Camera Obscura
Quick Facts
- Location
- USA, San Francisco
- Category
- Historic Ruins & Heritage
- Duration
- Allow 30 to 45 minutes
- Opening Hours
- Daily 11:00-17:00; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Ticket Price
- Adult: $3 · $3, cash only
- Address
- 2901? Hyde St, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Coordinates
- 37.8020, -122.4180
Introduction
The Camera Obscura is a vintage optical device installed in 1946 at San Francisco's Cliff House and still in operation today. A white mirror array on the roof captures the live seascape outside and projects it through a concave mirror onto a tilted viewing table, producing a 360-degree live panoramic image. By turning a control lever, visitors can "peek" at real-time scenes of Seal Rocks, the Sutro Baths ruins, Marin Headlands and even the Golden Gate Bridge, like a 19th-century live-stream camera. Such working demonstrations of this ancient imaging principle are exceedingly rare, making it a unique opportunity to experience pre-photographic optical ingenuity and the signature indoor attraction of Cliff House.
✨ Highlights
🛈 Practical Info
Ticket Information
| Adult | $3 |
|---|
$3, cash only
💡 Tips
FAQ
What are the opening hours of Camera Obscura?
Daily 11:00-17:00; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
How much is the admission for Camera Obscura?
Adult: $3; $3, cash only
Any practical tips for visiting Camera Obscura?
Bring exact $3 cash; no change is given on site Sunny days produce the clearest, brightest projections
How long should I spend at Camera Obscura?
A typical visit takes Allow 30 to 45 minutes.
