As a fellow Southern California player… one idea is to go in the businesses and see if there is any permanent artwork, and submit it as artwork rather than as the business. For instance, this isn’t one of mine but there’s a pet supply store near my home that has a stop, it’s a mural of a cat in a shopping bag that is on the wall in the hallway to the store’s bathroom.
Good idea! I will walk around and see if there are any with artwork. I think I found one close by that might work. The grocery store mentioned above has an upcoming community garden right next to it. I’ll keep an eye on that as well.
I’ve had especially good luck with independent and small-chain restaurants. (We have a local Mexican chain with 16 locations and they all have dining room murals).