San Diego, Day 3, part 3, Downtown and Sante Fe Station

After a visit to Seaport Village we drove by the new civic center and into the Gaslight District. This is an up and coming area if restaurants and pubs. Than we found ourselves passing by Horton Plaza, an urban mall. As a railfan, Santa Fe Station is a must visit. Downtown station are not the best place to watch trains, especially terminal stations like San Diego, CA. The station is beautiful in itself and deserves to be seen.

San Diego, Day 3, part 2, Seaport Village

At Seaport Village at the sound end of the Embarcadero, the biggest attraction is the old Merry go Round. It is a good place to show off for visitors to town. The locals like it as well.

The major part of the area is an attractive tourist area and seaside park.

San Diego, Day 3, part 1, the Embarcadero

Day three begins with a ride downtown. Along the bay we have that section of San Diego known as the Embarcadero. Harbor Drive transverses this area and reveals many new developments.

Unlike most other cities, the skyline moves up from the water. Some may be moving down to the water. Here are the first line of the skyline.




The city and county administrative building overlooks the bay. It is very pretty, as far as such structures go.




This is after all, a harbor, with cruise ships heading out. Some are local only. Others ships are private. And others are museums. This makes it an area all, including locals and tourist, love to encounter.

San Diego, Day 2, part 4b, Old Town Station, San Diego Trolley

The MTS, San Diego Trolley uses this as a transfer stop between two lines. This makes videoing of the trolley a fun and challenging experience. These videos were taken between Amtrak and Coaster service through Old Town Station.

After an afternoon of video, I took a few still pictures while waiting for my ride.

San Diego, Day 2, part 4a, Old Town Station, Coaster and Amtrak

My sister had a few personal errands to do, so she dropped me by Old Town Station.

This station is nothing special. It is today a stop on the Coaster and the Trolley. Only a few Amtrak's will stop, others just pass through. This makes it a good place to watch trains. My train watching included many trolleys, but. my first train encounter was Amtrak Surfliner 572, southbound being pulled by 463.



I was watching the trolley when an unexpected northbound Surfliner came by. It was not on my schedule. I did get into a good position but just as it began to pass, it blew my cap off and I only got part of the train. It was not enough to save. Next was Coaster 651 pulled by 2101 northbound.

The next train was the Amtrak Surfliner 774 pulled by 466



Next was Amtrak Surfliner 587, Southbound pulled by 463.

San Diego, Day 2, part 3, Coronado Beach and Hotel Del Coronado

Next we drove to Coronado Island. We started with a walk on the beach.



What visit to San Diego is complete without seeing The Hotel Del Coronado. It made it most famous debut in the movie Some Likes It Hot. I also remember it a backdrop in the movie the Stuntman with Peter O'Toole.

Later in the week we saw the hotel from Corillo State Park, near the Point Loma Lighthouse.

Coming from the beach, I see the characteristic octagonal tower.

The main lobby entrance is seen here.



 I found this tree very photographic. It is a Dragon Tree, at least that is what the sign says.

San Diego, Day 2, part 2, Ocean Beach and Sunset Clifts

After a walk and getting cleaned up, we headed off to Ocean Beach on the Pacific Ocean. For this East Coast native, this is unique. What fascinated me was the Lifeguard Station and Lifeguard stands. Ocean Beach has the look of the 60's beach and, as my sister says, lived in by aging hippies. The beach has this pier.



After looking at the throw back to the 60's and a drive along the beach, we whent south to Sunset Cliffs