12 pieces of street art and murals in San Jose, CA that are worth visiting

A picture of the mural "Leyendas de San Jose" depicting Jesus Valenzuela,
Jose Martinez, Sonny Madrid, and Art Rodriguez. — Local Color is a nonprofit organization responsible for over 200 murals in San Jose.

We all know that San Jose has a vibrant arts scene – and we’re not just talking about the San Jose Museum of Art or the Anno Domini Gallery. One of our all-time favorite galleries? San Jose itself.

Today, we’re sharing where to find pieces that really paint a picture of Teal Town with our guide to 12 murals in town.

A colorful San Jose mural depicting Nuestra Señora Immaculada de Juquila, holding a bowl of mole, from which is sprouting the maguey plant. There is a hummingbird, and a multicolored text saying "¡Alebrijes!" — The gorgeous "¡Alebrijes!” mural on the side of the Mezcal restaurant in San Jose.

¡Alebrijes!, 25 W. San Fernando St. | By Francisco Franco
On the side of Mezcal Restaurant on West Fernando Street, this brilliant and colorful this mural pays tribute to Mexican folk art, the spirituality of the Oaxacan region of Mexico, and the Zapotec people’s artistic and culinary traditions. The figure in the mural is the patron goddess of the plant from which mezcal is made, Nuestra Señora Immaculada de Juquila.

A San Jose mural on the side of an overpass depicting an elderly woman reclining in a chair, and a young person playing the flute. — “Afternoon” at the corner of Almaden and Julian Streets in Downtown San Jose.

Afternoon, John Street at Almaden Boulevard | By Sainer
This Little Italy art piece depicts a tired elderly woman sitting in a chair and a young person playing a flute. Meant to represent a view of the Italian countryside, the mural sits at the entrance to the original settlement for Italian immigrants in downtown San Jose. It’s the first solo work in the US of Polish street artist Sainer.

On the side of a black and white building, a mural depicting multicolored gradient swirls. — The brightly colored mural lights up the side of the First Street building.

Gross/Holmes Building, 55 N. First St., Ste. 300 | By Ricky Watts
Created as a part of the inaugural Pow! Wow! San Jose festival, the colorful, looping 3D swirls of psychedelic gradients light up the side of the Gross/Holmes building on North First Street.

A downtown San Jose mural featuring a red, yellow, brown, and blue pinwheel, and the black silhouettes of two figures on a canoe, fists raised to the sky in the Black Power salute. There are black, white, and brown birds fluttering across the top of the mural. The words "Thank you" are written along the canoe. — An important moment in Olympic history with local roots.

Homage, San Salvador + First streets | By Chris Duncan and Paul Urich
This mural pays tribute to African American sprinters John Carlos and Tommie Smith — the gold and bronze medalists from the 1968 Olympics who raised black-gloved fists during the US national anthem. The San Jose State alums’ silent protest was also immortalized as statues on campus.

A picture of a mural on the side of a building depicting a woman, a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables, and stylized writing that says "Vida Abundante" — Vida Abundante is Spanish for “Life Abundant.”

Life Abundant, 233 W. Santa Clara St. | By Jim Minor
Featuring the visage of a woman, a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables, and a nod to the Egyptian Art Deco stylings of the Hotel de Anza (upon which this mural sits), the artist says the work reflects a deep appreciation for the South Bay’s agricultural roots.

A photo of a mural on the side of a brick building, depicting a Hawaiian woman, water, and fish. — The mural was finished mere days before the devastating 2023 fires in Maui.

Malama Aina, 86 N. Market St. | by Taylor Reinhold, Erik Smiley, and Casey Landaker
This mural celebrates the traditions, culture, and achievements of AAPI people. The phrase “malama aina” is a Hawaiian phrase meaning “caring for and honoring the land.”

A tall mural on the side of a white building depicting the stylized bust of the late Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. — The towering visage of the late Supreme Court Justice looks down upon West Santa Clara Street.

Notorious RBG, 2 W. Santa Clara St. | By Chuba Oyolu
This towering, five-story mural overlooking downtown’s busy Santa Clara Street was commissioned by the building and depicts the late Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The artist says he was inspired by RBG’s work ethic + tireless commitment to her ideals.

A mural on the side of a black building, depicting various organs, a hummingbird flying in front of a marigold flower, and the likenesses of two smiling people sitting cross-legged. — The city celebrated this mural’s unveiling with a celebration.

Nuestra Ofrenda, 499 S. Market St. | By Roberto Romo and Francisco Rameriz
This mural is a dedication to the generous donor families of San Jose, specifically the organ donations of the late Nancy Yahayra Gutierrez and Brandon Castellanos. The hummingbird, representing the holy spirit, flies in front of a cempazúchitl flower (Mexican marigold). Also pictured are the likenesses of the two donors, cross-legged, smiling, and at peace.

A mural depicting a jarring juxtaposition of space-age technology and giraffes. — Since the 2015 unveiling, the mural’s building has changed owners.

Phylum of the Free, Fountain Alley at South First Street | By Jeffrey Hemming
Featuring a clash between space-age machines and towering giraffes, this mural rests on the side of the former Lido’s Nightclub. The artist said this piece is meant to represent the contrast between slick Silicon Valley technology and the yearning for natural spaces.

A mural on the side of a building with a parking lot, depicting the words "San Jose!" an ice-skater, airplanes, a hockey team, a shark, Elton John, rapper E-40, Metallica frontman James Hetfield, and stars. — The Draculas are muralists Jeff McMillan and Gary Musgrave.

SAP Center 25, San Fernando and First streets | By The Draculas
This mural is a collaboration between Empire Seven Studios, The Sobrato Organization, Digital Reality, and the SAP Center, in celebration of the venue’s 25th anniversary in 2019. Featuring the likenesses of professional ice skating legend Kristi Yamaguchi, the San Jose Sharks, performers Elton John + E-40, and many other familiar faces.

Mural on the side of the Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center, depicting the many sides of William Price, otherwise known as Billy DeFrank. The name of the organization "Billy DeFrank LGBTQ+ Community Center" is on the mural, as well as the title "Spirit of Generosity, Love, and Inclusion." — Billy DeFrank was an important figure in San Jose’s LGBTQ+ history.

Spirit of Generosity, Love, and Inclusion | By Serge Gay Jr.
This bright and colorful mural showcases the many sides and struggles of the building’s namesake. William Price, who performed under the stage name “Billy DeFrank,” was an LGBTQ+ activist and community organizer in San Jose in the 1970s.

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Threads Woven, San Pedro Street | By Jimmy Paints + community
Local artist Jimmy Paints and Local Color San Jose partnered with 1,250 volunteers in May 2024 to paint this colorful community mural on San Pedro Square. The piece is 12,000-sqft and features 10 colors, and is meant to represent SJ’s different cultures and communities.

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Painting the town: Our guide to 12 murals in San Jose

There’s art to be found everywhere in San Jose, from murals in hidden corners to major artworks sprawling major buildings. Here’s our guide to the ones that make our city unique.