Bill Dan – Rock Balancer

It’s interesting reading the few reviews which stated Mr Bill Dan was unfriendly as we found him to be just the opposite, very approachable and very nice! We took several photos of his structures, spoke with him for a short time and then walked away… never feeling the need to tip. Then my husband returned to tip him and in return, he gave us a signed photo postcard of some of his creations!
We first saw Bill Dan 3 years ago on a visit to San Francisco… and while exploring Sausalito, we stumbled upon his «performance art» along the rocky shoreline in downtown Sausalito. We’ve seen the «rock altars» in Aruba, Newport and various other locations but his structures are an art onto itself and one that takes an immense amount of patience and concentration! In addition, he’s a wicked nice guy and very friendly to his audience!
If I return to San Francisco or this area again, I will definitely go looking for Mr Dan!

I remember seeing this guy a few years back. We thought he had a bad personality as he was basically very rude and mad when people weren’t donating money to him. There was a tourist taking some pictures and after the tourist didn’t donate any money, this guy just started muttering something very angrily and dismantling the rocks in front of the tourist so he couldn’t take pictures. If you’re a public display artist like this, you should get used to the fact that not everybody will donate. We walked away after seeing this display of ugly character.

Interesting «art» but rude as a person. Never seen an «artist» who prioritized money over the appreciation of their «work». Sorry I couldn’t spare a dollar to watch you put rocks on top of each other. No need to tell me «you’re not cool» for walking away. Gave it two stars because the background of the rocks were great.

It’s interesting how Bill Dan balances different sizes of rocks on top of each other. And when he balances the rocks, I don’t mean the biggest one on the bottom and then the rocks getting smaller as they go up. The big rocks are on top. He is really focused on what he is doing. But after a while it gets a little boring standing there seeing if he can balance rocks. I was there for about 5 — 10 min. People are gathered on the sidewalk blocking a walking path and yes I was one of them.

It is a must to see this guys work. Zenned out and totally focused, this guy is a rock and roll star of forming impossible melodies of balanced nature.
I know that sounded cheezy but I am tired yet on quite a roll tonight. Soon I won’t have anything to review!!!

Wow! Everyone that comes to Sausalito should take the time to check out Bill Dan, the Rock Balancer. A Sausalito celebrity, this guy balances rocks and stones on top of one another, point to point, side to side, in ways that defy gravity. Usually Bill Dan sets up shop on the weekends outside Piccolo café on Bridgeway– just look for the crowd gathering around him. While it is more fun to see the man in action creating his natural sculptures, there are usually some remnants of his performance that linger along the waterfront well after he has left so keep your eyes peeled.
Everyone has their theory on how he does it. I think he has a magnetism that comes from within and charges the rocks so that they stick to one another. Whatever your theory, be sure to take home some of his polaroids so that when you tell your friends about this guy’s skills, they’ll believe you.
Really though, this is something you have to see with your own eyes to believe!