Palace of Fine Arts Tours
7 Reviews

San Francisco’s Palace of Fine Arts dates to the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition. One of the only remaining buildings from the World’s Fair, the Greco-Roman–inspired ruin is a favorite Bay Area venue. Walk under the picturesque rotunda, wander the grounds, and visit lagoons that are home to ducks, swans, and geese.
The Basics
Located in close proximity to the Golden Gate Bridge, the Palace of Fine Arts is included in many city sightseeing tours. In addition to traditional walking or minivan group tours, try a self-guided bike excursion or a group cycling tour that visits the grounds. If visiting independently, stop briefly for pictures, or plan ahead and pack a picnic to enjoy on the grounds. The nearby Presidio, Marina District, and Crissy Field waterfront are popular, walkable destinations to check out as well.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Palace of Fine Arts is a must-visit for history buffs and photographers.
- There is no fee to visit the landmark.
- Bring layers, as its close proximity to the water can make for cooler weather.
- The flat paths are easily walkable, and accessible to wheelchairs and strollers.
How to Get There
The best way to get to the Palace of Fine Arts is by car or public transportation. There’s a small on-site parking lot and free street parking in the neighborhood, and Muni buses 30, 43, 28, and 29 stop nearby. It’s also a quick walk from the Presidio or Golden Gate Bridge.
When to Get There
The Palace of Fine Arts is open all day all year, but is best enjoyed during daylight hours. The rotunda is lit at night, but it’s difficult to see and explore the surrounding lagoon area. If visiting on a rainy day, bring an umbrella, as the rotunda is the only covered area.
Pack a Picnic
On a nice day, the Palace of Fine Arts is the perfect backdrop for a picnic. Pick up food at one of the many restaurants on nearby Chestnut or Union streets in the Marina district. Enjoy a walk through the quaint neighborhood to the palace and pick a lovely spot near the lagoon or rotunda.
Address: 3301 Lyon Street, San Francisco, California 94123, USA
80 Tours and Activities to Experience Palace of Fine Arts
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Combo Tour: Alcatraz Island and San Francisco Grand City Tour
Explore San Francisco and Alcatraz on this 2-in-1 tour. Hop aboard a ferry for a scenic ride to Alcatraz and enjoy the award-winning audio walking tour. Plus, enjoy a coach tour with a knowledgeable local guide. Learn about the City by the Bay through visits to top attractions such as Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, the Presidio, and the Palace of Fine Arts.
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From
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Face masks required for travelers in public areas
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San Francisco Super Saver: Muir Woods & Wine Country w/ optional Gourmet Lunch
For one of the best wine country tours from San Francisco, combine a visit to Northern California wine country with a Muir Woods experience for a truly fabulous day out. This Super Saver provides two popular tours at one discount price, allowing you to see and taste the delights of Marin, Sonoma and Napa counties. You’ll begin with a walk through Muir Woods National Monument with an informative guide to stare up in wonder at the towering redwood trees. Then you'll visit three wineries, with wine-tasting included. You’ll also cross the Golden Gate Bridge and have free time on Sonoma Plaza to buy lunch if you haven't opted to upgrade to the lunch option.
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$154.00
Price varies by group size
From
$154.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Big Bus San Francisco Hop-on Hop-off Open Top Tour
Ride a double-decker sightseeing bus to San Francisco's most famous landmarks with a choice of 2 different passes. Explore the city's 49 square miles, including stops at big-name attractions like Pier 39, the Palace of Fine Arts and Union Square. Go at your own pace, hopping off at any of 16 stops, exploring at your leisure, and then hopping back on when you're done. Choose the Premium pass to include a night tour or a Deluxe pass for an additional 24 hours of hop-on-hop-off and a night tour.
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Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

GoCar San Francisco Tour
Ride a GoCar all over San Francisco as it navigates for you and provides a guided tour. Take as long as you like to explore the city with a storytelling car as your guide — what Time Magazine has called "one of the coolest inventions of the year." Let this tiny car show you what the city is all about, learn about its history and visit sites like the Presidio, Coit Tower, Chinatown and Lombard Street. Pick up your car at one of two convenient locations: Union Square or Beach Street near Fisherman's Wharf.
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From
$70.69
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Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

San Francisco Grand City Tour Including Free Walking Tour
Take a San Francisco half-day tour to pack in the city’s top sights in a convenient way that leaves you with plenty of time to spare so you can enjoy the city however you wish. With a driver-guide, travel the city by bus, stopping at major attractions like the Golden Gate Bridge and Twin Peaks and neighborhoods like North Beach and Chinatown. Plus, you can upgrade to include a San Francisco Bay cruise, a half-day bike rental, or admission to Aquarium of the Bay.
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Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
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Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On-Hop-Off Open Top Tour and Alcatraz Combo
This combo package allows you to see all of San Francisco's top sights and attraction. Ride the open top double decker bus for one full day, hopping on and off at over 15 stops around the city. Cruise across the bay to the infamous prison known today as the Rock and explore the infamous Island.
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Face masks required for travelers in public areas
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San Francisco Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito Guided Bike Tour
On this San Francisco bike tour, you’ll cycle across the Golden Gate Bridge from the city to the waterfront town of Sausalito. With a guide, ride from Fisherman’s Wharf to Marina Green and Crissy Field, and stop at Fort Point and Vista Point for photo ops of the bridge and San Francisco Bay. The 3-hour guided tour ends in Sausalito, where you are free to bike more on your own and return to the city at your leisure (either bike back or purchase a ferry ticket). This tour includes use of the bike for the full day.
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Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas

Painted Ladies San Francisco City Tour
Take a journey around San Francisco's top sights in a retro way with this "painted ladies" tour by vintage Volkswagen bus decorated with long gorgeous eyelashes so you can't miss your tour vehicle. You'll pass by neighborhoods like Chinatown, Union Square, Pacific Heights, North Beach, Haight-Ashbury, the Marina, and the Castro, plus see the Palace of Fine Arts, Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, Twin Peaks, and more.
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From
$85.00
Price varies by group size
From
$85.00
Price varies by group size
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

Small Group Muir Woods and Sausalito Morning Tour
Take in two of the San Francisco Bay Area’s top destinations, Muir Woods and Sausalito, on a 4-hour morning tour from downtown San Francisco. Drive through the Presidio and across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods National Monument where you have some time to walk among towering old growth redwood trees. Next, head to Sausalito for a stroll along the picturesque waterfront, which is full of great boutiques, cafes and restaurants. You can opt to remain on your own in Sausalito or return on the coach.
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Face masks required for travelers in public areas
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Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Small Group Tour of San Francisco
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Small Group Napa Valley Tour for Wine Lovers
Escape the city for a day in wine country on this Napa and Sonoma semi-private winery tour from San Francisco. With an informative guide, visit several wineries to discover the winemaking process from local insiders and hear about the differences in the many varietals. You may drive through regions like Yountville, St. Helena, and Rutherford, and a Champagne toast at the Golden Gate Bridge.
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Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

San Francisco All-Day Electric Bike Rental
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$65.00
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
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Bike the Golden Gate Bridge and Shuttle Tour to Muir Woods
Enjoy two of San Francisco’s top activities in one day on this 6-hour combo experience that includes biking across the Golden Gate Bridge and transportation to Muir Woods National Monument (entrance fee not included). When you reach Sausalito at the end of your bike ride, just hop on a shuttle for the ride to the redwood trees of Muir Woods.
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From
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$85.00
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
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San Francisco Movie Sights City Tour
With its iconic hills, architecture, bridge and bay, it’s no wonder so many movies have been filmed in San Francisco. See filming locations from more than 55 productions—from blockbusters like ‘San Andreas’ to family favorites like ‘Mrs. Doubtfire’—on this movie sites tour from Fisherman’s Wharf. Watch clips on the tour bus as you pass by the real locations with an informative actor-turned-guide who shares stories about the city and cinema history.
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Face masks required for travelers in public areas
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Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Skip The Bus: San Francisco By Luxury Van Tour
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Small Group San Francisco Half-Day City Tour
Being a tourist can be exhausting. Throw in some of San Francisco's infamous hills, constant consultation of guide books, and the lure of tourist traps, and you might want to return to your lodgings in haste. However, this San Francisco sightseeing experience includes a hotel pickup and a coach tour that allows the city to unfold before you from atop your air-conditioned perch. It's a great way to keep your eyes on the real jewels of the city by the bay.
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Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff

Alcatraz and Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito Guided Bike Tour
Explore San Francisco with this 2-day combo: a guided bike tour plus admission to Alcatraz Island. Venture to the infamous prison in the afternoon to hear audio commentary about former inmates like Al Capone. On the prior day, cycle along the waterfront from Fisherman’s Wharf and ride over the Golden Gate Bridge into Sausalito via the car-free national park bike path. Your tour includes a full-day bonus bike rental.
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From
$99.00
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$99.00
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas

Vantigo San Francisco City Tour
Step aboard a vintage Volkswagen bus for a San Francisco city tour. Travel down streets a typical tour bus can't access while your guide fills you in on the history of the City by the Bay, from the Gold Rush to Silicon Valley. Get views of landmarks such as Twin Peaks, the Golden Gate Bridge, and the Painted Ladies as you travel through distinct city districts.
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Full Day Bike Rental from Fisherman's Wharf
Discover San Francisco on your own schedule with a 1-day bike rental. Visit the crooked path of Lombard Street, North Beach, Haight-Ashbury, the Golden Gate Bridge and other culturally rich and unique San Francisco neighborhoods. This self-guided trip gives you the opportunity to create your own itinerary as you explore the beloved City by the Bay. The entire fleet of equipment is sanitized regularly and curbside pick-up is available to ensure that your rental experience is safe and enjoyable.
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From
$32.00
From
$32.00
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas

Ultimate Bay Area Package: Alcatraz with Muir Woods and San Francisco City Tour
See the San Francisco Bay Area’s top attractions on a two-day tour that combines three sightseeing highlights. Depart Fisherman’s Wharf on day one to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods National Monument. Enjoy the towering redwood trees before continuing to the bayside town of Sausalito. Then return to San Francisco for a coach sightseeing tour that includes photo stops at Golden Gate Park and Twin Peaks. On day two, take the ferry over to Alcatraz Island and take an audio tour of the historic prison.
Due to popular demand, this package is likely to sell out. Advance reservations are required.
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From
$250.00
From
$250.00

Small-Group Tour: San Francisco City Tour Including Muir Woods and Sausalito
Spend your day exploring the ‘City by the Bay’ before a scenic drive across the Golden Gate Bridge to Muir Woods National Monument and the nearby waterfront of charming Sausalito. This narrated small-group tour takes in all of the San Francisco highlights, from Golden Gate Park and Haight-Ashbury to the Palace of Fine Arts and Presidio. Then wander on foot under California’s giant coastal redwoods before exploring the gift shops and galleries of Sausalito.
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From
$129.00
From
$129.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

City and Sea Adventure: 1 Day Hop-On Hop Off Pass and San Francisco Bay Cruise
In just one day, experience the best of San Francisco by land and sea with this combo package that includes two hop-on hop-off bus tours and a cruise. Check out the top attractions of San Francisco, wind through the downtown streets, and cross over the Golden Gate Bridge. Each hop-on hop-off bus tour lasts 60 minutes to 2 hours and offers live commentary. The 1-hour boat cruise takes you through San Francisco Bay, giving you prime views of Crissy Fields, the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island.
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From
$79.99
From
$79.99
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers

California Sunset Guided Bike Tour
Admire San Francisco’s top attractions as the sun sets over the city on this 3-hour evening bike tour. Led by a local guide, you’ll pedal past Crissy Field, Fort Mason and Fisherman’s Wharf before heading across the Golden Gate Bridge for the sunset. Your guide will provide fun and factual commentary about the city’s rich history as you continue on through the Presidio, making stops at the Palace of Fine Arts and more. For an even more relaxing ride, upgrade to an electric bike.
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From
$55.00
From
$55.00
Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas

Small Group Muir Woods and Sausalito Afternoon Tour
Walking the street of San Francisco might be the ideal way to explore the individual neighborhoods, but it's impossible to cover enough territory on your two legs. This San Francisco day trip by bus offers a narrated and scenic drive for all. From the Legion of Honor, travel across the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, visit the quaint and picturesque bayside village of Sausalito and spend time at Muir Woods National Monument (entry own expense).
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From
$69.00
From
$69.00
Face masks required for travelers in public areas
Face masks required for guides in public areas
Face masks provided for travelers
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