CCA’s San Francisco campus is located in the heart of the city.
California College of the Arts made its home on the “best coast”—and you’ll see why. Our backyard is the ocean and redwoods, and our neighbors are creative and innovative go-getters (aka: museums, art galleries, and tech companies).
We’ll let the landscapes do the talking. Here are some of our favorite sites in San Francisco and Oakland, from beaches and bridges to parks and vistas, where we like to go between classes to live the California dream.
San Francisco
Head to Mission Dolores Park for picnics, festivals, and scenic skyline views.
The iconic Golden Gate Bridge, which connects the city to Marin County, is walkable and bikeable. Trails and vistas are at both ends of the bridge, so make sure to bring your camera or sketchbook.
Ocean Beach spans the western border of San Francisco. You’ll find waves, wind, and spectacular sunsets here—just make sure to bring a sweater to this often foggy shore.
The Castro District, a historic LGBTQ+ neighborhood, continues to be a hub for activism, culture, and nightlife.
The Mission District’s Clarion Alley is the place to find public art and socially conscious murals.
San Francisco is known for epic hills and steep streets, so bring your walking shoes to check out spots like Sutro Tower (which is the antenna tower seen here on the San Francisco skyline).
The Bay Bridge connects Oakland and San Francisco—and our two campuses. At night, this landmark is illuminated by Leo Villareal’s generative light sculpture Bay Lights.
Take in a view of the downtown San Francisco skyline from Bernal Heights Hill.
In the Outer Richmond District, you’ll find the unique ruins of the Sutro Baths, coastal hiking trails, and incredible views of the Pacific Ocean.
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and Yerba Buena Center for the Arts are two world-class museums close to CCA.
Did we mention the beach? Here’s another view of Ocean Beach’s windswept sand dunes.
It wouldn’t be California without palm trees.
Oakland
Two students swing on our lush Oakland campus.
Near downtown Oakland, the Lake Merritt Amphitheater is a place for concerts, protests, and social gatherings.
Eucalyptus trees are prevalent in the East Bay and on the Oakland campus.
An aerial view of downtown Oakland with the Black Lives Matter street mural across three blocks.
Surrounded by redwoods, Macky Lawn is a spot for recreation and artmaking.
Tucked on the Oakland campus, the CCA Community Edible and Dye Garden is a hybrid space for students to explore stewardship, urban farming, and plant-based dye production.