Legion of Honor

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Legion of Honor, also known as the California Palace of the Legion of Honor, rises above the Golden Gate in Lincoln Park with French neoclassical architecture, Rodin highlights, and ocean-facing headland views. Opened on November 11, 1924, it remains one of San Francisco's most atmospheric museum stops.

Start with a prebooked general admission entry ticket, because it keeps your schedule predictable and helps you avoid last-minute desk queues on busy weekends. Book now.

Select a date to find available tickets, tours & activities:

Museum entry tickets

Best if you want guaranteed entry to Legion of Honor at your preferred time, with flexible pacing through permanent galleries and temporary exhibitions.

Legion of Honor Museum General Admission Ticket

4.5(175)

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Current exhibitions

Docent Tours: The Etruscans

Daily docent tours offer a guided introduction to the exhibition's highlights, meet at the lower-level entrance, and last about an hour. A special exhibition ticket is required.

May 05, 2026 – Sep 18, 2026

The Etruscans: From the Heart of Ancient Italy

The ancient world's greatest untold story

The exhibition brings together more than 150 bronzes, terracottas, jewelry, ceramics, architectural elements, and a rare surviving Etruscan text to examine the culture that shaped Italy before Rome. Drawing on recent archaeology and scholarship, it is presented as the most comprehensive Etruscan survey staged in the United States to date.

May 02, 2026 – Sep 20, 2026

6 tips for visiting the Legion of Honor

Book your slot before weekend afternoons

If you want the least stress, book your entry before heading to Lincoln Park, especially on Saturday afternoons. Free-admission windows and weekend demand can thicken desk lines, and a reserved slot keeps your museum plan calm.

Use bus 18 for the easiest drop-off

If your priority is the simplest transit arrival, take the 18 bus, which stops directly in front of Legion of Honor. Routes via lines 1 or 38 also work, but they usually add an uphill walk of about 0.8 km (0.5 mi). Choosing the direct stop saves energy for the galleries.

Plan around the 4:30 pm free window

If you want the free permanent-collection entry, target the 4:30 pm window and arrive a bit early. If your priority is a full paid visit, go earlier because the last ticket is sold one hour before closing. Picking one strategy prevents last-minute surprises.

Carry one extra layer for the headlands

Even on mild days, the Lincoln Park headlands can feel cooler and windier than downtown San Francisco. A light extra layer keeps your pre- and post-museum walk comfortable, so you can focus on the art instead of the weather.

Pair only one nearby museum stop

If your day is tight, pair Legion of Honor with one nearby anchor like Golden Gate Park, Japanese Tea Garden, or California Academy of Sciences instead of stacking multiple city crossings. One clean add-on keeps your route realistic and avoids transfer fatigue.

Set bag size before you leave

You will move faster at entry if your bag stays within 20 x 20 x 13 cm (8 x 8 x 5 in) or is easy to hand-carry in galleries. Oversized bags above 23 x 36 x 56 cm (9 x 14 x 22 in) are not admitted. Packing to this limit avoids an avoidable gate delay.

How to plan a Legion of Honor visit on San Francisco's west side

Your smoothest stop at Legion of Honor starts with one early decision: paid slot, free window, or a separate return. Once that is clear, west-side routing becomes much easier.

Choose your entry strategy before you travel west

Best for first-time visitors: lock a paid entry ticket first, then build the rest of your west-side plan around it. If your goal is value over depth, target the 4:30 pm free permanent-collection window instead. One clear strategy keeps your day realistic and lowers queue stress. Book now.

Use the arrival route that matches your energy

If you want the lowest-friction transit arrival, use bus 18 to stop directly at Legion of Honor Drive. If you come via lines 1 or 38, factor in the final uphill approach from 33rd Avenue and Clement Street. Planning this small transfer detail in advance saves energy for the galleries.

Build one west-side pairing, not three

After Legion of Honor, choose one nearby continuation: Golden Gate Park for broad park landscapes, Japanese Tea Garden for a calmer garden rhythm, or California Academy of Sciences for a second museum block. One focused pairing keeps your route efficient and avoids cross-city fatigue.

Protect your final hour from avoidable friction

Late-day visitors often lose time at bag checks or ticket cutoffs. Keep your bag within posted limits, arrive with a buffer, and decide before arrival whether you are targeting paid admission or the 4:30 pm free window. That way you spend your final hour inside galleries, not in line.

History and architecture of the Legion of Honor

Legion of Honor is not only a gallery stop. It is a memorial-era building with a specific civic timeline, from 1915 inspiration to late-20th-century seismic renewal.

From 1915 inspiration to 1924 opening

The project began after Alma de Bretteville Spreckels encountered the French Pavilion at the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition. The museum then opened on November 11, 1924 as a memorial-linked civic gift, dedicated to Californians who died in World War I. Knowing this origin changes how the Court of Honor feels when you arrive.

A French palace model above the Golden Gate

The building is a three-quarter-scale adaptation of the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur in Paris, set on the Lincoln Park headlands. This mix of French neoclassical geometry and Pacific-edge exposure is why the museum feels both formal and windswept. It is one of the clearest architecture-meets-landscape moments on San Francisco's west side.

From 1972 merger to 1995 renewal

The 1972 merger with the de Young reorganized collections citywide, and the 1992-1995 project added major seismic upgrades plus about 3,252 m² (35,000 ft²) of underground expansion. Those works explain why a 1924 landmark can handle modern exhibition standards without losing its historic facade. The result is visible in both circulation flow and gallery capacity.

Ticket strategy at the Legion of Honor

Entry-ticket options are straightforward, so the biggest gains come from timing and pairing decisions, not complex package splitting.

Standard entry tickets are the core format

Choose this if you want predictable museum entry and full control over pace in permanent and temporary galleries. It is the clearest first purchase for most visitors. Book now.

Use free windows when your schedule is flexible

If your priority is budget, use the 4:30 pm free permanent-collection window or broader free-admission programs on eligible days. These slots can be busier, so add a timing buffer and keep expectations focused on the permanent galleries. Book now if you want guaranteed paid entry instead.

Keep major add-ons on a separate time block

If you also want Alcatraz or Coit Tower, treat them as a separate block instead of squeezing them after a late museum start. A split plan protects both experiences and keeps transfers simpler.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time should I plan for the visit?

For a focused first visit, plan about 2 to 2.5 hours at Legion of Honor. If you want a quick highlights pass, 90 minutes can work, while art-focused visitors often stay closer to 3 hours.

What are the current opening hours?

Legion of Honor is open Tuesday-Sunday from 9:30 am to 5:15 pm and closed on Mondays. The last ticket is sold one hour before closing.

How much do tickets cost?

General-admission prices are $20 for adults, $17 for seniors 65+, and $11 for students with valid ID. Members and youth up to age 17 are free.

Is there a free admission option?

Yes. Permanent-collection entry is free from 4:30 pm, and broader free programs include Free Saturdays for Bay Area residents and first Tuesdays for all visitors. Special-exhibition pricing still applies.

What is the easiest public-transit route?

The most direct option is bus 18, which stops in front of the museum. Lines 1 and 38 are workable alternatives, but usually add an uphill approach of about 0.8 km (0.5 mi) from nearby stops.

Is parking available on site?

Yes. Free parking is available in front lots and along the north side of the building at Legion of Honor. Weekend peak periods can fill spaces faster, so arriving earlier helps.

Is the museum suitable for visitors with limited mobility?

Yes. Accessible routes are available by ramp or level access, and wheelchairs can be borrowed first come, first served with photo ID. If you need door assistance, the north-entrance intercom connects you with staff support.

Can I bring a backpack and take photos inside?

You can bring a standard backpack, but larger bags must be hand-carried in galleries, and oversized luggage is not admitted. Personal photos are generally allowed, while flash, tripods, selfie sticks, large camera rigs, and long-form filming are not.

General information

opening hours

Legion of Honor is open Tuesday-Sunday from 9:30 am to 5:15 pm and closed on Mondays. It also closes on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day, but opens on other holidays. The last ticket is sold one hour before closing.

tickets

General admission costs $20 for adults, $17 for seniors 65+, and $11 for students with valid ID; members and youth 17 and under are free. General admission also includes same-day general admission to the de Young. Paid special exhibitions are priced separately; tiers run from $20 for youth (6-17) to $35 for adults, with seniors at $32 and students at $26. At 4:30 pm, permanent-collection entry is free; many free/reduced-admission programs also apply only to permanent galleries, while special exhibitions remain paid.

address

Legion of Honor
Lincoln Park
100 34th Avenue (at Clement Street)
San Francisco, CA 94121
United States

how to get there

For the easiest transit arrival, use bus 18, which stops directly at Legion of Honor Drive in front of the museum. Lines 1 and 38 also work, then add an uphill walk of about 0.8 km (0.5 mi) from 33rd Avenue and Clement Street. Free parking is available in front lots and along the north side, and bike parking is available near the museum.

accessibility

Legion of Honor supports step-free movement by ramp or level access routes, and wheelchair loans are available first come, first served with photo ID. At the north entrance, an intercom can be used if you need door assistance from staff. Accessible and gender-neutral restrooms are available, including changing-room support.

security

Standard backpacks are allowed, but bags larger than 20 x 20 x 13 cm (8 x 8 x 5 in) must be carried by hand inside galleries. Bags above 23 x 36 x 56 cm (9 x 14 x 22 in) are not admitted and cannot be stored at coat check. Standard-size strollers are generally allowed, though some exhibitions may restrict stroller access.

photography and filming

Personal photos and short videos with smartphones or small handheld cameras are generally allowed in open areas and permanent galleries, with local exceptions posted on site. Flash, tripods, selfie sticks, large camera rigs, and long-form video capture are not allowed. Rules can vary in special exhibitions.

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