Surfing Madonna, Mosaic artwork near Moonlight Beach, Encinitas, United States
The Surfing Madonna mosaic measures 10 feet by 10 feet and portrays the Virgin of Guadalupe riding a surfboard on a wave with the message Save the Ocean.
Mark Patterson and Bob Nichols secretly mounted the mosaic under a train bridge in April 2011, leading to its removal and subsequent relocation to Surfing Madonna Park.
The nonprofit Surfing Madonna Oceans Project organizes surf camps for children with special needs and runs environmental conservation programs at Moonlight Beach throughout summer months.
The mosaic sits across from its original installation site on North Coast Highway, where visitors can view it during daylight hours without entrance fees.
Patterson and Nichols wore construction worker uniforms during the initial installation to avoid detection while mounting the large glass and stone artwork.
Location: Encinitas
GPS coordinates: 33.04890,-117.29300
Latest update: October 16, 2025 14:43
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