San Francisco’s Wave Organ
If you’re hearing some strange, otherworldly music, as the waves hit the shore of San Francisco bay, chances are that it must be the famous wave organ. Constructed in 1986 by artist Peter Richards, the organ is located on a jetty by the bay and consists of more than 20 PVC and concrete pipes.The pipes are arranged in different length and heights, to create a varied melody every time the waves hits.
The jetty itself is constructed by granite and marble, taken from a deconstructed cemetery. When the waves of the ocean crash against the pipes, there is a varying amount of airflow that goes through these pipes along with the water. This difference in airflow causes the pipes to emit various melodies at different volumes according to how high the tide is.
Visitors, who come to the jetty are treated to one of a kind music, while enjoying the view of the San Francisco skyline. The jetty has an amazing view of the Marina District, downtown San Francisco, East Bay Hills, the Marin Headlands and also the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. It proves to be a tranquil location for those, who plan to escape the hustle of the city and enjoy sounds of the ocean.
The jetty is open to the public for free and its best to visit during high tide. The jetty is also easily accessible from the Chrissy Field recreational area, which is a 1.8 mile walk away.
Address:
Yacht Road
San Francisco, California, 94123
United States
UnusualPlaces Field Notes
- Location
- Wave Organ, end of the Yacht Road jetty, 83 Marina Green Drive, San Francisco, California, USA
- Coordinates
- 37.80849, -122.44021
- Access
- Outdoor public sculpture at the end of the Yacht Road jetty. City shoreline records identify the associated path, steps, seating and platforms as public-access areas. A ramp was added to the listening area, but the current OSM-derived artwork listing is tagged wheelchair=no; confirm the step-free route and surface conditions with the City if needed. The exposed jetty is beside the Bay: use the marked route, watch for uneven or wet footing, and obey temporary closures.
- Admission
- No ticket or admission charge is listed for this public waterfront artwork. San Francisco Recreation and Park says Marina Green public parking is available 6:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. subject to availability; those are parking limits, not published Wave Organ visiting hours.
- Time needed
- No official visit duration is published. Allow time for the jetty walk and listening; the sound is subtle and tide-dependent, and may not be audible at low tide.
- Best season
- No preferred season is published. The Exploratorium says the Wave Organ sounds best at high tide in any season; check the NOAA tide prediction and local weather before setting out.
- Opening hours
- The Exploratorium and City pages reviewed do not publish Wave Organ visiting hours. Adjacent Marina Green public parking is listed for 6:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m., but that does not establish sculpture-access hours. Check signs and conditions; city marina construction is scheduled to begin in 2027.
- Location checked
- 2026-10-15
- Facts checked
- 2026-10-15
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