NORTH AMERICA SAN FRANCISCO · UNITED STATES

Palace of Fine Arts

Circle the lagoon beneath the rotunda and colonnades, watching the Beaux-Arts architecture reflect in the water.

What to expect

Built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, the Palace of Fine Arts is the only surviving fair structure still at its original site. Its lagoon-side park lets visitors take in the rotunda and curved colonnades for free; the Exploratorium across the street is a separate ticketed visit.

Free park grounds

Before you go

Entry and costs

The public park and lagoon walk are free. Reserved weddings, events, performances and the nearby Exploratorium have separate fees or entry rules.

Visitor notes

San Francisco Recreation and Parks lists the park open daily from 05:00 to midnight. Its current page also displays an intermittent rotunda repair notice for January 2–March 31 without specifying a year; check the live notice before planning around interior access or a particular event.

Opening hours

Date you plan to visit

Select a date to see the published regular schedule.

Published hours checked 1 November 2026. For holidays, temporary closures or event changes, check the official source below.

Good for

Beaux-Arts architectureLagoon viewsFree waterfront walk

Official sourceSan Francisco Recreation and Parks — Palace of Fine Arts

Checked 1 November 2026. Hours, entry rules and access can change; check this page again before you visit.

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