Artistic Adventures in San Diego
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San Diego is over-flowing with fun things to do. Sometimes you have a specific theme you want to satisfy though and in today's case, that theme is artistic adventures! We here at Hidden San Diego are huge fans of artistic expression and have put together a great list of some of our favorite artistic adventures throughout the county! Check it out and see how many you can cross off your list!
1. Alta Vista Botanical Garden
At this point I would say most people know about the San Diego Botanic Garden & Hermitage Self-Realization Gardens, both which are exquisite and beautiful botanical gardens. If you go about 15 minutes east of these areas though there is another spot that holds it’s own for unique beauty: Alta Vista Botanical Garden.
There are different zones such as sub-tropical, an herbal labyrinth, the Children’s Musical garden. ponds, prehistoric gardens and more. It truly is a treat here, especially for the price! Rather than taking the conventional approach of creating another living plant museum, this garden has become a gathering place for the community.
2. Briercrest Park
Briercrest Park is a small yet lovely park located near the Grossmont Healthcare Center in La Mesa. I was originally drawn towards this park when I learned that James Hubbell and the Hubbell & Hubbell architecture studio had designed multiple features in the park including a mosaic butterfly along one of the pathways, a labyrinth as well as some mosaic pieces on the bathroom walls.
3. Coronado Sand Dunes Secret Message
If you’ve ever visited the Hotel Del Coronado before and walked along the shoreline, you have probably noticed the immense sand dunes that reside just north of the hotel. These dunes are like their own little land when you’re inside.
Kids like to create mazes out of them and joggers use them for endurance. What you may not know is that they actually spell out a secret message!
4. Galleta Meadows
For those of you whom are art lovers and have not yet ventured out to Galleta Meadows, prepare yourself for a stunning experience unlike anything else in our city. This amazing site is home to nearly 200 metal sculptures depicting prehistoric creatures that once roamed the earth.
5. Chicano Park
Murals fill every inch of Chicano Park, which is actually the bottom/beginning of the Coronado bridge! The creation of the park started as a source of contention between the City of San Diego and the local Chicano community. Originally back in the late 1960s and early 1970 there were plans to create a park but then the city decided to build a government building instead. 
6. Chollas Lake Park
Chollas Lake came with so many unexpected surprises when I visited. From a collection of tree people, friendly flocks of geese, hiking trails, a book nook, a dumped domestic rabbit (that we ended up rescuing) and the fact that the entire park’s structures and features are made from wood (I didn’t spot any plastic anywhere). Very earthy indeed!
7. WNDR Museum
This is an excellent spot for photographers and artists wanting to capture those creative shots. I had a blast here!
The museum is 2 stories and has over 20 exhibits which merge art with technology creating a one-of-a-kind experience. It is an all-ages experience guaranteed to blast you into another dimension!
A few of the exhibits will be permanent features but most will change out every 4-6 months, which will give us reasons to keep returning!
8. Civita Park
Civita Park is ALL about the details so really pay attention to your surroundings. From their colorful mural, rabbit sculpture scavenger hunt, outdoor livingroom and so much more! There are 16 acres to explore so make sure to check it all out! 
9. Color Trails
Over time we have begun stumbling upon beautiful, painted paths across the city. I wish there were more places like these to appreciate. People dedicating their time and money to make otherwise drab pathways into beaming trails of color and beauty. 
10. Dave's Rock Garden
Dave's Rock Garden is thriving, with every inch being filled with sweet messages and colorful paintings. Make sure to pay attention to all the tiny details because they are what makes this garden so special. Dave’s Rock Garden isn’t the only neighborhood in town which is bedazzled head to toe in art.
11. Institute of Perception
In order to visit this space you must book a stay at their AirBnb. You will get to hang out in their pyramid, explore old train cars with painted murals, a black river made from tires and a ton of other art installations. The entire AirBnb is also one huge art museum. So cool! 
12. Water Conservation Garden
The Water Conservation Garden is a wonderful and exciting addition to some of the lovely public gardens in San Diego. It carries nearly 5 acres of interactive and educational exhibits, including themed gardens and amazing classes and events throughout the year. 
13. Secrets of UCSD
UCSD has an impressive collection of art sprawled across the 1,200 acre campus, with pieces dating back as early as 1982. The goal of the of the Stuart Collection is to “to enrich the cultural, intellectual, and scholarly life of the UCSD campus and of the San Diego community by building and maintaining a unique collection of site-specific works by leading artists of our time.” 
14. Spanish Village
Spanish Village kind of feels like a leftover movie set from some whimsical film. The rainbow pathways create such a magical pocket in Balboa Park. There are over 200 art studios housing local artists who showcase their work and passions to the public daily. They are open 7 days a week, 11am to 4pm, free of charge! 
15. Desert View Tower
Constructed by Burt Vaughn between 1922 and 1928, the Desert View Tower is an imposing 70-foot tall rock tower that provides an expansive view of the boulder-rific mountains of East San Diego County and the flat reaches of the Imperial County desert from a lofty 3,000 feet above sea level. The inside of the tower is brimming with unique finds, many that you can purchase! 
16. Summers Past Farms
Summers Past Farms is one of my absolute favorite nurseries in San Diego aside from Exotica Rare Fruit Farm in Vista. It is so much more than a nursery. They also have a café with delicious coffee, fairy gardens, cute boutiques and various classes held throughout the year. Pure magic! 
17. Harper's Topiary Garden
Harper’s Topiary Garden was created by a Mission Hills couple who wanted to turn their front yard into a masterful work of art that everyone could enjoy and appreciate.
Gawk at over 50 life-sized figurines all trimmed by hand. About fifteen years ago their front garden consisted only of basic shrubs. The owners decided to find a shape for each plant and they began to sculpt the trees inspired by travels she and her husband have taken. They have chosen ideas gleaned while traveling through Asia, Europe, North Africa, Hawaii, and throughout North America.
18. Palomar College Arboretum
The Palomar College Arboretum was a HUGE surprise for me the first time I visited. I went to this school for many years and even thought that I knew where the arboretum was. I could have sworn we had visited it multiple times when I went here. Turns out we were in the wrong area. The true arboretum is as magical as a place can be! I am now so bummed I was not visiting this spot weekly to escape into nature. 
19. Queen Califia's Magical Circle Garden
Queen Califia’s Magical Circle Garden was created by the late, internationally famous Niki de Saint Phalle. It is one of the four large-scale sculptural environments designed and built by the artist and her studio collaborators, and the only one located in the United States. 
20. World Beat Center
The World Beat Cultural Center is one of Balboa Park’s most treasured spots. It is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote, present and preserve both African and Indigenous cultures. They do this through unique events surrounded by music and dance, educational classes, delicious food and displays within the center. 
