Still loitering above downtown San Diego in a tiny helicopter back in April 2007. First, we're looking north, toward North Island and Point Loma in the fuzzy distance. Then, we're looking south toward

And here's "PetCo Park", the Padres' sportsball field in downtown San Diego. Stupid place for it, right downtown. No parking (or very expensive parking). Government's not-so-subtle way of

How things look when you're turning right in a helicopter. In this case, around San Diego in April 2007. I think we're looking north. All that greenness over there must be Balboa Park.

A closer look at our old buddy, the U.S.S. Midway. Lots of static displays of aircraft on deck. And a few stray ants...er, people here and there. This birthday ride is definitely winding down. But there's

Some more helicopter views overlooking San Diego and the bay in April 2007. If you look closely, you can see the Star of India and the U.S.S. Midway. Not to mention all those neatly parked little boats!

Still heading south in my birthday helicopter ride of April 2007. Over Lindbergh Field right now, with downtown San Diego and the Coronado Bridge ahead of us. Hey guys! Watch out for this tiny little

Now, we're up above the San Diego Sports Aroma... er, Sports ARENA. Where they play hockey and basketball and have concerts and who knows what else (since 1966). Below that in the parking lot is Kobey's

And sure enough, here we are, still hovering over Sea World in a helicopter, back in April 2007. Scaring all the whales and dolphins. :-) Wow, the parking lot is really empty! Would have been a good day

Now, it's Sea World's turn to get buzzed by us! My friendly pilot was happy to circle around the park a couple times, so I could get pictures from several angles. Here's a few and there will be a few more

A few exciting views of Mission Bay from the air back in April 2007.

Still cruising south. Sight-seeing, as it were... :-) Pacific Beach Pier Mission Bay

Meanwhile, back at my birthday helicopter ride in April 2007. We even saw a couple California gray whales loafing around down there. Very cool! :-)

Now, we're coming around the bend, heading back into the San Diego. Just taking a last look at some of the jillion-dollar houses and condos on the coast near Birdrock (south of La Jolla). But don't worry!

Here's the apart of La Jolla that I particular love - the entire area from the La Jolla Cave (north) to the La Jolla Tide Pools (south). I've cruised Coast Blvd. between those 2 points 100s of times -

Still hovering over La Jolla in April 2007. But this is one part of it that I never visited in all the time I've been there - the beach. You know, the part with actual sand and waves and surfers and things

April 2007 and my little helicopter ride is finally getting around to one of my favorite places - La Jolla! Used to hang out there all the time - when I could afford to burn gas. So beautiful and SO expensive!

Last for today, we've got the Scripps pier in the first pic and some surfers in the second pic. More exciting helicopter pictures tomorrow! :-)

I think this was in the area of Black's Beach (a nude beach). See any naked people down there? Me, Neither. :-(

Heading south, down the coastline. Del Mar, Torrey Pines, etc. Just another beautiful day in paradise. :-)

Now, we're back at the coast during my helicopter ride in April, 2007. Looking south, the first picture is Interstate 5, near Del Mar. The bottom 2 pics are the Del Mar Racetrack.