Sights and Scenes: San Diego's Waterfront Embarcadero

[thelakelander]

Sights and scenes from a February 2023 walk along San Diego's Waterfront Embarcadero.

Read More: https://www.thejaxsonmag.com/article/sights-and-scenes-san-diegos-waterfront-embarcadero/

[WarDamJagFan]

Was literally there all of last week for work. Incredible place! It's just sad seeing the waterfront utilization difference between SD and Jax. Cranes are everywhere and an entirely new district is going up off Broadway by the ships. Also, large amounts of ocean front reserved for public use with private and commercial buildings on the east side of the road. Just another example of what Jax could be but refuses to become...

[thelakelander]

Definitely night and day with the waterfronts. A tale of what to do and what not to do for any other city interested in waterfront revitalization. The main thing that stands out to me with San Diego is the clustering of complementing uses within a compact pedestrian scale setting along the riverfront. The cruise ship terminal, maritime museum, Seaport Village, the convention center, fishing fleets, hotels, marinas, etc. are all clustered with a very compact setting. Despite that compactness, they are continuing to increase density, which in turn is building more vibrancy and activity. There's a lot we can learn and apply from that waterfront setting. On the other hand, get a few blocks into downtown and you'll see scenes way worse than whatever we think our homeless situation is here.

[jaxlongtimer]

Was literally there all of last week for work. Incredible place! It's just sad seeing the waterfront utilization difference between SD and Jax. Cranes are everywhere and an entirely new district is going up off Broadway by the ships. Also, large amounts of ocean front reserved for public use with private and commercial buildings on the east side of the road. Just another example of what Jax could be but refuses to become...

Exactly.  I see in the pictures ample green spaces, wide river walks, high rises set well back from the water and only low rises approaching the waterfront, a trolley to provide a mass transit option dedicated to the urban core, robust waterfront activities and attractions....  all things advocated on this blog and none of which our City leaders have fully embraced or even have a coherent plan or vision for. 

The Midway aircraft carrier vs. our Orleck symbolically represents the difference in scale and success between their urban core and ours.

It makes the compelling case, once again, for a all-new regime at City Hall, both in the mayor's seat and on the City Council.  Until that happens, just more of the same...