Wave Organ, Tide organ at Marina District, San Francisco, US
The Wave Organ features 25 PVC pipes installed along the San Francisco Bay shoreline that transform ocean waves into various musical sounds.
Peter Richards and stonemason George Gonzales constructed this installation in 1986, incorporating stones from the demolished Laurel Hill Cemetery.
The installation represents a fusion of natural elements and acoustic engineering, demonstrating the connection between environmental forces and artistic expression.
Visitors should plan their visit during high tide to experience the optimal sound production from the pipes located throughout the installation.
Each of the 25 pipes produces different tones and sounds based on the intensity of the waves and the water level in San Francisco Bay.
Location: San Francisco
Inception: 1986
Creator: Peter Richards
Accessibility: Rolstoelontoegankelijk
Website: https://exploratorium.edu/visit/wave-organ
GPS coordinates: 37.80849,-122.44021
Latest update: March 3, 2025 02:03
San Francisco brings together historical monuments and natural sites that reflect the city's unique history and geography. The Golden Gate Bridge, a 2,737-meter-long suspension bridge completed in 1937, is one of the region's most recognizable structures. Alcatraz Island, a former high-security federal prison operating from 1934 to 1963, is located in the bay and is visited by ferry. The Painted Ladies, seven Victorian houses built between 1892 and 1896, exemplify San Francisco’s characteristic residential architecture with their colorful facades facing Alamo Square Park. The city also includes Fisherman's Wharf, a historic port district developed from late 19th-century Italian fishing piers, and the Fillmore, a performance hall from the 1910s that contributed to the development of the West Coast music scene. Twin Peaks provide viewpoints at 928 feet (283 meters), while Lands End features rocky cliffs and hiking trails at the western tip of the peninsula. The Cable Cars, a mechanical transportation system operating since 1873, run on three lines through San Francisco's sloped streets.
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