We all know that San Diego has a vibrant arts scene — and we’re not just talking about The Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego or The San Diego Museum of Art. One of our all-time favorite galleries? America’s Finest City itself.
San Diego is home to a number of meaningful murals and outdoor art exhibits. Today, we’re sharing where to find pieces that really paint a picture of our city.
Greetings from US Naval Training Station | By Greetings Tour
Victor Ving and photographer Lisa Beggs — the duo behind Greetings Tour — developed this piece to celebrate Liberty Station’s history as the Naval Training Center while greeting visitors to the destination. It really feels like you’re living in a postcard — just go to the other side and see the updated back of this mural.
Smile, You’re in San Diego | By Pandr Design Co.
Is there any better way to celebrate being in San Diego than with a big smile? Perhaps there is one way — by smiling in front of this giant, colorful mural on First Avenue in downtown San Diego.
Some things are meant to be.
Photo via @groundfloormurals
Meant To Be | By Ground Floor Murals
Paul Jimenez and Signe Ditona are the artists behind Ground Floor Murals — the duo who have been painting the city with tributes to notable people and events. They’ve been commissioned by the San Diego Padres to add multiple pieces honoring the team and its players, including this portrait of Joe Musgrove at Grossmont High School, his alma mater. The mural was added in 2021 after the local legend pitched the Padres’ first no-hitter.
This tunnel is displays the spirit of San Diego.
Photo via @sandiegowithkids
The Magic Tunnel | By Kevin Anderson
San Diego is filled with epic parks, and Mission Valley’s Civita Park has a mural to match. Inside this magical tunnel you’ll find sunny skies and along the walls you’ll see a collection of attractions, people, and landmarks that make San Diego the best place to live.
Nomad Donut Surfing and Skateboarding | By Nicholas Danger
North Park is filled with art, coffee, and local pride. It’s hard to pick a favorite mural in this quirky community, but the surfing and skating donut outside of Nomad Donuts on University Avenue embodies the feeling of a San Diego morning pretty well.
Colorful words for our athletes.
Photo via @san_diego_murals
Play Hard & Have Fun | By Channin Fulton
This mural at Snapdragon Stadium serves as a source of inspiration and encouragement for athletes on the field. Written across the colorful background is a quote from “Mr. Padre” himself, the late great Tony Gwynn, who was a student and later a beloved baseball coach at San Diego State University.
Philz Coffee Encinitas | By Cloe Shadee Hakakian
This dreamy sunset surf scene was commissioned by Philz Coffee and gives us a colorful look at life in the northern beach community. Rain or shine, you can always depend on this mural to show you a spectacular sunset.
A memorial worth seeing.
Photo via @soni_artist
La Reina del Tex-Mex | By Soni López-Chávez
If you’re dreaming of a cool mural, this tribute to Selena Quintanilla Pérez — the “Queen of Tejano Music” — always makes our hearts go “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” when we see it in Barrio Logan.
Which color do you like?
Photo via @_o_mendez
Your Favorite Color | By Roy McMakin
It took a community to make this colorful display on Eads Avenue. Artist Roy McMakin asked 882 people their favorite colors among 79 options, and each response corresponds to a tile on the wall. Originally, the art piece was created in 2010 but it was given a refresh in the summer of 2022.
This mural is next level.
Photo via @muraltime
Surfing Mario | By Jim Heath
You might have seen Mario do some cool things, but this is next level. Head to Carlsbad — not the Mushroom Kingdom — to find the iconic plumber surfing on a wave of pipes outside of Witt’s Carlsbad Pipeline surf shop.
Viva La Vida | By Guillermo “memuco” Munro
This painting of painter Frida Kahlo can be found on the walls of Old Town Urban Market, adding to the celebration of Mexican culture found in the historic area. Along the wall of this building, you’ll find more art that blends effortlessly with Old Town’s culture.
This man in anchored in San Diego culture.
Photo via @aquaoneart
Point Loma Ron Burgundy | By Aqua One
This mural is kind of a big deal. It features San Diego’s favorite fictional anchorman, Ron Burgundy — but he’s just part of the art piece. At 120 ft long and 17 ft tall, the display also includes dolphins, a pier, and other San Diego-inspired designs.
It Could Be You |By Gretchen Weidener
If you can’t imagine a trip to Little Italy without the art, this mural is reflective of the experience. Many people have walked through the community with sunglasses on and saw the neighborhood’s beautiful displays — it’s so common, the mural has seen a doppelgänger or two.
Crest Café Elephant | By Cody Griffith
This mural of a purple and pink circus elephant was designed to be a whimsical addition to Crest Café — and it fits perfectly in the Hillcrest community. It was commissioned for the restaurant’s 30th birthday in 2012, and a decade later, the elephant stood proud to celebrate the restaurant’s 40th birthday.
San Diego really does feel like a postcard.
Photo via @p.jquezada
Greetings from San Diego | By Greetings Tour
Greetings Tour painted this postcard-worthy mural in North Park by incorporating an element of San Diego life into each letter of the city’s name. As a special nod to the city, the pair commissioned the work of local artist Persue, whose work can be seen in the letter I.
Oceanside at its finest.
Photo via @visitoceanside
Oceanside Community Mural | By Jerry Ragg
This mural celebrates Oceanside’s icons, culture + beauty — including late San Diego Chargers Hall of Famer Junior Seau, a “Top Gun” tribute, Oceanside Harbor, and of course the beaches. Find it on the Security Public Storage building.
There’s always time for a “Catnap.”
Photo via @tifflova_
Catnap | By Michael Summers
This colorful display can be found on the wall of Witch Creek Winery in Carlsbad and it’s the purrfect depiction of a catnap on a rainy day. Artist Michael Summers says the piece is meant to illustrate the concept of change, because these white tigers won’t be the same after they’re covered in colors.
You can’t go further south than this in the continental US.
Photo by @susangrant102619
Imperial Beach Pier Mural | By Pandr Design Co.
IB is one of the most southern cities in the western US. This mural on the IB Pier pinpoints your exact coordinates at the most southwesterly spot in the continental US — a uniquely San Diego experience.
Drag yourself to Manhattan Bar in Chula Vista to see this mural.
Photo via Ground Floor Murals
Queen of Manhattan | By Ground Floor Murals
Did you know RuPaul was born in San Diego? The iconic drag star spent his childhood in the city before moving to Atlanta, then NYC, where he once declared himself the “Queen of Manhattan.” So, it’s fitting that a mural celebrating his life can be seen on the side of Manhattan Bar on Broadway in Chula Vista.
This mural by Austin Gosswiller and Jack Stricker shows off gems communities by Balboa Park.
Photo by @hillcrestsandiego
Hillcrest Mural | By Austin Gosswiller and Jack Stricker
To celebrate 40 years in business, California Bank and Trust gave Hillcrest “the gift of art.” This mural on Fifth Avenue features landmarks and images that reflect the beauty found the community and nearby areas like Balboa Park and Mission Hills.
The MLK Jr. + Mount Hope Community Mural Project on SR-94.
Photo via Caltrans San Diego
MLK Jr./Mount Hope Community Mural Project | Created by Neil Shigley and Philip Matzigkeit
In 2012, this 225-ft long, 20-ft tall mural was added to a stretch of state Route 94 that had been dedicated to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in 1989. It was San Diego’s first large-scale memorial honoring the civil rights leader, and it was designed by two San Diego State University professors using a grant secured by Caltrans.
Angry Pandas | By Aaron Martin and Thao Huynh French
Pandas are so San Diego. This North Park mural on the side of Shank & Bône features two roaring pandas meant to represent the ability to persevere through struggles. The lotus flowers behind them are a nod to the artists’ Vietnamese roots. Next to this display is a portrait of a chicken titled “Lahaina Loveletter” by Kolten French, dedicated to the people and animals who survived the Maui fires.
Home | By Scarlett Baily
This 2,535-sqft mural located between Barracks 14 + 15 at Liberty Station celebrates the city we call home with a collage of locally inspired images, including people, marine life, and flowers.
You Are Radiant | By Channin Fulton
This colorful mural on the side of Artelexia on Ray Street in North Park shares the positive affirmation we needed: “You are radiant! Yes. You.” We love the vibrant flowers and motif on this one — it really matches the vibes of the shop.
A Place to Belong: By Isabel Halpern
There’s nothing like the feeling of belonging. That’s the message behind this pretty piece located at the drop-off + pick-up area at
La Mesa United Methodist Children’s Center Preschool. The mural features the hills of La Mesa and two doves that represent family, spirituality, peace, and collaboration in the East County community.
Chicano Park | Various artists
Chicano Park is a designated National Historic Landmark with 80+ murals that are symbolic of Latino activism in the San Diego area. The 7.4-acre park is located under the Coronado Bridge and serves as a visual depiction of the struggles and perseverance of the Chicano community.
Psst: We know we’ve only scratched the surface — so expect more murals in the future. Did we miss your favorite? Send us an email let us know.
Ready to see the displays? Check out our map and plan a mural tour.
