Photos of late afternoon beauty in Balboa Park.

Late this afternoon I took a meandering stroll through Balboa Park. As the sun approached the horizon, its light touched surprising patches of beauty.

I paused for a bit by the reflecting pool, the channels of water that flow down El Prado from the Plaza de Balboa, the International Cottages and the old cactus garden. My camera was out.

Come along with me!

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Magic in Balboa Park as night falls.

Walking down toward the Spreckels Organ Pavilion as night approaches in Balboa Park.

I got off work a bit early today, so I took an evening walk through Balboa Park. Few people were still about as darkness began to descend. Just an ordinary Thursday in early February–a quiet time of year.

I managed to capture a few photos of Balboa Park’s wonderful magic as night fell.

North side of the House of Charm and Alcazar Garden. The lights have come on along El Prado.

Beautiful light shines from the facade of Casa del Prado.

Balboa Park visitors walk along El Prado as darkness nears.

Golden light behind the second story arches of the Casa del Prado.

Few people remain in the Japanese Friendship Garden as darkness falls. All is quiet and very beautiful.

Night produces rare magic near the Exhibit House at Balboa Park’s Japanese Friendship Garden.

The ornate facade of the Museum of Man becomes rich with depth and color when lit at night.

Photo through arches of lights illuminating the outdoor patio of The Prado at Balboa Park, a fine restaurant located in the House of Hospitality.

The House of Charm, home to the Mingei International Museum, like a glowing dream in the darkness.

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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!

Restoration of Cabrillo Bridge lamps completed!

A newly restored street lamp graces the top of Cabrillo Bridge. The California Tower rises in the background.

A project to restore the 30 light standards atop the Cabrillo Bridge has been completed in late 2016! I took photos before, during, and after the historic street lamps, installed for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition in Balboa Park, were restored to their original condition.

Sign shows the Balboa Park Cabrillo Bridge Historic Light Standards Restoration Project. It was completed in late 2016.

One of the old rusty light poles atop Cabrillo Bridge (originally installed in 1914 during the bridge’s construction) before restoration in 2016.

View of the historic 1915 Cabrillo Bridge from the old cactus garden behind the Balboa Park Club.

Plaque commemorates the Cabrillo Bridge, completed in 1915 for the Panama-California Exposition. It’s a San Diego Historic Civil Engineering Landmark.

Another nearby restoration project has also been completed–the two guardhouses on El Prado at the west end of the Cabrillo Bridge.

Photo shows both new and old light poles on the Cabrillo Bridge. The restored poles were painted to match their color during the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition in Balboa Park.

Photo of old rusty light standard, and the glass globes before their replacement. 30 poles have been restored.

This ornate base of an original light pole atop Cabrillo Bridge was over 100 years old.

This base was so rusted out, much of it was missing.

Photo shows base of light pole after its careful restoration in 2016.

New lights illuminate the top of Cabrillo Bridge in beautiful 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!

Late afternoon light brightens the Alcazar Garden.

Late afternoon light on elegant tower of the Mingei Museum, as seen from the Alcazar Garden in Balboa Park.

I got off work early today, so I walked up into Balboa Park with a couple hours of daylight left. I intended to photograph two special somethings for this blog, but unfortunately was unsuccessful. I’ll try again this weekend…

Fortunately, I did get some beautiful photos of late afternoon light beaming into the Alcazar Garden. Here they are…

Sign in Alcazar Garden details how it was designed in formal Spanish style and was originally called Montezuma Garden during the 1915 Panama-California Exposition.

Shadow stretches across beds of spring flowers.  Slanting late sunlight creates a beautiful picture.

Light touching the green hedges of the Alcazar Garden invites a photo through the arch on the south side.

A monumental arch leads to a nearby parking lot and a very large tree. According to a sign it’s a Ficus retusa, or Indian Laurel Fig.

Late afternoon sun brightens leaves of the immense Ficus retusa just outside Balboa Park’s Alcazar Garden.

One of two unique and beautiful fountains in the Alcazar Garden. Patterned, colorful tiles remind park visitors of old Moorish Spain.

Top of the California Tower and the Museum of Man’s classic dome, as seen from the parking lot between the Alcazar Garden and the entrance to Balboa Park’s archery range.

Beautiful light on a garden sprinkled with flowers.

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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!