prehistoric

San Diego, California - USA

...so prehistoric looking!

San Diego

San Diego, California - USA

Portuguese born Juan Cabrillo claimed the area of San Diego in 1542, sailing in the name of Castile (today Spain).  In 1821 San Diego became part of Mexico and in 1850 it was taken over by the United States in the Mexican American War.  Today it is 2nd largest city of California.

Old Town

San Diego, California - USA

The Church of the Immaculate Conception is located in Old Town, the original center point of San Diego.  Spain claimed the entire west coast of what is California today and began preparations to occupy the land.  Ordered by the Spanish King in the late 1700s, Mission centers were built up and down the coast of California to spread the idea of Christianity among the native people.

SDSU

San Diego, California - USA

Hepner Hall, in Mission Revival Style architecture, is the icon representing San Diego State University.  Today it houses the School of Social Work, Department of Gerontology and the University Center on Aging.  

SDSU originated in 1897, under the name "San Diego Normal School", educating local women to become elementary school teachers.  Today it offers 189 types of Bachelor's degrees, 91 different Master's degrees and 22 types of Doctoral degrees.

historic landmark

San Diego, California - USA

These buildings make up part of Balboa Park, a park built to host the Panama-California Exposition and the California Pacific International Exposition.  The architecture of the buildings resembles what you would see in Spain.

goofy textures

San Diego, California - USA

Balboa Park

San Diego, California - USA

These water lilies are found in Balboa Park, named after the Spanish explorer (Vasco Núñez de Balboa) who is best known for having crossed the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific Ocean.  This park has over 15 museums, numerous gardens and cultural centers as well as the well-known San Diego Zoo.  It originated in 1915 for the Panama-California Exposition and then was later used for the California-Pacific International Exposition.  It has been declared a National Historic Landmark containing many architectural landmarks.

sun on the Pacific

Del Mar (San Diego), California - USA

One of countless sunsets to be seen on the Pacific Coast...

stripes

San Diego, California - USA

Zebras sure are funny looking creatures, aren't they?  Ever wonder why they have stripes?  I do!  They seem so perfect, it blows my mind!  Some say they help to hide in grass or when in a group the stripes confuse predators.  Others say they help in attracting fewer flies.  Evolution... Wow!

USD

San Diego, California - USA

The University of San Diego, started in 1952, is a beautiful campus located in Alcalá Park, an elevated area of land overlooking Mission Bay and other parts of San Diego.  Its buildings are designed in a 16th-century Spanish Renaissance architectural style which pay homage to the University of Alcalá in Spain.  In 2011 this university was named by the magazine Travel+Leisure as one of the most beautiful college campuses in the United States.

Torrey Pines Natural Reserve

San Diego, California - USA

Coronado Island

Coronado Island - San Diego, California - USA

University of San Diego

San Diego, California - USA