I’ve been meaning to stop by the James Turrell Skyspace in San Francisco for years. (Honestly, I tried to find it before but couldn’t get there due to a private event being hosted at the De Young Museum.) Finally, after a long walk around Golen Gate Park, my husband and I found ourselves at this beautiful public art installation.
Painted a stunning shade of coral paired with white, this space takes a bit of effort to get to but is entirely worth it. Just look at how unique and serene this installation is! It’s built so the space never quite looks the same. As the light throughout the day changes, so does the shadows on the walls. Sunset light sequence looks drastically different than the mid-afternoon light (pictured here)
The James Turrell Skyspace San Francisco (officially named Three Gems By James Turrell) is located in the Golden Gate Park behind the de Young Museum in their sculpture garden. It’s totally free to enter, but sometimes they close this area down for private events (just as a heads up) The James Turrell skyspace hours are basically 24/7 since it’s in a public park with no gates to get there.
Come at different seasons for something entirely different as well. Fall and winter light tends to be cooler than summer and spring light. We wandered in around 4pm in July, so we got some of those harsh shadows and stark contrasts of light. I can’t wait to visit this during sunrise one day! I bet it’s stunning.
If you are visiting for photos, wear greens, whites or blue clothing to really pop. A wide-angle also helps to capture the whole space as its a bit narrow for a standard lens. Read more about my camera blogging gear here!
James Turrell skyspace locations
The artist James Turrell has built art pieces with light sequences all over the world. I really want to see:
- James Turrell Twilight Epiphany Skyspace at Rice University Shepherd School campus in Houston (it glows at night!
- James Turrell Guggenheim (in New York City (this one has such cool colors!)
- Light Reign James Turrell Skyspace Seattle
- The Color Inside James Turrell Skyspace Austin (yellow and blue!)
I’ll be making sure to look up if fine arts installation by James Turrell everywhere we travel now, just in case he has one in that city! Learn more about James Turrell and his other locations here!
On your next trip to San Francisco, make sure to stop by this special gem of a place! Got questions? Leave a comment below or contact me on Instagram @thewhimsysoul and I’ll be happy to help!
8 comments
Thank you for this informative guide! I had no idea about the secret location of the Skyspace in San Francisco. Your tips on the best times to visit and what to expect are super helpful. Can’t wait to experience the stunning blend of light and space!
Thank you for the great insights on James Turrell’s Skyspace in San Francisco! I’ve been wanting to visit for a while, and your tips on the best times to go and what to expect really help. The photography you shared is stunning too! Can’t wait to experience it for myself!
What an insightful post! I had no idea about the James Turrell Skyspace in San Francisco. Your tips on the best times to visit and what to expect really helped me plan my trip. I can’t wait to experience the light and space in person! Thank you for sharing!
I absolutely loved my visit to the James Turrell Skyspace in San Francisco! The experience was surreal and the way the light changed was mesmerizing. Thanks for the tip about the best time to go—catching the sunset was unforgettable! Can’t wait to go back and experience more of his work.
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I loved this post! The tips for visiting James Turrell’s Skyspace in San Francisco are incredibly helpful. I didn’t realize how essential the timing of the visit is to fully experience the light and colors. I can’t wait to plan my trip!
Great post! I’ve been wanting to visit the Skyspace for a while, and your tips on timing and what to bring are super helpful. Can’t wait to experience that light and space in person!
I loved this post! I had no idea about the Skyspace in San Francisco until now. Your tips on the best times to visit and what to expect really help. Can’t wait to experience the incredible light and space!