Palace of Fine Arts Theater
Who would’ve thought that the beautiful Palace of Fine Arts Theater wasn’t supposed to be a permanent structure? It was one of the buildings that were built for the Panama Pacific International Exposition that was held in San Francisco in 1915. The venue of the expo is a place that is now known as the Marina District. It started on February 20 and ended on December 4. The main purpose of the expo was to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal. But the city of San Francisco took the opportunity to show the progress of the city’s rebuilding efforts after the great fire and earthquake that occurred in 1906.
City officials – after hearing from the citizens of the city – decided to keep the Palace of Fine Arts Theater after the expo because it was too beautiful of a building. It seemed that people loved the building so much that they wanted it to become a permanent fixture in the city. The building was designed by Bernard R. Maybeck. He said that he used the ruins of Rome as an inspiration for the theater. But knowing that the theater won’t be permanent, he designed it in such a way that it will fall on its own. 
The building played several important roles in the history of the US. It served as a storage depot for the US military during World War II. It also became a warehouse for the Parks Department. It even became a temporary headquarters for the San Francisco Fire Department.
The theater underwent a full restoration in 1959. The project was intended to restore the old glory of the theater. The effort was headed by an assembly named Caspar Weinberger. He tried to lead a fundraising initiative to fund to pay for the cost of the renovation. A large amount was needed to finish the project. But despite having many supporters from both the public and private sectors, the initiative still came up short of the needed amount.
The project was in danger of being shelved. Fortunately, a businessman and philanthropist by the name of Walter S. Johnson saved the day. He donated two million dollars, which is the amount needed to complete the project. The theater reopened again in 1970.
In 1962, the Palace of Fine Arts League was established. Its original purpose was to provide the means to restore the theater. But now, it serves as the theater’s operator. It oversees everything that happens in the theater. The League is committed to honoring the legacy of all the people who have been an important part of the theater’s history. These include Maybeck, Johnson, and many others.
The Palace of Fine Arts Theater serves as a venue for different kinds of events. It has been used as a venue for weddings, corporate events, and other private events. The Palace itself hosts its own events such as the 34th Annual San Francisco Harmony Sweepstakes A Cappella Festival.
If you’re looking for an alternative way to spend your evening then you can. You would be delighted to know that the theater has a full lineup of plays, dances, concerts, etc. But you do need to get your ticket in advance. You should check the theater’s website for its calendar of events.
The park that surrounds the theater is probably the most romantic park in San Francisco. So before you watch a show at the theater, it’s a good idea to spend some time in the park and walk under the eucalyptus trees. You can also see many different animals in the park such as geese, swans, and turtles. Strolling in the park is indeed a lovely way to spend an afternoon, even if you are all by yourself.
Before you enter the theater, you also need to take some time to admire the exterior. It’s what kids today would call Instagram-worthy. Don’t be embarrassed to take pictures and selfies because it’s a favorite activity of people who visit the theater. The best time to visit the theater grounds is right before sunset. You’ll feel like you’re in the setting of a romantic movie. And the natural lighting will surely give you excellent photographs. It’s really a must-see place in San Francisco.