Set amid the coastal forests of Lincoln Park and overlooking the iconic span of the Golden Gate Bridge, the Legion of Honour houses a world-class fine art collection. Explore the permanent exhibits as you roam the elegant halls of this palatial Beaux Arts building, modelled on the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur in Paris.

Spend a few hours or a full day admiring the artwork on display at the Legion of Honour. This museum is home to over 124,000 pieces, with an emphasis on European decorative arts, sculpture, and painting as well as ancient art from the Mediterranean and the Near East.

See the evolution in style and technique as you walk from medieval paintings by Fra Angelico to modernist canvases by Pablo Picasso. Marvel at the brushstrokes and the use of light by Flemish and Dutch masters like Peter Paul Rubens and Rembrandt van Rijn, and head out into the Court of Honour to stand before masterpieces like Rodin’s The Thinker.

Linger before sculptures with a sketchpad, grab a bite to eat or a cup of coffee at the on-site café, or pop into the gift shop to scope out the array of prints and art books on offer. If you’re looking to pack in some more museum visiting, your ticket is also good for same-day admission to the de Young museum in Golden Gate Park.