San Francisco is awash in neon, the atmospheric glow of electrified noble gases inside glass tubes that bathe our sidewalks in ethereal shades of orange, red and blue.
The city used to be graced with even more of the cinematic light source—the Market Street and Broadway corridors, in particular, buzzed with neon. But starting in the 1970s, affordable, easy-to-maintain light-emitting diodes (LEDs) came into popular use, leading to neon’s decline.
Yet there’s an ongoing movement, spearheaded by organizations like the advocacy group San Francisco Neon and supported by businesses like Neon Works, not only to protect our city’s existing neon but also add to its glowing portfolio.
It’s led to new legislation (and a new sign) in the Tenderloin, one of the most neon-rich neighborhoods. Similar legislation has been proposed for Chinatown and North Beach, two other areas with a deep connection to the illumination of noble gases.
One of the best ways to ensure neon’s survival, according to San Francisco Neon co-founder Randall Ann Homan, is to patronize the businesses that take the trouble of maintaining the signs. You have plenty to choose from in the city: grocery stores and steakhouses, cocktail bars and movie theaters. Use neon as an excuse to get out and explore new-to-you corners of the city. It’s easy to become intoxicated by neon’s allure.
“It’s like bugs being drawn to a bug zapper,” said Adam Taylor, a glass bender at Neon Works.
He would know.
More photos of San Francisco’s neon lights below:
