City Hall

Designed by Arthur Brown Jr., and opened in 1915, the architecture of the building was heavily influenced by the "City Beautiful Movement," which in turn reflected the American Renaissance style of the time. Its "Beaux-Arts" dome (the fifth largest in the world) was modeled after that of St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, Italy. The building itself is huge, 393 feet long, by 273 feet wide, and 307 feet high — occupying a full two blocks of San Francisco's downtown real estate. It is considered by many admirers to be the most impressive building in the city. Inside, it features a large rotunda with a grandiose staircase leading up to the second floor. The walls are adorned with oak paneling and the ceilings with crystal chandeliers. City Hall is the site of much history — In 1954 Joe DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe wed here. In 1978, Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk were assassinated here by their coworker Dan White, who snuck a gun through a window. And, it was here that in 2004, Mayor Newsom unilaterally declared the legality of gay marriage, before being thwarted by state and federal power.

• history

Address

1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Pl

Getting there

between Van Ness Ave, McAllister St, Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, and Grove St

Hours

Brochures are available for visitors to take a self-guided tour: Mon-Fri 8AM-8PM. Docent led tours: Mon–Fri 10AM, noon, 2PM

Price

Tours: Self guided and docent led tours are free unless you're a private group of eight or more persons

Website

sfgov.org (opens in a new tab)