Bay Bridge Lights

The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers


Artist Leo Villareal's installation of twinkling LED lights along the western span will make you swear the Bay Bridge is winking at you. In 2013, Villareal strung 25,000 lights along the vertical suspension cables, transforming the 1.8-mile span into the world's largest LED display. The display was meant to be temporary, but people liked it so much that they raised $4 million to make it permanent. The light show runs nightly from dusk to dawn, shimmering in never-repeating patterns.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby The Marina, Fisherman’s Wharf & the Piers attractions

1. Ferry Building

0.97 MILES

Hedonism is alive and well at this transit hub turned gourmet emporium, where foodies happily miss their ferries over Sonoma oysters and bubbly, SF craft…

3. Embarcadero Plaza

1.12 MILES

The plaza across from the Ferry Building isn't much to look at – the Vaillancourt Fountain has run dry, the walkways sag and the pavers are cracked. But…

4. Tactile Dome

1.2 MILES

Slide, climb and feel your way – in total darkness – through the labyrinth of the Tactile Dome at the Exploratorium, the city's standout science museum…

5. Exploratorium

1.2 MILES

Is there a science to skateboarding? Do toilets really flush counterclockwise in Australia? At San Francisco's hands-on science museum, you'll find out…

6. Day for Night

1.3 MILES

If there was a time that Salesforce employees could have a night on the town without thinking about work, that time is over. The top nine stories of the…

7. Jackson Square

1.39 MILES

Today upscale Jackson Sq is framed by Washington, Columbus, Pacific and Sansome Sts – but before the gold rush filled in the area with abandoned ships,…

8. Sun Terrace

1.42 MILES

Enjoy knockout vistas of the Financial District and Transamerica Pyramid from atop a slender art deco skyscraper. Take the elevator to the 15th floor.