PB Monthly

Art in the community: Take a self-guided tour of Pacific Beach’s many murals

One of the more well-known murals in PB is at an equally iconic location; the owl representing the Nite Owl Cocktail Lounge, at 2772 Garnet Ave., on the corner of Garnet Ave. and Mission Bay Drive.

The classic dive bar has been open since 1962.

Hanna Daly, the painter behind Hanna’s Murals, said she was contacted around 2019 by the new owner at the time of the Night Owl.

“He wanted something urban and hip to spice up the corner,” she said.

Growing up in San Diego, she’s been painting for nearly 20 years. She said she’s always loved to hang out in PB and skate the boardwalk.

She said the owner gave her a lot of artistic freedom, which she appreciated.

“I did the first mural of the owl on the west side wall; I didn’t realize how iconic the spot was at the time. People sit at that light forever on their way in and out of PB,” Daly said.

She later painted the east wall, which is seen when entering PB.

But the job came with some unexpected challenges.

“When I was painting the east wall I heard a crash and an older man had run into the wall — while I was painting it,” she recalled.

As if that didn’t make her nervous enough about finishing the job, she said a truck next hit part of the roof of the building and “took it off.”

With the murals finished and her nerves recovered, Daly said, “It’s a very fun mural for me; everyone knows it. And the Night Owl is a great place to hang out, with super folks there.”

Although not all her creations are part of the Mural Walk, Daly has multiple projects scattered across Pacific Beach, including the La Clochette Du Coin Bakery at 4680 Cass St.; Biggies Burgers at 4631 Mission Blvd.; Kono’s Cafe at 704 Garnet Ave. and Kitchens for Good at 980 Hornblend St. She said each project was the result of people seeing the original Night Owl mural.

“When I first started doing outdoor murals 19 years ago, many communities were afraid to include them,” Daly said. “They were afraid they might be too controversial and it was hard to convince them otherwise.

“Now, a lot more areas have accepted them,” she said. “But PB was very accepting of them before anyone else and they were bolder with their artistic choices.”

More of Daly’s creations can be seen at hannasmurals.com.