On a recent trip to San Francisco, I took time to explore the Palace of Fine Arts, a popular spot to take a walk, relax with a good book, or enjoy a picnic. It was one of ten palaces built for the 1915 Panama Pacific Exhibition, a world’s fair held to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal.

Origin

Inspired by Roman and Greek architecture, Bernard Maybeck designed the Palace of Fine Art, which saw nearly 19 million visitors during that year’s world’s fair in California. Many local San Francisco residence saw the exhibition as an opportunity to showcase how the city had recovered after the devastating 1906 earthquake. The palace itself became so beloved that Phoebe Apperson Hearst founded the Palace Preservation League to keep it from being demolished, like the buildings were supposed to at the end of the fair.

Deterioration

While the palace was saved from destruction, the structure (like all of the palaces built for the 1915 expo) was constructed primarily of wood, plaster, and burlap fibers. It was not designed to support a permanent structure. By the 1950s, this masterpiece was crumbling and left in ruins after being used by the military to store jeeps and trucks during World War II.

Restoration

In 1964, thanks to California voters, a $2 million bond, and generous donations, the original palace was demolished down to the steel structure of the exhibit hall, and rebuilt with a design to stand permanently with great attention to detail. The site is now listed in the US National Register of Historic Places, as well as a San Francisco Designated Landmark.

The Rotunda

Beautifully framed by a 1100 foot wide colonnade, the rotunda is the highlight of the grounds. At 135 feet tall, it stands prominently high above the reflective lagoon, making it a perfect picturesque backdrop for film and photography. As a result, it is a popular spot for special events, weddings, and photographers of all kinds (on my recent visit, there were 3 wedding photoshoots going on at the same time).

Wildlife

Another highlight is the lagoon, which has become an important stopping point for millions of birds that migrate along the Pacific Flyway. With over 30 different kinds of wildlife to observe in this area, you’ll also enjoy watching the turtles, fish, and swans, who are permanent and beloved residents of the lagoon.

Location

Located in a wonderful spot on the edge of the Presidio of San Francisco, the Palace of Fine Arts is just a short walk to Crissy Field, which has great views of Alcatraz and the Golden Gate Bridge (for more on that, see my recent Golden Gate bridge post). Between the beautiful architecture and the diverse wildlife, this is a popular spot with locals and tourists alike. There is plenty of room for everybody, but plan to visit early if you want the palace to yourself, because the crowds grow as the day goes on.

Important facts to keep in mind when visiting:

• There is no entry fee (so a great free activity)
• Parking is minimal (like most places in San Francisco), so taking public transportation or ride share services like Uber or Lyft is highly recommended.
• The property is wheelchair accessible.
• The official hours are 10am-5pm Tues-Sun (but the surrounding park area is open and beautiful for a walk outside those hours)
• Restrooms are available inside the Exhibit Hall (“The Venue”), but are only open during the official hours.
• Dogs are allowed on leash
• The Venue, as well as the park grounds, are available for conferences, trade shows, weddings, and all kinds of events…so don’t be surprised to see different types of gatherings during your visit.

In Summary & Behind the Blog Video

While I tend to enjoy exploring points of interest without crowds of people, even when the Palace of Fine Arts is at its busiest, I still love spending time here.

Make sure to check out the Behind the Blog video below for even more views of this magical place. Until next time, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go!

Palace of Fine Arts - A San Francisco Highlight