San Diego, CA and Coronado, the island across the harbor from the city, are primarily Navy towns. The weather and natural beauty of the area probably accounts for it also being a major tourist attraction. In our short visit we hardly touched the surface of all the city has to offer, such as a world class zoo, dining, beach resorts, golf, etc., but hopefully these images will provide a sample of the huge appeal that invites visitors to the greater San Diego area.
1 To visit Coronado island you must now take the Coronado bridge which replaced the ferry several years ago. Moveable 3rd lane to provide 3 lanes for morning and afternoon rush hour.
2 First we had to check out the view from our room, looking across the harbor to downtown San Diego. Cloudy day, had rained earlier.
3 Longer view of the downtown skyline.
4 Always a changing scene with both private and Navy shipping passing by.
5 This Navy vessel appears to be flying the Texas flag, don't know why but being Texans it was fine with us.
6 Second day arrived bright with sun and no prediction of rain.
7 Downtown San Diego has made a quantum change in appearance since I first arrived there in 1943 to enter Marine boot camp. The fairly new convention center on right at waterfront.
8 Downtown as seen in closer shot.
9 Full moon at night provides a different and dramatic view.
10 More night view.
11 Night view makes great backdrop for the cocktail hour in the room.
12 "Old Glory" greets us on gray morning at the Tall Ship show in San Diego. Cruise ship in background not part of show.
13 Visitors to San Diego surprised to see the airport practically in downtown.
14 Visitors welcomed aboard the tall ship Europa.
15 It appears that the aircraft carrier at North Island Navy Base may be under attack.
16 Coronado Public golf course in lovely setting on the water and beneath the bridge on the island side.
17 Only one hole has water in play, so I did my duty and donated a ball to the magnetic water. This course is like a cunning robber, it invites you in with a friendly smile and then mugs you.
18 Beach scene in front of the Hotel Del Coronado. Navy carrier on the skyline.
19 The famous "Del" is probably the most well known landmark on the island.
20 Hotel Del Coronado close up. Great dining, views, and an historical wood bar removed from a cruise ship many decades ago.
21 One wing of the "Del" with ocean view rooms, comes at a price.
22 The "Del" with Christmas season lighting.
23 Longer view of the hotel's Christmas lighting.
24 View of San Diego skyline angled slightly to the south.
25 Skyline view angled slightly to the North. Taken from the old ferry landing on Coronado.
26 Two prior images stitched for pano view. To view full size, click on "original" at bottom of enlargement and use scroll bars.
27 Late afternoon sky as the rainy day clears, taken at the Coronado Shores residental towers on the Silver Strand beach, Coronado.
28 A cropped version of the previous image.
29 Sky patterns in the late afternoon offer predictions of a spectacular sunset.
30 These last 15 images show the progression of the setting sun until the last rays color the sky before nightfall.
31 The thin strip of land on the skyline is Point Loma. I still remember how beautiful it looked when I returned from WWII on a ship from China. It took 30 days to cross.
32 The patterns and light change every few seconds.
33 The sun begins to paint a light pattern on the water, and runners enjoy the late day and flat beach running area.
34 Walkers can be seen on the beach and a small craft on the skyline.
35 As pretty as it is, one must not stare at the sun, even in this late stage of sunset.
36 Serenity off Point Loma.
37 Daylight doesn't want to give up without a fight.
38 A child with a clam bucket appears to enjoy the late day.
39 Makes me wish I was a painter.
40 The clouds appear to be ablaze.
41 Birds appear on the beach to search for food. I don't know if they like clams too.
42 The day is going to end, like it or not.
43 The clouds darken and tell us it is almost night.
44 The last of the sunset on this day, December 7, 2003, Pearl Harbor Day, 62 years ago!
