Bicycles, murals and local history will converge in downtown Encinitas on Sunday, May 17, as free public art walking tours make their debut during the city’s annual Cyclovia event, offering residents and visitors a new way to explore the community’s collection of outdoor artwork.
The inaugural Encinitas Public Art Walking Tour series will offer residents and visitors an opportunity to explore murals, sculptures, mosaics and other installations throughout downtown Encinitas during the car-free community event, according to a May 8 news release. Organizers said the city is home to more than 900 public artworks across 40 genres.
The event marks the launch of a new partnership between Visit Encinitas and the Encinitas Historical Society, according to organizers.
“Encinitas has such a vibrant and authentic art scene, and it’s one of the elements that truly sets us apart from other beach communities,” Carol Knight, CEO of Visit Encinitas, said in the news release. “This partnership with the Encinitas Historical Society allows us to celebrate that creativity in a new, interactive way — inviting both locals and visitors to experience the city’s art, history, and culture firsthand during one of our most beloved community events.”
The tours will be led by Encinitas Historical Society archivist Hillel Schwartz and longtime resident Mark O’Connor, both of whom are involved in local cycling and arts communities. Tours will depart from the Visit Encinitas and Historical Society booths between D and E streets along Coast Highway 101.
“Hillel Schwartz and Mark O’Connor have long been passionate about both cycling and the arts, and are now helping bring the two together for Cyclovia,” Historical Society President Carolyn Cope said in the news release. “Encinitas has always been a place where creativity and movement intersect, and these tours are designed to celebrate that in an accessible, engaging way.”
Short tours lasting about 30 to 40 minutes are scheduled for 10:30 a.m., 11:15 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:15 p.m., while hourlong tours are planned for 10:45 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. Organizers said the shorter routes will remain on flatter terrain for families and younger participants, while the extended tours will include gentle hills.
In addition to the guided walks, organizers plan to provide printed maps and potentially a mobile app for self-guided public art tours along Coast Highway 101 in historic Encinitas. Future plans also include a digitally enhanced geographic map featuring public art throughout Encinitas communities including Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Leucadia, New Encinitas and Olivenhain.
Schwartz said the tours are intended to help participants experience the city at a slower pace while learning about the stories behind local artworks.
“The best way to experience a place is by moving slowly through it, whether on foot or by any sort of bike,” Schwartz said in the announcement. “These tours are a way to share the astonishing range of public art we have here in Encinitas while connecting to the community and its stories.”
Cyclovia, hosted by the city of Encinitas, transforms downtown streets into a car-free event focused on cycling, walking and community activities. The public art tours will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and are free to attend.
More information will be available at the Visit Encinitas and Encinitas Historical Society booths between D and E Streets during Cyclovia, or those interested can email organizers at [email protected] and [email protected].
