Billboard, Schmillboard

One of the first things you notice when you travel off the rock is that billboards are everywhere. At first it's sort of a culture shock - huge, towering signs are encouraging you to watch Quantum of Solace or to buy GEICO insurance. Even retail signs and window dressings are ten times larger and flashier than in Hawaii.

I know we'll probably never approve the use of billboards in Hawaii because it obstructs our natural beauty (or so that's the argument), but after my recent trip to San Francisco and Los Angeles I think it might be cool to have at least a couple signs. I mean, Hawaii Rent-All can't continue to have the monopoly on unique signage, can it?

Here are some interesting and funny signs I saw while traveling the roadways of SF and LA. Some are billboard advertisements that tower several stories above the road. Some are just cool store names. Others are painted (or wallpapered) onto the side of buildings.

Here's a night shot of Union Square in SF. I'm atop Macy's on the Cheesecake Factory balcony, almost eye level with some of the other stores. However, as you can see, these buildings are huge and they're all sporting some cool billboards.


This is thug life Obama. It was spray painted on the sidewalk at Haight and Ashbury. Awesome huh? He's even got a blacked out tooth, which could either mean he's missing one or that it's gold capped. Which do you think it is?


A Venice resident has taken a more celestial view of the president-elect.


This was plastered on the side of a building. Whether you're an Obama or McCain supporter, you gotta admit that if you saw this you'd definitely remember to vote. "Let's Get Ready to Rumbleeeeee!"


This was another poster that was all over LA. I saw one as large as the Obama vs. McCain wall painting but just couldn't get that shot.


In L.A., they take advertising to the next level. This was on Rodeo Drive and while I don't know what the product was, it definitely was the way to go. I saw a pap chasing after this van so I snapped a shot too. Who knows? It could've been someone famous.


I have no clue what the product is, but I thought it was funny!


This was a store on Melrose Avenue, I think. Gotta love it.


I think this one was advertising some modern art exhibit using local newscasters as the subject.


When would you ever see a huge guitar like this?


At Universal Studios, they used the entire building as a scene from The Simpsons.