Say Keep it goin' to the OB Rag
with your donation today!
Secure Donations through PayPal
Grassroots and Progressive views on local, national and world news
By Chuck Cofer
On my recent OB wanderings I tried to document some of the “concrete canvases” that decorate our sidewalks and buildings.
I’m not sure where the line is between illegal graffiti and art but in general I feel these colorful, inspirational, informative, historical, and sometimes humorous works represent the freedom of expression and lifestyle many OBceans revel in.
Curious as to how others feel about these modern day petrol-glyphs.
There’s the buildings.
Older Article: So They Are All … All Honorable Men
Newer Article: Reader Rant: OB Needs More Tenants On Planning Board
April 18, 2024 at 11:45 pm on 2 New Projects Proposed for West Point Loma Boulevard in Ocean BeachCurrently you can deduct more property taxes on an investment property than on your primary residence. That’s just insane. This is because of the $10K... April 18, 2024 at 11:40 pm on 2 New Projects Proposed for West Point Loma Boulevard in Ocean BeachWe should not be incentivizing any home ownership beyond your primary residence. It just increases the barrier for those who can’t afford 1 home. 
April 18, 2024 at 10:35 pm on 2 New Projects Proposed for West Point Loma Boulevard in Ocean BeachI weep not for people who own second homes. We are so thankful to own our OB shack. We see people who do all sorts...
April 18, 2024 at 7:24 pm on OB Planners’ Project Review Committee: 20 Units at 4705 Point Loma Ave., — Wed., April 17Paul Webb If I read your numbers correctly seems like more than a small deviation @4X increased density. And OB NYC as a comparison seems...
April 18, 2024 at 5:59 pm on Why San Diego Should Not Be Awarded Anything for Its ‘Bonus ADU’ Program — Not One ADU Unit Has Been Built as Low-Income HousingGreat analysis. Have you thought about sending your analysis to the Ivory Group? This ADU plan doesn’t deserve a prize. 
April 18, 2024 at 5:41 pm on Proposed 20 Units on Point Loma Ave Will Only Have 3 ‘Affordable’, Only 9 Parking SpacesWe need to appeal by the deadline, and that means collaboration and planning based on the $1,000 appeal fee per applicant. btw, I want to...
April 18, 2024 at 5:31 pm on Proposed 20 Units on Point Loma Ave Will Only Have 3 ‘Affordable’, Only 9 Parking SpacesI think the 9 parking spaces is history; it is 3.5 parking spaces, or maybe 4 or maybe 3. April 18, 2024 at 4:44 pm on 8 ADUs in 3-Story Complex Proposed for 4500 Block of Pescadero in Point LomaAlso, the Coastal-certified code only allows 1 base ADU on a lot with a single-family-development. Even in a multifamily zone. This means any ADU over... April 18, 2024 at 4:39 pm on 8 ADUs in 3-Story Complex Proposed for 4500 Block of Pescadero in Point LomaThe city is violating noticing requirements on these projects near CPG boundaries. See section (b)(4) §112.0302 Notice by Mail (b) Persons Entitled to Notice. Except...
April 18, 2024 at 4:16 pm on Proposed 20 Units on Point Loma Ave Will Only Have 3 ‘Affordable’, Only 9 Parking SpacesI did need that spelled out for me, kh, thank you. That makes sense to me now. Single individuals, as in 1 person, with no... April 18, 2024 at 4:10 pm on Proposed 20 Units on Point Loma Ave Will Only Have 3 ‘Affordable’, Only 9 Parking SpacesI thought it was 40% of base density. It would be interesting to see how the affordable density bonus would apply to this project vs... April 18, 2024 at 4:06 pm on Proposed 20 Units on Point Loma Ave Will Only Have 3 ‘Affordable’, Only 9 Parking SpacesOB is not on the SDA map because that code update has not been approved by the Coastal Commission. Nor have the zero-parking code updates...
April 18, 2024 at 4:01 pm on Proposed 20 Units on Point Loma Ave Will Only Have 3 ‘Affordable’, Only 9 Parking SpacesIf you want to see what the future looks like, 3781 32nd Street at North Park Way a block from the North Park Library. A... April 18, 2024 at 3:53 pm on Proposed 20 Units on Point Loma Ave Will Only Have 3 ‘Affordable’, Only 9 Parking SpacesCoke and strippers oriented 
April 18, 2024 at 3:37 pm on Open Letter to Councilwoman Campbell on ‘Complete Communities’ from Point Loma HomeownerKH, can you confirm the vote of the PRC. 
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
Nice artwork, nice photos. Thanks for noticing for us Chuck.
Thanks, Joe! I Enjoy exploring OB and really glad you liked the photos.
I’ve seen a lot of these, but not all of them – thanks for sharing!
Methinks one of the vandals lives somewhere on Bacon south of Newport – all sorts of interesting and (in my opinion anyway) cool sidewalk art to check out when I’m walking into town. They occasionally hit the yellow caution signs at the end of Coronado, but that seems to piss off the powers that be, as those stencils never seem to last long.
Never met them, but I’m guessing it’s a family that always has a chunk of Cable sidewalk chalked up with kid-friendly art. You can tell if my daughter’s had a sleepover recently, because our driveway will be colorfully chalked up too. Goldsmith hasn’t sued me over her flowers and rainbows yet…
Thats funny Dave, I thought of that big stink with the bank and Goldsmith when I found the chalk art. I do believe its a family and they regularly decorate the sidewalk in front of their home. Some inspirational words often appear and even a cautionary stop sign chalked at the sidewalk/alley crossing. I think its great!!
It’s hard to explain OB , but a picture is worth a thousand words…….these photos say a lot about our unique neighborhood. Thanks Chuck!
Thanks, Gail! Ive only lived here in OB a short time but always seem to discover something cool and special anytime I pause to look.
Love this! I too gather images of the colorful street art of OB. Thanks.
Thank you for the kind support Seadancer. See you out on the streets of OB!
Seadancer – please allow the Rag to share your images, as we do with Chuck. We would love it if someone or someones would document all the murals in and around OB, plus all the utility box artwork. Just saying …
Can you post images in comments?
Let’s see…
Chalk art from Independence Day 2001
Nope. The image got stripped from the reply.
Here’s the link http://ms-cs.ca/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/OB_JULy_4_2001.jpg
No, but if you’re careful, you can post links to images in comments.
Thats a great one, Marc! Obviously there are some talented artist amongst us and based on the date of your July 4th 2001 photo have been part of OB awhile.
Maybe we should have a sidewalk art expo/contest in OB!!
Here here!
I always thought Bong Ranch Ave had the best sidewalk art… or is it Viagara Ave I’m thinking of?