From colorful street murals to sleek gallery spaces, monthly art walks to world-class exhibition halls, every city and region has its own artistic personality and cultural identity. Below are some of our favorite artful attractions in the Bay Area.
DANVILLE ART & WINE STROLL – Taking place on Thursday, April 18th in historic Downtown Danville, the 16th edition of this beloved neighborhood art and wine event will showcase works by local artists along with bites, live entertainment, and tastings from top local wineries. Guests can ride the old-timey trolley between Danville and Danville Livery and checkout local shops and eateries along the way.
ANDY GOLDSWORTHY’S WOOD LINE – Nestled in a eucalyptus grove near San Francisco’s Presidio, this iconic work by artist Andy Goldsworthy (the second part in his ongoing exploration of the Presidio) is easy to miss—and impossible to forget. The graceful sculpture flows between a forest of eucalyptus, planted by the U.S. Army more than a century ago, forming a sinuous line that, in the artist’s words, “draws the place.” Wood Line is located near the intersection of Presidio Boulevard and West Pacific Avenue, just off the Presidio’s oldest footpath, Lovers’ Lane.
16TH AVENUE TILED STEPS – These gorgeous, tiled steps in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Heights neighborhood are the result of a community collaboration to create a sea-to- star-themed mosaic flowing up 163 steps. The project kicked off in 2003 in a grassroots effort to connect neighbors in the community and beautify Golden Gate Heights. The steps have since become a neighborhood landmark.
ARTWORKS DOWNTOWN – Marin’s premier non-profit art center, this 40,000-square-foot building houses four galleries, 27 art studios, a restaurant, jewelers’ guild, ceramic center and countless arts organizations. The center serves as an incubator for emerging artists and arts-related businesses, offering low-income housing, along with classes and exhibit galleries to foster the arts in the community.
PALO ALTO FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS – This community-friendly event, hosted by the Palo Alto Chamber of Commerce, attracts over 150,000 art lovers every year. Now in its 38th incarnation, the festival, which takes place on tree-lined University Avenue in downtown Palo Alto, features works by 300 fine artists, along with sidewalk piano performances, an Italian Street Painting Expo, kids’ art studio, food, drinks and more.
SAN FRANCISCO STREET ART – From elaborate graffiti to vibrant murals, San Francisco ranks in the top three cities in the country for street art—and it shows. The city is home to thousands of murals and street art installations worthy of gallery space, with the Mission featuring almost 500 alone. In this culturally rich neighborhood, every alleyway offers an opportunity for a new discovery.
