California Palace of the Legion of Honor - San Francisco

If you only visit one art gallery in San Francisco, the Palace of the Legion of Honor is the best fine art museum in the country. The Legion of Honor is located amidst the Lincoln Golf Course in the northwest area of the city. The museum is home to over 87,000 paintings, sculptures and other artworks.

The Palace of the Legion of Honor was a gift from Adolph and Alma Spreckles as a memorial to the 3000 Californian men who died in World War one in the battlefields of France. The building itself is a small scale model of the 18th-century Palais de la Légion d’Honneur in Paris. It was completed in 1924.

Today, the Palace of the Legion of Honor houses an impressive art collection featuring mostly European artwork. The oldest works date back over 4,000 years! Temporary exhibitions are housed in the lower level and have included works from Warhol amongst others.

The Skinner Symphonic Organ occupies the area above the main galleries. The impressive organ has an astounding 4,526 pipes! The museum has 2 recitals per week on Saturdays and Sundays from 4 – 5 pm.

The Legion of Honor is also available for functions. The Legion is available for rent and is one of the most sought after function venues in San Francisco.

The views from outside the Palace are spectacular. You can see the Golden Gate Bridge from outside. You get a stunning panoramic view from the Golden Gate Bridge to Mt. Tampailis. Enjoy a meal or drink at the newly renovated café and take in the spectacular view over the Pacific Ocean.

If you are looking for a way to pass a rainy San Francisco day then this is an excellent choice!