street art tour valparaiso

Best street art tours in Valparaíso, Chile (2024 guide) 

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A compilation of the best street art tours in Valparaíso. If you only have a day or two, a guided tour is the best way to make sure you hit all of the best murals in this incredibly colorful city. With more time, I highly recommend exploring Valparaíso’s hilly streets on your own – you could be there for weeks and not find all of the art! 

I am and have always been a sucker for urban art. I’ll happily spend days wandering the streets of a city in search of big, famous pieces and hidden gems alike. While I’ve been to a lot of cities with great urban art scenes, I have to say that Valparaíso, Chile was one of the best. The entire city is like an open-air museum. From the tourist hot spots to the back alleys of quiet, residential streets, it’s hard to find a plain wall. 

Valparaíso is also home to 16 working funiculars dating to the late 1800s and early 1900s. These historical treasures cost just a few hundred pesos and take a lot of the work out of exploring the city’s 44  cerros  (hills). Riding one (or several) of these ascensores is a fun and unique experience that adds to Valparaíso’s charm! 

Why take a tour of Valparaíso’s street art? 

The nature of street art, of course, is that it’s always changing. Murals go up, they get painted over, and new art appears in their place. A list of the best murals in Valparaíso, according to me, will probably not be of much help to you. By the time you read this, half of them will be gone and replaced by something new. 

Valparaíso is easy to explore on your own, if that’s what you prefer or can afford. That’s what I did the first time I went to Chile. This is one of those times, though, where the experience of a guide can really enhance your trip. 

Valparaíso is a maze – and a hilly maze at that. There is art in every corner and crevice, but of course some pieces are more impressive and/or significant than others. Various  miradors  (viewpoints) afford sweeping views of the city’s hills and murals, but they can be tricky to find. (Sometimes you’ll notice one when you’ve already descended a few flights of stairs – blast it!) 

If you want to see all of the newest and best murals in Valparaíso, it’s worth taking a tour. Not only will you be sure to hit the highlights, but you’ll also get important history and context as you walk. 

I’ve compiled a list of the best street art tours in Valparaíso for an excellent introduction to the city and its history. (Note that the photos are my own, so they don’t necessarily represent what you’ll find on the walls today. You can click on the individual tours to see recent photos and reviews.)

If you have more time, I’ve also added some suggestions for exploring on your own. 

The best street art tours in Valparaíso

Valparaíso’s street art scene centers around Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción, and tours will generally spend most of their time there. In addition to murals, you’ll find cobblestone streets, beautiful lookout points, art galleries, and great restaurants. 

1. Valparaíso Private Walking Tour

⏳ Duration: 2-3 hours

5 ⭐️ Rating

Highlights:

• Ride three of Valparaíso’s classic  ascensores  – Ascensor El Peral, Ascensor Reina Victoria, and Ascensor Concepción.
• Explore the cobblestone streets and historical homes of Cerro Concepción and Cerro Alegre.
• Visit the painted staircases and art galleries of Pasaje Gálvez.
• Walk along Paseos Gervasoni, Atkinson, Yugoslavo, and Dimalow for up-close views of some of Valparaíso’s best murals , plus sweeping views of the port.
• Learn about the history of the Anglican and Lutheran churches in Valparaíso, the construction of funiculars in the late 19 th  century, and some of the city’s most famous architecture .

2. Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour

⏳ Duration: 3 hours

• Stroll along the city’s most beautiful promenades , including Paseo Dimalow, Paseo Gervasoni, Paseo Atkinson, and Paseo Yugoslavo.
• Admire the colorful facades of Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción.
• Ride the Ascensor Reina Victoria and the Ascensor El Peral, two of Valparaíso’s most famous funiculars .
• Explore the beautiful Paseo 21 de Mayo, an elevated pedestrian walkway overlooking the city . 

3. Free Walking Tour of Valparaíso

• A free street art tour in Valparaíso! (Remember that guides make their living from tips, so bring some cash .)
• See Valparaíso’s murals , explore charming Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción, and ride Valparaíso’s famous elevators .
• Learn about Valparaíso’s culture and history .
• Get a local’s advice on where to eat and drink! 

4. Valparaíso History & Art Tour

• Learn about political and cultural figures who shaped the history of Valparaíso.
• Ride a famous funicular.
• Explore the beautiful murals, viewpoints, and hidden passageways of Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción.

Exploring Valparaíso’s street art on your own

If you have more time in Valparaíso (which I recommend), there is plenty more to see. A street art tour can really help you get your bearings, but there is only so much you can fit into a few hours. 

Of course, you can always head back to Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción. Exploring the streets with fresh eyes, you’re almost certain to discover something you didn’t notice before. 

There are also several museums that you’ll have likely passed on your Valparaíso mural tour without stopping to go inside. These include the Museum of Fine Arts, housed in the Palacio Baburizza , and the National Maritime Museum, located just next to Paseo 21 de Mayo. 

Valparaíso’s most famous  cerro , after Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción, is probably Cerro Bellavista. Here you can find La Sebastiana , Pablo Neruda’s former home and one of the most highly rated museums in Valparaíso.

Despite this major tourist attraction, the neighborhood feels less glossy than the other two, and it’s a great place to wander.

There are plenty of murals, as well as panoramic views from various lookout points. (These make great places to catch your breath if you’ve decided to trudge up the hill on foot.)

How to get to Valparaíso from Santiago

The easiest way to get from Santiago to Valparaíso using public transportation is to take the bus. Buses leave from Pajaritos bus terminal in Santiago every half hour or so. You can reach Pajaritos easily on the metro and avoid Santiago’s notorious traffic. (Take the red line to Pajaritos station; the bus station is about a minute’s walk from there.) 

If you’d rather book a day trip to Valparaíso from Santiago, that’s also possible. This tour of Valparaíso also takes in Viña del Mar (a nearby beach city) and the Casablanca Valley (famous for wine tasting).

I hope this post has helped you find the best street art tour in Valparaíso for your schedule and budget. If you’re heading elsewhere in Chile, check out my other itinerary suggestions:

The best places to visit on your first trip to Chile

Hiking the W trek in Torres del Paine

Touring the otherworldly Atacama Desert in Chile’s far north

Climbing Volcán Villarrica in the Chilean Lake District

Exploring the gorgeous and unique Chiloé Island

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Gritty is Pretty: Street Art in Valparaiso | Chile

Valparaiso is a bit like San Francisco if the 90’s had never ended — think undercuts, paste-ups, and alt-rock bands, with less of the startup douchebaggery. This gritty city by the bay is true to its roots. There are local events and art exhibits abound, plenty of spots to catch a cheap show, and street art just about everywhere. What more could you want, really?

Time in Valparaiso goes down faster than a street dog eats a completo.  It is the kind of place you can stay for far too long without other plans to drag you away. 

Are you planning a visit to Valparaiso? There are plenty of cool things to do in Chile , but be sure to make time to stay and check out the  Valparaiso street art .  More information on where to find street art + street art tours in Valparaiso below!

Valparaiso Street Art

Under the Pinochet dictatorship, street art in Chile emerged as a form of protest. It could be done anonymously, so it was one of the safest ways to speak out during quite dangerous times.

Almost every building, wall, and storefront is painted in Valpo, with one notable exception – the pitifully white Radio Portales building. Strangely, it’s also the most tagged building in Valparaiso. What keeps it so white? Paint jobs. Daily.

The rest of Valparaiso, on the other hand, has seemed to adopt the attitude that if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.  Businesses and homeowners can either be the local tight ass and fall victim to ugly tags, or they can go ahead and share their wall with a muralist. This culture is what has made the city of Valparaiso into one enormous canvas for spray can art.

Dig the street art in Valparaiso? Don’t forget to follow the artists on Instagram!

1. Man holding a fish bowl by Mr. L | 2. Chilean woman by Anis | 3. Animals by Un Kolor Distinto | 4. Neo-Cubism by Okuda  | 5. Chiloe mural by Daniel Marceli  | 6.  Psychedelic Face by Shokolei  and Un Kolor Distinto | 7. NA | 8. Site of the late Happies not Hippies Mural  by Art Believe | 9. Unknown | 10.  Bored woman by Ella and Pitr | 12. Animal band by Seimiek  | 13. Faces by Un Kolor Distinto

Where to Find Street Art in Valparaiso: 

You can either explore the Valparaiso street art on a street art tour or on your own.

Street Art Tours in Valparaiso: Valpo Street Art Tours  offers a daily GraFREEti tour, street art walking tours, and a workshop tour.

The neighborhoods of  Cerro Concepción and Cerro Alegre are great places to stay  and absolutely covered with street art. Some of the more famous murals are:  The Beethoven Piano Stairs (Abtao 682) ,  We are Happies, Not Hippies (Templeman 672) | UPDATE: This mural has been painted over as of February 2017,  Tower on Fire (Dimalow 166), Animal Mural (atop Ascensor Concepcion). To get the best perspective on Valparaiso Street Art, check it out both in the higher and lower parts of town.

Traveling in Chile? You might also like: 

• 51 Unique + Fun Things to do in Chile
• What is Chilean Cuisine, Anyway?
• Creative Seeing in Santiago
• The 20 Best Street Art Cities According to Instagram

Have you ever checked out the street art in Valparaiso? Would you rather take a street art tour or do it alone? Which city has your favorite street art scene?

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A street art tour of valparaiso.

Nestled on the Pacific coast of Chile, Valparaiso remains one of South America’s best-kept secrets. A city adorned with a myriad of colours and stories just waiting to be uncovered.

Valparaiso isn’t as widely recognised as some of its other South American counterparts, but has a captivating canvas of street art, featuring vibrant murals that weave tales of Chilean culture, resilience and downright creativity.

Read on as we embark on a journey through the streets of Valparaiso, unravelling the tales behind the most famous street art murals, shining a spotlight on the talented artists and delving into the community spirit which makes this city a true hidden gem.

Accessible routes to Valparaiso

South American cities like Santiago often leave Valparaiso in the shade, but this Chilean city is a diamond in the rough awaiting your exploration. It’s surprisingly accessible, with Santiago Airport just a 75-minute drive away via Ruta 68. Direct flights to Santiago de Chile are readily available from the UK. It’s possible to find f lights to Santiago with Opodo from London Heathrow, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham. Alitalia, British Airways and Air France all fly from the UK to the Chilean capital.

Valparaiso is known for its chaotic charm, steep hillsides adorned with colourful houses, and the much-vaunted UNESCO World Heritage status. It’s a very different feel to the hustle and bustle of Santiago, that is for certain.

The murals of Valparaiso: Stories in every stroke

Valparaiso’s labyrinthine streets are a veritable treasure trove of creativity. Every turn reveals a new street art mural, contributing to the city’s status as a world-renowned street art destination.

Below, we’ll revisit some of the most iconic murals that have characterised the city of Valparaiso for generations.

The Piano Stairs mural

The Piano Stairs mural is one of the most iconic and interactive in the city of Valparaiso. Located on the Cerro Concepcion stairway, this masterpiece was crafted by artist, Rodrigo Perez. It showcases a decadent piano which spans multiple flights of stairs. As you climb them, the keys light up, creating a harmonious display of colour and sound. The mural not only showcases Perez’ artistic brilliance but also fosters community engagement.

The Journey of Pablo Neruda mural

This mural was designed to celebrate the life and work of Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda. The Valparaiso-born poet-diplomat and politician died in September 1973, aged 69. He shot to stardom as a keen poet aged just 13, penning a string of surrealist poems, as well as a string of historical epics and political manifestos for the Communist Party.

The mural dedicated to Neruda was created by the renowned street artist, INTI. It perfectly captures the essence of Neruda’s poetry , blending surrealism with cultural symbolism. The mural pays homage to Neruda’s connection with the sea, literature, and Chile’s rich heritage. Today, you can also pay a visit to La Sebastiana, his previous residence in the city, which has since been converted into a museum. At an entry fee of just 7,000 Chilean pesos, it’s well worth an hour or two of your time.

The Lively Hills mural

Situated on Cerro Bellavista, the Lively Hills mural is a panoramic masterpiece captured by street artist, Charquipunk. The mural aims to capture the energy and dynamism of Valparaiso’s hillsides, featuring whimsical characters and vivid colours throughout. Charquipunk’s distinctive street art style, characterised by playful figures and bold strokes, breathes energy and life into the city’s urban landscape.

The Rainbow District mural

Valparaiso’s colourful reputation is also showcased by the Rainbow District mural situated in Cerro Mariposas. Hand-painted by the collective artists known as Un Kolor Distinto, the mural transforms an entire neighbourhood into a kaleidoscope of colour. Each building is adorned with a different colour, creating a harmonious blend which symbolises the diversity and unity within the community of Valparaiso.

Other hidden gems

Beyond this quartet of well-known murals, Valparaiso is also home to several more hidden gems just waiting to be spotted.

Keep your eyes peeled around every corner, as local street artists continually contribute to the city’s street art scene in the same way as cities like San Francisco . You’ll find them where you least expect it too, including quiet corners and narrow alleys to rival Toronto’s Graffiti Alley . Exploring these lesser-known artworks allows tourists to connect more deeply with the raw and authentic spirit which defines Valparaiso’s street art.

Valparaiso’s street art is a reflection of this city’s soul

The street art scene of Valparaiso indeed transcends more than aesthetics. It also serves as a powerful reminder of the area’s soul and the resilient spirit of its people.

There’s a distinct sense of engagement between the street artists and the local community. Street art projects, like the Open Air Museum of Valparaiso, engage residents in the artistic process, turning neighbourhoods into veritable open galleries. It’s a communal approach engenders a sense of pride and identity among locals while inviting tourists to connect with the true heart of Valparaiso.

There’s a nod to the historical narrative of Chile’s past in this city’s artwork. Many of Valparaiso’s murals feature depictions of indigenous traditions or tributes to historical figures. They’re a canvas for telling the story of life in Chile.

Valparaiso’s street artists also become a powerful voice for social commentary and activism. These murals silently convey messages of resilience, protection and solidarity, reflecting the region’s history of political and social movements. The streets are a poignant platform for dialogue and reflection.

Of course, Valparaiso’s street art has also become a natural draw for cultural tourism. People from all over the world visit the city’s vibrant murals and inadvertently contribute to the local economy. Whether it’s guided street art tours, local guides or museums, the city’s artwork is an attraction in itself.

As Valparaiso continues to evolve as a global street art destination, each stroke of paint serves as a brushstroke in the ongoing narrative of this hidden gem on the Pacific coast. 

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Valpo Street Art Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Discover Valparaíso Street Art – The Only Part Of The City We Got To See

All around the world, street art has a reputation of its own, but the graffiti art in Chile is on a whole other level. From the graffiti-filled streets of Santiago telling messages of protest and calls for justice, to the beautiful murals that fill the walls of Valparaíso – there’s so much to see. Here’s a taste of what to expect from Valparaíso street art.

Chilean Street Art At Its Finest

Valparaíso has got a reputation for being colorful, artistic and magical. But it’s so much more! We love taking photographs and applying our lightroom presets to them – drawing out the color and beauty. Let me tell you one thing, not much editing is needed for these artworks!

Walking through the winding cobblestone streets, you’ll be confronted with some of the most breathtaking works of art you’ve ever seen. Valparaíso street art is quite honestly the most impressive outdoor museum to exist.

I wish that I could somehow put the bizarre atmosphere of the city into words, but how do you describe an alien world? Valparaíso is without a doubt the most quirky, fascinating and obscure place that I’ve ever visited, and it wears its title boldly.

But seeing as I’m struggling with words, here’s what Nobel Prize-winning poet, Pablo Neruda, has to say;

“Valparaíso, what an absurdity you are, how crazy: a crazy port. What a head of disheveled hills, that you never finished combing. Never did you have time to dress yourself, and always you were surprised by life.”

* Just to let you know that this article contains affiliate links. If you click on them we might receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you

History of Valparaíso Graffiti Art

Valparaíso is an old port town that is known for both its street art and its development on the steepest hills you can imagine. The city is divided into the main strip that runs along the harbor and the various “Cerros” that are populated by eccentrically-built and painted homes.

The history of Valparaíso is quite interesting. The slopey city was founded in 1536 and has been rebuilt several times due to earthquakes over the years. These natural disasters, combined with new trade routes, shaped the city’s development over the years to come.

Regardless of these developments, colonial buildings still stand the age-old sense of community and history fills the streets. In fact, Valparaíso was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.

Renowned as Chile’s cultural hub, the artistic wonder of the city began in around the 1940s, at the same time as muralism began to flourish in Mexico. In fact, it was Chilean diplomat, Pablo Neruda, who first planted the seed for muralism in Valparaíso after returning from his post in Mexico. He further encouraged fellow Mexican artists to contribute to “the movement”.

But while Neruda may have struck a match, it was rebellion towards the military dictatorship that truly fueled the fire. From 1973, art became the main form of fighting an oppressive government. Various groups resisted the tyranny by creating bold images of hope and activism.

Today, this art remains as a symbol of persistence and beauty. Each wall is unique, sharing a different message to those who pass by.

Famous Chilean Artists In Valparaíso

There are several famous painters from Chile (or living in Chile) that have contributed to the beautiful city. The name of these artists may ring a bell to those of you who are enthusiasts.

• Cuellimangui – a Spanish-born street artist who creates iconically colorful monster-like creatures
• Inti – the Chilean street artist with international acclaim has inspired plenty of similar pieces around Valparaíso
• Signed artists – many of the murals will have the name of the artist creatively added (and sometimes with an Instagram handle to encourage following)
• Unsigned artists – there are plenty of unsigned artworks that leave all interpretation up to the viewer

Experience Valparaíso Graffiti Art

So, how do you experience the beautiful, peculiar port-city for yourself? Luckily, Valparaíso is very easy to get to, well-equipped for tourism from a hospitality point of view, and prides themselves in their artistic offerings. As all the art is on the streets, this is a great activity to do If you are traveling Chile in a motorhome aka “Van Life”.

Getting to Valparaíso

There are two main ways of getting to Valparaíso from Santiago – which is only 115 km away. If you prefer the comfort and luxury of private transport then you can rent a car or get an Uber. Both options are on the pricier end of the spectrum.

Book your private transfer from Santiago to Valparaíso here.

If you don’t mind public transportation – which is just as comfortable, timely and better for the environment – then there are several efficient bus providers. Some of the most popular are Turbus, Condor Bus, and Pullmans.

There are two main bus stations to choose from in Santiago, namely Universidad de Santiago and Pajaritos . We opted for the latter. Bus tickets are affordable (approximately $5 USD depending on the provider) and the buses run every 15 minutes from 6 am to 10:30 pm.

The entire trip only takes about 1,5 hours (depending on traffic) and the seats are very comfy.

Once you arrive at the bus station in Valparaíso, you can catch an Uber or a taxi to your accommodation.

We booked our bus tickets with online reccorido.cl beforehand and it made the trip less stressful.

Staying in Valparaíso

If you want to appreciate the street art on a daily basis then the best place to stay in Valparaíso is anywhere between the Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción.

Staying here will place you in the middle of the artistic hub and within close proximity to bars, restaurants and some of the city’s best viewpoints. Most of the pictures in this post are from these areas, so you know what sort of street art to expect.

When it comes to choosing a spot to stay, we booked a month-long stay with Airbnb and got a fantastic discount. There are plenty of options to choose from to suit your budget, travel style and needs.

If you haven’t already got an account with Airbnb, and you want to take advantage of the incredible homes and potential discounts, then you can sign up for an Airbnb account here .

The city is also full of really fun-looking and quirky hostels. This is a great option for those traveling on a budget, want to meet people or are only staying for a short while.

Check out the wide-variety of Valparaíso hostels that are affordable, fun and super groovy.

How to Get Around Valparaíso

To be honest, we walked practically everywhere. With that being said, the hills can be very steep. We often used our strolls as our “exercise” for the day. We considered it to be one of the ways to stay fit when traveling and an opportunity to see the artwork.

With that being said, there are plenty of Ubers and taxis available. I’d imagine that the turnover rate is quite high considering the consistent smell of burnt clutch in the streets. These rides are fairly cheap and if you’re not a fan of walking they can quickly become your best friend.

There are also regular public buses and trolleybuses that run various routes in Valparaíso. You simply need to wait at a clearly-marked bus stop. Alternatively, you can stick your arm out and wave as one comes hurtling past. Just have around 410 Chilean Pesos ready ($0,5 USD) and you’re good to go.

Another great way to ascend the steep hills is on a funicular – which is an attraction in itself. A ride costs you as little as 100 Chilean Pesos (which is not even worth converting into dollars). I’d recommend going on one of these as an experience in itself.

Top tip: walking through the streets is one of the best ways to see the artworks. I’d suggest a comfortable compromise that involves walking down to the harbor (and maybe picking up a tasty pastry on the way) and then getting a taxi or bus back up.

See the Art in Valparaíso

Now – the spectacle that you’ve all been waiting for! To be honest, you just need to step outside your accommodation and in you’re in the middle of the world’s largest art gallery. However , there are plenty of amazing tour providers that can offer additional insight into the history, background, and narrative of the city’s relationship with art.

Some of the tour companies that stick out are Tours4Tips, GraFREEti Tours and Valpo Street art tours. There are also plenty of great self-guided tours and privately-run tours such as these:

When Everything Is Shut Down, The Street Art Holds Strong

We visited Valparaíso at a rather crazy time when COVID-19 was at its initial panic. Not even 24-hours after arriving, the entire country closed its borders and social-distancing was put in place. As a result, our experience of the buzzing nightlife, vibrant locals and delectable restaurants was very limited.

Essentially, the city’s street art was the only real experience that we got to enjoy in Valparaíso. To be honest, when we prematurely left to go home, we were satisfied and felt fulfilled by what the murals had to offer. The street art really is something fantastic and kept us sane during a rather panicked season.

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Candice Boyers

Candice Land, aka Candi Land, aka The Captain, is a freelance writer, digital nomad and full-time globe trotter.

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Sidewalk Safari | Part-time Travel Blog

25 photos of valparaíso street art & more that will make you want to visit.

Valparaíso Street Art

Valpo photos 1-2: houses are canvases for works of art in valparaíso.

Valpo Photos 3-6: Art Imitates Life in Valparaíso

Valpo Photo 7: Textured Valparaíso Street Art

Valpo Photos 8-10: Valparaíso Street Art Viewed from Above

Valpo Photo 11: Humorous Street Art in Valparaíso

Valpo Photo 12: Walking Paths in Valparaíso Decorated with Street Art

  Valpo Photo 13: We Are Not Hippies We Are Happies

 Valpo Photos 14-15: Colorful Buildings in Valparaíso

 Valpo Photos 16-18: Valparaíso Street Art Walking Tour 

Valpo Photo 19: More Stray Dogs Than People in Valparaíso

Valpo Photo 20: The Hills of Valparaíso

Valpo Photo 21: Valparaíso Sea Views

Valpo Photo 22: The Historic Ascensors of Valparaíso 

Valpo Photos 23-25: Valparaíso Port Views

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Valparaíso street art: the story behind chile’s cultural capital.

Valparaíso is one of the world’s most colourful cities. Spread over a cluster of hills overlooking the vast Pacific ocean, it is characterised by bright, many-coloured buildings and dazzling wall murals. We spent three days exploring the best of Valparaíso street art and the stories behind this Chilean city’s amazing creative culture.

To plan your trip to the city, see our tips on things to do in Valparaíso .

This article contains links to products and services we love, from which we may make commission at no extra cost to you.

In this article:

A brief history of Valparaíso street art

Valparaíso, or ‘Valpo’ as it is known to locals, was once one of the richest cities in South America. When shipping vessels from Europe made the journey around the southern tip of the Americas en route to the west coast of the USA, they would stop off in Valparaíso.

The second half of the 19th century was a golden age for the city. Its status as a thriving port brought many wealthy immigrants from Europe. Soon, beautiful Spanish and French architecture blossomed around Valparaíso. The naval community came to know it as “Little San Francisco” or “the Jewel of the Pacific”.

When the Panama Canal opened in August 1914, everything changed. European ships no longer needed to make the long journey around South America. The thriving commerce that had developed around the city’s port activity collapsed as quickly as it had grown.

One year after the Panama Canal opened, a certain Augusto Pinochet was born in Valparaíso. These two events shaped the destiny of the city for the next hundred years.

In the second half of the 20th century, Valparaíso went through a suffocating economic decline. Wealthy families moved away to seek pastures new. The city would need to reimagine itself if it were to stage a revival.

Pablo Neruda and the seeds of the Valparaíso art scene

Valparaíso’s journey to becoming the cultural capital of Chile began in the 1940s. It was around this time that muralism was beginning to flourish in Mexico.

At the beginning of the decade, a diplomat called Pablo Neruda – born in Valparaíso – was posted as Chilean Consul General in Mexico City. Taking note of the art movement, he decided to bring the influence home. When he returned to Chile in 1943, he invited Mexican artists to Valparaíso.

Pablo Neruda became a world-famous poet, winning the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971. Today you can visit La Sebastiana , his residence in Valparaíso, which has been converted into a museum. The entry fee is 7,000 Chilean pesos.

Street art during the military dictatorship

The street art movement in Valparaíso bloomed in secret.

In September 1973, Chile was forcefully brought under the military rule of General Pinochet. Within days of the coup, Pablo Neruda died in highly suspicious circumstances .

The military dictatorship banned all forms of political art. Many caught defying this repressive policy were ‘disappeared’ .

But many people saw art as the only way to express their beliefs. Valparaíso was the perfect place for this. On its narrow and concealed streets and stairways, artists could do their work and get away unseen.

An underground network of artists formed in the city, painting powerful messages on the walls its back streets. When doing so, they risked torture and death, and their murals were painted over when discovered by military police.

But the groups persisted and proliferated, and played an important role in returning democracy to Chile in 1990. Their work preserved hope, and emboldened activist groups to organise.

Legalisation of street art in Valparaíso

After the downfall of the Pinochet regime and the return of democracy in Chile, Valparaíso’s local government made street art legal in a move to celebrate freedom of expression. Everywhere else in Chile, street art is only permitted under formal commissions.

The local government has itself directly supported street artists to create new pieces. Hotels, shops and restaurants compete to have murals painted on their walls. Amicable rivalries have developed between street art crews based on who can create the most impressive murals.

The result of all this is that street art has become part of the city’s fibre. Valparaíso today is a perfect storm of colour that attracts art lovers from all over the world.

Discovering Valparaíso on a walking tour

We took two different walking tours in Valparaíso with Tours 4 Tips . The ‘highlights’ tour explores the city’s main attractions, while the ‘offbeat’ tour covers more of the quirky local spots, as well as a background on politics, history, food, and – you’ve guessed it – street art.

We’ve taken many walking tours around the world, and Tours 4 Tips was one of the very best. The young, local guides – or ‘Wallies’, as they dress as Where’s Wally – were extremely knowledgeable about the city and its history. At the end of the second tour we were each given a complementary local cocktail to try.

During the offbeat tour, we learnt about the 43 separate hills across which the city is spread. Each hill (or ‘cerro’) has its own neighbourhood and identity. While there is street art to be found all over the city, it is most prevalent in hill-neighbourhoods like Cerro Concepción, Cerro Alegre and Cerro Bellavista.

Alternatively, for a tour that focuses on street art in the context of the city’s history and its characters, you can try this highly rated Valparaiso and art tour run by a popular local guide called Gean.

The hills of Valparaíso rise up sharply from the coastline. To ascend them you can take stairways, which are often covered with mosaics and paintings, or one of the various functional funiculars. The city’s oldest funicular, Ascensor Concepción, opened in 1883 and is still in operation today.

Journeying through the hills we saw how the city’s creative spirit is blended with its troubled past. Parque Cultural de Valparaíso is a former prison that has been converted into a community centre that hosts cultural events, supporting young talent.

As we descended Cerro Alegre on the stairway, we saw a stunning mural in full view on the side of a house. This was ‘Luz’, or ‘Light’, a piece by the Vida in Gravita crew.

Meeting street artist Cuellimangui

Cuellimangui is a Spanish street artist who lives in Valparaíso, and has become a local legend. He has developed one of the most recognisable mural styles, often using a distorted tessellation of colourful monster-like creatures. We saw his distinguished works in many corners of the city.

We were lucky enough to meet Cuellimangui on the offbeat walking tour. While traversing Cerro Concepción, we encountered him selling some of his artwork on Paseo Atkinson, a walkway on the hill-front that looks out over the Pacific Ocean.

We decided to buy one of his pieces. After perusing his incredibly impressive portfolio on offer, we chose a beautiful assembly of marine and reptilian creatures, with a big green sea horse as its centrepiece.

At the time, we still had nine months of travel ahead before we would be home again, and so it was quite a commitment to buy mementos that we would need to carry around. We were delighted to make an exception for this, only to be gutted a few days later.

Shortly after arriving in Buenos Aires, we were robbed in a distraction scam . The Cuellimangui artwork was in one of the bags taken, and so it was gone. This was every bit as upsetting as the items of monetary value that we lost. One day, we will visit Valparaíso again and buy another one.

Spring Equinox: the tallest mural in Valparaíso

Valparaíso-born artists Sammy Espinoza and Cynthia Aguilera (nicknamed Jekse and Cines) are together known as Un Kolor Distinto . They are responsible for some of the biggest and most striking murals to be found around the city.

The duo were selected as the artists for a creative project entitled Solsticios y Equinoccios (Solstices and Equinoxes) financed by a regional cultural fund.

The project involved the creation of four giant murals on buildings up to 50 metres high, inspired by the themes of Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox and Winter Solstice.

We found the Spring Equinox mural on the corner of Yungay and Morris, close to Mercado Cardonal and the main bus terminal. Emblazoned on the side of a 15-floor building, this is the tallest mural in Valparaíso.

Jekse and Cines explain the Spring Equinox mural as “the flowering of life and human beings, love, light and fertility of our planet”. You can find the three other murals featured in the project at these locations:

• Summer Solstice is located on the junction of Calle Blanco Sur and Bellavista
• Autumn Equinox i s located on Avenida Pedro Montt between Rodríguez and Freire
• Winter Solstice is located at Calle Molina 531

There are many more works by Un Kolor Distinto around Valparaíso (you can see some in London , too). Earlier, during one of our walking tours, we passed a mural by the duo – also a commissioned piece – that depicted skulls rolling down the city hills, symbolising the suffering of the people during the military dictatorship.

The unmistakable style of Inti

One Valparaíso street artist who has garnered international acclaim is Inti . We came across some of his work before we visited the city; he was commissioned to paint two giant murals in the city centre of Santiago.

The work he produced invoked Ekeke, the god of abundance in Andean folklore, combined with symbolism representing that contrasts of prosperity and hardship.

In Valparaíso we spied an Inti mural spread along three long walls between red rooftops. This work also incorporated an Ekeko figure in Inti’s unmistakable puppet-face style. The three separate components showed the figure’s face and legs draped in various garments and ornaments, and an empty pair of shoes.

Inti has painted murals in cities all around the world. On  Street Art Bio you can see some stunning photos of his best giant pieces of artwork.

How to get to Valparaíso

Valparaíso is located around 100 kilometres north-east of Santiago. The easiest way to reach it from Santiago is by bus, with a journey time of just under two hours and several services running every day.

The two main companies that operate the route are Pullman and Turbus . We found that it was fine to buy tickets at Estacion Central in Santiago on the day, although you can also book online in advance. Busbud is a really good service for this – we used it throughout our travels in South America.

Accommodation in Valparaíso

For options for any budget or travel style, check out our guide to where to stay in Valparaíso .

We spent our three nights in the city at Casa Volante Hostal. This was a very pleasant, centrally located hostel just a few minutes’ walk from Plaza Sotomayor (the main square).

We had comfortable beds in a spacious dorm room, and were very happy with the facilities. There was a sizeable kitchen (and with a supermarket close by it was easy to prepare our own meals), as well as a comfy social area, strong wifi and good showers. The staff were very helpful in advising on things to do, how to get around and printing our tickets.

You can book Casa Volante Hostal here:  booking.com   |  hostelworld

Are you spending time in Santiago before visiting Valparaíso? Check out our articles on things to do in Santiago and the Fuente Alemana sandwich joint .

If you’re travelling elsewhere in Chile, you may be interested in our  two-week Chile itinerary for San Pedro de Atacama to Santiago.

We also have articles on San Pedro de Atacama , the Elqui Valley and the Torres Del Paine W Trek . For a complete travel guide to Patagonia, see our 28-day itinerary .

For help with planning your budget, see our analysis of our own Chile trip cost .

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Alex trembath.

Alex is the co-founder and lead content creator at Career Gappers. He is an award-winning communications leader with 20 years of leadership experience, a career that has taken him across the world working with international organisations. Alex has travelled to over 50 countries and is a passionate advocate for blending work and travel by taking career breaks, sabbaticals, workations and business trips.

6 thoughts on “ Valparaíso street art: the story behind Chile’s cultural capital ”

I loved this article. It almost felt like I was walking through those narrow alleyways and watching artists create those amazing murals during the dictatorship. I had no idea street art was not legal in other Chilean cities. Thanks for that info. I would have loved a souvenir from the master himself. And I am so sorry you lost yours in a robbery. Hope you get another one soon.

Thank you Soumya! It was an amazing city to visit. We are hoping to go back some time in the next two years.

Beautiful article! Loved reading the whole experience. This place felt quite interesting. I don’t know much about street artists but the info you provided about Inti is valuable.

I will need to disagree with all the street art being a positive for Valparaiso. My family and friends who live or used to live there hate it. Valparaiso used to be the Pearl of the Pacific because it shined brightly and was clean. Now the city looks like a schizophrenic labyrinth. I am a supporter of mural art in city landscapes, and my Chilean family…from Valparaiso, tells me that when the first murals started to show up in the 60s and 70s, it was something spectacular. Even in the 2010s, when I was last there, there were a few stand out pieces. But allowing complete free expression to paint anywhere is going too far. Driving around Valpo with my cousin, she just rolled her eyes at the more mural congested areas of her city. For the people who visit Valpo for a week or a day trip for a mural tour, it’s incredible. But for those that live in Valpo, it doesn’t seem so fantastic; and the frenetic nature of some of the art doesn’t help the psychology of the community seeing it day in and day out. Some of my Valpo friends and family don’t care to go on walks or drives around town anymore because it makes them feel sad to see so much “destruction/vandalism” (their words) to their city by outsiders. One even pointed out that the push for colorful murals and painting neighborhood homes in various bright colors was done to distract the view of all the littering/garbage on the streets and walk ways. Some of that frenetic art can be appealing to certain people, which is fine, but maybe the city should consider more control based on neighborhood residents and property owners. The city administrators need to reevaluate what the art means to their residents. Is it just a tourism lure? I know many would prefer the city be clean and focus on cleaning it up to reduce rat and termite infestations, crime, and disorder, not just masking how dirty the city is with fresh coats of paint. I know I sound really harsh about this, but having seen the city through the past 4 decades, I can tell you that Valpo was so much more than murals in the past, and now that seems to be forgotten. And frankly, I miss the more lighter paint hues from the past…which made Valpo such a shiny Pearl to begin with, now, more and more visitors call it the Hippie City.

Hi Alex, thanks for all the info on the artists. It’s not easy to find their names. Would you know the name of the artist who has created all the murals of ocean life around the city? Thanks so much, Ashwin

Hi Ashwin, thank you for your comment! It’s been a while since we’ve been able to visit Valparaiso – I am not sure about the ocean life murals. It is possible you are talking about María Martner?

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Valparaiso: Street Art Tour Lunch in a Small Group

In Valparaiso, Chile , visitors can enjoy a vibrant display of urban art that adds a unique charm to the city’s streets. A guided tour not only unveils the secrets behind these colorful murals but also offers a culinary experience that complements the artistic journey.

As participants stroll through the captivating alleys of Cerro Alegre, they will not only feast their eyes on the stunning visuals but also savor a 3-course meal paired with local wine or beer. This combination of art and gastronomy creates an unforgettable experience that allows guests to truly taste and see the heart of Valparaiso.

• Explore vibrant street art in Valparaiso’s alleys with a small group
• Enjoy a culinary experience with local food and wine included
• Discover the city’s colorful history through unique street art
• Immerse in Valparaiso’s culture with viewpoints of the port and buildings

Tour Details

Explore the intricacies of the Valparaiso Street Art Tour by exploring its comprehensive and captivating tour details. This engaging tour spans 7 hours, offering ample time to immerse in the vibrant culture and stunning street art of Valparaiso, Chile .

A live tour guide, fluent in English , accompanies participants throughout the journey, providing insightful commentary and enriching the experience. Hotel pickup, with a convenient lobby wait time, ensures a hassle-free start to the day.

Starting from £95.25 per person, this tour promises a deep dive into the essence of Valparaiso, with highlights including the Beautiful Flowers clock in Viña del Mar and the colorful alleys of Cerro Alegre. Get set for a day filled with art, history , and culinary delights in a small group setting.

Tour Experience

Embark on the Valparaiso Street Art Tour to learn about a day filled with vibrant culture , stunning street art , and culinary delights in a small group setting. The tour offers an immersive experience where participants can discover the local cuisine through a 3-course culinary experience paired with two glasses of wine or beer.

As you navigate through alleys adorned with captivating street art at Cerro Alegre, the influence of immigrants on the city’s architecture and identity becomes evident. Plus, enjoy different viewpoints of the port and buildings of Valparaiso while learning about the history of this colorful city.

With a Chilean guide leading the way, this small group tour provides a unique opportunity to taste local food and wine, all while surrounded by the vibrant culture of Valparaiso.

The Highlights of the Valparaiso Street Art Tour showcase a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, vibrant city architecture influenced by immigrants, and a unique exploration of Valparaiso’s history through captivating street art.

The influence of immigrants can be seen in the city’s architecture and identity, creating a vibrant culture that attracts travelers.

The colorful streets adorned with street art, lifts, restaurants , and artisan shops offer a visual feast for visitors. As you wander through the alleys, you’ll uncover the rich history of Valparaiso depicted on walls and buildings.

This small group tour not only provides a taste of local food but also offers a beautiful view, making it a memorable experience for those seeking to enjoy the heart of Valparaiso.

As visitors embark on the Valparaiso Street Art Tour, they can expect a comprehensive package of inclusions designed to enhance their experience and create lasting memories of this UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site.

The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off for convenience, comfortable big SUV/Van transportation, and lift tickets admission to access different viewpoints easily.

One of the highlights of this tour is the 3-course culinary experience paired with 2 glasses of wine or beer, allowing guests to indulge in culinary delights while seeing the vibrant culture of Valparaiso.

This culinary immersion offers a unique opportunity to taste local food with a beautiful view in a small group setting, ensuring a memorable and authentic experience for all participants.

Additional Information

Visitors can enjoy the convenience of free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance, offering flexibility and peace of mind when booking the Valparaiso Street Art Tour. This option provides guests with the freedom to adjust their plans if needed.

Plus, reserving now and paying later adds to the flexibility options available for this tour. It’s important to note that the tour takes place rain or shine, ensuring that guests can experience the beauty of Valparaiso regardless of the weather.

As some parts of the tour involve navigating through lots of stairs, participants should consider their physical capabilities.

For those looking to take home a memento, a gift option is available with product ID: 516329, allowing guests to cherish their Valparaiso memories.

Common questions

What Are Some Recommended Souvenirs to Bring Back From Valparaiso?

When visiting Valparaiso, travelers often bring back handcrafted ceramics and local wines as souvenirs. These items reflect the city’s artistic flair and rich wine culture, making them perfect gifts to cherish memories of the vibrant streets and delicious flavors.

Are There Any Specific Dietary Restrictions That the Tour Can Accommodate?

The tour can accommodate specific dietary restrictions, offering gluten-free options and allergen accommodations . Guests can enjoy a worry-free experience with delicious meals tailored to their needs, ensuring everyone can savor the local cuisine.

How Long Is the Typical Wait Time for the Lifts in Valparaiso?

Average wait times for the lifts in Valparaiso vary depending on the time of day and season. Lift operation hours typically run from early morning until late evening. Visitors should plan accordingly for potential queues.

Are There Any Local Festivals or Events That Visitors Should Be Aware of During Their Visit?

Local concerts and cultural exhibitions in Valparaiso offer visitors vibrant experiences. From music festivals to art showcases, there’s always something exciting happening. Immerse in the local scene, enjoy live performances , and explore the rich cultural tapestry.

Can Guests Request a Vegetarian or Vegan Option for the Included 3-Course Culinary Experience?

Guests can make special requests for dietary preferences , including vegetarian or vegan options, for the 3-course culinary experience. The tour ensures a delightful meal with diverse choices, catering to different tastes and needs. Enjoy a flavorful dining experience in Valparaiso.

Here's more of our most recent tour reviews happening neaby

• Viña Del Mar: Coastal Bike Tour
• Valparaíso, Viña Del Mar and Casablanca Full Day Experience
• Viña Del Mar and Valparaiso: a Trip to the Pacific Ocean
• Full Day in Viña Del Mar and Valparaiso From Santiago
• Viña Del Mar and Valparaiso Full Day

Set out on a journey through the vibrant streets of Valparaiso, Chile, on a guided street art tour with a delicious 3-course meal included. Enjoy the rich cultural heritage of this UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site, discover hidden gems , and enjoy panoramic views of the port.

With comfortable transportation, knowledgeable guides , and small group settings, this experience promises to create lasting memories for all participants. Don’t miss out on this unique and unforgettable adventure in Valparaiso!

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Albom Adventures

Capturing the essence of travel through photography

Inspiring travel through photography

Valparaiso Street Art: Examples of Vibrant Expression in Chile

Valparaiso street art is a bold and dramatic example of personal expression. It is different from other cities. Not so much in its style but in its artists’ passion, respect, and backstory.

Unlike the rest of Chile, where street art is illegal or restricted, the Valparaiso government almost encourages this freedom. As a result, Valparaiso is a vibrant, colourful city offering some of the world’s best street art.

Valparaiso street art is a bold and dramatic example of personal expression, featuring emotional, entertaining, and political artwork.

Where to find street art in Valparaiso

Street art in Valparaiso is seemingly everywhere. However, there are some more famous areas, as well as some that are generally considered safer than others.

Valpo, as the locals call it, is built on 42 hills (“cerros” in Spanish). Each one is a neighbourhood, and as a result, each neighbourhood is unique. One of our favourites for Valparaiso street art is Cerro Concepción. Here the art blankets the walls of this winding pedestrian passage (Pasaje Gálvez). It’s also the neighbourhood of a  Chilean cooking class we thoroughly enjoyed.

Murals cover previously unpainted legal walls (and many that are not legal) throughout the city. Never forget to look up for more Valparaiso street art examples, as it’s often above a roofline.

Dramatic and vibrant, these are a few of our favourites:

Explore Chile with us

Valparaiso street art tour

If you wander in the safer neighbourhoods of Cerro Concepción, Cerro Alegre, and Cerro Bellavista, you can easily tour Valparaiso street art on your own. However, if you want a bit of history and don’t want to miss some of the most famous pieces (we missed the piano steps), a dedicated street art or graffiti tour is the best option.

We took a city tour with Tours4Tips that naturally included some street art as it is so intricately ingrained in Valpo culture. In retrospect, I think this well-rated  private walking tour  would have been a better option for us. It visits more streets art that we didn’t see as well as other historical locations.

Vibrant staircases in Valparaiso

What really caught me in Valparaiso is the stair art. I have seen this style before, but always as a one-off. Being built on so many hills, Valparaiso is like San Francisco with staircases everywhere you turn. However, Valparaiso steps are painted, tiled, or otherwise decorated.

Unlike the famous Selaron Steps in Rio de Janeiro , in Valpo, the top side of nearly every step we came upon was undecorated concrete. I don’t know if this is because walking on the art would eventually destroy it, or just a way to offer encouragement to those heading uphill. Either way, the effect highlights an incredibly talented group of artists.

A brief history of Valparaiso street art

Any summary of the history of Valparaiso street art will start with Pablo Neruda. The Chilean poet brought mural artists to the city. Then, in 1973 under the military dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet, street artists in Valparaiso were forced underground and risked “disappearing” if caught.

It was especially dangerous to those who painted political messages. In 1990, with the return to freedom, the Valparaiso city government legalized street art. Today, the city attracts creative artists from around the world.

Respect amongst Valparaiso graffiti artists

Our city guide discussed the strong respect between creative people. She added that as street art and graffiti gained popularity, many homeowners found their homes tagged.

The solution was to commission a mural, thus “protecting” their home from graffiti. An unwritten rule, artists find their own spots, rather than clipping another’s work. Interesting, there is no overlap between the mural and tagging.

More street art in Valparaiso

Here are a few more of our favourite images:

Tips for searching for Valparaiso street art

• Bring a camera. I shot the street art on this page with both my Olympus OMD-Em5 and a few of the shots on the predecessor to the Olympus TG-6 . The first is a mirrorless technology camera with interchangeable lenses. It’s the perfect travel camera. However, when heading into less safe neighbourhoods or underwater, I want my waterproof, crushproof, portable camera that easily tucks away in a pocket when not in use. Both cameras can shoot RAW format.
• Take extra safety precautions if you are looking for street art in the Van Buren District or on Cerro Polanco.
• Street art fans, don’t miss this collection of South American graffiti and street art images .
• Don’t miss the other amazing things to do in Valparaiso .

Valparaiso as a day trip from Santiago

A port city, Valparaiso is a destination on its own or a day trip from Santiago, Chile’s capital city . We spent several days in Valparaiso and could have easily stayed longer. However, if you’re based in Santiago or have limited time, a day trip might be the perfect option. Based on reviews, we believe this Valparaíso and Vina del Mar Tour is the best of the Valparaiso tours from Santiago.

This full-day tour includes a visit to a winery in the Casablanca Valley. It does quite a bit including museum visits and several rides on funiculars in addition to discovering the Chilean street art that made this town famous. Be sure to read the reviews before booking .

Save on your trip with these resources

These are our go-to companies when we travel. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.

• Flights : we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
• Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
• Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
• Motorcycles : we have heard good things about BikesBooking .
• Campervans or Motorhomes : we use Campstar where Albom Adventures readers get a 3% discount.
• Private guides : we love the private guides at Tours by Locals .
• Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.

Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.

Save for later

If you enjoyed this collection of Street Art in Valparaiso Chile, please share this article on Pinterest.

Don’t miss our tips for first-time visitors to Chile or our five-country South America itinerary .

Which do you prefer, the Valparaiso street art or staircase art?

More street art you might enjoy …

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Travel Bloggers Explore New Zealand and Australia Street Art

Auckland Street Art Representing New Zealand Culture, Nature, and Fun

About rhonda albom.

Capturing the essence of travel through photography, Rhonda Albom is the primary author and photographer at Albom Adventures. She is an American expat based in New Zealand. She travels the world with her husband.

Reader Interactions

August 26, 2019 at 1:00 am

I’d love to use one of your pictures in a poster!

April 5, 2019 at 2:30 am

wow these are amazing perfect instagram locations aren’t they!

April 5, 2019 at 2:29 am

Wow, what a beautiful place! I always love to stop and appreciate street art. It truly is art!

Julie Kemp Pick

April 4, 2019 at 3:57 pm

Hi Rhonda, It’s too hard to choose between the wall and staircase art, because they’re both so exceptional. I guess I’d have to give bonus creativity points for the painted staircases, as I’ve never seen anything like it before. Just thinking about all of the hard work and attention to detail on the staircases makes my head spin. You can probably visit these places and find new beautiful things to look at every time.

Catscue Catmom

April 4, 2019 at 10:15 am

Vibrant is the word! Those photos are amazing!

April 4, 2019 at 7:26 am

The art in Chile is so beautiful. Thank you for sharing these images! 🙂

April 4, 2019 at 1:39 am

What a colorful and vibrant city! You know I’d love to visit and see all this fabulous art. As far as choosing between the staircases and the murals… I love them both. However, the staircases are as you say less common, and the complications of painting on them makes them all the more impressive. My family would kill me if we visited here because I would be taking SO many photos!

April 3, 2019 at 10:35 am

Fun images! Nothing like that here.

rupam { xhobdo }

April 2, 2019 at 7:31 pm

Amazing street arts.

April 2, 2019 at 11:27 am

Wonderful diversity in the art. I love being surrounded by bright colors and art.

stevebethere

April 2, 2019 at 9:52 am

Wow! brilliant street art and murals must LQQK even better actually being there, that staircase is so long heheh!

Have an artistictastic week ➡

Photo Cache

April 2, 2019 at 8:57 am

Love love love the post. I always seek out the mural/graffiti district with every city I visit.

Eileen Wise

April 2, 2019 at 8:39 am

Hello, the street art and murals are just beautiful. The stairs are amazing. Wonderful post and photos. Happy Monday, enjoy your day! Wishing you a great new week ahead!

April 2, 2019 at 8:24 am

So many talented street artists represented there. I love the colour and the vibrancy of their work.

V.P. Harris

April 3, 2020 at 11:32 pm

Now, I need to visit Chile but I am eaxctly in the extreme other end of the world, you just can’t imagine how grateful I am for a glimpse of your world when, when I am confined home in a 21 day lockdown for the first time in my almost 62 years on this Planet!

April 2, 2019 at 3:02 am

Absolutely LOVE those staircases! What an incentive to walk upstairs more often! I’ve heard about the street art in Valparaiso but it looks more like a street art city in your colourful post.

April 1, 2019 at 3:32 pm

Wow – those stairs are amazing!! I love how Valparaiso embraces street art – it’s such a vibrant and colorful city, and the street art adds so much life to the already alive feel. I really enjoyed this post.

April 1, 2019 at 1:19 pm

I find this street art very appealing. I’m not sure if it’s because it’s so colorful or because it seems to have it’s own, different style. I’d enjoy seeing it in person in Valparaiso.

Phil and Garth

April 1, 2019 at 7:22 am

I’m a graphic designer and get to do colouring in for a living 🙂 so I absolutely love street-art and always seek it out where we visit. I know very little about Chile, Valparaiso’s street art looks incredible!! How cool the city isn’t against it. I especially like the mosaics and the face murals, thanks for the insight!

Obligatory Traveler

April 1, 2019 at 6:30 am

Wow! This is some really impressive street art. I love seeing street art when I travel and it’s always great to be in a place that promotes and appreciates the art form. I need to travel to Chile to see all of these great pieces in person.

Lyn aka The Travelling Lindfields

March 31, 2019 at 10:55 pm

I recognize some of these murals from our stay in Valparaiso some years ago. I am glad to see the street art which we loved so much is still thriving.

Jasmine Hewitt

March 31, 2019 at 5:13 pm

very colorful street art. some really unique pieces

March 31, 2019 at 2:45 pm

The staircases are amazing. So sorry to have missed the street art when I went to Valparaiso 8 years ago. This post makes me want go back.

Bella and Dawn

March 31, 2019 at 12:54 pm

We love hunting down street art in towns and cities and the art in Valparaiso looks amazing – some really talented people!

March 31, 2019 at 10:54 am

Gosh maybe NZ should be more colourful like this!

March 31, 2019 at 6:54 am

That is some really incredible street art! I love scrolling through…so much attention to detail.

Phoebe | Lou Messugo

March 31, 2019 at 5:17 am

I think I like the woman with the birds best but the staircase art is utterly captivating too.

Ruth Murdoch

March 31, 2019 at 3:23 am

The street art is something that has just recently caught my attention, especially here in Morocco. Thanks for sharing your photos, I didn’t realise it was such a big thing in other parts of the world. Sure beats the graffiti…

March 31, 2019 at 12:54 am

Hi Rhonda – extraordinary … wonderful to see. The staircase and the stiletto – quite extraordinary … as you say the planning – takes some thinking about … lovely photos for us … and those hills – must be so interesting – cheers Hilary

Alexandra Cook

March 31, 2019 at 12:12 am

Those were a beautiful spot. I love how creative those who made this street art. I would love to visit Chile to see these.

March 30, 2019 at 10:57 pm

Wow! Some stunning works. Street art never ceases to amaze me.

March 30, 2019 at 9:35 pm

I always enjoy looking at street arts. They are like a free gallery on the streets. These are the most amazing street art I ever saw.

March 30, 2019 at 8:05 pm

Wow that is seriously great street art. I think that even beats Łodz in Poland. What a great visual journey.

Angie Scheie

March 30, 2019 at 6:35 pm

Street art is so cool! The work on the staircases is amazing and I think the hands one is my favorite too.

Chelle Dizon

March 30, 2019 at 3:12 pm

I think the street arts, murals and staircase art are really creative and very impressive. I like seeing artistic creation like that and I admire the people who have the passion to share their skills.

March 30, 2019 at 12:14 pm

These are really great! I am so in love with mosaics, so interesting. Thanks a lot for sharing.

March 30, 2019 at 9:49 am

Beautiful street art! I adore the recycled bottles/plant holder idea – so cute!

Calleigh | The Fork bite

March 30, 2019 at 9:44 am

This is a beautiful walk around. I enjoy watching graffitis and murals as they symbolize a very important part of the culture.

Beth Pierce

March 30, 2019 at 9:30 am

Wow! That is some gorgeous street art! Some of those are like hidden gems!

March 30, 2019 at 9:01 am

Those are some awesome displays of street art! I love the mosaic stairwell! Beautiful!

Surekha Busa

March 30, 2019 at 3:56 am

Wow, these street arts are so cool. People who painted here have a great talent.

Kalyan Panja

March 30, 2019 at 3:41 am

I have a fascination with street art and would love to visit Valparaiso and see them in person.

Mama Maggie's Kitchen

March 30, 2019 at 3:40 am

Wow! This is so amazing! Can’t wait to see these in person!

kumamonjeng

March 30, 2019 at 3:39 am

I love street art and this is a great list to find beautiful talent artwork. My favorite would be the long mosaic tile staircase is alongside one of the city’s funicular elevators. Look pretty high up to climb up but I m ready.

Jordan Danielle

March 30, 2019 at 3:19 am

Wow! I love all the street art it really gives the city character and a story. Thanks for sharing

March 30, 2019 at 2:52 am

Whoa it’s wonderful that artists can showcase their work in the streets !!

Melissa Dixon

March 30, 2019 at 2:40 am

Wow I am blown away by this place. I need to see this is person. Thank you for the inspiration, I am going to look more into this and consider adding it to the bucket list.

Catherine Santiago Jose

March 30, 2019 at 2:02 am

Wow, such an amazing place to visit so unique and beautiful. I would love to see that place someday!

L. Diane Wolfe

March 30, 2019 at 1:58 am

Beautiful work. I love the two birds guarding the door.

March 30, 2019 at 1:43 am

Such beautiful street art. Those creating this art are ever so talented – these are so colourful and interesting.

Alex J. Cavanaugh

March 30, 2019 at 12:56 am

Amazing the variety. Using the soda bottles is clever. Think I would definitely go with a guided tour.

March 29, 2019 at 10:31 pm

Never been here, so loved to see your photos, the street art there is amazing!

March 29, 2019 at 10:02 pm

The graffiti looks amazing! They are indeed artists and I’d love to take such a tour! I love the stairs too – I actually recently saw one in my hometown: it totally changes a place!

katie davies

March 29, 2019 at 9:49 pm

what beautiful art work i often wish the UK was as colourful as these other countries

March 29, 2019 at 9:22 pm

Wow, I love the look of this. I like how large all the murals are and all the stairs are quite unique!

March 29, 2019 at 9:15 pm

Beautiful art! I see some familiar faces here. It’s been almost 4 years since my last trip to S. America. Street art was the highlight and the most cherished memory. I know, I know, there are tons of other things, but as a self-proclaimed street art aficionado, I was in heaven. Said this, due to time constraints, I managed to miss Chile. Every time I see another article about street art there, I am ready to bite myself. On a bright side, thank you for making my day. Cheers!

Ryan K Biddulph

March 29, 2019 at 7:34 pm

Beautiful colors. I think of how many hours folks spend on street art. Minus a name tag, no credit. Pretty impressive to me as it shows folks are genuinely passionate about their craft and care little of gaining credit.

March 29, 2019 at 6:54 pm

This street and staircase art is so beautiful. I have now officiously added Valparaiso to my bucket list!

March 29, 2019 at 1:32 pm

Wow, thank you so much for sharing! I do not know if I will ever be able to get to Chile so this is like I am living through you! Thank you!

Paul Pietrangelo

March 29, 2019 at 1:31 pm

The murals are amazing & some are shocking. It’s kind of weird to not see any murals at all. Even the walk ways are painted in some manner. To me that is beautiful.

Cruisin Paul

March 29, 2019 at 9:53 am

I love colorful street art. There are some very talented artists out there and you found a lot of them.

Have a fabulous day, Rhonda. ♥

Lydia C. Lee

March 29, 2019 at 9:45 am

There’s some great works there. I love the moasic – Wizard of Oz?

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• South America
• The Best Street Art In...

The Best Street Art in Valparaíso, Chile

The ‘Jewel of the Pacific’, the beautiful, vulnerable, bustling hillside port of Valparaíso, is known for its susceptibility to earthquakes and as being one of the homes of the Chilean poet Pablo Neruda . It is also home to exquisite street art that flourishes virtually everywhere, attracting thousands of travellers that visit the city specifically to see the open-air artworks. We explore a handful of creations from the best artists designed to both amaze and inspire.

Valparaíso is famous for its association with Pablo Neruda, Chile’s Nobel Prize-winning poet, who lived in and adored the city. His eccentric house, La Sebastiana, perpetuates his presence in Valparaíso. As does his ode to the city:

“Valparaíso, what an absurdity you are, how crazy: a crazy port. What a head of dishevelled hills, that you never finished combing. Never did you have time to dress yourself, and always you were surprised by life.” – Pablo Neruda

The number of visitors attracted to Valparaíso for its outdoor artwork has led to development of several well-organized street art tours. There are several routes across Valparaíso that are great for discovering the local art. The best places for this are in the cerros (hills) of Carcel, Miraflores, Alegre, Pateon, Concepcíon and Bellavista. Templeman Street on Cerro Alegre is the best street to see street art.

Most works are not signed, and it’s up to us to discern who is who. The artist often begins with tag (meaning painting their signature in spray), then progresses to find their style and thus define their art.

Another must-see for lovers of street art is the open air museum. Located in the neighborhood of Bellavista, the museum is populated with graffiti, paintings, murals and mosaics. The vision of this museum, launched in 1969, was to upgrade a popular part of the city, but the project was abandoned due to the dictatorship of Pinochet that ruled Chile between 1973 and 1990. However, in 1992 more than 70 artists came together around this project. These included Francisco Méndez, Eduardo Perez, Maria Martner, Roberto Matta and Nemesio Antúnez. This contributed to a renaissance for street art in Valparaíso. Here you will find works from many well-known artists such as Pure Evil, Inti, Aislap, Dana Pink, and the graffiti crew Un Kolor Distinto.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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Amazing Urban Mountain Biking Captured on GoPro in Valparaíso, Chile

Bars & Cafes

The top 10 bars in valparaíso's cerro concepción, chile.

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Community events in San Diego County: From Cinco de Mayo Festival to Chrome Ball Tour

Upcoming community concerts, street fairs, festivals, performances, art shows, community meetings, library events, blood drives and more

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Taste of Cardiff features bites, sips

Cardiff 101 Main Street puts on its 14th annual Taste of Cardiff culinary adventure from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 2 on San Elijo Avenue between Birmingham Drive and Chesterfield Drive and along South Coast Highway 101. The event will feature bites and sips from Cardiff’s best restaurants, bars and retailers. During the event, participants will also cast their votes for the Morgan Mallory Golden Fork Award winner. Tickets are $50 and Taste & Sip tickets are $55. Visit cardiff101.com .

Mother’s Day event at farmers market

The Cardiff Farmers Market puts on a Mother’s Day “Make and Take’” event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 4 and May 11, where participants can create a Mother’s Day gift by potting succulents into handcrafted pottery bowls. Participants can choose from a selection of succulents provided by RG Succulents and handmade pottery by STUDIO1212 Ceramics for $25 at the market or save $5 with online pre-order. The first 10 participants to purchase will receive up to two general admission tickets to the San Diego Botanic Garden. Visit cardiff101.com/product-page/farmers-market-mothers-day-make-take.

Night under the stars at Leo Carrillo Ranch

The Fiesta at the Rancho starts at 5:30 p.m. May 11 with live entertainment, a buffet dinner and a silent auction outdoors at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, 6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane. The event benefits the California History and Art Program at Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park. The program gives local fourth-grade students a chance to visit Carrillo Ranch and see Carrillo’s vision of early California life and join in an interactive art lesson at no cost. Tickets are $150, including sangria and beverages from the hosted bar and a buffet dinner. Visit carlsbadca.gov/departments/parks-recreation/programs-and-events/special-events/fiesta-at-the-rancho.

Carlsbad Village Street Faire marks 50th anniversary

The Carlsbad Village Street Faire, hosted by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 5 in Downtown Carlsbad, celebrating its 50th Anniversary. The bi-annual event features more than 800 vendors, live music, international food courts and a beer garden along with interactive activities for kids. Free shuttles will run to the fair every 15 minutes from the Shoppes at Carlsbad and Poinsettia Coaster Station. Free bike valet is at the Engel & Volkers parking lot, 2965 Roosevelt St. Visit https://carlsbad.org/carlsbad-village-street-faire/.

Snails topic of talk at lagoon

Batiquitos Lagoon hosts a free presentation at 10 a.m. May 11 by Paul Tuskes on some of the unique snails and clams living in local coastal lagoons. Tuskes will also discuss invasive species from Asia, predators, and changes in underwater diversity based on recent surveys. The family event is geared to adults and kids, age 15 and older. Meet at the Nature Center, 7380 Gabbiano Lane. Registration is required at batiquitoslagoon.org .

Kids Day at The Flower Fields

The Kids Day at The Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch is May 5. The event features a stunt show by the BMX Freestyle Team from 1 to 3 p.m. There will also be bubble making, face painting and other activities. The Flower Fields at 5704 Paseo Del Norte are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Mother’s Day. The venue features 55 acres of colorful giant tecolote ranunculus along with family-oriented activities and special events. Additional attractions include a Sweet Pea Maze, a butterfly garden, Santa’s Playground, an American Flag of flowers and a Mediterranean Garden. Tickets are $23; $21 for seniors 60 and older and military; $14 for children age 3–10, and free for children under age 3. Tickets must be purchased in advance at theflowerfields.com .

CHULA VISTA

Chrome ball tour on may 4.

The Chrome Ball Tour will be held from noon to 10 p.m. May 4 at 300 Park Way , presented by Trust & Will, as part of an 18-city community engagement platform that unites diverse neighborhoods of San Diego County through soccer, art and local culture. Highlights include a car show, a beer garden, a Chula Vista First Responders Tournament and other 3v3 street soccer tournaments, a Lucha Libre performance, a Community Fashion Show with musical performance by Rossi Rock and Sebby OG, and musical acts featuring DJ Beto Perez, Vilma Diaz y La Sonora and Lil Rob. The event will feature artwork by local Chula Vista artists Josue Baltezar, Chikle! and Paola “Panca” Villaseñor. There will be a kids activity with inflatables, face painting and more. Admission is free. Visit sandiegofc.com .

Spring concert features Musica Antiqua Nova

St. Mark’s Church hosts a free community spring concert featuring the Musica Antiqua Nova group from 3 to 4 p.m. May 4 at 580 Hilltop Drive. The program includes a variety of music and nearly 30 instruments from the Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque periods. Musica Antiqua Nova is a six-member group, led by Cathe Sobke, who perform music in languages from 11th to 18th centuries featuring European composers Josquin des Prez, Bach, Telemann and Dowland and Peruvian composer Torrejón with costumes, songs in many languages and dance. Admission is free; donations are welcome. Visit stmarkschulavista.org .

Kiwanis Club puts on wine, beer tasting

The Kiwanis Club of Alpine hosts Vintage Alpine, a wine, beer and food event in the country, from 1 to 4 p.m. May 5 at Summers Past Farms, 15602 Olde Highway 80. The event features numerous wineries and tastings of wine, beer and food. Tickets are $80 before May 1; $90 on day of event at vintagealpine.ticketleap.com/vintage-alpine-2024 . Call (619) 722-0035.

Spring Rose Show next month

The San Diego Rose Society will put on its 96th annual Rose Show and Auction from 1 to 5 p.m. May 4 and 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 5 at the Ronald Reagan Community Center, 195 E. Douglas Ave. A live auction is at 2 p.m. May 5. Admission and parking are free; donations are appreciated. Visit sandiegorosesociety.com/roseshow.

Concert features Caballero’s Cinco de Mayo

The Friends of the Encinitas Library host El Quinteto Caballero’s Cinco de Mayo from 2 to 3 p.m. May 5 at the library, 540 Cornish Drive, featuring the Latin jazz trumpeter Bill Caballero and his ensemble. The program will include Latin jazz music and some funk. Visit encinitaslibfriends.org.

Senior center offers mahjong class

A free four-week class introducing the beginner to the basic rules and simple strategies of American-style mahjong is from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Wednesdays, May 1- 22, at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center (Room 135), at 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. Every student must buy the current mahjong card (large size) from the National Mah Jongg League at nationalmahjonggleague.org before the first class. The class is taught by community volunteers and limited to eight players. Register at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center. Call (760) 943-2250.

Gourd and Basket Guild runs ‘Woven Treasures’ art show

The Misti Washington Gourd and Basket Guild presents a free art show, “Woven Treasures,” at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center, featuring baskets and other artworks created by members the Misti Washington Gourd and Basket Guild. The show, which includes 27 artworks, continues through May 8. The center at 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. Visit encinitasca.gov/visualart .

Interfaith National Day of Prayer gathering

An Interfaith National Day of Prayer— Voices of Faith, Voices of Compassion — is from 5:50 to 6:30 p.m. May 2 at the Escondido City Hall patio in Grape Day Park, 321 N. Broadway. The event includes music, prayers and reflections led by community members from various faith traditions. The gathering is sponsored by Faith Leaders of Escondido and Interfaith Community Services. Attendees are asked to bring nonperishable items to be donated to Interfaith Community Services, an Escondido-based nonprofit that serves community members in crisis, such as those without shelter.

Wildflower Show coming up

The Julian Woman’s Club hosts the 98th annual Wildflower Show from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 3-4 in its clubhouse, 2607 C St. The show features wildflowers from seven regions in and around Julian, and it will exhibit samples from the many different flowering species that grow in the area. The clubhouse will display artwork by local students, and there will be items for sale, including a quilt made by club members to be raffled off in an opportunity drawing. The show is free to the public. Donations and sales are appreciated; proceeds go to the club’s scholarship fund and to support the community. Visit julianwomansclub.org .

Free ‘History Alive’ lecture

A free “History Alive” lecture is at 7 p.m. May 2 presented by Joyce Moore, who will discuss the Lemon Grove Community Garden at Treganza Heritage Park and the accomplishments of Thrive Lemon Grove, including its food distribution. Moore is president of Thrive Lemon Grove and serves on the board of the Community Garden. The lecture will be in the H. Lee House Cultural Center, 3205 Olive St., in Treganza Heritage Park. Visit thrivelemongrove.com .

Rotary holds Bowling Fundraiser

The La Mesa Sunrise Rotary Club will host its annual Bowling Fundraiser from 5:30 to 8:45 p.m. May 10 at Parkway Bowl, 1280 Fletcher Parkway, in El Cajon. Proceeds support the La Mesa Sunrise Rotary Club Foundation for local and international community projects. Past projects include scholarships for high school seniors, the La Mesa Community Garden, improvements to the Canine Corners Dog Park, nutrition education at Harriet Tubman Charter School, and Rotary’s Polio Plus eradication efforts. Individual tickets are $60. Group tickets start at $240 per four-person team and include two games with a ball and shoes, two large pizzas, two pitchers of beer or soda and a ticket for an opportunity drawing with prizes. Cosmic Bowling is $280 per team of four. Extra tickets for the opportunity drawing will be sold during the event. Tickets are at lamesasunriserotary.com .

NORTH COUNTY

Widows, widowers group holds social activities.

The Catholic Widows and Widowers of North County, a group that fosters friendships through various social activities, will hold these upcoming events:

May 5: MiraCosta College Theatre, “Anon(ymous),” Oceanside, $15, followed by meal at Village Kitchen Pie Shoppe, Carlsbad.

May 8: Chapters Cafe, Dove Library Carlsbad, followed by free movie, “Barbie,” at the library.

May 9: Walk, Kit Carson Park, Escondido, followed by lunch at BJ’s Roadhouse.

May 15: Brunch, Lotus Cafe, Encinitas, followed by free Wednesday Concert Series, Encinitas Library.

May 21: Dinner, Carvers Steaks & Chops, Rancho Bernardo.

May 23: Walk, Oceanside Harbor, with lunch to follow at Oceanside Broiler.

May 29: Tour, Mass and lunch, Prince of Peace Abbey, Oceanside.

Reservations are required at (818) 665-8150. Visit cwwnc.com .

Beach cleanup at pier

A beach and street cleanup is from 9 to 11 a.m. May 4 at the Oceanside Municipal Pier, The Strand N, hosted by the Surfrider Foundation, San Diego Chapter. Meet at Lifeguard Tower 8, near the corner of Breakwater and The Strand. Register at sandiego.surfrider.org/events .

RANCHO BERNARDO

Chalk it up event at park.

The Rancho Bernardo Community Council sponsors the free 14th annual Chalk It Up Event from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 4 at Rancho Bernardo Community Park, 18448 W. Bernardo Drive (by the playground). There will be free chalk for attendees to express their artistic skills. The event is open to all ages and there will be prizes in different age categories. Teams are welcome. There will be free cookies from Casa de las Campanas and water from Albertsons. Visit rbcommunitycouncil.com .

Spring Garden Tour in Rancho Bernardo, Poway

The Bernardo Gardeners Club puts on its Spring Garden Tour from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 4 featuring outstanding gardens in Rancho Bernardo and Poway. The event includes self-guided tours, vendors, crafts, jewelry, garden art, fine art, plants and plant arrangements and free refreshments. Master Gardeners can answer gardening questions. The event is open to ages 12 and older. Tickets are $30 at Walter Andersen Nursery, 12755 Danielson Court, in Poway, and El Plantio Nursery, 1322 San Pasqual Valley Road, in Escondido, or brownpapertickets.com . Day-of tickets at tour homes are cash or check only. Visit bernardogardeners.org.

Free library concert May 4

A “May the Fourth Be with You” concert is from 3 to 4 p.m. May 4 at the Rancho Bernardo Library, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive, in the community room. The free concert features the Windcreek Ensemble under the direction of David Liu. Visit friendsoftherblibrary.org .

Church holds food drive

Rancho Bernardo Community Presbyterian Church sponsors a drive-thru grocery collection from 9 to 11 a.m. May 4 at 17010 Pomerado Road. Groceries will be donated to the 4 Community Care food pantry serving families and seniors in need in the Poway Unified School District area. Also, checks made out to “4 Community Care” are appreciated. If you are interested in volunteering at a 4 Community Care food pantry, email [email protected].

Walk for Animals at Liberty Station

The San Diego Humane Society’s Walk for Animals is from 7 to 11 a.m. May 4 at NTC Park at Liberty Station, 2455 Cushing Road. Participants can bring a pet and can join a team, form a team or join individually or be a sponsor. A Blessing of the animals is at 8:45 a.m. Proceeds help the nonprofit care for more than 40,000 animals. The nonprofit provides shelter and medical care, helps families adopt new pets, and rescues animals from cruelty and neglect. Registration starts at 7 a.m. Entry fees are $40 for 18 and older through May 3 and $50 on event day; $20 for 17 and younger through May 3 and $25 on event day. Virtual Walk participants who are not attending the walk in person but are fundraising and walking their own way: $20. Visit sdwalkforanimals.org .

Toastmasters hold Tell Tales contest

The Voyagers Toastmasters club will present a Tall Tales contest at 7 p.m. May 2 at Gather CoWork, upstairs at 1223 Cleveland Ave., Suite 200, in Hillcrest. The contest involves humor and storytelling. Admission is free. Visitors are welcome; register in advance at [email protected] .

Clairemont Outdoor Living and Garden Tour

The 27th annual Clairemont Outdoor Living and Garden Tour is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 4 featuring 14 gardens with canyon views, water-wise landscaping, native plants, succulents, bromeliads and vegetable gardens in Clairemont, including Bay Ho and Bay Park. There will be free instruction on tool sharpening, composting and food dehydration, among other topics. Several artists will have artwork for sale. Tickets are $20 through May 2, online only; free for kids younger than 12. Tickets can be purchased in person May 3-4 at the Clairemont Town Square, 4821 Clairemont Drive for $25. Visit clairemontonline.com.

Gaslamp Quarter Cinco de Mayo Festival

The Gaslamp District will put on a Cinco de Mayo extravaganza — Viva la Fiesta — from noon to 8 p.m. May 4 at Fifth Avenue between Island and G streets, with live Latin entertainment, street dancing, Mexican cuisine and competitions. Highlights include ballet folklorico, paired with tunes of DJ Beto, mariachis and Latin cover bands. A Lucha Libre Tournament is from 1 to 7 p.m. There will be acrobatics as world-class luchadores take to the ring. Restaurants and bars will offer food and drink specials. Handcrafted goods from over 20 Mexican vendors will sold, ranging from textiles to pottery. A low rider competition will feature over 60 participants and there will be games, arts and crafts and prizes for all ages. Admission is free. Visit gaslamp.org.

Celebration benefits mental health care for children

San Diego Center for Children puts on its 137th Anniversary Celebration, Heart of the Center, at 5:30 p.m. May 11 at its main San Diego campus, 3002 Armstrong St. The event will feature gourmet dinner stations with specialty cocktails, live auction packages and performances by the center’s youths. The nonprofit children’s mental health care provider offers outpatient, residential and educational mental health programs and serves over 1,000 at-risk and underserved youths daily. The nonprofit, which opened in 1887, has a 12-acre main campus, which houses the residential programs and nonpublic school along with nine program sites. Rady Children’s Hospital will be honored as the recipient of the center’s 2024 PATH Award. Visit sdcc.ejoinme.org/MyEvents/137thAnniversaryCelebration/tabid/1414609/Default.aspx.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY

Upcoming blood drives.

The San Diego Blood Bank will hold blood drives in the following parking lots (unless otherwise noted):

• Lemon Grove Improvement Council, 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 27 at 3215 Lemon Grove Ave., Lemon Grove.
• Guardian Angels Catholic Church, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 28 at 9310 Dalehurst Road, Santee.
• Pathways Community Church, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 28 at 9626 Carlton Hills Blvd., Santee.
• The Broken Yolk Café, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 29 at 9832 Mission Gorge Road, Santee.
• Target, noon to 5 p.m. April 29 at 3150 Business Park Drive, Vista.
• Helix Charter High School, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 30 at 7323 University Ave., La Mesa.
• St. Paul’s PACE, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. April 30 at 630 L. St., Chula Vista.
• Kaiser Pemanente - Vandever, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. April 30 in front of building at 4405 Vandever Ave., San Diego.
• Vallecitos Water District, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 30 at 201 Vallecitos de Oro, San Marcos.
• Albertsons, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 30 at 1929 W. San Marcos Blvd., San Marcos.
• Anytime Fitness, noon to 5 p.m. April 30 at on street, 850 Main St., Ramona.
• Grossmont High School, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 1 at 1100 Murray Drive, El Cajon.
• UC San Diego Aquatics Center, 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. May 1 at 6860 Hopkins Drive, La Jolla.
• IDEA Center High School, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 2 at 1600 Cuyamaca St., El Cajon.
• El Cajon High School, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 2 at 1035 E. Madison Ave., El Cajon.
• Valley Center Chamber of Commerce, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 2 at North Coast Church, 30277 Community Church Drive, Pauma Valley.
• US Bank, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 3 at 840 S. Coast Highway, Oceanside.
• Starbucks, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 4 at 4227 Genesee Ave., San Diego.
• St. James Catholic Church, 7:30 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. May 5 at 625 S. Nardo Drive, Solana Beach.
• Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 5 at 2128 Chatsworth Blvd. (parked on Udall Street), San Diego.
• The Cottage Encinitas, 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 6 at 127 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas.
• Fallbrook High School, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 6, parked behind the Guard Gate at 2400 Stage Coach Lane, Fallbrook.
• Montecito High School, 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. May 8 in the Multipurpose Room at 720 Ninth St., Ramona.
• St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 8 at 700 D Ave., Coronado.

Donors must be 17 and older, weigh at least 114 pounds, and be in good health. Photo identification is required. To make an appointment or find more drives, call (800) 469-7322 or visit sandiegobloodbank.org . Walk-ins are also welcome.

Master Gardeners Spring Garden Expo

The Spring Garden Expo, “Let the Young Buds Bloom,” will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 4 at Home Depot, 7530 Broadway, Lemon Grove, presented by the University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener Program of San Diego County. A second expo on “Grow, Sow, Shop” will be from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 18 at the College Area Community Garden, Zura Way and Montezuma Road, in San Diego. Highlights include gardening talks and demonstrations by Master Gardeners, crafts, free tool sharpening and garden sales. Admission is free. Visit mastergardenersd.org.

Feeding San Diego seeks volunteer drivers

Feeding San Diego, a nonprofit Feeding America partner food bank that provides hunger-relief and food rescue, needs volunteer drivers to pick up food from grocery stores and other food donors and deliver it to nearly 200 partner organizations. The partners help get food to people experiencing food insecurity throughout San Diego County. Food rescue drivers must be 18 or older. Volunteer drivers use their own personal vehicle for food rescue pickups; but the nonprofit can train drivers to use refrigerated vans provided by Feeding San Diego if needed and approved by the transportation team. Volunteers can commit to a recurring pickup for at least six months or support sporadic pickups as needed, which is more flexible for volunteers who can’t make a weekly commitment. Visit feedingsandiego.org/volunteer .

Volunteers sought to join crisis team

The Trauma Intervention Programs of San Diego, aka TIP, is looking for volunteers to join crisis teams and support trauma victims at emergency scenes. TIP is especially in need of volunteers in East County communities along with National City and Coronado. No experience necessary; training provided. Training Academy and registration information is at tipsandiego.org or (855) TIPSD-HELP (855-847-7343).

Volunteers needed to advocate for foster kids

Voices for Children is looking for volunteers to speak up for foster children in court, school and medical situations to make sure their needs are met. The San Diego nonprofit, which also serves Riverside County, started its annual campaign called “Your Voice, Their Future” to encourage community members from all walks of life to become Court Appointed Special Advocates. CASA volunteers are trained and supported by the nonprofit to advocate for foster kids as they face court hearings, attorneys, social workers and new homes. To volunteer , visit speakupnow.org .

Scout troop to hold Peak-A-Thon

Boy Scout Troop 709, based in Vista, will participate in a Peak-A-Thon from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 4 up Double Peak Trail in San Marcos. The Peak-A-Thon, like a jog-a-thon, will raise money for the troop’s Scouting program. Troop 709 includes more than 40 Scouts and was formed more than 35 years ago. To make a donation or help sponsor the event, visit go.rallyup.com/troop709-pat2024/Campaign/Details .

Two-day Flower Show and Plant Sale next month

Vista Garden Club’s 88th annual Flower Show and Plant Sale is set for May 4-5 at Jim Porter Recreation Center, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive. The club welcomes attendees to “Come to a Garden Party.” The event includes a National Garden Clubs Standard Flower Show, Plant Sale and Garden Art Boutique. On May 4, the plant and garden art sale is from noon to 5 p.m., and the Flower Show is open from 2 to 5 p.m. On May 5, the show, boutique and sale are all open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event features floral designs, horticulture, educational and photography exhibits, and a chance to buy plants and garden art, rain or shine. Admission is free and open to everyone. Amateur gardeners and designers can enter any division of the flower show. There is no cost to enter. If you are interested in submitting an entry in the Flower Show, email [email protected]. Visit californiagardenclubs.com .

Bunco de Mayo fundraiser May 4

Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland host a Bunco de Mayo fundraiser at 11:30 a.m. May 4. This family-friendly event will be held at the Gloria McClellan Senior Center, 1400 Vale Terrace Drive. Funds raised go to help women through Soroptimist’s “Dream” programs. The club recently gave out $14,000 in education grants to five local women, all single moms who are overcoming obstacles and attending local colleges and trade schools. Tickets for the fundraiser are $25 each and include a light lunch and prizes. Reserve at (760) 809-8146 or bit.ly/3uRjRKd . Visit soroptimistvista.org .

Vista Historical Society to induct Hall of Famers

The Vista Historical Society Annual Meeting and Hall of Fame induction is at 11 a.m. May 18 at Shadowridge Golf Club, 1980 Gateway Drive. Members of the board of directors will be installed and 2024 Vista Hall of Fame members will be honored. Hall of Fame inductees this year are Neva Lillian Clement, Dr. J.H. Coit, Jean Cole, Jaques Jules “Jack” Delpy, Paul E. Dorey, Rita Geldert, Barbara Mannino Harris, Margarita Fischer Pollard and Janet Sucro. The annual meeting is open to Vista Historical Society and Museum members and all interested area residents. Reservations for the luncheon and meeting are required, at a cost of $60 per person. Reserve at (760) 630-0444 or vistahistoricalsociety.com . The deadline for reservations is May 3.

Guajome Park Academy celebrates 30th anniversary

Guajome Park Academy holds a Stakeholders Day to celebrate its 30th anniversary from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 4 at 2000 N. Santa Fe Ave. The communitywide event will celebrate the achievements of students and staff. Students will showcase their work throughout the day. There will be drama vignettes, an orchestra concert, a cultural fashion show and a ballet folklorico performance. Highlights include dance and musical performances, interactive exhibits, art showcases, student clubs and athletic team booths. Food and refreshments will be sold. Visit guajomeparkacademy.net .

Youth Golf Tournament on May 13

The Vista Optimist Club holds its Larry Cooke Memorial Friends of Youth Golf Tournament on May 13 at Shadowridge Golf Club, 1980 Gateway Drive, with shotgun start at noon. The scramble format tournament raises money for the Vista Optimist Club Foundation, which is set on “bringing out the best in youths.” This year’s event is held in memory of former event chair Larry Cooke. Cost is $250, including Jersey Mike’s lunch and dinner as well as an opportunity to buy auction items. Visit vistaoptimist.org .

If your nonprofit would like to submit an event listing or photos of events that have happened recently, please email [email protected]. Include the name of the group, date and time of event, address, cost and contact information for readers within the email text. Photos should be sent as JPEGs. Include the names of those in the photos from left to right along with the photo credit and permission from the photographer to use the photo in The San Diego Union-Tribune.

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