You will find this historic fountain in Horton Plaza, where it is the centerpiece. It is the self…read more-proclaimed "Broadway Fountain for the People." It was designed by Irving J. Gill who completed it in 1910 and modeled it after the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates in Athens, Greece. The fountains 1910 dedication was scheduled to coincide with the opening of the US Grant Hotel, which is located just across the street. It was primarily funded through the generosity of local banker Louis J. Wilde, who donated $10,000. The fountain received the California Historic Resource designation in 1971 and is owned by the city The fountain is unique and has 5 marble pillars holding up a dome that is made of prismatic glass with bronze filigree. There is water spraying upward from fountain pool meeting in between the pillars. It is interesting to note that this was the first fountain to combine flowing water and electricity for its colored lights. Originally, the fountain was topped with a gilded eagle. However, it was stolen and replaced with a smaller eagle made of zinc. If you were wondering, the original eagle was eventually recovered. The park is currently undergoing renovations and the majority of it is closed, However, the fountain and the section it is located in remains open and is operational. However, it was vandalized in December 2005 though, and had to be shut off until repairs are complete. A large rock was thrown into the fountain, breaking an expensive glass panel inside. It reopened in 2016. This is a nice fountain with a bit of history behind. I hear that it is known for having homeless people bathing in it, even though I did not see it happening while I was there. It is still worth checking out if you are in the area. There is metered street parking and commercial parking garages within a reasonable walking distance from fountain. Thee is also public transportation stops available nearby too.

The Kissing Sailor Statue is next to the USS Midway in San Diego, CA. The statue is a 25-foot-tall,…read more6,000-pound sculpture that recreates the iconic 1945 V-J Day photograph celebrating the end of World War II. You'll get beautiful pictures of the San Diego Bay from there. You can park at Seaport Village and walk the boardwalk towards the USS Midway. There are many shops and restaurants in the area. Check it out when visiting San Diego. Happy Yelping :)

Embracing Peace Statue is FAMOUS in San Diego with everyone and tourists from all over the world…read more Depending on the stories shared and who's telling it! The statue is also called the Kissing Statue or Unconditional Surrender. The statue is 25 foot tall! The sculpture is made by Seward Johnson. It is near the USS Midway Museum. It is a created from the iconic 1945 V-J Day photograph celebrating the end of World War II. There are FOUR of these statues! The other one is in Sarasota, Florida. They say the other ones were on rotation displays in different places. People have spotted it in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, Normandy, France and more. While in San Diego, I saw young couples getting their photos taken replicating the statue! To be young again!! Overall, it's a beautiful statue! It's free to see. It's massive! It's impressive. You'll have to GOOGLE your own facts on this.

My wife and I stopped at this Art center inside Balboa Park while we were in San Diego. We…read morespecifically came to this area because my wife wanted to visit the small stores here and look at their jewelry. I also took the time to feed our daughter here as well. The weather was still cloudy so the sun didn't come out yet but it was humid. The area is decorated colorfully to show the art around this area. There also a little water fountain toward the back kind of hidden. The concrete floor here is also in different colors to show the artistic side of things. There also a butterfly sculpture area where you can take picture if you want.

This was my first time stopping by Spanish Village Art Center, and I thought it was a fun place to…read morewalk around for a bit if you've never been here before. What stood out to me right away were the colorful tiles covering the ground throughout the village. They make the whole area feel bright and cheerful as you walk around. The place itself isn't very big, but there's quite a bit to look at. I saw a lot of artwork and paintings displayed in the different studios, and some of them were really beautiful. It's easy to spot because of the colorful tiled walkways and the small colorful shops scattered throughout the village. There's also a cute coffee cart tucked in the back with a nice selection of unique drinks. For parking, I noticed there were some spaces near the front, and you can also find parking along the roads nearby. It may take a little looking around depending on when you visit, but I didn't think it was too difficult to find a spot.

There are 7 total ships, including the Star of India, and a submarine. You can purchase your ticket…read moreat any of the main booths/boat entrances, then show your receipt to visit the others on the same day. The flexibility of a self-guided tour was great. One ship was away on a sail in the afternoon this past Saturday, but there was more than enough to explore on the various vessels during our visit. Plenty to see and experience on each of the boats. We stepped onto the swift boat where staff educated us about its machine gun. And we walked through and checked out the different sections of the USS Dolphin submarine too. The HMS Surprise was a lovely ship with plenty of references to its use in films. The Star of India was like a museum all on its own, so many areas to explore and a ton of history to learn. The Californian was pretty basic, not very different from many other ships we've visited in the past. Steam Ferry Berkeley was the largest, with displays showcasing scientific instruments, model boats, artwork, the riverboats in Vietnam, the engine room, a torpedo caught by a fisherman, and a special exhibit featuring the "histories of the black pacific". There's a gift shop on site as well. Altogether, the variety of ships at the Maritime Museum made for an interesting adventure, a bit touristy, but worth the cost if you're into history or simply like boats.

Ok so I will split this into two reviews:…read more 1: the ships and actual adventure 2: the reservation process and customer service 1: booked a trip for the Spanish replica ship adventure the San Salvador and really loved it. The ticket also got you access to the other ships to walk around which was cool. But the coolest part was that San Salvador was sailed like they would have sailed it waaay back when. We got to see real rigging masts sails steering all being done by a crew and it was a totally amazing experience and such a perfect day. Bonus: we saw dolphins and it was a perfect day. Drawback: the gentlemen speaking throughout didn't talk into his mic often so missed a lot but oh well - who's really going for history?! such a good time!!. 2. I had a good with my tickets and called and tried to talk to folks in person and could never get someone. The tickets were cancelled but not refunded which was a bummer and staff in the kiosk even said they phone lines were messed up. A bummer. :(

You will find this sculpture in Waterfront Park. You can not miss it. It sticks out like a sore…read morethumb. It is in a little circular area with benches around it. It has two names. Arbre de Serpents or its English translation, Serpent Tree. it was made in 1988 by Niki de Saint Phalle, who is known for colorful sculptures. It depicts a tree looking structure, with snakes where the branches would be. It is very colorful and made stained glass, mosaic tiles, polyester, and mirrors. It should be noted that de Saint Phalle adopted serpents as her signature motif for a perfume she produced to finance her Tarot Garden. There are a few of these these around the country Including New York and Washington DC. Th one in Missouri sits in the middle of a fountain and spits out water. I am not sure if this one has that capability, but it sure would be cool if it did. I really like this piece. It is creative and has some awesome artwork. The sculpture definitely grabs your attention with its bright colors and reflective glass. Parking to get a closer look is easy. There is metered street parking in front of the park where the sculpture is located. Anyway, as with most sculptures that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip. Maybe coordinate it with a visit to Waterfront Park or some of the many attractions on the Pier across the street.

I love public art in random places and this qualifies! The huge sculpture is actually a mirrored…read moremosaic which had to have been a labor of art love to create! It's made of zillions of pieces of mirrored glass so it sparkles in the San Diego sun! Stop by and check it out if you are in the area! Definitely unique! Life is good with one of a kind art works!

Fun bridge if you're in the area. Neighborhood street parking is easy. The bridge ends are wobbly…read more The oldest suspension bridge in San Diego, it's sturdier than expected but still cool. I couldn't appreciate its 70 foot height but fortunately the natural area is respected, didn't see any garbage or human made etchings. Quince Street Bridge is a few blocks away, so might want to check that out too and do a hike underneath.

Built in 1912. Cool experience. I felt ill in this but pushed myself to cross twice. It moves a lot.read more

Yesterday I experienced an outstanding tour with Scott Smith. He did a remarkable job sharing the…read morehistory and his abundance of knowledge of the Midway. It opened my eyes to many details that I was not aware of and painted a very clear picture of the volume of men and women that have served our country through many generations. I am grateful to have had that experience and to be able to share that history with my Grandchildren and future generations. Scott was a fabulous Docent.

If you think you understand the size of an aircraft carrier, go stand on the USS Midway. That's…read morewhat I thought! You do not understand the size of an aircraft carrier. This thing is basically a floating city. At its peak, thousands of people lived and worked aboard, and there is an ACTUAL FULL ASS RUNWAY on the flight deck. You can walk through the ship, see where people lived, worked, ate and slept, and then walk upstairs and find yourself standing next to fighter jets. The ship is named for the Battle of Midway, the WWII battle where the United States sank four Japanese aircraft carriers and turned the tide in the Pacific. I don't know how many miles you could walk on this thing, but it's several. Fascinating!

I have an unabashed affinity for conservatories, I confess I watch Bridgerton just so that I can…read moremarvel at the conservatories they unveil for their summer time dance galas. Anyway, the botanical building in Balboa park, Sand Diego though made of wood lath is nonetheless considered a conservatory and reputedly the only wood lath conservatory in the world and also one of the largest of its kind globally. As soon as one enters, they are greeted by the intoxicating smell of fecund moist earth. The wood lath structure allows the breeze to flow through but cuts down the harsh sun creating a dappled sanctuary. I felt like a little child let loose in candy land, the display is a feast for the senses with monsteras, philodendron, ferns, orchids, begonias, cycads etc in every corner. One side had majestic soaring plants reaching the ceiling while the other side felt bare in comparison. The lily pond greeting one at the entrance also houses turtles, pink lotuses, frogs and fish. Overall a must visit for people who have a thing for plants or even-otherwise.

This is a nice little area if you want to walk around and look at some plants. They also have some…read moreflowers and a little water fountain as well inside the Botanical building. We came here during my wife weekend birthday getaway and she wanted to come to Balboa Park. I parked at a parking lot nearby this building and just walked here. The weather was kind of cloudy and humid but once get inside, it felt nice. My wife and I been here before when we first started dating so it was nice to bring our daughter with us this time.

Our wedding day at the Japanese Friendship Garden was truly perfect. From our very first site tour,…read moreMarina Miller was incredibly communicative, accommodating, and helpful throughout the entire process. She made everything feel organized and easy, and the clear map instructions provided for our guests made the day even more seamless. The Garden itself was absolutely breathtaking. We were blessed with beautiful weather, a stunning sunset, and the most romantic atmosphere imaginable. The scenery created such a magical backdrop for our wedding and made the day feel even more special for my bride, our families, and all of our guests. Everyone had an amazing time, and we received so many compliments about the beautiful venue and atmosphere. We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful setting to begin our marriage. We are so grateful to the Japanese Friendship Garden and their wonderful team for helping make our wedding day unforgettable!

The Japanese Friendship Garden was easily one of the prettiest and most peaceful stops during my…read moretime in San Diego. If you enjoy walking around, taking in beautiful scenery, and getting some great photos along the way, this place is absolutely worth visiting. The garden is very walkable, and there are gorgeous views around seemingly every corner. As someone who loves photography, I had my camera working overtime. Between the landscaping, bridges, waterfalls, plants, and all of the little details throughout the garden, there are so many great opportunities for photos. The koi pond was probably my favorite part. The koi were BEAUTIFUL, and I could have stood there watching them swim around forever. It was easily one of the most relaxing parts of my visit. A fun fact I learned is that the garden opened in 1991 and was created as an expression of friendship between San Diego and its sister city, Yokohama, Japan. The garden continued to expand over the years, including the addition of a grove with around 200 cherry trees in 2015. So there is actually quite a bit of history and meaning behind all of the beauty. Definitely a 5 star experience for me. Peaceful, gorgeous, easy to explore, and an absolute dream if you enjoy photography. I would gladly come back, especially during cherry blossom season!

This is an older public art piece that is the work of Beverly Pepper and was made in 1976. It was…read morecommissioned through the Art in Architecture Program Fine Arts Collection of the United States. It now belongs to GSA and you will find it in front of Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building. It doubles as a jungle gym for kids waiting to enter the building with their caretakers. The sculpture is showing signs of its age and the many years that it has spent in the elements. It could really use a refresh. The paint is peeling in many places, it is severely faded and it is starting to rust. The sculpture is made of three pieces of steel that are painted black. It stands 40 feet tall and is 41 feet wide and 24 feet deep. It is surrounded by a very low barrier. To get the full effect of the sculpture, you must view it from different angles, to see its various forms. There is very limited metered street parking within walking distance to this sculpture and there are a few commercial garages close by. This is not a long stop and not even a destination piece. I recommend checking it if you have business at the federal building or making a stop here, part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time.