Tag: walking

Fun street art on Mission Center Road!

Street art on Mission Center Road north of Friars Road depicts nature along the nearby San Diego River.
Street art on Mission Center Road north of Friars Road depicts wildlife along the nearby San Diego River.

Several electrical boxes on Mission Center Road just north of Friars Road have been painted with fun street art.  This morning I took a small detour while walking to work to snap a few photos.

A snowy egret beautifully painted on a Mission Valley transformer box.
A snowy egret beautifully painted on a Mission Valley transformer.
Street art shows a mallard and three ducklings in some grass near the San Diego River.
A mallard and three ducklings in some grass near the San Diego River.
A funny sketch on an electrical box. A gull is carrying away a bag of chips!
A funny sketch on an electrical box. A gull is carrying away a bag of chips!
Welcome to Mission Valley. This street art greets drivers heading along Mission Center Road.
Welcome to Mission Valley. A rabbit greets drivers heading along Mission Center Road.
This historic old building is located a few miles to the east. The Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, founded in 1769, first Spanish mission in Alta California.
This historic old building is located a few miles to the east. Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, founded in 1769, first Spanish mission in Alta California.

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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!

Another pleasant walk along San Diego Bay’s Crescent.

Gulls take flight beside San Diego Bay, just north of Grape Street Pier.
Gulls take flight beside San Diego Bay, just north of Grape Street Pier.

Off work early again. So I took a pleasant walk along San Diego Bay’s Crescent area, between the Grape Street Pier and the Coast Guard Station. This part of the North Embarcadero is a bit ragged and sleepy, but there’s plenty of color and sunshine.

Someone stands by the water one late afternoon gazing at moored boats in the Crescent area of San Diego Bay.
Someone stands by the water one late winter afternoon gazing at moored boats in the Crescent area of San Diego Bay.
Corroded plaque on a planter by wood benches recalls the dedication of Embarcadero Promenade in 1985. Over thirty years later, the area is a bit ragged, but a fine place to sit and enjoy the scenery.
Corroded plaque on a planter near wood benches recalls the dedication of Embarcadero Promenade in 1985. Over thirty years later, the area is a bit ragged, but a fine place to sit and enjoy the ocean breeze and scenery.
Looking south across the bay toward the downtown skyline. One could sit here and enjoy the sun all afternoon.
Looking south across the bay toward the downtown skyline. One could sit here and enjoy the San Diego sunshine all afternoon.
Cool boat has futuristic wings instead of canvas sails.
Cool boat has futuristic wings instead of canvas sails.
Fishing from the small dock behind the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary shack on the North Embarcadero.
Fishing from the small dock behind the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary shack on the North Embarcadero.
Some folks return to dry land from their boat home moored on the calm bay.
Some folks return to dry land from their boat home moored on the calm bay.
A small row boat appears to have capsized. Other dinghies have pools of collected water.
A small row boat appears to have capsized. Other dinghies have pools of collected water.
A field of sailboat masts under beautiful wispy afternoon clouds.
A field of sailboat masts under beautiful wispy afternoon clouds.

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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!

Another photographic walk around Liberty Station.

Colorful quilting artwork in a window of the Visions Art Museum at Liberty Station.
Colorful quilting artwork in a window of the Visions Art Museum at Liberty Station.

I’ve blogged many times about Liberty Station. But there’s always more to discover.

Yesterday I walked around the historic old Navy base, and was pleased to take a few photographs that you might enjoy. I spotted some artwork and framed some of the place’s beauty.

These few moments in time and space might seem random, but it was all new to me. That’s why I like to walk.

I spotted this bust in a nook while walking along the North Promenade. It was probably created in a nearby art studio. I could find no information.
I spotted this bust in a nook while walking along the North Promenade. It was probably created in a nearby art studio. I could find no information.
The beautiful Galinson Family Fountain at NTC Liberty Station.
The beautiful Galinson Family Fountain at NTC Liberty Station.
I spotted this cool metal wire sculpture of a man dining on the planet Earth near an old, peeling Naval Training Center wall. The art includes a dangling mobile and casts a thin, weird shadow.
I spotted this cool metal wire sculpture of a man dining on the planet Earth near an old, peeling Naval Training Center wall. Plastic Dinner, by Spenser Little. The art includes a dangling mobile and casts a thin, weird shadow.
Peer into one window at IDW Publishing, headquartered at Liberty Station, and you'll see a huge statue of Leonardo, of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!
Peer into one window at IDW Publishing, headquartered at Liberty Station, and you’ll see a huge statue of Leonardo, of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles!
A peaceful place of natural and man-made beauty, perfect for a slow thoughtful walk.
A peaceful place of natural and man-made beauty, perfect for a slow thoughtful walk.
Decoration above an arch. I believe that is Cabrillo's ship San Salvador. He entered San Diego Bay not far from here.
Decoration above an arch. I believe that is explorer Cabrillo’s ship San Salvador. He entered San Diego Bay not far from here.
Looking down a long colonnade where U.S. Navy sailor recruits once walked.
Looking down a long colonnade where U.S. Navy sailor recruits once walked.
Photo of the eye-pleasing USNTC North Chapel, reflecting the Point Loma sunshine one Sunday.
Photo of the eye-pleasing USNTC North Chapel, reflecting the Point Loma sunshine one Sunday.
Nautical symbols above the front entrance to the Navy's old North Chapel at Liberty Station.
Nautical symbols above the front entrance to the Navy’s old North Chapel at Liberty Station.

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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!

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Photos of fun street art along Fourth Avenue!

A funny spotted creature of some kind decorates an electrical box on Fourth Avenue near the Quince Street Bridge.
A funny spotted creature of some kind decorates an electrical box on Fourth Avenue near the Quince Street Bridge.

I got off work early and wanted to enjoy the remaining daylight.  So I took the 120 bus to Hillcrest and walked down Fourth Avenue from University Avenue to Elm Street.

I found some fun street art on electrical boxes in both Hillcrest and Bankers Hill!

Spray painted face lit by sunshine early one morning, near Fourth Avenue and Robinson Avenue in Hillcrest.
A spray painted face lit by sunshine early one morning in Hillcrest, near Fourth Avenue and Robinson Avenue.

Okay, you caught me!  The above photo was taken one morning a couple months ago. It was sitting in my computer.  All the others are from late this afternoon.

A guitar and stars decorate a utility box.
A guitar and stars decorate a utility box.
Colorful art shows a street scene! Copies, bread, coffee and outdoor diners come together near Fourth Avenue and Laurel Street.
Colorful art shows a street scene! Copies, bread, coffee and outdoor diners come together under a blue sky near Fourth Avenue and Laurel Street.
Ice cream, barber, eyes, dentist. A happy stick figure walks down an imaginary Bankers Hill sidewalk.
Ice cream, barber, eyes, dentist. A happy stick figure walks down an imaginary Bankers Hill sidewalk.
A contented face on a utility box near the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Laurel Street.
A contented face on a utility box near the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Laurel Street.
Lots of stars and some hearts.
Lots of stars and some hearts.
According to some writing on this transformer, these are space plants and moon flowers!
According to some writing on this transformer, these are space plants and moon flowers!

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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!

Dreamlike visions on a wet, drizzly morning.

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It was drizzling very lightly this morning when I stepped out my door. I walked from Cortez Hill down to Broadway, then over to Santa Fe Depot. My camera was under my umbrella.

The light was dim and uncertain, causing many photographs to come out unfocused. A few strange photographs seem to contain mysterious phantoms from some half-remembered dream.  Haunting visions on a wet, drizzly morning.

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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!

A perfect sunny day at the Chula Vista Marina.

Just sitting on a bench at the Chula Vista Marina. Masts of sailboats touch the clear sky. Another sunny day by the water.
Just sitting on a bench at the Chula Vista Marina. Masts of sailboats touch the clear sky. Another sunny day by the water.

Last Saturday morning I did some walking around the Chula Vista Marina and the neighboring Bayside Park. It was a perfect day for a leisurely stroll. Sunlight reflected from the water onto the smooth shiny hulls of boats. A forest of masts tickled the blue sky.

I sat down for awhile to drink in the calm and beauty. Another reason to love San Diego!

The Chula Vista Marina and adjacent Bayside Park are perfect places to relax and recreate.
The Chula Vista Marina and adjacent Bayside Park are perfect places to relax and recreate.
An abstract sculpture near the Dockmaster's Office.
An abstract sculpture near the Dockmaster’s Office.
The sculpture is titled To Remember Me, by Ross Barrable, 2001. In tribute to Ron McElliott who believed in the potential of the South Bay.
The sculpture is titled To Remember Me, by Ross Barrable, 2001. In tribute to Ron McElliott who believed in the potential of the South Bay.
Some street art on a nearby utility box depicts a tall ship on the ocean.
Some street art on a nearby utility box depicts a tall ship on the ocean.
Sitting at a table by the marina feeding the birds.
Sitting at a table by the marina feeding the birds.
Hundreds of sailboats and pleasure craft in the Chula Vista Yacht Harbor await an opportunity to glide across San Diego Bay.
Hundreds of sailboats and pleasure craft in the Chula Vista Yacht Harbor await an opportunity to glide across San Diego Bay.
Walking the dog across Chula Vista Bayside Park's fishing pier, next to the marina.
Walking the dog across Chula Vista Bayside Park’s fishing pier, next to the marina.
A fisherman out on San Diego Bay. The Coronado Cays are visible across the calm blue water.
A fisherman out on San Diego Bay. The Coronado Cays are visible across the calm blue water.
A happy sun shines on the marina building.
A happy sun shines on the marina building.
A beautiful fountain on the grass near the Chula Vista Marina office.
A beautiful fountain on the grass near the Chula Vista Marina office.

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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!

Happy street art in Mira Mesa!

A lady with flowers in her long flowing purple hair.
A lady with flowers in her long flowing purple hair.

Late this morning I went to the San Diego Tet Festival at Mira Mesa Community Park. (I’ll blog about that shortly.) Hoping to avoid crowds, I parked a distance from the park before the festival opened, then spent a half hour or so walking around the area.

I was happy to spy a whole bunch of cool street art in the vicinity of Mira Mesa Boulevard and Camino Ruiz! Naturally, I had to take some photos!

Lovely street art painted on a transformer box in Mira Mesa.
Lovely street art painted on a transformer box in Mira Mesa.
A tree behind a white fence seems to bear pencils.
A tree behind a white fence seems to bear pencils.
Are mushrooms sprouting from the nearby grass?
Are mushrooms sprouting from the nearby grass?
A happy dream takes the form of mazy images. This street art is on a utility box near the intersection of Mira Mesa Boulevard and Camino Ruiz.
A seeming dream takes the form of mazy images. This street art is on a utility box near the intersection of Mira Mesa Boulevard and Camino Ruiz.
Just a big heart and bright colors.
Just a big heart and simple blocks of bright color.
Looks like a Chargers bolt. Unfortunately, San Diego's football team bolted.
Looks like a Chargers bolt. Unfortunately, San Diego’s NFL football team bolted.
One Love and many symbols atop a utility box in Mira Mesa.
One Love and many symbols atop a utility box in Mira Mesa.
A painted Asian landscape of mountains rising from water.
A painted Asian landscape.  Mountains rise from turbulent water.
Another side of the same dramatic box.
Another side of the same dramatic box.
A happy mug of coffee gives a wink near muffins, beneath musical notes.
A happy mug of coffee gives a wink near muffins, beneath musical notes.
Happy food and drink!
Happy food and drink!
A happy face on a teacup!
A happy face on a blue teacup!
Kid with phonograph sits at base of a pagoda in this unique street art.
Kid with phonograph sits at base of a pagoda in this unique street art.
A bunch of colored circles.
A bunch of colored circles.
A red, geometric, minimalist bit of street art.
A red, geometric, minimalist bit of street art.
Colors like stained glass and a rising koi on this utility box.
Colors pieced together like stained glass, and a rising koi on this utility box.
Koi, sun and clouds.
Koi, water, sun and clouds.
I can't quite make out the beginning of what is written. Mira Mesa remain Strong, Brave and Proud!
I can’t quite make out the beginning of what is written. I can read: Mira Mesa remain Strong, Brave and Proud!
Two colorful electrical boxes along Mira Mesa Boulevard.
Two colorful electrical boxes along Mira Mesa Boulevard.
Looks like a hip hop kid with a big cap.
Looks like a hip hop kid with a big funky cap.
An old school phonograph!
An old school phonograph!
Looks like one of those trick squirting flowers.
Looks like one of those trick squirting flowers.
Two beautiful flowers.
Two beautiful flowers.
This puzzle-like street art looks both ancient and alien.
This puzzle-like street art looks both ancient and alien.
A touching image of a young girl. She seems to sit alone on the sidewalk.
A touching image of a young girl. She seems to sit alone on the sidewalk.
Abstract hills, trees and blue beams of sunshine.
Abstract hills, trees and blue beams of sunshine.
More cool street art in Mira Mesa.
More cool street art in Mira Mesa.
A flying saucer cat and an orange tabby that doesn't appear amused.
A flying saucer cat and an orange tabby that doesn’t appear amused.
A smiling girl astronaut among happy colorful stars.
A smiling girl astronaut among happy colorful stars.
A dog in a space helmet joyfully rockets above a ringed planet.
A dog in a space helmet joyfully rockets above a ringed planet.

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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!

Winter beauty at the Japanese Friendship Garden.

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I took a slow walk this afternoon through the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park. Even in winter, the garden is indescribably beautiful.

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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!

To read a few stories I’ve written, click Short Stories by Richard.

Photos of San Diego River, after three storms.

The swollen San Diego River after three winter storms in six days. A gauge beside the water shows the river has subsided to about the 8 foot mark, after reaching a high level--I believe--of around 11 feet.
The swollen San Diego River after three winter storms in six days. A gauge beside the water shows the river has subsided to about the 8 foot mark, after reaching a high level–I believe–of around 11 feet.

I did some walking in a drizzle this morning before work.

I got off the trolley at the Fashion Valley station and proceeded to investigate the San Diego River in a section of Mission Valley that is often hit with flooding. Three very rainy winter storms were finally coming to an end. What did I see?

Palm trees surrounded by river water. Photo taken between the Fashion Valley Transit Center and the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center.
Palm trees surrounded by flowing river water. Photo taken from the pedestrian bridge between the Fashion Valley Transit Center and the Town and Country Resort and Convention Center.
A tall eucalyptus tree knocked over by the gusty winter storms. A common sight around San Diego.
A tall, shallow-rooted eucalyptus tree knocked over by the gusty winter storms. A common sight around San Diego.
Fashion Valley Road this morning was still blocked off from traffic, even though the San Diego River's water had subsided to street level.
Fashion Valley Road this morning was still blocked off from traffic, even though the San Diego River’s water had subsided to street level.
A friendly San Diego Lifeguard makes the rounds to make sure nobody needs a swift water rescue. My photo just missed his wave!
A friendly San Diego Lifeguard makes the rounds to make sure nobody needs a swift water rescue. My photo just missed his wave!
The parking structures at Fashion Valley Mall that are susceptible to flooding were definitely well underwater. Thank goodness, I saw no submerged cars.
The parking structures at Fashion Valley Mall that are susceptible to flooding were definitely well underwater. Thank goodness, I saw no submerged cars.
Bright green grass and dark clouds. I was sheltered from raindrops by the trolley tracks overhead.
Bright green grass and dark clouds. I was sheltered from raindrops by the trolley tracks overhead.
As usual, the San Diego River was flooding Avenida del Rio south of the mall. The short street is appropriately named!
As usual, the San Diego River was flooding Avenida del Rio just south of the mall. The short, dipping street is appropriately named!
Yesterday someone foolishly trying to walk through this powerful moving water had to be rescued. They got washed away. A helicopter was even brought in.
Yesterday someone foolishly trying to walk through this powerful moving water had to be rescued. They got washed away. A helicopter was even brought in.
No worries about flooding for the trolley--at least right here!
No worries about flooding for the trolley–at least right here!
The Highway 163 underpass was flooded and muddy. I had to walk another way around to work. Good thing I got an early start!
The Highway 163 underpass was flooded and muddy. I had to walk another way around to reach work. Good thing I got an early start!
Sign by the San Diego River. The low rainfall and the geologic composition historically allowed the river to run below ground much of the year, hence the nickname--the Upside Down River.
Sign by the San Diego River. The low rainfall and the geologic composition historically allowed the river to run below ground much of the year, hence the nickname: the Upside Down River.
The beautiful river this morning through leaves.
The beautiful river this morning through leaves.
Morning sky and clouds through bare winter river trees.
Morning sky and clouds through bare winter trees.
The San Diego River is unusually wide in its swollen state after the storms. It looks like an honest-to-goodness actual river!
The San Diego River is unusually wide in its swollen state after the storms. It looks like an honest-to-goodness actual river!
Walking along Mission Center Road in the rain by the San Diego River.
Walking along Mission Center Road in the rain by the San Diego River.

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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!

Cool street art discoveries in National City!

Some happy street art in National City. A high five, pink rabbit and heart.
Some happy street art in National City. A high five, pink rabbit and heart.

I found even more cool street art while walking around National City! Check out these photos! Colorful utility boxes and transformers seemed to pop up wherever I turned!

Transinfinite Gems. Love Your Soul. Blessings and Love.
Transinfinite Gems. Love Your Soul. Blessings and Love.
A creatively painted utility box near a National City street corner.
A creatively painted utility box near a National City street corner. Is that a can of soda?
Someone just let loose with many strokes of color on this transformer box!
Someone just let loose with many strokes of color on this transformer box!
This cool street art definitely attracts the attention of people walking down the sidewalk!
This cool street art definitely attracts the attention of people walking down the sidewalk!
An abstract human figure that drips ink into a river. This fantastic image appears to be full of symbolism.
An abstract human figure that drips ink into a river. This fantastic image appears to be full of symbolism.
More cool designs on a series of electrical boxes. National City, in San Diego's South Bay, has lots of great street art.
More cool designs on a series of electrical boxes. National City, in San Diego’s South Bay, has lots of great street art!
A contrast of real leaves and painted leaves.
A contrast of real leaves and painted leaves.
Barren trees in a purple-blue sky.
Barren trees in a purple-blue sky.
Another side of the same box.
Another side of the same box.
Branches from sky and ground, like grasping, skeletal fingers.
Branches from sky and ground, like grasping, skeletal fingers.

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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!