Incredible San Diego – La Jolla
I felt the need to explore today, and have just a bit of “me” time. The kids were at school, so instead of being cooped up with the computer, I figured some fresh air and reacquaintance with San Diego was on the list. I headed for La Jolla which is only about a fifteen minutes drive north from downtown San Diego.
By the way, La Jolla is not pronounced with a “J” like in jolly, rather it is pronounced “La Hoya”. Want to hear the pronunciation in Spanish? http://translate.google.com/#en/es/jolla Just click on the speaker button when the Google Translate page opens. Want to hear the pronunciation in Finnish? http://translate.google.com/#en/fi/jolla – I was inspired to add these two links, courtesy of Matti from Finland (see comment below). Thanks, Matti.
This is what I saw, and photographed with my I-Phone (not the camera of choice), but this had been a spontaneous trip, and was not planned, so I apologize if the pictures are fuzzy.
La Jolla Cove – San Diego
La Jolla Beach, San Diego
La Jolla Cove, San Diego
La Jolla Cove, San Diego
La Jolla Cove, San Diego
Even the sea lions love La Jolla. We have plenty of them, as well as seals, but I think these are sea lions:
Sea Lions, La Jolla Cove – San Diego
La Jolla, San Diego
Tropical San Diego
Tropical San Diego – La Jolla
La Jolla, San Diego
The sky seems so beautiful and blue, but all these pictures were taken on the same day, and I never touch up my pictures.
La Jolla, San Diego
I like flowers by the ocean, so picturesque!
La Jolla, San Diego
Want to see what yesterday morning was like? It wasn’t that nice weather-wise, it was drizzling slightly, and the skies were grey, but something spectacular appeared in the sky – a full rainbow! I have never seen such a big rainbow, I was overjoyed. Again, I only had my I-Phone, and could not capture the entire rainbow from left to right – it was way too big! Actually, this picture did not come out nice, it was nicer seeing the rainbow in person, and was a completely different experience.
Full Rainbow – San Diego – Solana Beach
This picture taken in La Jolla today seems to have a faint shadow of a rainbow, but I don’t think there was one in the sky at the time I was taking these pictures, although I did see another rainbow again earlier today, but not like yesterday’s.
La Jolla, San Diego
The weather has turned a little cooler now in San Diego, but it’s still beautiful during the day. We finally got our morning and evening breeze back, but as always – when we have it back, we wish we had the heat back. Still, San Diego is Paradise on earth, and after seeing it again today – I think there’s no better place.
This is an addition to the post: Look at the picture I just added (below). This is La Jolla Cove, and was taken in approximately October of 1996 (before I moved to San Diego – while on holiday). I just found this picture, and compared it against Image 3088 which is picture 7 (above) – just to make sure it was La Jolla, and not one of the many other beaches around the world. You will see that it is the same place, even if the quality of the pictures is very different – this new addition was taken with an older camera, which was not a digital camera (not sure which camera – probably Olympus), and hence I scanned it onto my computer. I wonder if you notice any real changes other than image quality and color? Anyway, enjoy this “new” picture too.
La Jolla Cove, San Diego – 1996
Here are both pictures of La Jolla Cove closer together.
Saddened That A San Diego Man Died In Bear Attack – Denali National Park
I am so saddened upon hearing about a San Diego man who was mauled to death by a bear in Denali Park, Alaska on August 24, 2012. Richard White loved being around nature, and was intent on taking pictures, and subsequently paid for it with his own life. The story grieves me because the man is from my area (San Diego); he was relatively young – only 49, and he was married and a father to a 21 month old baby girl – who will now grow up without her father. Nobody deserves to be mauled to death, it is simply horrifying to think what Richard must have gone through.
I think the story hits close to my heart because I understand what it’s like to be fascinated with bears and what it’s like to want to take pictures of them, and get close up to them. I somehow can understand Richard White’s need to be close to the bears and to continue taking pictures, even though it was not the right choice.
This is the picture that I got by putting my camera through the bar (I certainly would not recommend doing this to anyone else) and taking the photo:
Black Bear – Alaska
These are the pictures that you are supposed to get when you don’t put your camera through the bars – you get the fence in the picture.
Black Bear – Alaska
When I was in the bus at Denali National Park, and saw the Grizzly Bear, I hoped and prayed that they would let us out of the bus, just so that I could get better pictures, but there’s a reason they don’t do that.
This is the picture that I got while I was in the bus:
Grizzly Bear
When the bear started coming towards the bus, that must have been why the bus driver decided to take off
Grizzly Bear – front view – Denali
Denali Park
I realize the dangers of bears more acutely now, and somehow can’t help thinking….that could have been me. Just remember when you go to Denali, pay heed to the training, and to what the park wardens tell you. Pay attention to the signs, and better still – don’t go on your own or be thoroughly engrossed in picture taking that you forget the dangers lurking around you.
I am very sorry for what happened to Richard, and my condolences go out to all those who knew him, especially to his family, wife, baby, and his friends. May you rest in peace, Richard.
These are some articles that you can read about Richard White, the San Diego man who lost his life in Denali:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/26/us/alaska-bear-attack/index.html
http://www.adn.com/2012/08/25/2599545/hiker-killed-by-grizzly-bear-in.html
My previous post of Wildlife Pictures Taken In Alaska can be viewed here: https://luchanik.wordpress.com/2012/06/11/wild-life-pictures-taken-in-alaska/
At 6 minutes and 22 seconds into this movie that I made and until 7 minutes and 19 seconds or so, you will see the Grizzly Bear in action in Denali Park, moving around stealthily while rummaging around, probably searching for food.
Sunsets in San Diego
Sunsets in San Diego can be pretty spectacular!
This picture is one that I took in Coronado at the Hotel Del
Hotel Del, Coronado
My sunset picture as shown on this page (at the sides):
Sunset at Hotel Del, Coronado
But now, I need to add three more pictures to the collection, and these were not taken by me – but by my 11 year old son, Luca. It looks like I have some competition in the field of photography! Luca took these pictures at Swami’s Beach in Encinitas.
Swami’s Beach, Encinitas
Swami’s Beach, Encinitas
Swami’s Beach, Encinitas
So what do you think? I think he’s onto something! Do you know he already won a competition at his school a few years ago with a wonderful photograph taken in London. I’ll have to show you it sometime.
Beautiful San Diego – Some Places You’ll Want To Escape To
It has been way too hot in San Diego this year. In fact, just today, it got up to 101°F on the coast in Del Mar. This weather is definitely unusual for us. We always have a nice breeze here by the coast. Where has the breeze gone to, and when is it coming back? Powerhouse Beach in Del Mar, and the Hotel Del in Coronado are just a few perfect places to escape to.
First, a glimpse of beautiful San Diego as seen from Coronado:
San Diego Skyline
San Diego Skyline
San Diego Skyline from Coronado
Powerhouse Beach in Del Mar – this is an absolutely beautiful beach complete with children’s playground, palm trees, restaurants on the beach and much more.
Powerhouse Beach, Del Mar, San Diego
Powerhouse Beach, Del Mar
What better playground than this for kids? Play in paradise, swing overlooking the ocean….it just doesn’t get any better!
Playground At Powerhouse Park, Del Mar
Even dogs want to get in on the action at the playground.
Powerhouse Beach, Del Mar
Powerhouse Beach, Del Mar
Some people escape the heat to this place, and the words on the flag are so appropriate!
Wine Styles, Coronado
Some people still want to be active, and what better place than the beach?
Hotel Del, Coronado
You might know that the Hotel Del is my favorite place in San Diego (see my previous post on San Diego). Today, the sky was so beautiful and blue, there’s just no place like the Hotel Del.
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
People escape the heat, and go to the Hotel Del. Weddings take place here as well as on the beach all the time.
Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
This beach is right in front of the Hotel Del in Coronado, and on this particular day in July – I saw two weddings on the beach and one occurring in the grounds of the Hotel Del. That place sure is popular for many!
Hotel Del Coronado Beach
Even though this picture was not taken at Powerhouse Beach in Del Mar or in Coronado, I just felt it was fitting to show it here – along with the other picture of the dog in this post. Dogs sure get pampered in San Diego!
Ruby’s Diner, Carlsbad
So whether you have a dog that appreciates the finer things in life, or whether it’s yourself, take a visit to America’s finest city, and you will find a place that will become your piece of paradise.
Please note, this is an addition: I just had to add La Jolla Cove as a place you’d want to escape to as well, here is the link: https://luchanik.wordpress.com/2012/10/12/incredible-san-diego-la-jolla/ . Also, please take a look at one of my other posts on Beautiful San Diego: https://luchanik.wordpress.com/2012/06/10/beautiful-san-diego/
Sizzling Summer, 2012!
Summer, 2012 was sizzling; I have not had a better summer in years than I did this summer. I have learnt to truly relax and get away from it all, including getting away from social media and technology – except for my camera and camcorder (could not be without those). And best of all, I spent my time with my family.
Well, I visited various places this summer, other than San Diego, where I currently live (yes, I am always the eternal tourist here). Here is a picture of my little girl, Chandi, enjoying the beach in Coronado – just near the Hotel Del.
Hotel Del – Coronado
In addition, I have visited a new place – South Lake Tahoe, which is in California, and on the border with Nevada.
South Lake Tahoe, CA
I visited San Francisco again for the second time (the last time I went there was at least 15 years ago):
San Francisco, CA
I also went back to my old home, Washington, DC, which is where I first lived when I moved to the USA from England quite a number of years ago. I loved being back in Washington, DC.
White House, Washington, DC
Another place that was revisited this summer was Baltimore, Maryland – this place has changed quite a bit, and is becoming a very popular place:
Baltimore Harbor
I went to Baltimore to catch a cruise – The Enchantment Of The Seas – to Bermuda – and this time I cruised with my kids, which is my favorite way to cruise!
Enchantment Of The Seas, Baltimore to Bermuda
Bermuda is a brand new place that I visited, and this place is gorgeous, pink sands, and turquoise water – absolutely heavenly!
Warwick Long Bay/Jobson’s Cove Beach, Bermuda
However, my one biggest regret this summer is that I did not go back home to England (where I was born) and be in London to see the Olympics. Alas, I had to watch it on television, and I tuned in this year, unlike other years, perhaps because it had something to do with my beloved city of London. Even though I was born in northern England, I did live in London for over a year, and have been back several times for visits. London is just one of those places that I can visit again and again – I never get bored with it – it is a terrific city (in fact my favorite city). I was filled with such pride for how London did an outstanding job in how it hosted the Olympics. The opening and closing ceremonies were absolutely terrific, and the best of British was definitely on display. If I hadn’t booked my cruise which ended just days before the Olympics ended, I would definitely have been in London. Oh, well…. London, you know I will visit you again very soon.
Even though I didn’t get to visit England this year, I had a lot of fun visiting places in the USA and seeing another country (Bermuda) that can now be added to my list of about thirty plus countries that I have visited. I will be putting all these new places I visited into separate posts, with some pictures, and I hope you will take a look. As I look at this post, and I’m sure you may see it too…..I count many places as my home, not just San Diego, or Washington, DC and London. Home is where the heart is, and my heart has definitely been in all these three places.
Summer, 2012, was wonderful for me, and I treasured my time spent with my children – we had a summer we will never forget.
Beautiful San Diego
I have decided to start a page where I will add my favorite pictures of San Diego from time to time. It’s no secret that San Diego is one of the best places to live in the world – it’s a tropical paradise with palm trees, the ocean, Legoland, San Diego Zoo, Sea World, Balboa Park, Del Mar Racetrack and Fairgrounds, and so many beautiful places to visit. On this page you will find from time to time new additions (might be old pictures or new ones). Of course, my favorite place in the San Diego area is the Hotel Del in Coronado.
If you don’t live in the San Diego area, but would like to visit, please feel free to contact me and I would be happy to recommend or book a hotel for you, and to recommend local attractions as well as restaurants.
Cornonado, and the Hotel Del (a must see in San Diego). Marilyn Monroe shot one of her movies here, and many famous people have stayed here, as well as Presidents.
Hotel Del, Coronado – San Diego
Hotel Del, Coronado
Sunset at Hotel Del, Coronado
Hotel Del, Coronado
Ocean at Hotel Del, Coronado
The swimming pool at the Hotel Del
Swimming Pool at the Hotel Del, Coronado
It’s so tropical at the Hotel Del
Palm Trees Swaying At The Hotel Del
Some pictures taken at the San Diego Zoo on December 18, 2011.
Orangutan – San Diego Zoo
Koala – San Diego Zoo
These are my three kids at the Zoo last Christmas in 2011.
Cultural Arts Performance at Neurosciences Institute Auditorium, in La Jolla on December 9, 2011
Cultural Arts – San Diego
Hungry for pastries? Try Champagne Bakery in Del Mar – love their Napoleons, and Jesuite pastries.
Champagne Bakery, Del Mar Highlands Shopping Centre, San Diego
You don’t have to go to Las Vegas to find casino’s – we have plenty of them here in San Diego. Sycuan is only 35 minutes away.
Sycuan Casino, San Diego
Great place to visit for the day is the Flower Fields which is in Carlsbad, close to Legoland:
Flower Fields, Carlsbad – San Diego
Balboa Park, December, 2011
Spreckels Pavilion – the scene of the amazing Holiday Tree that opens up to display a nativity scene that is inside the tree. This tree is magical, and changes colors!
Spreckels Pavilion, Balboa Park, San Diego
We have the wonderful Race Track, which has a Grand Opening Day every year which draws thousands of people from all over the country. There is a hats contest, and a big celebration feel to the day. Opening Day this year is scheduled to be July 18, 2012.
Del Mar Racetrack, San Diego
Another one of my favorite hotels in San Diego is the Manchester Grand Hyatt. This overlooks the San Diego Bay, and is a stunning hotel
Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, San Diego
Even though I live here now, I am still a tourist in San Diego – it is a very beautiful place.
Please note, these following links are the additions that I was referring to in the post, where you will see more of my pictures of San Diego: Incredible San Diego – La Jolla and Some Places You’ll Want To Escape To
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