San Diego's unique neighborhoods are like an giant outdoor art gallery with a growing number of murals. Each neighborhood displays murals that highlight their history and own unique community characteristics. Some murals are more hidden than others, but once you discover these vibrant works of art, you will learn a little about San Diego's diverse cultural background it's rich history and the people who call it home.

 

From Northpark, to downtown, to Barrio Logan and the ever growing Mural Alley in Hillcrest- San Diego's mural are best seen by foot, allowing viewers to take in the full perspective of these giant gifts to the community. Download our self guided mural tour map, pack your camera, and discover the most Instagramable sites in the city!  

 

San Diego's Original Mural Alley: Located the heart of Fabulous Hillcrest, between Third and Fifth Avenue in Hillcrest- Mural Alley was once the home of several murals, including a famous Shepard Fairey mural located on the south wall of Mural Alley founder Eddie Reynoso's Hillcrest apartment. With time the murals along this stretch of San Diego's most colorful neighborhood, slowly began to disappear, alarming Reynoso who encouraged property owners of the remaining murals to keep the art. He also worked with local businesses to connect them with local artists in an effort to create an urban art space for queer and POC street artists.

 

Thanks in part Crest Cafe who in 2012 commissioned the Purple Elephant by Cody Griffin, other local businesses took note and agreed to allow their walls to be used for public art. Soon after the neighborhood experienced an explosion of public art that expanded Mural Alley into a neighborhood wide celebration of art that includes photographs on utility boxes, paintings on rubbish receptacles and an entire shopping hub- redeveloped with art as a focus. 

 

 

• Crest Cafe: 425 Robinson Avenue | Purple Elephant, 2012 by Cody Griffin. Painted to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Crest Cafe. Commissioned by Cecelia Moreno. Located in Mural Alley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Artists & Craftsman: 3804  Fourth Avenue | Ocean Scene by Jet Martinez, painted in 2016 for the Sea Walls: Murals for Oceans festival in San Diego, an environmental street art project organized by the PangeaSeed Foundation. Commissioned by Artist & Craftsman Supply. Located one block west of Mural Alley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Ace Hardware Hillcrest: 1003 University Avenue | The Loading Dock, 1998 by Linda Churchill. Commissioned by Bruce Reeves and Joe Jeter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Hillcrest Athletic Club: 1243 University Avenue | Unnamed by Alex Julian, 2017. Commissioned by Michael Stoll. Located five blocks east of Mural Alley.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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• The Hub Shopping Center: 940-1042 University Avenue| Home to at least ten murals, including Transmarine by Skye Walker, as well as other murals by EXIST1981, Mike Maxwell and Isaias Crow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Egyptian Quarter: Park Blvd between Park and Robinson | Multiple Artists, including an Egyptian themed mural and rubbish receptacles painted in Egyptian themes. Commissioned by Megan Gamwell, Hillcrest Business Association, 2013.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Joybrewed: 1295 University Avenue | "Good Coffee This Way" - Filter Coffee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• The Alibi: 1403 University Avenue | Before I die, 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• The Ion Theatre: 3704 Sixth Avenue | Unnamed Murals - Artists Unknown.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• Original Hillcrest Sign: 1051 University Avenue |  Located inside Rich's San Diego. 

 

• First erected in 1940 as a gift to the community from a group neighborhood female shopkeepers

• Taken down for “refurbishment” in 1984 (it was actually exactly rebuilt)

• Relit at 8pm on August 16, 1984

• 240 feet of pink neon tubing

• Monthly electric cost is $65

• Supporting poles were 75′ tall with 35′ underground

• Weight is 800 pounds

• 21 feet long

• 3.5 feet tall

• Letters are made of white plastic

• The red metal sign was repainted the night of July 10-11th in 2003

• Repainted again on August 4, 2009 in time for a 25th anniversary re-dedication.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fruitcraft Fermentary and Distillery: 1477 University Avenue | Better Together Wall: located inside the distillery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

La Marque Cafe: 3590 Fifth Avenue | Giant Rainbow Chair  by La Marque Staff

 

 

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Babycakes San Diego: 3766 Fifth Avenue | Mural by John "Gouda" Brooks : LOST TO DEVELOPMENT. Was located on the outside front walls of the parking lot.

 

Baja Betty's: 1421 University Avenue | Murals located inside the restaurants.

 

Northpark Murals: CLICK HERE to add mural information.

 

Bario Logan Murals: Chicano Park: CLICK HERE to add mural information.

 

Gaslamp Murals: CLICK HERE to add mural information.