Cupid’s Span

«I left my heart in San Francisco.
High on a hill it calls to me…
To be where little cable cars
climb halfway to the stars!
The morning fog may chill the air,
I don’t care!
My love waits there in San Francisco,
above the blue and windy sea.
When I come home to you, San Francisco,
your golden sun will shine for me!» –Tony Bennett
This is a very cool sculpture at the Embarcadero!
Made of fiberglass and steel, this 60 feet tall structure is about 140 feet wide.
Presented in November 2002 by the married team of Swedish sculptors, Claes Oldenburg and Coosje vanBruggen, it is part of an ongoing effort to beautify the City of San Francisco! The artists also have famous pieces in Tokyo, Milan, and Minneapolis.
The positioning of the sculpture suggests the shapes of a ship to some people and possibly a suspension bridge to others. It is designed to inspire conversation and stimulate the imagination!
The title of this masterpiece is in reference to Eros, the Greek god, also known as the Roman Cupid who shoots arrows into victims. The blunt tipped lead arrows evoked feelings of aversion — the opposite effect of the sharp golden arrows which resulted in strong attraction between the targeted humans. Yes, Cupid is a bit of a rascal!
Donated by Donald and Doris Fisher, the founders of Gap Inc., Cupid’s Span seems to be in a very appropriate place — especially since Tony Bennett sang, «I Left My Heart In San Francisco»…

Cupid’s Span is a fun sculpture along the Embarcadero near the Bay Bridge. It’s probably a nice place to be if you’re in love; it seems like a great place to take engagement photos.
For Benji, it’s just another nice spot to sniff around and meet strangers. According to him, everyone there is very friendly and are willing to pet him.

Awesome place to sit and just watch. The views are amazing. Our kids enjoyed rolling down the grass hill.

I find it really interesting how there could be close to 100 reviews for a sculpture (not too famous I suppose) in San Francisco. Well nevertheless, here I am, adding my addition to this collection of reviews.
I’m personally a big fan of art, and I love this little area of Cupid’s Span. It’s really colourful, right by the waters of the Embarcadero. Even though I visited this sculpture and thought it was beautiful as it had a bit of greenery and flowers right beneath it, I had no idea what it was until I’m writing this review.
Apparently, Cupid’s Span was built in 2002. The curve of the bow represents a boat and the lines of the bow and arrow is reflective of the Bay Bridge at the back.

I walk a dog here twice a week and definitely recommend it as one of the better grassy spots that’s far away enough from the street, always clean and frequented by mainly calm and sweet dogs. A lot of people working in nearby buildings bring their dogs to work and so lunchtime is pretty busy in this area, so I would recommend walking your dog here earlier inn the morning or after lunch and before rush hour. Prefer this area over the enclosed Rincon Park on Beale Street as that park has zero shade or grass. Unless of course, you prefer an enclosed area.

Beautiful views of the bay! My friends and I were lucky it was a bright and sunny day when we visited Cupid’s Span. Thanks to fellow Unilocaler Giovanna R.‘s photos from last week, I was determined to make this the first stop in SF when celebrating a friend’s birthday. When we arrived, some kids had climbed up the bottom half of the bow (quite a feat, I probably wouldn’t be able to do that) but luckily, their parents convinced them to go before we started taking photos. This place is great for taking wedding party photos, as we saw one having a photo shoot, thankfully after capturing our own selfie stick powered shots haha. Bring your selfie stick! We saw others with them too so don’t get discouraged.
The whole bay is visible and there aren’t too many tourists if you get there by noon. I went on a Saturday and the area wasn’t as crowded as I thought. Some go jogging, walk their dogs, take photos, etc. Bring the family and some friends! It’s really a refreshing change compared to the usual Pier 39 where you’ll get sucked into pricey tourist traps. We walked down toward Pier 39 and along the way we passed by the Ferry Marketplace with a Farmer’s Market! You can’t miss the white tents! There’s metered parking along the Embarcadero. Try to get there early for a close spot.
Artwork and bay views that take your breath away. I’ll be back with family in tow.

To me, this is the coolest symbol of love from the artists to the city of San Francisco. I just my walking there during lunch time, just observing people while lying on the grass. I also like to bring my sketchbooks and colors and get inspired. I don’t see the dislike of this beautiful sculpture, is fun, is colorful, is very San Franciscan. And yes, I am so tempted to climb it as many of you!

LVOE oops i meant LOVE… hint hint… Louis Vuitton… wink ^.*
Every time i drive by here i tell myself i should come here for a photo shoot. one day i finally got the time to stop by and take a nice pic. It was a like a big deal to me because when i am in the city i am on the go and have a busy schedule ahead of me but instead i made time for this. which was well worth the time.
I really enjoy my time here just taking selfies and such ha. Another thing on my to do list is to climb to the top of the bow and take an amazing shot. Unfortunately that day i was in dress shoes and it was going to happen.
I am not even sure if we can do that, but i think i should start training on my hops. I am not sure if this action is illegal but sometimes when i drive by i see people running up to the top of the bow like ninja warriors. lol… i just love the vibe of this statue, it is so iconic in SF to me, its like the perfect spot for many things.
Pro
— It has a nice view such as a nice back drop to this statue,
1. there is a bridge, water,
or
2. you can stand the other side of the bow and arrow and get the SF city back drop.
— Its a very cute and romantic statue, great for a meeting place and have your first date here. lol… just bring some coffee here and chat it up.
— This is the perfect place to just take a picture for valentines card.
— this statue is around the nice area, where there are lots of yummy restaurants available for your to enjoy. Sit back at a nearby restaurant and enjoy the view.
— great location to do your exercise such a nice jog or run along the pier.
Con
— the only con i can think of would be the parking. But who drives in SF once you find a parking spot. it is Easy to find and accessible by walking or muni around the city.

Right off the Bay Bridge, is this huge structure.
It is gorgeous at night and the place to take pictures of Bay Bridge as well as this Span.
Parking is along the road and depending on time of day and what day, it can be either tough or easy to find.
Everyone is always tempted to try and climb the lower half and many do.

Massive yet beautiful monument; reflective of love, San Francisco and all its glory.
Sits near Pier 1 and offers an amazing view of the Bay, Golden Gate Bridge and Fisherman’s Wharf area.
Indicative of the famous saying «I left my heart in San Francisco.» A must see when visiting the beautiful city of SF.

San Francisco should make Cupid’s Span bigger than the Space Needle. This is a city which believes, rightfully so, that what you consensually do in your bedroom is your own business. The bow and arrow can be found on the waterfront, within close proximity to the Ferry Building.
I have seen this sculpture several times. It does have some visibility from being mildly close-​by, but definitely not from afar. When I walked towards it as I was running towards the ferry, I knew with the symbolism of the city’s values alone, that this was just right. It also looks beautiful.
Cupid’s Span is marvelous.

Couldn’t skip up the opportunity for a photo op. even if parking was horrendous. Located walking distance from the Ferry Building, we JUST HAD TO stop by to take a few photos before our next stop. Definitely bring a pair of wide angle or fisheye lens since it’s hard to get the whole bow in a photo unless you’re super far away!

Parking was very hard to find, especially during the weekends. Found parking on the street. What a cute place to take pictures!!! Be sure to put this on your «to do» list, especially if you’re a tourist like me!

I often review certain buildings or landmarks as good for a photo opp and move on. This is one of them. After you visit the Ferry Building, continue along the Embarcadero towards the Bay Bridge and you’ll end up in Rincon Park where it is. Try to arrange the shot so it looks like the arrow is shooting you in the butt, it’s funny.

When artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen were commissioned to construct an art piece on Rincon Park along Embarcadero in 2002, they couldn’t have picked a better pair of artists.
If you’re not familiar about their work, they typically make giants sculptors out of mundane objects like the Spoonbridge and Cherry
in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Shuttlecocks
in Kansas City, Missouri and Plantoir
in Des Moines, Iowa and other various location in Europe, Asia and North America.
According to the artists, their inspiration for Cupid’s Span was the home port of Eros. I don’t know if the first thing that comes to mind is Eros when mentioning San Francisco as that should be Las Vegas, IMHO. I can see if this was The Castro and it would make perfect sense, but I still like the piece, regardless. The first rendition of the sculpture had the arrow pointing towards the sky, but they had structural challenges so they decided to point it downwards and making the feathers as the focal point.
The object of an art piece is to evoke an emotion — whether good or bad, it’s very subjective and open to interpretation to the individual. You either like it or you don’t, and you surely can’t please everyone. I happen to like it as it blends quite well and also stands out within the surrounding location. You can also view it from different angles, backgrounds and different perspective at different times and gives you something different every time.
I also find it appropriate that it’s pointing down towards the heart of San Francisco, where many people have left theirs.

More art! I love how much art is all around San Francisco. I have been to this city a few times when I was younger, but now that I am older I can appreciate the artistic nature of this beautiful city. This another strange artistic landmark in the city, and one of those cool little «romantic» type things.
Yet, another one of those little things that you should see when you are in the area.

This is a pretty cool touristy spot if you’re around the pier! It’s at the very end of the pier so I do suggest you driving down the street. There are also parking on the street on the side of the Cupid’s Span and also across the street. Be sure to have coins and I think the meter did have the credit/​debit card insert.
It’s kind of a small place and the only thing you really see is the Cupid’s Span (the arrow) and the Bay Bridge. It’s something really special, in my opinion. It’s just a really cool art work/​landmark out here in San Francisco. You also see a lot of joggers and other San Franciscans around as well. It’s also pretty close to the Ferry Building, so you can grab a bite or coffee and take a stroll down the street!
It’s just a lovely place to come visit, probably with your loved ones! You can’t go wrong with spending time here taking in the SF breeze by the Cupid’s Span on your date ;)

How do you review a landmark? How do you give a landmark a bad rating?
Cupids span is as much a part of the SF skyline as is any skyscraper. It’s one of those iconic images that all locals know and usually take for granted.
It’s a beautiful site and stirs images of love and romance in everyone that’s is in its pressence.
Even on these rainy sf days I can look at it and things don’t seem so gloomy.

More commonly known as the «bow and arrow» and located in Rincon Park. It was commissioned by Donald and Doris Fisher (founders of Gap, Inc.) and donated to the City of San Francisco. It’s a really stunning sculpture and looks absolutely gorgeous with both backdrops: the Bay Bridge and the buildings across The Embarcadero.
We visited on a particularly nice day with beautiful skies. It was also not busy or crowded, which made it easier to take photographs. It would have been a perfect experience, had it not been for the guy sleeping in front of the sculpture (seriously, the entire grassy hill was vacant and he chose the spot right in front of it) and the tourists idiotically and unsuccessfully climbing on the bow. I don’t understand why people think it’s okay to climb on sculptures.
More fun facts: Since San Francisco has the reputation as the «home port of Eros,» artists Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen decided to use Cupid’s bow and arrow and created it to look like it was shot into the earth. It is made of stainless steel, structural carbon steel, fiber-​reinforced plastic, cast epoxy, and polyvinyl chloride foam; then painted with polyester gelcoat. Dimensions: 64 ft. x 143 ft. 9 in. x 17 ft. ³⁄₈ in.

Ahhhh sweet love. The only emotion that creates such magic. When lovers gaze into each others’ eyes, their hearts synchronize. Falling in love creates effects like that of cocaine. Cherished cuddling can release endorphins. Even when looking at a picture of a loved one, it can actually relieve pain. And when absolutely committed to love, it is more than just a vow; it’s a promise.
If this location doesn’t symbolize romance in the slightest, then I don’t know what will.
Even Sam Cooke had to sing for himself, «Cupid, draw back your bowwwwwww.»
There’s nothing sweeter than being in love and knowing that you ARE indeed loved.
This is a very beautiful stretch of Embarcadero with great views of the Bay Bridge, Treasure Island, the Ferry Building, Financial District, and even the boats and ferries that pass along these bay waters.
A perfect backdrop for romantic pictures, marriage proposals, or simply asking the other, «Will you be mine?»
As a true romantic at heart, I can appreciate the sentiment behind this sculptural artistry.
So for those of you who are smitten by that special someone, this place will definitely heighten those feelings of being in love.
Caution: Hotel stay in this area is very expensive so if you wanna catch a room afterwards for a good deal, make sure you’re willing to catch the MUNI, BART, or able to drive further into a cheaper area in the city.
You know, since you’re in that romantic mood and all.
Love may be free, but it ain’t always cheap. Fo realllll doe!