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The Bay Lights turn the western span of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge into a glowing piece of public art—one of those “wow, that’s so SF” sights that’s perfect for night photos and waterfront cruising.
On a private tour, your route is always flexible and customized, with easy photo stops built in. Your guide can time the ride for the best viewpoints (and the best night-sky vibes), all with your private group only.
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The Bay Lights became a beloved part of the San Francisco skyline, but it has also gone through a few major “off and on” chapters—mostly because the Bay Bridge is a tough place for technology to live long-term.
After the original run ended and the lights were removed, fundraising and reinvestment helped bring the artwork back with upgraded equipment designed to handle harsh environmental conditions.
This is a classic “San Francisco at night” experience: you look up, and the bridge is doing something magical. When the Bay Lights are active, the western span becomes a shimmering backdrop for waterfront strolls, skyline photos, and after-dark sightseeing.
Even when the lights are in an off or upgrade period, the Bay Bridge at night is still a gorgeous skyline feature—especially from places like the Embarcadero and Treasure Island. And when the new installation returns, it’s expected to feel even bigger and more immersive across the Bay.
If you want to build a night route around the bridge lights, this is one of those places where a private tour makes everything feel effortless.
Location: The Bay Lights are installed on the Bay Bridge’s western span (San Francisco side), best viewed from waterfront and skyline viewpoints.
Hours: Varies—this is a nighttime viewing experience, and the installation may be active, off, or in testing depending on the current phase.
Best time to visit: After dark for the most dramatic skyline views and night photography.
Logistics note: If you’re driving to viewpoints, parking can be limited in popular waterfront areas—especially on weekends and event nights.
The Bay Lights were turned off in March 2023 due to environmental wear. A new installation (“The Bay Lights 360”) is planned to return in early 2026.
It’s the planned new version of the installation led by Illuminate, expected to use about 50,000 lights—about double the original—across a 1.8-mile stretch of the bridge. Launching in Spring 2026.
The Bay Lights first launched in 2013 and became a signature part of the San Francisco night skyline.
They were removed in March 2015 (per the original permit) so Caltrans could perform maintenance on the bridge cables.
When the installation is active, the best experience is after dark from waterfront and skyline viewpoints is from the Ferry Building, Coit Tower, Embarcadero or Yerba Buena Island, where you can clearly see the Bay Bridge’s western span.
The Bay Lights are set to make a dazzling return to the Bay Bridge in early 2026. The upcoming “The Bay Lights 360” installation, orchestrated by Illuminate, will double the original count to 50,000 lights. First launched in 2013, the “Bay Lights” were deactivated in March 2023 due to environmental wear on the bridge. The revamped display will be mounted along the northern edge of the western span, featuring the familiar abstract patterns. In a new twist, the lights will encircle the cables, making the spectacle visible from Bayview, as well as from Oakland, Alameda, and Berkeley across the bay.
San Francisco Bay’s iconic public art installation, The Bay Lights, has gone dark after a decade of illuminating the region’s nightscape. The system of LEDs failed due to the harsh environmental conditions of the Bay area.
However, an ambitious plan to bring the artwork back to life has emerged, featuring nearly 50,000 programmable LEDs, twice the number of the original installation. The new lights will not only be visible to communities around the Bay, but for the first time, they will also be visible to drivers on the Bay Bridge.
The plan requires $11M to complete, and major philanthropists have already committed over $6M to the cause. Arts nonprofit Illuminate is leading the effort and is relying on crowdfunding to raise the remaining dollars.
The Bay Lights, created by artist Leo Villareal, was a beloved public art project that attracted visitors from around the world. Its return would be a boon for the Bay area’s cultural scene.
The crowdfunding campaign offers an opportunity for anyone to contribute to the restoration of this public art masterpiece. While the project’s goal is ambitious, it is a testament to the Bay Area’s commitment to the arts and its belief in the transformative power of public art.
The Bay Lights has left an indelible mark on San Francisco Bay’s cultural landscape, and its return in SPRING 2026 promises to once again enchant and inspire visitors and residents alike.
From SFTravel Winter What’s New Press Release: “Bay Lights 360” is slated to debut in early 2026. The light art installation by Leo Villareal will illuminate a 1.8-mile stretch of the Bay Bridge. The original Bay Lights were turned off in March 2023 as they had deteriorated after 10 years due to harsh conditions. Leo Villareal, the artist behind the original Bay Lights, has created a new iteration featuring approximately 50,000 lights that will shimmer in abstract, wavelike formations that never repeat. Bay Lights 360 will have twice as many lights as the original Bay Lights.
