Can't make it to Burning Man or just want a taste of the artistic creativity that flourishes in the Black Rock Desert from right in the city? Aside from the festival's humble roots from our own Baker Beach, many of its former art installations have found new homes all around the San Francisco Bay Area. Here is a list of a few of the stunning pieces to catch, which are all either immense, interactive, or subtely hidden in plain sight.
See also: Must-Visit Panoramic Baker Beach & Its Fiery Burning Man Origins
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657 Harrison St / Website
Many flock to Union Square's Apple store, but few seem to notice a piece of the festival right behind it. Hang out in their outdoor back patio to see the large LOVE sign, adorned in vibrant rainbow colors. Created by local artist Laura Kimpton, her popular Playa photo spot has heartwarmingly personal ties to Burning Man, being the magical place where she met her husband.
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Bay Bridge / Website
Perhaps the easiest to spot but themost impossible to approach are these towering radiant lights by Leo Villareal coruscating on the Bay Bridge. Every night beginning at sunset the radiant lights gleam a dynamic pattern that reflects off the water and creates an absolutely captivating, charming, and even romantic show from the Embarcadero.
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500 Stevenson St / Website
If you happen to be around Stevenson Street, make a point to visit under the elusive sky bridge, as you will then enter a canopy with dazzling laterns. First launched in summer 2021 and inspired by the traditional Philippine parol used during the holidays, these cultural sky lights make for the most elegant hidden gem pathway for impressive photoshoots or date walks.
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San Leandro BART Station / Website
First contested but ultimately beloved, the 55 foot tall dancing woman beside the San Leandro BART Station has become a recognizable fixture of both the stop and the city. Designed by talented mastermind Marco Cochrane initially for Burning Man in 2013, this three-story goddess is depicted in mid-performance in her natural form, adding a truly mesmerizing eye-catching marker to look out for when on a long commute.
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200 East Santa Clara St, San Jose / Website
Head down to downtown San Jose to truly become part of the art with Sonic Runway, an immersive light display by artist Rob Jensen, Warren Trezevant, and Stockhausen. First debuted in front of City Hall in 2017 to 2018, after much demanding, the piece eventually returned permanently to offer visitors an illuminating walkthrough that transports them to Burning Man, even if just for a moment.
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Sherman Ave, Palo Alto / Website
You may think Palo Alto wouldn't have any connections to Burning Man, but simply look above the Visa building to see Tabula by Charles Gadeken. This is an unassuming but astounding LED piece that transcribes accurate seismic data into ever-changing art, making for another remarkably creative and surprising piece.
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169 State St, Los Altos / Website
Head to downtown Los Altos to catch Dodi by Oakland artists HYBYCOZO (The Hyperspace Bypass Construction Zone), installed summer of 2020. This is a large geometric sculpture that represents the beauty of the flower of life, unity, and nature through its geometric lattice patterns of light, shapes, and shadows.
These pieces will not only impress you with their artistic ingenuity, but also perhaps inspire you to get Burning Man tickets and see what would later arrive in the Bay Area right from the current mystical source!
See also: Best SF Unexpected Art Sculptures And Murals
Photography by: Chloe Leis/Unsplash
