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Monument · San Francisco, California
Palace of Fine Arts
A Greco‑Roman–inspired rotunda with colonnades beside a lagoon in the Marina neighborhood, the only large building that remained from the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition, rebuilt in concrete between 1964 and 1974.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Palace of Fine Arts
The Palace of Fine Arts was built for the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition, which celebrated the opening of the Panama Canal and San Francisco’s reconstruction after the 1906 earthquake. Architect Bernard Maybeck designed a scene of classical ruins: an open rotunda about 49 meters tall, surrounded by colonnades, beside an artificial lagoon.
The exposition buildings were temporary, and almost all were demolished. The palace survived but fell into disrepair; between 1964 and 1974 it was demolished and rebuilt in concrete, keeping the same forms. The lagoon and paths were refurbished in the late 2000s.
Today it is an open park with lawns, swans and ducks on the lagoon, much sought after for photos. The former exhibition pavilion behind the rotunda houses a theater, and the building hosted the Exploratorium science museum until 2013. The park is in the Marina neighborhood, near the Presidio entrance.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Best time
At late afternoon, when the light hits the rotunda and the lagoon reflects the columns.
How to get there
It’s on Lyon Street in the Marina neighborhood, near the Presidio entrance. City buses run along Lombard Street and Marina Boulevard, a few blocks away.
Tip
Combine it with a walk through the Marina and along the Crissy Field waterfront, from where you can see the Golden Gate.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Palace of Fine Arts
Why was the Palace of Fine Arts built?
For the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition; it’s the only large exposition building that remains standing.
Is the Palace of Fine Arts original?
The forms are those of 1915, but the palace was demolished and rebuilt in concrete between 1964 and 1974.
Where is the Palace of Fine Arts?
In the Marina neighborhood of San Francisco, near the Presidio entrance.