The Mushroom House mess

La Jolla’s iconic Mushroom House has fallen into disrepair in recent years — and become a breeding ground for graffiti, vandalism and curious tourists unaware that it is private property.

That all followed the collapse of unstable cliffs, damaged the house and its famous elevator. The city, coastal commission and property owner Buzz Woolley have since been unable to grant permits necessary to get it fixed.

As it stands, the house’s future lies in limbo. But, it’s not allowed to just sit as is.

If you happen to wander along Black’s Beach, you might notice the structure looks a bit more beige than it has in previous months. That’s because the City of San Diego has mandated that Woolley board it up and remove the graffiti.

But each effort to clean up the exterior creates a blank canvas for graffiti artists. Our intern Thomas Murphy has the story on how the cleanup effort leaves Woolley in a perpetual cycle, at odds with the public who wander onto or make their mark on the property.

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