Replaced just a year ago, the iconic Ocean Beach entryway sign on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard has been vandalized.

The sign, located near Robb Field and Dusty Rhodes Park, was painted with graffiti, apparently some time late Sunday night or early Monday morning, said Gretchen Newsom, president of the Ocean Beach Town Council. She said the San Diego Police Department’s Graffiti Task Force is investigating.

The beach community has had an entry sign since the mid 1980s. Because of weather and termite damage, the previous wood sign had to be replaced, and the new one is made of a surfboard-type material, Newsom said.

During the replacement process, different designs were submitted, and residents voted on the choices, she said.


Newsom said it took a long time to raise the money to replace the sign, with San Diego County Supervisor Ron Roberts and former San Diego City Councilman Ed Harris leading that effort.

Residents are angry about the vandalism, she said, many of them posting their outrage on the council’s Facebook page.

“There’s a lot of pride here, and when something like this happens, it really hurts,” she said.

Newsom said she hopes the damage to the sign can be cleaned.