I love hidden San Diego and honestly anything that's a little odd, so once I heard about this, I…read morehad to find it and see for myself. It feels a little disrespectful to say that a sculpture looks like a turd when that wasn't the artist's intent, but... it looks like a turd. It's hard to look at it and think of anything else. At least that's what I thought. When I sent a photo to some friends and family, they were all able to quiet the intrusive thoughts of poop for long enough to think of some other possible interpretations, including: * a Cheeto or cheese puff * a giant cashew * a snake emerging from the ground * a dinosaur-sized macaroni * a rock (less creative but classier, I guess) Now, I'll just have to come back and see it again for Halloween -- I've heard that someone (who would do this?) puts giant googly eyes on it. Keep San Diego weird!!

A piece of art that really moves you, get it?…read more Public art is always subject to debate, and in San Diego the preference tends to run on the "less-than classy side". Statues of dolphins, horses, and fishermen will barely cause a ripple on anyone's radar. However, there is one sculpture in particular that causes looks of befuddlement more than any where else. Representing a large bowel movement, this sculpture is often referred to as the "Scripps Turd" which remains its reputation to this day. The Abstract Sculpture, titled Okeanos, a.k.a. "The Scripps Turd" is made of bronze and was created by artist William Tucker. Tucker is a modern British sculpture and art scholar born in Cairo, Egypt. He attended the University of Oxford and went on to further study sculpture at Saint Martin's School of Art in London under teacher and mentor Anthony Caro. He has since received several awards and honors for his work, such as: The Guggenheim Fellowship for Creative Arts in 1986. The International Sculpture Center's Lifetime Achievement in Contemporary Sculpture in 2010. The title of National Academician at the National Academy Museum in 2011. People driving along North Torrey Pines Road in La Jolla had undoubtedly once noticed Tucker's big, hulking 13-foot piece of art in front of the Scripps Green Hospital. Despite the public's distaste for the art piece, the 3,500-pound sculpture was commissioned for $200,000 in 1987. The money came from donors in honor of Frank J. Dixon, the Director of the Institute for 25 years. Tucker named the artwork after the Greek god of rivers and oceans, Okeanos or (Ōkeanós), also known as Oceanus. Okeanos was a Titan who represented the ocean and was the eldest son of Uranus (ha) and Gaia. Tucker said the form, to him, suggested an ocean wave, and it was hailed by many critics when it was revealed. Michael Brenson, the former art critic of The New York Times, wrote of Okeanos in 1988: "The sculpture is a rippling curve that seems to spew out of the earth and curl up like a wave. It suggests not only water but also clouds and vegetation and human limbs." Alas, the public didn't feel the same way. Nor did philanthropist Edythe H. Scripps, who had "The Turd" moved to a new location by The Scripps Research Institute at the mere cost of another $40,000 (more money down the drain. I drew inspiration in recalling a smaller sculpture featured in the classic documentary film on the life of legend Joseph Dirtè (see tip photo). Upon seeing this work of art, the latter was most likely inspired by this same piece. A "chip off the old creative block" perhaps.

Why else come here, but the name is already intriguing as it is!!…read more Every visit to San Diego County I look to do and see new things and this was one of the new things I did my last visit. Sunset Cliffs is nice to take in the Pacific Ocean and then you see this big rock with a tone of bird poop and you can't help but stare at the eyesore.

I heard about this rock and added it to one of my many adventures. It is located in Sunset Cliff…read morePark and is very hard to find. I tried to locate it by the pictures that were on here, but they were wrong. After a long search that spanned about 2 days, I was able to find it. I will help you out, if you want to find it. It is located right across the street from 1083 Sunset Cliff Blvd. You can't miss it. Me and my assistant were able to find it in the dark. It is the one covered in bird crap. You cannot mistake it. There is a lot of places to park and get a good look. I would suggest getting there well before sunset because the parking fills up with all the sunset gazers. The rock had quite a few birds on it and is known as a surf break that produces 3 different waves. I do not know what attracts the birds to that specific rock. Some tried to explain it to me, but it was way over my head. I know that it is not much, but it is the little things that matter. It is not a long stop, but definitely worth a visit. A visit here should probably be paired with a visit to Sunset Cliff Park and a sunset viewing. I am really glad that I was able to make it here.

Even though we weren't able to go inside and fully explore Fallen Star, we were in the area and…read moredecided to stop by anyway -- and I'm so glad we did. Such a cute and incredibly cool concept. It's amazing how they created a house perched on the 7th floor, almost floating off the edge of the building, and the tilted design makes it feel so surreal and unique. Even just seeing it from the outside was worth the visit. It's one of those places that feels hidden and special. You can tell so much thought and creativity went into it, and it made us want to come back to experience it properly. Just a heads up -- they're only open Wednesdays and Thursdays, and reservations book up quickly, so I definitely recommend reserving ahead of time if you want to tour inside. Such a fun and fascinating spot to check out!

SO COOL!! The "FALLEN STAR" is a cottage perched at an angle off the edge of the main Jacobs School…read moreof Engineering building at the University of California, San Diego. It is an art installation created by South Korean artist, Do Ho Suh. The structure was installed in July 2012 and has become one of the icons of the campus' Stuart Collection of public art. Public visiting hours for the Fallen Star are on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Individuals must sign up for either Weds, 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm, or Thurs, 11:30 am - 1:30 pm. I visited on a Saturday, so I didn't get a chance to see the fully furnished interior or the exterior garden on the rooftop. Some day when I'm back on campus during the week! For now, I'll just admire it from the ground level. It's about a 2-minute walk from Parking Lot P503.

I discovered this park while I was attending a Mosquito and Vector Control Unmanned Aerials System…read more(UAS) or more commonly known as drones! I myself am a drone enthusiast so this park as just someone who likes to fly their drones just too fly them, is a perfect spot. Not too far from Seaworld, this little "drone park" allows you to fly up to 200 feet, even being so close to an airport, open air with minimal obstructions for destruction of your drone. It also as a first person view or (FPV) racing course. Main purpose for my attendance at Silent Electric Flyers was as previously stated for a aerial application system for mosquito control and this spot was perfect for that. They of course didn't use actual chemicals but instead water and the "blanks" of a what we call in the mosquito control industry BTI granules. Dried up corn cob is all it is. The demonstrators were definitely able to show off there impressive UAS and even some San Diego Flyers Club board members were there as well. They were gracious enough and allowed us to use the park and airspace and I think speak for all vector control agencies who were there; Thank you SD Flyers Club for the time and space provided!

This place is wonderful. Maintained by a group of volunteers, this site is a place that has to…read moremaintain insurance, so there is a fee to fly. Fair enough, its California. Best views, best location, best weather to fly any RC aircraft. Everyone is super nice and helpful as long as you ask, and follow the simple rules. They have monthly events that are free (for club members) and they have monthly FREE club BBQ and contests that pay $$ in prizes.

Only in crazy San Diego would a work of public art pay homage to a blip on the horizon when the sun…read moregoes down, but that is exactly what this Green Flash Sculpture is-a homage to the refractive rays of the sun as it sets in the west and disappears into the ocean. Before it makes that final drop, it is said that a Green Flash appears. Green flashes are real and not illusionary phenomena seen at sunrise and sunset, "when some part of the Sun suddenly changes color (at sunset, from red or orange to green or blue)." The word "flash" refers to the sudden appearance and brief spurt of green color, lasting just a few seconds at moderate latitudes. Many viewers will attribute the Green Flash to a hallucination or think them to be mirages. Perhaps this opinion can be understood as a vivid response to what these people are currently smoking and many times it is not cigarettes! There are physiological explanations for the Green Flash: as the area that turns green is ordinarily near the limit of the eye's resolution, these are sometimes called "green dot" displays. That reminds me of what happens when someone dies and is said to feel the aural sensation of moving through a tunnel towards "the light." Still, the absolute experience of The Green Flash is best seen and felt on a clear, cloudless day where a steady view of the horizon is available. A concentrated gaze towards the sun will, hopefully allow for a brief glimpse at that immediate time when the sun disappears and that is when a green flash will erupt! It really is a trip because it appears and is gone in a (green) flash! So nice that there is this colorful salute near the public restrooms in Mission Beach to honor the Green Flash phenomena. The bright colors of the sculpture represent the atmospheric refraction of sunlight that is captured into over-lapping images and also pays tribute to the beauty and elegance of nature and creation best represented by one of the most awesome displays of Mother Nature: the bounteous Ocean and splendiforous beaches of southern California.

Green Flash is a meteorological optical phenomena that you can see during sunset or sunrise. It is…read morevery rare to be able to see. Given the right conditions, you can see a distinct green spot above the sun's upper limb, that usually only lasts for no longer than two seconds. It is even more rare, the green flash can resemble a green ray shooting up from the sunset or sunrise point. This sculpture is the work of Malcolm Jones and is dedicated to that phenomenon, but it in no way aids you of viewing. You will find it on the Mission Beach boardwalk. The piece is made of a solid cast acrylic archway that is supported by two concrete pillars. There is also a bronze plaque describing the green flash phenomenon located on the sculpture and another title plaque. It was made in 2002 and is in fair shape, especially considering its age. Some has put stickers on it and the plaques are show signs of corrosion. It is unique and I actually learned something new in the process. It definitely sticks out. I have come to the terms that I will probably not ever see a green flash. It takes masterful planning, precise timing, and patience. I have 2 of the 3 (you can figure out which one I am missing). Parking here is simple. There is a free parking lot right by it. You can park, get out and talk a closer look. Well, as with most sculptures that I have visited and reviewed, this is not a long stop. I was there less than 5 minutes. So, you may want to consider making this stop part of a larger itinerary to maximize your time and trip. The beach, a park, and an amusement park are in walking distance if you are looking for ideas.

The San Diego River Park Foundation is dedicated to the restoration of the San Diego River. One of…read morethe many ways they use to reconnect San Diego with this magnificent natural waterway is art! Public art and various murals about river life help to raise awareness . All of the artwork is designed and supervised by a professional artist but the actual workmanship of the projects is done by volunteers. There are currently 5 community murals. Some are at the Preserve Trail between Pacific Highway and Napa Street. Others are at the parking lot near Mission Center Road and Hazard Center Drive. There is also "River Life" at Qualcomm Road and Camino de la Reina in Mission Valley. Every mural is a colorful piece of art and hopefully does the job of both engaging the community and beautifying the immediate area.

Nice art. In a fellow artist and i love seeing nice art out there. Great pieces. San Diego has a…read morelot of great artists and its good to see that. Keep up the great work.

Beautiful garden with an array of CA native plants. Gravel paths meander through hillside. This…read moreplace Is larger than I anticipated. Many helpful signs identifying plants. Garden is well-tended to. No sketchy people in sight unlike the comment I read on Google, which was 7 years old. Nice to see wooden bridges and lookout deck built by the Scouts. I appreciate all the work that volunteers must dedicate to keeping this garden flourishing.

Free SD public native garden that's got a variety of plants and paths to walk along or sit down and…read moretake in the greenery.

Driving southbound on the I-5 and exiting Coronado Avenue heading west all the way down towards the…read morePacific Ocean, you will run out of road and hit straight into this beautiful red 3 poles together making John Banks' masterpiece overlooking Imperial Beach. Coronado Avenue turns into Imperial Beach Boulevard at 14th Street. If you turn right onto Seacoast Drive and glance toward the structures, the red poles will display the letter "A" "R" "T" and if you look at the collection from different areas, the 3 red poles will look like extended banners fluttering in the wind. It's a very interesting landmark gracing Imperial Beach. There are two benches on either side of the sculpture where you are welcome to sit and gaze out into the oceans to watch the waves roll in and tides dance about along the beach. I love this artistic landscape beautifying the entrance onto the beach from Imperial Beach Boulevard which literally punctuates this place as exactly what it is... ART! Come and check it out!