Legion of Honor
Museum Fine arts museum housed in a neoclassical palace
Perched in San Francisco’s Lincoln Park, the Legion of Honor displays European paintings, sculpture and decorative arts, plus notable Rodin casts; visitors pair museum galleries with ocean views and nearby Lands End trails.
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Legion of Honor is a fine arts museum located in San Francisco’s Lincoln Park, housing European paintings, sculpture and decorative arts and functioning as one of the two museums that form the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco. The building is modelled on the French Palais de la Légion d’Honneur and was opened in 1924 as a civic memorial.
Collections emphasize European works across several centuries and include a distinguished assembly of sculptures by Auguste Rodin. Galleries are organised by period and medium, and the museum stages temporary exhibitions alongside its permanent holdings.
Founded through a civic benefaction as both a museum and a memorial, the building and its holdings have been maintained and expanded through the 20th century to the present. The museum combines gallery spaces with outdoor sculpture and formal terraces.
Sited in Lincoln Park on the northwestern edge of San Francisco, the museum overlooks the Presidio and offers clear views toward the Golden Gate and the Pacific coast.
- Foundation: Opened in 1924 as a replica-inspired Beaux-Arts building and established as a war memorial, it is part of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
What to See #
- Rodin Gallery: A dedicated gallery presenting an internationally significant collection of Rodin sculptures, including castings of major works.
- Main galleries: Main exhibition halls that hold European paintings, decorative arts and antiquities spanning several centuries of Western art history.
- Terraces and viewpoints: Outdoor terraces and viewpoints that provide framed vistas of the Golden Gate and the coastal landscape to the north and west.
How to Get to Legion of Honor #
The Legion of Honor is in Lincoln Park in the northwest of San Francisco near the Lands End area. From central San Francisco you can reach it by Muni buses serving the Richmond District (check current routes such as those along Geary/California avenues) and then expect a 10-20 minute uphill walk from the bus stop; by car it’s a 15-25 minute drive from downtown San Francisco depending on traffic, with on‑site parking and street parking nearby.
Tips for Visiting Legion of Honor #
- Go in the late afternoon for long shadows and quieter galleries - the Legion's hilltop setting also gives some of the best sunset views toward the Golden Gate.
- Don't miss the Rodin Sculpture Garden on the museum grounds - the outdoor sculptures are a highlight that many visitors overlook while heading straight for the galleries.
- If you plan to visit both San Francisco Fine Arts Museums, check for combined tickets or memberships that cover both the Legion of Honor and the de Young; it's an easy way to see both collections over separate visits.
Best Time to Visit Legion of Honor #
For the Legion of Honor, plan a weekday visit in fall or winter to avoid peak tourist crowds and take advantage of generally calmer galleries.
Weather & Climate near Legion of Honor #
Legion of Honor's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in September) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 22°C. Moderate rainfall (902 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coolest month with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (186 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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February
February is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (157 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (135 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (54 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Almost no rain.
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July
July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. The driest month with just 3 mm and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Light rainfall.
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October
October is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (51 mm).
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November
November is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (151 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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