Venue
The 27th San Francisco Silent Film Festival took place April 10–14, 2024, at the Palace of Fine Arts Theatre at 3301 Lyon Street in San Francisco’s Marina District.
This beautiful Beaux Art structure was originally built for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition of 1915. After the world’s fair closed in December, 1915, most of its buildings were demolished but the cherished Bernard Maybeck-designed Palace was preserved. Meant only to last for the duration of the fair, the Palace was completely reconstructed with more stable materials in the late 1960s. And in 1970, the 960-seat Palace of Fine Arts Theatre became part of the complex. We look forward to presenting our live-cinema event in this incredible setting!
The Neighborhood
The Palace sits in a spectacular setting on the eastern edge of San Francisco’s Presidio National Park. The Presidio contains San Francisco’s oldest structure (the Officers’ Club), the Walt Disney Family Museum, world-class restaurants, and beautiful hiking trails with views of the Golden Gate Bridge. From the Palace, it is a half-mile walk to Chestnut and Union Streets both brimming with shops and restaurants.
Getting To the Theater
By Car
Put 3301 Lyon Street in your GPS. There are several lots within walking distance of the venue.
Parking
Free public parking lot at Yacht Road and Marina Blvd (50 spaces)
Paid public parking ($3/hour or $15/day) at the Presidio Lot at Palace Drive and Girard Rd. (150 spaces)
Crissy Field East Beach Parking Lot
Please note that neighborhood streets in the Marina district with few exceptions are subject to residential parking permit restrictions as well as time limits on metered street parking. Citations for expired meters and overtime parking are expensive so please read and observe posted signs!
Public Transportation
For comprehensive regional public transportation information, point-to-point transit or driving directions as well as live traffic reports, please visit 511.org.
MUNI bus lines that run near the theater: 22, 28, 30, 41, 43, and 45
Getting to San Francisco
By Air
San Francisco San Francisco International (SFO) — 15 miles south of the city of San Francisco
Oakland International Airport (OAK) — 20 miles east of the city of San Francisco
Both SFO and OAK have easy access to San Francisco via BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), cab, shuttle, or car
By Train
If you are travelling from outside the Bay Area, both Caltrain and Amtrak have service directly to San Francisco
Getting Around San Francisco
San Francisco MUNI provides bus, light rail, cable car, and historic streetcar service throughout the city. BART serves downtown San Francisco and the Mission District and shares downtown stations with Muni light rail lines.
Tip
San Francisco’s climate is mild—the temperature rarely goes above 80° or below 40°. Be advised, though, that the city’s weather is extremely variable—from season to season, hour to hour, and neighborhood to neighborhood. Winter days can be warm, summer days can be frigid and vise versa. Be prepared. Wear sheddable layers—sweaters and warm scarves are just the ticket.
Restrictions
Recording
SFSFF doesn’t allow filming or recording of any kind during performances
Phone Use
Phone use is not permitted during performances. Not only is phone use distracting for other audience members, it is disruptive and disrespectful to our performers. If you use your phone during a program you will be asked to leave without a refund.
Image credit: Rhododendrites
