San Diego

The guys next door are driving an all-electric fun car: the Moke. This thing maxes out at about 25 mph. I don't think you'll see it on the freeway, but these guys will be patrolling Mission Beach in what they hope will be a chick magnet, or so they tell me...

...in front of the Otto Center, San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park.

Enormous 8' x 18' tile mural on the facade of the Automotive museum in Balboa Park. Artists Richard Keit and Mary Kennedy of RTK Studios in Ojai. Nice work.

Sunset at Torrey Pines Hiking Trails

We can argue for hours about the quality of the local news organization of record, the San Diego Union-Tribune. Especially after its recent purchase by a news conglomerate. But put that aside: today the U-T offers its annual Community Almanac. The site is paywalled, so you're not reading it for free online. It's not worth viewing on a mobile screen as it's formatted for print-first. Works pretty well on a big desktop screen, but I'd advise you to pay for the print edition. Get a paper copy today while they're still on the rack. :: The special edition is a stand-alone broadside, featuring detailed info on local Hiking, Camping & Outdoors, Dining, Local Murals, Theaters, Museums, Balboa Park, Beaches, and Birding. What's especially interesting is the inclusion of soft and hard data/photos on 91 local communities. Worth picking up a copy.

SeaWorld is facing two major lawsuits over unpaid bills, including a $12 million suit from the city of San Diego for unpaid rent and a $10 million suit from Sesame Workshop for unpaid licensing fees related to Sesame Street characters at its parks. SeaWorld has struggled financially since the pandemic shut down its parks in 2020. The company argues it shouldn't have to pay full price due to the unprecedented situation. However, the city and Sesame Workshop seem unwilling to cut SeaWorld slack. Considering SeaWorld recently tried to acquire Cedar Fair, it likely has the cash but doesn't want to pay. The outcome of the lawsuits will determine if courts agree the pandemic warrants reduced payments. With over $20 million at stake, the results could significantly impact SeaWorld's finances going forward.

https://www.cinemablend.com/theme-parks/seaworld-financial-trouble-second-lawsuit-unpaid-bills-sesame-street

Took the bike out to circumnavigate west Mission Bay. Rounding the bend at South Mission Beach there was a riot of volleyball nets and players. Made my way past Belmont Park on the Boardwalk heading north. Caught a super-clear sunset at Lido Ct., with a green flash coda. Life is good.

The Surfliner heading south past Del Mar just before sunset.

Nope. San Diego Zoo. Early each morning, just after the park opens, a dive team goes into the big tank at the bottom of Africa Rocks and cleans the glass from the inside. The zoo is a big place, and the upkeep is daunting.

I read the headline in this morning's U-T as LA JOLLA CLOSED TO PUBLIC FOR 7 YEARS and thought, "Oh hey, looks like they finally got what they wanted... ."

Despite its many problems, San Diego can be a beautiful place if you know where to look.

I really enjoy using and talking with A.I.s online. They seem to know a lot about a lot. In fact they have a long way to go before you can take them at their word. I was using Claude.ai, asking some questions about early film-making in California. I asked specifically about D.W. Griffith's 1916 film, Intolerance.

Where was it filmed in California?

I got this back from the AI:

• For the Judean story, D.W. Griffith wanted an epic landscape to depict the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. • He chose Point Loma in San Diego, specifically the hills above Cabrillo National Monument. This promontory provided a dramatic cliffside overlooking the Pacific Ocean. • The tall ragged cliffs of Point Loma provided a scenic backdrop resembling the hills of Judea. The endless ocean vista evoked the biblical landscape. • Griffith built a huge life-size cross on the cliffs, with access roads constructed to bring equipment and vehicles. • Extras were dressed in period costumes to play Roman soldiers and witnesses to the crucifixion. • Filming took place over a few days in May 1916 and must have been a powerful sight with the actual crucifixion acted out on the cliffs. • The completed scene provides a grand-scale depiction of Christ's crucifixion, using the stunning natural location to heighten the drama and epic sense of this pivotal moment. • The Point Loma crucifixion scene has become an iconic sequence in Intolerance and an example of Griffith's skill in using natural locations to expand the scope of his films. • So in selecting the heights of Point Loma, Griffith found an ideal spot along the California coast to stage the spectacular crucifixion scene for his ambitious epic Intolerance.

I was amazed, had never known that scene was filmed in San Diego, at Point Loma. The response was comprehensive and detailed. So just to be sure, I asked the AI if the answer was based on factual information. In so many words, it said, nope, just made it up.

I told the AI I thought it was a jerk move to do that. "If you don't know for sure, just say so" I said.

AI introduces a new dimension to the idea of Don't Believe Everything you Read on the Internet...

Rex's Roar: statue in front of San Diego Zoo.

If you're wondering where all the humidity and tropical flow are coming from, here's your likely suspect.

TL;DR: Operators of the De Anza Cove RV Resort have recently completed a cleanup and basic redevelopment of the De Anza Cove peninsula area. Public access, parking and landscape improvements have increased significantly.

...

In the late 1930s to mid 1940s, the State of California granted marshlands to the City of San Diego to be held in public trust for citizens' use. However, in 1953 the City leased the land to a developer to create a tourist area and trailer park, with the City collecting a percentage of revenues. Residents moved onto the land, establishing permanent mobile homes. Non-mobile-home residents were not welcome.

In 1980, the State Lands Commission found the land was not being used as mandated. The state legislature passed AB 447, giving San Diego until 2003 to transition residents and establish public use facilities.

San Diego opposed losing revenue and control. The City raised lease percentages, planning to profit before turning over the land. They envisioned a hotel development. However, permanent structures on the mobile home pads made relocation difficult. Many elderly residents had limited resources.

A 1978 Mobile Home Residency Law required a long process before park closures. It mandated cities to pay relocation costs. In 2003 San Diego pressured residents to quickly vacate for small payouts, waiving their rights. The City hired a firm experienced in park closures, which used coercive tactics.

Residents filed lawsuits. In 2022 a court ordered the City pay $3.6 million for mismanagement and harassment.

In July of 2023, the California Coastal Commission voted to allow the operators of the Mission Bay RV Resort to conduct a cleanup of the De Anza Cove peninsula and improve coastal access. The cleanup included repairing the bike/pedestrian path on the perimeter of the peninsula, creating public parking and installing signage, installation of electric vehicle charging stations, removing asbestos and abandoned mobile homes, and removal of temporary fencing, creating an open, parklike appearance to the area.

You should check it out. Nice place for a walk, bike ride, or a beach chair and a cool beverage. That 70 year wait? Over.

cross-posted from: https://pixelfed.crimedad.work/p/crimedad/605900221674900115

San Diego MTS [OC]

You ever wanted to just be a small dog, held by a lady on a train in San Diego, admired by all?

#transit #blackandwhite #dog #metro #sandiego #sdmts #mts

@[email protected]

Awesome venue — went to see Kingfish Ingram and Buddy Guy with a friend. The setting is amazing: the city over here, the bay over there, Pt. Loma in the distance. The Shell itself looks like a glowing background from a 30s musical, or perhaps that schlocky 60s scifi "Time Tunnel." But the acoustics are very good; the amplification loud and clear. Seats were comfortable but not outstanding. We had clear skies and comfortable temps — a beautiful evening. Unfortunately, the musicians weren't on their marks. While they are talented bluesmen, they mostly phoned it in, and the show ran about 30 minutes short of the advertised length.

Cruised by the South Tecolote playground site in southeast Mission Bay Park. Looks almost complete. Set to open sometime this month. Looks like more fun for the kids and their parents. Will be a nice complement to the recently opened North Tecolote playground. :: So much money is spent (or wasted) on infrastructure and necessities we never see or think about; nice to have some spending that brings gladness.