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Thursday, November 29, 2018

Old Town San Diego State Historic Park in San Diego, California




Old Town San Diego State
Historic Park gives visitors
a glimpse into life in Spain's
first West Coast settlement,
established in 1769.





Buildings here date back to the early and mid 1800s and reenactors, dressed in period clothing help bring Old San Diego to life for visitors.





Colorful wagons with
souvenirs







Learn about San Diego's history, shop and enjoy a meal. 




I catch Eric taking in the
sights in front of
Colorado House,
built in 1851.



This flagpole stands on the spot
where the American Flag was






The Tinsmith Shop







built in 1853








This Calaveras reminds
the living that life is 
intertwined with death.






It stands in front of a whitewashed adobe that was built in the 1830s.





The fountain in front of the
decorated Fiesta de Reyes
restaurants & shops.





RUST General Store is an
1860s store.




in 1870 houses a restaurant &
hotel with modern amenities.





The Blacksmith Shop was
built in 1860.



Working at the Anvil...

There's always work to be
done to maintain the Park's
historic buildings.





Wednesday, November 28, 2018

The Church of the Immaculate Conception in Old Town San Diego, California









A statue of the Virgin Mary &
votive candles in the vestibule.
















A photo from the back
of the Church.

I don't want to disturb
people in prayer.





I zoom in for a closer
picture of the altar.







Stained glass windows &
& statues in recesses on
the right wall of the
Church.









The left side of the Church
is a mirror image of the
right side.





I quietly leave the Church and those who are deep in prayer.

San Diego Avenue in Old Town San Diego, California




Old Town San Diego is the 
Birthplace of California, the
first Spanish Colony
established in 1769.






Eric and I parked in a Free Public Parking Lot next to...










The Covered Wagon


















Eric & the Historic US
Route 101 road sign.
















Eric & a Vaquero at 






















Eric & me at






Cafe Coyote










This mural reminds me















The Livingroom Cafe
& Mexican Grill







Next stop... Old Town State Park

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Beers @ The Tin Roof in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego, California





Tin Roof, A Music Joint
looks inviting.















I like the 1940s Hotel
sign & furniture.
















Eric & I are too early
for music, sigh....











The Bar











My Blue Moon & Eric's









The walls are covered with
an eclectic mix of posters,
artwork




Tucked in a corner is this
painting of the Gaslamp
Quarter archway.
Rehydrated and rested, Eric and I join commuter traffic leaving San Diego.  We will be back...  Eric bought multiple day-passes for the Old Time Trolley Bus Tour, which we will use to get around this sprawling city.

Lunch @ Las Hadas in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego, California




This 1884 former Cracker
Factory is now Las Hadas
Bar & Grill.










Our al fresco lunch includes
Tequila with Lemonade.














Complimentary Corn
Frites with Sweet Butter &
Tomato Dipping Sauce






Eric and I can't decide if we prefer the Sweetened Butter or the Tomato Dipping Sauce.




Eric & I are sharing a

Lunch is fresh &
delicious!








I take a look around the inside of the restaurant....





The Bar
















Part of the wine
display








Las Hadas staff cleaned
up after the lunch rush
& are preparing for 
Happy Hour & Dinner.

Walking Around San Diego's Gaslamp Quarter





The Gaslamp Quarter 
in San Diego






It starts along at Harbor Drive, across from the San Diego Convention Center and stretches north to Broadway.





Rental Scooters in front
of the Gaslamp Garage







From the late 19th century into the early 20th century, the Gaslamp Quarter teemed with con men and women, Gambling Dens and Brothels.  Police looked the other way until 1912 when clearing out unsavory residents and businesses became part of preparations for the Panama-California Exposition in 1915





The San Diego Chinese
Historical Museum










San Diego's Original
Cigar & Wine Bar has


The black corner banner
with Gold Dragon is
eye-catching.

I wonder if this is a
permanent or
temporary display.




Ghirardelli Chocolates is in
 the former Casino Theatre,
built in 1912.









The Yuma Building,
built in 1888, is one
of San Diego's first
brick buildings.










I'm happy to see so many late 19th and early 20th century buildings have been restored and repurposed.





The Grand Pacific Hotel is
getting a "facelift."










Skyscrapers peek over this
older building with its
carefully painted cornice
work and trim.








Double entendre makes this
 restaurant memorable.





Suburban development after World War II (1941-5) emptied the Gaslamp Quarter of many of its businesses and this section became rundown. In the 1970s revitalization of the Gaslamp began.  Today it's a magnet for tourists.





Outdoor seating at
Rockin' Baja Lobster
Coastal Cantina has
outdoor seating.





Many restaurants expand their dining areas this way.





located in the historic
Factory, built in 1884.




Later, the Royal Pie Bakery moved into the building.





The U.S. Grant Hotel, with its
Gold Leaf dominates this
section of Broadway.









Park is across Broadway
 from the Hotel.















Perspective is everything
in this mural.







Horton Park was reconfigured and updated.  It's Grand Reopening occurred in 2016.





The Balboa Theatre was
originally a Vaudeville
venue.




Tin Roof
A Music
Joint











After some time off our feet and a beverage, Eric and I will walk back to our car and drive to our campground.