Shields Date Garden (started in 1924) in Indio features 17 acres of landscaped grounds showcasing date palms and many other fruit trees along with a pond spouting dual fountains. Many varieties of fresh dates and various date products can be purchased in their store.
Griffith Observatory sits on the south facing slope of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park in Los Angeles. This beautiful Art Deco building opened its doors on May 14, 1935. It is named for Griffith J. Griffith, the Welsh-American industrialist who donated the land that is now Griffith Park and the funds to build the observatory.
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery is located on the Fort Rosecrans Military reservation in San Diego County, on both sides of Catalina Boulevard on the way to Cabrillo National Monument/Point Loma. The earliest interments include the remains of the casualties from the battle of San Pasqual (1846) which were moved here in 1882. Twenty-three Medal of Honor recipients are buried here along with Major General Joseph H. Pendleton for whom Camp Pendleton was named. As you view this post, please remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country.
This impressive sculpture garden is the last major international work by the French artist Niki de Saint Phalle and consists of a maze entryway and nine large-scale sculptures enclosed within a circular “snake wall”. The garden is located within Kit Carson Park in Escondido and is generally open one Saturday per month from 9 AM-noon. A recent article in the New Yorker recounted her life and showcased her Tarot Garden in Tuscany.
Links: QCMC New Yorker article
The two-story recessed vestibule entrance to the Eastern Columbia Building in downtown Los Angeles provides a spectacular example of Art Deco design. This pic shows the beautiful blue and gold terra cotta sunburst that is directly over the entrance doors.
There is an osprey nest on Shelter Island in San Diego and one can often see osprey on the nest or on nearby poles. On this day, an osprey had caught dinner and was chowing down. The nest is located in the roundabout at the far western end of the island.
Links: Shelter Island Seal
San Francisco skyline at night including the Transamerica Pyramid and Coit Tower.
Links: Bay Bridge Transamerica Pyramid
Not a bad view to wake up to!
A few seals love to hang around the boat launch area on Shelter Island, a community of Point Loma in San Diego. It is not actually an island as it is connected to the mainland by a narrow strip of land, and is only a little over a mile in length and a few hundred feet wide. This fine specimen was only too happy to pose for me.
The HMS Surprise began its life as a replica of the 18th century Royal Naval frigate Rose. Thirty years later, it was modified for the film, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, in an effort to recreate a 24 gun frigate specific to the Nelson era Royal Navy. Since 2004, it has been moored at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
Link for more info previous related post
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