Camera Obscura (San Francisco, California)

 panoramic view, NRHP - National Register of Historic Places, photography shop

1096 Point Lobos Avenue
San Francisco, CA 94121
(415) 750-0415
www.giantcamera.com

The Giant Camera is located behind Cliff House. It overlooks Seal Rock on Point Lobos. The small building is decorated to look like a giant 35mm camera with its lens pointing to the sky. It was built in 1948-49 as part of the Playland at the Beach amusement area. The designer was Floyd Jennings who also designed two other camera obscuras, now lost, at The Garden of the Gods and Lookout Mountain.

After Playland closed in 1972 the camera obscura was in danger of being destroyed but was saved by a public campaign. When Cliff House was renovated in 1999 the Giant Camera was again scheduled to close. There was again an outcry of support and for a second time it was proposed for status as an historic place. On May 23, 2001 the Giant Camera was added to the National Register of Historic Places and saved from destruction.