Christened in 1966 with the stated purpose of being a fishing spot, the Ocean Beach Pier quickly became a tourist destination.

Before the completion of the Pier, fisherman needed a way to prevent their fishing lines and lures from getting tangled in the vast kelp and rock beds that lie near the surface of the water near the shores.

The Ocean Beach Pier solved this problem by providing fisherman 25-30 feet of water to avoid the shoreline kelp, thereby enabling them to catch various species of fish that lives in deeper waters.

Extending 1971 feet into the ocean it’s the second longest pier on the west coast. The Ocean Beach Pier is purported to be the longest concrete pier in the world. With its unique T-shape at the end, it adds an additional 360 feet to the south and 193 feet to the north. Naturally, the Ocean Beach Pier has become a popular tourist destination.

If you’re a surfer, surfing here requires a fair amount of skill as the rip tides can be significant, and unless you’re an expert surfer, don’t “shoot the pier.” It could potentially be a matter of life and death.

When Travelin’ Local in San Diego, especially during the summertime, hanging out in the OB, is part of the laid back culture down here.

So, when you plan your next trip to San Diego, be sure to include Ocean Beach and its Pier in your itinerary.  Oh, by the way, of course, you can walk to the end.  I haven’t included any photos of that yet, so keep coming back for that  surprise.

Here’s a few more interesting facts about the Ocean Beach Pier:

• Ocean Beach Pier was originally named the San Diego Fishing Pier. The original plaque is still there.
• The pier has over 500,000 visitors per year.
• Many people believe the Ocean Beach Pier is the longest pier in CA. It isn’t. At 1971 feet it is the longest concrete pier on the west coast. The pier at Santa Cruz is 2745 feet.
• The 1st fish caught on the pier was an 8-inch perch, first thought to be a type of sunfish. The 2nd and 3rd fish caught were a gray shark and a crab.
• The most common fish you may witness being caught from the pier are herring (often called queenfish). Currently, there’s no limit on how many you can catch.
• Then CA governor Edmund G. Brown, made the first cast off the OB Pier and reportedly fished for 5 minutes. As he fished, a large cabin cruiser with a banner reading “Reagan for Governor” circled the corner of the pier. Brown caught nothing and was defeated in November. (Coincidence?)
• Currently, no fishing license is required on the pier.
• In 1991 over $2 million was spent on the pier to repair damages caused by winter storms. Source: Ocean Beach MainStreet Association

Providing a home for sea stars, mussels, and clams, tide pool inhabitants must be hardy organisms. Fluctuations in water temperature, salinity, and oxygen levels, huge waves, exposure to the midday sun, strong currents, and predators are only a few of the hazards survivors of the tide pools must endure.

The OB Tide pools tide attract many visitors, both young and old.

Here’s a close up of the small ocean life that live in OB’s numerous tide pools:

Since it’s a real world living science reality, it’s a great place for kids to learn about nature in all its glory:

Although you have to look for them, treasures can be found in the Ocean Beach tide pools in San Diego.

All the more reason that the latest oil leak in the Gulf is such a grievance tragedy for the nation.

Be that as it may—the series presented herein by Travelin’ Local about Ocean Beach must have motivated you to go to the beach, asap!

After all, some times, life’s a beach!

Located at the end of Newport Avenue in San Diego, Ocean Beach isn’t only a beach, it’s an experience and way of life.  The beach here is a deeply inset by sand and length of width–in fact there was the World Surfing Championship held here a few decades ago, won by the Aussie, Nat Young—and both swimmers and surfers enjoy it year round. It also features numerous tide pools, a long pier, and an original Dog Beach to name but a few of its attractions.

Just the motto of the Ocean Beach Main Street Association sets it apart:

To find a unique balance of economic development, within a neighborhood setting and through special events, to contribute to the health, welfare, and pride of our coastal community!

In the picture above, besides the great beach, waves, and blue skies, you’ll see the famous Ocean Beach Pier. I’ll tell you more about that in an upcoming article, but as you can see, there’s a lot to see and do here. In fact, the sign in the photo says, “Surfing Only.” Further down the beach, there’s swimming galore.

Even before you reach the beach, traveling down Newport Avenue, you’ll notice shops and restaurants like this:

Hodad’s Burgers is one of the many examples of this free thinking community that encourages Mom and Pop type of businesses. "No Shirt – No Shoes – No Problem," sums up Newport Avenue’s attitude.

Every Wednesday, Ocean Beach hosts a Farmer’s Market, which unlike many other markets that start at the crack of dawn, Ocean Beach’s Farmer’s Market doesn’t start until 4:00pm.

More than the businesses and the attractions, it’s the people of Ocean Beach that make this place special:

The boy in the photograph above found a new use for his father’s skateboard. 

Coming here, you’ll instantly be relaxed and at ease, surrounded by the waves, water, and even a few bikes.

The allure of Ocean Beach is classic Southern California, San Diego style………………………….

Back in the day, there weren’t any steps, and people who wanted to get to the bottom, mostly surfers, had to trudge carefully on the cliff’s edge. It was manageable, but not without much difficulty. A surfboard isn’t exactly the easiest thing to carry, let alone scaling down a steep cliff side at the same time.

Indeed, after you reach the bottom, the surfer’s have to navigate entering the ocean first by getting past the small and large treacherous rocks and reef–and the waves when large, are unforgiving at the unusually distant set horizon; and upon completion of your surf session, you have to navigate back along the same obstacles as when you first entered.

Thus—the Ladera Steps came to be It assists the locals with avoiding the most difficult problem of getting to the beach—the Cliffs.

The Ladera Street Steps have a total of 100 steps (Yes, I counted them.), and have a fairly steep down grade, located at the corner of Ladera Street and Sunset Cliffs Blvd. They’re regularly used by the area’s surfers, beach walkers, and sightseers.

Going down has a lot of twists and turns, but the scenery is perfect

He made it to the bottom, but watch out, it looks slippery down there

At the bottom a small pool of rocks surround you

Messages carved into the soft rock are mysterious, cryptic, and intriguing

Let’s take one quick look at the surf before we head back up

The beauty of the Sunset Cliffs close up

On Sunset Cliffs Blvd., at the top, I’m greeted by a group of cyclists preparing to ride into the wind.

At Ladera Steps, half of the fun of going to the beach is experiencing and discovering the beauty that lies at the top and at the bottom of the stairs.

What began 26 years ago as a way to bring attention to the corner of San Diego known for its small shops, trattorias, Sunday afternoon stickball and talk around the dinner table about the old country, Mission Federal ArtWalk 2010 can now boast being the “largest open-air fine arts festival in southern California.”  So, if you’d like to join in this year’s fun, mark your calendar for April 24 and 25, from 11am-6pm. 

For decades, ArtWalk has been trusted by artists and art lovers alike as the San Diego event that brings together all genres of visual and performing arts. More than 300 national and international painters, sculptors, photographers, and multi-media artists will populate 16 city blocks, selling, demonstrating, and promoting their craft. Performers will take to 16 stages offering everything from jazz to reggae, blues to Appalachian folk.

To keep the event fresh and unique, several special features will be added to this year’s weekend event including the; ArtReach Silent Auction, where visitors can bid on the chance to win an original portrait of themselves, their families, and/or pet from 14 participating artists, and KidsWalk, which gives children and their parents a chance to discover their “inner artist” through interactive activities such as ocean art, animal masks, kite making, and creating art projects from recycled and reclaimed items.

KidsWalk is always a huge hit for kids and their families because it gives them an opportunity to actually get involved in the art process after walking around the festival and seeing thousands of works from the artists in their booths,” said Sandi Cottrell, managing director for Mission Federal ArtWalk. “The activities at KidsWalk are endless – from painting, sculpture, and drawing, to a drum circle– there is truly something for everyone!  Source:  KidsWalk Brings Family Fun to Mission Federal ArtWalk 2010!

Organizers of the 2010 Mission Federal ArtWalk suggest the following to ensure a pleasurable experience at the event: Bring Your Check Book.

Some artists do not accept credit cards. There are ATMs all around Little Italy, but a personal check may be more convenient for purchasing art.

Organizers strongly recommend taking the MTS Trolley to get to the festival. The Trolley stops right at the western edge of the event area, between Cedar St and Beech St (the "County Center/Little Italy" stop). Walk east on Cedar or Beech to begin your exploration. (For routes and fares, visit http://transit.511sd.com.

Limited street parking and pay lots are available throughout the area. The largest parking venue is the ACE Parking lot located at the County Administration Building, 1600 Pacific Highway. It’s three blocks west of the festival area. You can also park at Horton Plaza and catch the Old Town Trolley from Broadway Circle to shuttle to the event. You may validate your parking inside Horton Plaza at one of the Kiosks located throughout the mall.

Directions to Mission Federal ArtWalk 2010:

From the North: Take Interstate 5 South, Exit Sassafras/Kettner .Look for parking after you cross Grape St.

From the South: Take Interstate 5 North, Exit Hawthorne St. /Airport Exit. Keep left at the fork in the ramp. Turn left onto Kettner and look for parking.

I’m still learning my way around the laid back city of beautiful San Diego.

During my recent stay in Pacific Beach–where I had an incredible view of Mission Bay–I didn’t know what my plans were, what places I was going to, or even what I was going to do.

Little did I know that I would find a place that was new to town also; an Irish pub that opened its doors the same day I drove down.

Talk about the luck of the Irish!

On Saturday night my friends and I down one of PB’s main streets, Garnet, the other being Grand, and headed west toward the ocean.

Our mission was simple–to find a place to kick back and have a brew, and have some good conversation. We literally stumbled upon Brewley’s Pint. After seeing the different throngs at other local hangouts–we wanted no drama to have good karma–so it seemed totally natural to pick Brewley’s Pint because of its cool vibe, the mellow people that were outside, and what was inside.

There were enough places that were charging cover that it seemed their long lines were because they were giving out free beer inside.  So that was a no-go for us needless to say.

After we parked, we walked along Garnet but noticed that most places were too crowded , while others were just not what we had in mind.

But there’s always something comforting about familiarity, and for me that familiarity was an Irish pub, aptly named, Brewley’s Pint, on 1261 Garnet Ave.

The pub was comfortable, not overly crowded, and I found a place for two at the bar quickly. The Pub is shaded in a hues of dark mahogany, has one giant barroom, and has sports on the tube (10 HD widescreens), The patrons were cool–some college students (and marines) hanging around.

I ordered a beer on tap, 22 ounces for $7.25.  They offered a variety of Irish beers that are less recognizable than Guinness on tapl (offering 16 taps in all). Our bartender, Jess, was quick and super attentive, and brought the beers quickly.  We paid cash, but they also take plastic.   

After arriving, having imbibed a beer or two, and a few questions later, I found out Brewley’s Pint has been a long time in the planning, but a short time in the opening.

So what differentiates Brewley’s Pint from the other establishments on Garnet? First, it’s the only Irish pub in the area, and it’s definitely a pub, no booths, just bar stools and standing space.  Walking down the street, each bar had a different feeling, and each person had a different ideal of "The Bar" for the night. 

Brewley’s Pint, relatively unknown and just starting their tenure on Garnet, seemed like a good place to get a drink, as you could have a conversation with your friends, without being overpowered by a reveler’s karaoke. (Yeah, you hate them too?)

There wasn’t a crowd out the door, but this might have more to do with the fact that they just opened, and still have time to build local recognition. There’s no cover charge at Brewley’s Pint and they have super quick bar service–every time my beer started to get a little light, someone was asking if I needed a refresher.   (“But of course,” I replied!)

I spoke with their manager Declan Roche, a genuine Irishman who has lived in San Diego for 4 years; he seemed excited and ready to navigate the lure and competition lurking for Brewley’s Pint in Pacific Beach.

You might recognize the space as being the former Tropicoso, a Brazilian themed bar which used to be known for its dancing and reggae.

Now the bar has since gone green, Irish that is, and is preparing to develop a reputation for live music, a local hang out to have a relaxing pint, and a monthly St. Patrick’s Day celebration on the 17^th of every month.

If you find yourself visiting Pacific Beach, give Brewley’s Pint a visit and be sure to tell them that you read about them on Travelin’ Local!

And, before you know it, you’re there–at the doorsteps of Downtown San Diego, and the sun is shining.

Taking the Amtrak definitely has a lot of advantages, whether it’s to experience the terrain on your way to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics, or taking the Amtrak Cascades from Seattle—either way it reduces the carbon emissions on your trip from one place to the next.

And, of course, this gives travelers the extra advantage of really being able to enjoy, and to actually see the landscape of our state–in its entire beautiful entirety.

But the No. 1 perk in my book is that there’s no driving required. Yep, that means no weary eyes on the road or frustrating delays in traffic jams. Just sit back and take in the scenery. In fact, California has the highest Amtrak usage for any state in the country. Its rich railroad history still stands as a reminder of a past era–in time and place–that once was California’s historical and cultural way of life.

One of the most popular rail lines is the Pacific Surfliner, which travels the coastal corridor from San Diego, to Los Angeles, to Santa Barbara, and to San Luis Obispo. It’s the second busiest corridor in the country, with 2.5 million riders just in 2009.

The Amtrak seems to be reviving to accommodate the swath of new passengers who take the train on a more regular basis. The state and federal government have even recently announced plans to spend upwards of $49.5 million for major upgrades to Amtrak maintenance facilities in Los Angeles and Florida. This adds to the newly proposed idea of building an electronically powered high-speed rail system in California by 2020, as a way to create more jobs and cut down on polluting carbon emissions from heavy freeway traffic. The project will cost nearly $2.3 billion, funded from Federal Stimulus money authorized from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

But until that project becomes a reality, the railroad transportation we have today still does the job. So, here’s a guide to some of the sights, spots, and costs where to go if you’re planning on escaping Los Angeles any time soon and hopping on the Amtrak train to San Diego.

Where can I get on Board?

We start our journey at the Los Angeles Union Station, an architectural achievement, steeped in American history. It was originally known as the Los Angeles Passenger Terminal, a grand historic facility widely recognized as one of the first major terminals in the country.

It was built in 1939 by John and Donald Parkinson, who also designed City Hall and Bullock’s Wilshire, using architectural styles of Spanish Colonial Revival and Art Deco.

When you walk into the entrance you might think you are in a church, since the floor plan was made to look like a cathedral. Inside there are virtually no echo sounds because the walls are lined with cork.

Outside there are waiting rooms, tiled fountains, and patio areas. It cost about $11 million to build the Union Station back in 1939, pooling together funds from the Southern Pacific, Union Pacific, and Santa Fe railroads.

Union Station the Rolls Royce of Train Stations

Originally opened in May 1939, Union Station is now the central stop for Amtrak, along with three rail lines– the Red, Purple, and Gold.

With about 400 train departures every 24 hours, thousands of people make their way through Union Station each day. Partially designed by the Parkinsons Architecture Group, who also designed LA City Hall, Union Station passengers are greeted upon their arrival and departure via the gardens.

Also interesting to note, as Paisley commented on during the Los Angeles Historical Walks, Union Station has also been featured in several films and television programs, including Blade Runner, Speed, Star Trek: First Contact, Pearl Harbor, The Italian Job, and the Fox television series 24.

Union Station “mixes two architectural styles, Spanish Colonial Revival and Art Deco. The floor plan is a cross, like in a cathedral. There is no echo inside the building – the walls are lined with cork.” Source: Union Station

Its interior and exterior make plentiful use of travertine marble on both walls and floors, along with the serious yet colorful and playful use of terra cotta.

Union Station’s grand rooms have an air of coolness and style. Although Union Station had heavy traffic during World War II, its ridership dwindled until 1993, when the Metro’s Red and Purple lines were introduced to the historic complex.

Union Station was designed to be a place of relaxation in an otherwise hectic travel environment, symbolizing our fast paced lives, and its inexorable and inextricable connection.

Inside its iconic and transformational “Waiting Room,” travelers find food, comfy chairs, and a path leading to Union Station’s first garden.

Although there was a boon in passenger use when it first opened, after the invention of freeways, usage declined. Today, the Amtrak, Metrolink, and subway trains all leave from the station with train usage increasing by the minute. About 26,000 passengers a day come and go from the Los Angeles station today.

From there, the Surfliner arrives at about a dozen other stations along the coast before arriving in San Diego. Some of the more known stations are in Orange County, from Fullerton, near Cal State Fullerton, to Anaheim, right below Angel Stadium, to Orange, Santa Ana, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, and all the way down the line.

Is the Cost worth the Travel?

If you’ve already purchased your ticket online, the transaction is easy. Just go to the nearest Quick Trak machine, scan your printout, and pick up your ticket. The cost to take the Pacific Surfliner is generally about $30 for a one-way, depending on your arrival, destination, and $60 for a round trip. Amtrak offers discounts for seniors, students, veterans and other specials, so taking advantage of cutting your travel cost any way you can, is always a plus. The service also offers guest rewards.

If you’re planning to take more than just one trip, buying a USA Rail Pass could be an option, or buying multi-ride, multi-city or group packages. Amtrak’s website has the latest deals on discounted packages or ticket specials that are updated on a regular basis.

Now, if you’re going anywhere other than the local coastline, than tickets do edge up a bit more in price, and your time on the train could span a couple days and nights.

But again, the advantages of being able to arrive at your destination on time, while being able to take in all the sights to get there, far outweigh the costs, in my opinion.

Pulling out your wallet to spend a little more, means you’re investing in the enjoyment of your vacation–and in my book, that makes all the difference in the world.

Pacific Surfliner Accommodations

• Seating: The unreserved seats are big and comfortable with fold down trays, reading overhead lights, and lots of legroom. Unreserved seats are available to boarding passengers on a first-come, first-serve basis, so it’s important to try and board the train early to get a good seat. And since seating is not guaranteed.  Business Class seats are only available for an extra cost.
• Carry-on: The train offers also offers space for bikes and surfboards.
• Luggage: Luggage is handled at the arrival station, and can be picked up at the destination.
• Food/drinks: Non-alcoholic beverages and snacks are available at the Café Car.

Checkin’ out the sights, scenes, and spots in San Diego

Once you arrive at the Downtown San Diego Station, you land in the heart of one of the greatest–and most beautiful–city’s and tourist spots in the country. There are so many things to do in San Diego, that planning ahead always, makes both the trip and its enjoyment that much better, and easier.

Here are just a few suggestions:

From the Station, you can take the frequent trolleys and electric cars to Balboa Park–and anywhere else you want to go– where there are dozens of museums and attractions.

Not far from there, is the San Diego Zoo, a world-class animal park, that just recently had a new edition to the zoo–a new baby elephant that was born on Valentine’s Day. For nightlife, the Gaslamp Quarter is filled to the brim with restaurants, pubs, and local hot spots including the world famous Hard Rock Café.

Headin’ Back

From this point, it’s a no-brainer. It’s a quick back-track on to the train again, and you’re on your way back home.

So, when you’re Travelin’ Local, taking the Amtrak is a vacation in of itself, making your next break from everyday monotony so much more enjoyable.

The mission of the Museum of Photographic Arts is to inspire, educate and engage the broadest possible audience through the presentation, collection, and preservation of photography, film and video.

Since its founding in 1983, the Museum of Photographic Arts (MoPA) has been devoted to collecting, conserving and exhibiting the entire spectrum of the photographic medium. The museum’s endeavors consistently address cultural, historical and social issues through its exhibitions and public programs.  Source: MoPA

In MoPA’s current exhibition, the work of one of the most well known, and respected photographers in the world—features an overview of Ansel Adams’ extraordinary life, by showcasing his photography of the Sierra Nevada’s and Yosemite Valley, his coverage of the Manzanar Japanese internment camp, his little-known commercial work and color prints, and his famous and iconic signature black and white masterpieces.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia

As a professional photojournalist, I always try to emulate the process of “visualization” of taking a picture in my mind first, and seeing its end result before the shutter is snapped. Adams’ was perhaps one of the true genius’ of knowing what he wanted from a picture before he took it—and many of his iconic pieces will stand the test of time forever.

The Key to a Photograph from Ansel Adams from SilberStudios.Tv on Vimeo.

The rest of the current exhibit includes pictures from the Museum’s permanent collection– Picturing the Process–which provides a reality backdrop from which—and how– we gauge our current world.

The Photograph as Witness explores the ways photography has evolved as a powerful and poignant tool to document history, culture, and events.

The third component of the exhibit includes Jo Whaley’s beautifully layered and detailed photographs of insects, set against intricately constructed backdrops. Her large installations is multi-hued–with color as the background–drawing the viewer into the various pictures of insects that she photographed and juxtaposed between art, science, and an homage to style and substance.

MoPA’s Gift Shop and Membership Information

Not only do I highly recommend becoming a member of MoPA, I also am a huge fan of both their online and onsite unique Gift Shop. They have many interesting things to buy—from books, catalogs, and cards, to lectures, education programs, and curricula, to online prints and other merchandise.

I purchased a Mobile Satellite Photo Clip, which is a photo hanger that hangs from the ceiling. It actually caught my eye as it was literally being used in the Gift Store’s window.

Southern California is home to many of the world’s finest museums, institutions, and arts organizations. As I am Travelin’ Local, today’ story is yet another example of our area’s uniqueness– San Diego’s Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park, is truly one of the greatest museums dedicated to the Art of Photography and Photography as Art in the world.

I’ve always loved flowers, gardens, and the natural habitat of plants, so for me walking through the arboretum and seeing it inside was both enthralling and enchanting.

Before entering this magnificent homage to nature, first you have to pass a few fish along the way at La Laguna– the 43 feet wide by 195 feet long pond—which presages the entrance to the Botanical Building’s entrance.

I wasn’t the only one looking for fish:

And neither of us was disappointed:

Looking at it now, remembering that it was used as a swimming pool during World War I remains a distant remnant from what it resembles now.

From outside, the lath design looks unassuming; but from the inside, the brilliance of the design resonates and radiates its clearness.

Since I’m not a Horticulturist, I don’t know many of the plants names– either the common name or the botanical monikers.

However, if I ever saw a plant where the name fit the plant so well, this is it:

Meet “Medusa’s Head.”

It’s not often that a botanical garden gives visitors the chance to touch the exhibits, but here it’s encouraged:

For many years, the Botanical Garden’s sponsors have been criticized for hosting an enclosed garden in the middle of the City of San Diego’s already established tropical beauty–its climate is temperate so why ensconce a garden inside when they can flourish and grow outside?

Here’s why:

Because by just entering the Botanical Building and being able to walk down its short paths, looking up at its magnificent ceiling, seeing how the landscape architecture was delicately constructed, and being able to bask in the surroundings is priceless and a once in a lifetime opportunity.

San Diego’s Botanical Building is a great place while Travelin’ Local, to relax and just get away from it all, if only for a few minutes.

It’s one of the city’s and nation’s most beautiful and important parks, and a place for individuals, families, organizations, and friends to go and find an incredible and vast array of things to do and see; or to just relax at one of its hundreds of grassy parks, and variety of land uses.

Measuring approximately 1,200 acres, which equates to the size of about 909 football fields including the end zones, Balboa Park, which was “placed in reserve in 1835, is one of the oldest sites in the United States dedicated to public recreational usage.”

To get an idea of the size of Balboa Park in relation to the rest of the city, the Google Map below visually illustrates it:

View Balboa Park in a larger map

San Diego’s Balboa Park is fascinating, mesmerizing, and unbelievable in its beauty and scope. Walking down “El Prado,” the main street that traverses the Park–was and is a weekly and daily ritual for many of San Diego’s residents, and is considered a premier destination for world-wide visitors from across the state, nation, and world.

I literally walked past and into more museums in one day than I could in most cities in a week.

Pictured above is Casa del Prado, home for the San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, the San Diego Junior Theatre, the San Diego Youth Symphony, the San Diego Botanical Foundation, and the San Diego Floral Association.

From its inception dating back to 1916–and several renovations later– the Casa del Prado stands as a testament to San Diego and its citizens working together to keep history vibrant, alive, and as the heart and soul of the city.

The Botanical Building

With construction beginning in August of 1913—almost a century ago–the Botanical Building is today, what it was back in the day– a garden of tropical plants to astonish visitors; and that it does. In front of the Lath House– as it’s popularly called–is La Laguna, a 250,000 gallon pond.

During World War I La Laguna was converted into a swimming pool so sailors at a Naval Training Station, then located in Balboa Park, could learn to swim. A cement liner was placed on the bottom. Source: The Highs and Lows of the Botanical Building in Balboa Park

The Museum of Man

With its Spanish colonial and mission style architecture, the Museum of Man, the only San Diego Museum dedicated to anthropology, the landmark building was originally constructed for the 1915–1916 Panama-California Exposition. Over the years, this building was also known as the California Building, and it has probably been mentioned more often than any other building in San Diego in studies of American architecture. Today, a key focus of the museum is “to create and display dynamic and educational anthropological exhibits about people and places throughout the Americas and around the world. Source: Balboa Park

The Organ Pavilion

Without the generous donation by John D. Spreckels, whose name the Organ and the Pavilion proudly bear, the Spreckels Organ Pavilion might never have been built. Dedicated on New Year’s Eve in 1914, every organ concert at the Pavilion is free, pursuant to John Spreckel’s bequeath.

The Organ was recessed behind the grand arch and into the pediments above. A twenty-foot plus attic between the organ chamber ceiling and the roof acted as an insulator against rapid temperature changes. Flexible cable connected the organ to a movable console. Besides acting as a giant sounding board for the organ, the central structure contained rooms for the organist, chorus and staff, including five bathrooms which soon became godsends for the many people who participated in events at the Pavilion. When the organ was not in use, attendants lowered a 20,000 pound plus corrugated steel curtain immediately behind the arch to conceal and protect the pipes. Source: The Spreckels Organ Pavilion at Balboa Park

Because I was in San Diego on a Saturday, I couldn’t enjoy the Spreckels Organ Pavilion’s weekly Sunday afternoon concert, but as soon as possible, I’ll be heading back on a Sunday to hear the free concert.

Travelin’ Local is a colossal experience when you have the world in your backyard, and Balboa Park is a world within itself.

Mt. Soledad is about 820 feet high, and its western orientation overlooks the La Jolla coastline; its eastern vantage point view proffers views of Interstate 5 and surrounding communities; and the gentle south side includes the sights of the opposite side of the mountain, where Pacific Beach is located.

When I first entered Mount Soledad Park, I was consumed by its sheer beauty, depth of symbolism, its Latin cross, and the memorial plaques built to honor our Veterans. Although there’s been some controversy about the Cross, and whether it mixes religion and state, I’m only mentioning it because it’s been an ongoing issue. Personally, I feel it’s a whole lot of hullaballoo about nothing.

Luckily enough, my visit was during sunset, so the translucent beauty of the sky, sun, fog, ocean, Cross, lights and views afforded me the rare luxury of experiencing both place and time that such a landmark deserves.

Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial

Along with the Mt. Soledad Cross, meant to honor the fallen Veterans and active duty servicemen, the Mount Soledad Veterans Association has been building several Memorial Walls, as pictured below.

The Veterans Memorial Walls at Mt. Soledad comprise

• Six concentric walls will ultimately hold 3,200 black granite plaques purchased by donors and engraved with the names and photos of war veterans – currently more than 2,700 are in place
• Each plaque ‘tells the story’ of a veteran’s military service or that of a group’s military service
• Unique memorial that honors U.S. veterans – living and deceased – that have been honorably discharged from any branch of the U.S. military
• Includes uniformed members of the U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard also Merchant Marine veterans who served during WWII
• Originally dedicated as Korean War Veterans Memorial in 1952
• Large American Flag proudly flies over the Memorial
• 23 bollards honor community and veteran organizations (sold out)
• Brick pavers honor veterans and supporters of Mt. Soledad (pending replacement of walkways by 2010)
• Open to the public Source: Mount Soledad Veterans Memorial

Restoration of the Cross

In December 2008, a local San Diego painting contractor, Bay Cal Painting donated time and material to restore the cross. "Workers used a 60-foot boom to power-wash the monument and re-weld parts of the steel interior. They used 25 gallons of paint on the cross and applied another four to eight gallons to the fence and green base around the cross. [Jim] Codde, [co-owner of Bay Cal painting], said the project, done by his company and several others, could have cost $40,000 at market prices. That’s excluding the maintenance the company has said it will handle for the next 20 years. Source: Wikipedia

Starting at the mountain’s base at the bottom, which is at the intersection of La Jolla Scenic Drive and Torrey Pines Road, here is the route to get to the top of Mt. Soledad:

View Road to Mt. Soledad in a larger map

The winding road up the hill is narrow and hilly, but there is parking at the top. Most of the houses on Mount Soledad are among the most expensive and modern in the country–with most homes starting price at or around 3 – 5 million dollars. Their views are of the Pacific Ocean and much of the architecture of the area is hyper post-modern, sleek, and elegant.   Mount Soledad Park has a grassy area surrounding the Cross, with several benches and vantage points to take advantage of the view, or to just sit down and relax with a friend.

The sun is setting upon the ocean; and the skies and clouds become one with the Soledad Cross and Park. In an upcoming story, I’ll feature photos of the various vantage points during my sunset visit, because when Travelin’ Local in Southern California, some days it feels like you’re literally in Paradise.

Although Torrey Pines was named for the pines trees that have prevailed for centuries, a major part of the park is the ocean and it’s view from the ground level.

I’ve shown it to you from afar, but not up close and personal.

The day I was Travelin’ Local to Torrey Pines, it was Spring Break, so the beach was busier than most normal non-summer weekdays.

Under the careful eagle eyes of the lifeguards, this family was boogie boarding on the waves. The Grandmother, who came prepared with her big beach umbrella and snacks, was also keeping a watchful eye, as the children played in the surf.

In full spring blossom, the cliffs surrounding the beach presented quite a contrast between the flowers blooming against the natural color of the cliff walls. It’s amazing how much color just a simple cliff can have.

If you look closely, you can see the “holes” in the cliff wall. I’m sure that over the centuries, the ebb and flow of the ocean waves caused these holes. I found myself wondering what they will look like in the next thousand years.

I took my shoes off, and made a foray into the shoreline water. Watching the play of waves, sand, and rocks has always been a fascination of mine.

What causes the rocks to be the colors they are? What events have taken place that placed pink, black, and white to appear on this rock?

The old adage that every picture tells a story, so as I wrap up this series chronicling my visit to Torrey Pines, I’ll leave you with a picture that moved me.

These young lovers are acknowledging and appreciating the majesty of the ocean, its power and all-encompassing strength.

Growing up in Ohio, I was very far removed from the ocean.

And then after high school, even though I lived for the next 20+ years on the East Coast, the ocean was somewhere I went for a few vacations, only able to enjoy and appreciate it for snippets of time, but never really understanding its grace and elegance.

Now I live only a heartbeat away from the magnificent Pacific Ocean, which I’m able to visit whenever I want. It’s become a part of me, the sound, the beat, and the rhythm. I can’t see it without being moved.

Do you have a place of seclusion, a place of relaxation, a place of enjoyment that makes you feel this way?

No matter whether it’s sojourning to Torrey Pines, walking high at Coldwater Canyon, going for a bicycle ride at Ballona Creek, or checking out the latest scene downtown, by Travelin’ Local the joy of visiting my “sweet spots” only make them sweeter, because I don’t have to go far, or spend a lot of money to appreciate what others around the world come here for every single day of the year.

When we last left Torrey Pines, I was at the top, looking in all directions.

A few yards down from the trail, I saw that several people were looking out at the ocean; so of course, being the naturally curious person I am, I stopped to see what they were looking at.

Low and behold, as you can see here, dolphins were frolicking in the midday ocean’s sun and were having a swim. Although, they were pretty far from the shore, you can clearly see one of the dolphin’s fins peaking out. Needless to say, I was very excited because I had never seen one in its natural habitat.

The coastal strip of San Diego is more than a hundred miles long, and with its Mediterranean climate of mild wet winters, and warm dry summers, results in a long growing season, and probably the best weather anywhere in the world.

San Diego’s average temperatures, range from a January minimum of 45F, to an August maximum of 80F, with a yearly average of 62F!

Hey, Life’s a Beach.

The majority of rainfall comes during the winter and early spring, with a seasonal average of less than 10 inches.

The salt marsh, pictured above on the right, is a highly productive ecosystem—,creating an extremely important wildlife habitat. It serves as both a nursery for fish and shellfish and a feeding and nesting ground for resident and migratory birds.

BTW, my car is parked in the little strip located to the left of North Torrey Pines Road, so my walk was literally onto Torrey Pines, which is seen from this mountaintop looking north.

Located to the south are Blacks beach and the Scripps Institution of Oceanography pier.

This woman and her companions were using one of the most interesting “Wheelchairs” I had ever seen.

I talked to Susan for a few minutes, and she told me that she was a “Guinea Pig” for this particular model, and loved it. And it’s obvious why:

As you can see from the picture–it’s a beach wheelchair. Amazingly, although it took a little bit of effort to get it onto the hill, once there, I was very impressed with its ability to move on the trail.

Its maneuverability was fantastic as opposed to a traditional wheelchair; which for all intents and purposes, would’ve been near impossible to navigate here; it didn’t get stuck in the sand, and easily afforded her the ability to go where she couldn’t have gone in a normal chair.

I love this idea and I know that Susan did, too; because she told me!

As I turned and reached the final corner facing the beach, I suddenly found myself enclosed in a harbor of pines—, glorious and stunning.

Torrey Pines

This pine is probably the remnant of an ancient coastal forest which has been reduced during the drying period of the last ten thousand years to the sandy soils of the sandstone bluffs and ravines of Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve and Santa Rosa Island. Extensive root systems and blankets of summer fog help the Torrey pine survive and thrive. The continuous winds cause the pines to grow twisted and gnarled creating a blanket of shade for the travelers on the trail.

As my Travelin’ Local sojourn takes me back to Los Angeles, I’ll leave you with this picture. The mixture of deadwood and new wildflowers fascinated me.

Buried in the sand together–the visual contrast between the dead pines and the new yellow flowers is quite striking.

For another look at Torrey Pines, be sure to check out Kevin’s recent visit over at his blog, Kevin Oke Photography. He took ordinary sights and converted them to artwork. It’s definitely worth a look.

San Diego, Torrey Pines, and the next place to Travelin’ Local, will always be etched into my memory. But as for reminiscing, I’m already plottin’ and plannin’ my next local cool spot to visit.

Of course, I brought myself, my appetite, and my Nikon.

So I graciously accepted her invitation, and after the evening sunset, when the Seder began, and dinner had been served, I was already contemplating my next sojourn for Travelin’ Local.

Although I’ve been to San Diego a couple of times, I haven’t explored the city that much. However, I soon found myself high upon the mountain bluffs of the Torrey Pines State Reserve, with its splendorous views of both the ocean and the city.

And what a find it was–starting at the bottom:

I climbed up the hill to the

And around the first bend:

This picture is representative of the majestic and grandeur of the unblemished Pacific Ocean at Torrey Pines.

The Torrey Pines are trees that were planted over a hundred years ago and are prevalent and plentiful in this area—aptly named Torrey Pines.

The US Open Golf Tour also holds an annual world famous Golf Tournament.

As I stood on the trail on the right, overlooking the sights and sounds of the Pacific Ocean, I was anticipatory of what was coming next–but that still didn’t prepare me for the new sights yet to come my way.

As this path wound around the hill, nature had its way of reminding me of who’s boss:

After passing under this deadwood archway, I encountered this sight to behold:

La Jolla may be the Jewel of the World—literally—but Torrey Pines is a friend for life—every moment there was joyous and wondrous, and by the time I was finished with my visit, I snapped at least 200 pictures.

Again, my destination is foretold by the people standing on the platform above, but before we get to the peak, I thought that this was an interesting part of the area’s history and folklore:

“Dead Pines.” The tree skeletons are all that remains from a severe drought and bark beetle outbreak in the mid 1960’s.” Even in death, life begins anew.

Once I reached the vantage point, I took pictures in all different directions:

Looking to my left

Looking straight down

Off to my right.

As it’s literally impossible to capture all of Torrey Pines in one story, I’ll share the rest with you later this week.

I encountered dolphins, wildflowers, the Salt Marsh, and as mentioned above, the Torrey Pine trees–the most restricted and rarest pines in North America.

Do you have plans for Easter Sunday? No matter what your celebration may be, every day is special and a holiday, with new and exciting places to go and see while Travelin’ Local.

Wishing all of you a Happy Holiday.

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]]> http://www.travelinlocal.com/san-diego-torrey-pines-and-a-trail/feed/ 13 http://www.travelinlocal.com/the-childrens-pool-at-la-jolla-cove/ http://www.travelinlocal.com/the-childrens-pool-at-la-jolla-cove/#comments Wed, 31 Dec 2008 13:05:31 +0000 Lisa Newton http://www.travelinlocal.com/?p=148

Until I saw it for myself, I had no idea there was a place to view sea lions and seals in their natural habitat. However, the Children’s Pool along the beach path at La Jolla Cove, offers an extraordinary view. Being able to observe animals doing what comes naturally without the trappings of a zoo in a treat.

After walking along Scripps Pier, I hopped back into my car and drove a little further down the beach to the Children’s Pool, which was originally designed to be a launching place for the children of San Diego to have easy access to the ocean. However, several years ago, seals and sea lions moved in. Needing a resting place, the Children’s Pool offered the marine mammals’ easy access to the ocean, plus a sandy spot for relaxation.

Even though a controversy still reins, most San Diego residents are favor of keeping the Children’s Pool as a reserve for the seals.

The seals inhabit the beach year-round. Amazingly, visitors can walk out onto the breakwater for close-up views of the Pacific Ocean and the seals. Be aware that this beach has no wheelchair access because of the steep staircase leading down to the ocean.

This little guy (at least I think it’s a guy) was just coming back from his daily swim and made his way back up to join his buddies.

I feel fortunate that I was there on Christmas Day so the parking wasn’t too much of an issue, and it wasn’t too crowded, which gave me the time to take a few good pictures. The weather was rather cold, and although I wasn’t really ready to leave, the weather made that choice moot because it started to rain, so I made a mad dash for my car.

I can hardly wait to go back for a longer and more relaxed view of the shore, walk the streets of close to the beach, and visit the wide variety of shops and restaurants that parallel the walking trail, so stay tuned. More is yet to come.

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]]> http://www.travelinlocal.com/the-childrens-pool-at-la-jolla-cove/feed/ 0 http://www.travelinlocal.com/christmas-fun-at-la-jolla-continued/ http://www.travelinlocal.com/christmas-fun-at-la-jolla-continued/#comments Mon, 29 Dec 2008 15:34:26 +0000 Lisa Newton http://www.travelinlocal.com/?p=132

La Jolla Cove is a very small beach, tucked between adjacent sandstone cliffs, which are just breathtaking.  I couldn’t stop taking pictures.

As I stood looking out, these bird-covered cliffs were on my right, and an out of the ordinary cliff containing a rock formation was on my left. I’m very interested in all things ocean related—coves, points, archipelagoes islands, etc.

I wasn’t the only one that day taking pictures.  In fact, La Jolla Cove is one of the most photographed beaches in Southern California. 

Walking down the steps leading to the cave, I couldn’t but help watch the muddy stairs, as I traversed my way down, so I didn’t slip.

When I reached the base, I was amazed and fascinated by the power and intensity of the ocean, and its ability to add life and form to rock formations.    If you’re a geographic aficionado and want to share any insight about the formation of land v water, by all means please feel free to share.

Between the two cliffs were the rocky cliffs where the waves come crashing into.  If you love the sound of the ocean, and find it relaxing, this is one place you’ll definitely feel right at home at the Cove.

Even though La Jolla Cove is best known for its scuba diving and snorkeling, I did see one swimmer, and he was a brave one.  Neither the air nor the water was very warm.  In fact, it was pretty cold, by San Diego standards.

Further down the beach, you can walk and see families having fun just doing what families do,–having fun spending time with each other.

You can see just how cold it was by the coats and hats these kids were wearing. 

What’s your family doing this winter?  I know the beach isn’t as cold here as it is around most of the of the country, but family fun, of course, isn’t limited just on the beach. 

I’d love to see some snow pictures—I’m originally from the Mid-west, and additionally lived for about 20 or so odd years on the East Coast, so I know that snow and family fun can definitely go together.

 So, what are you doing’? Cause if you’re not Travelin’ Local, you should.

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