Legion of Honor

Walk through the Legion of Honor’s imposing neoclassical stone archway and through The Thinker’s courtyard to reach galleries divided neatly into collections of European paintings, decorative art, and sculpture, as well as ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman antiquities. Rodin collection casts and sculptures draw many visitors, as do works by Peter Paul Rubens, El Greco and Rembrandt van Rijn. Print lovers should look for items from the Ed Ruscha Archive, Japanese prints, and prints and drawings from Depression-era WPA program. Complete a visit with a walk along the cliffs to see majestic views of the Golden Gate.

San Francisco CityPASS, Explorer Pass, and Go Card include admission to the Legion. Single admission tickets also include same-day admission to the Legion’s partner fine arts museum, the de Young Museum, in Golden Gate Park. Tours don’t include admission to any special exhibits.

• The Legion of Honor is a compact museum and easy to visit in a few hours—ideal for those with limited time.

• The small on-site café is very busy at lunchtime and during special exhibitions.

• The museum is wheelchair accessible with accessible restrooms on both floors.

• Children under 17 are always free.

• The Legion does not allow large bags (larger than a carry-on) into the museum and does not offer a bag check for large bags.

The Legion of Honor is at the far western end of San Francisco at 34th Avenue, inside Lincoln Park and near the Lands End Lookout. San Francisco Muni runs the 18 connection service to the Legion from the 38R bus line along Geary Boulevard. Exit at 33rd Avenue and Geary to catch the 18 directly to the Legion. Other visitors walk on the path up from Baker Beach through China Beach to the Legion.

The Legion is busiest during the summer and when special exhibitions are held. Arrive when the museum opens at 9:30am for uncrowded galleries and easy parking. In spring and fall, when the city’s notorious fog retreats to the coast, picnickers are plentiful in Lincoln Park and in front of the Legion. The Legion is closed on Mondays as well as Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Modeled after Paris' Palais de la Légion d'Honneur, the Legion of Honor museum was built to commemorate soldiers who died in World War I. The Legion's neoclassical design and distinctive setting near Lands End combine the region’s nature with classic architectural lines to gorgeous effect.

Most visitors spend 1.5 hours to 2.5 hours at the Legion of Honor. The museum exhibits cover many periods, including baroque and impressionism, and you'll find antiquities, illustrated books, and porcelain. Same-day admission to the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park is included in the ticket.

The Legion of Honor is open Tuesday–Sunday from 9:30am–5:15pm. There are some holiday closures: The museum shuts down for Christmas and Thanksgiving. Starting 45 minutes before closing time each day, access to the museum’s permanent collections is free—stop by then for a quick shot of fine art.

The Legion of Honor has a remarkable collection of artwork that spans centuries and continents. Notable holdings include The Thinker, a sculpture by Auguste Rodin; Caneletto’s oil painting of the Santa Maria della Salute church in Venice; and a gilded Louis XVI salon.

Ticket prices vary at the Legion of Honor. General-admission tickets are around US$20, while seniors and students with valid identification enjoy discounted rates. Youth and children aged 17 and younger get in free at the Legion of Honor. All tickets include same-day admission to the de Young Museum.

Yes, parking is free at the Legion of Honor: Free parking lots are located in front of the building and on the building’s north side. Bike racks are located on Legion of Honor Drive, facing the main museum entrance. If you’re coming by MUNI, save your ticket for discounted admission.

Yes, you can take pictures at the Legion of Honor. Personal photography using smartphones and small handheld cameras is allowed in open areas and permanent galleries unless otherwise noted. Selfie sticks, tripods, flash, and big cameras are banned. In the outdoor Court of Honor, personal and professional photography are allowed.