Locals and tourists alike are enchanted by the beauty and serenity of the Palace of Fine Arts in the Marina District, which was designed by Bernard Maybeck in the style of Greek and Roman architecture for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition. This San Francisco landmark is a popular backdrop for wedding and other formal pictures. Built around a man-made lagoon at its original site, the palace is one of the last remaining structures of that World Fair. It appeals to people of all ages, in particular to couples, photographers, history enthusiasts and architecture buffs.
Parking and public transportation at Palace of Fine Arts
Parking is free in a small parking lot, as well as on the street. The San Francisco Muni 15 bus line from downtown stops a few blocks away.
Best and worst time to go to Palace of Fine Arts
Any time of the year is good to visit this landmark. It's typically busy on the weekends. To avoid the crowds, visit either early in the morning or in the evening.
Admission to Palace of Fine Arts
Admission is free. The rotunda is inaccessible when weddings or other events are taking place.
Must see/do at Palace of Fine Arts
Check out the architectural details of the rotunda. Visit the Innovation Hanger in the palace's exhibit hall, which is free and open on Wednesdays to Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Other places to visit near Palace of Fine Arts
Nearby, in the Presidio, is the Walt Disney Family Museum, which features exhibits on the life and work of the founder of Disneyland. Also close by is the Fort Mason Center, which is home to several small museums and galleries, such as the Mexican Museum and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Artists Gallery. About three miles away, beneath the Golden Gate Bridge is the Fort Point National Historic Site, a brick fort that the United States built before the Civil War to protect the San Francisco Bay.
Insider tip for visitors to Palace of Fine Arts
Read the street signs when you park on the street to avoid getting a parking ticket. Be sure you are not parked during street cleaning hours. Also, check for the time limit for parking on that street.
Author's bio: Susan Echaore-McDavid writes Take 25 to Hollister, a blog about Hollister, San Benito County and nearby areas.
