9 Awesome Pieces of Art in San Francisco Hidden in Plain Sight

Surrounded by colorful houses, eye-catching architecture, kooky shops, and enticing bars, San Francisco residents have plenty to see and do. And while many artsy Instagram shots might focus on the big icons—the Golden Gate Bridge, the Painted Ladies, and the Ferry Building—the city also boasts some awesome works of art that shouldn’t go unseen.

Next time you wander around the city, look for these hidden gems amidst the usual distractions. Some of them are more prominent than others, but you might not know the whole story behind all of them. Each piece testifies to the city’s creativity and some even carry important historical importance. Get your walking shoes on and go check out these inspiring pieces.

The water crisis drove the city to shut off the roaring water that used to pour through the many openings in this quirky fountain, but you can still appreciate its many angles. Seen as an eyesore by some, the Vaillancourt Fountain serves as endless entertainment—and a selfie backdrop—for others. Armand Vaillancourt designed the concrete fountain, which was unveiled back in the 1970s. In the 1980s, U2 even held a free concert there (and Bono got in trouble for scrawling “Rock and Roll stops traffic” on it). Check it out from afar or walk to the top to see the design from above.

North Beach often attracts tourists and budding writers not only because of its many Italian restaurant and cafes, but also because of its history with literary greats. Figures from the Beat movement hung out here and the City Lights Bookstore has been around since the 1950s. It only makes sense that Language of the Birds, located on Columbus Avenue and Broadway, would pay homage to this history in a subtle way. The installation is a series of LED-lit sculpted books, their open pages imitating the wings of a bird. In fact, artist Brain Goggin—who created the work with Dorka Keehn—calls it a “flock of books.”

Seven muralists and approximately 50 volunteers got together to complete a massive mural on the Women’s Building in the 1990s. Today, the colorful work can still stop you in your tracks. Located on 18th Street between Guerrero and Valencia streets, the towering mural features the central figure of a woman with her arms out. You can spend hours reading into each and every detail of MaestraPeace, from its goddess figures, to its intricate patterns or its depiction of famous women. The mural is an homage to women and a stunning display of the ways in which art can transform a building.

If you look hard enough, you can spot street artist Deb’s pieces in many areas of San Francisco. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, the artist depicts fierce girls with prominent features and awesome hair colors. It only makes sense that her work would cover the side of the Mission District’s Beauty Bar. Three girls in a line gaze out as they are being primped for what is probably a night out on the town. Playful and eye-catching, the mural has weekend vibes written all over it.

On McAllister Street between Leavenworth and Hyde streets, a giant peace sign peeks out from the surrounding buildings. Australian artist REKA created the work during a visit to San Francisco for an exhibition at White Walls Gallery. You can even spot it when you’re walking near city hall—its bright colors standing out against the wall’s beige. But for the whole experience, walk closer to the massive symbol and take in its height and groovy colors.

If you happen to be near the corner of Mission and Ninth streets, make sure to slow down and keep an eye out for a black-and-white pattern. Victor Reyes’ swirling forms wrap around the bottom of a building in the SoMa district, breaking up the drab street corner with its bold forms. Reyes has been creating art in SF for some years now and you can always expect to see stumble upon his pieces throughout the city. Many of his works incorporate letters in subtle ways, playing with viewers’ perceptions.

At a quick glance, it seems like this sign has faded over the years. But the Knowledge is Golden mural made its appearance only a few years ago thanks to the artistic talents of Roman Cesario, Jurne, Robert Gonzalez, and Daniel Pan. Organized by 1AM Gallery, the mural makes reference to the idea that the tech-industry boom is basically a second gold rush. In this case, knowledge is what helps you find the gold. The mural feels especially relevant given its location—a short walk from the Caltrain station where many workers hop on the train for their commutes to major tech companies.

Always the subject of many a picture-snapper, the giant bow and arrow near Embarcadero stands out against its surroundings even as it blends in with other tourist attractions. Created by Coosje van Bruggen and Claes Oldenburg—known for his large, whimsical sculptures—the piece has been around since 2002. Against the gray of the area’s skyscrapers, it looks almost like a cartoon-drawn object. The playful sculpture is also linked to the myth of Eros and mimics the shape of a ship or suspension bridge.

You can find most of San Francisco’s hidden pieces by simply looking up. Austrian artist Nychos turned an otherwise plain wall into the setting for his gnarly, graphic mural Eye of the Tiger. In his signature style, Nychos turns things inside out and exposes the tiger’s skeleton in great detail. Not for the faint of heart, the mural is on Geary Boulevard and Taylor Street, near a cluster of bars and businesses. It’s a good way to stop for a second amidst the face pace in this part of town.