US Naval Institute sponsored a members event last night, coinciding with a three-day conference for military tech types. It was held at a place with the awesome view above. More about that follows, but first I took a stroll. After browsing the conference’s exhibits, I had some time before the USNI event so I decided to walk through a little of downtown San Diego — the Gaslight Quarter (called historic, but seems more nuevo tourista), Petco Park neighborhood, and the new county library (remember, I have librarians among family and friends).
Here’s San Diego’s ball field.
Actually, as I’m sure you have surmised, this is not the home of the Padres. This is a kids’ field in Park in the Park, which is a three-acre open area beyond the bleachers of Petco Park, which is accessible each day, though you need a ticket if it’s game time. Here’s Petco Park. (Petco is based in San Diego, FYI.)
Not quite the green swath, but they’re working on it. It is February, after all.
The library is just a block from Petco Park. This is a relatively new central library, opening in September 2013. In the tradition of cash-strapped California, no expense spared! $185 million, and it looks it. It’s like San Diego’s version of London’s pickle, on a reduced scale.
For those interested, such as the aforementioned librarians, here’s a gallery of images from the library.
The USNI event was at “The Ultimate Skybox,” a unit on the 15th (top) floor of the “Dreamview Tower.” Nothing like overstatement, but it is nice, and this view is worthy of another look.
At lower right in the picture above is Petco Park and in the distance is the Coronado Bay Bridge. Temps were still in the 70s by sundown so it was very comfortable outside. Below is a more direct view of Petco Park, with Coronado and Naval Air Station North Island on the other side of the harbor and Point Loma in the distance at upper right. Thanks, sun, for making a nice sky.
A slightly more northerly view below. I took some panorama shots as well, but haven’t figured out yet how to retrieve them.
Very pleasant evening. Met some new people, including Christine (last name forgotten), who is lead veterinarian for the Navy’s marine mammal program out on Point Loma. She went to Tufts, of course, and we reminisced about snow. Well, actually, we talked about how much both of us did not miss it. She indicated interest in speaking before the Navy League (and perhaps the BC alumni chapter) about the marine mammal program.
And seeing Petco Park close up convinced me to consider going to a few games this season. The Padres are reportedly considered to be more competitive this season with some recent trades and acquisitions, and there is a Stone Brewery outpost right in the Park in the Park.