dog.The Plaza de Panama in Balboa Park is a place to talk, read, enjoy, eat, relax.
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The huge Crown Princess cruise ship is docked on San Diego’s Embarcadero.
Everyone has seen photos of cruise ships, but two beauties were docked on San Diego’s waterfront this morning and gleaming in the sunshine, so I had to whip out my camera!
Once in a while, two or three cruise ships visit downtown at the same time. Some of these vessels are so huge that stood on end they’d dwarf many nearby skyscrapers. The two ships I saw in port today are operated by Princess Cruise Line. Both are classified as Grand-class cruise ships and have nearly identical lengths. Even after seeing them in person, it’s hard for me to grasp that these ships are 950 feet long! The Crown Princess can carry 3,080 passengers with a crew of 1,201. The Star Princess accommodates 2,590 passengers and a crew of 1,150. Incredible!
Two luxurious Grand-class cruise ships gleam on either side of the Cruise Ship Terminal.Gull checks out an amazing morning sight. Photo taken from the Broadway Pier.Man gazes at the sunlit bay. The fenced area is where the Bay Cafe used to stand. It soon will be an observation platform.
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A happy dog tries to jump through space and catch the moon.
I got lots of pics yesterday during a long walk in Encinitas near the beach. I was amazed by all the different artistic banners on street lamps that line Coast Highway 101.
Very awesome! Check them out!
Elephants and a spiritual butterfly surfboard. Hindu imagery is popular in Encinitas near the beach, due to the presence of the visually distinctive Self-Realization Fellowship ashram.Bold art on a street banner along Coast Highway 101.The Yogi Surf Crossing is a popular path for surfers, locals and tourists alike.A beautiful female figure in sunny beach destination Encinitas.I think these are heart-covered puppy dogs, but I’m not sure.Playing a cool saxophone near the Pacific Ocean.A typical beach scene with palm trees and setting sun.Artwork shows the coastline along San Diego’s North County.Fun, lush art on many banners on Encinitas street lamps.Surfers carry their boards on the beach at Swami’s Reef point break.Exotic figure references Hinduism and Eastern philosophy. The world famous Swami’s surfing spot is overlooked by the Self-Realization Fellowship grounds in Encinitas.Colorful image adds life to an already delightful beach town.Waves and sunset seem nestled in a tree above a street sign.Graphic shows dirt path down to the beach.Several jellyfish seem to soar through the blue sky.Encinitas street banner depicts a tropical island girl.A sleeping cat dreams of being a lion king!
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A kite is flying above the grassy Embarcadero Marina Park North near Seaport Village. Just another typical day.
I looked through a bunch of old photos on my hard drive recently and found some fun random pics of Seaport Village. Here they are!
Seaport Village is a tourist destination on San Diego Bay that many locals also enjoy.People walk near the Marriott Marina on the sun-drenched Embarcadero.One of the fountains at Seaport Village, a popular San Diego attraction.Colorful, playful buildings contain specialty shops and places to eat.Scrumptious hot dogs are easy to find at the food court!Carefree, simple fun at every turn. These guys are by the Seaport Village carousel.Surrounded by a multitude of delights, some people look at cell phones.These people are living! Laughing with arms high and licking ice cream!A cow rests in the shade. It’s been a busy day!
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The Casa del Rey Moro garden is a small gem in Balboa Park.
In the 1920s, prominent San Diego architect Richard Requa visited Europe. During his extensive tour, he carefully observed a Moorish king’s garden in Ronda, Spain. A book that he later authored stated: “In my travels about the world, I had found three gardens of outstanding interest and beauty… The finest of these is in a small town in southern Spain called Ronda. Viewing it for the first time, there came instantly to mind the spontaneous exclamation, ‘I hope to die before I see anything more lovely.'”
Inspired by what he’d seen, Requa designed the Casa del Rey Moro garden (House of the Moorish King) for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition in San Diego’s Balboa Park. In 1997 the garden and adjacent House of Hospitality were rededicated after a major renovation. The garden, today a popular wedding spot, includes a replica of the wishing well in the Guadalajara Museum of Gardens.
Balboa Park is an enormous place full of competing attractions. It’s strange how I always feel compelled to walk through the Casa del Rey Moro garden!
View from a House of Hospitality balcony of The Prado restaurant’s outdoor seating near the garden.A wishing well frames two elegant, classic fountains.Beautiful elements are reproduced from a Moorish garden in Ronda, Spain.A close up photo of one picturesque fountain.Visitors read about the interesting history of the Casa del Rey Moro garden.“In my travels about the world, I have found three gardens of outstanding interest and beauty…”One can see why this venue is extremely popular for weddings.
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New bride and groom hustle through the heart of Balboa Park.
Please enjoy these random pics of happy visions seen on various occasions in Balboa Park. Every day in this special place is magical!
Wedding party walks down elegant El Prado, a frequent sight in Balboa Park.Getting ready to make a music video near reflecting pool flowers.Classic automobile cruises over San Diego’s scenic Cabrillo Bridge.Someone poses for a photo by Rolls Royce limo standing by in Balboa Park.An enthusiastic greeting from tourist passing in a GoCar rental.Ice cream truck parked by children’s playground on Park Boulevard.Artfully trimmed shrub elephant in front of San Diego Zoo.Taking a floating creation out to the big Balboa Park fountain.Kid tows handmade boat over cloudy water in the circular fountain basin.A caricature artist at work on El Prado as folks watch.Playing a horn, trying to draw a crowd.Musician plays didgeridoo that looks like a snake!This cool didgeridoo guy can also be occasionally seen at Seaport Village.
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People on patio behind Visitor Center take in a breathtaking panorama.View from Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center scenic overlook. Downtown San Diego is visible to the east.
Last Sunday, after I checked out the new Yankee Baleeiros whaling exhibit in the Visitor Center, I wandered about Cabrillo National Monument and took in the many beautiful views. My camera was very busy!
Tall ship America sails south down the channel out of the bay and into the open ocean.Looking out over San Diego Bay. Shelter Island lies in the distance beyond Naval Base Point Loma.One of many interesting signs. This one shows typical commercial and pleasure craft seen on the water below.Statue of explorer Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo at a popular lookout spot.Naval Air Station North Island seems to glow beyond the Cabrillo National Monument Visitor Center building.I took lots of photographs while climbing up through native coastal vegetation toward the beautiful Old Point Loma Lighthouse.Looking southwest over two World War II bunkers toward the distant Coronado Islands, which are a part of Tijuana, Mexico. The new lighthouse is down by the water.People gaze out at the beautiful sky and ocean from a popular whale-watching point.Gray whales migrate past Cabrillo National Monument from December through April. Spouts are often seen from here!Sculpture of a gray whale and a cetacean’s vertebrae along walkway that leads from the old lighthouse.Looking northwest toward the tidepools below and Pacific Ocean breakers.
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DecoBike bikeshare station on Broadway between Santa Fe Depot and America Plaza.
During my walks around San Diego in the past few months, I’ve noticed new bike sharing stations popping up at various locations. The green-signed docks still contain no bikes, but according to articles I’ve read the program is supposed to finally begin this month, after many delays.
Bike sharing in San Diego will be facilitated by DecoBike, a company based in Miami, where a similar system has been installed. They plan to eventually have around 180 electronic rental stations and 1,800 standardized bicycles.
San Diegans and city visitors will be able to rent bicycles for one-time use, or purchase a monthly or annual membership. The number of bikes available at any station will be visible in real time on DecoBike’s online station map.
According to signs at each bikeshare station, renting a bike will cost $5 per half hour, $7 per hour, or $12 for two hours. Memberships will cost $15 for one day, $35 for one week, or $50 for one month.
Looks interesting. Perhaps I’ll do a little more bicycling!
More locking bicycle docks in East Village, just north of Petco Park.DecoBike bikeshare stations feature a touchscreen, instructions and a row of bike docks.Sign shows rental and membership rates.Another bike sharing station on El Prado near the west end of Balboa Park.
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Images around a new pavilion near Broadway Pier show history of the Embarcadero.
San Diego’s Embarcadero has undergone some major renovations. One of the new pavilions still under construction near the Broadway Pier features a large display that provides a timeline of the area’s history. Notable developments along the waterfront through the passing years are documented with historical photographs.
While many of these images concern more recent events, it still makes a fascinating visual time capsule. Here are some pics that I took!
1542: Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo claims San Diego Bay for Spain. He named it San Miguel Bay.1913: San Diego’s Broadway Pier makes its debut. It certainly looks different today!1930s: Baseball played across street. Lane Field was home of Pacific Coast League Padres.1962: San Diego Unified Port District is established.1970: Broadway Pier gets a makeover. A cruise ship terminal is added.1976: North and South Embarcadero Marina Parks are dedicated.1980: Seaport Village becomes the newest San Diego attraction.1985: North Embarcadero’s Crescent area renovated.1985: Princess Cruises bases its “Love Boat” in San Diego.1988: San Diego Yacht Club successfully defends America’s Cup.1989: San Diego Convention Center opens.2003: First of six Urban Trees art exhibits along the Embarcadero.2007: Seward Johnson’s Unconditional Surrender statue goes on display near USS Midway.2009: A record-breaking cruise ship season!2010: Port Pavilion opens on Broadway Pier. It’s been over four years already? Time flies!2011: America’s Cup World Series regatta takes place on San Diego Bay.2011: North Embarcadero Project (Phase 1) passes.2012: North Embarcadero Visionary Plan breaks ground nearby.2012: Ruocco Park immediately north of Seaport Village is dedicated.2012: Port of San Diego is 50 years old.2013: San Diego’s historic Star of India tall ship turns 150 years old.2014: Lots of cool waterfront improvements opened, including this pavilion!
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Cool San Diego Sights! 