SAN FRANCISCO, CA – A larger-than-life sea serpent is making waves at Golden Gate Park’s Rainbow Falls with the debut of the immersive art installation Naga along the car-free JFK Promenade, the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department announced today.
Towering 25 feet high and stretching over 100 feet long, Naga is a majestic metal serpent composed of five glowing segments installed at the base of the waterfall. Lit from within and occasionally exhaling gentle bubbles from its nose, Naga comes alive at night when its shimmering scales ripple with pulsing rainbow lights.
Designed by artists Cjay Roughgarden, Stephanie Shipman, and Jacquelyn Scott, this awe-inspiring work of public art invites visitors of all ages into a whimsical world of light, color, and fantasy. The installation was made possible through a partnership between SF Rec and Park, nonprofit Illuminate, the Sijbrandij Foundation, and art production studio Building 180.
“The JFK Promenade is already a vibrant place where art, activity, and relaxation come together. Naga builds on that energy, drawing visitors into a vivid world of light, color, and motion—like stepping into a modern fairytale,” said SF Rec and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg. “Its scale and presence are unlike anything we’ve brought to the promenade before. This isn’t just public art—it’s a fully immersive experience.”
Originally created for Burning Man 2024, Naga is the largest and most complex installation to appear along the JFK Promenade since it became a permanently car-free public space in 2022. Located along one of the city’s most visited open spaces, the installation is expected to be seen by many of the 24 million people who explore Golden Gate Park each year.
“With Naga, we’re creating a moment of shared wonder—something unexpected, delightful, and free to all,” said Ben Davis, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer of Illuminate. “It deepens the magic of the Golden Mile—a uniquely San Francisco experience and the envy of cities everywhere.”
“Supporting projects like Naga aligns perfectly with our foundation’s commitment to accessible, joyful civic experiences and our passion for placing big art in public spaces,” said Sid Sijbrandij, Founder of the Sijbrandij Foundation. “It’s inspiring to see such an imaginative installation take root in the heart of Golden Gate Park, where it can be experienced by millions.”
“Bringing Naga into the world has been the fulfillment of a dream,” said Cjay Roughgarden, lead artist. “I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the incredible community that helped bring him to life—from the co-artists and fabricators to the welders, city staff, funders, and believers who said yes at every step. This isn’t just my story—it’s ours.”
Naga is part of the larger two-part installation Naga & The Captainess. While the full piece featured both the serpent and a sculptural shipwreck, only the sea serpent is currently on view. Lantern-lit seating in the shape of a sunken ship will be added later this year, creating a whimsical gathering space for reflection, connection, and story-sharing.
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