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Legion of Honor
Rating Details »
Neighborhood: Outer Richmond
100 34th Ave
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 750-3600
100 34th Ave
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 750-3600
- Hours:
Tue-Sun. 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
317 reviews for Legion of Honor
Music and paintings at one location.
One of my favorite spots in the city!
Why?
Because I get two of my favorite things at a time!
A free pipe organ concert and "Claude" Monet's paintings!
Most of the visitors miss this chance but on Saturday and Sunday, they have free pipe organ concerts around 4:00p.m.
Q. What is amazing about this museum?
A. Thousands of hidden pipes of the organ upstairs.
Q. What is "more" amazing thing about this museum?
A. The ceilings of the halls look like they are made of marble but they are actually made of canvas so that the sound of pipes goes through!
What a clever idea it is! The marble-looking canvas ceilings are the art as well.
Attention! Do not be deceived by those chairs to sit on!
The best place to listen to the pipe organ music here is not at the hall where organ console is placed.
The best place is the next small hall between the Hall with the organ console and the entrance hall where you get the tickets.
It is always a wonderful experience to enjoy the music and the paintings at the same time.
Be there.
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Free on the first Tuesday of the month!!
I arrived around noon on the amazingly gorgeous first Tuesday of October. Blue skies as far as the eye could see, and not the slightest chill in the air. Being a free day, I was expecting a madhouse, but it was delightfully uncrowded.
The exterior is gorgeous, featuring a column-enclosed courtyard leading up to the palace. The building is situated in the middle of the park, overlooking the bay and Golden Gate Bridge.
And the interior is enjoyable as well. They have a pretty decent sized collection of Rodin statues. I'm not a huge fan of the 15th-16th century uber religious paintings, so we made our way through those galleries pretty quickly. I was mostly looking forward the the Impressionist gallery, as that is quite my cup of tea, and unfortunately it was much smaller than I had expected. Oh well.
On the lower level, we found a special exhibit featuring prints by John Baldessari. I wasn't expecting to see a modern photography exhibit in a fine arts museum, but I found quite a few of the pieces interesting, even if they were completely over my head.
I'm speedy when it comes to looking at art, I don't really sit and admire as I see others do. A docent took it upon himself to slow me down in one gallery and point out a few things on some of the paintings. I generally don't love unsolicited guidance, though I suppose I did learn something, so I let it pass.
I think I spent more time outside the Legion of Honor admiring the building and the view than I did inside looking at the art. But this museum is definitely worth the trip, especially when it's free!
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Wedding review:
My husband and I got married at the Legion in May of 2008 and the experience was exceptional in every way. The result was a memorable, romantic ceremony and reception, which our friends and family, more than a year later, are still talking about.
I read a really negative review of the Legion's event staff, which is what promoted me to write now - over a year after our wedding. I was really surprised at the negative review I read as my wedding was around the same time and I had none of those issues. I am very sorry that bride had difficulties, however my experience was great.
We got married in the Court of Honor and the entire bridal party had access to the theatre and dressing rooms (and bathroom!) prior to the ceremony and throughout the evening - good thing too because my sister left my husband's ring in her bag down there and one of the groomsmen had to run and get it during the ceremony! When we arrived we were greeted with a plate of yummy cheese and several bottles of champagne. It was a lovely, relaxing way to prepare for the ceremony.
The ceremony itself was a dream and I know that Vince the facilities manager for the Legion and Jill from Bon Appetit had a lot to do with it. Additionally, the coordination was really quite impressive (while we were taking pictures after the ceremony, we watched them break down the chairs, etc - they did it in under 20 minutes - amazing!). Both Vince and Jill were VERY helpful and responsive.
Lastly. It's hard to imagine what the cafe will look like all dressed up, but it's really quite nice. The wooden floors, chrome bar and black and white photos on the walls result in a modern and elegant look that when paired with the right linens and flowers is really quite stunning.
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I never been to the Legion of Honor, although I've been a SF Bay Area resident for 10 years. I was totally excited because I was using my free day admissions with my BofA card. Moreover, my daughter who is 12 and under got in free too.
Driving up to Legion, I was so amazed at the beauty of the museum. When we walking towards the entrance, the courtyard was filled with not only the 'The Thinker' statue, but of a wedding couple and party taking advantage of the cultured appearance.
There were so many rooms to choose from and so many exhibits to see. You can get lost after awhile to the multiple openings to each room and of course the spectacular paintings. Our save for last moment was the Monet 'Water Lillies' which reminds how lucky our world is to have artists who capture our hearts and appreciation. I can't wait to go back for other exhibits!
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Located in a picturesque setting, the Legion of Honor is one of the most beautiful art museums in the city of San Francisco. It has one of the best collection of medieval, classical, and modern paintings. Its exhibits are really good too! But I believe its the architecture of the building that separates the Legion of Honor from the other art galleries in the city. It feels like you're in a museum somewhere in Europe.
The Legion of Honor has an amazing collection of sculptures by Auguste Rodin, including the famous "Thinker". It also has a huge collection of decorative art. My favorite painting in the museum is "Pieta" by William-Adolphe Bouguereau. I'm not sure if it is still up. I did like the exhibit "Bonjour, Monsieur Courbet!".
This is probably one of my favorite museums in San Francisco. It's perfect for a quiet AND calm day looking at art (mostly paintings).And they have a large selection so its pretty big if you decide to go into all the galleries to see everything. (I think that this is also another wedding photography hot-spot too. Beware of the bridezillas.)
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The Legion of Honor is a favorite place to visit. Scenic views provide a relaxed, picturesque location. Waters edge is within view and the Roman architecture is cool and calm. I could feel my blood pressure drop as I walked into the Museum. The Legion transports me to a different time and space. No personal photo gallery should be without a few shots under the arches or next to the columns.
Roaming the many rooms of great works is a fun afternoon for the art lover. The permanent collection features works from the 15 - 18th century. Massive painting cover the walls offering images of baroque portraiture or scenes of daily life.
I highly recommend this museum if you're looking for works from this time period. I gather inspiration from the basement collection of Greek works. A nice selection of jewelry, black painted vases and found glass vases are in the side cabinets. A gallery filled with impressionist works are also on view featuring minor works from Van Gogh and one of Monet's later "Water Lily" painting are part of the permanent collection.
Not just the masters here. Cutting edge traveling exhibits from the post modern era are also on view.
I have to give a big thank you to the donors of these works who allow the general public to take in the colors. I appreciate you giving up such beautiful pieces of artworks.
Bay Area residence are lucky to have an extensive permanent collection at our fingertips and all for the admission fee of a very affordable $10.
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I like the setting and tempo of this museum. It's warm and cozy. Can't wait to come back here.
Me @ the Exploratorium: Where is the art museum at the Palace of Fine Arts?
Young Help Lady: Ummmm this is the only museum in the PFA...
Me: Oh, I meant the Legion of Honor!
Young Hep Lady: OH, you're totally in the wrong neighborhood! You should take the 28 to the Outer Richmond...
DUH
So from there I took the 28 to the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge (yeah, totally unintentional), got off since the driver wasn't the most informative (I WAS on the right #@$&#(&$ bus!), got back on the 28 and then to the 38 Geary where I walked the rest of the way.
As I was walking towards the monumental building, I saw the finishing setup of a wedding about to take place in front of the courtyard on that beautiful Saturday night.
The art that interested me the most were the impressionism and post-impressionism paintings of Monet (one of few Water Lilies collection. There is another set at the MFA in Boston), Renoir, and more. The collection is nothing too impressive though.
Definitely worth the visit, especially when I got in free with a BofA card during the 1st week of the month. 1-1.5 hrs is the max I would spend here. Not somewhere you can be lost in, however, like the SF MOMA.
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I went to see the Faberge Egg Exhibit and was completely amazed at everything in this particular exhibit. It was a bit crowded and seemed as though everyone that was in the museum was all viewing this exhibit at once. After leaving the Faberge Egg Exhibit, we went through the rest of the museum and it was quite impressive. Everything was greatly spaced, had it's own themes, and fully engaged my boyfriend and I.
Something that I thought was a great treat was the organist that played that afternoon. He played absolutely beautiful soothing music that just filled the main room. I would've paid for the entrance just to sit there and listen to him play.
Also the entrance of the museum in itself is extraordinary. I sat in that courtyard for hours just admiring its amazing architecture. I felt like I was in a whole 'nother country. You will always see plenty of weddings photos, filming, & etc going on in the immediate area.
In my opinion, this isn't a great museum to bring kids to ... I believe that the mid-20's crowd would enjoy and appreciate this museum a lot more.
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This review is just of the outside of Legion of Honor, as my husband and I stopped by after one of our jogs through a nearby trail. It is so beautiful, and I hope to make it into the museum at some point. It also has a Holocaust memorial outside, which we were able to take a look at. It is striking. I highly recommend everyone go check it out.
We went here for Mother's Day.. and when we got here found out to our pleasant surprise.. you get in free on Mother's Day! That includes *everyone,* not just Mothers! This place was obviously *meant* to be a museum.. Each room has a nice high vaulted roof and skylights that let in good light for viewing the art. As with the deYoung, I like it that you can get your face right up next to most of the oils and get a nice inkling of how the long-departed painter must have felt as he was doing the original.. Loved the Rodins ... and for Mother's Day they even had a good-time jazz band entertaining among the Rodins..
We managed to score some complimentary tickets to the downstairs exhibit of Tiffany and Faberge objects.. T'was interesting.. didn't take my breath away.. even though I was viewing objects of exquisite craftmanship and mind-boggling expensive materials... I was just thinkin' as I looked at all the ornate eggs and punchbowls and combs, and perfume bottles.. "WHY?" .. what sort of life would a person have to lead to find the pleasure derived from the acquisition and possession of these extravagant objects fulfilling and emotionally worth what they paid for them?
I could not imagine living such a life.. Better.. my own life.. as ordinary as it is.. I imagine it is in many ways much richer than theirs.. Although I can also imagine some Rothschild heir.. reading this.. and snickering.. "that old workerbee middle-class fool doesn't know what he's missing.."
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Legion of Honor - Simply beautiful and serene. Great place to bring your out of town guests. Great place to get married or have your wedding photo taken here. If you haven't visit here yet, stop what you doing and go!
At the suggestion of my coworker, I went to the Legion of Honor recently to see the Faberge Egg Exhibit. I really liked it, but went during a very busy time (last day of the exhibit) and felt it was too crowded to get a really good look at each exhibit. I would recommend not going to a popular exhibit on the last day!
The rest of the museum was very interesting if you like to look at paintings, sculptures and fine furniture craftmanship. The ceilings are beautiful in a lot of these rooms.
It was also neat to see the replica of Rodan's Thinking Man and the glass pyramid skylights in the front of the museum. It made me think about the Da Vinci Code book and movie. It made me wonder if there was a crypt below. :)
My two children were probably not as interested in this museum as I was. I was so glad I brought a stroller, it was a lot of walking, way too much for my 3 year old, and we would have been miserable if we had to take turns carrying her.
The best museum in San Francisco.
Gorgeous museum located in the outer-edges of the city, with a spectacular view of the ocean.The views from the property are some of the best in the bay area. Beautiful inside and out and all of the ccollection is impressive.
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I love going to museums and going to this one was no exception. We decided to go since I had the day off on a Tuesday. While I was skeptical since I hadn't heard of it, I was up for the activity. They have a exhibit occurring of Faberge, Tiffany, and Lalique.
We spent the first hour and a half wandering the top floor of paintings and sculptures from various artists. It was interesting though there was a large emphasis in a few halls of religious artifacts. Thought I don't mind, I have a few friends who find these pieces a bit much. Loved the French pieces of the 14th and 15th century. The exhibit was awesome! If you have the chance to go, I suggest it. All the beautiful intricate pieces really lets you appreciate the artwork.
ONE SIDE NOTE: It's $10 extra for the exhibit (student price =$16), $2 off if you use the Muni, and the 1st Tuesday of the month is free.
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ARTISTIC LUXURY: FABERGE, TIFFANY, LALIQUE
What a fabulous exhibit!
Walk into rooms filled with jewelry, silver and gold, and amazing miniatures. See the art that started Art Nouveau. See a dressing table of hand-hammered silver!
The art on display came from the 1900 World's Fair in Paris, and demonstrates the superior workmanship of the best the world had to offer for the rich and famous. Not only Faberge, Lalique, and the two Tiffanys, but also their best competition, are represented here.
Standing in this exhibit, I thought, "between the price of the raw materials, the artistry and craftsmanship, the rarity and age of the work, and its place in art history, I am sure this exhibit is worth millions, if not billions of dollars." Between the rubies, sapphires, diamonds, silver, gold, platinum, and innumerable other materials worked like cake icing in nearly microscopic detail, I could not help but feel rich and prosperous myself. Even the names of the collectors who lent their treasures for this exhibit were inspiring.
Lunch in the museum cafe also was a treat, as the sunlight in that room and the view of the lawn were as inspiring as ever.
$20 per person admitted us into the special exhibit, and showing our Muni transfer awarded us each a $2 discount. General admission is free the first Tuesday of the month, so it will only cost you $10 to see this exhibit on those days.
This special exhibit runs through May 31, 2009.
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8/4/2007
Dinner and a show. We went to the Legion of Honor for the "Cinema Supper Club." The concept was… Read more »
[pics added]
we came here specifically to see max klinger's work, and to check out the baldessari special show. especially cool was the interactive part of baldessari's exhibit. i was surprised that these artists were featured at the legion of honor because i've always assumed the LOH showcased a more classical/baroque kind of art. needless to say, i was delightfully surprised.
bouguereau's The Broken Pitcher made me cry. just a little bit. hormones do betray, indeed. also of note: the beautifully dramatic 15th century spanish ceiling.
i agree with other yelpers in that the location and actual museum is gorgeous. truly, the $10 admission is well worth it, as it also counts for free admission to the de young. there are additional discounts for students and those who show their muni bus transfers as well.
there is no photography allowed of any kind in the special exhibitions, though no-flash photography is allowed throughout the rest of the building. we left when the organ man began to play. something about the blaring church music amidst egyptian artifacts downstairs creeped me out in a way i can't begin to even explain.
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The exhibit is Artistic Luxury: Faberge, Tiffany and Lalique which for an antique/jewelry fanatic like me is like going to heaven a few years early.
Some of the amazing highlights for me were the 7 Easter eggs made by Peter Carl Faberge; the US premiere of Tiffany's Magnolia Window that belonged to Baron Stieglitz, a close associate of Czar Nicholas II of Russia, including an translucent peacock lamp and the autumn leaf globe lamps from the Cleveland Museum of Art.
You can also see Tiffany jewelry and the breathtaking art nouveau jewelry, glasswear and sculpture from Rene Lalique's Paris World Fair exhibits of 1900.
My favorites are of course the Tiffany's, brilliant otherworldly molded stained glass assembled in 3 dimensions. His typical lamp shades were made from hundreds of pieces of stained glass cut from poured sheets and then carefully layered to create varied tones, values and trick effects. The surface of the glass was then rippled, mottled, dicrolic to effect a change in color when the light was active.
Utterly unique, Tiffany's could be multi-themed... floral, geometric, fruited, plantlike. The only limitation was inside the creative and fertile mind of it's maker, the geniused Louis Comfort Tiffany who also attached his kaleidoscoped translucent glassworks to shades and bases of copper that unified and linked the shards together. In fact, the bases themselves were also works of art that often enhanced the entire package beloved by millions and sought by museums and collectors throughout the world.
In the presence of such genius, it is often difficult to put into words something so precious as you gaze upon matched and mismatched sections of design as bases and shrouds can be removed and transferred easily in order to achieve a completely different affect. 2 dimensioned photographing cannot capture what in person is alive and living, breathing, and altering itself as time applies her patina in sections and arenas. Circling each hand-built, mind dreamed creation allows the viewer to capture more fully a complete original entity. Each a mini half-globe, pulsing, throbbing, flashing as different angles of inner light flow through from the center through to the outside atmosphere.
The exhibit is available and alive until the end of May. Go, take an aficionado with you and together you can experience what is not just greatness but divine inspiration formed into touchable, usable, functional wonderment.
In the meantime, I bought a book for my Mom's birthday, as soon as she opens her present, I'll take pictures and post them here but to experience them for yourself, you must go and submerge your entire being into what is more than greatness, it is unbelievable. I'm still awestruck by what I've just witnessed.
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The California Palace of the Legion of Honor is still my favorite museum in San Francisco. Their special exhibits including Art Deco, Monet in Normandy and Women Impressionists have had a lasting impression on me.
The current exhibit: "Artistic Luxury: Fabergé, Tiffany, Lalique" is fantastic. In these bleak economic times, a few hours at the Legion of Honor could prove to be a good distraction therapy for all of us.
See the meticulous craftsmanship in a number of luxury items made exclusively for the rich and famous and previously on display at the 1900 World's Fair in Paris.
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11/6/2007
Situated perfectly in the Outer Richmond near Lincoln Park, the California Palace of the Legion of… Read more »
"Someone out to tell them [Americans] how to behave in a museum. They talk as if they were at home..."
Charles Dantzig quoted in "Objectif Lune," in Harper's magazine, May 2009.
from Encyclopédie capricieuse du tout et du rien.
Just a suggestion.
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Perhaps because of its astonishing location, its large collection of French painting, and its association with France (the museum is dedicated to those Californians who lost their lives on the battlefields of France during the first world war), a visit to the Legion of Honor actually is rather subdued in terms of the visitor behavior (The French, understandably, make this a point of pilgrimage).
Among the well-known French painters represented in the Legion's collections are La Tour, Watteau, Monet, Manet, and David; other European masters include Fra Angelico, Rembrandt, Tiepolo, Rubens, and El Greco.
The hues of the Monet waterlilies--rosy pink, sapphire blue, dark green--are like a mirror reflection of the environs of the Legion d'Honneur.
No need to go to Stanford (or the Musee Rodin in Paris, for that matter)--with a larger, more importance collection--to experience Rodin.
Not only is there a postcard-worthy Rodin (a bronze cast of "The Thinker" at the peristyle that leads to the entrance, there is one whole room devoted to Rodin sculpture, with models of figures from "The Burghers of Calais," and other busts or figures, many of them barely emerged from the marble.
* * * * *
The Legion of Honor is located in the most breathtaking setting for an American museum, possibly excepting the Getty Museum in Los Angeles.
The view of the Golden Gate Bridge, the cypresses, the almost sapphire blue of the Pacific Ocean practically at one's feet, and the walk down towards Land's End are astonishing.
The building itself in its monumental pristine white Beaux Arts classicism is is imposing as its location.
The pricey but spacious cafe in the basement has an outdoors terrace from which one can relax in, contemplate, and admire the beautiful environs high above San Francisco Bay.
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Incredible museum ! It is the only museum in the world with a pipe organ and it's quite a famous one. Look it up on-line for the free concerts on Sundays at 4PM (you do have to buy a ticket to enter the galleries but you can listen to the concert in the foyer for free and on summer days a huge tableau over the front doors is opened and you can hear it out into the courtyard.
There is a lovely cafe downstairs (with fairly gourmet food items) across from the also lovely Museum Store.
Classic.
Timely.
Elegant.
Like an elegant pant suit designed by YSL, this museum brings you back.
With any museum, I highly encourage the audio tour...if not, you are just walking around aimlessly without any background or direction. Sure you can stare at it, but it's nice to get the most for your buck.
I tend to like Modern Art, but sometimes the modern naked funk freaks me out. Classics history is always a nice change. Love that rooms are all painted in beautiful colors. Love the marble. Love the ceilings. Love the view. It's just so grand.
Definitely buy the pass that gets you into this and deYoung Museum, as it makes it that more economical.
Best way to put it...when I go to the Legion, I feel like someone out of Great Gatsby book, or someone in Roman times with the name of Apollonia-wait wasn't that the Prince Dancer...?
Either way, you get my point.
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Between the two Fine Arts Museums in the City, the Legion of Honor is my preferred one. Favorites here include the collection of Rodin sculptures and several Monets. The building's setting could not be more dramatic, perched on the cliff on the north-western corner of the City. While it is the less accessible from a transit perspective compared to the De Young, the 18 bus terminates in front. Get here when the museum opens at 9:30am for one of the coveted parking spots.
The current special exhibit is Artistic Luxury: Faberge, Tiffany, and Lalique. The exhibit is laid out very well. The works of the three are first presented in the context of the 1900 World's Fair in Paris, and you get a little taste of each at the start. It then moves on in the order of the name of the show. My favorites are definitely the Tiffany stained glass pieces and the Faberge egg that was a clock.
I highly recommend a weekend trip to the museum to see Artistic Luxury.
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In all my years as a wee-laddie and now for the first time in over three decades living here in MY hometown, I cannot recall ever having been within the beautiful walls of this museum. I have been outside at the front and of course captured the seriousness of "The Thinker", but that's about it. In Europe (or at least Spain), I had to show my resident ID and I'd get in for free.... too bad the USA can't do the same and thus encourage more visitors to actually visit!
That aside, I was enthralled by the spaciousness, the beauty and the history of it all. As a photographer, I saw many things that I love capturing: reflections, details and architecture. Granted, one cannot use a flash nor tripod within its confines, but I use none to get my images, and had a great time!
I went with friends and my sister - she mainly to delight in the Fabergé eggs which I have seen pictures in magazines of, but to see them before your very eyes is something to behold.
I wandered around snapping here, in awe of the arte there, and just walking through so many halls that opened or led to yet another huge massive room that I was lost beyond hope! I loved the paintings and admired the details of the old paintings... I thought I was back inside a spanish museo and enjoyed it thoroughly; we were wise enough to arrive just as the museum opened so there crowds didn't build yet on that Easter Sunday!
A great day enjoying humanity, arte and gorgeous architecture of the Legion of Honor!! Always go VERY early to avoid the crowds. Taking a camera? NO tripods/flash and set ur cell to vibrate. NO photography at ALL at the special exhibits. I was so pleased to see that the museum security knew the rules regarding handheld FLASHless photography and didn't stop me as they sometimes do in most european museums simply because they're ignorant/lazy.
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Great place to spend an afternoon.
Spending only a week in SF on family vacation we had to decide on the places to see and we went to the Legion of Honor since we could get in free after seeing the King Tut exhibit at DeYoung. I was impressed with the Legion of Honor. It had a interesting mix of art from paintings, furniture to ancient artifacts. You will definitely find something to interest you.
On the afternoon we went there was organ music playing, and the organist was introducing music pieces he found interesting.
Highly recommended.
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I have to say that having just seen "Vertigo" (the Hitchcock film that features several scenes shot in the museum) not too long before coming here for the first time made being in the Legion of Honor feel the slightest bit creepy... but aside from that, I really had a good time here.
I would highly recommend coming as early as possible for special exhibits - we were able to walk right in when we got there around 10:30am, but the line was already INCREDIBLY long by the time we left the exhibit around 12pm.
Be sure to keep your ears open - listening to people try to impress their dates by spouting out douchey-sounding art history facts is in itself nearly worth the price of admission!
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Diamonds are apparently a girls best friend. I think that is why my mom dragged us to the new Faberge, Tiffany and Lalique exhibit. Truly all of the things in the collection were beautiful and completely unrealistic for anyone to own. I was shocked the how many jeweled dog collars there were. Rich people are so nutty!
I was surprised by how small the Legion of Honor was. But the two wings on the main floor can be done in about an hour. The Rodin collection is very comprehensive. But there is not really much in the collection that is impressive. They have pieces by major artists, but nothing of much substance. The Spanish ceiling is probably the most impressive thing they have, so don't forget to look up!
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The Legion of Honor is an ideal place to spend any weekend day. With rotating temporary exhibits, the museum is ever changing. The museum itself sits on a golf course and all around it are views of both the city and the golden gate. The "Thinker" welcomes you to the front of the museum and it is a site to see. When we were there tons of people were out and taking pictures, even a wedding was being held. Inside the museum my favorite room held Picasso and Dali, but they have art from many different time periods. You can take photos (without the flash), and they have tours almost every hour, ending around 2pm.
The temporary exhibit when we went was "Leonardo da Vinci: Drawings from the Biblioteca Reale in Turin". It was amazing. Only downside was the extra $10 we had to pay and the 45 minute line. But, in the end it was worth it. Also, check out the café and the museum gift shop downstairs.
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I've been to science museums before, and though I have always wanted to go to an art museum, I've never been. Now, I can actually say I've been to a "real" one.
The location itself is beautiful and very relaxing, and I haven't even started on the paintings and exhibits here. I have to tell you now, I have no art background whatsoever. I have no extensive knowledge about it, but the fact is, you don't have to have those to appreciate this place.
They have everything from religious paintings, 17-19th century, renaissance, etc, but I think their biggest collection is of European art, which I loved. I noticed they had many of Rodin's and Monet's that I remember from history classes. I was trying to look for Picasso because I've heard he has some here, but didn't find any. Too bad. I think I was just so distracted because there are so many things to see!
I particularly loved the victorian room completed with its walls, doors, cabinets, and other furniture. Also, the crazy beautiful ceiling that I believe is Spanish. (?) It was as if I was in a whole different place and time. Another part of the museum that I enjoyed so much was their special exhibit of Faberge, Tiffany, and Lalique; Just amazing! Worthy of the extra $10.
I would definitely come back again, especially that their next special exhibit is King Tut's. That's something I'm very much looking forward to. Apparently, if you are a History and Discovery Channel addict, you can not miss it. ;)
BTW: If you're a student, dont forget to bring your ID. Also, if youre a B of A customer, you'll get a discount.
Great place, and as a DeYoung Charter Member I get in free - plus I have a small stack of guest passes if anyone wants to join me. Great exhibits without the crowds of the DeYoung. And the views from up there are spectacular.
4 of us went there last week to see Cabaret with Liza Minelli. Have I confused you? I went to a museum and saw a movie? Yes, there is a nice little theatre in the Legion and have a program called Cinema Supper Club.
In honor of the special exhibit, "The State Museums of Berlin", they are having a Berliner Film Fest - showing movies based in Berlin - through November 20. And for the $10 entrée fee (members) you get the movie and admission into the exhibit. You can also make dinner reservations in the Café - which I did.
The Exhibit has some great pieces from the 3rd millennium BC to the 18th century AD. Items from early Asian, the Silk Road, Egypt, and Europe. My favorite was a Lion Relief from a processional way in ancient Babylon. Really cool.
The next movies are:
- Grand Hotel - Nov 6
- Run Lola Run - Nov 13
- Wings of Desire - Nov 20
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While the permanent collection isn't the absolute best, the Legion's building, surroundings, atmosphere, and magnificent visiting exhibits make this one of my favorite museums. The view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the statue of the El Cid out front, the stately columns and courtyard with The Thinker and the inverted pyramid, the cozy intimate feel of its halls and cafe. Great gift shop too.
There are marvelous pipe organ concerts on the weekends and relevant activities for children of two different age groups on Saturdays. My kids have enjoyed these.
Great exhibits we have seen here include Georgia O'Keefe, Claude Lorrain, Gustave Courbet, Bouquets to Art (yearly), Monet in Normandy, Art Deco, DaVinci and Poland (?!), Max Ernst, and Henry Moore.
You can take gorgeous walks around and behind the museum up to the VA hospital behind it and out along the ocean. Parking can be very difficult on weekends or if you arrive after noon during the week.
Does anyone remember that episode of the original 90210 (not that crazy new shit masquerading as 90210) when Brenda and Dylan were trying not to have sex so they were picking date activities that were supposed to NOT turn them on? Do you remember the concert? And they totally started making out hardcore?
Yeah. I've been to an awesome violin concert here that initiated that same response from me and the ex I was with (who wasn't my ex at the time). It didn't help (or hinder) that we were in a classy and elegant area. The Legion is gorgeous and sexy.
Like Brenda and Dylan, we had to leave. To have steamy, passionate, naughty sex. In the middle of Golden Gate Park in his car.
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We happened to be here when they didn't really have a grand exhibit downstairs (it looked like they were between exhibits) so our visit to the Legion of Honor was kind of short.
The museum itself is gorgeous, with its grand marble floors and delicately sculpted moldings. The outside it really pretty too, with giant Roman columns. The grounds are breathtaking - you can see the ocean from the front of the building.
J'adore Renoir, j'adore Rodin, j'adore Degas.
But other than those three artists, I wasn't exactly blown away by the collection. It felt a bit stuffy, like being in some rich old person's home. Very cool classical furniture, like the big Chinoiserie style secretary desk. I thought the Renaissance art was ok, but Monet doesn't do anything for me (I know, I know - he's a great artist - but it doesn't move me. Sorry.).
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I can't believe I haven't been here till just recently. What a beautiful place! The Annie Leibowitz show is great--very inspiring.
The building itself is such a beautiful structure--it always amazes me how we humans are so capable of creating such beauty. Make a whole day of it by parking over by Fort Miley, bring a picnic lunch, and enjoy a walk at Land's end before or after your visit.
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Yes... Rodin's statue "The Thinker" already deserves 5 STARS RIGHT OFF THE BAT! Seriously as Cade said.
THEY ALSO HAVE AN EXHIBITION WITH ACTUAL PIECES OF "THE DEAD SEA SCROLLS" ON DISPLAY. WITNESS IT!
I love this museum and I've been going from time to time over the span of many years even as a kid on school fieldtrips back then. And this place is still beautiful in the peaceful scenary it is hidden in in the RIchmond/Seacliff area. You won't be dissapointed making a trip here. There's two floors of extensive art/history with many extravagent and open high ceiling rooms. This is the ideal museum you would think of when imagining such a classy place.
Don't forget as some have mentioned that tickets here are also associated with the De Young in Golden Gate Park. You can easily spend a whole day for this 2 for 1 value.
Be inspire and moved. Go make a trip often for the different exhibitions that are hosted at different times.
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Such an elegant gem of a museum. It's the right size (not large enough to overwhelm but large enough to keep you occupied for a 2 to 3 hours), parking is FREE (how amazing is that), and the grounds are gorgeous (flowers, lawns, statues). I love how the museum sits atop a hill with amazing views of the Bay and city. The Greco-Roman architecture and marble columns lend an air of solemn grace.
The ground floor is home to their European paintings and Rodin sculptures. The paintings cover the Baroque period, Renaissance, Impressionism, and so forth. I didn't think they had any 21st century paintings but they had one - by Picasso.
I love the pipe organ and the concerts they have there and they also have movie nights. I didn't think I liked glass art but the Chihuly sculptures look like crazy Christmas ornaments and somehow feel right in the museum setting. There's something organic about them.
I went to see the temporary exhibit, the Dead Sea Scrolls. Disappointing. They only have the smallest scraps - in one case. You can see much more of the scrolls here: http://en.wikipedia.or...
The lower level can get stuffy when crowded. You'll find the special exhibition there, the café, and a small gift shop. The ceramics room is fairly interesting. It's interesting how the English were so influenced by Chinese art in their ceramics. I also like the Greek pottery.
The portraits fascinate me in their ability to convey the subject's personality. I always wonder about the lives led. There are two morbid looking portraits that I wish I could own. They're next to each other. In one, the woman holds the head of a man she had beheaded. In the other, the woman is stabbing herself. See my pictures.
Admission is free on the first Tuesday of every month. Adult tickets are $10 - quite reasonable.
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Haven't been inside since I was in elementary? Recently went back and definitely a nice place to snap a couple of shots.
Only problem no bathroom and I had to go like a racehorse in the final race. Thankfulyl its quiet and deserted enough to pee in quiet. Or build a shack out in the middle of nowhere and become the Unabomber. Whatever floats your boat.
We got married here on a ridiculously gorgeous Saturday this summer. The setting could not have been more perfect for us, and we were thrilled to have blue skies in July. We absolutely loved our wedding day.
I really, really wish I could give it 5 stars. However...
BRIDES BEWARE: If you happen to have a wedding dress that will wrinkle if you sit too long and are thinking that you'll be able to slip into your dress once you get to the Legion, think again. I got ready with my bridesmaids off site but needed to put my gown on after the car ride up to the Legion.
I was prohibited from using any bathroom or room inside the museum, even though I was willing to pay admission to be allowed into the museum for 5 minutes with my maid of honor. I was told that I had to use the free-standing public restrooms outside the museum, which I did.
My maid of honor laid sheets down on the gooey floor of the men's restroom and I put my wedding gown on as bridesmaids stood guard outside. Thank goodness the scent of urine and feces didn't cling to me. Needless to say, those sheets will never be used again.
We also had an issue with the fee for using the Court of Honor, but that got resolved with the facilities manager. Our rental contract addendum contained a fee for having the ceremony in the Court of Honor, and the Court was not listed as one of the areas subject to an additional hourly fee. When our final payment came due, the Legion read a 30 minute time limit into the contract and tried to charge us extra for having the Court open for an hour. We worked it out, thankfully, and I understand that they've revised their rental materials to include a 30 minute allowance for Court of Honor ceremonies.
In spite of these things, it was a magical day!
EDIT: In response to an email I sent expressing how disappointing and gross it was to change in the men's restroom, I received a condescending, petty reply. I'm taking away a star for an employee's immaturity and unprofessionalism. Watch out, ladies - if you cross the facilities manager, you'll pay for it.
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This is a partial review. To be completed after I visit.
I feel like my room mate brings up the Legion of Honor EVERY SUNDAY! It kinda drives me nuts. Therefore, word of mouth warrants a review.... I have, however, driven to the outside and ventured around the parking lot after hours. It is a beautiful building and I'm kinda excited to visit!
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