Natural beauty near the Sikes Adobe.

Early this morning, before the summer sun could make hiking very hot, I enjoyed a slow, quiet walk near the Sikes Adobe Historic Farmstead in Escondido.

I followed the Coast to Crest Trail for a bit, passed over Kit Carson Creek, and gazed off toward the willows and sycamores that line the edge of Lake Hodges and the San Dieguito River.

I lifted my camera when my eyes happened to perceive another instance of natural beauty.

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!

A small walking adventure on an ordinary day.

Every day in any life promises adventure. Even ordinary days.

Today, before and after work, I walked semi-randomly around downtown San Diego. New sights awaited around each corner.

I took a few photos of my small walking adventure.

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!

Final rays of sunlight and a smile in Balboa Park.

Late yesterday I entered Balboa Park to enjoy a summer organ concert. I arrived well before the music began, so I took a leisurely walk along El Prado.

I was touched by the final rays of sunlight and a smile…

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!

A place like heaven, and full of surprises.

Balboa Park to me is a place like heaven. A place overflowing with joy and sunshine and smiles and wonder. A carefree place that is full of surprises.

Today I enjoyed a few delightful surprises during my walk–as you’ll see.

The House of Peru hosted a lawn program today at Balboa Park's International Cottages.
A huge crowd had gathered at the International Cottages. The House of Peru hosted a colorful lawn program today.

Peruvian born Mario Torero, internationally famous muralist and activist, greets the audience before receiving an honor.
Peruvian born Mario Torero, internationally famous muralist and activist, greets the audience before receiving an honor.
The brass ring might appear any moment.
The brass ring might appear at any moment.

Balboa Park is one of the most wonderful places on Earth.

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!

One more fun walk outside 2019 Comic-Con!

Krypto the Superdog has entered South Park during 2019 Comic-Con.
Krypto the Superdog has entered South Park during 2019 Comic-Con.

It’s Sunday, the final day of 2019 San Diego Comic-Con.

This morning I took a leisurely walk around downtown, the Gaslamp Quarter and the convention center.

No suffocating crowds, and more relaxed…but less cosplay.

I saw lots of families out enjoying a fun day!

It's Sunday morning at Comic-Con, and pop culture fans are heading to the San Diego Convention Center.
It’s Sunday morning at Comic-Con, and pop culture fans are heading toward the San Diego Convention Center.
As I walked up MLK Promenade, these nice Amazon Prime Video ladies handed me literature concerning upcoming shows.
As I walked up MLK Promenade, these nice Amazon Prime Video ladies handed me literature concerning upcoming shows.
I got into the Amazon activation with ease, but then discovered the attractions within had waits of up to two hours!
I got into the Amazon activation with ease, but then discovered the attractions within had waits of up to two hours!
I watched a mock fight up on the colorful central structure.
I watched a mock fight up on the colorful central structure.
People could don fairy wings and take flight for a Carnival Row photo.
People could don fairy wings and take flight for a Carnival Row photo.
This structure contains the Carnival Row attraction. In an earlier blog post I surmised it was for The Boys.
This structure contains the Carnival Row attraction. In an earlier blog post I surmised it was for The Boys.
A cool area at the Amazon offsite where people can relax. I enjoyed my free water and churros.
A cool area at the Amazon offsite where people can relax. I enjoyed my free water and churros.
As I walked back down MLK Promenade, I turned down these strange jelly-filled donuts, however.
As I walked back down MLK Promenade, however, I politely turned down these peculiar jelly-filled donuts.
I saw Dumbledore last year, too. I guess rumors of his demise are exaggerated.
I saw Dumbledore last year, too. I guess rumors of his demise are exaggerated.
Wonder Woman cosplayer strikes a pose.
Wonder Woman cosplayer strikes a heroic pose.
Everyone was photographing Batgirl!
Everyone was photographing Batgirl up on the Harbor Drive pedestrian bridge!
What we do in the shadows...or on our phones.
What we do in the shadows…or on our phones.
Sunday morning 2019 Comic-Con. Walking behind the San Diego Convention Center.
Sunday morning 2019 Comic-Con. Walking behind the San Diego Convention Center.
The Hot Wheels truck!
The Hot Wheels truck!
Awesome Wonder Woman and Hawkman cosplay!
Awesome Wonder Woman and Hawkman cosplay!
Taking photos in the Dragon Ball Z activation.
Taking photos in the Dragon Ball Z activation.
A bit of cosplay on Sunday, but not as much as Saturday.
I observed examples of cosplay on Sunday, but not nearly as much as Saturday.
Joker gives me an evil look.
Joker gives me an evil look.
Here come some snacks.
Here come some snacks.
They were doing some sort of filming in the FX Fearless Forum.
They were doing some sort of filming in the FX Fearless Forum.
A banana posed for a photo.
A banana posed for a photo.
A fanatic demonstrates their unquestioned FAITH IN GODZILLA.
A fanatic demonstrates their unquestioned FAITH IN GODZILLA.
Jack Skellington cosplay, from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Jack Skellington cosplay, from The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Does this mean I'm NOT supposed to believe The Twilight Zone?
Does this mean I’m NOT supposed to believe The Twilight Zone?
These guys at the 91X radio table in the Interactive Zone smiled for some strange guy taking pictures.
These guys at the 91X radio table in the Interactive Zone smiled for some strange guy taking pictures.
I spied Popeye nearby.
I spied Popeye nearby.
This guy was singing his heart out doing Carpool Karaoke.
This guy was singing his heart out doing Carpool Karaoke.
Is this knight from Game of Thrones?
Is this knight from Game of Thrones?
An artist had spray paint art creations on the grass by a walkway.
An artist had spray paint art creations on the grass by a walkway.
Lots of criminals are lining up at Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
Lots of criminals are lining up at Brooklyn Nine-Nine.
This fellow likes dolls it would seem.
This fellow collects dolls it would seem.
New employees of the Superstore get photographed.
New employees of the Superstore get photographed.
This particular Darth Maul doesn't look so tough. Just saying.
This particular Darth Maul doesn’t look so tough. Just saying.
A relatively tranquil Sunday morning outside Comic-Con. Another beautiful San Diego day!
A relatively tranquil Sunday morning outside Comic-Con. Another beautiful San Diego day!
Basketballs were flying madly at the FOX Fan Fair.
Basketballs were flying madly at the FOX Fan Fair.
As I headed up Fifth Avenue for home, I was lucky to get this cool cosplay shot.
As I headed up Fifth Avenue for home, I was lucky to get this cool cosplay shot.
And some Ghostbusters, too.
And some Ghostbusters, too.
And this Angry Bird!
And this Angry Bird!

Tomorrow it’s back to normal, everyday, ordinary life.

Now it’s time for a nap!

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!

A fun, easy walk outside 2019 Comic-Con!

Come with me on an easy walk outside San Diego Comic-Con! It’s Thursday, and I’ve selected a bunch of fun photos.

So take a seat, get comfortable and come along!

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!

Cosplay and fun stuff early Thursday morning!

Pennywise cosplay at 2019 San Diego Comic-Con.
Pennywise cosplay at 2019 San Diego Comic-Con.

Around seven o’clock this morning, people were trickling in for the first day of 2019 San Diego Comic-Con. Lines were forming at the convention center and at various offsite activations, most of which open around ten o’clock.

Walking about I observed the early morning activity, and I encountered many fun examples of cosplay!

Raven cosplay.
Raven cosplay.
The Fairly OddParents cosplay.
The Fairly OddParents cosplay.
Early Thursday morning, guys are wading in the Childrens Park fountain putting up some cool Animation Domination balloons.
Early Thursday morning, guys are wading in the Childrens Park fountain putting up some cool Animation Domination balloons.
WATCH OUT FOR FREAKS
WATCH OUT FOR FREAKS
The Handmaid's Tale cosplay.
The Handmaid’s Tale cosplay.
This guy informed me his cosplay is a cross between The Comedian and Negan.
This guy informed me his cosplay is a cross between The Comedian and Negan.
Spider-Man cosplay.
Spider-Man cosplay.
The Interactive Zone at Petco Park wasn't open yet. I'll check it out today or tomorrow!
The Interactive Zone at Petco Park wasn’t open yet. I’ll check it out today or tomorrow!
Fans are already waiting in line for NBC's Brooklyn Nine-Nine activation.
Fans are already waiting in line for NBC’s Brooklyn Nine-Nine activation.
Rey is a popular cosplay this year.
Rey is a popular cosplay this year.
Star Trek cosplay with a Vulcan salute. Live long and prosper!
Star Trek cosplay with a Vulcan salute. Live long and prosper!
Setting up for the Stan Lee's Alliances offsite in the Gaslamp.
Setting up for the Stan Lee’s Alliances offsite in the Gaslamp.
Wolverine cosplay.
Wolverine cosplay.

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!

A morning walk before Comic-Con Preview Night!

Here come loads of photos from my morning walk around 2019 San Diego Comic-Con before Preview Night. It’s Wednesday, and everyone is working furiously to get wraps and offsites ready!

I walked everywhere: through East Village, the Gaslamp Quarter, around the San Diego Convention Center and Marriott Marquis, and down MLK Promenade.

Among other things I observed . . . the Nerdist offsite has received Museum of Mayhem window wraps. The Watchmen offsite had barely even begun their construction. The Syfy wrap is finished. The entrance of the Star Trek: Picard offsite appears ready, with the words Jean-Luc Picard: The First Duty and Starfleet Museum. DeadQuarters is a radioactive zone, and that airplane appears to have crash landed. The South Park miniature golf is about ready. The Marriott appears ready to host the Esports Lounge. One or two people walking about are already engaging in cosplay. The Dragon Ball Z activation looks really cool now. The IMDb yacht appears about ready. The Adult Swim and FX offsites are both looking pretty awesome, with some mysterious objects that make me wonder what they are. The Petco Park wraps are done, including one for ABC’s Emergence. A gigantic The Twilight Zone wrap is on the brand new Park 12 high-rise near Petco Park. The Interactive Zone at Petco Park is still setting up, and will include a Ripley’s Believe It or Not “Car Lot” with various unusual vehicles. The Chilladelphia activation has carnival games including a Shazam ring toss. I’m starting to see people hauling swag bags about. The Star Trek: Discovery wrap on the Omni is done. So are all the wraps on the Hard Rock Hotel, where IGN will be filming live on a balcony.

And if you’re tired after all this, have a seat on the Seinfeld couch!

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!

Stay tuned for lots more 2019 Comic-Con photos!

Revisiting history on San Diego’s 250th Anniversary.

An event of great historical importance is scheduled for this evening.

At five o’clock, on Presidio Hill near the Serra Museum, a ceremony will be held to mark the 250th Anniversary of San Diego. I plan to be there.

To remember the birth of our city (which began precisely where the above photo was taken), I’ve decided to revisit that history and provide links to various past blog posts.

If you plan to attend today’s event, there’s a trail to the top of Presidio Hill that starts near the small golf course east of Old Town. Today my feet will again follow that path.

The following photo of a display inside the Serra Museum shows the location of the original Spanish presidio, now a ruin hidden beneath grassy mounds.

The following blog posts contain a great deal of information about San Diego’s early history.

Here are the links:

Walk from Old Town to the San Diego Presidio.

Photos of historical plaques on Presidio Hill.

Photos of The Padre sculpture in Presidio Park.

San Diego’s early history at the Serra Museum.

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!

Photos of pop culture character street art!

During my walks around San Diego over the years, I’ve photographed all sorts of pop culture characters depicted in street art. The cool artwork has appeared on walls as murals and on sidewalk electrical boxes.

I’ve stumbled upon characters from comic books, manga, movies, television shows and even video games. Can you name all of them?

With Comic-Con now just ten days away, I thought I’d have fun and post some of these old photographs again!

If you want to see a lot more of this street art, and read additional information about the above photos, here are the related blog posts to check out…

Have fun and click!

Cool comic book and superhero street art!

Even more cool street art in Logan Heights!

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles street art!

Three cool street art faces in East Village!

Cool–and funny–Star Wars street art!

Japanese video game characters in fun street art!

Bart Club street art on a San Diego corner.

Bart Club street art utility box in North Park.

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!

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