Horrible monsters seen in downtown San Diego.

Funny monster faces on utility box by Pokez.
Funny monster faces on a utility box by Pokez.

Yikes! Horrible monsters are on the loose in downtown San Diego, just outside the Pokez eatery! Stay clear! You’ve been warned!

Creature with four eyeballs and crooked teeth.
Creature with four eyeballs and crooked teeth.
Cool purple monsters often have green drool.
Cool purple monsters often have green drool.
Looks scarier than that Alien creature.
Looks scarier than that Alien creature.
Crazy street art on a downtown utility box.
Crazy street art on a downtown utility box.
Pink monster with messed up green eyes.
Pink monster with messed up green eyes.

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Bibbey’s crazy, cool pop culture mural!

Bibbey's mural includes Finding Nemo and SpongeBob.
Bibbey’s mural includes Finding Nemo and SpongeBob.

Bibbey’s gift shop, which sells sea shells, rocks and other great stuff, is located across the street from the Imperial Beach pier. It’s hard to miss. The building is one big crazy mural! Check out the wild creativity which blends images from television, movies and the popular culture.

Cosmic ocean imagery in an Imperial Beach mural.
Cosmic ocean fantasy and an Imperial Beach mural.
Fierce octopus guards door of cool gift shop.
Fierce octopus guards door of cool gift shop.
A mermaid, the Lorax and other fun elements.
A sexy mermaid, the Lorax and other fun elements.
Kung Fu Panda and a surfing dragon!
Kung Fu Panda and a surfing dragon!
Madagascar penguins and Patrick.
Madagascar penguins and Patrick.
Someone enters Bibbey's gift shop.
Someone enters Bibbey’s gift shop.
Another great section of Bibbey's crazy mural.
Another great section of Bibbey’s crazy mural.
Shark spotted on wall of Imperial Beach building!
Shark spotted on wall of Imperial Beach building!

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Lots of street art at SILO in Makers Quarter.

SILO in Makers Quarter is a cool venue in East Village.
SILO in Makers Quarter is a cool venue in East Village.

People entering downtown San Diego from Highway 94 might glimpse on their left what appears to be a large dirt lot full of odd items and graffiti. At first glance, I figured it was just a junky, neglected old vacant lot. Upon closer inspection, however, I realized the place was something completely unexpected, and pretty cool!

A large black silo rises near the center of the lot, hence the name of this interesting events venue: SILO in Makers Quarter. Beer festivals, bazaars, film festivals…these and other events are staged here in this neglected portion of East Village. According to the Makers Quarter website: SILO in Makers Quarter will be the launch pad to encourage the early adopters in San Diego to embrace the neighborhood and bring about positive change. SILO in Makers Quarter is being established as a year round event venue to bring collaborative community and creative culture to East Village.

I took these photos through a surrounding fence. Very cool!

A black silo rises behind a smile!
A black silo rises behind a smile!
Painted on a building wall: You are important.
Painted on a building wall: You are important.
Fun events are held in this unusual urban space.
Fun events are held in this unusual urban space.
Large eye peers from behind chain link fence.
Large eye peers from behind chain link fence.
Lots of fantastic street art at SILO in East Village.
Lots of fantastic street art at SILO in East Village.
Another example of colorful street art.
Another example of colorful street art.
Makers Quarter's goal is to attract energy to part of the city.
Makers Quarter’s goal is to attract energy to part of the city.
Bold graphics seen from the nearby sidewalk.
Bold graphics seen from the nearby sidewalk.
Photo taken through fence of twisted sculptures.
Photo taken through fence of twisted sculptures.
Bales of hay, funky images create a party atmosphere.
Bales of hay, funky images create a party atmosphere.
SILO in Makers Quarter on 15th Street in East Village.
SILO in Makers Quarter on 15th Street in East Village.

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Balboa Park’s vibrant WorldBeat Cultural Center.

Ancient Egypt inspires much of the vibrant mural.
Ancient Egypt and its symbols inspire much of the vibrant mural.

Folks heading up Park Boulevard beside Balboa Park often turn their heads as they pass the amazing, enormous mural painted on the side of the WorldBeat Cultural Center.

The WorldBeat Cultural Center, based in a former water tower, is a multi-cultural arts organization that promotes and preserves the African and indigenous cultures of the world through music, art, dance, education and technology. The center is also used as a venue for concerts and other special events.

Last Saturday I walked around the structure and took some pics of the huge, colorful mural. It completely spans the outside wall of the cylindrical building.

Front entrance of the WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park.
Front entrance of the WorldBeat Cultural Center in Balboa Park.
The WorldBeat Cultural Center is based in an old water tower.
The WorldBeat Cultural Center is based in an old water tower.
A variety of bold faces gaze in every direction from the mural.
A variety of bold faces gaze in every direction from the mural.
Fantastic images catch the eye of people passing on Park Boulevard.
Fantastic images catch the eye of people passing on Park Boulevard.
The north side of the WorldBeat Cultural Center.
Egyptian figures painted on the north side of the WorldBeat Cultural Center.
The back door looks like a magical entrance to another realm.
The back door looks like a magical entrance to another realm.
Exotic falcon with spread wings.
Exotic falcon with spread wings.
Diverse cultures from around the world are celebrated.
Diverse cultures from around the world are celebrated.
Image in mural similar to Tutankhamun's mummy mask.
Image in mural similar to the Mask of Tutankhamun.

UPDATE!

After posting these photographs, I did some research and learned a little more about this amazing mural that celebrates Egyptian, African, and Indigenous cultures.

Nearly all of the artwork was created by Mike Watson, otherwise known as AIR MIKE. He was the original artist at World Beat’s first location on Hancock Street, before moving to the repurposed water tower in Balboa Park under the leadership of Makeda Cheatom.

I also learned the King Tut artwork was contributed by muralist Mario Torero and a group of students.

Here are more pics I took with a different, better camera in early 2021…

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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!

Three utility boxes on Bankers Hill.

Happiness is the art of making a bouquet of those flowers within reach.
Happiness is the art of making a bouquet of those flowers within reach.

Here are three colorful utility boxes along Laurel Street on Bankers Hill. I really like the message on the first one.

Exotic face on a utility box on Bankers Hill.
Exotic face on a utility box on Bankers Hill.
Koi and pond flowers adorn a colorful utility box.
Koi and pond flowers adorn a colorful utility box.

Stylish street art in a dark, unexpected place.

Elegant street art found on Highway 163 underpass wall.
Elegant street art found on Highway 163 underpass wall.

I was surprised to discover this polished bit of street art in a place where few venture in Mission Valley:  in the darkness under Highway 163, along Camino de la Reina, among graffiti and windblown litter.  Joggers and the homeless pass through here, but not very often.  Who was the artist?  Why did they paint a stylish image in this location?  It’s a mystery!

UPDATE!!!

This morning, February 5th, exactly one day after the first photo was taken, I walked to work again and the street art and graffiti were painted over! I don’t know if this is pure coincidence, or the result of my blog yesterday…

The street art has been painted over!
The street art has been painted over!

More photos of murals around Chicano Park.

Ser humano, to be human.
Ser humano, to be human.

Here are even more pics from Barrio Logan!  These photos were taken on the north side of Chicano Park, from the basketball court to Cesar Chavez Boulevard, including a stretch under the I-5 overpass.

As I mentioned before, some of these images might be considered controversial.  To see previous photos, click the Chicano Park tag at the bottom of this post and scroll down.  I have one more batch of photos coming up.  Please feel free to share anything on this blog!

Raza mural decries Operation Gatekeeper.
Raza mural decries Operation Gatekeeper.
Cesar Chavez Blvd mural under busy freeway.
Cesar Chavez Blvd mural under busy freeway.
Arriba Mexico on I-5 underpass mural.
Arriba Mexico on I-5 underpass mural.
Painted family greets traffic in Barrio Logan.
A painted Cesar Chavez and two youth greet traffic in Barrio Logan.
Aztlan mural on Cesar Chavez Boulevard.
Aztlan mural on Cesar Chavez Boulevard.
Pedestrians near Chicano Park walk past public art.
Pedestrians near Chicano Park walk past public art.
Mural at edge of Chicano Park opposes retrofitting.
Mural at edge of Chicano Park opposes retrofitting.
Painted images on Interstate 5 north of Chicano Park.
Painted images on Interstate 5 north of Chicano Park.
Utility box painted with El Corazon.
Utility box painted with El Corazon, the heart.
Mural supports Race, opposes the Border Patrol.
Mural supports Race, opposes the Border Patrol.
Elaborate mural on handball court in Chicano Park.
Elaborate mural containing ancient symbolism on a handball court in Chicano Park.
Painted jaguar crouches near basketball court.
Painted jaguar crouches near basketball court.
A very detailed mural in Chicano Park.
A very detailed and colorful mural in Chicano Park.
Aztec mural painted near chain link fence.
Aztec mural painted near chain link fence.
Utility box with colorful figures.
Utility box with colorful figures, including a mariachi.
Classic cars depicted on a concrete pillar.
Classic cars depicted on a concrete pillar.
San Diego Lowrider Council mural in Chicano Park.
San Diego Lowrider Council mural in Chicano Park.

Long mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.

01 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
01 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.

We’re back in Barrio Logan’s famous Chicano Park with more pics!

The mural featured here is a very long one.  It’s painted behind the park’s fenced basketball court, on a low wall that borders Interstate 5.  Like the other public murals in Chicano Park, it’s a colorful hodgepodge of figures and symbols that seem to share one general theme: Mexican American pride and empowerment.

The photos move along the mural from right to left.

02 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
02 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
03 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
03 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
04 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
04 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
05 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
05 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
06 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
06 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
07 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
07 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
08 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
08 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
09 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
09 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
10 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
10 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
11 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
11 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
12 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
12 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
13 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
13 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
14 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
14 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
15 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
15 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
16 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.
16 Mural behind Chicano Park basketball court.

Fun mural on Harbor Drive in Barrio Logan.

Fun mural in Barrio Logan shows flag, kids, fruit, a train and birds.
Fun mural in Barrio Logan shows flag, kids, fruit, a train and birds.

Barrio Logan, just south of downtown San Diego, is bursting with huge, colorful street murals.  Several great examples can be found around the intersection of Harbor Drive and Cesar Chavez Parkway.  The one shown in these pics is immediately north of the intersection.

This mural is fairly large, so I’ve broken it up into several photos, moving from left to right.  The first part depicts kids and playful, animated fruit.  This gives way to a scene of a train moving through what appears to be an estuary full of birds.  A narrow panel along the side of the train is made of a shiny, reflective material.

I believe this mural was painted by Salvador Roberto Torres, who was one of the founders of nearby Chicano Park.

Happy faces of kids on San Diego street.
Happy faces of kids on San Diego street.
A big friendly dog painted on building side.
A big friendly dog painted on building side.
These animated fruit are goofing around in this fun Barrio Logan street mural.
These animated fruit are goofing around in this fun Barrio Logan street mural.
A train with silvery windows passes through scene of lagoon with water birds.
A train with silvery windows passes through scene of lagoon with water birds.
Herons and an estuary in mural on Harbor Drive north of Cesar Chavez Parkway
Herons and an estuary in mural on Harbor Drive north of Cesar Chavez Parkway

Cool street art on construction site fence.

Cool street art on construction site fence.
Cool street art on construction site fence.

The other day, while shuffling along what seemed to be an unremarkable sidewalk in downtown San Diego, my legs were suddenly arrested and my eyes transfixed by this awesome street art.  A fun-loving, imaginative artist did a great job of enlivening this construction site fence, which can be found on 8th Avenue just north of Market Street.

Funky characters make for some cool street art.
Funky characters make for some cool street art.
Street art on 8th Avenue in downtown San Diego.
Street art on 8th Avenue in downtown San Diego.