Jul 29, 2025 - News
A glowing sea serpent debuts in Golden Gate Park
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
The art installation at night brings The Playa to Golden Gate Park. Photo: Luciana Craviotti
Hundreds of spectators adorned with glitter, neon colors and shimmering iridescent hues flooded Golden Gate Park Monday evening to witness the unveiling and lighting ceremony of San Francisco's newest immersive art installation.
State of play: "Naga & The Captainess," which was assembled by about 250 volunteers, is now the largest piece of public art in the park's history.
Between the lines: The 25-foot-tall, 100-foot-long sculpture inspired by Eastern mythology first debuted at Burning Man last year and now calls Rainbow Falls Pond along JFK Promenade its home.
- Artists Cjay Roughgarden, Stephanie Shipman and Jacquelyn Scott created the $400,000 sea serpent with more than 5,000 handmade metallic scales.
- The glowing creature lights up in blue, green and purple, blows bubbles, and features treasure chests and a 1700s-inspired shipwreck display.