Palace of Fine Arts

San Francisco, United States

Freely accessible

Public space — no opening hours to check.

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The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco's Marina District is a monumental Beaux-Arts structure designed by Bernard Maybeck for the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition. Conceived to evoke the grandeur and decay of ancient Rome, the complex centers on a 162-foot-high open rotunda in artificial stone, gypsum, and concrete, surrounded by a lagoon and adjoining a large curved exhibition hall connected by colonnades. Originally intended as a temporary exhibition space for art, it became the sole survivor of the exposition buildings on site and evolved into one of San Francisco's most iconic landmarks. Completely rebuilt between 1964 and 1974, the structure underwent further seismic retrofitting and restoration of its lagoons and walkways completed in 2009. Today the exhibition center, one of the city's largest single-story buildings, serves as a venue for major events including weddings and trade fairs.