EXHIBITION CENTER
3601 Lyon St, San Francisco, CA 94123A hallmark of San Francisco’s history, The Palace of Fine Arts captivates before you even step inside. With its Corinthian columns, intricate sculptures, arches, and the famous Greco-Roman rotunda—this centerpiece of the 1915 World’s Fair sets the stage for extraordinary experiences.
Upon entering the building, a sweeping mezzanine overlooks the versatile 140,000-square-foot core event space, complete with theater facilities and multiple breakout rooms.
Anchoring the Marina District, with its tranquil lagoon and stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge, The Palace of Fine Arts stands alone as a true San Francisco icon.
Explore the diverse ways this venue can elevate your event:
CORPORATE EVENTS + TRADE SHOWS + GALAS
- 140,000 sq. ft. of indoor space
- 5,000-person capacity
- On-site management
- On-site parking
- 55’, 48’, and 37’ foot tall ceilings
- Smaller Concourse Level Areas
- Hangar Pavilion (17,000 sq. ft.)
- Atrium (13,500 sq. ft.)
- 10 break-out rooms and classrooms (1,000 – 2,800 sq. ft. each)
- 4 Smaller Mezzanine Level Areas (2,100 – 3,700 sq. ft. each)
- 135-person performing arts theater
- Power and Wi-Fi capabilities
- Truck loading dock
WEDDINGS
- Ceremony Hall
- Bridal Suite and Groom’s Room
- Event security
- White folding chairs, tables, and linens for 150 people
- Event logistics management
- Timeline creation and execution
- Vendor confirmations and checklists
- Rehearsal prep and management
- Day of event team with 1 event lead and 2 assistants
SPECS
- Ground Floor – 120,000 square feet
- Mezzanine – 20,000 square feet
- 55’, 48’, and 37’ foot tall ceilings
- Multiple break out rooms
- Power and Wi-Fi capabilities
- Truck load-in dock
HISTORY
In the wake of the devastating 1906 earthquake and fire, San Francisco seized an opportunity to showcase its resilience. In 1910, visionary business and civic leaders gathered to propose hosting the century’s first great world fair, celebrating the completion of the Panama Canal.
In just two hours, $4 million ( $120M-$130M at today’s value) was raised and San Francisco beat competitors like New Orleans and Washington, D.C. to host the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition.
The crown jewel of this grand exhibition was the Palace of Fine Arts, a masterpiece by California architect Bernard Maybeck. Inspired by a Piranesi engraving depicting a Roman ruin reflected in a pool, Maybeck created a structure that embodied “the mortality of grandeur and the vanity of human wishes.”
Though initially intended for demolition after the fair, like many of its counterparts, the Palace of Fine Arts defied its temporary fate—and the rest, as they say, is history.
Today, you can become part of this iconic landmark’s legacy. By hosting your event at this treasured entry in the National Register of Historic Places—you and your guests will write the next chapter in San Francisco’s rich narrative.