List of public art in San Francisco facts for kids

San Francisco is full of amazing art! This article will show you some of the cool public art you can find outdoors. Public art means sculptures, murals, and other artworks that are out in the open for everyone to see. You won't find art hidden inside museums here. Most of these artworks are sculptures, but we'll tell you if it's something different!

Public Art in San Francisco's Neighborhoods

Civic Center

The Civic Center is a big area with important government buildings. You can find some interesting statues here.

Abraham Lincoln Statue

A statue of Abraham Lincoln, a famous U.S. President, stands at San Francisco City Hall. It was made by Haig Patigian in 1926. This bronze statue is 5 feet tall.

Hiro II

Hiro II is a bronze sculpture created by Peter Voulkos in 1971. You can find it at San Francisco City Hall.

Hall McAllister

Another bronze sculpture at San Francisco City Hall is Hall McAllister. Robert Ingersoll Aitken made it in 1904.

Chinatown

Chinatown is a lively neighborhood with unique public art.

Chinese Foo Dogs

At the Ping Yuen Housing Project, you can see Chinese Foo Dogs. These eight terra cotta dogs were made by Mary Erckenbrack in 1952. Each dog is about 18 inches tall.

Dr. Sun Yat-sen Statue

In St. Mary's Square, there's a 12-foot-tall statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen. He was an important leader in China. Benny Bufano created this statue in 1937 using stainless steel and rose granite.

Dragon Relief

The Dragon Relief is a bronze artwork by Patti Bowler. It was made in 1969 and is located at the Broadway Tunnel. It's a large piece, about 9 feet tall and 56 feet long!

Goddess of Democracy

At Portsmouth Square, you can see the Goddess of Democracy sculpture. Thomas Marsh created this bronze statue in 1989. It stands 114 inches (about 9.5 feet) tall.

Auspicious Clouds

Auspicious Clouds is a stainless steel artwork by Michael Arcega. It was made in 2018 and is located in the Chinatown–North Beach corridor.

Embarcadero

The Embarcadero is a waterfront area with many interesting artworks.

Guardians of the Gate

At Pier 39, you'll find Guardians of the Gate by Miles Metzger. This bronze sculpture was made in 1991.

History of San Francisco Murals

Inside the lobby of Rincon Center, you can see the History of San Francisco murals. Anton Refregier painted these 27 murals in 1948. They tell stories about San Francisco's past.

Mahatma Gandhi Statue

A bronze statue of Mahatma Gandhi stands near the San Francisco Ferry Building. Zlatko Pounov and Steven Lowe created this 8-foot-tall statue in 1988.

Skygate

Skygate is a stainless steel sculpture by Roger Barr. It was installed in 1985 on the Embarcadero, between Pier 35 and Pier 39. It stands 27 feet tall.

Financial District

The Financial District is home to many tall buildings and some cool sculptures.

Horse

At One Maritime Plaza, you can see a bronze sculpture called Horse. It was made by Marino Marini in 1967.

The Penguins

The Penguins are sculptures by Beniamino Bufano. Made in 1967, these porphyry granite and stainless steel penguins are located at the Golden Gateway Center.

Puddle Jumpers

In Transamerica Redwood Park, you'll find Puddle Jumpers by Glenna Goodacre. This bronze sculpture, created in 1989, shows children playing.

Transcendence

Transcendence is a large sculpture by Masayuki Nagare. It was made between 1968 and 1969 from polished black granite. You can see it at 555 California Street. It's a huge piece, about 13 feet tall!

Fisherman's Wharf

Fisherman's Wharf is a popular spot with some unique art.

Andrea

Andrea is a bronze sculpture by Ruth Asawa. It was created in 1968 and is located at Ghirardelli Square.

Saint Francis de la Varenne

At the corner of Taylor and Beach Street, you'll find Saint Francis de la Varenne. This carved granite sculpture by Benny Bufano was made in 1928. It stands 15 feet tall.

Forest Hill

Florence Nightingale

At Laguna Honda Hospital, there's a cast stone and stucco sculpture of Florence Nightingale. David Edstrom created this piece between 1936 and 1937.

Golden Gate Park

Golden Gate Park is a huge park with many statues and monuments.

Beethoven Bust

A bronze bust of the famous composer Beethoven can be found in Golden Gate Park. The original bust was made by Henry Baerer in 1884 and installed in the park in 1915.

Roald Amundsen Memorial

A bronze sculpture of Roald Amundsen, a famous explorer, is in Golden Gate Park. Sigvald Asbjornsen created it around 1914-1920 or 1929.

Horse and Horseshoe Pitcher

At the Horseshoe Courts in Golden Gate Park, you'll find two concrete sculptures by Vet Anderson. One is a Horse and the other is a Horseshoe Pitcher.

Thomas Starr King Statue

A bronze statue of Thomas Starr King stands in Golden Gate Park. Daniel Chester French created this 9-foot-tall statue.

Thomas Garrigue Masaryk Bust

A bronze bust of Thomas Garrigue Masaryk is also in Golden Gate Park. J. Matatka made this sculpture in 1926.

Roman Gladiator

The Roman Gladiator is a bronze sculpture by George Geefs. It was made in 1881 and is located in Golden Gate Park.

Young Girl

In Sharon Meadow, Golden Gate Park, you can see a sandstone sculpture called Young Girl. Jack Moxom created it around 1939.

Hayes Valley

Hayes Valley has some modern art pieces.

Large Four Piece Reclining Figure

At Davies Symphony Hall, you can find Large Four Piece Reclining Figure by Henry Moore. This large bronze sculpture was created in 1972.

Untitled (Gordin)

Also at Davies Symphony Hall, there's an Untitled bronze sculpture by Sidney Gordin. It was made in 1969 and stands over 8 feet tall.

Inner Sunset

The Inner Sunset neighborhood has a few animal sculptures.

Bear and Bear and Cubs

At UCSF Medical Center, you can find two sculptures by Benny Bufano. One is a Bear made of cast granite around the 1930s. The other is Bear and Cubs, a granite sculpture from 1968.

Lake Merced

Lake Merced is a large freshwater lake with some interesting art nearby.

Captain Juan Bautista de Anza

A bronze statue of Captain Juan Bautista de Anza stands at Lake Merced. Julian Martinez (sculptor) created this 12-foot-tall statue in 1967.

Penguin's Prayer

Penguin's Prayer is a large granite sculpture by Benny Bufano. It was made in 1976 and is located at Lake Merced. This sculpture is 17 feet tall!

Lincoln Park

The Thinker

In Lincoln Park, near the California Palace of the Legion of Honor, you can see a famous bronze sculpture called The Thinker. It was made by Auguste Rodin in 1924.

Mission District

The Mission District is famous for its colorful murals.

Balmy Alley Murals

Balmy Alley is a narrow street known for its amazing murals. Artists like Las Mujeres Muralistas and other local artists started painting here in 1972. The murals cover walls between 24th Street and Garfield Square.

Clarion Alley Murals

Another alley full of murals is Clarion Alley. The Clarion Alley Mural Project started painting here in 1992. You can find these murals between 17th and 18th streets, and Mission and Valencia streets.

Father Junipero Serra Statue

At Mission San Francisco de Asís, there's a cast stone statue of Father Junipero Serra. Arthur Putnam created this 6.5-foot-tall statue in 1909.

Golden Fire Hydrant

The Golden Fire Hydrant is a special landmark. It's a cast iron fire hydrant painted gold every April 18th. It was first honored after the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake because it was the only working hydrant in the area. It was dedicated in 1966 and stands at 20th and Church streets.

Miguel Hidalgo Statue

In Mission Dolores Park, you'll find a bronze statue of Miguel Hidalgo. Juan F. Olaguibel created this sculpture in 1962.

Nob Hill

Nob Hill is a fancy neighborhood with some grand buildings.

Doors of Paradise

At Grace Cathedral, you can see the Doors of Paradise. These gilded bronze doors were made by Bruno Bearzi in 1964, inspired by the famous doors in Florence, Italy. They are 16 feet tall!

North Beach

Guglielmo Marconi Memorial Plaque

On Lombard Street and Telegraph Hill Road, there's a bronze Guglielmo Marconi Memorial Plaque. Raymond Puccinelli created this plaque in 1938 to honor the inventor of radio.

Parkmerced

Peace

In Parkmerced, you can find a large sculpture called Peace by Benny Bufano. Made in 1939, this granite, tile, and stainless steel sculpture is 26.5 feet tall!

Richmond District

Louis Pasteur

At the French Campus of Kaiser Permanente's San Francisco Medical Center, there's a bronze sculpture of Louis Pasteur. Harriet G. Moore created this piece in 1984.

Rincon Hill

Rincon Hill is an area with modern buildings and art.

Harry Lundeberg

At the Sailors Union of the Pacific Building, there's a bronze sculpture of Harry Lundeberg (1901-1957). E. Hunt created this sculpture in 1957.

San Francisco State University

The campus of San Francisco State University has some art pieces.

St. Francis

At San Francisco State University, you can see St. Francis by Benny Bufano. This red marble sculpture was made in 1938.

Tenderloin

Redding School, Self-Portrait

At the Alfred Boeddeker Recreation Center, you'll find Redding School, Self-Portrait by Ruth Asawa. This reinforced concrete artwork was created in 1984.

Union Square

Ruth Asawa's San Francisco Fountain

In Union Square, near the Grand Hyatt San Francisco, is Ruth Asawa's San Francisco Fountain. Ruth Asawa created this bronze fountain between 1969 and 1970. It's a popular spot for photos!

University of San Francisco

The University of San Francisco campus also features public art.

Rev. Anthony Joseph Maraschi, S. J.

A bronze sculpture of Rev. Anthony Joseph Maraschi, S. J. can be found at the University of San Francisco. Harriet G. Moore created this piece in 1985.

Tides

Tides is a marble sculpture by Yoko Kubrick. It was made in 2019 and is located at the University of San Francisco.

Images for kids

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  Abraham Lincoln

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  Hiro II

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  Hall McAllister

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  Chinese Foo Dogs

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  Dr. Sun Yat-sen

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  Dragon Relief

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  Goddess of Democracy

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  History of San Francisco murals

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  Mahatma Gandhi Statue

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  Saint Francis de la Varenne

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  Florence Nightingale

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  Beethoven

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  Roald Amundsen

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  Horse

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  Horseshoe Pitcher

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  Thomas Starr King

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  Thomas Garrigue Masaryk

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  Roman Gladiator

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  Young Girl

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  Untitled (Gordin)

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  Bear

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  Bear and Cubs

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  Captain Juan Bautista de Anza

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  The Thinker

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  Father Junipero Serra

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  Miguel Hidalgo

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  Bret Harte Memorial

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  Doors of Paradise

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  Guglielmo Marconi Memorial Plaque

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  Peace

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  Harry Lundeberg

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  St. Francis

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  Ruth Asawa's San Francisco Fountain