More current news and photos of Balboa Park!

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.

If you click the above link, right at this moment (late September, 2020) you will see photographs and information about a brand new exhibition of the Mingei International Museum at the Japanese Friendship Garden, some interesting information concerning a preview of the upcoming Comic-Con Museum, plus an eyeful of fascinating photographs from an exhibition of fine art at the San Diego History Center. And a whole lot more!

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?

Thanks for checking out my blog!

Richard

Early winter color in a Japanese garden.

It’s early winter here in Southern California. Most trees are shedding their leaves at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, but many colorful branches still show a vivid beauty.

I took a slow walk through the Lower Garden this afternoon. Bright yellows and oranges attracted my camera. Here are some photos of early winter beauty in one of San Diego’s most amazing places, the Japanese Friendship Garden.

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

A few odd photos in late December.

Here are a few odd photos that I took today as I walked about Balboa Park–and some of these are indeed odd!

December Nights is over and people are busy getting ready for Christmas, so fewer visitors are milling about the park.

We are entering that winter season when Balboa Park is a bit quieter, a bit more peaceful. I’m looking forward to it.

I’ve already posted several blogs over on Cool San Diego Sights, and I’m just about blogged out today, but I wanted to share a few more photos.

I’m leaving out captions. Insert your own!

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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 colorful celebration of Hungary’s culture!

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!

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Balboa Park artwork near Santa Fe Depot.

Tile mosaic artwork in downtown San Diego near the Santa Fe Depot depicts Balboa Park’s iconic California Building and Kate Sessions.

The Santa Fe Depot in downtown San Diego was built to welcome visitors arriving by train for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition in Balboa Park. So it’s appropriate that public art near the historic depot contains several historical representations of Balboa Park.

The tile artwork, titled The Tracks We Leave Behind, is a visual timeline of San Diego’s history. The beautiful mosaics were created by Betsy K. Schulz in 2008.

I’ve posted more photos of these amazing mosaics on my Cool San Diego Sights website here and here.

Bea Evenson, founder of The Committee of 100, at Casa del Prado in 1971.

First Emperor Penguin born in captivity at the San Diego Zoo.

Harry Wegeforth, founder of the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park, doffs his hat while riding an elephant.

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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 new stream in the Japanese Friendship Garden!

A new stream is now under construction at the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park!

For several months I’ve been watching with growing excitement as the channel of a new stream takes form in the Japanese Friendship Garden!

Water is a vital element in a Japanese garden, and the beautiful new waterway will add even more life to an already wonderful place. The gently bending stream will run down into the Lower Garden through some shady trees, bubble under a bridge and small observation deck, and join the existing stream along the canyon’s bottom.

Here are some photos to get an idea of what is coming. I was told the project should be completed in several months.

If you’ve never visited the Japanese Friendship Garden in Balboa Park, you’re missing out on one of the most beautiful spots in all of San Diego. Become a member, and you can freely visit any day that you please!

The existing stream runs over small stones through tranquil beauty in the Lower Garden’s canyon.

Photo taken as I approach the place where running water will sparkle, bubble and come to life.

The new waterway will course down beneath a newly built bridge and observation platform, to join the existing stream.

I can’t wait until this project is finished. Another spot to enjoy this most exquisite Japanese garden.

The new stream will run down into the canyon between shady trees. The project is expected to be completed in September, 2018.

UPDATE!

Here are some photos of the construction progress that I took in mid-August 2018. Many stones now line the new stream’s channel. I was told by a docent that the brown tarp covering an object near the waterway’s source is protecting an historic Great Buddha statue donated to the garden that will also make its debut very soon.

BIG UPDATE!

It’s all finished!

In late December, 2018 the stream bubbled with life and the new statue was unveiled. It isn’t a Great Buddha, but a massive, nearly 300 year old bronze Kannon statue.

You can see everything on my Cool San Diego Sights website by clicking here!

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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!

Fine art at the San Diego History Center.

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.

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A visit inside the House of Scotland’s cottage.

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.

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Lots of smiles, fun and beauty 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.

Heavenly wedding photography near the Lily Pond in Balboa Park.

Smiling ladies with the San Diego Museum of Art were getting art supplies ready for a youth event this evening.

More smiles from volunteers at a table outside the Balboa Park Visitors Center.

A coffee mug with hearts for eyes outside the House of Hospitality. It must be almost Valentine’s Day.

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!

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 at the Plaza de Panama.

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.

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.

A bit of daylight remains. People meditate on some grass in Balboa Park.

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.

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.

The Tea Pavilion has closed for the day. Time to sweep leaves from the patio.

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 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!