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Bubblegum Alley, San Luis Obispo

When I first saw Bubblegum Alley in San Luis Obispo, I instantly recognized how it got its name. I wasn’t sure whether to be grossed out by the sight of so much used chewing gum or amazed that so many people had contributed to this representation of public art. My reaction was mixed — a bit of “oh, gross” and a lot of fascination.

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For reasons known only to college students, San Luis Obispo (home of California Polytechnic State University) sports a brick alley between 733 and 734 Higuera Street that has been (literally) gummed up since the 1960s. A visit here will give you something to chew on.

This sticky landmark is worth the drive. Walls on both sides are covered with thousands of pieces of chewed gum in a rainbow of colors. Perusing the walls is akin to a treasure hunt. I’m awed by the myriad examples of gum art. I discover hearts, peace signs, names, flowers and faces.

If you feel inclined, leave your mark on this zany wall. There are several gumball machines on Higuera Street. Just chew and apply.

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When I first saw Bubblegum Alley in San Luis Obispo, I instantly recognized how it got its name. I wasn’t sure whether to be grossed out by the sight of so much used chewing gum or amazed that so many people had contributed to this representation of public art. My reaction was mixed — a bit of “oh, gross” and a lot of fascination.

Sponsored
Sponsored

For reasons known only to college students, San Luis Obispo (home of California Polytechnic State University) sports a brick alley between 733 and 734 Higuera Street that has been (literally) gummed up since the 1960s. A visit here will give you something to chew on.

This sticky landmark is worth the drive. Walls on both sides are covered with thousands of pieces of chewed gum in a rainbow of colors. Perusing the walls is akin to a treasure hunt. I’m awed by the myriad examples of gum art. I discover hearts, peace signs, names, flowers and faces.

If you feel inclined, leave your mark on this zany wall. There are several gumball machines on Higuera Street. Just chew and apply.

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The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

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4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
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