San Francisco has a large and growing collection of public light art: installations on bridges, towers, piers and street corners, many of them permanent. Each winter the city gathers them into a festival of light, Illuminate SF, with a map of works to walk between.

The Bay Lights

The best-known piece is The Bay Lights by the artist Leo Villareal: thousands of individually programmed lights strung along the cables of the western span of the Bay Bridge, playing slow, never-repeating patterns across the water. It first lit up in 2013 and has been renewed since. The best views are from the Embarcadero near the Ferry Building and from Rincon Park.

The winter festival

From late fall into the new year, the festival highlights dozens of works across the city, from downtown towers to neighborhood murals of light. A free map, published each season, groups them into walking routes. Some works are temporary and change each year, so check the current season's map before you plan your route.

A self-guided evening walk

Start at the Ferry Building at dusk and watch The Bay Lights come on. Walk south along the waterfront under the bridge, then turn inland into SoMa, where several towers and plazas carry light works. Finish downtown for dinner. Allow two hours at an easy pace.

Practical notes

Winter evenings are cold and sometimes wet; dress warmly. December nights are long, which gives you more time in the dark. For the seasons in general, see the best time to visit San Francisco.

About The Bay Lights

When The Bay Lights was first switched on in 2013, it was described as the largest LED light sculpture in the world: about 25,000 white lights attached to the vertical cables of the Bay Bridge's western span, nearly two miles long. Leo Villareal programs the lights with patterns inspired by water, wind and the movement of people and birds, so the sculpture never repeats itself exactly. The project was paid for by private donations and has been maintained and renewed by a non-profit.

Other light art to look for

  • Light installations on downtown towers, including a large display at the top of the city's tallest building, which shows changing images and video at night.
  • Works in public plazas around SoMa and the Financial District, some permanent, some seasonal.
  • Neighborhood pieces in places such as Chinatown and the Mission, where light art is combined with murals and lanterns.
  • The Conservatory of Flowers in Golden Gate Park, sometimes lit with colored projections for festivals.

Planning an evening

Winter sunsets come early, so you can start a light walk at five and still have dinner at a normal hour. Wear warm, waterproof layers. A good route is the Embarcadero from Pier 39 to the Ferry Building, then along to Rincon Park under the Bay Bridge, then up into SoMa. Download the season's map before you go, as signal can be patchy among tall buildings.

Frequently asked questions

When is Illuminate SF on?

The festival of light usually runs from late fall into the new year. The Bay Lights and other permanent works can be seen year round.

Is it free?

Yes. All the works are in public spaces.

Where is the best place to see The Bay Lights?

From the Embarcadero near the Ferry Building and from Rincon Park, or from a bay ferry after dark.