Palace of Fine Arts, San Francisco (must see)

The Palace of Fine Arts stands as an impressive edifice situated in San Francisco's Marina District, originally erected for the 1915 Panama–Pacific International Exposition to showcase magnificent works of art. Though the passing years have taken their toll, the structure underwent a complete reconstruction from 1964 to 1974, making it the sole surviving building from the historical exposition.

Embracing a small man-made lagoon, the Palace of Fine Arts features a sprawling 1,100 feet (0.34 kilometer) pergola encircling a central rotunda, gracefully positioned near the water's edge. The designers drew inspiration from European classical settings, where serene bodies of water mirrored the grand architecture, offering a tranquil vista to behold from afar.

Adorning the rotunda's entablature, Bruno Zimm's three repeating panels portray "The Struggle for the Beautiful," a tribute to Greek culture. Additionally, sculptor Ulric Ellerhusen contributed the statues of weeping women atop the colonnade, along with a sculpted frieze and allegorical figures representing Contemplation, Wonderment, and Meditation.

Underneath the rotunda's dome, one can find eight substantial insets that once showcased murals by Robert Reid. Four of these depicted the inception and birth of Art, its relationship with the Earth, its progression, and its acceptance by human intellect. The remaining insets celebrated California's four "golds," symbolizing poppies, citrus fruits, metallic gold, and wheat.

Designed to evoke the essence of ancient Roman ruins, the Palace of Fine Arts has become an iconic landmark of San Francisco. In the early months of 2009, extensive renovations were carried out, revitalizing the lagoons, and walkways, and ensuring the structure's seismic resilience.

Why You Should Visit:
Historic architectural structure in a sweet area for picnic lunch!
Worth checking out especially if you are into photography.

Tip:
Go inside and see the museum if it's open. There's no fee and you can walk across the street and check out the bay right afterwards.