Balmy Alley, Mission District in San Francisco.

We thawed ourselves in sunny San Francisco during our Easter break. A city that lured us with it's weather, landmarks, historical places, food and it's happy colours! 

San Francisco city is best explored on foot especially the Mission District. As we emerged from the 24th St. Mission,  BART station we were welcomed into a lovely Latino neighbourhood with vibrance in the form of street art, cafes, bakeries and architecture.

Mission Pie Cafe.

The colourful murals take over large walls.

As we started our walk, there was so much to take in, the architecture with the deep blue sky above and  the multi- coloured art splashed on the walls.

The houses saturated with bright colours.

Art, patterns and colour play.

My friend's little daughter was completely taken in by the colours.

Each alley. Each lamp post seemed to be covered in art!

Patterns in the network of cables!

The buildings formed lovely angular patterns against the blue sky.

We finally reached Balmy Alley where Mission District artists have transformed the walls of their neighbourhood with huge murals.

The murals of Balmy Alley are examples of expressions of the history of displacement and marginalization  experienced by Mexicans and Chicanos of the United States.

These eyes reminded me so much of Aarohi Singh's work.

The walls are covered with Latino and South American murals portraying images of political struggles, artistic movements and their cultural heroes.

The famous mural  Naya Bihana by artist Martin Travers.

  

How about some Outer Body Experience? 

I was completely blown away by this world of colours and art. The murals keep changing and many are added over time.

 Art in every nook and corner.

I found this interesting link to San Francisco Mural Arts.  You can find your favourite mural artist here.

If you are traveling to San Francisco, do visit the Mission District and also the Precita Eyes Mural Arts and Visitors Center.  (We ran out of time but it does come highly recommended!)

I re-lived all those beautiful moments while I put this post together. Hope you all like it:-)

( Images by Arch. Reference: Wikipedia, Fodor's California 2012)