A green St. Patrick’s Day in Balboa Park!

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!

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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!

Balboa Park’s quiet paradise at Inspiration Point.

Walking through a pleasant arbor in Balboa Park’s little-visited Administrative Courtyard on Inspiration Point.

I had to revisit one of my favorite corners of Balboa Park. I aimed my feet toward Inspiration Point, then walked slowly into the quiet paradise behind the park’s handsome Administration Building.

I blogged about the Balboa Park Administrative Courtyard when I first stumbled upon it several years ago here. And a mysterious fountain at the center of a nearby pool of water here.

So tranquil. So beautiful. I should have brought a book. I did sit down on a bench for a while, and felt the sun on my face. It’s a corner of heaven in Balboa Park that very few visit.

Gazing up from the lush courtyard toward the top of the nearby Balboa Park Administration Building.

As I walk through the arbor, I see one of the cheerful tile roofed gazebos ahead.

One of two old Navy Hospital fountains in the Administrative Courtyard. Years ago this area was part of a huge Navy Hospital campus off of Park Boulevard.

A peaceful fountain with bubbling water. Special events like weddings can be booked here, but the public seldom visits.

Looking across the green lawn at a gazebo.

Down some steps south of the courtyard is a small pool with a cherub-like fountain at its center.

Several benches are near the water. Nobody comes here. This, too, was once part of the old Navy hospital.

Back in the courtyard, where palm trees cast interesting spidery shadows.

One more look up at some colorful, eye-pleasing architecture. Balboa Park contains wonders that few visitors see.

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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!

A park full of movement one Saturday morning.

San Diegans play a game of soccer on Balboa Park’s grassy West Mesa.

Balboa Park is alive with nonstop human movement. There is so much to do, so much to see.

Enjoy a few photos from my stroll through the beautiful park this morning.

Competitors at the Balboa Park Horseshoe Club enjoy a relaxing Saturday.

Hoping for a ringer!

Having some fun in sunny Balboa Park.

Guarding a small soccer goal. People enjoy recreating in Balboa Park on a Saturday morning.

A group practices martial arts near the corner of Sixth Avenue and Laurel Street.

Learning the moves.

More athletic feats by members of the San Diego Lawn Bowling Club, competing on the green near the Cabrillo Bridge.

Taking careful aim.

Folks amble along El Prado wearing hiking boots. Some use walking sticks.

Tourists on Segways pause for a moment in Balboa Park’s Alcazar Garden. The California Tower rises into the blue sky.

Dog owners walk their Papillon’s near the Mingei Museum.

An excellent day for a two-legged or four-legged stroll!

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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!

Saturday fun at the Balboa Park Horseshoe Club!

A friendly horseshoes tournament is underway. One player tosses while others keep score.

I was pleasantly surprised Saturday morning when I saw a whole bunch of activity at the old Balboa Park Horseshoe Club! A tournament was underway involving local members of the Southern California Horseshoe Pitchers Association.

The usually desolate and somewhat unkempt horseshoe pits were humming with athletic feats and camaraderie. One person expressed optimism that membership was on the upswing. Many competitive events have been planned.

It’s good to see folks actually using the large facility located at Sixth Avenue and Juniper Street–and having fun! Here’s a link to the 2016 SCHPA Pitching Schedule. The California State Championships are taking place in Balboa Park this September!

The San Diego Chess Club and Balboa Park Horseshoe Club share an historic but unfortunately little-used facility near the southwest corner of Balboa Park.

Horseshoes is a competitive outdoor sport that offers great exercise and good times.

Someone skillfully pitches a horseshoe on a sunny Saturday morning in San Diego.

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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!