AND THAT WAS TOM COSTELLO REPORTING THE DECORATIVE BAY BRIDGE LIGHTS ARE BACK ON. WE CAN GIVE YOU A LIVE LOOK. IT’S JUST SHIMMERING OUT THERE. THIS INSTALLATION WAS FIRST UNVEILED IN 2013, BUT THEN IT WENT DARK IN 2023 AFTER TEN YEARS OF DAMAGE FROM WIND, RAIN AND SALTY AIR. THE NEW VERSION FEATURES 50,000 UPGRADED LEDS. A NONPROFIT CALLED ILLUMINATE RAISED $11 MILLION TO PAY FOR THIS TONIGHT, ONLY THE SIDE THAT’S FACING SAN FRANCISCO IS LIT UP. THE OTHER SIDE STILL NEEDS TO GO THROUGH FINAL TESTING. BUT REALLY BEAUTIFUL. AND A LOT OF FOLKS WERE OUT ON SAN FRANCISCO’S EMBARCADERO KIND OF WATCHING THE LIGHTS. AND YEAH, WHEN IT TURNED ON AT 730, THERE WAS QUITE A CROWD, YOU KNOW, INCOMING.
Iconic San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge lights return with upgraded LEDs
Updated: 8:21 AM PDT Mar 21, 2026
The decorative Bay Bridge lights are back on, featuring 50,000 upgraded LEDs after a nonprofit raised $11 million for the restoration. This installation was first unveiled in 2013 but went dark in 2023 after years of damage from wind, rain, and salty air. A nonprofit called Illuminate raised $11 million to pay for it. On Friday, only the side facing San Francisco was lit up, while the other side still needs to go through final testing.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SAN FRANCISCO —
The decorative Bay Bridge lights are back on, featuring 50,000 upgraded LEDs after a nonprofit raised $11 million for the restoration.
This installation was first unveiled in 2013 but went dark in 2023 after years of damage from wind, rain, and salty air.
A nonprofit called Illuminate raised $11 million to pay for it.
On Friday, only the side facing San Francisco was lit up, while the other side still needs to go through final testing.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel