Palace of Fine Arts
Inspired by the stunning ruins left behind by the ancient Greeks and Romans, the Palace of Fine Arts was originally constructed for the 1915 World's Fair. It housed works of art for the Panama-Pacific Exposition (the World's Fair) and is one of the only structures built for the Expo that remains standing today. Built between the outbreak of the San Francisco fire and World War I, this homage to ancient culture continues to inspire beauty and hope. With its lagoon and sculptured grounds, it counts as a favored spot for weddings, concerts, corporate events and other happenings. Artists like
Raffi
,
Hannah Gadsby,
Mary Chapin Carpenter,
Shawn Colvin
and others have taken the stage here. You can grab your Palace of Fine Arts tickets at StubHub.
It seats 962 people and has a lobby capacity for 400, which works well for receptions.
Because it is a relatively small venue, most of the seats offer quite a good view of the stage. The design, along with the stage's red curtains, provide theater-goers with a sense of mood and intimacy that typically only smaller venues have.
The Presidio Parking Garage on Gorgas Avenue is just a four-minute walk from the Palace of Fine Arts. Additionally, the venue is surrounded by two-hour parking spots on Palace Drive. Parking is free here. Baker Street, Bay Street and Lyon Street also offer free parking. Thornburg Road has metered parking. Most of the available parking is 5 minutes or less from the Palace of Fine Arts.
On-site event-goers can get food and drink, which is offered by Cow Hollow Catering. Off-site, there is a wide variety of food and drink to be had. Baker Street Bistro, Salade Nicoise, Pacific Catch and Pizzeria Avellino are just a few of the available options. Most of the eateries are just a couple of minutes from the venue by car.
Yes. Located near the Bay, the venue offers the history buff and the casual stroller alike some amazing entertainment. Embark on a cruise to Alcatraz Island where you can explore the cell house and hear the historical context for each nook and cranny of this famous landmark. Visitors who just can't get enough theater should visit the Berkeley Repertory Theatre or the San Francisco Mime Troupe. The San Francisco Symphony and the Oakland Orchestra count as just two of the fine arts houses in the area. The 49ers, the Raiders and the Golden State Warriors, to name but a few, call this area home. Plenty of minor league teams call the Bay Area home, too.