The Palace of Fine Arts San Francisco Ca
Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco: Tips to Visit this Free, Gorgeous Allure in the Marina
The Palace of Fine Arts is a free attraction that features a cute dome and curved columns. It's set in a colorful park on the northern side of San Francisco in the Marina Commune. Information technology's one of my favorite places to sit back, relax, and enjoy the beauty of the metropolis.
Information technology is ane of only a handful of remaining structures from the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition. It'due south the largest remaining structure and draws in hundreds of visitors a day.
Information technology was congenital equally a temporary structure for the expo and was supposed to be torn down. However, both visitors and locals fell in love with it, so the urban center of SF decided to keep it continuing.
A view of the dome and the modest lake on the eastern side of the building
In the 1960s, the city of SF fully rebuilt the temporary structure to make information technology permanent. Information technology was then damaged in the 1989 earthquake. The metropolis repaired it and did some retrofitting to ensure its survival during larger earthquakes. They too did more repairs to it in 2009. It celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2015 with several events all year long.
Before I talk a little about what you lot will see when you visit, let'south take a step back and await at the history of this structure. You tin also click the links below to spring ahead to a specific top for your stay.
- More About the Palace of Fine Arts
- Visiting Tips & Map
- Guided Tours
- Where to Eat Nearby
- Parking Tips
- Movies Featuring Information technology
- How to Get Here
Panama Pacific Exposition History
The 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition was a commemoration of the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914. This expo besides turned into one of the most important events in the history of San Francisco.
Before the 1906 earthquake, San Francisco showed some involvement in hosting this large international event. Withal, after the earthquake hit, urban center officials knew the event was critical for the city. With millions of visitors expected, it was one of the best means to showcase how far San Francisco had come up later the devastating convulsion.
SF was selected every bit the city to concur this big issue soon after the earthquake hit.
You will detect this at the Palace of Fine Arts where you can read even more about its history and its importance to the metropolis of San Francisco.
The site but took 4 years to build. The buildings covered 635 acres of land in an area that is now the San Francisco Marina. It stretched all along the waterfront from Van Ness Street to Fort Point. In total, the buildings for the event housed more than lxx,000 exhibits from around the world.
The Panama Pacific Exposition opened on Feb xx, 1915. For 288 days, more than than 19 million people from around the world visited San Francisco for the outcome.
At the shut of the outcome in Dec 1915, the buildings were scheduled for sabotage. However, the metropolis decided to keep ane of the about beautiful buildings -- the Palace of Fine Arts.
Weeping Women at the Palace of Fine Arts
When y'all walk around the Palace of Fine Arts, you volition meet many beautiful architecture and special art on the walls. The Palace was originally built in 1915 for the Globe'southward Off-white. They decided to take it here to show that San Francisco is alive and well after the 1906 earthquake.
During the World's Off-white, there were loads of stores and other temporary exhibits. The Palace was originally designed by Bernard Maybeck who wanted to make a 1000 building and choose to evidence off some archetype European and classic style. And then why are there iv weeping women built into one of the colonnades?
Because Mr. Maybeck wanted to show that, even though everything was recovering in San Francisco, and in that location was a major World'southward Fair happening right here, nosotros should yet recall the past and what has been lost to fourth dimension. So, these 4 women face inwards and weep for the times gone by and what has been lost.
Being that this was originally only supposed to be for the World's Fair, and so knocked down, the metropolis worked with the US authorities to exist given the land to go part of the Presidio. So, luckily for us, the Palace and the two colonnades. Were saved and are still with us today.
Fun Fact: They were originally going to be partially covered in vines and flowers to make it fifty-fifty more than mournful, but it cost too much money, and so they've connected to stay exactly every bit they were over 100 years agone.
More on the Palace of Fine Arts
This San Francisco allure was designed by famed architect Bernard Maybeck. The unabridged edifice is a piece of work of art with intricate details on its columns and beautiful dome inspired past Roman and Greek architecture.
It's gratuitous to stroll effectually the outside of the building. It is also the perfect place for a picnic lunch or a place to hang out to relax for a little while.
The beauty of the building attracts both locals and visitors. Information technology is very mutual to run across at to the lowest degree one wedding political party taking pictures here -- in fact, y'all might even encounter ii or iii during your visit.
To give y'all a sense of work that went into the building, here are merely a few pictures from my last visit.
A closer look at the columns and inside of the dome
A view of the tiptop of the large columns that line the sidewalk on the western side of the edifice
Peaking through the columns at a statue on the Palace of Fine Arts
Another look at the detail of the gorgeous dome that is the centerpiece of this magnificent edifice
Palace of Fine Arts Swans
For those that birds, y'all will definitely want to visit the Palace of Fine Arts to see them effectually the lagoon. At that place are many types of birds, including herons, seagulls, owls, and of course ducks and mallards. However. the most famous is Blanche, the mute swan. She is named a mute swan since her type rarely are vocal. Even so, she will dishonest once in a while. She'south over twenty years erstwhile and is a Polish mute breed.
Something nosotros dearest is that swans take lived at the Palace of Fine Arts since it opened originally for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exhibition. That ways they accept been here as long as it has which is rather amazing. Being that the designers of the Palace didn't programme for these birds to stay here at night, they never planned a special hiding spot for them.
Thankfully, swans know their way around and are smart. They found a fenced in area and go there to slumber at night. For many years, there were 2 swans that were ever together, the abovementioned Blanche and her partner, Blue Foot. Sadly, Bluish Boy died in 2020 at the age of 17. So, when yous go there, make sure to wave at Blanche and give her a grinning to help cheer her upwards.
Visiting the Palace of Fine Arts
The park is open both mean solar day and nighttime. It's free to visit and it usually takes near 30 minutes. Yous will find it at 3301 Lyon Street.
The map beneath offers a look at the layout of this San Francisco attraction. In total, it sits on virtually 20 acres. The red dotted lines evidence the walking path in and around the park. The small white area behind it is where you will find some on-site parking too equally a small lot just to its north. Both are marked with the blue 'P.'
I recommend visiting around lunch time. You can selection up a sandwich or salad in the Marina and spend some fourth dimension outdoors as you enjoy the Palace of Fine Arts as you eat. In that location are plenty of places to sit down on the grass (shown in green on the map) and all offer amazing views. You volition find a few ideas below on where to find some of the all-time take hold of and go lunches in the Marina.
Bout Options
San Francisco Public Library Walking Tour: The San Francisco library has a number of gratis walks throughout San Francisco. This one is a dedicated tour of the history surrounding the Panama Pacific Exposition and the Palace of Fine Arts. Your guide will as well share with y'all more about the importance of this upshot to the revitalization of San Francisco. Find out more here.
Premium City Tour: If you want to meet several superlative SF attractions, then cheque out this 4-hour guided tour. It will take you to several places around SF in addition to the Palace of Fine Arts including the Golden Gate Bridge, Lombard Street, Chinatown, and others. Some you will see from the bout omnibus and others are stops where yous will get out to see them for yourself for a couple of minutes. Visit GetYourGuide to acquire more about this tour and to check for availability.
Hop On Hop Off Tour: If y'all prefer to explore on your own, so check out Big Bus Tour's Hop On Hop Off Bus Tour. It includes 20+ stops around SF including one at the Palace of Fine Arts. You can stay every bit long as you want and then hop on the next double-decker to proceed on your journey. Detect out more about the Big Bus Tour hither.
Palace of Fine Arts Theater
Inside the edifice, you will as well observe a theater. They offer a variety of shows throughtout the yr from theater performances to comedy. You volition too find some great shows each holiday flavour. Here are just a few of the acme upcoming performances.
Where to Swallow Nearby
The Palace of Fine Arts is in the Marina Commune and only a couple of blocks away from one of its main commercial streets, Anecdote. Hither are just a few places shut by that I recommend.
Grab & Get Options
Every bit I mentioned higher up, I dear coming to the Palace of Fine Arts with a sandwich or salad and spending fourth dimension here as I consume lunch or a snack. Here are my favorite places to grab something to bring with me.
The Sandwich Spot SF: This is the best place to catch a tasty sandwich. They have a diverseness of options and are about a half mile abroad. You will find them at 3213 Pierce.
Marina Delicatessen & Liquors: Another great spot to grab a sandwich or a snack and relish information technology on the lawns of the Palace of Fine Arts. Information technology'due south near 5 blocks away at 2299 Chestnut.
Anecdote Street Coffee Roastery: This is another spot that is about five blocks away. It's perfect if you need a java pick me up for your visit. They also have grab and go sandwiches and salads. You volition find information technology at 2331 Anecdote.
Other Options in the Marina
If you prefer to sit down downwardly for a bit to eat either before or afterward your visit, here are a few of my recommendations.
Super Duper Burgers: This coincidental burger joint is perfect if you want to take hold of a quick bite and keep exploring. Their carte du jour is uncomplicated, and the food is tasty. 2201 Chestnut
Pluto's: Sandwiches and salads are on the menu at this coincidental, yet salubrious cease in the Marina. 3258 Scott
Causwells: This bistro offers American cuisine with a European flare. They besides offer many dishes on their card that are lite and perfect for sharing. 2346 Chestnut
MAC'D: If you lot love mac and cheese as much as me, you are going to never want to leave MAC'D. It's a coincidental spot where you pick your pasta, your sauce and dig in! 3347 Fillmore Street
Tips on Where to Park
If you plan to drive to the Palace of Fine Arts, y'all volition find several places to park. Parking on the street is very difficult as this is a neighborhood with hundreds of residents. However, there are several lots inside a few blocks of the building.
Parking On-Site: You volition find a limited amount of parking on-site. One lot is behind the building and the other is on the northern side. If yous make it early on or visit during a deadening time of the year, you might get lucky and exist able to grab a spot correct virtually the park.
Marina Green/Yacht Road Parking: If you head just north of the Palace of Fine Arts on Yacht Route, y'all will discover a free parking lot. Yous are gratis to park hither during your visit and/or while you check out another local attractions.
Crissy Field Parking: Another pick is to park at Crissy Field. This lot is also open to the public and free parking during the day. It'due south about a five-infinitesimal walk from this lot to the park. Information technology'south a grass and clay lot and you tin can enter it from Mason Street.
It's best to select a parking area before you get in, add in the directions to your phone and and then utilise them to navigate to your parking expanse. They take closed off certain streets for turning, so it tin can be confusing when you arrive. By using a map on your phone, it volition requite you the all-time directions to get to the lot when you arrive.
Movies Filmed Near the Palace of Fine Arts
Do the pictures of the Palace of Fine Arts look familiar? If so, y'all might accept seen this beauty in several movies over the years. Here are merely a few of them.
When the World Came to San Francisco (2015) -- This is a documentary about the Panama Pacific Expo and the Palace of Fine Arts. I highly recommend watching it earlier you get in.
The Rock (1996)
Vertigo (1958)
The Room (2003)
The Woman in Cerise (1984)
Murder in the First (1995)
It'south also been featured in several Television receiver shows over the years including Falcon Crest, Monk, Take a chance and The Streets of San Francisco.
How to Get to the Palace of Fine Arts
The Palace of Fine Arts sits on the northern side of San Francisco. Since SF is only 7 miles past 7 miles, you will find it's close to many of our height attractions and districts.
In the map beneath, the Palace of Fine Arts is the red star. Fisherman's Wharf is the blue star and Union Square is the green star. I've also highlighted Gilt Gate Park with the yellow star. Coil down for boosted tips on how to go here from these and other top locations around SF.
Pier 39 & Fisherman's Wharf: If you need to travel between Fisherman's Wharf and the Palace of Fine Arts, you have a few options. The distance between the two is most 2 miles. You can walk or have the bus. If yous plan to take the bus, choice upwards the #30 at Columbus Avenue and North Point (or on North Signal on the western side of Columbus). Accept it to its terminal stop at Divisadero & Chestnut and you will be nearly five blocks away.
Crissy Field: It'due south a quick walk between Crissy Field and the Palace of Fine Arts. They are less than a one-half mile abroad from each other. Walk forth Mason to go from one location to the adjacent.
Marriage Square: Union Square is the light-green star on the map higher up. It's nigh 3.5 miles away from the Palace of Fine Arts. The best way to go here is to take the #30 bus. Choice information technology up at Stockton & Sutter and take it all the way to the end at Divisadero & Anecdote.
Aureate Gate Bridge: The Aureate Gate Bridge is also not too far away. You tin either walk along Crissy Field to become between these two attractions or take the autobus. If you walk, there is a steep loma with stairs to climb when yous arrive. The walk is about two miles to the southern side of the bridge (it'southward another 1.7 miles across). You tin besides selection up the #28 bus, which will take you to the southern side of the bridge. You can pick it up at the bus stop at Richardson Avenue & Francisco Street. It'south about a 5-minute walk to the stop and most a ten-minute ride (during non-commute hours) to the span.
Aureate Gate Park: Gilt Gate Park is some other popular stop for those visiting San Francisco. Information technology's on the western cease of SF and is marked with the yellow star. It'south most 4 miles from the Palace of Fine Arts. You would take the same bus every bit the ane for the Golden Gate Bridge, the #28. You volition stay on this passenger vehicle and go along on to the stop at Park Presidio Avenue & Fulton Street. From here, you lot tin enter the park and and so head to your destination.
Hotels Near the Palace of Fine Arts San Francisco
Travelodge by Windham Presidio: This two-star hotel is located right on the edge of the Presidio. It is a classic looking hotel from the outside, merely up-to-appointment and very nice inside. We think this is a good pick for people that want to go out, meet the city easily as there is a bus stop very close to information technology.
They have a free breakfast, and they are pet friendly. They are a AAA approved hotel and they have express costless parking. It is only about a 10-minute walk to the Palace of Fine Arts. It is nigh a fifteen-minute walk to the Palace of Fine Arts. 2755 Lombard Street
Lodge at the Presidio: If you want to take an experience similar no other when in San Francisco, you will want to stay here. This was originally built as barracks for soldiers back in the tardily 1800s. Therefore, it has an all-brick exterior and has great views to defend the city from attackers.
Some of the amenities include a costless breakfast, evening wine and cheese reception, an outdoor burn down-pit, and much more. Y'all can go some of the best views of the Gilt Gate Bridge when you stay hither. It is about a 15 to 20-infinitesimal walk to the Palace of Fine Arts. 105 Montgomery in the Presidio
Hotel del Sol: This iii-star hotel is a very absurd place if you want to go a bit retro and dorsum to the 1950s and still take all the benefits of today'due south hotels. The rooms are very comfortable, the beds are soft, and you will not find some other hotel like this anywhere. Some of the fun features include hammocks, palm trees, and a heated outdoor puddle in their courtyard.
They offer a complimentary breakfast (including grab-and-go if y'all are in a hurry), parking, and more. Sometimes they even accept specials such as "Park for a penny" or other surprising deals. It is about a x-minute bus ride or a 20-minute walk to the Palace of Fine Arts and 3100 Webster Street.
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