San Diego: A Golden City

INTRODUCTION
During the early to mid-1500's, Portugese born Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo while exploring the coast of California ~ sailing under the Spanish flag ~ guided his flagship San Salvadore into what is now known as San Diego Bay. His goal was to discover a trade route between the North Pacific and the North Atlantic. In addition, like other explorers of his era, he hoped to find the fabled "Seven Cities of Gold," or the Seven Cities of Cibola. Little could he possibly know that his efforts would eventually result in the founding of a city that, by the twentieth century, can be easily perceived itself as a genuine "Golden City," and the destination of millions of visitors a year.

Mission San Diego de Alcala

The Mission was founded on July 16, 1769 by Franciscan Friar Father Junipero Serra on the site that is now the Presidio. (See preceeding blog entry). It was relocated to its present site in 1774 to be nearer the existing Indian villages and to reliable water sources and farmland. It was the first in a chain of 21 missions along the coast of California and is consequently known as the Mother of the Missions. (Additional images, including historical photos, can be found further down in this blog.) For a complete list see California Missions.

Mission San Diego de Alcala: Historical Photos

Here are images of the San Diego Mission at the turn of the century (circa 1885-1905) provided by local resident Richard Roppe. Some of the photos were taken by his great-great-grandfather.

Pelican Sunset 2012

Winter Surf 2012

Winter storms bring people to La Jolla beaches to watch both surf and sunsets.

San Diego Skyline

October Sunset

Sunset

Homeless Shelter 2010

Hooked on Photography

Small treasures can be found almost anywhere.  This fisherman's hook was observed just as you see it here near the Embarcadero on Harbor Island.

Clouds and Shadows: East County

Taken from Mt. Helix looking east beyond El Cajon.

Summer Sunrise: Portrait of a Daisy:

Here the  lowly daisy flower is given a front and center treatment in color with black and white background.

Floral Collages: Balboa Park

During the Spring and Summer, Balboa Park is a riot of color in the form of both wild and cultured flora natural to California.  Here are two collages that offer several visually stunning examples. The graphic design "Rose Photography" is by RM Lewis.

La Jolla Sunset

Visitors to La Jolla Shores watch the sunset among the waning storm clouds, enjoying the drama of the scene with its striations of color, reflections and silhouettes. This photograph is best viewed in its larger format by clicking on the image.

Watching the Surf: Part II

La Jolla Coves is a favorite venue for watching surf following a winter storm. Note the seal family enjoying the salt water spray, and the pelicans resting on their roost.

Watching the Surf: La Jolla

This series captures the flora and fauna, and interested people, who are watching the surf on a sun drenched day following a recent storm at and near La Jolla Coves.

Double Image: Father and Son Fishing

Father and son engage in a time honored pastime during early morning hours at Lake Murray.

Early Morning Vistas

While most viewers slept, these photos were taken in the early morning hours at Lake Murray, La Mesa, California. These photos are best viewed by clicking on the image to enlarge.

Spring Daisies: East County

Following spring rains, yellow daisies come out in abundance, brightening the countryside and lifting the spirit.

Reflections

Looking more like a French Impressionism era painting than a photograph, this image, with water rippled by a breeze, was taken at the Botanical Garden reflecting pool in Balboa Park on a bright spring day.

Solitude

A lone visitor to the Embarcadero sits in quietude as he watches the setting sun, his only companions the tall ship and smaller sail boats at rest and moored at day's end. Click on the image for an expanded view.

Storm Waves

A brown seagull looks on, feathers ruffled by the wind, as storm waves crash into the coast and a Pelican roost near La Jolla.

Parasailing at Sunset

Parasailors glide silently over the Pacific as they view the coastline at sunset. To the north (top) is Torrey Pines State Park. To the south (bottom) is La Jolla.