Unique tourist attraction where memories stick around
—Bubblegum Alley is a tourist attraction in downtown San Luis Obispo, California, known for its accumulation of used bubble gum on the walls of an alley. Located in the 700 block of Higuera Street, the 15-foot-high and 70-foot-long alley is lined with chewed gum left by passers-by.
It’s not completely clear how bubblegum alley got started Some historians believe that the tradition of putting gum in the alley started after WWII as a San Luis Obispo High School graduating class event. Others believe it started in the late 1950s, as rivalry between San Luis Obispo High School and California Polytechnic State University students. By the 1970s, Bubblegum Alley was well established and has survived two thorough cleanings.
Throughout the years, San Luis Obispo’s Bubblegum Alley has been featured on a number of television shows, news programs, and in newspapers around the world such as the New York times and the Los Angeles Times, The San Francisco Chronicle and Ripley’s Believe it or Not. “Weird Al” Yankovic mentioned Bubblegum Alley in his 1978 song “Take Me Down,” an ode to San Luis Obispo. Our local Bubblegum Alley shares fame with its Seattle counterpart; the only two such landmarks on the West Coast.
Agreement whether these gum-covered walls should remain a part of quaint downtown San Luis Obispo has not been reached since its founding. While some locals consider this alley to be an “eyesore,” the Chamber of Commerce lists it as a “special attraction.” Store owners’ complaints concerning upkeep are countered by the argument that it increases foot traffic and business.
The Alley has inspired professional artists such as Matthew Hoffman. On the east end of the alley, up high on the north-facing wall, a giant self-portrait of Hoffman titled “Projectbubble Gum” is created entirely with bubble gum. The picture of the artist blowing a bubble required a tremendous amount of gum, which he was able to get with the help of the community.
Bubblegum Alley has a four-star Yelp rating for Landmarks & Historical Buildings. Here’s what some of the visitors have had to say :
“It was in 2009 when a Sagittarius man brought me to this yummi candy smelling alley. At first I was confused then I realized he liked me. He actually failed miserably not to kiss me.” Laura N., Huntington Beach, CA
“My 9-year-old found it equal parts facilitating and gross but she managed to spell out her first name in gum nonetheless.” Rich G., Los Angeles, CA
“It’s cool to find unique and weird tourist attractions like this, people from all over coming to find the infamous SLO Bubblegum alley and claim their spot on the wall with their minty fresh gum!” Adriana B. Santa Clara, CA.
Be sure to arrive with a good supply of gum!
– Editor Skye Pratt
