Legion of Honor — Attraction in San Francisco

We’d heard rave reviews about the Legion of Honor from friends who love art and history, so on a recent trip to San Francisco, we decided to make it a priority. We booked tickets the day before and spent a few hours exploring. Perched in Lincoln Park with stunning views, it felt like a perfect cultural escape in the city, and we were impressed by how it combines classic European art with a breathtaking setting.

ATMOSPHERE: This Beaux Arts-style building is a replica of Paris’ Palais de la Légion d’Honneur, donated to the city in 1924, and it exudes elegance with its grand columns, courtyards, and hilltop location overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific. The interior is clean and well-lit, with spacious galleries that aren’t overwhelmingly crowded, allowing for a peaceful visit. Outside, the grounds in Lincoln Park add to the charm, with manicured lawns and ocean vistas that make it feel like a European palace transported to California. It’s suitable for all ages: we saw families, couples, and solo visitors, and the vibe is sophisticated yet approachable, ideal for a reflective afternoon.

EXHIBITS: The permanent collection spans 4,000 years of art history, focusing on European works, including over 800 paintings by masters like Monet and Rembrandt, ancient Mediterranean artifacts, decorative arts, and photography by Ansel Adams. 15 The standout is the extensive Rodin sculpture collection: more than 90 pieces, including a bronze “The Thinker” in the courtyard, which is one of the largest outside Paris and truly mesmerizing up close. We also enjoyed the variety of sculptures, ceramics, and fabrics throughout the galleries.

Everything is well-curated, with informative plaques that make it accessible even for non-experts.

SERVICE: No reservations required for general admission (although we did buy tickets ahead of time), and we were greeted warmly at the entrance. Staff were friendly and knowledgeable, offering maps and quick tips on highlights like the Rodin pieces. Accessibility is strong, with wheelchair rentals, touch tours for low-vision visitors, and sign-language options available upon request. The on-site café provided a nice break with seasonal bites and terrace seating—no issues there, and everything ran smoothly.

TIPS: Admission is around $20 for adults (free for SF residents and under 18), and your ticket also grants same-day access to the de Young Museum, so plan to visit both if time allows. Public transport is straightforward—take the 38-Geary bus to 34th Ave and walk a short distance, or use rideshare for ease, as parking is available but can fill up. Go on a clear day for the best views, and combine with nearby spots like Lands End trails or Baker Beach for a full outing. Photography is allowed in permanent galleries (no flash or tripods), but check rules for special exhibits.

Hours are typically 9:30am–5:15pm Tuesday–Sunday, so arrive early to avoid any crowds.

OVERALL: Was it worth the visit? Absolutely— we’d rate it a solid 5/5 for the stunning art, architecture, and scenery that make it a standout in SF. It’s a gem for art lovers or anyone seeking a cultured break, and we’ll definitely return to catch...

One of The Seven Wonders of The World upon arrival atop this beautifully situated hill overlooking Land’s End and The Golden Gate Bridge. An amazing point of interest that can be easily accessed by bus on the Muni (No.18). Connections between Muni lines (1-California St. & 38R-Geary) are a sure way of getting to the museum from DTSF indirectly, by way of—on or off of Market Street via The Embarcadero Station. What is highlighted with the Art Museum is it’s phenomenal historical range of paintings and collections to period pieces built into each of it’s expansive galleries. A café & restaurant highlight the lower levels with several gift shops in between. A definite must for art lovers and enthusiasts and art historians of all ages to browse through and take in the realm of these great collections. Exhibits are a separate feature added into the general admission entry—worth noting. But worth all the extras that does include a same day free entry to The De Young Museum inside Golden Gate Park—so make haste dividing your time between seeing them both, it’s time consuming! Accessibility is not difficult if taking the Muni No. 5R (Fulton Street) at the Ocean Beach Terminus not far from transferring off of the No.18 in front of the museum stop. Across the parking lot. Ask the driver where to get on and off. Making it a nearly fuller day trip closer to the beaches and the park. After visiting The De Young Museum head over to 9th Avenue near Lincoln Blvd Drive for a bite to eat. It’s also reachable—by walking to the opposite side of Golden Gate Park to Lincoln Blvd. Or instead, grab Muni (No.18) from the museum downhill. Where there’s plenty of really great restaurants lining Clement Street. Beautiful places. Colorful, and serene. With charming homes seen everywhere to the neighborhood streets all around the area. Very peaceful. And near...

Can’t get to France? Europe can be found in the pieces at the Legion of Honor.

This treasure trove of European art sits upon a hill overlooking the SF Bay. The architecture replicates that said building in Paris.

Inside the current exhibit is The Last Supper of Pompeii, a rare showing of archeological items from the Archeological Park in Pompeii, Italy; the Ashmolean Collection at Oxford University; and private collections.

The Pompeii exhibit has fine frescoes, mosaics, art pieces household items such as sculptures.

The main collection spans hundreds of years of European art from Van Dyke to Van Gogh. My favorite part of the museum are being able to see familiar pieces that I have seen since I was a young teen growing up in San Francisco.

The cafe was not of yesterday when visited. It opens Friday, May 7th with simple grab & go items.

Bring a picnic and eat on a grassy lawn. Bring layers of clothing since it is often quite brisk. No current Muni bus running to the museum entrance. The closest buses are the #1 California and #38 Geary.

As fine arts museums go, you cannot be disappointed by the setting. The collection touches upon various periods & genre of European art. I have my favorites. Stop by and discover yours.

May 2022 The Guo Pei Fashion exhibit is unique. The artistry, the creativity, the craft of haute couture from a well-established Chinese designer is rare. She exhibited at the Carousel de Louvre in Paris! Amazing variety of designs (not everyday fashion wear) that translate into show pieces. The Chinese art of embroidery is on display. The colorful fabrics layered and draped. The gold thread count on some garments!! The variety of gowns spans Guo Pei’s 30 year career. A must see show for those who love fashion and design. On show through end of...