Palace of Fine Arts

Originally built in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco attracted 18 million visitors. However, it was abandoned after the event and was not renovated until 1962, when renowned German-born architect Johan Maybeck was commissioned to design and renovate the building. His expertise in detailing is the hallmark of the Palace's meticulously crafted aesthetic. Today, the Palace has become a popular leisure destination for San Franciscans, with swans and ducks playing in the pond. The Palace of Fine Arts, home to the Palace Theater, makes it a perfect place for a relaxing weekend getaway. 

Attractions Location: 3601 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123 United States

Tickets: free

Opening hours:
10:00-17:00 (Tuesday-Sunday, January 1st - December 31st)

Official phone number: Ticketing Inquiry
+1 415-376-1704

Transportation:
Take the PresidiGO bus from Crissy Field to the Palace of Fine Arts stop.

Time reference: 1-3 hours


Recommended itinerary for Palace of Fine Arts tours

1-Day Itinerary

A peaceful day surrounding the stunning Palace of Fine Arts and nearby Marina landmarks.

  • Morning: Take Muni bus #22, 28, 30, 41, 43 or 45 to Baker Street near the Palace (~10 a.m. arrival). Spend ~1 hour walking around the lagoon, rotunda, taking photos (~30 min each side).
  • Late morning: Walk (~5-10 min) north to Crissy Field promenade for waterfront views of the Golden Gate Bridge and relaxed walking (~45 min).
  • Lunch: Picnic in the Palace lawns or grab sandwiches at Marina Delicatessen or Lucca Delicatessen (~30 min walk or quick ride).
  • Afternoon: Optional bike rental and ride across Golden Gate Bridge (~25 min one-way, total ~1.5 h round trip), or continue exploring Marina District and tiny yacht-club shoreline (~1 h).

Accommodation & food: Stay nearby in Marina District (e.g. Galleria Park Hotel or boutique lodgings). Breakfast at hotel or Chestnut Street café; dinner at a marina-side seafood bistro or Chestnut Street restaurant.

Souvenirs: At local souvenir carts near Palace—informational postcards, small prints; Marina shops—Golden Gate Bridge mementos, local maps; nearby cafés—branded mugs or condiments.


2-Day Itinerary

Day one focuses on the Palace; day two expands to nearby Presidio and art venues.

  • Day 1: Same as 1-day plan.
  • Day 2: Morning: Walk (~10 min) to the Presidio, enter via the waterfront trail to Legion of Honor museum (~20 min transit walking). Explore sculpture garden and art collection (~1.5 h).
  • Lunch at museum café or in the Presidio’s Main Post (~1 h).
  • Afternoon: Walk or ride PresidiGo shuttle (~10 min) to Crissy Field Marsh for bird-watching and swan views (~45 min), then return to Palace for sunset photos (~1 h).

Accommodation & food: Stay in Marina or Cow Hollow for variety (e.g. Cow Hollow Inn). Dinner at Chestnut Street trattoria or Presidio grill.

Souvenirs: Legion of Honor shop—French impressionist prints, exhibition catalogs; Palace grounds vendors; Presidio book-store sells art-themed gifts and field guides.


3-Day Itinerary

Add Golden Gate Park and more cultural flavor to the Palace-based experience.

  • Days 1–2: As above.
  • Day 3: Take Muni bus #28 from Marina District (~15 min) to Golden Gate Park. Visit Conservatory of Flowers and the Japanese Tea Garden (~2 h combined).
  • Lunch at de Young Museum café or Panama 66 in Sculpture Garden (~1 h). Optionally visit de Young Museum for modern American art (~1 h).
  • Afternoon: Return via bus or rideshare (~15 min) to Palace area and relax around the lagoon (~30 min).

Accommodation & food: Continue Marina/Cow Hollow stay. Breakfast at local bakery; dinner at upscale Golden Gate Park area or Marina seafood spot.

Souvenirs: Conservatory gift cart—botanical prints, plant-theme postcards; de Young store—art books, design items; Palace area vendors as before.


4-Day Itinerary

Include a boat-and-bridge experience plus evening ambiance at the Palace.

  • Days 1–3: As above.
  • Day 4: Board F Market & Wharves streetcar from Market Street to Embarcadero, explore Exploratorium at Pier 15 (~2 h interactive science-art museum).
  • Lunch at Embarcadero seafood market or museum café (~1 h).
  • Afternoon: Ride back to Palace area by rideshare or transit (~20 min). Evening: relax on lawns or bring blanket for twilight photo session when the Palace is beautifully lit (~1 h).

Accommodation & food: Stay Marina or near Embarcadero if wanting waterfront proximity. Dinner at waterfront restaurant or Palace-view venue.

Souvenirs: Exploratorium shop—science toys, books; Embarcadero vendors—bay-themed postcards; Palace gifts as before.


5-Day Itinerary

Combine the Palace with a bike trip over the bridge, a ferry ride, and scenic Marin views.

  • Days 1–4: As above.
  • Day 5: Rent bikes near Palace (~5 min walk), ride across Golden Gate Bridge (~25 min); continue to Sausalito, have lunch waterfront (~1.5 h). Ferry back (~30 min). Return to Palace (~15 min transit).

Accommodation & food: Stay Marina or consider one night in Sausalito for variety. Breakfast in Marina; dinner at Sausalito restaurant or San Francisco waterfront.

Souvenirs: Sausalito boutique shops—bridge art, nautical souvenirs; ferry gift kiosk; Palace gifts and bike rental swag.


6-Day Itinerary

Delve deeper into San Francisco’s neighborhoods and artistic venues.

  • Days 1–5: As previous.
  • Day 6: Take rideshare or Muni to Haight-Ashbury via bus (~20 min), explore counterculture street art and vintage shops (~1 h). Lunch in Upper Haight. Then bus or rideshare (~15 min) to Castro District, stroll and visit the Castro Theatre (~1 h). Return to Marina (~20 min).

Accommodation & food: Stay San Francisco central; dinner at Upper Haight café or Marina fine dining.

Souvenirs: Haight-Ashbury vintage shops—posters, tie-dye clothes; Castro press—film memorabilia; Palace vendors as before.


7-Day Itinerary

A rich week combining Palace of Fine Arts at its core with art museums, parks, neighborhoods and Bay adventures.

  • Days 1–6: As before.
  • Day 7: Morning revisit Palace of Fine Arts, perhaps attend EmotionAir exhibition by the Balloon Museum (interactive inflatable artworks open through Sept 7, 2025; ticketed) (~1 h).
  • Late morning: Walk to Crissy Field for one last waterfront stroll (~45 min) and lunch picnic (~1 h). Afternoon: Hop on Hop-on Hop-off tour or rideshare to see Alcatraz Bay cruise, Lombard Street, Chinatown (~2–3 h), return to rest near Palace for final evening views (~1 h).

Accommodation & food: Stay in Marina or central SF. Breakfast at Palace grove or café; lunch at Crissy Field or Chinatown; farewell dinner at Marina or Golden Gate Park neighborhood.

Souvenirs: EmotionAir exhibit shop—balloon-inspired prints or interactive art merch; palace vendors; Chinatown and tour bus shops—brochures, souvenirs; general San Francisco art books, local specialty items.


User Reviews

By Mico |

Our first stop was the Palace of Fine Arts, featured in the film "The Rock," starring Nicolas Cage. Just a few minutes' drive from the hotel, we visited the Palace of Fine Arts. There are plenty of free two-hour roadside parking spots around the Palace, but be mindful of the red and green lines along the street. Parking is strictly prohibited near residential entrances or garages. There are often vacancies in the alley west of the Palace of Fine Arts, but it's a high-risk area for car vandalism and is officially marked with notices. Parking there is strictly prohibited unless absolutely necessary. We arrived early, so the area was less crowded, giving the Palace of Fine Arts a refreshing feel. We walked around the small lake and marveled at the former sophistication of this ancient Romanesque building. Its magnificent exterior, reflected in the water, was breathtakingly beautiful. We sat on a bench and admired the swans frolicking in the lake. Couples embraced and kissed sweetly on the lakeshore.

By Zexi seacen |

I heard that the Palace of Fine Arts is a must-visit place when you come to San Francisco.

Moreover, many film and television works were also filmed at the Art Palace.

For example, some scenes from "The Rock".

To be honest, after seeing all those Romanesque buildings in Europe,

When I saw the Palace of Art again, I was not really impressed.

Among them, the most beautiful place is

It must be this hall that looks a bit like the Pantheon from a distance and a bit like a Greek temple from a close distance.

Because, from a distance, you can usually only see the Romanesque dome, which does look a bit like the Pantheon.

Look closely, oh... no, it's standing in the middle of the hall,

I can actually receive the cold wind and warm sunshine blowing from all over the world.

Combined with some nearby Greek Corinthian columns, it actually feels like worshiping all the gods.

After all, Greek temples appear to have had few walls.

Behind the main hall is an exhibition hall.

There is no exhibition now, so there is nothing to see.

Oh...and if you need to use the free restroom, this is a good option.

Leave the main hall and walk to both sides.

Corinthian columns, combined with some exquisite sculptures,

It attracted too many people to take pictures.

In front of the main hall, there is a pool.

In Western gardens, fountains are often the essence of the garden.

There are many plants planted beside the pond.

The pond attracted many birds, ducks and other animals.

It's just that I have no interest in capturing and photographing animals.

By Enjoy the mountains and rivers |

The San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts is also over a century old. Its main building is a circular hall with a Romanesque dome, two rows of arched columns, and intricate reliefs. It is majestic, elegant, and exquisite, reminiscent of the ruins of an ancient Roman palace. The front of the Palace of Fine Arts, with its lake and green space, resembles an ancient Greek European garden. Sunsets are particularly beautiful. Surrounded by luxury homes, the prices are naturally high.

By Jiao Youyou |

The Art Palace has a small, open garden, which is not large and is free. There is also free parking on the roadside (within the hours specified on the parking signs). The security at the art museum is not good, and there have been cases of people smashing car windows, so be careful.

By Old craftsmanship |

The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco was originally built in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific Exposition. It attracted 18 million visitors at the time, but was abandoned after the expo. Due to opposition from local residents, it was demolished. It was not until 1962 that the famous German architect Maybeck was commissioned to design and rebuild it. He specialized in detailed decoration, which is the origin of the exquisitely crafted style of this Palace of Fine Arts.

By AzureFlame |

This group of buildings is truly beautiful, a combination of grandeur and exquisiteness. I never tire of looking at them. Seagulls fly around, herons roost, and white swans and their gray-feathered cygnets rest on the grass. There are many girls in fancy dress taking artistic photos nearby.



But the weather in San Francisco is so bad, it is almost always cloudy, so I can't take more beautiful pictures.



If you drive, you can park on the street in the nearby residential area, and you can park for free for 2 hours.

By liulaomao |

Good weather is needed here to capture its beauty.

By China-TravelNote users |

It is a very quiet place where you can sit for a whole morning and feel very comfortable.

By frozen rice |

The driver specifically recommended this location. I didn't want to go there at first, but I went and saw it and it was super beautiful. Many people were taking wedding photos there.

By VickyGuo |

This is a good place for locals to relax and have fun and take wedding photos. Although the area is not very large, it is worth stopping by. Parking is free for the first 2 hours.

Many young artists come here to sketch. The ecology here is very good, and various birds play on the lake.

By I am Xiao Xiaoguo |

A beautiful large municipal park, but delicate

By Cici |

Don't have the stereotype that the "Palace of Fine Arts" should be an indoor building. This ancient Roman building was originally built for the Panama "Pacific International Exposition" and is now a city park.

By Ruozhi Lanxi |

This golden building, modeled after ancient Roman ruins, stands majestically in the San Francisco Bay Area, exuding a majestic beauty that feels like being transported to ancient Rome.

By Candice |

This isn't a museum dedicated to art exhibitions, but rather an ornately decorated dome-shaped building originally built for the Panama-Pacific Exposition. Against the backdrop of the bright California sunshine and clear blue sky, the Palace of Fine Arts' yellow dome and red stone columns appear strikingly vibrant, creating a vibrant scene alongside the clear lake and emerald green lawns. The surrounding villas are also beautifully built, giving the impression of being in an affluent neighborhood. The ecology here is excellent, with various species of birds resting in the ponds and grassy areas.

By Heart dances with dreams |

It's very grand and beautiful. Standing inside, you feel like you're in France. Without a guide, we quickly finished the tour.

By Fairy tales of stars |

The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, built in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific Exposition, was later abandoned and rebuilt in 1962. Having visited Rome, it's a fairly ordinary attraction for me, and I don't have the same awe I felt the first time I saw Roman columns. However, the nearby beach (Crissy Field East Beach) offers a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge from afar.

By Look around |

The National Museum of Art is next to the Golden Gate Bridge. I have walked past it but never gone in.

By Olive |

The National Museum of Art does not charge admission, and many foreigners check in and take photos here. In short, it feels magnificent.

By CiCi |

The gorgeous courtyard, exquisite carvings, grand corridors, fountains, and swans playing in the pools immediately relieved our depressed mood with a romantic atmosphere. Mr. Chen said, "This is the place for taking pictures!"

The Palace of Fine Arts is beautiful. If it weren’t so cold, I would be reluctant to leave.

By dancejinjin |

Our first stop after arriving in San Francisco was an open-air tourist attraction with a beautiful environment where people and nature coexist harmoniously.

By vincent_cheah |

It is full of artistic sense and is a great place to take wedding photos. It is like a small lakeside park and a good place to relax.

By Zhu Zhu |

We wandered around for over an hour, feeding the pigeons and watching the swans and ducks in the lake. Many locals were having picnics and gatherings on the lawn opposite the lake. Everything blended perfectly with nature!

By Star |

Arriving at the Palace of Fine Arts, I was immediately captivated by this exquisite building. Looking up, I was overwhelmed by the architectural style of ancient Rome. The Roman palace, the Roman gallery, the Roman Corinthian columns, and the Roman sculptures—there was no trace of North American influence. Arches flank the building in all directions, each preceded by a semicircular platform over two meters high, its walls adorned with reliefs of half-naked goddesses. Behind the platforms are column bases, each flanked by a three-dimensional oval jar-like ornament, also covered in reliefs. Behind these oval ornaments, a circle of Corinthian columns, each carved from a single block of marble, boasts a slender, noble, and elegant columnar form. What captivated me most was the exquisite capitula, resembling a basket filled with flowers and curly grasses, each containing a half-naked statue of a flower fairy.

Next to the Palace of Fine Arts is a small artificial lake, its waters as clear as a mirror, ripples rippled by the breeze. The lakeside is lined with trees and flowers, lush green grass, and vibrant blossoms. The buildings and plants are reflected in the lake, creating a dreamlike, poetic scene. A fountain cascades down the lake, splashing silver and jade. Wild ducks and other waterfowl frolic in the water, and the elegant white swans, with their graceful demeanor, appear regal and elegant, drawing visitors in with their camera.

By People on the road |

The San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts, originally built in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, attracted an unprecedented 18 million visitors. The current Palace of Fine Arts was renovated in 1962 to a design by the renowned German-born architect, André Maybeck, resulting in its present grandeur and splendor. It's a truly magnificent sight and well worth a visit.

By Fuzzy |

It is a very distinctive scenic spot with unique architecture. There are many waterfowl swimming in the small lake in the middle. It is worth a visit.

By Happy blue cat |

There are so many fun places in San Francisco, such as Fisherman's Wharf, Flower Street, Chocolate Factory, etc.

By Peipei Nanjing |

The building is very beautiful and can be used to take great photos. It is suitable for couple photos, girlfriend photos and wedding photos.

By |

There aren't many people, so you can take a leisurely walk, but there's not much to see. It feels like a leisure garden for locals.

By Rice Dou Dou |

The Palace of Fine Arts is decorated with European style, including wild ducks and swans

By Uncle Erqi |

The sky was brilliantly blue when we arrived at the National Museum of Fine Arts. Under the azure sky, this palatial building, built in 1915, exuded a sense of history. Waterfowl, turtles, and carp frolicked leisurely in the artificial lake in front of the museum, while people lazily basked in the sun on the lakeside lawn, creating a harmonious unity between man and nature.

By Mu Zijie |

It was originally built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific World Exposition and later became a park. Because it is free, it has become a good weekend destination for San Francisco residents.

By Yutong East Coast Sea |

It's nice to bask in the sun, but it's not suitable to stay for a long time on cloudy and windy days

majestic

By Kiki's Holiday |

It's a place to check in in San Francisco, but it's worth going. Walk slowly, look slowly, bring a SLR, and take some cool big pictures and characters. There are foreign couples taking wedding photos without wedding dresses, which are beautiful. The key is the combination of handsome men and beautiful women. It's not beautiful.

By Wang Kai Photography |

The Art Palace is not very big, it is just a quiet little park, but it is full of artistic atmosphere. You can use the afternoon light and shadow to take some portrait photos.

By Zhou Bubu |

The American Palace of Art is a beautiful place with a different view at every step.

By Lin Qian |

The Palace of Fine Arts doesn't actually have an interior, but rather a magnificent courtyard. Its exquisite carvings, grand galleries, fountains, lakes, and countless swans and ducks create a romantic atmosphere. Today, the Palace of Fine Arts has become a popular leisure destination for San Franciscans.

By Pure source and clear flow |

Stunning and tranquil are the perfect words to describe this photo-taking spot. Amidst the cream-colored and cream-colored houses in the street next to the Palace of Fine Arts, there's a black one. Doesn't it have a unique character? A closer look reveals that the materials used appear to have been pasted together piece by piece.

By _Han Xiaodan |

It's a very quiet place, perfect for relaxing in the sun in the afternoon.

By xi-xi |

I passed by the Palace of Fine Arts on the way from Fisherman's Wharf to the Golden Gate Bridge. I took photos at the door and left, too lazy to go in. However, you can park for 90 minutes for free at the Palace of Fine Arts.

By Calm |

The weather was perfect, and the walk from the Golden Gate Bridge to the Palace of Fine Arts took nearly 40 minutes. It's a highly recommended attraction, free of charge. Amidst the concrete jungle, this European-style building is a revelation. The exquisite carvings, grand corridors, fountains, and swans swimming in the water create a romantic atmosphere.

By rabbit |

The Palace of Fine Arts has moved to a new location. Sitting on the large lawn in front of the building, I admire the lake and swans. When the afternoon breeze blows, I feel that life should be like this, peaceful and comfortable.

By me·Meng |

This attraction does not have much historical significance, but it is really beautiful, simple and pure beauty.

By Schrödinger can't find the cat |

It's super beautiful and worth a visit. Walk around the lake and take pictures from all angles. The seagulls float on the water and fly up again. It's a good video. Haha. I met an old lady who fed the swans with biscuits, so I had the opportunity to get close to the swans. This swan is very fierce. No other duck can beat it. Haha.

By echo |

It's a very beautiful building, especially suitable for taking photos. However, the security in the surrounding area is not very good, so those who drive by themselves should be careful, as it is said that car windows are often smashed.

By Wheat Lost |

The heart of the Palace of Fine Arts is a building modeled after ancient Roman ruins. Once on the verge of collapse, the government refused to repair it, allowing it to continue to develop. Thanks to a couple who funded its own restoration, we can now appreciate the grandeur of the Palace of Fine Arts once again. Today, the Palace of Fine Arts boasts magnificent architecture and exquisite decoration, exuding a sense of grandeur.

Amidst the concrete jungle, this European-style building is undoubtedly a revelation. The Romanesque architectural style, the richly ornamented Corinthian columns, and the soaring swans spreading their feathers and singing their last are enough to immerse the eyes and ears in this enchanting spectacle.

By Bright green |

One of San Francisco's most unexpected attractions, a recreational park for locals, is incredibly beautiful. I encountered an elderly woman playing the harp and sat for a long time, listening to her. The winter afternoon sun was warm and inviting. Many of San Francisco's attractions are perfect for stopping and taking a leisurely stroll.

By Sister S's Travel Diary |

This place is also worth a visit, the tickets are free, especially suitable for reading a book and daydreaming!

By Another suitcase |

It's near the Golden Gate Bridge and can be reached by bus.

By Duoduo |

The night view is also beautiful, and the lighting effect is really good.

By Lady Ying |

The Palace of Fine Arts has plenty of parking, and after struggling for a spot for so long, I almost didn't want to leave. The Palace of Fine Arts is like a park, very beautiful and peaceful. Later, I heard that there are many people smashing car windows here, and the security is not very good. It perfectly reflects the contradictions of San Francisco, the shadows behind the glamor. I sighed for a long time. Try not to leave bags in the car. If you really don't want to use them, put them in the trunk.

The Palace of Fine Arts doesn't actually have an interior, but it's a gorgeous courtyard with exquisite carvings, a grand gallery, fountains, and countless swans, creating a romantic atmosphere. The surrounding buildings are also very unique.

By Fukamori |

I still don't understand what kind of place this is, and I'm too lazy to look it up. It was my first stop when I visited relatives and friends in San Francisco, and my elders took me there. The scenery was pretty good.

By Miss Fei loves traveling |

Since I have already worshipped various luxurious palaces in Europe, the splendor of the Louvre and the high standards of the Royal Palace of Madrid are really incomparable to the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, but the advantage of this place is that it is leisurely, so you can just stroll around at your leisure.

By Junyi Sauce |

The Palace of Fine Arts was built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific World Exposition. Its classically elegant design is remarkably magnificent, and its surroundings, including a crystal-clear lake and a deep, inky lakeside, are truly captivating. The fountain in the lake in front of the palace adds to the beauty of the Palace of Fine Arts, while wild ducks and waterfowl play carefree, attracting visitors and photographers.

By Dark green Benye |

It looks beautiful in the photo, but it's actually pretty average. However, it's just a little bit next to the Golden Gate Bridge, so it's nice to stop by and take a look.

By Lucifer Shell |

Isn't it called the Palace of Fine Arts? The scenery is nice, especially the surrounding neighborhoods, very quiet and peaceful. However, there are a lot of annoying Falun Gong members who hand out flyers to Chinese people when they see them.

By do's gorgeous adventure |

The Art Palace on a cloudy day was quite different from what was shown in the brochure, but the surrounding environment was really amazing. It was elegant and shaded by trees, with an artificial lake in the middle. The Art Palace looked like a beautiful painting from all angles around the lake, with swans playing with each other in harmony and love.

The Palace of Fine Arts itself is an architectural relic of the 1915 World's Fair. It was redesigned and renovated in 1962. My friends kept marveling at the awesomeness of the building, while I was confused as I imagined what it would look like under the blue sky. From time to time, there were Americans walking their dogs or running around me. The Palace of Fine Arts Theater is also here, making it worthy of being the most expensive location in San Francisco.

By fromlaojia339 |

The Palace of Fine Arts is magnificent, with classical and sober colors, and a tranquil setting shaded by green trees. In front of the Palace lies an artificial lake where swans and ducks play, adding a touch of joy to the atmosphere. Take the MUNI bus number 28 directly to the Palace of Fine Arts. If you're in San Francisco, this is a must-see.

By MM |

Very beautiful, the park is not big, but the buildings are large and spectacular

By The king asked me to patrol the mountain |

The scenery was pleasant, but I didn't see anything special!

By Fiona_Xiao Haohao |

There is no entrance fee here and the place is not very big. It can be regarded as a historical attraction. I came here for a pilgrimage because it was the filming location of "Forrest Gump" and "Transformers 4".

It is said that this is not only a popular filming location for movies and games, but also a popular filming location for wedding photos.

The main attractions here include the California Institute of Technology (strongly recommended for children), the Japanese Tea Garden, and the De Young Museum.

By wheat |

The building is just average. The key point is that the security in the area is not good. The car was stolen within a few minutes after it was parked on the roadside. I saw a couple from Shanghai whose car window was smashed and their passports and money were stolen. It was really disappointing. I don't know what the police do.

By Zhang Rui |

The artistic level is very high, from the details of the sculpture, especially the feet of the statue

By Spring |

The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco was originally built in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific Exposition. It attracted 18 million visitors at the time, but was abandoned after the expo. It was not until 1962 that the famous German architect Maybeck was commissioned to design and rebuild it. He specialized in detailed decoration, which is the origin of the exquisitely crafted style of this Palace of Fine Arts.

This building, which imitates ancient Roman ruins, was designed by Bernard Ralph Maybeck (1862-1957), an architect who was born in New York City and lived in Berkeley. The design of the Palace of Fine Arts was mainly to present a visually spectacular beauty to the world. The Palace of Fine Arts was the last major building to be started at the Exposition at that time, and construction began on December 8, 1913.

By Hehehe |

I didn’t go in. It was already evening when I got here and the weather was gloomy. I took a few photos and left!

By I'm not an editor |

Originally built in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, the San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts was the only building spared from demolition after the expo ended, and it now forms part of a city park. This red, Roman-style building, complemented by the pond and lawn in front, is a truly captivating sight. The pond is dotted with waterfowl, none of which I can name, unlike the common birds in China. Their presence imbues the entire San Francisco Palace with a vibrant atmosphere, and breathing the slightly moist air brings a sense of peace and tranquility.

By Xiaomu |

Walk along Chris Fields Park to the American Palace of Art. Originally the site of the 1915 Panama World's Fair, it was designed by Maybeck. Besides its neoclassical architecture, the beautifully landscaped grounds are also worth seeing, making it a popular local wedding venue. You can imagine the mysterious, romantic atmosphere it once held. Some of the architectural proportions, such as the large Greek vases, are a bit awkward. However, the Nemesis probes atop the concrete Corinthian columns are quite interesting. White swans, black-crowned night herons, and mute ducks can be found in the pond and nearby wetlands.

By ~Peach Yaoyao~ |

From the National Museum of Fine Arts, walk along the waterfront to Fisherman's Wharf. The scenery is stunning. To the left is a row of beautiful villas, each with its own unique design. To the right is a yacht club with a variety of yachts. As mentioned earlier, San Francisco has a lot of homeless people, but you won't see them in this area. The streets are clean and tidy, and the air is fresh, with a hint of seawater. I encountered many locals jogging along the way.

By GoLittleWest |

The American Museum of Fine Arts. On weekend mornings, the crowds were sparse, with more locals feeding pigeons, walking their dogs, and snapping wedding photos. You wouldn't realize how magnificent the building is until you get there. Its stacked Corinthian columns and massive Romanesque vaults suggest a monumental architecture, devoid of much practical function. Perhaps it's a tribute to our European ancestors by the descendants who arrived in America.

The bright yellow Volkswagen Classic minivan parked on the street undoubtedly caught my eye. I circled it and took photos, feeling a surge of nostalgia. The driver, upon hearing my compliments about the cute little car, was incredibly proud and gave me a scissors sign. Later, I encountered several other equally beautiful minivans. They seemed to be a popular tourist service in San Francisco.

Tip: Parking around the Palace of Fine Arts is free for two hours on weekends. There are actually quite a few free parking spots in San Francisco, but be sure to read the roadside signs carefully; the regulations are extremely detailed. This is a major difference between American culture and ours: seemingly complex rules and regulations actually simplify thinking. Once you become familiar with them, everything becomes incredibly simple, a bit like chess versus Go.

By MsWu Global Practical Guide |

It's not far from the Golden Gate Bridge. It's very unique and was partly used in the movie "The Rock".

By sunbird |

I like the atmosphere here, and it's so comfortable to lie on the lawn and bask in the sun!

By Neutron Quark |

The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, the site of the World Expo, still vaguely shows the glory of the past.

By -kukin- |

I feel like this scenery is like a painting, with scenery and water, and easy to park.

By oscar |

Not far from the Golden Gate Bridge, although it is an abandoned site, the buildings are well preserved and worth taking a look at.

By Susanhxs |

I was just passing by and didn't go in to appreciate the beauty of the Art Palace. It's a pity

By Tingting |

This is my favorite spot in San Francisco. It is very beautiful and there is a small park next to it.

I was traveling with a tour group and was very short on time, so I couldn't go to the park at all.