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Wind Harp Tower Photos

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01.23.21 The Wind Harp was acquired by the City of South San Francisco in 1996
May A.

Interesting sculpture: South San Francisco This was my first time seeing this piece of architecture sitting in the heart of the bio industry area located in South San Francisco. Many of the surrounding buildings are owned by Genentech and off of the main street DNA Way. We parked on the parking lot of a baking culinary school and from there walked up on a paved street that is gated and cars can't access to see the sculpture. Once up there we were able to get a panoramic view of South San Francisco and the Bay. The structure is a 92-foot tall sculpture and can be seen from the Bay Bridge, East Bay and the San Francisco Airport. I had to wait for a plane to pass by and out of sight before I could hear the Wind Harp's chime. The Wind Harp sits above 243 feet above see level and it was windy up there during our visit but that is the unique feature of the Wind Harp. It is one of the world's aeolian harps. An aeolian harp is an instrument played by the movement of the wind, named for the Greek god of the wind, Aeolus. And, yes, you could hear the chime of the "harp" when you get close... it's very cool! I tried to take a video of the chiming sound it created but, unfortunately, it only captured the strong winds. There was a plaque presented by Genentech acknowledging the work of artists, Lucia and Aristides Demetrios. I'm finally able to cross off one my bookmarked places off my list. Worth stopping for. Review #2089

Guide us!
Zach H.

I don't know what was so cool about this but it was really cool lol. Parking can be confused because there's so many lots just look for the wind harp sign. I could feel tons of inspiration walking up to it and ideas started to form in my head. The top was awesome you could pretty much 360 degrees around you. The structure provides so many different angles and some nice photo ops. Reminded me of something out of Star Wars or something! After reading the reviews I guess I needed to go on a windy day for the full experience!

Wind harp tower from the path

Fun spot that is great to check out on a windy day! When the winds pick up you can really hear the effect. Some great views as well. Recommend parking by the lot near SF baking institute and walking up the path to the tower!

Entrance sign.
Camille M.

This is such a cool piece (not sure if I should call it art or not) It is hidden away behind some industrial plazas - if you think you're in the wrong area, you probably are in the right area. Lol. There is a smaller parking lot - so during a weekday, it looks like it COULD get busy but we came on a Sunday - so businesses were closed - leaving their parking spaces open. There is an entrance sign that you walk up to that is visible from the street - VERY HELPFUL! It is a little bit of an incline to the harp. We went on a pretty windy day so we were lucky to hear the harp right as we were walking about - SO COOL! It's like a light hum, pretty relaxing. They have benches around the harp so I'm sure people that work around the harp can have a great lunch while listening to the hum of the harp and the mini view. I totally recommend it, it's such an awesome piece & something I have never seen.

Uncle Fishbits Aeneas X.

Also known as the wind tower, this is an amazing part of my youth... I am relatively sure that it has a plaque with the info about the artist and the install, and will take a pic first chance I get. Whatever the case, I will give you my nostalgia trip, as well as the short form review I ripped from a random site that had a few short words about it... cause succinct is key! "The Wind Harp is a sculpture at the top of Oyster Point in South San Francisco. It's designed to make noises when wind passes through it. The noises are kinda creepy, like a UFO on acid." -- genome site. We would come up here to hang out, play with friends, play with ladyfriends.... and more. It is really a eerie if not wholly peaceful part of the bay. The wind is typically making the harp vibrate a little bit, but certain days it is so loud and freaky that I shudder standing there. And I haven't the foggiest why we always went... it was almost a magical experience... like a pied piper leading us kids to a freezing and bizarre experience that was truly singular. I cannot tell you how many times my 6'6" frame would cower under the crazy-making body rattling hum that shook my chest. And though I was nervous every time, for some reason.... I would put my ear to the base and hear the howling of ghostly wind as it reverbrated through the structure.... ... this place is definitely iconic... and it is one of the most incredible outings in the city. It is just a tower, but it is one hell of a structure and concept.

Entrance

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Checked it out for the first time a couple of days ago, Pretty cool! Unfortunately there was no wind, but it was cool none the less.

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17 years ago

I remember going here 30 years ago. I think this is the closet I've ever come to experiencing a parallel universe.

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12 years ago

Ahh, the beloved whistling towers.. How I love thee so. As long as I'm wearing a jacket!

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Ask the Community - Wind Harp Tower

Review Highlights - Wind Harp Tower

We went on a pretty windy day so we were lucky to hear the harp right as we were walking about - SO COOL!

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Sweeney Ridge - Sweeney Ridge in mid March

Sweeney Ridge

4.3(190 reviews)
4.4 mi

There are a few entrances, but I think the most popular one is on Sneath Lane. This trail is paved…read moreand pretty steady and not too difficult for about a mile but then gets a bit steeper for the next mile to the top. On the way up you can see views of the San Andreas Reservoir Lake. After the rain you can hear the water flowing and see some little streams and wild mushrooms. To the ridge is a little under 2 miles. I like the fact there is a small bathroom which I find quite rare on trails like this. To the left is the San Francisco Discovery Site which has a plaque with some information. Apparently, this was the place the Spanish settlers first saw the San Francisco Bay. To the right the trail goes along the ridge to the remains of the old Nike missile site. The views are stellar, and one can see for miles on end, Marin, the city, Pacifica Mount Diablo, etc. I love watching all the planes coming in and out from nearby SFO. From Sneath the hike is about 5 miles and 2 hrs. I've also gone the Mori Trail route which is nice because it's not paved but this trail is steeper. It's worth checking out the funky Shelldance Orchid Gardens which is located at the trailhead but they are only open on the weekends.

This is a nice enough spot to go for a hike. It was easy to find my way to the Sneath Lane Trail…read moreParking using google maps, a small lot within a residential neighborhood, that fits about 10-15 vehicles. It was foggy, cold, and incredibly windy during my visit last week, and of course, there's an incline as the trail wraps around the mountain. But it wasn't too bad, the actual climb up didn't feel as difficult as it looked from a distance, starting with the sneath lane trail then connecting to other trails higher up. In fact, there are many options for different trails to take. The Baquiano Trail had a dirt pathway while the Notch Trail toward the Nike Missile Control Site was paved. Near the SF Bay Discovery Site, there's a small restroom building (it was pretty clean for a park facility, on a Thursday afternoon). The gorgeous foliage lining the various paths was captivating, along with lovely views of the hills, lake (san andreas reservoir), and sunlit scenery in the distance. Too foggy to enjoy the views the higher you get though, just a giant cloud of fog everywhere. I barely made it three miles out before turning back. It was just far too windy and foggy to wanna be out there very long (I'm sure hot days would be even worse with zero shade to be found). Plus my legs definitely had a workout from the uphill trek. Luckily the jog back down was a breeze. And I did slow down to appreciate the vegetation and vast array of plant species, once again, before leaving.

Photos
Sweeney Ridge - Sweeney Ridge in mid March

Sweeney Ridge in mid March

Sweeney Ridge - Sweeney Ridge in mid March

Sweeney Ridge in mid March

Sweeney Ridge - Plants and flowers along the trail

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Plants and flowers along the trail

Mazza Castle - An All Hallows Eve Ritual & Ceremony at the Mazza Castle - Medium, June Ahern

Mazza Castle

4.2(14 reviews)
5.8 mi

Who knew there was a castle in Pacifica? A nice visit if you're into history, architecture and want…read moreto see some views. Built in 1908 by the San Francisco rail magnate Henry Harrison McCloskey by the sea as a safe haven after his San Francisco home was severely damaged in the 1906 earthquake. It was later sold by his wife after her husband's death in 1914 Up until 1959, it had a reputation as a speakeasy, an illegal abortion clinic, a brothel and Coast Guard barracks during World War II. The castle was purchased and restored in 1959 by the late Sam Mazza, commercial painter and real estate magnate filled it with items from old theaters (fixtures, props) and items he purchased at garage sales...so a lot of kitschy items can be found. Place was never used as a residence but hosting parties and used as an event space. The place isn't as grand as I had imagined but definitely back in the day when Pacifica wasn't quite developed. A bit worn on the outside with no greenery and can see it providing a creepy backdrop at night. The docents (dressed as Mr and Mrs McCloskey) and Jeanette Cool, Executive Director of the Sam Mazza Foundation provided rich history that made it interesting and fun. The tour is 1.5 hours with a 10min video from 2000 of Sam Mazza at age 94...energetic and a bit quirky, eccentric with unique taste. All his real estate holdings, including the castle, and his art was left to his foundation after he passed in 2002. So now the castle provides tours, afternoon tea, holiday events and even a Halloween event with a medium...yeah friend bought tickets for that! An enjoyable visit with light refreshments after so grab a bite to eat before or after your tour

Visited the Mazza Castle (aka Sam's Castle) on a Sunday evening for the Castle Music Salon. We were…read moreable to enjoy the extraordinary sounds of the Musical Art Quintet, talented musicians playing a wide range of tunes on string instruments including the cello, bass, violin, and viola (x2). The entire group was in good spirits and focused on their performance, yet also carefree as they spoke to the audience of their music and history. Refreshments were included with the ticket price, including various wine offerings. And guests were able to roam around the inside of the castle and explore a few of the different rooms before the show and during intermission. There was a steep hill on the drive up, but it wasn't too scary. The castle itself is beautiful, the structure simpler on the outside, but the inside, restored by Sam Mazza, is covered in quirky decor, furnishings, instruments, and artifacts collected from throughout the bay area (a lot of interesting paintings and sculptures, and even a suit of armour on the lower level). There's much to learn about this monument's incredible history, including its past as an illegal abortion clinic, its days as a speakeasy (Chateau Lafayette), and even its origin as a safe haven for Henry Harrison McCloskey's family when it was first built following the 1906 earthquake. Castle tours are available by reservation, organized by the Sam Mazza Foundation. They also hold a number of special events here occasionally, including the amazing Castle Music Salon that I recently attended. It's certainly worth a visit, I think moreso when you can view the castle in conjunction with an event.

Photos
Mazza Castle - Lower level (food/drinks)

Lower level (food/drinks)

Mazza Castle - Seating for Castle Music Salon

Seating for Castle Music Salon

Mazza Castle - Rooms inside castle

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Rooms inside castle

Wind Harp Tower - landmarks - Updated May 2026

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