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Legion of Honor
Category: Arts & Entertainment Museums Museums [Edit]
100 34th AveSan Francisco, CA 94121
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond
(415) 750-3600
- Hours:
Tue-Sun 9:30 am - 5 pm
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
463 reviews for Legion of Honor
Review Highlights
"membership includes the de young."
(in 64 reviews)
"Stunning views of the Golden Gate Bridge and Bay."
(in 81 reviews)
"J'adore Renoir, j'adore Rodin, j'adore Degas."
(in 92 reviews)
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463 reviews in English
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Review from Tiffany A.
Sacramento, CA
1/19/2012
Small but spectacular!
Never been to a wedding here, but this place would be a great venue for one!
The art doesn't stop when you exit the museum. What a gorgeous view of San Francisco! Looking up at Rodin's sculptures with the blue sky and Museum in the background is just magical. I don't know why Tim Tebow gets all the credit for his little pose, it was totally ripped off from "The Thinker." I guess Tebowing is easier to say than Thinker-ing.
The admission price may seem steep for such a small museum, but the parking is free and there is some solid art to check out! Even if you are not an art enthusiast, they have at least one piece from all the big names.
I'm not going to deduct any stars for the security who was tailing my friend and I after departing an Art History tour. I turned down the wrong walkway & it became obvious that she was in fact, following my ass. We just laughed about it & she left us alone as we checked out the Japanesque exhibit.
Next time I'm going to check out the cafe. -
Review from Betty and Mike C.
San Francisco, CA
2/1/2012 1 Check-in Here
Legion of Honor is located on a beautiful hill overlooking the sweeping views of SF.
Don't be surprised if you see family portraits or engagement shoots occurring here when you arrive as the architecture of the museum itself is magnificent and grand.
There's also grassy lawn right outside of the museum (on an Indian summer day it would be perfect for a picnic).
Parking can be a challenge but along the side of the museum there are quite a few spaces and there are people leaving all the time.
If you are a BoA card holder, don't miss out on getting in for free on the first weekend of the month.
The artwork inside as others have commented on is Renaisance/medieval (I'm a modern art fan myself) When we went they had Medusa's Head on exhibit and there are rotating special exhibits depending on when you go. -
Review from kim-van t.
San Pablo, CA
Great little gem of a museum in SF!
The actual museum is gorgeous! There's also a great view of the golden gate bridge from the museum.
$10 for general admission.
Free parking, definite plus. -
Review from Elizabeth J.
San Francisco, CA
1/31/2012
The Legion of Honor is great. They have standing exhibits such as their fabulous fine china and works from a mix of European artists as well as rotating exhibits such as the current Pissarro show and 'Medusa' by Bernini.
The building itself is a half scale replica of the French Legion of Honor in Paris. The building was a gift from the French after WWII. A must see if you are in this part of town...and if you buy a ticket here you can also get into the basic exhibits at the DeYoung. Score! -
Review from Ann L.
1/15/2012
Went to Legion of Honor on Sun 1/15/12 and got there kinda late, we lucked out on parking because someone was leaving. They have a small FREE lot, down the hill are signs saying "No Parking Any Time" and people still were parking there - crazy.
Things we saw:
Pissarro's People - Lower level. It was ok.
Artistic SF - some neat artwork on SF scenes. Lower level.
Favorite things: Exhibit of artist books in memory of David Logan - old books, no photos allowed. Meh for me. Lower Level.
Bernini's Medusa - Just the one bust. Neat & a bunch of us took pics & didn't get yelled at, just No Flash. Main level.
Organ player was playing Sundays - that's always cool.
Bathrooms: lower level.
Closes at 5:15pm. Stayed 1hr15m.Listed in: Museums in SF
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Review from Faith Y.
1/4/2012
Not to disrespect my hometown of Seattle but the museums in San Francisco are some of the best I've seen on the West Coast. The Legion of Honor is no exception.
The first thing you see is "The Thinker" by Rodin in the courtyard. For some reason, I thought it was a very nice looking copy so asked a museum employee where the "real" statue was. Fine arts faux pas right there. Also didn't realize there are several casts of this statue all over the world, everyone wins!
Since there was barely an hour to closing, my friends and I got to slip in for free. They were displaying Bernini's tortured cast of Medusa as one of their special exhibitions, originally on display at the Capitoline Museum in Rome (where I was lucky enough to see it for the first time studying abroad). Two other special exhibits were "The Mourners" and "Pisarro's People" (the latter for an extra fee).
By far, my favorite rooms housed an impressive Rodin sculpture collection and gorgeous paintings by instantly recognizable French Impressionists, both extremely beautiful and distinctive of their era. Their permanent collection alone is impressive for a small museum.
It's a relatively small place and I was able to see everything I wanted in the hour we had left. In addition to the wonderfully grand name, it's less stuffy than most arts museums and they have a mini glass pyramid homage to the Louvre out front. Plus they allow non-flash photography in most of the exhibits. Love their style and would pay a second, third and fourth visit in a heartbeat. -
Review from Lauren T.
San Francisco, CA
1/14/2012 1 Check-in Here
My fiancé and I came here to check it out as a possible venue for our wedding. I thought this would be the definate space we would be hitched in; however, after visiting I don't think it is. I must say it is beautiful just not what we want. I still suggest checking it out. Here are some things we didn't like:
Feels too pretencious. Yes I know it is he Legion. But... If you want to get married about a bunch of rich white men looking down at you, this is the place for you. just didn't feel right.
Your wedding would be separated into three seperate rooms which I personally don't like.
To tent off the court yard and do it outside it would be 25,000
Just as late of a start time as other mesum venues and just as much. -
Review from Jon T.
1/8/2012 1 Check-in Here
What a beautiful museum. It's architecture and placement are sublime, and of course, the works inside are pretty good too.
Some of my favorite features are the Rodin sculptures and all the French victorian rooms (which I believe are permanent fixtures.) Also, as a Classics major, I appreciate the modest collection of greek/roman pieces in the downstairs section.
I don't go up as often as I'd like because it's a bit out of the way unless you live around that part of the city. But there are a lot of great exhibitions here and it's really worth the trek. Also, because it's so far out, I feel like it gets a slightly less tourist vibe than some of the other museums in the city (which is definitely a plus.) -
Review from Rayni K.
12/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
What a spectacular museum! I came to visit with my family on one of their free admission days, and to my surprise, it wasn't as busy or hectic as I was dreading it to be. Yes, it was crowded, but not overwhelmingly so.
The layout is interesting. When I first noticed it I wanted to dock a star, but after viewing what all the rooms had to offer, it's really a small inconvenience more than anything. We started with the lower level before jumping in to the main rooms that are on the main level. The layout that I consider interesting is in the main level.
If you walk straight in, you are caught in what seems to be the special exhibition room. It's the one that most people are in. When you turn left, the artwork gets older. When you turn right, the artwork gets more modern. I don't quite like that.
I ended up walking as quickly as possible to the room that contained the oldest artwork and slowly made my way through the ages. I'm not one to be obsessed with chronological order (after all, I loved Memento), but there is something about viewing art in that order - I love seeing the progression.
It is rather strange for me that photography is mostly allowed. No complaints, except that people can get really obnoxious about it. So please be respectful.
The architecture of the building itself is also quite spectacular. It felt like I was in a museum in Europe. Well, as far as I can tell from my extensive experience...um...watching movies set in Europe. Ahem.
Truly glad that I finally got to visit this museum after years and years of visiting SF and the bay area at least once a year. Yet another reason why it's my favorite city in the US of A. -
Review from Michael M.
San Francisco, CA
11/18/2011 2 Check-ins Here
I hardly knew of this place until I got a membership for the museums of San Francisco. I now try to get here for every major exhibit. Now on display are The Mourners, PIssarro's People, and Medusa. And you will not turn to stone looking at the head.
The special exhibits can be very good, and worth a look. The permanent collection is nothing to sneeze at, but go for the special exhibits. No matter when you go there will always be something to see.
You don't need timed tickets to visit, and can just show up. Parking can be hard at times and you may need to hike a bit. Make a picnic and enjoy the great views, when it's not fogged in. -
Review from Roy N.
10/8/2011 3 photos
Truly a beautiful museum and in my opinion, the most European feeling of all in our fair city. Since my elderly, over-grown teenager of a father seems to do nothing but lay in bed all day lately as his health deteriorates, we have been trying to come up with ideas that will force him to walk and get some exercise. Tuesday morning, I realized that the first Tuesday of the month is free at the Legion of Honor (and De Young) so we poked him out of bed and came here.
Ever since the major renovation they had over a decade ago, the Legion of Honor has always been one of my favorites, especially with all the Rodin that Mrs. Spreckels donated many years ago. She made many worthwhile contributions to the city in her time and this museum is one of them. As we walked through all the various halls, I explained to my dad about her and reminded him of the statue of her that I had pointed out while dining at Burger Bar in Union Square.
Rodin has always been my favorite and seeing his timeless staues is always a moving and emotional experience for me. In one hall, I was surprised by a statue of a squatting female that I had never noticed before which seemed especially risque. I don't remember the name, but believe it was named after a woman with a name starting in E. Elsa? I don't remember, but thought it to be especially racy for the era.
Didn't think to take a picture of it at the time, but did take a couple while there. Next time, I'll get one of her for sure.
In an era of greed and ridiculous price gouging for just about everything imaginable, it is comforting to see that the prices for our city's museums remain at a reasonable rate so that everyone, especially today's youth can explore and enjoy. I recently went to Coit Tower the other day, only to discover that the stairway was closed (as always for years) and that the $3.00 fee for the rickety elevator ride to the top was now $7.00! For three people, that would have been $21.00. You have got to be kidding me. Hmmm, I see another review coming up.
Unlike the Academy of Sciences, the Legion of Honor and De Young museum still have reasonable admission pricing and also a free day, once a month. These are not profit centers nor were they ever intended to be. Hoping that whoever is in charge will work hard to keep it this way so that future generations of San Franciscans and visitors can enjoy and get their culture for years to come. That's what museums are all about. -
Review from gg w.
Flushing, NY
1/13/2012
Love the sculptures and architecture. You are on top of a hill in the middle Lincoln park/golf course, so you are overlooking a lot of beautiful green land and into the pacific. Awesome view.
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Review from Steph W.
Daly City, CA
12/1/2011
I'm definitely a history nerd and love going to museums. the Legion of Honor is one of the most gorgeous museums I've been to. I can definitely see what many people have photoshoots in the area.
One of the best exhibits that I've seen at the Legion of Honor was the Cartier and America. Although it got a little claustrophobic at times, I was in shock and awe of the amazing displays and beautiful pieces. Another of my favorites was Very Postmortem: Mummies and Medicine.
I definitely appreciate the flow of the museum. Parking may be a little difficult, at times, though. -
Review from vic f.
Oakland, CA
11/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
Who'd think SF has its own mini Louvre with pyramid and all. Came by for the Medusa exhibition and got a little culture. Love all th mini galleries especially the Impressionists and Rodin. So inspired I got a little "Water Lillies" print for my WC. Now I am craving another trip to Paris for warm baguettes and foie gras.
Also loved the tons of wedding parties getting their ubiquitous Legion shots for their photo albums...it may not be the City of Lights but it might as well be the City of Love. -
Review from Jennifer B.
Los Angeles, CA
9/26/2011
It blows my mind how surprised people are by the art in the permanent collection. I know the Legion of Honor is small, but it packs an impressive collection.
PERMANENT COLLECTION: Here's a sampler of what you can expect to see (and recognize if you've taken an art appreciation class) when you visit:
- Waterlilies by Claude Monet (1914)
- St. John the Baptist - El Greco (1600)
- St. Francis Venerating the Crucifix by El Greco (1595)
- Trotting Horse by Edgar Degas (1881)
- The Grand Canal by Claude Monet (1908)
- The Eiffel Tower by Georges Seurat (1889)
- A whole Rodin collection (not as good as the Cantor in Palo Alto), including The Thinker and The Kiss
Other big names include Rembrandt, Gainsborough, Jacques-Louis David, Renoir, Cézanne, just to name a handful.
CAFE: I love this cafe so much. They theme their menus around the special exhibits. Most recently, they offered Dutch fare to go with the current Dutch and Flemish Masterworks from the Rose-marie and Eijk Van Otterloo Collection exhibition. Despite the fact that the specifics on the menu change, the quality never waivers, and you can expect perfect pastries and sandwiches each visit. I had the Quiche Lorraine, and I'll be bold and say it was probably in the top 5 quiches I've had in my lifetime.Listed in: I Heart Art
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Review from Rachel N.
11/5/2011
In the true spirit of Saturday, Jake and I played "geriatric married couple" and took a stroll around LoH -- it's worth going up there for the view alone -- you're facing the Marin Headlands and GG Bridge on one side and then sweeping views of the city on the other -- a treat.
The art is pretty solid -- I explained it as very representative of certain periods of time (British 19th C, Dutch 17th C), but perhaps not major works by name brand artists -- though they do have some of the most lovely Rodin sculptures I've seen Stateside. The current Pissarro exhibit is worth a look -- lots of sketches, as well as finished oils -- nice to see the process -- and the write ups accompanying the works are well done, if not a bit repetitive (apparently he was a Sephardic Jew anarchist?)
The actual museum is beautiful -- similar to the Frick in NY but with more marble -- it feels like you're walking around your billionaire uncle's amazing house, who happened to have a thing for sarcophagi and marble busts of Louis XIV. Did I kind of want to suggest we spent the night there? Yes, kind of....in a real way.
Oh, and for the golfers in the crowd, the Presidio golf course abuts the grounds, so you can scoot over there in your golf cart, see some art, sip a nice little soy latte at the cafe, and then get back to tee-off.
Overall, a hidden gem. -
Review from Ashley S.
Updated - 12/9/2011
I just checked out the Pissarros People exhibit. It runs until January 22nd. I highly recommend it. I splurged for the headset. I found it very rewarding. I learned a lot about the artist and had a much greater appreciation for his work. The best part of his work is the dimension and point of view his work takes. I would turn around and see one of his paintings from across the room and fall in love with it even more then from a couple feet away. There is also the chance to see one of his paintings that has not been restored. It was recently discovered. The texture of the painting is that of when it first was painted. It was great to see the difference between one that has not gone through any restoration process and those that had.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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9/24/2011
I just checked out the exhibit on Dutch' Golden Age of art. While I'm not usually a fan of this type… Read more »
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Review from Katherine F.
Dublin, CA
Updated - 8/2/2011
Today we attended *Dutch and Flemish Masterworks from the Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Collection*
Amazing...although my heart is still with a slightly older generation of Flemish art....it was phenomenal.
Early on a discount Tuesday suits us just fine. It was very uncrowded.Listed in: Adventures close to home
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
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10/20/2010
Today we attended the current *Japanesque* show.
It was by far the best museum experience I have… Read more »
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Review from Steve J.
San Jose, CA
10/24/2011
This is a very good museum, but it falls short in my opinion of 4 or 5 stars for two reasons: Pricey for the size, and what they have chosen to exhibit.
i visited about 8 or 10 years ago, and was really impressed by some of the things they had that I had never seen in any other museum. They had an entire room from an 18th century French hotel reconstructed. They had a number of the interiors of houses from Europe, built during the dark ages, reconstructed. These were small, primitive, very basic dwellings. But it was fascinating to enter them and imagine how people lived in the 11-13th centuries. They also had sculptures, paintings, all the things you see in any museum.
I went back today expecting to see all that and perhaps more, since the Museum had done a renovation and added space in the years in between my visits. I was disappointed because the dark ages European homes were gone. It seemed as only a portion of the French hotel room was there, plus a wood paneled room from another structure. There was room after room of paintings. Blah...All of these museums have paintings. After a while they don't seem to be that much different. Removing the unique architectural pieces and replacing the space with more of the same paintings really takes this museum from great to average, in my opinion.
$10 for the basic admission, $15 to see the traveling exhibits and the museum. Not a good value imo.
I still recommend people visit the Legion of Honor, but in my opinion the managers have made mistakes and could be doing much better. -
Review from Nathan C.
San Francisco, CA
8/11/2011
This museum has a number of nice pieces. It's not nearly as large as some others around the country, such as the Met or the Art Institute. However, that's not necessarily a bad thing since large museums can get overwhelming. It was nice to cover most of the museum in an hour or two, and then go grab lunch.
However, this review is mainly for the staff and their incompetence. We stopped by last weekend on a Bank of America free weekend (+1 star). We had rushed to get to the museum in time for the 12pm European highlights tour. After getting our tickets, we went over to the membership/information counter to ask them where to meet for the tour. In response, we got a shitload of attitude and condescension from booth guy. It was weird. I think he was irked that we weren't members, but it was like he had forgotten that Information was part of his booth responsibilities. He kept emphasizing that we needed tickets over and over again (which we already had). No shit we need tickets. Finally, they seemed slightly unsure of themselves, but told us to wait in the main lobby for the tour.
After checking out a few of the sculptures, we returned to the lobby a few minutes before the hour. A handful of people seemed to also be waiting for the tour. And wait we did. About 5 minutes after the hour, a docent still hadn't shown up. We checked in with the staff. Initially, they told us just to keep waiting. Then we checked in again. Apparently the docent had signed in and was around, but was running late.
A few minutes later, the staff told us that it was really a 12:15 tour and that the docent really wasn't late, but rather, was "on time." What the fuck? Tell that to your fucking website and sign above the membership counter, both of which still say 12:00. Tell that to your dumbasses that failed to mention that to us earlier, when we had asked about the 12 o'clock tour. Tell that to the 5-10 of us who wasted the last 20 minutes of our lives waiting for a docent who never showed.
We gave it another 10 minutes, and then decided to check out the museum on our own. However, by then, I was just so miffed by their incompetence that it was difficult to enjoy the art.
+1 star for the Bank of America free weekend
+4 stars for the art
-4 stars for the staff
Message to the museum management: Please get your shit together and teach your staff/volunteers to be a little more professional. -
Review from Adelina W.
San Francisco, CA
9/26/2011 1 Check-in Here
As a native San Franciscan I am ashamed to say this was my first visit here. This is a beautifully built museum that reminded me of the museums I visited in France, just on a smaller scale.
I came while they showed the Dutch and Flemish Masterworks. The exhibit was wonderful, but I enjoyed the porcelain display the most. The museum has a lot to offer inside and out. The beauty of the exhibits and the views of the SF Bay Area will leave you speechless. -
Review from Nick L.
San Francisco, CA
10/3/2011
This museum is on the smaller side but still packs in plenty.
Probably the most famous piece is Monet's Waterlilies but you also have some piece from the same ear by Renoir, Degas and Manet. I'm not art connoisseur so I can't go into detail. This is a review from someone who happened to be at the place at some time.
When you arrive, you have to battle for parking, there's not really a sizable lot to speak of so good luck on that front. I'm not sure if this had anything to do with the fact that it was a BoA weekend where you can get in for free or if it's always like that.
When you approach you are visually greeted by the architecture of the place. It's fairly imposing as you walk up to the entrance. As you walk past the main gate you see what looks like a mini replica of what looks like the Pyramid at the Louvre made more well known by Tom Hank's movie "The Da Vinci code"
Once inside it is pretty easy to navigate and see everything without the need for a map. On display at the time of our visit were amongst other things were the Mourners.These are small statues from Burgundy in France made hundreds of year ago. The detail and quality are impressive given how long ago these were made. Definitely a highlight. No pictures allowed but nevertheless amazing.
The rest of the museum contains contemporary pieces, from oil painting by the aforementioned artists and some sculptures by Rodin all the way to some more modern pieces.
All in all - a very worthwhile visit. I'll be back. -
Review from Ruthie V.
7/10/2011 1 photo
Located in Lincoln Park, one of the most scenic areas in San Francisco. The Legion of Honor is a musuem filled with art from all over the world. I got to see two Rembrandts, one upstairs and one down. You can take photos upstairs but not down so I was able to get some good shots. There are sculptures and porcelain, clay pots, etc. We spent about 1.5 hours until it closed. I would have loved to spend more time but that's what happens when you get there late like we did.
Try and go before the Mosaic leaves (I think in August) and goes back to Israel where it was recently discovered and unearthed during a road widening project. It's awesome to have it before you and there is a short video showing how they removed it from the ground and preserved it.
Don't forget to check out the overlook of the golf course and stop by the Holocaust Memorial. The Memorial is located outside next to the lookout. It's amazing that there were so many death camps. You hear of Auchwitz but there were many, many more and they're inscripted on the memorial. It's a sad but gentle reminder of what horror the Jews endured during a tragic time in history.
We always drive down the park to see the spectacular view of the GG Bridge while we're at Lincoln Park. I love to sit on a bench (there are quite a few) and enjoy it all, especially on a sunny day. -
Review from Debby F.
Monterey, CA
1/5/2012
I won't go into detail, since so many other reviews do a much finer job that I could. I am not an art major, and where I live there is nothing like this. So, I felt like a country bunkin' who was seeing incredible art for my first time. I stayed for four hours, because I just sat and marveled at the incredible detail in so many of the paintings. This surprised me, because I expected to be a little ho-hum, and I'd be chomping at the bit to leave. I'm so glad that my friend recommended that we come here. I'm glad that I paid the $7 for the headphones so that I could better understand the art that I was looking at. I left with a deeper appreciation for centuries of art, and I especially loved the Dutch painters. The view, on a clear day, is breathtaking in itself. We enjoyed the drive back to the City, via Lincoln Blvd. By the way, we had lunch in the cafeteria which was surprisingly good. Great selection of beer, quick and efficient service, and lots of organic and fresh ingredients. Considering it was a FREE day of admission, I felt like we scored a special gem of a day in one of my favorite getaway cities.
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Review from Lily N.
San Mateo, CA
9/17/2011
Oh, my, this place is beautiful. The front of the building is gorgeous, and you have a beautiful view of the golden gate bridge (slightly) and water.
The place is actually pretty big inside, and it's really tiring to look through all the art if you're the type who does that.
Notable pieces include The Thinker, The Kiss (Rodin), and Water Lilies (Monet). Lots of great pieces.
I've seen pictures of a giant, ornate ceiling and almost missed it had I not looked up.
There is also a Holocaust memorial on the grounds that's pretty poignant.
Look for free days! -
Review from M C.
San Francisco, CA
Back in the day it was easy to come here and find parking. Not so anymore. Came here on a Thursday and was lucky to find someone leaving.
The place is beautiful and the art inside is speechless, since there are rarely any stupid kids running around. -
Review from Michelle S.
San Leandro, CA
6/13/2011 3 photos
I work near here and yet I'm still drawn to it. The architecture is beautiful and the exhibits within are quite intriguing.
I came here for the Magna Carta and the Pulp Fashion exhibit.
Parking is a bit hard to find and there was a line even on a gloomy Saturday with only a few hours left till closing. My suggestion is to order your tickets in advance to avoid the long line. It didn't take too long to get in, but I'm just impatient.
The Magna Carta was amazing. It still had the original wax seal. The lettering was beautiful (even though I couldn't make out most of it).
Pulp Fashion-I never knew you can make something look so real and so beautiful out of pulp. I had a blast comparing the pulp replica to the original artwork through out the museum. The attention to detail was amazing the and dyes were vibrant.
I have a whole new appreciation for dyes because of this exhibit.
In addition to that there were other exhibits that had Japanese art, pottery, paintings from the baroque era, cabinets with intricate detail and beautiful craftsman ship, etc. There was even live music upstairs where they featured artwork from Rodin.
All in all it's not the biggest museum, but it is definitely filled with great exhibits.
The view outside is spectacular as well. -
Review from V B.
Burlingame, CA
5/16/2011 1 Check-in Here
Kids today have it so easy. They wanna see porn, all they have to do is fire up their Macbooks and launch Safari and you are seconds away from ending up in a confessional this Saturday. But back in my day, to catch a glimpse of girls sans clothes I had to travel half way around the world.
The year was 1986, I was 12 and had never seen naked boobs in full motion. I was too young for R rated movies and there was no internet. So really my only access to viewing porn was whenever I was at my friends house and checking out his big brothers stash of Playboy.
That summer my parents entered a triathlon in Roth, Germany. We would be tagging along with one of my dad's coworkers and his 14 year old son. I had never heard of Roth before, but I did know it was a small town and not to expect too much excitement.
Race Day.
The day came, and my parents knowing that spending 10 plus hours watching a triathlon wouldn't be the most exciting thing ever left me my dad's friends son together back at the hotel.
"Now don't you boys get in any trouble ok?"
My friend and I hanging out playing a hand held video game (Yes kids, we had video games back then) when he looks up and says to me. "you know, there is a theater in town that shows X-rated movies"
Ok, I'm listening.
He goes on to tell me that this being Europe, that the locals are much more open when it comes to nudity and that anyone at any age can walk into a movie theater and see naked ladies.
So where might this X rated movie theater be?
"It's just a few blocks away, they are showing a matinee at 1:00 we could go and be back before our parents return and they would never know"
I must admit, I was feeling very nervous and thought something might go wrong. The German Police could be planning a sting and arrest us as we try and purchase tickets. But I weighed my options and boobies won out.
Just as my friend had promised, the theater didn't bat an eye and sold us tickets. It was assigned seating and took a few minutes to find our digs. At this point I started hyperventilating. I mean in just a few minutes I am going to see real live boobs!
But, something was just not right. I take a look around the theater and see quite a few families sitting around us. Moms with their young children seated just a few feet from us. I started to think that German parents were the coolest parents on the planet. I mean taking your kids to a porn flick? How rad is that?
The lights dim and the movie starts. Long story short, it was an animated flick about a girl and her missing balloon. And no, the girl was not naked.
Fast forward a few years later, and today it's historical documents and Impressionist art that gets me hot. And Tomorrow the Legion of Honor will be porn central as they will have in it's temporary collection an original copy of the Magna Carta. -
Review from Sana S.
San Francisco, CA
7/11/2011
How can you give this museum anything less than five stars. It's majestic and although I'm not an art expert, it's amazing to see all the different works they bring in.
We came here on a Sunday morning and they had a pipe organ concert in the front hall. It was so mesmerizing!
This museum and the surrounding paths hold great memories for me. It's the most picturesque park in the city, and you can trust me this, you will take some of the most romantic walks you will every take in your life. But you have to bring the right person with you! -
Review from Eric B.
4/29/2011
The California Palace of the Legion of Honor is a neat fine art museum, both in terms of their collections and the building itself. And because of its location near the water, it's wonderfully scenic and romantic. No wonder I often see happy couples having their weddings and/or pictures taken. Parking can be challenging, but is not impossible and there are times that I feel that I have this museum to myself. And somewhere in the middle of my visit, I like their cafe and museum shop. If you want, you can then drive over the the De Young on the same admission. But personally, I'd stay here within this great open and well lit space as long as I could.
And here's today's Historical footnote:
The Legion of Honor was the gift of Alma de Bretteville Spreckels, wife of the sugar magnate and Thoroughbred racehorse owner/breeder Adolph B. Spreckels The building is a three-quarters scale imitation of the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur. It was completed in 1924.
The museum building occupies an elevated site in Lincoln Park with views over the Golden Gate Bridge. Most of the surrounding Lincoln Park Golf Course is on the site of a potter's field called the "Golden Gate Cemetery" that the City had bought in 1867.
The plaza and fountain in front of the Palace of the Legion of Honor is the western terminus of the Lincoln Highway, the first road across America. The terminus marker and an interpretive plaque are located in the southwest corner of the plaza and fountain, just to the left of the Palace. -
Review from Mariel F.
Alameda, CA
8/9/2011
My Favorite Past Exhibitions
- Cartier and America
- Artistic Luxury: Fabergé, Tiffany, & Lalique
- Pulp Fashion: The Art of Isabelle de Borchgrave
I Love Chihuly & Wearable Art.
I enjoy each visit.
Everything is so beautiful.
I recommend coming here. -
Review from Emeline V.
7/27/2011
The museum in itself is so beautiful and large! I went specifically to see the Flemish exhibit which was an absolute feast for the eyes! The audio-guide was a great tool and really to the point. The virtual presentation at the entrance of the exhibition really helps focus the visitor. The permanent exhibition is huge and a tad confusing at first (so many periods, so many rooms lined up) but you quickly get the hang of it.
I like the diversity in the museum, in terms of styles and periods (not native, or Asian art unfortunately although there is currently a small ukiyoe exhibit). I wish they could add a bit more about the history of the Museum in itself: how come there are so many Rodins? Why the French flag?
I recommend going early, and I should note that the tall Asian gentleman at the admissions desk on Saturday mornings is a sweet as they come..
The golf park in which it is in is massive and beautiful as well, a great walk! Visiting the park and going to the museum actually makes for a great outing! Should you be hungry, the brand new Fresh & Easy at 32nd and Clement offers some delicious fresh food. I haven't been to the Museum cafe yet tough.. -
Review from Jason L.
Pasadena, CA
8/15/2011
Again, tons of great work under this roof, but it's an overwhelming amount to get through. I felt that some of the rooms were a little repetitive. Also, they don't really have any memorable pieces of art that you'd find in your art history books, but it's all very good art. I found the furniture pieces to be amazing. Divide and conquer through multiple days.
Best piece is by a one William Adolphe Bouguereau. I stared at it for 10 minutes.
The Finnish exhibit was really impressive. -
Review from Rylan C.
7/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Although this place is so much smaller than most museums I've seen in Paris and London, I still think that this place definitely holds its own because it really knows how to show the things that it has.
The collection is definitely smaller but it's not exhausting thinking that you could go through this museum in a couple of hours.
The flow of the building is kind of weird since it's shaped like a horseshoe and you enter through the middle but at least it'll give you a second chance to revisit the pieces that you didn't notice the first time walking through.
The museum tends to be free on certain Tuesdays so try to go on a Tuesday so that you don't have to pay. There also have great exhibits here occasionally. -
Review from Michael C.
Honolulu, HI
I was truly impressed with this museum. It's just simply breathtaking inside and out.
First of all, regarding parking: There is limited parking in the museum parking lot, and if that's full (most likely it might be) you can park at a lot down the road from the museum OR on the street to the right of the museum.
Walking up to the museum, I was just in awe looking up at the building, it's like something out of a history book. Everything from the courtyard, to the grounds, to the magnificent columns lining the perimeter of the courtyard just takes your breath away.
You're "greeted" at the entrance to the museum courtyard by a sculpture called "The Thinker" who is in a hunched position looking like he's....what else, thinking of course. There is a pyramid structure near the entrance to the museum (that honestly looks Lourve-esque), which looks like it may have a light feature to be used in the evening.
$: Admission to the museum for adults is $10 general and $15 for general + admission to the special exhibits.
TIP: Make sure to pick up a map/guide to the museum when you pay admission, as each section is numbered and the guide will tell you what art/pieces are from each specific time period.
The upper level contains the majority of the exhibits: Paintings, sculptures, chairs, glasses, couches, etc. The galleries are wide and spacious with high ceilings and definitely give the patrons an almost regal emotion or feel as they view all of these exquisite and inspiring pieces of art. I have to say that the gallery that gave me that feeling of "awe" was the gallery 1 which contains paintings by Monet, Cezanne, and Picasso. I have to say I couldn't believe my eyes that I was in the presence of artwork by these famous and historical artists. The lower level contains the museum cafe and giftshop, more exhibits, and most importantly, the special exhibits, which as of this writing is Pulp Fashion.
Bottom Line: A must see for the art-lover if visiting SF. Wonderful. Amazing. Inspiring.Listed in: Bay Area and More!
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Review from Meara G.
San Francisco, CA
8/4/2011
This is the second part of my amazing birthday present. I had only been here once before I got my membership. It was with my mom and little sister (16) and we went to see the Marie Antoinette show. I got to see the bed from her bedroom. Her clothes and furniture, it was all very cool.
Then the first time I went this year was to see the Pulp Fashion show. I thought it was going to be a show of Elizabethan era dresses, which would be cool in itself. But when I get there it is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. PAPER DRESSES! FROM MY FAVORITE PAINTINGS! My first thought is who has been doing these amazing works and why haven't I been following them around in a VW Bus for the past decade. Such delicate that all you can think is "how maddening it must have been to try and get that tissue paper to drape exactly like that". My best friend and I found our wedding dress there, but we found it would be in poor taste to try and try it on.
I also saw the Japanese print show. WOW. i now am obsessed with Hiroshige and Hokusai. What amazing colors and beautiful landscapes. And their dedication to the beauty of Mt. Fuji fired up my own feelings of dedication I have for the bay area and its beauty.
Then there are their small shows ( no pun intended) that you walk into not knowing anything and fall in love. Their miniature show made me a little girl again. I forgot how much I loved pretty little things. So, so, so tiny. How could he make that knight killing that dragon so colorful and detailed, and about a half an inch in diameter. Freaking amazing.
Then there are the grounds around the museum. After each visit, before I leave I like to walk over on the lawn towards the bay and sit on the wall. Just sit and look out at the bay and the marin headlands and end all that surreal beauty you just saw inside with some very real beauty all around you. -
Review from Kevin L.
5/8/2011 4 photos
The Legion is the sister of the De Young, which is located in Golden Gate Park, and personally, I like the De Young better, mostly because it's larger and there's a wide range of exhibits, compared to the Legion.
There are definitely less people at the Legion and I love the paintings, but I've seen most of them (after several trips) and I only come when there's a special exhibit, which are definitely worth coming to. Once or twice is enough, unless you're here for the special exhibits.
Directly to the right of the museum, there is a small trail that leads to a spectacular view of the Golden Gate bridge. Parking is tight. The entrance to Land's End (amazing!) is just down the street if you go east.Listed in: Up in The City
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Review from Christy Z.
San Francisco, CA
5/1/2011 1 photo
Walking into the Legion of Honor is like stepping into a European plaza. I loved the pillars and the thinker statue. Plus the grounds and view, I'm thinking I need to come back and have a little photo session.
I came to see the Pulp Fashion exhibition. WOW! Simply amazing. I couldn't get over the amount of detail and how intricate some of the pieces were, especially the lace collars. -
Review from Chiara A.
6/20/2011 1 Check-in Here
Cor, it has been quite sometime that I have been to the Legion of Honor--way too long! I have not been back here in quite sometime. I missed out some great recent exhibitions--the Magna Carta and the Impressionist Paris, to name two of them. I am a fan this year!
I came especially for the Isabelle de Borchgrave's "Pulp Fashion" which was closing 12 June. I thought it was quite amazing that Ms. De Borchgrave's works of art were paper that she painted herself, it was hard to believe that I was not looking at cloth! They seemed so real! I was there for an hour and a half. . .I would have stayed a little longer except it was Friday and it was crowded. (I had time to go view the Balenciaga at the de Young, so off I went.)
I decided to bite the bullet and invest in a student membership. I could use the membership at both the Legion of Honor and the de Young Museums. Both museums have some really interesting upcoming exhibitions between them. "Balenciaga and Spain" and "Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musée National Picasso, Paris" at the de Young. At the Legion of Honor: "Reading the Floating World: Japanese Ukiyo-e Books from the Collection of Arthur Tress" and "Marvelous Menagerie: A Roman Mosaic from Lod, Israel." I will be back at the Legion of Honor to spend more time there, as well as taking in the Rodin works at residence there.
Upcoming at the Legion of Honor: "Dutch and Flemish Masterworks from the Rose-Marie and Eijk van Otterloo Collection;" The Mourners: Tomb Sculpture from the Court of Burgundy:" and "Pissarro's People." I am looking forward to "The Mourners" coming to the Legion of Honor. -
Review from David P.
2/25/2011 1 Check-in Here
Went for the special exhibit on the fashion designs of Isabelle de Borchgrave (http://www.isabelledeb...) which was spectacular by the way.
Otherwise, the Fine Arts Museum at the Legion of Honor is a sad reminder that that San Francisco is not a world class cultural city. SF has allot of things going for it, but the fine arts is not one of them. (Sorry, I'm just not that into Tilson-Thomas and Mahler.) They try real hard, but none of their collections from any period are significant enough to provide much of a perspective. A few Athenian vases over here, a few eclectic Realist and Impressionist works over there, and a few
sculptures in between.
I'm grateful I had enough representative samples from different periods to educate my 10 year old son on the basics of art history. But even he seemed to note the sparsity. "What, no water lilies or a Van Gough?" He even noted the irony of their having a mini-pyramid out front: "are they trying to be like the Louvre or something?"
