San Luis Obispo, California: Bubble Gum Alley

Back in 2012, HayleyJo Townley chewed over 1,200 pieces of bubblegum to create the outline on the world's largest breast cancer ribbon made out of gum. Other people contributed, but HJT did the bulk of the work. Photo taken 10/11/12 by Gary Potts.

Even after the fancy pants hotel had been built and opened, this weird spot remains. Some of the local businesses have tried to get it closed, but the college kids and city visitors keep adding to it, so here it remains. Stop by a local candy shop to chew up your own contribution. And look for the gum portrait way up high on the Garden Alley end.

One end of Bubble Gum Alley is very inaccessible due to construction of a new fancy-pants hotel. The new hotel may figure out a way to get Bubble Gum Alley closed, since I don't think it fits into their dynamic. Whatever happens, parking downtown SLO is difficult and expensive, so it's only worth a visit if you are already downtown or you are a die hard used-gum fan.

Man, the smell is unbelievable, and yep, I left with gum on my shoe.

Could not believe my eyes -- chewed gum on both sides of the wall, and on the floor (a little sticky). Something different to see. Parking was a little hard but we did go at lunch time, so that is to be expected.

The alley is quite narrow. I suggest walking to the end and exiting, rather than exiting where you entered. Great detour!