More fun in Golden Gate Park

It is expected to be in the city for at least one year

By Kasia Pawlowska, Local Editor July 12, 2025 - SFGATE

Drivers and pedestrians on the Golden Gate Bridge saw some unusual cargo roll across the iconic expanse this past week. Instead of a shipping container, the iridescent blue tail and massive, scaly middle segment of a serpent sat atop an open flatbed of a semitruck. These enormous mythical creature bits are set to become the largest installation ever in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park at the end of the month.

Named Naga, the sea creature consists of five separate sections and first appeared at Burning Man last fall, where it was widely considered to be among the most impressive pieces at a place known for large-scale, dazzling works. The 100-foot-long, 25-foot-tall sculpture is lit from within, is able to blow bubbles out of its nose and is covered with 5,000 hand-forged scales. Unlike other works of art from the festival that have ended up in San Francisco throughout the years, having Naga land here was the intention, even before it slithered to life.

100-foot, bubble-blowing sea creature coming to Golden Gate Park

Greg

Thanks Virginia. And here it is:

Burning Man sea serpent rises from Golden Gate Park pond

By James Salazar | Examiner staff writer

3 hrs ago

Once fully installed, "Naga and The Captainess" will feature a 100-foot climbable seating area resembling a shipwreck, interactive treasure chests for children and a street mural, in addition to the 25-foot-tall sculpture composed of stainless mesh and steel. 

A 25-foot-tall sculpture composed of stainless mesh and steel has made a splash in Golden Gate Park’s Rainbow Falls Pond, the man-made waterfall that sits along the 1½-mile car-free stretch of John F. Kennedy Drive.

Over 250 volunteers and a team of artists have spent this month building a 100-foot-long glowing, bubble-blowing sea serpent known as “Naga” that first debuted at Burning Man in the Nevada desert last year. The sculpture is covered in 5,000 aluminum scales, which lights from within its body can illuminate.

It is part of “Naga and The Captainess,” a public art installation whose that will ultimately feature a 100-foot climbable seating area resembling a shipwreck, interactive treasure chests for children and a street mural painted to look like the ocean. Almost 85% of the project’s $400,000 price tag has been met, according to organizers, who are currently raising funds to cover the remaining $62,000 as of press time.

Naga began its journey from the desert to the urban park almost two years ago, when Ben Davis of the Illuminate art nonprofit saw a design rendering of the installation and decided that the sculpture would be right at home along the organization’s “Golden Mile,” a stretch of the JFK Drive pedestrian promenade that hosts murals, sculptures, games and food trucks, among other offerings.

Davis said that those involved in the installation “had high hopes for what this piece would look and feel like.”

“The reality is even much greater,” he said. “As you come upon it, it takes your breath away for a second.”

Burning Man sea serpent rises from Golden Gate Park pond

Greg