The huge mural you see in my first five photographs is relatively new, I believe. Today was the first time I saw it, while riding the Orange Line of the San Diego Trolley.
The cool artwork has been spray painted on the corner of SA Recycling, at the corner of Commercial Street and 30th Street. It includes images of masked lucha libre wrestlers.
I’ve tried to find out more about the mural, but no success yet, apart from seeing graffiti artist signatures @killadoom422 and @misterhir.
If you know more, please leave a comment!
UPDATE!
I later learned, during an event at the Comic-Con Museum, that the large lucha libre mural depicts Rey Mysterio, his uncle Rey Misterio, son Dominik, and wrestlers Psicosis and Konnan. It was painted by artist Dentlok!
Awesome stuff!
Another mural is being painted on the side of the same building, but facing Commercial Street. No artist was there when I happened by.
Outlined are musicians and more wrestlers.
If I see this cool art completed in the future, I’ll post photos in an update!
Speaking of SA Recycling, the long fence around the opposite (east) end of their facility features lots of superhero spray paint art. I took photographs back in late 2018 when that art was being created. Check it out here!
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Did you know two communities in San Diego are named after the person who is largely responsible for the Memorial Day holiday?
Logan Heights and Barrio Logan (which was originally part of Logan Heights), along with Logan Avenue, received their names from John A. Logan.
This article explains: In 1871, Congressman John A. Logan wrote legislation to provide federal land grants and subsidies for a transcontinental railroad ending in San Diego. A street laid in 1881 was named Logan Heights after him, and the name came to be applied to the general area.
John Alexander Logan according to Wikipedia was an American soldier and politician. He served in the Mexican–American War and was a general in the Union Army in the American Civil War . . . As the 3rd Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, he is regarded as the most important figure in the movement to recognize Memorial Day (originally known as Decoration Day) as an official holiday.
Read the Wikipedia article and you’ll see how one law he helped pass would today be considered repugnant.
I knew nothing about the connection of Logan to both San Diego and the Memorial Day holiday until yesterday, when it was spoken of during a Memorial Day weekend event in Balboa Park.
Interesting how human history, with its infinite complexity, can entangle so many different places, people, and conflicting ideas. It makes you wonder about our shared future. Can it possibly be known?
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I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X.
The building at 2905 Commercial Street in San Diego was recently spray painted with a huge, very cool mural by graffiti artist Qvo (@qvo_one). The graphics depict various space ships and Yoda from Star Wars using The Force!
Check it out! Do you see the upside down Darth Vader helmet?
The proximity of cars parked by the narrow sidewalk made photography awkward, resulting in some odd angles. I took the photos into the sun, which explains the less than ideal lighting. Contrast was increased for most of the photos to bring out the colors.
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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!
The Soap Factory, at 2995 Commercial Street, is a mixed-use event venue in Logan Heights that features a historic brick building, lots of cool art, an outdoor garden, and even a small soap factory!
The public had the chance to take a look inside The Soap Factory last weekend during the San Diego Architectural Foundation Open House event.
I walked around the old building and found some great murals. Then I walked into the arched open air pavilion, which, as I understand it, was previously utilized as a garage by an auto parts company and Pacific Bell. During my visit, some workers were setting up a stage for an event.
I then stepped from the pavilion through a door, led by a friendly Open House volunteer, and found a bar, tables and assorted furniture surrounded by more eclectic art. In one corner of the building’s interior is a small soap “factory” which is the source of handcrafted Early Girl Creations products.
The spacious outdoor area, which now features a garden (including a robotic watering device!), once contained mock telephone poles. The poles were used to train Pacific Bell technicians who’d practice ascending them!
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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!
In 2023, a long mural was created in the alley behind Bread & Salt in Logan Heights. Transmutation – Exploring art & Healing is the title in English. It’s by San Diego artist May-ling Martinez.
The artwork combines various elements, including geometry, anatomy, natural forms and design. It seems that creativity is in our human DNA.
I saw this mural for the first time a few days ago when I explored the old Weber’s bread bakery, the historic building in which the Bread & Salt cultural center is located.
In late 2020 I walked around the same building and through the same alley, taking photos of different murals, many of which remain today. See those here.
Looking at the artist’s website, I see she created fun art that I photographed almost ten years ago in East Village. It’s the closet-like mural titled Inside Outside that you can see here!
Here are more photos of Transmutation, taken along the alley as I walked from left to right…
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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!
Industrial baking equipment can be viewed inside the building in Logan Heights that once housed a San Diego bread factory. The old building, at 1955 Julian Avenue, is now home to Bread & Salt, a cultural hub that features multiple art galleries, plus a brewery and coffee shop.
Today’s coffee shop–which occupies the oldest part of the building–is where Cramer’s Bakery operated a century ago. Read its history here.
The bakery expanded over time and eventually produced Weber’s bread, as you can see in my photograph of the building’s front entrance.
I stepped into Bread & Salt today because the public was invited to tour the historic building during this weekend’s San Diego Architectural Foundation Open House event. While I enjoyed viewing artwork in the various galleries, I was most intrigued by the remaining old baking equipment.
I’m no expert, so I can’t explain all that I saw. No information was available. Perhaps knowledgeable readers can leave a comment.
I did observe how bread dough would be sent from large steel “funnels” hanging from the ceiling into large bread-making ovens (one oven remains behind the coffee shop counter). A machine against a nearby wall appears to have been used for making or mixing dough. I also recognized an old-fashioned printing press. I don’t know if it was utilized in the factory–perhaps for advertising.
Step through the following door to make your own discoveries:
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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!
Chicano Park, a National Historic Landmark in San Diego, is experiencing a renaissance. Many of the outdoor murals that were painted in the late 1970s are being carefully restored.
One of the first murals to be restored is very beautiful. La Virgen de Guadalupe was originally painted by artist Mario Torero in 1978. Its two month renovation was recently completed by Mario with the help of several assistants, including close members of his family. Today many gathered to celebrate and rededicate this truly extraordinary mural.
The dedication ceremony included indigenous dance (Danza Azteca) and a blessing by Father Neal “Pepe” Wilkinson of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish. Mario Torero and his family members then spoke about the mural–of its inspiration, creation, symbolism and importance. How it represents hope for many in the community–particularly those who are in need.
Mario Torero spoke of his experience when he once touched this painted image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. He could feel that the many prayers made before the mural were alive. Everything about the place and moment felt perfect. It changed him.
Words printed on the mural state: For 45 years this monolith has kept hope and faith alive for so many people. We are sure that many miracles have been manifested.
I can say that when you stand before this glowing Virgin of Guadalupe, you feel the light she brings forth.
The next photograph is from nine years ago. It’s how the mural then appeared. A comparison shows that beautiful imagery (eagle and condor wings) and color have been added during the recent renovation…
And today…
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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or X (formerly known as Twitter)!
I Love My Park Day is coming up this Saturday, May 13, 2023!
The City of San Diego Parks & Recreation Department invites one and all to enjoy entertainment, inflatables, crafts, games, music, community resources, food, and lots of other fun stuff! The free event is organized by the San Diego Parks Foundation.
I Love My Park Day can be enjoyed at these four locations in San Diego, between 3 pm and 6 pm:
City Heights at the City Heights Recreation Center, 4380 Landis Street.
Linda Vista at the Linda Vista Recreation Center, 7064 Levant Street.
Logan Heights at the Dolores Magdaleno Memorial Recreation Center, 2902 Marcy Avenue.
Skyline at the Skyline Hills Recreation Center, 8285 Skyline Drive.
Also, this same coming Saturday, May 13th, bring the entire family out to Teralta Park in City Heights between 2 pm and 3:30 pm and experience San Diego’s favorite Fern Street Circus!
It’s all free!
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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Yesterday I rode the Orange Line trolley into the Logan Heights neighborhood on a mission. I wanted to photograph more murals on Commercial Street between the 25th Street and 32nd Street trolley stations.
The first mural, which you can see below, depicts famous jazz singer Billie Holiday. This artwork was painted a couple years ago by the Southeast Art Team (@southeastartteam) on their Oya Art Gallery and Boutique building, a bit west of 28th Street.
The next series of murals can be found between 31st and 32nd Street. Read the photo captions…
This cool shoe mural was painted very recently at SD Custom Footwear by @colorsoner713Colorful bird mural painted in late 2022 by @espy_dpt_zncMural painted late 2022 depicting piñata character Chucho and roses by SoCal artist Michelle Ruby (@MrBBaby).
Finally, at the intersection of Commercial Street and 32nd Street, a mural is now being painted on what appears to be a new home for San Diego beer company Little Miss Brewing…
(Spider-Man, Cyclops, Wolverine and other Marvel comic book characters were on this building a few years back.)
UPDATE!
A new mural was painted at a later time to the immediate right of the Michelle Ruby artwork (visible on the far right in the next photo). The new mural is by (@misterhir).
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Thanks for visiting Cool San Diego Sights!
I post new blogs pretty often. If you like discovering new things, bookmark coolsandiegosights.com and swing on by occasionally!
I live in downtown San Diego and love to walk around with my camera! You can follow Cool San Diego Sights via Facebook or Twitter!
Cool San Diego Sights! 