Mural Alley.
“It's not just about the brushstrokes; it's about creating a more colorful and connected city, one mural at a time,” Muralist Austin Gosswiller.
FIRST THURSDAYS IN HILLCREST
Art Walk • Live Music • Bar • Vendors
HILLCREST MURAL WALKING TOUR
30 Murals • 14 Locations • 5 Highlights
Alex Fizix
Austin Gosswiller and Jack Stricker
A HILLCREST TRADITION
Hillcrest's vibrant LGBTQ+ community has long fostered a culture of artistic expression, with street murals serving as one of its most public and compelling forms. Today over 30 murals exist along a one mile stretch of the popular neighborhood.
Unfortunately, the significance of one of the neighborhood's key murals has been overshadowed by the neighborhood’s growth. In 2010, Mural Alley
unveiled a captivating series of interconnected artworks by renowned street artist Shepard Fairey. Commissioned by the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego as part of the "Viva la Revolución: A Dialogue with the Urban Landscape" street art exhibit, these murals became a vital part of Hillcrest's artistic landscape even though they weren’t intended to be permanent installation. A rumor exists that if you could squeeze in between the five inch space between the two buildings, you would still see the mural intact. Maybe it will be rediscovered in the future as Hillcrest moves into a new age of development.
A decade later, local muralists have embraced the legacy, contributing new masterpieces that now grace the community. The expansion of Mural Alley, coupled with the presence of The Studio Door art gallery and artist studios, has played a pivotal role in encouraging and enhancing the visual arts scene in Hillcrest's Cultural and Arts District.
Today, these murals have become cherished discoveries for both local residents and tourists alike, complementing the growing addition of murals across the community. Additionally, there are pockets of public art and historic artifacts that contribute to the rich cultural tapestry of Hillcrest that are worth discovering, including Fossil’s Exposed (1998) by Doran Rosenthan, The Normal Street Pride Flag and The Hillcrest Sign.
Mural Alley:
First Thursdays
Welcome to Mural Alley, a captivating urban space entirely revitalized and reclaimed by talented muralists. For four years, The Studio Door has joined forces with the Hillcrest Business Association (HBA) to garner support from the community, including the nightly lighting of alley. HBA regularly infuses art into the neighborhood, extending beyond the alley with the exciting monthly event known as First Thursday in Mural Alley. The Studio Door supports this event by keeping the gallery open for extended hours during the event.
This vibrant gathering, held the first Thursday of every month, promises a dynamic blend of entertainment, art, gastronomy, and music. First Thursday in Mural Alley showcases an array of unique vendors, skilled artisans, delectable food options, live musical performances, DJs, and unexpected artistic displays. Join us for an immersive experience celebrating creativity and community.
Hillcrest Murals:
Self-Guided Tour
Take a twenty minutes to enjoy the Mural Marvels video on this page brought to you by The Studio Door in collaboration with December’s article in The WORD San Diego. Hear directly from several of the muralists about their working discover Hillcrest’s neighborhood features & public art.
Want to simple get out into the streets and alleys of Hillcrest to experience these creative marvels in person. The distance from the first mural to the last is only about a mile but as you weave your way through the neighborhood plan for a solid 3 mile walk and reserve a minimum of 70 minutes. Make a day of it and enjoy the boutiques, restaurants and refreshments that this colorful part of town offers.
Open your informative Self-Guided Tour Map.
• Click here to see on Google Maps
Note: Other than private parking areas, Mural Alley is a public right away. The neighborhood concept has come together through separate entities putting in various efforts. While The Studio Door is proud to have done its part to secure a few walls and promote the arts, it does not own or run a program for muralists in the alleyway. Interested public and street artists should consider directly contacting businesses and building owners to secure unadorned walls.
THE MURALS as of December 2023
A New Path by Regan Russell with support by ArtReach (2021) • Park & University
Before I Die… Interactive Mural (2022) • Global Art Project recreated by Hillcrest Business Association • Herbert St and University
Hillcrest (2024) • Shannen Mythen • Next door to Hillcrest Business Association on Herbert St and University
Untitled / Pride inspired mural by Carly Ealey (2023) • On the side of 7-11 at Normal and University across from permanent Hillcrest’s Pride Flag
Lemons by Karen Dang (2021) • On the side of Matrarello Restaurant at University and Richmond
Secret Street Art Alley featuring a collection of ever changing murals is just down the alley on Richmond between University and Essex
Painted Ladies by Sarah Stieber (2023) • Duel murals on the apartment complex The Duplet on the 1200 block of Robinson between Vermont and Richmond.
The Loading Dock by Linda Churchill of Muralizing (1998) • On the side of Hillcrest Ace Hardware
Untitled / Mural celebrating diversity by Jason and Frieda Gould of Visual Shop San Diego (2022) • University and 6th Avenue for AT&T and HBA
Untitled / A fabulous drag queen throwing kisses mural by Alex Fizix • Third and University on the side of Urban MO’s Bar & Grill
We Sea Together by Jet Martinez (2016) • 4th and Robinson in the parking area of Artist & Craftsman Art Supply
Circus Elephant by Vincentghoste aka Cody Griffith (2012) • In the alley on Robinson between 4th and 5th on the side of Crest Cafe
Coming Soon by Austin Gosswiller (2024) • Crest Cafe entrance • 425 Robinson Ave
Hillcrest Mural by Austin Gosswiller and Jack Stricker (2023) • On the sides of California Bank Trust on the 3700 block of 5th Ave between Evans Place and Pennsylvania
The HUB:
Undulation by Skye Walker (2014) • 15’ x 35’ on the facade of California Coast Credit Union for The Hub at the corner of University and Vermont
Mandala by Exist1981 (2014) • University and 10th Avenue on the facade of Unoptical Eyewear
Love Thyself by Isaias Crow (2014) • Western entrance to the underground parking lot
Abstract Mural by Bradford Lynn (2014) • inside parking garage
Take off / Landing by Chris Konecki (2014) • inside parking garage
3 Bearded Men by Mike Maxwell (2014) • Above Parking Garage behind Ralph’s and Trader Joes
Mural Alley:
East Side of Alley:
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles by Alex Fizix (2018) • 11' h x 59' w - Spray Paint Brick Wall funded by East Coast Pizza
Spirit Animal by Glow aka Gloria Muriel (2020) • Spirit Animal 2020 in collaboration with The Studio Door
Speakeasy by Alex Fizix (2018) • 20' h x 20' w - Spray Paint Brick Wall entrance of Cigar Cave
Chinese Watermill by Visiting Art Students from China (2019) • 18’ h x 54' w - Acrylic Brick Wall funded by Cascade Spa
West Side of Alley:
Son, Mommy Loves You by Mr. Maxx Moses aka Pose2 (2020) • 36’ h x 36’ w / 8’ h x 33’w - Spray Paint (2) Brick Walls in collaboration with The Studio Door
Doorways by High Tech High Interns (2023) • 76” h x 3' w ea. - Spray Paint and Markers (2) Wood Doors in collaboration with The Studio Door
TuPac Reality by Hooligan Arts aka Chris Smith (2019) • 4' x 2' Spray Paint Wood Window Frame in collaboration with The Studio Door
Untitled / Bird by Alonso Delgadillo (2020)
San Diego Loyal SC soccer player Collin Martin by Ground Floor Murals (2023) • funded by San Diego Loyals