Cupid's Span

A very unique public art sculpture located on the Embarcadero Waterfront!!

It's Cupid's bow and arrow pointed into the ground, I'm just guessing it's aimed at the center of the earth!!

This place is popular for sure, for tourists and locals, people really hang out here for a while.

In a very scenic area, this really stands out, especially with whatever backdrop your viewing it from. I like the view with the Bay Bridge behind it the best!!

After our little photo session around Oracle Park, my friend and I strolled past Cupid's Span. We have both passed by this large outdoor art sculpture multiple times in the past, and I walked and took photos of my little pup here previously. Definitely a landmark we both recognized being part of San Francisco.

Cupid's Span is a pop art outdoor sculpture opened in November 1, 2002. "Commissioned by Gap Inc. founders Donald and Doris F. Fisher, depicts a partial bow and piece of an arrow." (Wikipedia) Artists are Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, a married couple and they have many other works displayed all over the world of larger than life everyday objects.

Super cute area for great photo op

This is a SF landmark

Located near The Embarcadero on a patch of grass/hill

Nice spot to chill and people watch

Street parking only

After taking my 3 and 8 year old grandsons on the ferry from Alameda to San Francisco for the first time, we headed toward Cupids Span. It is what is most visible on the skyline with the bright red "feathers" of the arrow standing almost vertical. The kids and I skipped up the pathway to the giant bow and arrow.

When we got closer I noticed that there was a low wire surrounding the installation by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. The 8 year old crawled under the wire first, and then the 3 year old followed. The older brother ran through the grass with younger one following in his big brother's foot steps.

Then the big brother started running up the sculpture and sliding down it. "WHEEE" it looked like such fun!!! Both boys started slowly and picked up steam as they got more confidence. The artists created a perfect slide for people of all ages. I didn't go on it myself, but my grandsons had a blast!

Tip: if you are coming from Alameda or Oakland and you take the ferry you won't have to worry about parking while visiting this amazing site.

Ps. If they didn't want people to slide on the bow, don't you think they would have made it more difficult to get on?

So my kids have been coming here almost since 2006. It was quite an amazing find, spending time in the city there's not a lot for children to do. My kids would have judo tournaments, we would come here to sightsee, eat and just feel good.

Over the years, they've changed the parking in the streets so much. Up until two years ago, there was metered parking right in front were tons of people could park and walk along the Embarcadero. They have removed all of the parking spaces, and turned it into a 2 way bike Ln.. Now there's no way really to access it other than the pitiful few parking spots on the other side of the street. And they are almost always taken.

That's about the only reason why it gets four stars, the city does not take into consideration how much the kids enjoy this and now there's no real way for the kids to get to it. Oh well

If you have driven past the Embarcadero, south of the Ferry Building, then you might have seen Cupid's Span, or his bow and arrow. Because the bow and arrow are inverted (pointing into the ground), it looks like a boat or a ship (which does work nicely with the ocean view and Bay Bridge). This beautiful sculpture (free to visit), which has been here since 2002, was created by married artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. They thought it would be a unique interpretation to have the arrow inverted, as if cupid (or Eros) had shot an arrow into the earth to make it fertile. But they had initially thought of having the arrow pointing upright in earlier drafts.

My husband, our little girl dog and I came by this beautiful structure on a Friday early last month around 4 pm to meet a friend and their dog. According to my friends (who live in the nearby apartments down the street), this little area (kind of like a park) is really popular with dogs and their owners. While we were there (a little over an hour), we saw numerous of visitors with dogs running around and playing with other dogs on the grass around the bow and arrow sculpture.

With the parking situation, it is metered and can be a challenge to find, as it is limited. If you are good at parallel parking then you might want to park much further away and walk.

Perfect place to...
1) Bring a date
2) Play Pokemon Go - lots of dratinis and magikarp here!
3) Enjoy the sunset (or sunrise)
4) View the Bay Bridge Lights
5) Take a jog or a long stroll

I've been to Cupid's Span for all of the above reasons, time and time again over the past few years. Cupid's Span and the surrounding area is a hot spot among Pokemon Go fans like myself, perfect for spinning a bunch of pokestops, raiding, and community day. Lots of food is also around the area, so perfect after a long day's worth of Pokemon here.

Cupid Span can get pretty crowded with people and dogs alike. Lots of dog owners love coming here to have doggy play dates. I don't have a dog, but I enjoy seeing the dogs frolic with one another. Besides coming here for Pokemon Go, I come here for the amazing bridge views, during sunset. For the BEST views, September and October are the most ideal times coming here because the weather is just perfect - not too cold or hot, and not too foggy.

Best way to get here? Public transit. There is parking, but it's limited, and many of the metered parking spots are designated as "Special Parking Zone" which means free parking does not start until 10 pm on some days. Save the hassle and take public transit if you can.

"There is always some madness in love..." - Lestat

Location: Embarcadero Waterfront, San Francisco.

Cupid's Span aka Cupid's Bow is a 60-foot sculpture inspired by San Francisco's reputation as the home port of Eros. Cupid's Span is an outdoor sculpture by married artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen, commissioned by The Gap founders, Donald and Doris F. Fisher, as a gift to the city of San Francisco in 2002.

Having lived in San Francisco I regret not taking the time to visit such a cool site sooner. The location up a hill, on the Embarcadero waterfront, has added a sense of magic and romance to the skyline of lovely San Francisco. For the romantics, the mythological symbolism of Eros shooting his arrow into the earth to make it fertile. On my visit I had the Commodores playing while I picnicked on a patch of grass. Or maybe I was dancing to Spandau Ballet? So true...

In the end, I recommend Cupid's Span for all to see. I mean who can complain on something free to the public and now a part of San Francisco's ever changing skyline. And with all the pheromones floating around still a fun spot for the kiddies too! For me, it brought a smile to my face and that's what it's all about. My gift to you, lovers;)

Located in Rincon Park near the Embarcadero which I go to frequently whenever I'm visiting San Francisco. Built in 2002 but I didn't know if its existence until a recent trip around the city with Alana and Nadine.

No one can ever deny that whoever comes for a visit, always leave his/her heart in San Francisco. I do! I am always lovestruck with this beautiful city that I always comeback whenever I get the chance. Cupid must have used his bow and arrow to pin my heart right in this city.

I'm glad to be able to see this beautiful art installation. It is strategically located with a view of the Oakland bridge on one side, the magnificent buildings on the other side, and the Ferry Building down the street. Great photo opportunities in every angle.

Did you leave your heart in San Francisco??

I knew I wanted to see this when I came to San Francisco! This is such a whimsical piece of art designed by married couple, Claes Oldenburg & Coosje Van Bruggen! I was fortunate enough to view three of their works of art in three cities in a span of three weeks without even realizing it until I looked up their other works!

You can find Cupid's Span along Embarcadero, in Rincon Park, just south of the Ferry Building. It was installed in 2002. The Bay Bridge is highly visible in the background. Coosje van Bruggen decided she wanted the front of the bow downward and the feathers of the arrow in the air. I read that the feathers really do move in the wind, how cool! Coosje said it could also be interpreted as a tightened version of a suspension bridge, and that seemed to be perfect for the pair as they continued with their plans. It is huge at roughly 60ft tall! It is definitely visible from afar!

This sculpture is listed as one of the 15 Most Beautiful Places To Get Married in SF! Not sure I would choose this place, but I guess others have!

It is worth having a look at and taking pictures. I'm glad we could incorporate seeing this in our busy day of sightseeing with my friends!