Street art has a long history in San Francisco that dates back to the 1800s and has played an important part in the city's art scene, culture, and political activism.
Nestled amidst the eclectic neighbourhoods and bustling streets of San Francisco lies a treasure trove of vibrant murals, thought-provoking graffiti, and captivating street art installations. From the colourful alleys of the Mission District to the iconic walls of Balmy Alley, San Francisco's diverse neighbourhoods serve as an ever-evolving canvas for local and international artists alike.
Top picks for murals in San Francisco include:
Juanita MORE! Murals - Drag queen, party impresario, activist, and philanthropist Juanita MORE! is one of San Francisco's most beloved residents, so much so that she's been celebrated with over half a dozen different street murals throughout the city. Juanita MORE!'s murals can be found in neighbourhoods including in SoMa (Elliott C. Nathan's Loads of Love at the Powerhouse), the Castro (by J. Manuel Carmona, outside Unionmade), Polk Gulch (Serge Gay Jnr's creation on the exterior of Lush Lounge at Fern and Polk streets), Steiner Street at Grove (by J. Manuel Carmona and Guilherme Lemes Cardoso e Silva) and also outside the revived Love Shack by SPARC at 502 14th St., in the Mission (again by Gay Jnr.).
Lower Polk Street and Polk Gulch - The Polk Gulch neighbourhood is known for its vibrant tapestry of street art and testifies to the city's rich cultural history. Once hailed as San Francisco's 'first LGBTQIA+ neighbourhood' with a thriving scene from the 1950s to the late 1970s, before the Castro neighbourhood claimed the spotlight. Among the latest additions to its artistic landscape is a captivating piece by Serge Gay Jnr, located on the corner of Post Street and Larkin Street.
Amos Goldbaum Mural at Bernal Heights Street Garden - Renowned San Francisco artist, Amos Goldbaum, has recently decorated the public garden walkway in Bernal Heights with one of his iconic murals. Titled “City in a Garden,” Goldbaum's masterpiece spans 13 panels and was crafted in just over a month. The mural showcases stencil-like depictions of the city's iconic landscape, adding a touch of vibrant creativity to the neighbourhood’s scenery.
Balmy Alley (Between 24th and 25th streets, and Treat and Harrison streets) - Murals first appeared along Balmy Alley in the mid-1980s as a poignant expression of outrage over human rights violations and political corruption in Central America. Today, the themes depicted have evolved to include broader societal issues such as gentrification and government injustice. The Mission Cultural Centre for Latino Arts is just a few blocks away for those seeking additional arts and culture when visiting San Francisco. Alongside its impressive collection of exhibits, it offers several theatre, music, and dance workshops.
San Francisco Travel is the official destination marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco. The city is one of the top tourism and meetings destinations in the U.S., attracting over 23 million visitors annually. In 2023, total visitor-related spending contributed $9.3 billion into the San Francisco economy and supported nearly 63,000 jobs.
SFO is excited to welcome travellers back to the skies with an airport experience featuring seamless access, thoughtful amenities, sustainable design and inspiring artwork and exhibits.
