Balmy Alley, Street art corridor in Mission District, San Francisco, US.
Balmy Alley is a narrow passageway in the Mission District lined with painted walls and garage doors. The murals cover every available surface with large colorful images created over several decades.
Painting began in the 1970s when local artists started adding their work to the alley walls. The project has continued growing with fresh murals regularly added to reflect current social issues.
The murals serve as a visual record of the Latin American community's presence and struggles in this neighborhood. Visitors encounter the works as an ongoing conversation about justice and identity that continues to evolve with new paintings.
The alley is easily accessible and can be explored on foot by visitors of all abilities. It is best visited early in the morning or on weekdays when crowds are smaller.
The artists paint without official permission and frequently repaint their own work, keeping the alley constantly changing. This means no two visits are exactly the same, as new images appear and transform regularly.
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