The San Francisco Palace of Fine Arts started life in 1915, and was created for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. Celebrating the city’s recovery from an earthquake in 1906 and the final completion of the Panama Canal, the expo marketed the Palace of Fine Arts as its star attraction. Designed by Bernard Maybeck, the building was inspired by Roman and Greek architectural ruins and attempted to demonstrate the transitory nature of human vanity and grandeur.
Since the expo closed, the Palace of Fine Arts has served a variety of purposes, including the storage of military vehicles and the home to 18 tennis courts. The palace underwent a massive renovation project during the 1960s and has now been restored to its former glory, housing the Exploratorium, an interactive exhibit that aims to educate children about the wonders of science.
Even if you don’t visit the Exploratorium, the Palace of Fine Arts is still a wonderful place to visit, with landscaped gardens and a lagoon that is home to many swans. Bring a picnic to enjoy in the tranquil gardens and gaze at the palace itself, a grand rotunda with a 335 metre pergola.
Located to the west of Fisherman’s Wharf, the Palace of Fine Arts can be reached on foot from the Marina District. Alternatively, you can take public transport (several Muni buses serve the area), or park your car in the car park just off Lyon Street.
