When the lights go down on the city. So many illuminated experiences to take in. So many wonderful outlooks to take it all in. If you're a fan of the bay you know what I mean. read more

How this beautiful and now-iconic work of public art has anything less than a full 5-star rating is ridiculous. If you haven't found the time to take an evening stroll along the Embarcadero, stopping to meditate on the lights' reflection in the nightly calm of the Bay, now is the time to pencil it onto your calendar. Maybe make a date night of it at Waterbar or the Ferry Building, or just find some peaceful solitude. It costs nothing, but will give you so much. When they first built the lights, they were only supposed to be up for a short time. I hope that we never see them come down! They give the Bay Bridge the luster she needs to live up to the Golden Gate's glory, and it's working beautifully. Enjoy. read more

The Bay Lights - Happy New Year 2018! - Local Flavor Near Me

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They are never the same twice. A sight to behold and a true stable to the city and the Bay Area. The unique lights are best watched from the Embarcadero. Enjoy at dusk after dinner!! read more

So many opportunities and growth in this glowing city! How does one ever settle for what is? I'm mesmerized with its lights and excited for the future of this city! Risks, yes! The turn out is based on perspective and how one makes of it! Fortunate to see this place has changed. For the better, maybe. Change is inevitable. I love the city! read more

The Bay Lights - Local Flavor Near Me

Shine bright like a diamond. The quality of illumination is breathtaking. Really makes me feel like an extra in 48 Hours with Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte. No, scratch that; I made a statement that reveals my age. This scenery makes me feel like a 7th member in Big Hero 6. To see the Bay so beautifully lit is a sight for sore eyes; I'm grateful to have had the opportunity. ~Christy read more

The Bay Lights - Local Flavor Near Me

Sibling rivalry is a way of life, don't y'know? Dear Abby and Ann Landers. Brian and Dennis Wilson. Kim and Kourtney Kardashian. Olivia De Havilland and Joan Fontaine. Hey, they're in their 90's and still don't speak to each other. The Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge fall into that category with the far more glamorous Golden Gate hogging the spotlight all these years. When they want to show a bridge going through a 15.7 earthquake in California, it's the Golden Gate that wobbles precariously as some past-her-prime actress wails with Emmy-baiting conviction. But what about the constantly overshadowed Bay Bridge which carries well over twice as much traffic daily? That's where the Bay Lights have come to the rescue...at least for the next two years. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the opening of the Bay Bridge at a cost of $8 million, artist Leo Villareal was commissioned to install 25,000 white light LEDs on the northern side of the suspension span between Yerba Buena Island and downtown San Francisco (photo: http://bit.ly/12zxbvn). Controlled by a central computer, the lights display a series of abstract patterns that are meant to evoke images of nature like tidal movement and schools of fish swimming. What's most impressive is that the electric bill amounts to only $30 a day with the total projected to be $11,000 against the over $100 million expected in additional tourism revenue. It's a beautiful sight from any vista point along the Embarcadero. While staring at it for any extended amount of time doesn't really enhance its artistry, it makes a dazzling backdrop for any moonlit tête-à-tête that may occur in a moment of pure spontaneity (photo: http://bit.ly/10Uv72J). So let the Bay Bridge have its share of the limelight now, and stroll due east versus north for your panoramic views. It's well worth your time. read more

Absolutely breathtaking view of San Francisco. A must to experience. I could sit all night staring at the beauty of this light installation. It so magical with the moving shapes cascading next to the SF Bay water. Great stop for a romantic stroll or even just to visit with friends. read more

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I'm from out of town and I heard that Sunday 3/5 it's getting shut off. I'm glad to I was able to see beautiful art and lights before they are turned off foever. read more

Can we say Amazing ! Best viewed just North of the Bridge late night along the water front where you can normally find parking with little effort , It was a glorious Saturday night for couples to have a romantic moment while enjoying the lights read more

The Bay Lights - Local Flavor Near Me

As I sit on the dock of the bay, I'm reminded of Otis Redding's 1968 classic song, Sitting on the dock of the bay, "Sittin' here resting my bones, And this loneliness won't leave me alone, listen, Two thousand miles I roam Just to make this dock my home, now I'm just gon' sit at the dock of a bay, Watchin' the tide roll away, ooh, Sittin' on the dock of the bay, Wastin' time..." What an unforgettable way to ponder in awe and reflect on life, work, school, debt, success, failure, invisibility, love, health, (self) worth, worth to others, past, present, and future. Whatever runs across your mind during your observation of the bay lights, they seem to disappear just temporarily. 'This loneliness won't leave me alone', ibid, but sitting on the dock of the bay, makes me forget about it momentarily. Id. The invisibility leaves for just a moment in time, as the swirls of the warm air I exhale meet the cold air from the bay, I do exist... Alas, a classic institution that has graced the music industry for decades. Fitting how this musical classic meets this modern marvel of engineering beauty, which in turn becomes an institution of the embarcadero skyline. Just when you think you've captured what you believe to be a pattern, the lights change course, pull you in another direction, and leave you in awe of the simple, but timelessly beautiful flickering, and glimmering of the powerful white LED's dancing up and down the pillars of the bay bridge western span. Dusk til dawn, anyone can come witness these marvelous lights, shimmering during the brisk SF evenings, as you sit in rincon park, Cupid's bow, or anywhere along the western waters edge. Sadly, however, this classic too shall pass. Like my dear Otis, the bay Lights imminently will be cut down in its prime, leaving behind only lasting memories and impressions of greatness, of how just a little bit of brightness can go away in the flick of a switch, literally and figuratively. To bask in the ambiance of these bay lights, in the City by the Bay, sitting on the dock of the Bay, is my way of paying homage to one of the greatest lyricists of the classic era, and to the paralleling metaphorically modern physical masterpiece in its direct view. read more

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Absolutely STUNNING. Seriously makes driving into the city an artsy illumination "experience". The visual display of lights is so beautiful and metropolitan, I swear, every time I'm driving into the city over the Bay Bridge... I HAVE to take a picture. It's the entrance to one of the sexiest entrances to one of the sexiest cities in the world. The light display, the bridge, the sky line of the city in the background, per-fect-shioné. Ha! Yeah boiiiii I just made up that word. #MyDorkFactorIsOnFleek #DontHate LOL read more

The Bay Lights - Entering one of the best bridges on the planet. $5 on the weekends, $4 weekdays after 7pm (I think...) - Local Flavor Near Me

The Baylights is a LED-light display installed on the San Francisco side (ONLY) of the Bay Bridge. On for the next two years from sunset to 2am, it'll be shining brightly and brighter than its more famous younger bridge-brother: the Golden Gate Bridge. Anywhere from the Embarcedero from Fisherman's Whar and south past and up to the Bay bridge it can be seen as the LEDs are ONLY affixed to the bridge's north vertical cables only. Other locations where you can see them: Coit Tower and parts of Telegrpah Hill, some parts of the Embarcadero Center(s). Harrison Street closest to the bridge. Some areas of Russian Hill including curvy Lombard Street. Some parts of California Street closest to its easternward portions. Vista Point at the GGBridge toll plaza. Northern Lookout Point at the GGBridge after crossing the bridge north. The infamous Marin Headlands. Most of downtown Sausalito and parts of MillValley, Tiburon and Belvedere. Southern sides of Angel and Alcatraz Islands. Some parts of Vallejo perhaps and Richmond. Treasure Island. And many other spots - if you discover a unlisted location I haven't included here, please name your spot! Photographing the BayLights: Use a tripod if possible or any flat surface to steady your camera for the best results. Up your ISO/ASA to about 1000 or higher. Use the faster shutter speed possible to record the patterns - if you use an exposure longer than 1 second you'll just see mostly white vertical lines without the designs and patterns. Max efficiency is using the shortest shutter speeds to capture the patterns as it changes constantly. After you've finishing recording your experience, stay there to watch and enjoy it fully! read more

The Bay Lights - from Broadway Street looking down to BayLights - Local Flavor Near Me

Dinner at the Palomino and then a short walk across the street to see the Bay Bridge light show. Amazing thing to see as you stand there on the water and watch the lights, especially on a nice night in San Francisco like last night. I could seriously pack a nice dinner, bring a few chairs and sit there all night watching the light show on a nice night! read more

The Bay Lights - Bay Bridge Light show from the San Francisco water front - Local Flavor Near Me

These lights are A-OK but seriously as far lights go, I've definitely seen better. Their main appeal is that they're on a bridge, so really its the bridge - that should be getting the credit. Also - single color, i feel like these lights are not trying hard enough in the color department. Finally lights can be used as a great source of information and entertainment these lights are not even telling the viewers to click or ticket, 3 stars - and thats generous IMO. read more

This is a lot of fun to see. Basically, the suspension cables on the Bay Bridge were equipped with thousands of LEDs. When the sun goes down, the lights come on and display patterns and possibly pictures. Because of the large gaps between each of the cables, and therefore the LEDs, it's not always easy to identify if you're really seeing a picture of something, or just pretty patters. That also adds an element of artiness to it. Now that it's warm, stand out by the peer and watch it for a while. What do you see? read more

The Bay Lights - Local Flavor Near Me

Best place to watch the Bay Lights are from one of the pedestrian piers next to the Port of San Francisco. Such a nice light show put on each night and you have to see it in-person! Lights come on at dusk and stay on until dawn.(actual times vary depending on time of year). read more

If you're bridge lover , here are two things you need to know when you're in San Francisco. Golden Gate Bridge is stunningly beautiful at daytime, but Bay Bridge is the best view at night. And most importantly you need to know where is a perfect spot to enjoy the view (don't waste time to go around and around) is Embarcadero pier 24, difference from GG bridge which can view everywhere is still nice. read more

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The beauteous, gossamer glow of the Bay Lights impress me every time I drive home and see them. It never fails - I am simply in awe and appreciation, Best friend lives high above the Bridge on Nob Hill and we love her wall of windows facing the sparkling diamond necklace .... The "Old section" of the bridge Inspires futile tempts at poetry. read more

Being so far from home makes me think of our landmarks, our bridges, our food. I wish our bridges were always illuminated like this. With unintelligible, random patterns. Damned the cost. read more

Very gorgeous lights. I love how they were constructed so that when driving over the bridge its not a distraction. They are also a beauty to behold from afar. read more

We watched the Grand Lighting from Calhoun Terrace (top of Union St). Very little parking up there, or anywhere near Coit Tower, but the view of the Lights is spectacular. Highly recommend. Also easily viewable from below anywhere along the Embarcadero north of Pier 26. I recommend getting a seat on the patio at Waterbar for their $1 oysters and happy hour specials, then stay for dinner and watch the show. If you do, be sure to say hi to Jim! He's the friendliest waiter there and can tell you all about the lights and artist. read more

So pretty! Made embarcadero do much more gorgeous. So pretty at night and is definitely my 2nd favorite bridge in the Bay Area the first being the Golden Gate Bridge :) read more

There's something mesmerizing about watching these lights. I suppose it's the patterns they make. This light display certainly makes the backdrop of SF bay a bit more pretty, whether you're driving down the Embarcadero or just dining at a nearby restaurant. The lights can be viewed from afar, but I think they're definitely better viewed up closely. It's nice scenery to take in if you're already in the area, but I don't think it's worth it to drive from far away just for the sole purpose of seeing them. read more

This was fun. We started out in the benches right next to the ferry building and could see all four sections of the bridge but the lights were best seen only on the two that were farthest away. Then we went to coit tower and looked from there. Totally different - farther away but a good view of the whole scene. Unfortunately no place to sit. Next time checking out base of Harrison St. This would be a great summer outing. read more

I love public art. Stuff like this and the Burning Man art at the Amatrak station make this the city I love. read more

When I first heard about The Bay Lights, I was super excited. I mean it was dubbed the biggest light sculpture! I was so excited in fact that I gifted lights to some lights in my life. I love supporting the fine arts. I love unique gifts. When it's working, it is gorgeous. The patterns are everchanging and it's just breathtaking. I would stand out in the cold to watch. Why 3 stars? Well, half the time it's not even working! It's very disappointing when you take people from out of town to see it and nothing happens. I hope they get this fixed so it truly works from dusk till 2am like it is supposed to! read more

I am glad they were extended to stay here. It is truly breath taking to view the animation. I always tell people to check it out whenever they are visiting here. It is on limited display for a few years.. so get out and enjoy! read more

I think I must have expected more. My friends and I went to catch the lights earlier this week and sat and watched about 15 minutes and then decided to move on. It certainly is nice, but I wouldn't make a special trip over to San Francisco just to see it. It seems the show is on a short loop so after just a few minutes you have seen what you are going to see. In order to get the full effect you have to view the bridge at an angle so the best viewing points are south (toward the bridge) of the Ferry Building. Don't go to Treasure Island thinking you will be able to see it. IT IS ONLY VISIBLE FROM THE SAN FRANCISCO SIDE. read more

I viewed the bridge installation from Pier 14. There was live music from afar, due to an event at the America's Cup Pavilion. The lights made the water look like it was glistening reams of gold thread. Very delicate, paired with the rolling fog, I found it all to be very beautiful. read more

The Bay Lights - Local Flavor Near Me

Bay Lights was awesome... Its art...its a bridge, it's perfectly San Francisco. Walk by and enjoy, great view. read more

The Bay Lights are a nice addition to the once meh Bay Bridge. Supposedly the images produced by the LED lights are abstract so that the viewer can decide for themselves to make of it. My friends and I always talk about how if music were to play along the Embarcadero, it would make the display seem 10x cooler. The best view of the lights are going to come from any of the establishments from Palomino's, Waterbar & Epic Roasthouse on down the Embarcadero. I've definitely found myself going down to the Embarcadero more often since the lights premiered to enjoy happy hour/dinner. I'm pretty sure the city is reaping benefits as well. Tips: Don't bother going up to Coit Tower though because the bridge will be too small and the view won't be great. Skip Treasure Island too, the lights are angled toward the city so you won't see the show. (Learned about both of these the hard way). read more

Sooooo beautiful. I heard the patterns the lights make never repeat but what do I know! It makes for a such a good date night to just sit around listen to some music wrapped in a blanket and just stare out into the water. Go on a nice night! No fog or rain please. The pier is a great place to be posted. I'd def go back again. read more

I finally got to see this beauty in person two months ago. It's so breathtaking and it makes SF THAT much greater. I've always loved the bay bridge but the bay lights makes it extra-extra special. read more

We came here and saw the vertical lights lit up, but nothing was happening... so sad.... we thought it was gonna be this awesome light show... but were disappointed, maybe we came at a bad time, and they just finished.... =/ we'll try to come here if we are in town. read more

The Bay Lights themselves are pretty and artistic. They can be leased for one or two years, and you can choose which light you would like to lease. After you select and PAY for a light the system goes to hell! Two computer systems that don't talk to each other (in this day an age of technology), and you get the impression that you will receive a Formal Certificate for the recipient that you can present nicely framed. That does not happen. You get to type and print on your local printer a tacky piece of paper that looks like an after thoughht. Worst run organization I have come across. Don't wast your money! Go down and look at the lights and visually pick one out you would like to make yours, and save yourself a lot of money and don't support an organization that has no idea what CUSTOMER SERVICE means! read more

It's entertaining. Is it really Art? I wish I knew more about it. I suppose based on its beauty I would call it Art, but it being a digital representation it's an eye opening stretch of the imagination. I can only imagine how much work it was to install all those lights/ driving on the bay bridge I see thousands and thousands of hand applied zip ties holding on the lights. Someone out a ton of work into it. read more

The lights are mesmerizing and it's really peaceful later at night when no one's around. You can see the lights from Embarcadero.