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.
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This five-room house, acquired in 1911, is considered one of the best examples of early 20th-century Japanese architecture in the United States, and is part of the Japanese Garden at The Huntington, in San Marino near Pasadena.
One of my favorite Ricardo Breceda sculptures is “scorpion versus grasshopper”. Who do you think would win? These are but two of the 140 sculptures on display at Galleta Meadows in Borrego Springs.
Links: Ricardo Breceda Serpent post
The “old” Point Loma lighthouse was active from November 15, 1855 until March 23, 1891 (36 years), warning ships entering San Diego Bay. However, its location high atop Point Loma resulted in its beam often being obscured by fog and clouds such that a “new” lighthouse was built down at sea level. The old lighthouse has been restored and offers great displays including a five-foot tall 3rd order Fresnel lens, the best available at that time.
Links: NPS
One of my favorite spots in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is “The Slot”, a small slot canyon that is about 2 miles north of the 78. The turnoff is just a little ways east of its intersection with Borrego Springs Road and should be marked as Buttes Pass Road. Keep left at the intersection that you come to after about a mile. If the road looks too challenging, hike in from the 78.
Links: ABDSP Wheelingit
The Transamerica building was designed by architect William Pereira and completed in 1972. At 853 feet, it’s the tallest skyscraper in San Francisco. Four cameras at the top of the spire create a virtual observation deck with images sent to four monitors in the lobby.
An interesting site on Shelter Island in San Diego is the Yokohama Friendship Bell by artist Masahiko Katori. The citizens of Yokohama, Japan presented the Friendship Bell to San Diego in May 1958 as part of the establishment of a sister city relationship between the two cities, the first such affiliation on the West Coast. The bell has no clapper but is rung by being struck by the large suspended wooden ram.
Bill Pavlacka, aka “The Sandcastle Man”, hard at work on one of his creations at the Hotel del Coronado, in San Diego.
The Valley View Casino in Valley Center (near San Diego) has a 35-foot long (3,300 gallon) saltwater fish tank separating their Black & Blue Lounge/Steakhouse from the gambling area, which was featured on Animal Planet’s television show “Tanked” during their second season. The tank was constructed and installed by Acrylic Tank Manufacturing of Las Vegas, NV.
The Kelso Dunes are situated in the southwestern corner of the Mojave National Preserve, covering an area of 45 sq. miles, with the tallest part of the dunes reaching 650 feet in height. They are accessed down a 3 mile graded dirt road that takes off of Kelbaker Road, not far from the Kelso Depot/Park Visitor’s Center. Hiking is allowed.
Links: NPS previous related post
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