The 19th Annual LeucadiART Walk filled the streets of North County with energy, color, and community spirit on Sunday, transforming the stretch of North Coast Highway 101 in Leucadia into a bustling open-air gallery. From morning until late afternoon, thousands of visitors strolled the one-mile art corridor, engaging with the work of more than one hundred juried artists and enjoying a full day of live music, interactive exhibits, and cultural showcases. The annual event has become one of San Diego’s most beloved traditions, drawing both locals and tourists eager to experience creativity in motion.
The festival is presented by the Leucadia 101 Mainstreet Association, which has long championed the character and vitality of this historic coastal community. Their mission of blending commerce with culture was on full display as attendees encountered a wide variety of fine art, from oil paintings and sculpture to ceramics, photography, and handcrafted jewelry. Artist plazas lined the route, with local businesses and galleries like Leucadia Glass, The Brown Studio, and the Leucadia Art Gallery opening their doors to visitors. The effect was a seamless integration of art, community, and commerce that showcased the neighborhood’s unique identity.
Among the highlights of the day was a live glass-blowing demonstration that drew sizable crowds. Artist Dallas Smith captivated onlookers with his ability to transform molten glass into delicate, luminous creations before their eyes. This type of interactive display has become a hallmark of the LeucadiART Walk, offering attendees not only the chance to view finished works but also to witness the creative process unfold in real time. These live demonstrations created intimate moments between artists and audiences, adding layers of appreciation and connection to the event.
Families with young children found particular joy in the Children’s Artwalk hosted at The Brown Studio, where young artists were invited to explore their own creativity through hands-on activities. The space was filled with paint, brushes, and eager participants, making it clear that the festival is as much about fostering future generations of artists as it is about celebrating established ones. The family-friendly atmosphere lent a welcoming tone to the event, ensuring that it was not only a marketplace for art but also a place of education and inspiration.
The social energy of the festival extended beyond the art itself. Beverage gardens popped up along the route, offering craft beer, non-alcoholic refreshments, and spaces for relaxation and conversation. Local breweries such as Black Plague Brewing provided refreshments, turning the walk into a social gathering as well as a cultural showcase. A free open-air trolley made it easy for visitors to move between plazas, while eco-conscious touches like a bike valet encouraged sustainable participation.
Attendance at this year’s event was estimated at around 8,000, reinforcing the walk’s role as a cornerstone of North County’s cultural calendar. Beyond the numbers, however, the gathering represented something deeper—a renewed embrace of public life and shared experiences in the years following the pandemic. The ability to come together in an open, art-filled space reflected not only the resilience of the local arts community but also the hunger for in-person cultural gatherings that bring people face to face.
The LeucadiART Walk is more than just an annual event; it is a reflection of San Diego’s evolving relationship with art and community. For local artists, it provides an invaluable platform to display their work, connect with collectors, and gain recognition within the broader cultural landscape. For attendees, it offers an accessible way to experience fine art without the formality of a gallery or museum. The walk turns a neighborhood street into a place of discovery, where art becomes part of everyday life.
This year’s celebration also underscored the role of grassroots organizations like the Leucadia 101 Mainstreet Association in preserving cultural identity while fostering economic vitality. Their ongoing commitment to blending community development with artistic expression has ensured that the LeucadiART Walk continues to thrive nearly two decades after its founding. By providing a stage for regional talent and creating a space where residents and visitors can interact directly with artists, the association has cultivated an event that has become a defining feature of coastal San Diego’s cultural landscape.
As the sun set over the Pacific and vendors packed up their booths, the streets of Leucadia retained a lingering buzz of joy and connection. Attendees carried home new artwork, but also something less tangible: the memory of a day spent in creative communion with neighbors and strangers alike. In its nineteenth year, the LeucadiART Walk proved once again that public art has the power not only to inspire but also to unify, reminding the community of the enduring value of creativity in public life.
