I love this mural!
It’s painted on a wall outside the North Coastal Art Gallery in Carlsbad. Find it tucked away inside the Village Faire mall. The mural is called The Colors of Carlsbad.
Was the super colorful artwork painted by an octopus? No! This mural that celebrates Carlsbad was created by North Coastal Art Gallery artists.
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During the Age of Sail, many young men dreamt of going to sea. The idea could seem romantic–going to far off places out on the wide wild sea. But the reality was a sailor’s life was extraordinarily difficult. And altogether different than life on shore.
For one thing, ships’ crews were incredibly diverse. There were people of every race, hailing from nations around the globe. Sailors could be boys or older men, could be ignorant or educated, from poor families or families of means. Some sailors had a criminal bent, while others were religiously pious. Motley crews, to say the least!
All relied upon each other for the safe operation of a ship, where in dangerous moments lives could be quickly lost. This harsh reality forged among sailors a common brotherhood.
When not toiling and risking their lives under stern, sometimes abusive captains, sailors had precious time to themselves in the forecastle. There they would sleep to recover from their exertions, and warm themselves after exposure to wind, cold and stormy weather. There they could mend clothes, write journals or letters to home, make simple crafts (like carving scrimshaw), or entertain themselves with song, dance and the telling of stories.
An exhibit at the Maritime Museum of San Diego shows what life as a lowly sailor might have been like.
The displays you see in these photos are from a larger exhibition titled Take Me to the Water: Histories of the Black Pacific.
One sign explains: A sailor’s life was not easy. Seamen faced tight living quarters, risk of disease, unsafe food, hostile weather, and, at times, meager pay. But, despite these hardships, life at sea presented benefits for many early Black mariners. Taking to the water could offer mobility, cultural exposure, and increased social status.
Can you imagine what life as a sailor in the Age of Sail might have been like? Today we have self-driving cars and endless entertainment in our pocket. To think: this was the world less than two centuries ago–that’s only three average lifetimes. Really not that long ago.
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The California Welcome Center in Oceanside is the perfect place to find useful information concerning local attractions and hospitality. It’s also just a fun place to visit!
One reason I enjoyed dropping in yesterday was this cool little exhibit celebrating Tony Hawk, legendary trailblazing skateboarder who grew up in San Diego and continues to reside in Encinitas, just south of Oceanside.
The exhibit includes a short biography of Tony Hawk that lists many of his accomplishments in skateboarding, entertainment, and as an entrepreneur. There’s also a detailed display concerning the Evolution of the Skateboard, from ridiculously primitive 2x4s to present-day sporting equipment made of more advanced, more flexible materials.
I remember how my first skateboard was made of wood and had clay wheels. (It resembled the second skateboard from the bottom in the above photo. Yes, I’m that old.) Skating down our driveway, when I inevitably ran into a pebble or twig, I’d come to an abrupt stop and go flying! Ouch!
Skateboards today are not only designed for maximum performance, but they can be incredible works of art. A far cry from those bygone days of rolling lumber!
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Walk along Oceanside Harbor and you might see these colorfully hand-painted Dock Rocks.
I spied them today!
The Dock Rocks are painted with fun images and inspirational messages.
They’re located along the harbor boardwalk, just south of Oceanside Broiler.
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Several days ago I visited the Nature Center of the Buena Vista Audubon Society. It was my first time stepping through the front door.
The Nature Center is located at the south end of Oceanside, at 2202 South Coast Highway next to Buena Vista Lagoon Ecological Reserve. The building is open daily, from 10 am to 1 pm.
From across the driveway, a short but beautiful trail loops through part of the lagoon. This nature hike is an easy way to see birds and other wildlife that thrive in the wetland. You can enjoy photographs from two of my past hikes here and here.
Inside the Nature Center, visitors learn all about the life of the lagoon. There are lots of great educational displays.
I was most amazed how dozens of examples of native wildlife have been preserved via taxidermy. A super friendly volunteer working the front desk explained that over the years, dead animals that were found were transformed into these educational displays by one individual who loves taxidermy.
The Nature Center also features a meeting and activity room, fascinating rocks and minerals, a microscope through which insects and tiny lagoon organisms can be studied, a long table full of bones and assorted specimens that can be handled, and an upstairs observation balcony. There are works of art and a cool little gift shop that supports the local Audubon Society, too!
If you’re ever in South Oceanside when the center is open, step inside! If the Nature Center is closed, take an easy walk along the hiking trail!
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This exceptional bronze sculpture is titled Contemplation.
The public art stands in a park-like space in front of the Georgina Cole Library in Carlsbad. It’s not far from this bench.
The artist is T.J. Dixon, creator of so many similarly beautiful sculptures in and around San Diego.
Contemplation was dedicated in 2001 as part of the Art in Public Places Program supported by the Carlsbad Arts Commission.
I took these photographs during my visit to the library a couple days ago.
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Two local artists were setting up a new exhibition called Shadows and Petals today. I saw them at work hanging selected pieces in Gallery 21 of Balboa Park’s Spanish Village Art Center.
Both Katarina Keane (@collagebykat) and Kimberly Brunetto (@brunettokim) were very nice, answering a few questions and allowing me to take photographs. They work in collage and mixed media. All of their pieces on display are for sale.
Kimberly describes her mixed media work as abstract expressionism. To me, her pieces convey subtle emotion. Shifts in form and color on certain canvases are like movement through time, through life. Contrasts on canvases can tug at curious eyes and suggest deeper things–an inner life.
She has written: “For me, a shadow is an unrealized part of ourselves that calls to us with longing . . . The petals represent what happens when we finally listen…”
Katarina told me her colorful works have a narrative quality. I noticed many of her collages include written words, almost like poetry. The images and words seem to tell a visual story about a life or a life experience.
Many of her pieces show flowers and vessels. They suggest an inner beauty, or potential beauty, that we all possess.
That’s the way I saw it.
Why don’t you swing by Spanish Village in Balboa Park and experience all this beautiful, subtle art for yourself?
Shadows and Petals will be exhibited in Gallery 21 through October 5, 2026.
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This mural was painted in 2021 by San Diego artist Regan Russell. Located at the southeast corner of Park Boulevard and University Avenue, it’s technically at the west edge of the North Park neighborhood.
Whenever I see this colorful mural, I’m reminded of that old Atari arcade game Marble Madness. If you’re old enough and remember once-popular video game arcades, you might also remember this groundbreaking game.
Using a trackball, players would try to roll a marble along a three-dimensional course around corners, down ramps, along precarious edges and through various obstacles. The isometric playing field appeared a bit like this mural!
Murals with similar geometric designs have lately become more common in San Diego. I usually don’t photograph them. This particular mural, however, allows my imagination to roll a marble along University Avenue down a colorful North Park slope into neighboring Hillcrest!
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I visited the amazing Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center today in Oceanside and learned they’ll have an art auction on Saturday, October 17 that will raise funds for the local Audubon Society.
Artistic birdhouses and other works of nature-themed art will be auctioned or for sale at the annual fundraiser.
There will be live music, food and drinks at this special event, too.
Very cool! Get some beautiful art while helping efforts to protect the environment!
To learn more, visit the Buena Vista Audubon Society website by clicking here!
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Okay, what’s this all about? A coffee bean smuggler mural in Carlsbad?
Yes! It’s painted on the side of Baba Coffee. As their website explains: Our name was inspired by the 16th-century mystic Baba Budan who heroically introduced the coffee plant to India by smuggling seven raw beans in his beard from Yemen.
The artists who created this unique mural in 2026 are Taylor Gallegos and Kole Trent.
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