Beach Chalet murals at the Golden Gate Park Visitor's Center

After seeing the bison and windmills at Golden Gate Park, we headed over to the Beach Chalet at the end of the Great Highway...

I'd read about this place on Roadside America...

and me being such a geek for history and trivia definitely wanted us to pay a visit...

The bottom floor is the Golden Gate Park Visitor's Center while the top houses the Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant...

The Beach Chalet murals were commissioned by the WPA in the 1930's and painted by Lucien Labaudt. The scenes depict San Franciscans in everyday type of scenes as well as city scenes. Although the U.S. was going through the Great Dpression, the scenes were more on the 'cheerful' side. No murals of folks in soup or bread lines here people.  Underneath each mural were placards describing each scene. It was amazing seeing these Depression Era murals intact and still on display for the public.







I liked the tilework and the cutout design below the arch.

More murals, this time depicting a beach scene...

There is also a scale model of Golden Park Park rendered with great detail (I apologize for the hazy photos; I used my phone camera)...






As you go upstairs, you will climb the wooden staircase which have an 'undersea life'  theme featuring octopi, fish, and mermaids. The magnolia staircase were carved by artist Michael von Meyer.


At the top of the steps is a mosaic tile Indian pointing his arrow to the bathrooms, heh.

More murals at the top of the stairs...

I really enjoyed seeing the intricate designs in the staircase...





These placards were quite helpful in identifying the actions and story behind each mural.


We didn't stay too long although it's easy to spend about an hour here just looking around and reading the info.

For a closer look, check out this informational video (You can foast forward to the parts with the Beach Chalet, which starts from 2:20 to 2:54):

and the longer version - you can skip to 11:29 (it ends at 14:37)


Beach Chalet murals at the Golden Gate Park Vistor's Center (bottom floor)
1000 Great Highway
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 386-8439

www.beachchalet.com

More info on the Beach Chalet murals:
www.artandarchitecture

So much vibrant history immortalized in these murals! The day wasn't over yet. We still wanted to explore the Inner Sunset and grab a few bites to eat...