Author: Heyjude

I have lived in the UK for most of my life, but when young I definitely had wanderlust and even ended up living in South Africa for several years which was a wonderful experience. I now look forward to a long and leisurely retirement doing what I like most - gardening, photography, walking and travelling.

Postcards from Around the World

Just west of downtown San Diego and on the other side of the water from the Coronado Naval Air Station sits the Point Loma Peninsula, known for its tide pools, sandstone cliffs, and the historic Cabrillo National Monument which commemorates the landing of Juan Rodríguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay on September 28, 1542.

There are great views across to the harbour and San Diego region (Point Loma Naval Base in the foreground and the Naval Air Station on Coronado on the right).
This is the new Point Loma Lighthouse in San Diego, California. It was in service from 1891-1997. The lens was removed and is now stored on site at the old Point Loma Lighthouse.

There are several hiking trails through the coastal sage scrub forest especially beautiful in spring with wildflowers. There are also tidal pools to explore which get very busy during the summer months.

Roads through the National Park
Scrubland
India Hawthorn (Rhaphiolepsis indica)

A little south of the lighthouse is the Whale Overlook. This vantage point offers pleasant views of the Pacific Ocean and the New Point Loma Lighthouse. Whales are often seen from here in January and February.

The Grey Whale statue
New Point Loma Lighthouse
A helicopter leaving North Island Naval Air Station against the impressive curved bridge to Coronado. The views from Cabrillo National Monument are impressive.

A short walk leads to the Old Point Loma Lighthouse. This picturesque structure is restored to its 1880s appearance and presents life as it was for the lightkeepers and their families. In the adjacent Assistant Keeper’s Quarters, interactive exhibits tell the story of the Lighthouses of Point Loma and, in a nearby historic military building, the exhibit “They Stood the Watch” presents the history of Fort Rosecrans.

This is the old Point Loma Lighthouse. It was in service 1855-1891.
The statue viewing area is down a short walking path just off the traffic circle in front of the Visitor Centre.

Cabrillo led the first European expedition to set foot on what would become the west coast of the United States, and the first to chart the coast of California. Cabrillo departed from the port of Navidad, Mexico on June 27, 1542. Three months later he arrived at “a very good enclosed port,” which is known today as San Diego Bay. He later died during the expedition though his crew made it as far as Oregon before harsh winter storms forced them back to Mexico.

Downtown San Diego

We had an America the Beautiful pass which covered our vehicle entrance as we were planning on doing the Canyons Circle after leaving the city.

Postcards from Around the World

La Jolla Coastal Walk

La Jolla (Pronounced luh hoy uh) is a smart seaside area, known for its rugged coastline and tidal pools as well as waterfront restaurants and posh boutiques in La Jolla Village. So whilst on a visit to San Diego, back in early March 2010, I decided to go and see it for myself. Easy to reach from the Old Town terminus on the number 30 bus.

Pacific Seahorses are found in the ocean in La Jolla
Street art

Walking from the bus stop on Silverado Street I made my way to the shoreline at Cuvier Park, stopping first for brunch at the Museum of Contemporary Art of San Diego. From there I simply followed the coastline and promenade along to Goldfish Point – about a mile – before heading back to the bus stop.

Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Church – Girard Avenue
The Sixth Station: Veronica Wipes the Face of Jesus

There seem to be many churches in La Jolla, but all rather beautiful, from the outside anyway. I didn’t go into any of them.

Presbyterian Church – Draper Avenue
St James by the Sea Episcopal Church – Prospect Street

From Cuvier Park you get the most wonderful views north

View north towards the Lifeguard Tower at Children’s Pool
Let’s get rid of that ugly high-rise

The ice plants were obviously a very tempting snack for these Californian Ground Squirrels.

Signpost
Sea Cave
Limonium or Sea Lavender
Palms waving in the wind
Ground Squirrel
Ground Squirrel
Unusual sculpture at the rear of La Jolla’s Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego called Pleasure Point, by artist Nancy Rubins. It’s made of rowboats, canoes, jet skies, kayaks, surfboards
Lifeguard Tower
Seals basking on the sand at Children’s Pool

The facility was created in 1931 by benefactor Ellen Browning Scripps as a safe spot for children to swim, but the seals decided that it was also a lovely sunny beach for them to relax on and give birth to their pups. A rope now keeps people from disturbing the protected marine mammals.

Seal pups
Ellen Browning Scripps Park contains many picnic areas and places to relax on the grass.
This is La Valencia Hotel otherwise known as ‘The Pink Lady’ which dates back to the 1920s
One of the gazebo structures along the sculptured sandstone cliffs
High on a craggy bluff overlooking the churning surf in La Jolla stands this weathered sea-green box..

To discover what this lifeguard icon is all about click here.

At Point La Jolla you will find the Sea lion and his harem
Where people get a little too close to nature.
Brown Pelicans
I’m watching you

La Jolla Cove is where many people gather to snorkel and swim and kayak and close by you will find pelicans and cormorants on the rocky outcrops.

Cormorants and other seabirds.

My walk along the coast ended at Goldfish Point and Sunny Jim’s Sea Cave.

This Cave is accessed through the Cave Store. You walk down a tunnel with 145 steps to a small cave looking out into the ocean.

If you do have the fortune to visit San Diego I really would recommend popping over to La Jolla for a few hours, more if you fancy a swim.