Embarcadero

San Francisco, California, United States

Your Light Art Trail begins along the Embarcadero at "The Bay Lights," displayed on the north side of the Bay Bridge's western span. This installation was created by Leo Villareal in 2013 and became a permanent installation in 2016. The artwork is 1.8 miles wide, 500 feet high, and consists of 25,000 individually programmed white LED lights.

The Embarcadero
San Francisco, CA

Your second stop showcases the intricate glowing sculpture created by Leo Villareal at the Exploratorium. "Buckyball" lights up the outside space next to the Exploratorium along the Embarcadero. See this installation all year round.

425 Mission St
San Francisco, CA

This installation by Jenny Holzer is enclosed in the Salesforce Transit Center's Grand Hall. Watch as fleeting text along the rotunda walls takes over the 182-foot-long LED screen, displaying words of wisdom from more than 40 writers, including Maya Angelou, Harvey Milk, Machine Gun Kelley, and many others.

San Francisco

California, United States

This installation created by Hank Willis Thomas is a tribute to his cousin who was murdered in 2000. "Love Over Rules" presents the last message Thomas's cousin sent to him. This glowing installation is made up of 6-foot-6-inch letters on the exterior wall of the Salma Family Building. Each word gets its own line and they are illuminated in different combinations, supporting multiple interpretations.

747 Howard St
San Francisco, CA

“Point Cloud” is housed on the pedestrian bridge connecting the north and south buildings of The Moscone Center. This installation was created by Leo Villareal, the same artist who created "The Bay Lights." "Point Cloud" spans 100 feet and is constructed of 858 steel rods and 28,288 LED bulbs that are, like those on the Bay Bridge, individually programmed to change colors every 30 seconds. You can walk the bridge during The Moscone Center's open hours, or enjoy the light show from street level on Howard St.

San Francisco

California, United States

This installation by world-famous artist Ivan Navarro takes an everyday piece of common urban architecture and turn it into something beautiful, whimsical, and fun.

415 Mission St
San Francisco, CA

This permanent installation was created by Jim Campbell in 2018. "Day for Night" covers the top 130 feet of the Salesforce Tower, making it the tallest public art installation in the country. It consists of 11,000 lights and video screens that work together to display scenes of the city all night long. You can see the images displayed atop Salesforce Tower from just about anywhere in San Francisco.

San Francisco

California, United States

This permanent installation by James Turrell, 2007. "Skygarden" is lit from dusk until 10:00 pm for exterior viewing. It also has two extending bands that emit a neon light, one extending up diagonally and the second installed at street level that completes the geometric figure.

99 Grove St
San Francisco, CA

On the western facade of Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, you'll be met with an impressive exterior installation created by Joseph Kosuth. "W.F.T." stands for "Word Family Tree" and presents the historical meaning of the word "auditorium" while showcasing the realities of cultural and social relationships through the words that make up this neon art installation. It is best seen after dusk.

San Francisco, CA

This 17-foot-tall sculpture was designed by Dana Albany. Albany was inspired by the robot Maria from the silent film “Metropolis,” and combined characteristics of the ancient female Buddha and a futuristic female robot to create "Tara Mechani". The sculpture is made from 80% recycled materials, with a custom-built chandelier inside the figure. The best time to view it is after dusk.

400 Castro St

San Francisco, California, United States

"Hope Will Never Be Silent" glows over Harvey Milk Plaza in the Castro, commemorating the words of Harvey Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the history of California. This installation is designed to honor his life and legacy through the light's power of attraction, offering a sign of hope to all who visit.