Sure, San Diego County is known for its beautiful beaches, good food and amazing weather. A lesser-known but no less important facet to the area is its public art. From sculptures by Niki de Saint Phalle to the land art installation Fault Whisper by Po Shu Wang and Louise Bertelsen in the new Fault Line Park, there is a lot of great art available for all to see.
Here are our top 5 picks for best public art in San Diego.
1. Queen Califia’s Magical Circle by Niki de Saint Phalle
A photo posted by Aaron Truax (@aarontruax) on
Jul 11, 2015 at 12:52pm PDT
via Yelp: “This is a HIDDEN treasure in Escondido. It is located in Kit Carson Park, we just love hanging out here on a sunny afternoon. Frisbee golf, playgrounds, trails and a duck pond.
Queen Califia’s Magical Circle Garden is a mosaic masterpiece and the only sculpture garden in USA created by the amazing Niki de Saint Phalle.”
Where: Kit Carson Park, 3333 Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido
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2. Luminous Arc by James Carpenter
A photo posted by Spencer Aiken,CSCS (@spenceraikenfitness) on
Sep 25, 2013 at 10:39pm PDT
via Yelp: “This is a great place to take your pups for a walk.. The lights illuminating the stairs look awesome at night lending themselves to beautiful pictures.. You can also walk down and turn left beyond the convention center and find a beautiful park in front of the Hilton bay front where a lot of owners let their dogs off-leash.
It’s a great walk at dusk or right after nightfall.”
Where: 111 W Harbor Dr., San Diego
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3. Fault Whisper by Po Shu Wang and Louise Bertelsen
Fault Line Park, the first public park to open in East Village in more than a decade…
http://t.co/hPCPMbrYIg pic.twitter.com/NDEbV3ozAW
— ReginaGreig (@ReginaGreig) August 30, 2015
via KPBS: “Yes, “Fault Whisper” –designed by Po Shu Wang – is a thing of beauty.
Its loveliness increases. It will never pass into nothingness, but still will keep a bower quiet for us and a sleep full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing!”
Where: Fault Line Park, theintersection of 14th Street and Island Avenue, San Diego
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4. Vices and Virtues by Bruce Nauman
From Bruce Nauman's 'Vices & Virtues' installation, US pavillion, Venice Biennale '09 #words #contemporaryart pic.twitter.com/OzEjxWwoJT
— HOAX (@hoaxpublication) August 28, 2013
via Yelp: “Yeah, UCSD has a funny-looking campus but it lends itself real well to public art. My favorites in the Stuart Collection include “Trees” (who doesn’t like trees?) and “Vices and Virtues” (you have to visit campus in the evening). But you also want to be sure to see “Snake Path”, which is next to Geisel Library (the spaceship).”
Where: University of California San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr., La Jolla
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5. Brave Men Run in My Family by Ed Ruscha
A photo posted by Maria Jose Lopez (@mariajosejewelry) on
Nov 17, 2014 at 11:55am PST
via Yelp: “Discovery seems to be a strong suit of MCASD as I’ve always been delighted by rotating selections of Latino and Latin American contemporary artists’ work here. And selections chosen for exhibition in key spots of the museum’s exterior always have a magical symbiosis with the building’s geographic setting and architecture. Examples of this would include Ed Ruscha’s mural as well as the precariously fascinating, more recent display of Nancy Rubins’ scuplture of boats and canoes.”
Where: Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, 700 Prospect St., La Jolla