Palace of Fine Arts City Stroll
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: 3601 Lyon Street, San Francisco, CA 94123
Starting Point: Street parking in the Marina District neighborhood, or paid parking lot (see link below for detailed instructions to Palace of Fine Arts parking lot)
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Palace of Fine Arts info link (San Francisco Recreation and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Palace-of-Fine-Arts-423
Palace of Fine Arts info link (San Francisco Recreation and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/917/Palace-of-Fine-Arts
Palace of Fine Arts info link (National Park Service):
https://www.nps.gov/prsf/planyourvisit/palace-of-fine-arts.htm
Palace of Fine Arts history info link (Palace of Fine Arts):
https://palaceoffinearts.org/theatre-history/
Directions to Palace of Fine Arts parking lot (scroll down to Theater Parking links for detailed directions to parking lot) (Palace of Fine Arts):
https://palaceoffinearts.org/contact/
Map app: Search for Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
Distance:
A full walk around the lagoon is possible even for those using a wheelchair as it is a relatively flat, paved surface. I could not find a listing for the distance around the lagoon, but at a glance, the full loop is probably less than a third of a mile around, even with all the twists and turns. Those who wish for a longer walk can add a stretch along Crissy Field, a walk in the Presidio, or a city walk component by checking out shops and restaurants along Chestnut and Lombard Streets, or the Lyon Street Steps.
Considerations:
• The paid parking lot behind the Palace of Fine Arts (formerly the home of the Exploratorium) is located at a tricky intersection. See link above for detailed directions on getting to the parking lot.
• Street parking is an option, but it can take time to find a spot. Pay attention to parking rule signs to avoid a ticket. Never leave belongings in view inside car to avoid auto break in.
• Notices on bathroom availability are mixed. On our last visit, the center door of the main building was open, and bathrooms were available.
The trail:
The Palace of Fine Arts is an iconic structure harking back to the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco’s Marina District. Our family is especially fond of structures and history from this era because our house was built in 1915.
Formerly the site of the Exploratorium (now moved to the Embarcadero), the Palace of Fine Arts is home to a theater and is a rentable event site. There was a wedding taking place under the dome of the rotunda during our last visit.
A walk around the lagoon makes for a scenic city stroll without any strenuous hills. There are photogenic opportunities at every turn around the lagoon.
In addition to the architectural elements, the water fountain, large willow tree, and swan make for popular photo subjects.
This relatively short walk on the grounds of the Palace of Fine Arts can make for a stand alone outing, or can be combined with a walk along Crissy Field if looking for more of a nature walk. It can be combined with a walk up the Lyon Street Steps to catch scenic views from up high. It can be the start or end of a meander through the Presidio. Or, like our last visit, it can be combined with a walk along Chestnut and Lombard Streets to find a good lunch spot, excellent ice cream, or just to do some window shopping by trendy shops.
(Palace of Fine Arts City Stroll Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Change of Pace” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
(scroll to bottom for photo gallery)
Location: 3601 Lyon Street, San Francisco, CA 94123
Starting Point: Street parking in the Marina District neighborhood, or paid parking lot (see link below for detailed instructions to Palace of Fine Arts parking lot)
Info links:
For all web links, if a link doesn’t jump directly, copy and paste into browser.
Palace of Fine Arts info link (San Francisco Recreation and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/Palace-of-Fine-Arts-423
Palace of Fine Arts info link (San Francisco Recreation and Parks):
https://sfrecpark.org/917/Palace-of-Fine-Arts
Palace of Fine Arts info link (National Park Service):
https://www.nps.gov/prsf/planyourvisit/palace-of-fine-arts.htm
Palace of Fine Arts history info link (Palace of Fine Arts):
https://palaceoffinearts.org/theatre-history/
Directions to Palace of Fine Arts parking lot (scroll down to Theater Parking links for detailed directions to parking lot) (Palace of Fine Arts):
https://palaceoffinearts.org/contact/
Map app: Search for Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco
Distance:
A full walk around the lagoon is possible even for those using a wheelchair as it is a relatively flat, paved surface. I could not find a listing for the distance around the lagoon, but at a glance, the full loop is probably less than a third of a mile around, even with all the twists and turns. Those who wish for a longer walk can add a stretch along Crissy Field, a walk in the Presidio, or a city walk component by checking out shops and restaurants along Chestnut and Lombard Streets, or the Lyon Street Steps.
Considerations:
• The paid parking lot behind the Palace of Fine Arts (formerly the home of the Exploratorium) is located at a tricky intersection. See link above for detailed directions on getting to the parking lot.
• Street parking is an option, but it can take time to find a spot. Pay attention to parking rule signs to avoid a ticket. Never leave belongings in view inside car to avoid auto break in.
• Notices on bathroom availability are mixed. On our last visit, the center door of the main building was open, and bathrooms were available.
The trail:
The Palace of Fine Arts is an iconic structure harking back to the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco’s Marina District. Our family is especially fond of structures and history from this era because our house was built in 1915.
Formerly the site of the Exploratorium (now moved to the Embarcadero), the Palace of Fine Arts is home to a theater and is a rentable event site. There was a wedding taking place under the dome of the rotunda during our last visit.
A walk around the lagoon makes for a scenic city stroll without any strenuous hills. There are photogenic opportunities at every turn around the lagoon.
In addition to the architectural elements, the water fountain, large willow tree, and swan make for popular photo subjects.
This relatively short walk on the grounds of the Palace of Fine Arts can make for a stand alone outing, or can be combined with a walk along Crissy Field if looking for more of a nature walk. It can be combined with a walk up the Lyon Street Steps to catch scenic views from up high. It can be the start or end of a meander through the Presidio. Or, like our last visit, it can be combined with a walk along Chestnut and Lombard Streets to find a good lunch spot, excellent ice cream, or just to do some window shopping by trendy shops.
(Palace of Fine Arts City Stroll Hike Notes were originally paired with the “Change of Pace” Insights post.)
Check the Home page for the broader background story. Click Insights/Hike Update News for inspiring reflections. Browse hikes on the main Hikes page or on the Hike Search by Area page, and scroll to the bottom of each hike page to see full photo galleries.
If you’d like to support HikingAutism, check out the Support/Shop page! Check out selected articles and interviews under Media. Click World Walks to see or share favorite family-friendly walks! Stay in touch with Lisa Louis and HikingAutism via Contact. The Links page lists a loose collection of helpful information links. Feel free to share and follow on Facebook at HikingAutism, Twitter at @HikingAutism, Instagram at lisalouis777, and Bluesky @hikingautism.bsky.social
