Legion of Honor

100 34th Ave, San Francisco, CA 94121, USA

Location

Photos 100

Reviews 5

Reynaldo Miranda

Three great reasons just about everyone should go to this museum, plus a little more: 1. Location and setting, perched atop the cliffs on the edge of the Pacific with great, green lawns--for those who enjoy views and land(and sea)scapes. Adjacent on one side is a grove of Eucalyptus trees with a utility road that leads to the Seacliff neighborhoods melange of should we say creative expressions of houses, and below there is a swimmable beach. Also adjacent there is a municipal golf course that one traverses to get to the museum (Lincoln Park). Accessible by MUNI 38 Geary bus. 2. The edifice, completed in 1924, designed by the distinguished architect George Applegarth, commissioned by Alma de Bretteville Spreckels of the sugar fortune with no expense spared (in 1924 before the Great Depression). It is a 3/4 scale very close adaptation of the Palais de la Legion dHonneur in Paris that had originally been designed and built as a private residence, the Hotel de Salm, for Frederick III, Prince of Salm-Kyberg in 1782-1787, a great neo-classical building. Our local version was a great success, and visiting it does take one back to neo-classical Paris, down to the distinctive (but not overpowering) odor in the enclosed, stone stairwells that have been trodden on since opening nearly 90 years ago. In any case, the building itself, with its colonnade and great forecourt is beautiful, hence the frequent wedding photographs in front of its facade, and if you want to see French neo-classical architecture live and up-close come here. 3. The art collection itself. What I most like about it is that its a typical collection of European art from the late Gothic through the Impressionists, and its not enormous, so it offers a manageable-in-one-day and excellent primer on European art without the late afternoon exhaustion or fatigue. It also has a very large collection of Rodin sculptures, including his signature "Thinker." Mrs. Spreckels was savvy. Plus there is everything there to make visits easy, convenient, and extra-enjoyable: the cafe, shop, picnic grounds, etc. There is a magnificent organ inside one of the main galleries, and free concerts on the weekends.

Yana B

When you think about a danger of your childs exposure to pornography, you probably worry about internet, but not about a fine art museum. Legion of Honor welcomes his visitors these days with a visually shocking sculpture of a humans body lower part with a cigarette in anus by Sarah Lucas. Lucas is a provocative modern artist. As per Wikipedia her works "include photography". By displaying these works in the permanent collection galleries and the museum entrance , Legion of honor closes its doors for families with children. The museum knows that Saras works ( but not its permanent collection and other exhibitions) are inappropriate for young children. Front desk asked specifically "to cover your childs eyes" and said that lots of people complain. Why Lucass works are still displayed in the lobby? Degas exhibition is hidden on the ground floor. Special ticket should be purchased to visit. Why do Lucass works arent displayed in a separate area so children dont bump into sculptures of oversized caricature genitals? I am not arguing with Sara Lucass artistic talent. It is wonderful to open museums and galleries for modern, diverse, unconventional drawings and sculptures. I will not accept though that the museum harms a child by knowingly exposing her to inappropriate images. Yes, permanent museum collection includes nude images. But I wasnt asked in the past " to cover the childs eyes" I have enabled parental control mode on my web browser to protect my child from interment photography, How do I protect her from the museums one?

Jason Hussein

This is a review for the outer grounds of Legion of Honor which in my opinion, is the best part of the museum! When you arrive the parking is pretty terrible! Not that there isnt enough parking but there are so much cars here!!!! Its not just the parking for legion of honor but parking for the nearby trails, legion of honor, overlook, and golf course. No after you find parking you will come up to the Legion of Honor and be confused when you first lay eyes on it. How can something so beautiful, so greek be just resting in San Francisco?! It feels like a roman/greek building just for you to adventure and explore. First up the front of Legion of Honor does not have a gate around it which means you can come after 5PM and take some pictures here if you arrive too late. Majestic roman type pillars grace both sides of the building. Now if you come here before 5PM, you are greeted with the courtyard which has the pillar walkways on both sides. There are neat statues scattered around and there is also this one awesome half glass pyramid area where you are allowed to sit besides. Perfect for taking some cool pictures. Then of course you have the museum which is kind of expensive and it is mostly painting exhibition interior, nothing like the exterior museum at all. So dont go in there expecting King Leonidas house because you will say THIS IS NOT SPARTAAAAAAA If you are facing the museum entrance, to your right is the lands end trail and an overlook to the Golden Gate bridge. To the left will be the golf course which you need to be weary of golf balls flying.

Milton Lau

Is could be clear and sunny over at the ferry terminal & the embarcadero, yet murky and covered in dense fog here at the museum, at the same time morning or afternoon. The fog lends an air of mystique to the grounds, particularly in the surrounding golf links of Lincoln Park, as of something out of a novel, or a fairytale. If only there were a few more benches in the wooded areas for book readers to read in the brisk air, then bus riders (Muni) could come to get away from the citys daily dramas. As it is now, only people with vehicles can pack a snack and bring a portable chair, placed discretely around the greens (to not distract golfers, as they slice into the rough or sand traps). Visitors not familiar with the Legion, should be aware that the citys dept. of Recreation & Parks maintains a modest but clean public restroom facility - Behind the Legion of Honour Museum, which is open days, when the museum is closed. Which is a public service for hikers and bicyclists to the area who do not want to risk mosquito bites when peeing in the bushes, like common four legged vermin. I think Im the only one with the foresight to take a photo of the little restroom behind the museum, so you know what to look for.

Qing Liu

Stunning view over the bay, Golden Gate Bridge , and SF skyline. Fantastic collection of masterpieces of Italian Renaissance Art. Tuesday is free general admission to Legion of Honor and the de Young. Water Lilly by Claude Monet is permanent exhibition together with four other paintings. At time of visit, Lady with a Unicorn by Raphael is on exhibition. The gallery of Rodin Collection is amazing. The Thinker is in the front court yard before entering the museum. Plaster and bronze Rodin works are displayed together. It is a rare and precious opportunity to view all those Rodin sculptures in one visit. Download the app before you go. The self-guide tour was very helpful and enriched the visiting experience. Just walk around, youll get notified by the app when you approach a highlighted work. Gift shop staff were very welcoming and tended to have a very delightful conversion at check out. A must-go place if you are in SF. General admission to Legion of Honor also gives you same day general admission to de Young in Golden Bridge Park that is not far away from here. Plan a whole day to visit both places.