Solana Beach, CA
Greetings from Solana Beach, CA. It's been a while since we painted a large-letter postcard mural, and this one turned out to be a little different from the rest — our smallest yet, painted on mural cloth, and designed specifically for up-close photo-ops. Size matters in that sometimes, smaller is better! Compact public murals invite people out of their cars and onto their feet, pulling them in for a closer look rather than a quick glance from a passing window. This piece was commissioned by Daniel Powell, who allowed us to paint the Greetings from Pasadena mural at his Pasadena property. Daniel is an eccentric character in the best way — a genuine supporter of the arts — and we're grateful for his continued trust.
We went with mural cloth for this installation, the same approach we used for our Monterey Park mural. It's applied like an outdoor wallpaper using adhesive gel, but it conforms so naturally to the wall texture that it reads as paint on the surface. One big advantage: if the wall ever needs to change or repairs need to be done, the artwork can be removed intact or relocated. It's a solution we've started recommending to cities and property owners who love the idea of a mural but want flexibility down the road. Big thanks to our friends at Mural Colors for helping us prep and install the canvas on site.
Working small with spray paint is actually harder than working large. Getting fine detail with stencil caps and masking at a tight scale requires serious precision. We also lean on enamel-based spray paints over airbrush alternatives — the enamel holds up better against UV and the elements over time. Since viewers are standing right next to this piece, we go beyond what's strictly necessary with the details. A lot of murals look great from a car window, but hold up differently up close. We want the folks who stop and really look to find something worth lingering over.
Solana Beach is known for its beaches, but locals know the Cedros Design District is an attraction in its own right — a stretch of shops, galleries, and restaurants that draws people in on foot. That's exactly where this mural lives, and each letter pays tribute to the town's landmarks, culture, and natural beauty.
SO — The iconic Solana Beach neon sign at sunset
L — Art Alley on Cedros, a tucked-away passage lined with public art and fine art galleries
A — Annie's Canyon Trail, featuring the beloved slot canyons
N — The Amtrak Pacific Surfliner rolling past the coastal craftsman architecture the neighborhood is known for
A — A nod to the Village on Cedros, home of the mural itself (a personal request from Daniel)
BEACH — Fletcher Cove at its finest, with surfers in the water and pelicans cruising overhead
Over the years we've painted a lot of murals across San Diego, and it feels good to slowly build a trail of work up the coast. Solana Beach is a beautiful addition to that map.
Year: 2026
Mural Size: 6.5' H x 10.5’ W
Location: 342 S Cedros Ave, Del Mar, CA 92014