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SAN DIEGO MARRIOTT MARINA
VIEW FROM THE EMBARCADERO MARINA PARK NORTH |
This
is a continuation of my series on the waterfront parks of San Diego
Bay that are maintained by the San Diego Port Authority. There are twenty-one public parks stretching along miles of
scenic San Diego Bay shoreline which vary widely in size and
amenities. Details can be found on the Port Authority website.
Embarcadero Marina Park North, 500 Kettner Blvd, is the quintessential San
Diego city park on the bay. Located directly in front of Seaport
Village, the park is hard to miss. However, with so much to see and
do in this area, it's easy to forgo the lovely circular walk that
leads out to the end of the peninsula.
The
20-minute stroll provides a panoramic view of Coronado on one side,
starting at the bridge, extending past the Ferry Landing and to Naval
Air Station North Island, with Point Loma in the distance. On the
other side, looking toward the city, there is a large marina with
hundreds of yachts and a fine view of the San Diego Convention Center
with its Sails Pavilion that is reminiscent of a ship at full mast.
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| VIEW FROM SOUTH END OF PARK |
My
favorite stopping point is at the south end (leave the path and walk
on the grass to the point). You can see the Embarcadero Marina
Park South with its pier and the Coronado Bay Bridge in the background.
This is also a good place to sit on the grass and take in the beauty
of the bay with the ferry boats passing by. If you stay long enough,
you will see many other seagoing vessels such as cargo, fishing and
Navy ships, heading in or out of the calm waters of the San Diego
Harbor.
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| MORNING BY DONAL HORD |
Like
many of the other waterfront parks, there is a large sculpture near
the entrance: Morning by Donal Hord, a San Diego-based
sculptor. It depicts a man stretching as he awakes to another
glorious morning on the shores of San Diego Bay.
When
I left the park, I stopped at the Upstart Crow Bookstore, 835 W.
Harbor Drive, which I consider a gem in touristy Seaport Village. It
has good coffee and books to peruse, along with cozy little sitting
areas. The store also carries a unique assortment of greeting cards
and small gift items.
* * *
Adjacent to the Coronado Cays,
about seven miles further along the bikeway from Tidelands Park, is
the small Grand Caribe Shoreline Park. It offers benches with
a pleasant view of the south end of the bay, a meandering ¼ mile
path, and native plants, like the California wild roses, island tree
mallows, and the Hottentot figs.
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VIEW OF SAN DIEGO BAY
GRAND CARIBE SHORELINE PARK |
Near the entrance, there is an
impressive bronze sculpture of two blue herons entitled “Sheltering
Wings” by Christopher Slatoff—a tribute to the rare bird that can
be seen feeding and resting here.
I appreciate this place because
it is quiet and a contrast to the other waterfront parks with their
lush grassy areas and massive trees. This is the place to appreciate
the native plants and flowers and remember that southern California
is a desert which means brown and scraggly ground cover. There is a
sandy beach here. However, with the Pacific Ocean just on the other
side of the causeway, it's not popular.
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| "Sheltering Wings" Christopher Slatoff |
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| WALKING PATH - GRAND CARIBE SHORELINE PARK |
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| BENCH TO ENJOY VIEW |
The
20-minute stroll provides a panoramic view of Coronado on one side,
starting at the bridge, extending past the Ferry Landing and to Naval
Air Station North Island, with Point Loma in the distance. On the
other side, looking toward the city, there is a large marina with
hundreds of yachts and a fine view of the San Diego Convention Center
with its Sails Pavilion that is reminiscent of a ship at full mast.
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