**Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through one of these links you don’t pay a cent more, but I receive a small commission, that is put towards the running of this blog.
Experiencing a city like San Francisco at night is the way to fall head-over-heels in love with a place.
Sure there are gorgeous coastline views, iconic bridges and stretches of National Parks that will widen your eyes to saucers.
But light art pieces scattered around a city make you feel like you’re somewhere special that values the beauty as well as the functionality of its space.
ILLUMINATE SF: SAN FRANCISCO AT NIGHT
Illuminate SF began as the Festival of Lights back in 2013, running as a two month show of night time activity in San Francisco.
Beginning on Thanksgiving evening and ending on New Year’s Day, the festival made such a big impact on locals and tourists out for a memorable night in San Francisco, that it stuck around. In part anyway.
Since the inaugural Illuminate SF, some displays have been made permanent, while others are only commissioned for the yearly festival.
During the two months to the new year, the San Francisco Festival of Light includes light art and museum tours, talks with the artists, and free guided tours.
But if you’re not lucky enough to be visiting during the festival, don’t fret, a big portion of the light art pieces have been made permanent. And they’re sprinkled around San Francisco liberally.
SAN FRANCISCO NIGHT TOUR
It’s easy enough to create your own San Francisco night tour of the Embarcadero and through the many neighbourhoods.
While you’re marveling at the architecture by night, you’ll be getting a different view of the regular San Francisco tourist spots.
Light art is scattered through 17 different neighbourhoods and most of them are free to view. Some are inside the San Francisco International Airport though, so if you’re flying in or out, you’re in luck.
I’ve created a few Illuminate SF itineraries that group the closest and most easily accessible light displays together to make it easier for you to get around.
Just pick one, depending on where you’re staying or where you’ll be for dinner and go from there!
What You’ll Need
There’s just a couple of things you’re going to need for this San Francisco by night tour:
- A Clipper card or spare change for public transport (if walking’s not your thing)
- Good walking shoes
- A jacket (yes even in summer)
- A camera (totally optional if you’re not a shutterbug)
- A sense of wonder and adventure.
Now that’s said, let’s go exploring!
A QUICK STROLL THROUGH NORTH BEACH
The north-west corner of San Francisco is unsurprisingly home to North Beach, a mix of famous tourist stops and beautiful neighbourhoods.
There are three spectacular pieces of light art that I’d recommend you visit. It won’t take long, and I’ve even got a little bonus for you.
1. Jacob’s Dream: A Luminous Path
We begin at church. Actually, at a cathedral – Grace Cathedral (1100 California Street, San Francisco) to be exact.
Picture courtesy of San Francisco Travel
Inside you’ll find Jacob’s Dream: A Luminous Path, lit up day or night (open 8am-6pm). That’s apart from the beautiful architecture, stained glass windows and the labyrinth on the stone floor.
Created by Benhamin Bergery and Jim Campbell, the artwork is based on the ladder Jacob dreams about in a bible story. Look closely and you’ll see figures moving up and down the ladder.
2. Language of the Birds
A 15 minute walk brings you to a busy part of San Francisco. The North Beach Plaza holds the historic City Lights bookstore, but we’re looking for a former topless bar. Actually the second-best known topless bar in San Francisco called El Cid, if you believe the internet.
Now it’s a Chinese restaurant, but it’s also where DJ Tom Donahue discovered The Beau Brummels. Hence the mural covering the building. In front of that building you’ll see illuminated books flying like birds, suspended above the plaza.
Created by Brian Goggin and Dorka Keehn, the work uses solar power and at night runs through a lighting sequence.
3. The Bay Lights
You can either take a 30 minute stroll or catch a taxi/uber to 344 The Embarcadero to see The Bay Lights. There are good vantage points of the bridge’s west span on The Embarcadero so take your pick and get ready to have your breath taken away.
Renowned light artist Leo Villareal lit up The Bay Bridge in 2013 after a group called ILLUMINATE formed to create and commission uplifting works of public art. It is created from 25,000 individually programmed LED lights that sparkle and twinkle in a never-repeating display across the bridge.
4. Bonus Round: Buckyball
I’m calling this the ‘bonus’ because it was a temporary display for 2017’s San Francisco Festival of Light. It wasn’t a permanent display so you can’t visit it anymore, but I can show it to from my visit.
Buckyball was situated just outside the Exploratorium (Pier 15, The Embarcadero) and was also created by Leo Villareal, which is probably why it’s so mesmerising.
The illuminated sculpture was programmed by Villareal using custom software and displays more than 16 million distinct colours over its array of pentagons and hexagons.
CENTRAL MARKET NIGHT TOUR
Central, or mid Market, is a mix of tourist spots, tech giants, shopping in restaurants. It also has its fair share of light art and it’s a good place to while away your San Francisco evening.
There are six great displays scattered over the area that are all within walking distance.
1. Handsignals
You’re used to looking at pedestrian signals at traffic lights, you probably don’t even register them much anymore. But you’ll notice Matthew Passmore’s on the corner of McCoppin and Valencia streets.
Picture courtesy of San Francisco Travel
Handsignals was a project of MoreLab replaced the customary Walk/Don’t Walk flashing signs with symbols that are more in line with the Mission District’s vibe. It’s playful and fun.
2. Bonus Round: Trillian + Dodi
Another bonus round, because this one was scheduled for removal in January 2017. When I got to Patricia’s Green in Hayes Valley (just off Fell Street), I felt like I was in a little corner of Pan’s Labyrinth.
The geometric sculptures, created by Yelena Filipchuk and Serge Beaulieu, are shaped in hexagons of varying sizes. The beauty is in the designs that have been laser-cut into the panels that make up each shape.
They cast patterned coloured light across the green grass of the small park. The lights are programmed respond to noise, so do a bit of talking and see what happens!
3.Firefly
Designed by Ned Kahn, Firefly (431 Polk Street, San Francisco) uses wind power to swing thousands of clear panels in patterns.
Picture courtesy of San Francisco Travel
The 12-story sculpture looks like rippling waves of glass during the day, but at night, tiny lights flicker throughout the piece to look like fireflies darting through the night.
4. Constellation
Head over to the San Francisco Public Library (100 Larkin Street, San Francisco) and go inside (Monday & Saturday 10am-6pm, Tuesday-Thursday 9am-8pm, Friday 12pm-6pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm).
Walk behind the grand staircase, then look up. You’re staring at Nayland W. Blake’s light art work, created in the Beaux Art Tradition. The names of 160 authors, whose works grace the library’s collection, have been etched onto glass and suspended in front of lighting that gives the illusion of stars.
5. Caruso’s Dream
Onwards to the AVA apartment building (55 9th Street, San Francisco) for a taste of whimsy. This is a place where piano-shaped objects hang from buildings.
Picture courtesy of San Francisco Travel
Artists Brian Goggin and Dorka Keehn put together the piano canopy from glass and steel salvaged from warehouse windows. Tied together with rope and supported by wooden braces, the piece is fully secure, so you don’t have to worry about a Warner Bros.-style cartoon accident.
During the day you’ll see prisms of light reflected onto the footpath by the sun shinning through the glass. At night they are internally lit, and flicker to the music of Enrico Caruso’s operas if you tune into 90.9FM between 4pm and 10am.
6. SkyGarden
We finish our San Francisco night tour at the Federal Building (90 Seventh Street, San Francisco), home to James Turrell‘s light art work.
It’s nestled on the south facade of the building, inside a three-story opening on the building. Inside are neon lights that glow into a single block of colour and ribbons of light extend across the building.
LIGHT ART IN YERBA BUENA
Located just south of Market Street, the Yerba Buena district is a perfect place to explore after dark if you’re staying in the heart of the city.
There are eight light displays in a two block radius and it doesn’t take much walking if you’ve already been shopping at Westfield or strolling Union Square a little earlier.
1. Yud
The Jewish Contemporary Museum (736 Mission Street, San Francisco) structure makes up the first stop on our tour. Built around a 19th Century red-brick power plant, you’ll notice metallic blue steel structures jutting at odd angles.
Picture courtesy of San Francisco Travel
Artist Daniel Libeskind arranged 36 diamond windows into the steel to create a beautiful contrast at night when viewed from outside. During the day you can enter the museum (Adults $14, Under 18s free) and see the shafts of sunlight pour through.
2. Lamp of the Covenant
As you can guess, we’re staying at the Jewish Contemporary Museum for this one. Only really visible during opening hours (11am-5pm daily, except Wednesdays when it’s closed and Thursdays 11-8pm), this display was created by David Lane.
Once you arrive in the lobby look up. The Lamp of the Covenant refers to the light that is placed over a synagogue altar, although in this case it’s made of globes and other antique objects.
3. Pardes Wall
Picture courtesy of San Francisco Travel
4. Love Over Rules
Artist Hank Willis Thomas’ light piece, Love Over Rules
“I grew up in a family where love overruled,” Thomas told the California Historical Society.
“My cousin, Songha Willis, was murdered in Philadelphia in 2000. A month after he died, I found a recording of the incident, and his last words were ‘love over rules’.”
5. Monument for V. Tatlin
Onto the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (151 Third Street, San Francisco) for the next few displays. You’ll have to buy a ticket online or at the museum for these (Adults $25, under 18s free). Head up to the fifth floor and enter Pop, Minimal and Figurative Arts: The Fisher Collection.
The collection includes work by artists like Andy Warhol, but we’re here to see the work of Russian artist Dan Flavin. His light art is a tribute to fellow Russian Vladimir Tatlin, a painter and architect who championed the avante garde movement in the 1920s and was passionate about bringing art and technology together.
6. Untitled
7. Lumina
After all of that walking and looking thoughtfully at museum pieces, it might just be time for dinner. Luckily the next stop is a restaurant.
Picture courtesy of San Francisco Travel
Just a few metres south of SF MOMA is the W Hotel (181 Third Street, San Francisco). Inside the restaurant you’ll find a 8 metre (27 foot) sculpture called Lumina, created by MADLAB.
The light sculpture is based on “cosmic star clouds, bioluminescent jellyfish and the brain’s neural networks”, according to its creators. It’s got 7,000 fibre optic strands threaded into it, so you know that I’m not exaggerating when I say that it’s impressive.
8. San Francisco at Night: Model Art Map
Over on the other side of the building is the hotel lobby. Above the check in desk you’ll see a twinkling map of San Francisco at night.
Created by Lisa Gemmiti and a team, a 3D topographical map of the city was created and 2,000 LED lights were installed. Look out for the red lights, which pinpoint some popular spots that you may want to visit on your trip.
EVEN MORE LIGHT ART
Ahh I love the flying books! San Francisco is such an interesting place to be at night – I love all these illuminations #citytripping
That’s been one of my favourites for a while actually. Before I knew it was part of a wider light art exhibition I guess 🙂
Great post, love the way you have included the maps
Thanks! I’m geographically challenged so I like to include maps for others who are like me 😉
So cool! Another reason to visit SF. Incidentally, I visited the Contemporary Jewish Museum while I was in town. I didn’t really get it, but I loved the Wise Sons deli downstairs (and you don’t need museum entrance to enjoy!)
I remembered that you mentioned that actually. It was closed when I got there so I didn’t get to go in. Nice tip about Wise Sons deli though, I’ll check that out! I had already stuffed my face at Bluestone Lane – it’d just opened on Market Street and I wanted Aussie avocado toast!
I love exploring cities at night. I love that you included the map with the destinations in this post. That’s so cool! I’ve been to SF several times, but I think the only time I’ve ever been downtown is to see the Nutcracker. I feel like I need to go back and take your notes with me! #Citytripping
Thanks Sara, me too. Although by the time night rolls around I’m usually pretty exhausted. You’ll have to come back for the lights! 🙂
Some of these installations are incredible! Caruso’s Dream and Firefly stand out in particular. Great guide and another reason to visit San Francisco! #citytripping
Aren’t they just gorgeous? This is going on my recommendation list for everyone who comes to visit and asks me what they should do 🙂
I’m a sucker for beautiful lights! And some of these installations are so beautiful – I especially would like to see Lumina in person!
I’m going back to see Lumina again later at night. I was there a little early so the effect of the lights wasn’t as awesome.
Love this Katherine – I’d happily do all of these itineraries. I particularly like the Lumina (looks like a giant jellyfish to me) and Trillian + Dodi Cant wait to get back to San Francisco one day soon #farawayfiles
I thought the same thing when I saw Lumina! Which gave me the heebies a little, because one of the reasons I’m not a huge fan of beach swimming is the fear of jellyfish. Thanks for visiting Katy!
beautiful photography! Night photography is so hard for me, i need to just practice more and more! I wonder if my city does a night photo tour! Great post!
I started a little early so that helped with some of the pictures and my Google Pixel is pretty good with most photography 🙂
We absolutely love San Francisco, been twice and we’ll surely get back for more. I’m sad to say we’ve never been able to see the Festival of Lights, now we must, it looks awesome!
I’m glad that you love San Francisco so much Dany! I’ve been here for two and a half years now and I’m always finding new things to see and do. You’ll have to let me know what you think of the Festival of Lights when you visit next.
How neat is this!! I still haven’t made it to San Fran, but now it looks like I need to make sure that I when I do get there it’s during the Festival of Lights! It all looks so cool! That book display?! LOVE!
YES Melanie! LOL, can you tell that I’m biased? I love it here 🙂
What a great post – I love traveling a new city at night and seeing how they light the place up so it sparkles and glows. It’s sort of like being in a grown up Disneyland where everything is really about the art. #flyawayfriday
You just described it perfectly Faith 🙂 That’s exactly how I feel as well
This is so cool! Looks like I need to go back to SF so I can experience this! Thank la for sharing! #FlyAwayFriday
I have a list of places that I have to go back to that’s as long as my arm. Hope you visit soon Melina!
San Francisco looks lovely illuminated. Great tips for those who are planning a trip there!
I love light installations and these are some cool pieces. Seeing a city at night is just so magical! #FlyAwayFriday
I would love to see this. I am actually headed to something similar in London tomorrow called Lumiere, but it’s only for one weekend. Also, the Buckyball. was on display in NY when I was there and I just loved it. Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard
I think I heard about Lumiere last week, that’s awesome, I hope that it was as spectacular as it sounds! I’m glad that you got to see Buckyball in NY!
What a great post! I love it when cities have light festivals like this and it’s so great that SF made many of the pieces permanent! The installation with the birds flying like books reminds me a little of Forgotten Songs in Sydney’s CBD. #FlyAwayFriday
I’ll have to look up Forgotten Songs in Sydney. I lived there for ages and I don’t remember it… although to be fair, I did live in the western suburbs and didn’t make it to the city too often.
What a cool festival. I’d love to do all of these itineraries. I love seeing cities all lit up at night. Even just the lights from the buildings. It gives the city a totally different feel than it has during the day. #FlyAwayFriday
It really does Allison! That’s why I love going to see Christmas lights, it makes things feel a little more magical!
How can San Francisco get even better?– by adding all these lights! I love to visit during the holidays because of all the extra lights, and I’d love to look for these, especially #7. I also love riding the cable cars and looking for the lights of Christmas trees in the windows 🙂
You’re a woman after my own heart Sharon! Give me pretty, twinkling lights and I’m there with bells on… or lights on? I don’t know, but it’s great 😉
What a fun and colourful festival. Absolutely loved the pictures! I’m glad the city decided to keep (some of) these around. Afterall, things that contribute to public happiness in this simple way should be treasured and not trashed. #FlyAwayFriday
Exactly! It’s a great way of instilling pride in your home town or city. And I’ve read lots of studies that say the same thing.
Those hexagon shaped lights are sooo pretty! Wouldn’t mind doing an evening walk around SF for the lights! Thanks for linking up with #TheWeeklyPostcard!
Thanks for visiting Lolo! Hopefully it’s given you a bit of inspiration to come home for a visit 😉
I wish I’d known about this last week, as I spent the weekend in SF! All of these look so fun, I’m not sure I would have been able to choose just one! #farawayfiles
Oh no! Sorry Hilary! I hope you had a great weekend in SF though 🙂
If you are lucky to catch a clear night in San Francisco, you may take a lot of seat pictures. The city is spectacular even outside this festival of lights. I would imagine though that now was more beautiful #TheWeeklyPostcrd
You’re totally right Anda. I’ve been lucky every time I’ve visited San Francisco at night it’s been clear!
This is a great post and the photos are amazing. I especially like the itineraries. My favorite photos are Grace Cathedral and The Bay Bridge. #TheWeeklyPostcard
You know Dorothy, I visited Grace Cathedral a year or two ago and found Jacob’s Ladder but had no clue what it was. I was so glad to finally sort out the mystery!
These really are beautiful, and a reminder that I must get out to try and see our own London illuminations, which are on now. My favourite of yours is the Bay Bridge, although some of the temporary exhibits are incredible. #FarawayFiles
Ooh, I’ve seen some pictures of Lumiere, it looks absolutely spectacular! I hope you enjoy that as much as I did the San Francisco version 🙂
This is a super interesting post. I never even noticed the pedestrian signals when I was there. All your pictures are stunning and I think Buckyball should be permanent.
Ah, such a cool post Katherine! There is a light festival coming to Copenhagen this February and I’m super excited to check it out, love a good illumination. Your maps are super helpful too! Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin
Love SFO, but never thought of wandering around at night to see the lights! Obviously, we need to get back to town and correct this oversight. 😉 Thanks for the roadmap! Love the light-up map of San Francisco – kind of makes me want one of our town! #TheWeeklyPostcard
Beautiful, we spent a few days in San Fransisco and it was a gorgeous city, however, I think it looks even more beautiful illuminated at night.
Wow! This photography is incredible! I was supposed to head to San Francisco in March, but I’m waiting till later in the year…every post I read on this city just makes me more and more excited for the trip. I can’t wait!
Wow, what a unique itinerary. I actually really love light art, but there isn’t much of it here in Northern Europe. Pretty handy post with the maps especially 🙂
I’ve never known this side of San Francisco, so cool that they have all of this!! I loved the city and its architecture, but now I must go back to experience more.
How good are light art festivals? Big fan of them – always visited Lumiere in London and Vivid in Sydney. SF seems like a city built for this kind of thing. Thanks for the virtual tour!
Illuminated nights in cities just are so breathtaking. San Francisco can really put on a light show! I will keep this in mind when I travel there! Thanks for joining Fly Away Friday! See you this Friday! 🙂
Thanks Janine, I’m glad that you liked the post 🙂
Kat, this is such a cool idea for a blog post! You always have the best content. I’m keeping this bookmarked for when I’m in San Francisco in April!!! Thanks for joining Fly Away Friday, hope to see you again this week! xo
Hahaha, now I just need the traffic to back it up! That’s the tough part. I’m glad that you’re coming up here in April, I hope you have a great time and that you get to see some of these art works!