Tag: architecture

House of Hospitality courtyard garden replanted!

Some say the House of Hospitality is the heart of Balboa Park. I can understand why. Visitors who pass through the courtyard colonnade might feel they’ve wandered into a beautiful dream.

The House of Hospitality’s fantastic architecture, interior garden and iconic sculpture by Donal Hord appear like a painting of paradise. An eternal canvas into which the living step–if only for a moment.

With the recent refreshing of the historic garden’s four corner planters, the Spanish Colonial courtyard is more alive and welcoming than ever.

Originally created for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition, the House of Hospitality was rebuilt by architect Richard Requa for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition. In 1997 the building was recreated as accurately as possible from historical documents.

Before sunset today I walked about the courtyard, read a sign which described the garden’s revitalization, then climbed stairs to the second floor balcony.

Sunlight was slanting into the outdoor courtyard, turning many of its trees and plants bright green. And high above it all, up in the blue sky, shined that eternally amazing tower…

Sign explains how aging plants in the House of Hospitality's courtyard garden were replanted and refreshed, with the help of Urban Corps of San Diego.
Sign explains how aging plants in the House of Hospitality’s courtyard garden were replanted and refreshed, with the help of Urban Corps of San Diego.

At the center of the House of Hospitality courtyard is Woman of Tehuantepec, a 1935 sculpture and fountain by Donal Hord.
At the center of the House of Hospitality’s courtyard is Woman of Tehuantepec, a 1935 sculpture and fountain by Donal Hord.

In one of the four planters is a time capsule placed on September 13, 1997, to be opened May 29, 2035, the centennial of the California Pacific International Exposition.
In one of the four planters is a time capsule placed on September 13, 1997, to be opened May 29, 2035, the centennial of the California Pacific International Exposition.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can enjoy even more Cool San Diego Sights by following me on Facebook or Twitter!

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Lots of smiles, fun and beauty in Balboa Park!

Photographer aims at classic fountain in the beautiful Casa del Rey Moro Garden in Balboa Park.
Photographer aims at beautiful fountain in the Casa del Rey Moro Garden in Balboa Park.

Today I found lots of smiles, fun and beauty as I walked around Balboa Park! But what else is new? Every visit is wonderful!

People walk down El Prado past the amazing Casa del Prado.
People walk down El Prado past the amazing Casa del Prado.
Wedding photography near the Lily Pond in Balboa Park.
Heavenly wedding photography near the Lily Pond in Balboa Park.
Nice ladies with the San Diego Museum of Art were getting art supplies ready for a youth event this evening.
Smiling ladies with the San Diego Museum of Art were getting art supplies ready for a youth event this evening.
More smiles at a table outside the Balboa Park Visitors Center.
More smiles from volunteers at a table outside the Balboa Park Visitors Center.
A coffee mug with hearts for eyes. It must be almost Valentine's Day.
A coffee mug with hearts for eyes outside the House of Hospitality. It must be almost Valentine’s Day.
Bonsai in the exquisite Japanese Friendship Garden.
Bonsai in the always beautiful Japanese Friendship Garden.
For fun, enter the San Diego Air and Space Museum! They've got a new interactive exhibit about speed!
For fun, enter the San Diego Air and Space Museum! They’ve got a new interactive exhibit about Speed!
Beauty seen by few visitors, from the parking lot behind the Casa de Balboa.
Fantastic beauty seen by few visitors, from the parking lot behind the Casa de Balboa.
Almost time to head home. I hopped on the green Balboa Park shuttle.
Almost time to head home. I hopped on the green Balboa Park shuttle at the Plaza de Panama.
As I departed, I got a bonus smile!
And as I departed, I got a bonus smile!

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can enjoy even more Cool San Diego Sights by following me on Facebook or Twitter!

Another day gently ends in Balboa Park.

Another day nears its end in beautiful Balboa Park.
Another day nears its end in beautiful Balboa Park.

I got off work a couple hours early today. To enjoy the remaining daylight, I headed over to Balboa Park.

A late January weekday was gently drawing to a close.

Late light on the Casa del Prado's colonnade.
Late light on the Casa del Prado’s colonnade.
A bit of daylight remains. People meditate on some grass in Balboa Park.
A bit of daylight remains. People meditate on some grass in Balboa Park.
A quiet late January evening at the Plaza de Balboa and Bea Evenson Fountain. The San Diego Natural History Museum shines in the last rays of sunlight.
A quiet late January afternoon at the Plaza de Balboa and Bea Evenson Fountain. The San Diego Natural History Museum shines in the last rays of sunlight.
Joggers pass through the Plaza de Panama as the sun falls behind the House of Charm.
Joggers pass through the Plaza de Panama as the sun falls behind the House of Charm.
Sunlight illuminates the rear of buildings along El Prado, as seen from the Japanese Friendship Garden.
Sunlight illuminates the rear of buildings lining El Prado, as seen from the Japanese Friendship Garden.
A group of smiling mariachis walks near the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
A group of smiling mariachis walks near the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.
The Tea Pavilion has closed for the day. Time to sweep leaves from the patio.
The Tea Pavilion has closed for the day. Time to sweep leaves from the patio.
People enjoy the remaining daylight near Joan Miro's sculpture Solar Bird, near the entrance of the San Diego Museum of Art.
People enjoy the remaining daylight near Joan Miro’s sculpted Solar Bird, near the entrance of the San Diego Museum of Art.
The sun is almost ready to set. Clouds become luminous behind the California Tower.
The sun is getting ready to set. Clouds become luminous behind the California Tower.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can enjoy even more Cool San Diego Sights by following me on Facebook or Twitter!

Passion, life and inspiration in Balboa Park.

Walk around beautiful Balboa Park and you will discover passion, life and inspiration. Everywhere.

Please enjoy some photographs that I took over the weekend.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can enjoy even more Cool San Diego Sights by following me on Facebook or Twitter!

Do you like to read original, thought-provoking fiction? To read a few stories about life that I’ve written, click Short Stories by Richard.

A beautiful, magical walk between buildings.

Visitors to Balboa Park walk down a pathway between the Casa de Balboa and the House of Hospitality.
Visitors to Balboa Park walk down a short pathway between the Casa de Balboa and the House of Hospitality.

My walk through Balboa Park today included a few restful moments in a magical place.

Between the Casa de Balboa and the House of Hospitality you will discover a space filled with beauty, strange wonder and peace. A dreamlike place where the soul can find nourishment.

A family making their way to the colorful tile fountain at one end.
A family making their way to the colorful tile fountain at one end of the walkway.
Looking back toward the arched colonnade that connects two beautiful historic buildings.
Looking back toward the arched colonnade that connects two sunlit buildings.
Photo through the colonnade. On the other side of El Prado stands the Botanical Building.
Photo through the elegant colonnade. On the other side of El Prado you will find the reflecting pool and Botanical Building.
Elaborate plaster ornamentation atop columns.
Fantastic plaster ornamentation atop columns.
Many beautiful sights await curious eyes in this space between buildings.
Many beautiful sights await curious eyes in this space between buildings.
A tree casts a shadow against windows.
A tree casts a magical shadow against windows.
Looking up at one corner of the Casa de Balboa.
A breathtaking look up at one corner of the Casa de Balboa.
Looking upward at the opposing tower, which rises from one corner of the House of Hospitality.
Looking upward at the opposing tower, which rises from a corner of the House of Hospitality.
Lavish, fantastic Spanish Colonial Revival architectural touches on the House of Hospitality in beautiful Balboa Park.
Lavish, fantastic Spanish Colonial Revival architectural touches on the House of Hospitality.
A delivery going into one open door.
A mysterious delivery (and a tree’s shadow) enter an open door.
A lonely door and single light seem out of place, out of reach . . . painted on a canvas . . . afloat in space.
A lonely door and single light seem out of reach . . . painted magically on a canvas . . . afloat in bright space.
Natural beauty along a curving ramp between the buildings.
Natural beauty along a curving ramp between the buildings.
A flower near one elegant window.
A heavenly flower near one dreamlike window.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can enjoy even more Cool San Diego Sights by following me on Facebook or Twitter!

Late sunlight on Balboa Park’s trees and towers.

The House of Charm's tower rises like a bright dream.
The House of Charm’s tower rises like a bright dream.

I took these photos yesterday shortly before sunset. I strolled from Balboa Park’s grassy West Mesa to the Cabrillo Bridge, then down El Prado to the reflecting pool. Late sunlight touched trees and dreamlike towers.

Late afternoon light brings out the curvaceous shape of a tree near Sixth Avenue.
Late afternoon light brings out the curvaceous shape of a tree near Sixth Avenue.
Slanting light touches trees at Sefton Plaza.
Slanting light touches trees at Sefton Plaza.
The California Tower even more beautiful in late sunlight.
The California Tower even more beautiful in late sunlight.
Light on the tiled dome of the California Building.
Light on the tiled dome of the California Building.
People in growing shadow near the beautiful House of Hospitality.
People in growing shadow near the beautiful House of Hospitality.
Tower of Casa del Prado in San Diego sunshine, shortly before sunset.
Tower of Casa del Prado in San Diego sunshine, shortly before sunset.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can enjoy even more Cool San Diego Sights by following me on Facebook or Twitter!

Beautiful photos outside the Balboa Park Club.

Cacti in front of the Balboa Park Club. The building was created in 1915 for the Panama-California Exposition to showcase the state of New Mexico.
Cacti in front of the Balboa Park Club. The building was created in 1915 for the Panama-California Exposition to showcase the state of New Mexico.

Last Sunday, during my walk through the Palisades area of the park, I circled the Balboa Park Club searching for interesting photos. The earthy, very distinctive Pueblo Revival architecture of this building contrasts beautifully with the green plants that surround it.

The Balboa Park Club is located in the park's Palisades area. The building was enlarged and remodeled for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition.
The Balboa Park Club is located in the park’s Palisades area. The building was enlarged and remodeled for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition.
Once called the New Mexico State Building, the architecture is in the attractive, very distinctive Pueblo Revival style.
Once called the New Mexico State Building, the architecture is in the eye-pleasing Pueblo Revival style.
Leafy green against earthy colors and textures.
Green leaves and shadows against earthy colors and textures.
Behind the Balboa Park Club is the 1935 (Old) Cactus Garden.
Behind the Balboa Park Club is the 1935 (Old) Cactus Garden.
White flowers beside the Balboa Park Club.
White flowers contrasted with the Balboa Park Club’s rain-streaked exterior.
Looking upward at one corner of the Pueblo Revival-style building.
Looking upward at one corner of the Pueblo Revival-style building. Ornamental wooden beam “vigas” project outward and cast slanting shadows.
A beautiful sight in Balboa Park.
A beautiful taste of the American Southwest in Balboa Park.

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I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk! You can enjoy even more Cool San Diego Sights by following me on Facebook or Twitter!