Zoos and aquariums rely on visitors for most of their revenue. The coronavirus pandemic has closed their doors, but the animals still need care. They need to eat!
I just learned that someone is now walking from the LA Zoo to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to raise funds to help out zoos and aquariums!
Dr. Monica Metzdorf, who loves animals, is approaching the Safari Park as I write this blog!
Help her raise funds for the animals! Proceeds will go to the LA Zoo, the Aquarium of the Pacific, and the San Diego Zoo, to purchase food for the fish and animals.
Go to her website and look for the PayPal link! Spread the word!
This morning I saw several workers in Little Italy painting over ugly, newly scrawled graffiti.
During my walks around downtown, I’ve noticed that vandalism has increased during the current coronavirus lockdown.
The friendly guys painting over the illegal graffiti indicated that because the streets are emptier than usual, those who go about tagging buildings, walls, signs and other targets have become more active, as there are fewer eyes outside who might witness their activity. San Diego has had a substantial increase in the homeless population in recent years, and unfortunately that means gang members who move about the city selling meth and other drugs. I might be a bit naive on such matters, but I reckon at least some of this vandalism is the marking of territory.
In any case, it’s obviously a disturbing and disheartening situation.
I took some representative photographs this morning during my walk through Little Italy and along the waterfront.
Thank you to the unsung heroes–like those guys in the first and last photo–who work tirelessly to make our city not only less ugly, but safer for everyone.
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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!
Looking at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church from the intersection of Voltaire Street and Chatsworth Boulevard. The traditional New England style Red Brick Church was built in 1954.
First of all, I’d like to welcome new visitors to Cool San Diego Sights! I’m not sure how my website suddenly merited inclusion in Google News, but, what the heck, this amateur photo blogger will take it!
Cool San Diego Sights is mostly about a guy with a little old camera walking around our big city semi-randomly, experiencing the wonder of its neighborhoods, its people, and the world in general. Occasionally I’ll report something that’s newsworthy, but only if I happen to stumble upon it. All this walking and taking photos is really just a hobby and personal pleasure.
On Saturday I enjoyed a long walk that included several areas of Point Loma. After climbing those hidden stairs I blogged about on Saturday, I headed through residential Loma Portal and down into the tiny business district near the intersection of Voltaire Street and Chatsworth Boulevard.
I walked in a short counterclockwise loop, from the Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church, toward Point Loma High School, down to the Point Loma Library, and back up to the spot where I had begun.
I had no plan other than to take photos of whatever caught my fancy!
I spotted a long mural along the roof of the building at 2168 Chatsworth Boulevard.Part of the mural titled San Diego from 1769 to 1969, painted by Jorge Imana. (I took many photos of this amazing mural and will post them to my blog shortly.)An electrical box up the street was painted with all sort of guitars.More colorful guitar street art on another side of the box.As I walked by European Cake Gallery, I noticed the pastry chef peering out at Point Loma from the rooftop.Some fun but simple artwork on the windows of Coastal Sage Gardening.The front entrance of the James Edgar and Jean Jessop Hervey Library in Point Loma.Dedication plaque near library’s front entrance. Dated September 20, 2003.Looking back at where I was a moment ago. It’s a gray, overcast day.The other side of the architecturally interesting Point Loma Library. The glass near the roof resembles waves breaking on the beach.As I walked past the library I saw words written at my feet. It’s all good!Then I saw this rather interesting Padres fan.A mouse has a secret door near the ground by the door of a Point Loma business.That church looks familiar!I’m already back at the Red Brick Church. A simple but fun walk in Point Loma!
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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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
On Sunday I enjoyed a long walk along El Cajon Boulevard, including a stretch through North Park and City Heights.
Look at all the cool faces I came upon between 30th Street and 35th Street! (Okay, one is beneath a motorcycle helmet–you’ll have to leave that face to your imagination.)
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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 was looking at Google Maps, plotting out a walk around an area of Point Loma, when I saw a crooked green line connecting two segments of Whittier Street just northwest of Rosecrans Street. What does that mysterious line represent? I wondered.
So I walked from Rosecrans up Whittier late this morning to check things out.
What I found at Whittier’s apparent dead end were some hidden stairs that climb past homes and through lush vegetation toward Loma Portal.
I searched the internet to find something about the history of these stairs, but I’m afraid I learned nothing. Scarcely a mention anywhere.
The stairs themselves are in two segments: first below, then above Locust Street. A slightly fancy concrete bench or two are found along the ascending way, and at either end of the stairs, as you can see in the following photographs.
A couple of Point Loma residents were getting some exercise going up and down the stairs when I arrived. If you wonder about the face covering on the man in the final photograph, and you’re reading these words at some point in the future, this blog was posted during the coronavirus pandemic.
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This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego! Are you curious? There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!
Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts. If you’re using a phone or small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!
To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
It was foggy in downtown San Diego early this morning.
As I walked west down Broadway, I turned back to see rays of light breaking through the gray curtain. Sunlight reflected brightly from windows along the edge of the new federal courthouse.
A few minutes later, the fog–poof–was gone.
The sky turned San Diego blue.
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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!
People sit on the grass at the Coronado Ferry Landing looking across San Diego Bay during the coronavirus pandemic.
Today I went on a little mini-vacation. I walked from Cortez Hill where I live in downtown San Diego to Broadway Pier, boarded the Coronado Ferry and headed across the bay to one of my favorite places!
Today’s “trip” to Coronado was a bit different than usual, however. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic necessitated social distancing and frequent use of my face mask.
A crew member of the Silvergate ferry told me their ridership has begun to increase significantly now that San Diego has entered Phase 1 of the Reopening. Several weeks ago the ferry would carry perhaps 20 passengers for an entire day. Now there are easily 20 riders per trip.
As I walked through Coronado I saw people with and without face coverings, in groups, individually, in parks, on sidewalks. But most seemed to be conducting themselves in a considerate and measured way.
It appeared people were indeed very eager to be outside again after over a month of remaining mostly indoors. It was sunny and felt like summer. Restaurants were offering takeout service along the sidewalk. But many touristy shops were still closed.
Come along and read the photo captions…
Small groups sit spread out on the grass near the beach at the Coronado Ferry Landing.This beach is usually much more active when there’s no health crisis. A sometimes deadly, highly infectious novel coronavirus calls for social distancing.Fishing out on the blue water of San Diego Bay.A few small groups were enjoying a Sunday early afternoon in Spreckels Park.Bicycling has always been popular in Coronado, with tourists and locals alike. This street art depicts a fun bike.Something caught the attention of walkers in Rotary Park.The COVID-19 crisis might prove fatal to the Lamb’s Players Theatre. It’s the most challenging time in their 49 year history. Perhaps send them a donation!I spotted a UFO! It’s the rather unique car of the Unarius Academy of Science. I once blogged about their spacey mural in El Cajon, if you recall.Bicyclist rides along the street, with the grand, one-of-a-kind Hotel del Coronado in the background.A couple heads down steps to the beach past signs concerning Coronado’s coronavirus rules and regulations.People walk along beautiful Coronado Beach. The immense Disney Wonder cruise ship is parked in the ocean off San Diego waiting for the health crisis to end.If the Hotel del Coronado looks a bit different in this photo, that’s because it’s undergoing a big renovation during the pandemic.Sign states that for the first time in 132 years, Hotel del Coronado has temporarily suspended operations.Another look at major renovation underway at the world-famous Victorian beach resort.As I walked back east along Orange Avenue, I passed the Coronado mural. I noticed it’s printed on panels, not painted.The marquee at the Village Theater indicates It’s Intermission Time!One banner on the Orange Avenue median near Spreckels Park reads: Coronado We Stay Home Together. Support Our First Responders.The Coronado ferry will depart for downtown San Diego shortly. I stayed at a distance from the group ahead of me. They were told to don masks before boarding the ferry.The captain of the Silvergate poses for a photograph wearing his face mask. Stay safe!
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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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
Today I enjoyed a long walk from downtown San Diego to Liberty Station then back again. It felt so good to be near the water that I even took a short detour to visit Harbor Island.
Given the current coronavirus pandemic, I noticed an unusual number of people out on San Diego Bay, on paddle boards, in kayaks, breathing in the healthy fresh air. There’s a new local regulation that recently went into effect during the COVID-19 crisis. People are now allowed to recreate on the water. And those engaged in safe social distancing aren’t required to wear face coverings. They can fully enjoy San Diego’s watery paradise.
As I arrived at Liberty Station, I noticed many stand up paddleboarders embarking on a journey from the boat channel. They headed under the Nimitz and Harbor Drive bridges and into the sunlit marina behind Harbor Island.
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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!
Well, May is here already. Hard to believe. The coronavirus pandemic continues, as do the government mandated lockdowns, which makes it difficult for a photo blogger who explores the city to find fresh material. Nearly all events are cancelled, many places are closed.
So what is one to do? I thought now would be a good time to once again go back five years!
What was happening on Cool San Diego Sights back in May 2015? Lot’s of amazing stuff! One thing you might notice is that Balboa Park’s big year-long Centennial Celebration was underway!
Click the following links to enjoy lots of photos…
This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego! Are you curious? There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!
Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts. If you’re using a phone or small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!
To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.
A familiar sign as drivers enter Old Town from Interstate 5. Welcome to Old Town. Birthplace of California.
I have more photos to post from my long walk yesterday. But first I’m going to share pics that I took during today’s walk from downtown San Diego to Old Town!
I didn’t pull out my camera until I was well past the airport, heading up Hancock Street. I passed very few people. My mind was far away. As you can see, I did capture a few amusing images!
After a brief detour to explore Witherby Street and the semi-decayed old bridges and underpasses leading to an entrance of the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, I passed over Interstate 5 and entered Old Town.
I took a look around the quiet streets as I headed up Jefferson Street and Congress Street. Making sure there were no signs posted saying I couldn’t enter, I quickly passed through Old Town San Diego State Historic Park, which was almost deserted. Then I headed back south down San Diego Avenue.
Most of the shops and restaurants in Old Town were closed due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. A few restaurants were offering take-out, but very few potential customers were anywhere to be seen…
I’m heading up Hancock Street. If that’s not a NOT, can one legally park here?This might be the coolest little free library I’ve come across!A superhero who resembles Superman flies from what might be San Diego’s last phone booth.These pigeons regarded me as I walked along a gritty walkway under the Witherby Street train bridge.Now I’ve entered Old Town. Check out this cool sculpture in someone’s front yard!Flowers through a white fence.The African Latin Museum was closed. It’s on my list of things to do.This was part of the 1890 Ballast Point Light Station on Point Loma!
To learn more about the history of this lighthouse, and why part of it is now sitting on a sidewalk in Old Town, click here!
Mural in front of some small businesses on Congress Street depicts the early days of San Diego.Right part of the mural.Signs by the parking lot of Rockin’ Baja point to different distant destinations.On the small island beneath the signs I spotted this plaque.In Memory of Joe Flynn. 1902 – 1963. Joe loved Old Town and helped re-create Casa de Lopez. Old Town Chamber of Commerce.Mexican themed outdoor decor, but no customers at this eatery during the coronavirus pandemic.Voted best pizza in America! I gotta try a slice one day.The plaza in the middle of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park is deserted. But the grass is long and green!The many Old Town museums and attractions are all closed due to COVID-19.On an ordinary Sunday, this photo would be filled with people.Now I’m heading down San Diego Avenue. Another popular restaurant is temporarily closed.But Cafe Coyote is open for take out! And I got two yummy handmade fresh tortillas to munch on as I walked!
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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!
You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!
Cool San Diego Sights! 