Permanent Monumental Light Display on the west Span of the Bay Bridge – Visible from the Embarcadero
Covering the entire San Francisco Bay Bridge West span, the Bay Bridge Lights are a must-see for anyone exploring San Francisco’s stunning attractions.
UPDATE: The Bay Lights Return in Spring 2025
The Bay Lights will make a grand comeback with an upgraded installation, increasing the total number of lights from 25,000 to 50,000. Dubbed The Bay Lights 360 by Illuminate, the display will feature abstract patterns visible not only from the Embarcadero but also from Bayview, Oakland, Alameda, and Berkeley. The original Bay Lights display debuted in 2013 but went dark in March 2023 due to the bridge’s harsh weather conditions affecting the lights. This next-generation display will wrap around the cables, ensuring a breathtaking experience from multiple vantage points.
A Masterpiece of Public Art
Created by artist Leo Villareal, The Bay Lights is an iconic San Francisco light sculpture composed of 25,000 individually programmed white LED lights. Originally designed as a temporary two-year installation, the display became a permanent feature in 2016. Spanning 1.8 miles and soaring 500 feet high, the bridge lights shine from dusk to dawn as a tribute to the people of California, made possible by generous private donors and the nonprofit organization Illuminate.
Part of Illuminate SF’s Festival of Lights
The Bay Bridge Lights are a key attraction in San Francisco’s Illuminate Festival, which features:
-
- 40+ light installations
- 17 neighborhoods
- 30+ artists
The Bay Lights by the Numbers
-
- 1.8 miles: Total length of the light installation (equivalent to 26.4 football fields)
- 12 inches: Distance between individual LED lights in each strand
- 2 feet: Length of the shortest bridge cable
- 240 feet: Length of the longest bridge cable
- 500 feet: Highest point of the installation
- 100,000 feet: Total length of power, fiber, and Cat 5 wiring used in the system
- 300: Number of vertical bridge cables outfitted with LED lights
- 728: Number of power and data boxes supporting the system
- 50 million: Estimated number of people dazzled by The Bay Lights since its launch
- $8 million: Cost of the initial project
- $1 million: Estimated revenue boost to the local economy over 10 years after reinstallation
Dedicate a Bay Light
Support this spectacular public art installation by dedicating a Bay Light at sif.illuminate.org. Illuminate offers the opportunity for individuals to dedicate a light in The Bay Lights to honor a loved one, a special occasion, or a beloved pet. For every tax-deductible $100 donation, your words and photo will be permanently archived, supporting future public art projects.
Explore San Francisco’s Best Attractions on a Private Tour
Want the best view of the Bay Bridge Lights?
Experience them up close with a private tour San Francisco visitors will love! Our Private Group Jeep Sightseeing Tours provide a personalized adventure through the city, featuring stunning landmarks like the Bay Bridge, Golden Gate Bridge, and more. With a private tour guide, you’ll uncover hidden gems and breathtaking sights in a way that fits your interests and schedule.
Why Choose a Private Tour?
- Customized itinerary tailored to your group’s interests
- Exclusive access to top San Francisco sightseeing spots
- Flexible schedule—go at your own pace
- Entertaining private tour guide offering rich history and insights
- Perfect for small groups (up to six guests)
Book your private tour San Francisco experience today and see the city like never before!
The Future of The Bay Lights
Thanks to a coalition of philanthropists and the dedicated efforts of Illuminate, the new Bay Lights installation is set to return in Spring 2025. The extensive planning and installation process aims to make the artwork even more resilient against the Bay’s harsh weather conditions.
Since its debut on March 5, 2013, The Bay Lights have transformed the waterfront, becoming one of the world’s most renowned public art installations. Initially conceived as a temporary display, the overwhelming support from the community led to its return in 2016. Illuminate’s founder, Ben Davis, rallied a vast coalition of supporters and navigated approval from over a dozen governmental agencies to bring the project to life.
With 50,000 new LEDs set to dazzle the Bay Area, The Bay Lights 360 will redefine nighttime San Francisco sightseeing. Whether you’re experiencing the lights from the Embarcadero, a waterfront restaurant, or the seat of a private tour Jeep, this extraordinary light show is a must-see attraction for visitors and locals alike.
For more information on The Bay Lights and other San Francisco landmarks, visit Illuminate SF.
Dedicate a Bay Light at sif.illuminate.org.
Currently and until all 25,000 lights are claimed, Illuminate offers the opportunity for anyone to dedicate a light in “The Bay Lights” to honor a friend, family member, pet, special occasion, in memoriam, or simply as a way to connect to art history. With every tax-deductible $100 donation, the words and photo in each dedication will become a permanent fixture like “The Bay Lights”, shining for years to come, and will support Illuminate in creating new and inspiring works of accessible public art.
Information provided by Illuminate SF and SF Travel.
