Balboa Park, San Diego, CA

The Prado by night, Balboa Park, San Diego, California.  It was pretty quiet except for a few of us taking pictures and a pair of ducks gracefully swimming in the lily pond.

Casa Del Prado by Night

Casa Del Prado by Night, Balboa Park, San Diego, California. The Prado is so alive with lights and reflections by night! A picture taker's paradise.

Happy New Year!

As we reflect back on 2011, some of you no doubt have fond memories; others would rather forget 2011; most of us have both. Regardless, here's to wishing you all a happy, healthy and successful 2012!

Casa Del Prado by Night

Casa Del Prado, Balboa Park, California. The lights of Casa Del Prado reflecting into the tranquil, dark, nighttime waters of the Balboa Arboretum pool.

The Prado

The Prado reflecting in the still waters of the lilly pond, Balboa Park, San Diego, California.

Architectural Gems

Casa Del Prado, Balboa Park, San Diego, California. The Casa Del Prado has its origins in the buildings built in Balboa Park for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition. The walls of the buildings from the 1915 Panama-California Exposition are largely finished in amazingly detailed sculptures and lined with sandstone colonades. It is a unique mix of new world architecture and old world detail in a style referred to as Spanish-Colonial Revival. Ironically, when built, they were intended to be temporary. Since then, much rebuilding, repurposing and repair has managed to keep these buildings with us, now, nearly 100 years later. If you're interested in the history of the Expo buildings, click here.