Cool mural overlooks Solana Beach train tracks!

An Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train heads south, passing a cool mural titled Myths at Play, just south of the Solana Beach station.
An Amtrak Pacific Surfliner train heads south, passing a cool mural titled Myths at Play, which can be seen just south of the Solana Beach station.

Yesterday I observed that a super cool mural overlooks the train tracks near the Solana Beach station. Before walking to Fiesta del Sol, I headed a couple blocks south on Pacific Coast Highway in order to take photos.

A little internet research revealed this colorful mural was painted by artist Lindu Prasekti. The building is the David Alan Collection gallery in the Cedros Avenue Design District. The giant mural painted on the building’s west side is titled Myths at Play. It appears to playfully incorporate designs and symbols representing primitive art.

A photo of the colorful Myths at Play mural, painted by Lindu Prasekti.
A photo of the colorful Myths at Play mural, painted by Lindu Prasekti.

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!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Tuna fishermen remembered at Piazza Pescatore.

Piazza Pescatore is a beautiful place to relax and linger at the corner of Kettner Boulevard and Fir Street.
Piazza Pescatore is a beautiful place where neighbors can relax and mingle at the corner of Kettner Boulevard and Fir Street.

In Little Italy, at the corner of and Kettner Boulevard and Fir Street, you’ll find Piazza Pescatore. The small community gathering place features a bronze sculpture and beautiful fountain, and plaques that remember the history of the many hard-working tuna fishermen that inhabited this San Diego neighborhood decades ago.

The artists who created this cool public artwork are sculptor Gregory Reade and mosaic artist Kim Emerson.

A bronze sculpture of a tuna fishermen holding his catch. Piazza Pescatore was donated by Bumble Bee Seafoods, which is headquartered in San Diego.
A bronze sculpture of a tuna fishermen holding his catch. Piazza Pescatore was donated by Bumble Bee Seafoods, which is headquartered in San Diego.
A plaque honors the men and women of the tuna industry who helped build San Diego's Little Italy.
A plaque honors the men and women of the tuna industry who helped build San Diego’s Little Italy.
More plaques at Piazza Pescatore honor those who helped to make San Diego the tuna capital of the world during much of the 20th century.
More plaques at Piazza Pescatore honor those who made San Diego the tuna capital of the world during much of the 20th century.
A colorful circle of artwork on the nearby sidewalk shows women with baskets and bountiful fresh fish.
A colorful circle of artwork on the nearby sidewalk shows women with baskets and bountiful fresh fish.

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!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Cool sights observed during several walks.

Sculpture of a winged cherub sits above a service entrance to the Horton Plaza shopping mall on Fourth Avenue.
Sculpture of a winged cherub sits above a service entrance to the Horton Plaza shopping mall on Fourth Avenue.

Whenever I walk around town, my eyes are constantly roving, searching.

During the past few days I spied a variety of cool sights. Many were familiar but observed with fresh eyes; others to my eyes were entirely new.

Almost all of these photographs were taken in downtown San Diego. If you read the captions, you’ll note that one photo was taken in Mission Valley.

Every day is a new voyage of discovery.

Late light on Pacific Soul, a fantastic new sculpture by Jaume Plensa.
Late light on Pacific Soul, a fantastic new sculpture by Jaume Plensa.
Light fixtures mingle with reflections. Magic in one window of Urban Lighting.
Light fixtures mingle with reflections. Magic in one window of Urban Lighting.
Magic Shop San Diego and a street lamp that seems to have mysteriously materialized inside their store.
Magic Shop San Diego and a street lamp that seems to have mysteriously materialized inside their store.
A colorful Rabbitville bunny inside a window of the Hilton Gaslamp.
A colorful Rabbitville bunny that celebrates San Diego inside a window of the Hilton Gaslamp.
Lucha Libre masks peer down from an upper level of Petco Park.
Lucha Libre masks peer down from an upper level of Petco Park.
Cool ornamentation on a building at the corner of Fourth Avenue and E Street.
Cool ornamentation on a building at the corner of Fourth Avenue and E Street.
Looking up at one of the geometrically fascinating, glass Pacific Center towers in Mission Valley.
Looking up at one of the geometrically fascinating Pacific Center towers in Mission Valley.
Ornamental detail at entrance to the elegant 1928 San Diego Trust and Savings Bank Building, now home to Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown.
Ornamental detail at entrance to the elegant 1928 San Diego Trust and Savings Bank Building, now home to Courtyard by Marriott San Diego Downtown.
Late light on San Diego's iconic 1938 County Administration Building.
Late light on San Diego’s iconic 1938 County Administration Building.
Gazing straight up toward the roof of the 1929 Samuel L. Fox Building at Sixth Avenue and Broadway.
Gazing straight up toward the roof of the elaborate 1929 Samuel L. Fox Building at Sixth Avenue and Broadway.
A tangle of rope inside the window of Crab Hut on Broadway.
A tangle of rope inside the window of Crab Hut on Broadway.
Stained glass windows add character to the Goorin Bros. Hat Shop - Gaslamp.
Stained glass windows add character to the Goorin Bros. Hat Shop – Gaslamp.
Medallion-like relief sculpture of explorer Cabrillo's galleon San Salvador on a corner of the 1924 John D. Spreckels Building.
Medallion-like relief sculpture of explorer Cabrillo’s galleon San Salvador on a corner of the 1924 John D. Spreckels Building.

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 photos of chalk art at the ArtWalk!

People gather around chalk art created on boards for the 2018 Mission Federal ArtWalk in Little Italy.
People gather around chalk art created on boards for the 2018 Mission Federal ArtWalk in Little Italy.

Here come more cool photos that I promised you!

Half a dozen colorful works of chalk art were displayed at the 2018 Mission Federal ArtWalk in Little Italy. Piazza della Famiglia isn’t the ideal place to create chalk art, so the pieces were rendered on boards.

Every work of art was great! See for yourself!

Gold and Yellow Roses, chalk art by Cecelia Linayao.
Gold and Yellow Roses, chalk art by Cecelia Linayao.
A colorful chalk art Salvador Dalí, by artist Chris Brake.
A colorful chalk art Salvador Dalí, by artist Chris Brake.
A chalk art lion representing the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, created by Lorna Prijoles.
A chalk art lion representing the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, created by Lorna Prijoles.
Young girl kisses a happy wrinkled woman. Touching chalk art by Brenda Mora and Jessie Reyes.
Young child kisses a happy wrinkled woman. Heartwarming chalk art by Brenda Mora and Jessie Reyes.
A striking chalk art face by Meg Canilang.
A striking chalk art face by Meg Canilang.
Another superb chalk art piece by young local phenom Lidia Vasquez.
Another superb chalk art piece by young local phenom Lidia Vasquez.
Half a dozen beautiful works of chalk art could be seen in Piazza della Famiglia at the 2018 Mission Federal ArtWalk!
Half a dozen beautiful works of chalk art could be seen in Piazza della Famiglia at the 2018 Mission Federal ArtWalk!

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!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Lively mural by Rafael Lopez outside Coasterra!

Left half of mural by Rafael Lopez outside Coasterra on Harbor Island seems to depict abstract boats and the San Diego skyline across the bay.
Left half of mural by Rafael Lopez outside Coasterra on Harbor Island seems to depict abstract boats and the San Diego skyline across the bay.

Coasterra is an elegant, very popular restaurant located at the east end of Harbor Island. It opened in 2015, in the exact same place where the iconic Reuben E. Lee paddleboat restaurant was docked for many years, before sinking.

There are two lively murals painted by renowned San Diego muralist Rafael Lopez at the restaurant. The one I photographed this morning decorates a section of Coasterra’s exterior, by the parking lot.

I love it!

Two additional murals by Rafael Lopez can be seen in downtown San Diego here and here!

Photo of the cool mural across an empty early morning parking lot.
Photo of the cool mural across an empty early morning parking lot.
A fun, dynamic work of public art by renowned San Diego artist Rafael Lopez.
A fun, dynamic work of public art by renowned San Diego artist Rafael Lopez.
Right half of mural by Rafael Lopez outside Coasterra on Harbor Island seems to depict a lady enjoying food and drink.
Right half of mural by Rafael Lopez outside Coasterra on Harbor Island seems to depict a lady enjoying food and drink.

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!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Cool optical public art on Broadway Pier!

Cool new optical public art in San Diego. The outdoor installation can be found on Broadway Pier through next weekend.
Cool new optical public art in San Diego. The temporary outdoor installation can be found on Broadway Pier through next weekend.

You’ve got another week to head down to the Broadway Pier to experience some very cool public art!

Sojourner, created by San Diego artist Adam Belt, seems to bend reality as you walk around it and step inside. Mirrors cause the viewer see our city’s beautiful blue bay in a whole new way!

Sojourner was commissioned by the Port of San Diego as part of their Port Spaces public art initiative. The installation will be removed after April 29, 2018.

Sojourner is temporary public artwork near the end of San Diego's Broadway Pier, by local artist Adam Belt.
Sojourner is temporary public artwork near the end of San Diego’s Broadway Pier, by local artist Adam Belt.
Sojourner invites people on the pier to enter its dreamlike mirror interior. Once inside, the mind and spirit are stimulated by optical effects.
Sojourner invites people on the pier to walk up a ramp and enter its mirror interior. Once inside, the mind and spirit are stimulated by optical effects.
San Diego artist Adam Belt created the structure. The viewer seems surrounded by a universe of blue water. Odd reflections are produced by infinity mirrors inside.
San Diego artist Adam Belt created the structure. Once inside, the viewer seems surrounded by a universe of blue water. Odd reflections are produced by infinity mirrors.
A mirror in the world, and a world in the mirror.
A mirror in the world, and a world in the mirror.
On this Sunday afternoon two visiting cruise ships were docked near the Broadway Pier.
On this Sunday afternoon two visiting cruise ships were docked near the Broadway Pier.
A harbor tour boat heading out onto the bay is transformed into strange fragments.
A harbor tour boat heading out onto the bay is transformed into strange, dreamlike fragments.
A bicyclist journeys through some cool public art in San Diego!
A bicyclist journeys through some magical public art in San Diego!

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!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Tasty VISUAL art in Horton Plaza!

Fun art on the food court level of Horton Plaza shopping mall.
Art on the food court level of Horton Plaza shopping mall.

Tasty artwork can be found on the food court level of downtown’s Horton Plaza mall!

This fun art was created by VISUAL, whose distinctive work you might recognize. Some of my street art blog posts include photos of utility boxes decorated by VISUAL. You can spot them throughout the city.

Walking through colorful Horton Plaza.
Walking through colorful Horton Plaza in downtown San Diego.
Sign describes VISUAL, an art supply shop and gallery in North Park. Street art created by VISUAL artists can be spotted all around San Diego.
Sign describes VISUAL, an art supply shop and gallery in North Park. Street art created by VISUAL artists can be spotted all around San Diego.
Eating spaghetti.
Eating spaghetti.
A cupcake and ice cream!
A cupcake and ice cream!

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!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

Art on construction fence at MCASD La Jolla.

Images from the collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego on a construction fence at the La Jolla campus.
Images from the permanent collection of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego decorate a construction fence at their La Jolla campus.

During my walk through La Jolla last weekend, I noticed some graphics on a construction fence in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. As I approached the fence, I read signs that provided an explanation.

This cool, temporary Inside-Out Gallery features images of works that are in the museum’s permanent collection. An expansion of the museum’s La Jolla campus is underway. Please read to the photo captions to learn about MCASD’s very bright future!

The Inside-Out Gallery features images from the museum's permanent collection. The La Jolla location is closed for construction. The gallery space is being greatly increased.
The Inside-Out Gallery features images from the museum’s permanent collection. The La Jolla location is closed for new construction. The gallery space is being greatly increased.
Red Blue Green, Ellsworth Kelly, 1963.
Red Blue Green, Ellsworth Kelly, 1963.
An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo (Collar of Thorns), Yasumasa Morimura, 2001.
An Inner Dialogue with Frida Kahlo (Collar of Thorns), Yasumasa Morimura, 2001.
Terms Most Useful in Describing Creative Works of Art, John Baldessari, 1966-1968.
Terms Most Useful in Describing Creative Works of Art, John Baldessari, 1966-1968.
No Splash, Ramiro Gomez, 2013.
No Splash, Ramiro Gomez, 2013.
Bottles, Philip Guston, 1977.
Bottles, Philip Guston, 1977.
Sinjerli 1, Frank Stella, 1967.
Sinjerli 1, Frank Stella, 1967.
Under the Table 2, Nicole Eisenman, 2014.
Under the Table 2, Nicole Eisenman, 2014.
Pool Party, John Valadez, 1986.
Pool Party, John Valadez, 1986.
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is expanding its La Jolla campus. The gallery space will be quadrupled from 10,000 to 40,000 square feet.
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego is expanding its La Jolla campus. The gallery space will be quadrupled from 10,000 to 40,000 square feet.
A rendering shows the future museum after expansion. The design by New York City-based Selldorf Architects will offer dramatic views of the nearby ocean and coast.
A rendering shows the future museum after expansion. The design by New York City-based Selldorf Architects will offer dramatic views of the nearby ocean and coast.
Another rendering depicts a front corner of the museum after expansion.
Another rendering depicts a front corner of the museum after its expansion.
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla is currently closed due to the construction.
The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego in La Jolla is currently closed due to the construction.
A plaque near the museum's entrance. In Memory of Ellen Browning Scripps. The building was her former La Jolla home.
A plaque near the museum’s entrance is In Memory of Ellen Browning Scripps. The original building whose facade is still visible was designed by famed architect Irving J. Gill and considered one of his masterworks. The building was commissioned by Scripps and became her La Jolla home.
Flowers, Andy Warhol, 1967.
Flowers, Andy Warhol, 1967.

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!

You can easily explore Cool San Diego Sights by using the search box on my blog’s sidebar. Or click a tag! There are thousands upon thousands of photos for you to enjoy!

More cool art found walking around La Jolla!

Expecting to Fly (for the Zeros), Fred Tomaselli, 2013.
Expecting to Fly (for the Zeros), Fred Tomaselli, 2013.

You might remember I posted photos of street art and many of the Murals of La Jolla a couple years ago. You can see all of that fun artwork by clicking here. Sadly, a couple of those murals no longer exist.

My adventure today included passing by even more public art murals, plus some beautiful and inspirational stuff that I found while journeying down sidewalks.

I snapped a great map and legend of the Murals of La Jolla in front of the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego on Prospect Street, which is undergoing a renovation. To see the location of all the current murals, which include some that I photographed in that earlier blog post, click the map below and it will enlarge.

Map and legend that you can use to locate the many amazing Murals of La Jolla.
Map and legend that you can use to locate the many amazing Murals of La Jolla.
Playing La Jolla (for all it's worth), Terry Allen, 2015.
Playing La Jolla (for all it’s worth), Terry Allen, 2015.
Suns, Victoria Fu and Byron Kim, 2016.
Suns, Victoria Fu and Byron Kim, 2016.
Man, Myth and Magic, Steven Hull, 2017.
Man, Myth and Magic, Steven Hull, 2017.
Art near entrance of Le Chauvinist depicts three kids at the Lincoln Memorial.
Art near entrance of Le Chauvinist depicts three kids at the Lincoln Memorial.
A fish etched in the concrete sidewalk near El Pescador Fish Market!
A fish etched in the concrete sidewalk near El Pescador Fish Market!
Angel wings on a gate.
Angel wings on a gate.
One of the most stunning gates I've ever seen. Golden leaves and blooms seem to grow through it.
One of the most stunning gates I’ve ever seen. Shining golden leaves and blooms seem to grow through it.
By the sidewalk. Joan Goldstein Graf and Alan Goldstein. Their bench.
By the sidewalk… Joan Goldstein Graf and Alan Goldstein. Their bench.
Painted flowers near the roof of Salvage Salon.
Painted flowers near the roof of Salvage Salon.
Come into my garden so my flowers can meet you.
Come into my garden so my flowers can meet you.
A very cool mural in the alley next to the Grater grilled cheese shop in La Jolla.
A very cool mural in the alley next to the Grater grilled cheese shop in La Jolla.
It appears Mona Lisa has a taste for grilled cheese sandwiches!
It appears Mona Lisa has a taste for grilled cheese sandwiches!

This blog now features thousands of photos around San Diego! Are you curious? There’s lots of cool stuff to check out!

Here’s the Cool San Diego Sights main page, where you can read the most current blog posts.  If you’re using a phone or small mobile device, click those three parallel lines up at the top–that opens up my website’s sidebar, where you’ll see the most popular posts, a search box, and more!

To enjoy future posts, you can also “like” Cool San Diego Sights on Facebook or follow me on Twitter.

A positive mural, reflections and an eyeball.

A clean, beautiful city on the water, painted on the side of a building in Little Italy.
A clean, beautiful city by San Diego Bay, painted on the side of a building in Little Italy.

Yesterday morning, as I walked through Little Italy to photograph that cool Mona Lisa freeway on-ramp mural (my previous blog post), I discovered some additional artwork in the vicinity of State Street and Fir Street.

The large mural on the side of a residential building is clearly seen by motorists heading down Interstate 5. It contains a positive message. Colorful scenes encourage people to get out of their cars and jump on a bicycle or public transit.

A large mural on a building that can be seen from nearby Interstate 5. Colorful images seem to convey an environmental message, encouraging bike riding and public transit.
A large, dynamic mural on a building that can be seen from nearby Interstate 5. Images convey an environmental message, encouraging bike riding and public transit.
Mural on side of Porto Vista Hotel shows reflections of sailboat masts in blue water.
Mural on side of Porto Vista Hotel shows reflections of sailboat masts in blue water.
A big eyeball near the entrance of the Landscape Architecture business Environs.
A big eyeball near the entrance of the Landscape Architecture business Environs.
Riding a bicycle with a dog in the active city.
Riding a bicycle with a dog in the active city.

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!