Tag: murals

Children together with nature in Golden Hill!

This happy mural was painted in 2017 at the Golden Hill Recreation Center. It depicts children together with nature.

Members of the community and volunteers with I Love a Clean San Diego came together on Coastal Cleanup Day to paint the colorful art. It decorates a retaining wall behind the center near the playground. You can see a photograph of the event and people working on the mural here.

Despite a little vandalism, the mural remains bright and beautiful almost ten years later. Flowers, butterflies, a hummingbird, coyote and rabbit populate a world where children jump and play.

A few photos for you to enjoy…

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Prayer spray painted in Rolando.

Perhaps you’ve glimpsed this mural while driving east down University Avenue through Rolando, a bit east of College Avenue. The street art is spray painted on the side of Island Spice Jamaican Restaurant. During my last walk in the area I checked it out.

The art is by Lao rapper, muralist and tattoo artist One Hunned (@imonehunned). Central to the mural’s message is a prayer. Splashed among the graphics are the words WHEN LIFE SHOWS UP and Family First.

The prayer for happiness, blessings and protection from evil begins: “LET ME BE HUMBLE & GIVE ME STRENGTH TO OVERCOME ANYTHING…”

I’m glad I got a closer look at the beautiful message.

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“love joy peace patience kindness” in North Park!

A mural proclaiming “love joy peace patience kindness” brightens a block in North Park. You can find the painted words on Iowa Street, just north of University Avenue.

The world would be such a better place if we all strived for these positive ideals. A beautiful work of art like this is a perfect reminder.

According to the artist signature I found, the mural was created by @beccakaybeal and Jenna Marie.

Inspiring!

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The old Hard Rock Café mural in the Gaslamp.

Yesterday, when I shared photos of the original stained glass windows of the Gaslamp Quarter’s 1906 Ingle Building, it occurred to me I’ve never photographed the full mural on the south side of the building. I don’t know its exact history, but I do know the fading artwork existed when the Hard Rock Café was located here.

After reading the historical plaque, I believe this mural might retain elements of an original one decorating the outer wall that depicted the camaraderie found in the Golden Lion during the early years of the Gaslamp Quarter. “Rooms each $2.50” and the painted stained glass suggest a time prior to the Hard Rock Café.

If you know more about this mural, such as its history and who painted it, leave a comment!

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Raging bear on a City Heights tire shop!

Driving down University Avenue through City Heights, you might have seen this great mural depicting a raging bear in a snowy forest.

The artwork was painted in 2024 on the side of Nan’s Tires & Wheels at 4884 University Avenue. The artist is @rudyardandreid.

I took a couple of photos as I walked down the sidewalk last week.

Cool!

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Octopus, mermaids and jellyfish at Bibbey’s!

Bibbey’s in Imperial Beach has several cool new murals!

Over the years I’ve photographed different artwork painted on the exterior of the popular gift shop. In 2014 I shared this. In 2020 I shared this. Now another six years have passed…

I learned these latest murals were created a couple months ago by an artist named Brandon.

You can tell Bibbey’s is located near the beach, given how images in the murals include a giant octopus, mermaids and jellyfish. Many of the gifts and souvenirs visitors can purchase inside are also very beachy. There’s a big selection of beautiful shells.

Bibbey’s is roughly located across Seacoast Drive from the Imperial Beach Pier. Look for a gigantic octopus!

Enjoy some fun photos taken today!

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7-Eleven’s very colorful Hillcrest mural!

This super colorful mural is painted on the side of a 7-Eleven convenience store and gas station in Hillcrest, near the corner of University Avenue and Normal Street. San Diego artist Carly Ealey created the spray paint art back in 2023.

The sunglasses of the refreshment-sipping character shine with rainbow colors. That will be more appropriate than ever, once the south end of Pride Promenade is completed directly in front of the mural! Hillcrest is home to many in San Diego’s LGBT community.

I shared photos of Pride Promenade under construction in my previous blog post.

I’ve found many murals by Carly Ealey over the years while walking around San Diego. Many have a brilliant “neon light” quality about them. They’re all amazing. To visit her website, click here.

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North Park mural celebrates Alex Morgan!

A mural in North Park celebrates San Diego Wave FC hero and international soccer superstar Alex Morgan. It was painted last year by Ground Floor Murals on the parking lot side of Mike Hess Brewing North Park.

Alexandra Morgan Carrasco played in four FIFA Women’s World Cups, was named U.S. Soccer Female Athlete of the Year for 2012, and was awarded the 2022 NWSL Golden Boot as the league’s top scorer while playing for San Diego Wave FC. She was named one of Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2019 and 2022.

Alex Morgan was a role model for countless young women in San Diego and around the nation during her outstanding career. She retired in 2024.

I happened to spy this mural for the first time during my walk yesterday.

SAN DIEGO FOREVER

THIRTEEN FOREVER

While walking around the building, I noticed another mural near the entrance to Mike Hess Brewing. It depicts the Georgia Street Bridge, the iconic North Park sign and water tower, and what appears to be a historic streetcar coming down University Avenue!

The fun mural was painted by @inkredibledesign.

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Nature murals near Gaylord Resort in Chula Vista.

Last weekend, while walking around the new Gaylord Pacific Resort & Convention Center in Chula Vista, I stumbled upon these three very beautiful murals. They’re located near the water park at the southwest corner of the resort, next to the roundabout at the end of H Street. They decorate a small plaza.

The artist of all three murals is Lauren Elyse S. According to information beside each mural, she’s a San Diego interdisciplinary artist who loves the medium of paint and how brushstrokes communicate mood and energy. You can see her love for nature in the images she created!

I’ve noticed the Gaylord Resort has also placed informative signs about our natural environment in various spots near outdoor walkways. Very cool!

Lilac, Pine, Cypress, Sage by artist Lauren Elyse S., 2025. A painted landscape, inspired by the radiant light in Chula Vista.
Spilled Honey by artist Lauren Elyse S., 2025. Inspired by spring plant life in the mountains of Chula Vista.
Coral Hour by artist Lauren Elyse S., 2025. Depicting the trees of Chula Vista Bayfront Park, with the Coronado Bay Bridge in the background.

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Escondido Creek Trail Outdoor Art Gallery debuts!

Two days ago the Escondido Creek Trail Outdoor Art Gallery made its official debut!

Having missed the ceremony, I headed up to Escondido today to enjoy my first look.

Congratulations to ESCO ALLEY ART, the community organization that presented these six murals to the City of Escondido. To learn more about their ongoing efforts to beautify Escondido, visit ESCO ALLEY ART’s website here.

These half dozen murals each measure 15 by 10 feet, depict local flora and fauna, and were transferred onto Aluminum Composite Material. Their super shiny surfaces made photography without reflections nearly impossible. I did my best!

The murals are located on the Neighborhood Healthcare building at 460 North Elm Street. They face the Escondido Creek Trail–a pedestrian and bike path that is presently undergoing improvement. (I noticed some of the improvements during my walk and will blog about that coming up.)

Curious who the mural artists are? Check out the captions of my photographs…

Nature Watching by artist Laura Green.
Coyote by artist Berthis Myers.
Wildlife in the Poppies by artist Joanne Sullivan.
Aspire by artist Kat Furrow.
Tunas Doradas by artist Andres Marin.
California Dreaming by artist LaRetta Small-Zamora.

This ESCO ALLEY ART webpage links to information concerning each artist!

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