People walk down El Prado past the amazing Casa del Prado.
I’m afraid this blog you are now reading, Beautiful Balboa Park, has been dormant the past many months. All of my spare time has been devoted to my main website Cool San Diego Sights!
I still frequently visit Balboa Park. It’s just as wonderful as ever. I walk through the park almost every weekend to soak in its vibrant life, discover new things.
If you want to see more current news and photographs from Balboa Park, you might bookmark or follow Cool San Diego Sights!
To read my latest posts that specifically concern Balboa Park, click here.
Better yet, if you follow my main website Cool San Diego Sights you’ll experience cultural events and colorful places throughout the entire city, so who knows what you might discover?
During my Sunday walk through Balboa Park, I found myself enjoying the House of Sweden’s lawn program. Summer began several days ago, so they were having a midsummer celebration. Complete with a flower bedecked maypole!
Anticipating the afternoon’s entertainment, a large crowd had gathered on the grass at the center of the International Cottages.
Ladies in folk costume paraded with flags onto the stage and sang the American and Swedish national anthems. Followed by more songs. Different regional dresses were then showcased and explained. Then more music. A group took the stage to perform the popular music of ABBA.
On the patio of the House of Sweden’s cottage, all sorts of crafts, flowers and colorful works of art were on display. Inside the cottage pastries and other treats awaited.
I wandered about, took a few photos.
…
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!
Ladies from the House of Ireland prepare for the St. Patrick’s Day afternoon lawn program in Balboa Park . . . with a smile!
Today is St. Patrick’s Day!
Late this morning I began my walk through Balboa Park. My mission: to have fun photographing anything Irish or green!
What did my camera find?
In the late morning, traditional Irish food was already being served by the House of Ireland at Balboa Park’s International Cottages.Over at the lawn bowling green, I saw many shirts of green!And I spotted another Irish t-shirt down at the archery range below the Cabrillo Bridge.It seems people are wearing green for St. Patrick’s Day all over Balboa Park!Just for St. Patrick’s Day, Prado Perk was serving Irish Tea Au Lait!And look what I found at Cafe in the Park, inside the Casa de Balboa! Shamrock cookies!Someone is wearing green beads near the door of Studio 13 in Spanish Village Art Center!And look at all the green inside Studio 19, home of super friendly glass artists!I found lots of beautiful green in the Casa del Prado at the Spring Flower Show, presented by Ikebana International’s San Diego Chapter.Beautiful green leaves.Of course, you can always find a lot of greenery inside Balboa Park’s Botanical Building!I noticed some of the Super Sonic Samba School drummers were wearing green out on the grass by the WorldBeat Cultural Center.Who needs to be Irish? Some people wore green just to join in the fun!Sprightly traditional Irish music could be enjoyed inside the House of Ireland’s cottage during St. Patrick’s Day in Balboa Park!
…
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!
Today I enjoyed spending some time at the Chinese New Year Festival in Balboa Park. I’ve already posted a few colorful photographs here.
Here come even more photos!
This annual festival celebrating the Lunar New Year is hosted by the House of China at the International Cottages. Food, dance and joyful cultural entertainment are abundant.
Yes, my House of Bao steamed bun was super delicious!
If you chuckle at the final photo, keep in mind that 2019 is the Year of the Pig!
The friendly people at this table sell fantastic pop-up greeting cards. Check out the next photo! I promised to link to their website!
A crowd gathers at the International Cottages outdoor stage as the afternoon’s entertainment is about to begin…
…
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!
Hungarian folk dance on stage at the House of Hungary lawn program in Balboa Park.
This afternoon I caught a bit of the House of Hungary’s lawn program at the International Cottages in Balboa Park.
While I didn’t sample any of the Hungarian food (having previously eaten a big lunch), I did feast my eyes and ears on Hungarian culture, including traditional music, singing, dance, costume, and even a short but fascinating talk about fashion, for which Hungary is historically famous.
This annual celebration takes place on or about August 20, a national holiday in Hungary that memorializes the first King of Hungary, King Stephen I. Stephen was canonized by the Catholic Church, and his feast day is celebrated on the same day.
The Kárpátok Hungarian Dance Ensemble entertains the audience with a traditional bottle dance.The proud flag of Hungary could be spotted here and there in the crowd.A fashion designer and beauty queens await their turn on stage as a young man sings a Hungarian folk song.Hungarian food at the program included sausage sandwiches, crepes (palacsinta), fried dough (lángos) and authentic Hungarian pastries.People enjoyed eating sweet Kürtőskalács, which is also referred to as chimney cake.San Diego Continuing Education fashion instructor Tammie Pontsler talks about an award-winning dress she made for the Salk design challenge.Violinist from the Lux Ensemble entertains everybody with happy Hungarian music.The culture of Hungary is celebrated in Balboa Park at the International Cottages!
…
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!
Youth in Mexican costume file across the stage. Children from many nations participated in today’s event at the International Cottages.
International Children’s Day was celebrated this afternoon at the International Cottages in Balboa Park. The event was hosted by the House of Turkey, the nation that inspired this special day. Kids representing many nations took part.
Prior to a series of youthful performances, I learned during the introductory speech that every year on April 23 Turkey celebrates Children’s Day, a holiday created by modern Turkey’s founder Atatürk. He recognized that children would inherit that newly independent nation’s future. As a reminder, during Children’s Day the Turkish President, Prime Minister, cabinet ministers and provincial governors all turn over their positions to children for that one day.
As this day has become more international, UNICEF now recognizes International Children’s Day.
Guys fill balloons prior to the start of a cultural event hosted in Balboa Park by the House of Turkey.Getting Turkish food ready, including tasty tantuni.Lots of smiles as hungry people start to line up.Kids cross the lawn, almost ready to perform on stage.Young performers in Turkish costume on stage during the House of Turkey’s lawn program, celebrating International Children’s Day.A clown in the audience provided innocent laughs!
…
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!
The San Diego History Center in Balboa Park has a fine art collection of more than 1700 works. They represent the visual culture of our region.
The San Diego History Center, originally the San Diego Historical Society, has been an important custodian of our region’s history since the organization’s founding in 1928 by civic leader George W. Marston. Their preserved documents, photographs and artifacts trace the development of San Diego from a small town in the desert-like wilderness to a modern, thriving Southern California metropolis.
Visitors to the San Diego History Center in Balboa Park might be surprised when they enter one of the museum galleries to discover pieces from their Fine Art Collection. The current exhibition is titled Exquisite Views. Amazing canvases on three walls represent over 1700 pieces of fine art, many of which were donated by San Diego residents. Notable artists in the large collection include James Hubbell, Maurice Braun, Alfred Mitchell, Charles Fries, Belle Baranceanu, Charles Reiffel, Alice Klauber and Donal Hord.
There are two gigantic, amazing murals by Charles Reiffel on the walls of the museum nearby. And two more above stairs inside the Casa de Balboa. I posted photos of them here and here.
Like many cultural institutions who need support from the public, the San Diego History Center welcomes any contributions. Admission to their museum in the Casa de Balboa is free, but I’m always careful to leave a donation when I visit. Many of their fine art pieces are also up for “adoption” by art lovers. Contact them if you are interested.
The Family of Joseph W. Sefton, Sr., ca. 1890, oil on canvas, by artist Alden Finney Brooks.By the Sea, 1940, oil on board, by artist Dan Dickey.La Cumbre Peak, Santa Barbara 1918-1920, oil on canvas, by artist Charles A. Fries.Torrey Pines – Spring, 1997, watercolor on paper, by artist James Hubbell.Untitled Landscape (Mission Bay Causeway Bridge), ca. 1930, oil on canvas, by artist Alice Klauber.Eileen, ca. 1939, oil on canvas, by artist Margaret (Margot) King Rocle.Girl with a Fawn, 1935, charcoal and colored chalk, by artist Belle Baranceanu.This 1935 photograph from the Union-Tribune Collection shows Belle Baranceanu painting the mural Girl with a Fawn on the east side of the Fine Arts Gallery, today’s San Diego Museum of Art.Ramona Morning, 2013, oil on linen, by artist Carol Lindemulder.The San Diego History Center seeks to acquire new works. Their Art for the Next Century Initiative will expand their collection of historical artwork.Sycamores at Springtime, 1937, oil on board, by artist Charles A. Reiffel.
…
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!
People visit the House of Scotland’s picturesque cottage in Balboa Park.
When I walk in Balboa Park, I usually pass through the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages. Inside these quaint cottages, the cultures of diverse nations are proudly on display, and world history comes to life. There is much for visitors to learn and discover.
At the International Cottages, “Houses” representing different nations all coexist peacefully. If only the world could be that way.
Recently I poked my nose into the cottage operated by the House of Scotland. Scottish culture and history have always fascinated me.
I took a few photos…
A plaque by the cottage’s flagpole reads: In Memory of L/CPL Kenneth J. Haywood U.S.M.C. 1943 – 1965 Member of The House of Scotland House of Pacific Relations.Inside the House of Scotland’s small cottage there are fascinating photographs, artifacts and cultural displays.A doll wearing a Scottish kilt, and a certificate that commemorates the 2010 San Diego Scottish Highland Games and Gathering of the Clans. The annual event takes place in Brengle Terrace Park in Vista.Bagpipes and a badge worn by a drummer of the House of Scotland Junior Pipe Band. The House of Scotland Pipe Band is well known in San Diego and performs many rousing concerts.Diagram shows the costume of the widely recognized Dewar’s Scotch Highlander, including bonnet, gold sash, kilt, plaid, drum major’s baton and sword.All sorts of interesting items on display inside the cottage provide a small taste of Scotland.Famous verses by the national poet of Scotland Robert Burns.An article describes tossing the caber at Highland Games. The exact origin of this unusual event is uncertain. A heavy pole is flipped, with the aim that it lands straight.The coat of arms of two different clans. Scotland comes to life inside one of the International Cottages in Balboa Park.
…
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!
A colorful sculpture of Frida Kahlo now stands at the entrance to Spanish Village in Balboa Park!
Look what recently appeared at the main entrance to Spanish Village Art Center in Balboa Park! An amazing glass mosaic sculpture of Frida Kahlo!
The eye-catching piece is titled Frida. It’s a collaboration between two talented artists who show their work in Spanish Village: Yuriy Akopov and Ilya Idelchik.
According to a nearby sign, Frida is available for purchase at the San Diego Sculptors Guild in Spanish Village’s Gallery 36.
If you think this shiny, very colorful piece closely resembles the world-famous sculptures of Niki de Saint Phalle, you’re correct! Years ago, while he worked with the company Art Mosaic, Yuriy’s own hands helped to create Niki’s fantastic artwork!
A sleek glass mosaic sculpture of Frida Kahlo greets visitors to Spanish Village Art Center!
…
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 Balboa Park! 