Gen are you using Google Streetview? Or Google Earth? I find Google Streetview to have much clearer images.
Google Maps with Street View I've attached a pic of an area near me, but you can even zoom in a little closer than what you see in this picture. I was lookin' at the junk in someone's carport, and could see the dirt on the siding of someone's house. It's pretty clear, and you can use your mouse to walk up and down the streets and check things out. I just want to be sure you are using the right website, as google "streetview" is fairly new.