Wave Organ

The Wave Organ is a sculpture built on the shore of San Francisco Bay, constructed in May 1986 by the Exploratorium. It was conceived and designed by installation artist and artist-in-residence Peter Richards, working with stonemason George Gonzales. The organ is dedicated to Frank Oppenheimer, the founding director of the Exploratorium, who died seven months before construction began. Visitors come to experience the unique sounds created by waves moving through specially designed pipes. The sculpture is made of stone and sits directly on the water, allowing the tides to produce rhythmic, sometimes musical notes. It offers a meditative and surprising auditory encounter with the bay, making it a memorable outdoor attraction for those seeking art and nature combined.