A 1925 building by Willis Polk
Architect Willis Polk designed the building, which opened in 1925 as a beach chalet with changing rooms and a restaurant. It later served military use in World War II and then went through long decades of neglect before a full restoration reopened it in the 1990s. It is a San Francisco landmark.
The Lucien Labaudt frescoes
Lucien Labaudt painted the lobby frescoes in the mid-1930s under the New Deal’s Works Progress Administration. They show San Franciscans of the time at Ocean Beach, Fisherman’s Wharf, Golden Gate Park and downtown, and include portraits of real people from the city. Carved wooden banisters and mosaics complete the room. The lobby is open to the public whenever the building is open.
Beach Chalet and Park Chalet
Upstairs, the Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant serves brunch, lunch and dinner with house-brewed beer and wide ocean views. Behind it, on the park side, the Park Chalet is a more casual garden restaurant with lawn seating, fire pits and heaters. Both are popular at sunset and for weekend brunch, so book ahead.
When to visit
Come late in the afternoon, see the murals, then cross the Great Highway for sunset on Ocean Beach or walk to the Dutch Windmill. The 5 Fulton and 18 buses stop nearby, and there is a parking lot by the windmill.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see the Beach Chalet murals for free?
Yes. The ground-floor lobby with Lucien Labaudt’s frescoes is open to the public when the building is open.
What is the difference between the Beach Chalet and Park Chalet?
The Beach Chalet is the upstairs brewery restaurant with ocean views; the Park Chalet is the casual garden restaurant behind it on the park side.
