Powerful and haunting memorial near the Legion of Honor. George Segal's sculpture has 11 white bronze figures, with one survivor standing behind a barbed-wire fence while the others lie on the ground. It's not a large memorial, but the setting and the figures really stay with you. Worth stopping and taking a few quiet minutes to reflect. read more

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October 15, 2025. I visited the Holocaust Memorial and can only hope that the those who come here not only reflect on all the persons murdered during WW II, but also the sad moments where we continue to see one group dehumanize another. It's worth taking some time to reflect here. read more

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Having studied the Holocaust and related historical events in college, I was pleased to find that this monument exists, near the Legion of Honor in SF. It's a fairly simple exhibit, but what it symbolizes can evoke a world of emotions, contemplation, and reflection. The sculpture is presented tastefully, a work of art, just enough to remind visitors of this horrible act of genocide during WW2, and to show respect, while perhaps bringing attention to the importance of learning from the past. This memorial is located right next to the Legion of Honor parking lot, and can easily be missed because the wall of plaques is blocking from view the sculpture, which is on a lower level, down some steps. The plaques have words by the sculptor, George Segal, and a description of the exhibit and history of what it stands for, as well as a list of the concentration camps and killing centers as a symbolic memorial for survivors and their families. A reminder of evil from the past, and the repercussions, but also a message of strength and hope and the importance of remembering. read more

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Holocaust Memorial is small but sends a powerful message. As our day winded down on 9/4/21, we decided to walk around the museum before going back to the car. There's the obvious like the golf course that surrounds the museum and some walking paths. Then from the distance I saw what appeared to be a small figure all in white behind barbed wire. I thought at first, it was a tribute to all the those locked in Japanese internment camps. I approached the memorial and I saw the sign indicating it was a Holocaust Memorial, a tribute to all the lives lost in the Holocaust. It was touching and I took a seat on the bench facing the Memorial and observed a moment of silence to pay my respects. As I was doing so I found it strange that a few tourists came up giggling and posed next to the pile of bodies on the floor to take a smiling seflie. If you're visiting the museum, this is worth your time to pay a visit. It's located next to the circular parking area in front of the museum on the corner. read more

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Poignant Memorial When visiting the Legion of Honor at Lincoln Park in San Francisco make it a point to visit this emotional art. It is located a level down the north side of the parking lot at the entrance closest to El Camino Del Mar. There are plaques worth reading as you head towards the sculpture including a list of the concentration camps and killing zones. We've visited the memorial a few times both during nighttime and daytime. The sculptor, George Segal, used white paint on the bronze bodies lying on the ground. Looking at the sculpture is uncomfortable and disturbing. The site gave me chills. There are no words needed as you view the natural setting in realistic detail. A stark reminder of a world tragedy. The memorial can be seen from above and eye level but it can be easily missed as there are no signs that lead to the memorial. Look for a low wall that says Holocaust Memorial. It is across from the Legion of Honor Museum. Review #2021 read more

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"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." - Anne Frank How can one review arguably the darkest moment in world history?! No one, but we can remember the innocent and not allow this to happen again, ever! Approximately 6 million Jews murdered. Approximately 1.1 million Children murdered (including Anne Frank) . Approximately 3-9,000 Homosexuals murdered. Approximately 200,000 Ill or Disabled murdered. These horrifying numbers caused by the hands of Nazis and a crazed leader with xenophobic beliefs. It all started with "harmless" stereotypes, distortions of facts, censorship of the media... then the burning hatred. Death camps. Einsatzgruppen Execution squads. A sense of paranoia within the government and the unimaginable killing began. Last summer I decided to take a solo visit to the Legion of Honor. To admire The Thinker, a favorite masterpiece by Auguste Rodin. To just walk the grounds around the Legion and discover. I came across the expected grandeur statues and stunning views of the bay. What I wasn't prepared for was when I walked down a small pathway lined with flowers that led me to a small flight of steps... all of a sudden it was quiet with only the chirping of birds, the air became heavy with emotion. What's going on? I looked and observed a bunch of piled up human bodies. Obviously from some sort of exhibit, but it seemed so out-of-place, scattered yet complete. They were eerily white like ghosts. Sadness entered me then curiosity. I then realized I entered from the back side of a work of art called the Holocaust Memorial by artist George Segal. I respectfully looped around the memorial until I found the plaque describing the work. Several of the bodies in the sculpture were designed to be symbolic: *One of the bodies resembles Christ, another is of a woman holding an apple, evoking Eve. Both symbolize the connection between Jews and Christians. The only standing man, a survivor, is thought to be the sculptor's representation of Margaret Bourke-White's famous Life Magazine 1945 photograph of the liberation of Buchenwald. In the end, I highly recommend this powerful, yet artistic memorial dedicated to those who suffered one of the darkest times in humanity. It all started with harmless chants... and citizens of the world ignoring a bumbling lunatic. It ain't funny anymore when 1.1 million children are murdered, and we, as stewards of the world, are desensitized to hatred. It's our duty to protect our grandchildren's children. "In spite of everything, I still believe people are really good at heart." - The Diary of Anne Frank read more

Holocaust Memorial - I only heard the chirping of birds, then the air became heavy with emotion... I discovered the Holocaust Memorial - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Small, but impactful memorial to a horrible period of human history that we cannot forget. Especially touched, having just last year, lost a family friend who was a Holocaust survivor. She was an incredibly positive, friendly person. She was my kindergarten teacher. My father's office manager for 42 years. My mother's best friend, who she played Mah Jong with every Tuesday night since before I was born. Soon there will be no survivors left to tell their stories. But we cannot forget. And we cannot let those who don't like "unpleasant" history, remove this from our teachings. read more

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Best holocaust memorial I have ever seen. Nothing is sugar coated and the words are strong and direct. As is the sculpture. Gut wrenching, appropriately. Might bring you to tears, but shouldn't we all cry over the systematic killing and torture of 10 million people? read more

Holocaust Memorial - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

This free memorial of an artist's (George Segal) expression of the Holocaust is silent, stark, simple, surreal, and sobering. Belying the beautiful surroundings of pine trees towering above, overlooking the magnificent entrance to San Francisco Bay, this powerful work is a reminder of man's inhumanity to his fellow man. read more

Holocaust Memorial - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

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After going to the Legion of Honor museum, my GF and I decided to stop by the Holocaust Memorial site. It's a small piece that simply touches the heart (As lame as that sounds lol). It reminds us of how life although magnificent and beautiful, can also be cruel and tragic. The sculpture shows us a small glimpse of the tragedies that took place yet it also shows us a spark of hope. The lone man staring outside his walls, staring at hope. A hope that can lift our spirits and help us get pass even the toughest moments life has to offer. If you're ever at the Legion of Honor museum or maybe even nearby, you should definitely stop by and visit the Holocaust Memorial site, it's simply a work of art. read more

Holocaust Memorial - Holocaust memorial - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Beautiful memorial located in a nice place near the Legion of Honor. Worth observing

I never even knew this place existed until today. The memorial site is small, but it's powerful enough to leave you speechless. I can't really say much about it because I don't feel like you can get the experience of being there from just these reviews and the photos. It's definitely a place you should just drive to and maybe spend a couple of moments in silence to remember those who perished in the Holocaust. Parking is easy to get so don't let that stop you from coming here. read more

Parking: Right next to Legion of honor. To the right if you are facing the Legion Strange that I am giving 5 stars to a horrible scene in human history but it is a very traumatic and powerful image. I came here without knowing this even existed and thought the memorial was a list of names or something. Walking from the parking lot toward the memorial, I wasn't able to see the statues at all until I was standing at the ledge and looked down. Piles of dead bodies statues lying there freaked me out. Definitely very haunting looking at the exhibit from the back. This exhibit imprints a powerful image of the holocaust. read more

Memorials of the Holocaust are always so emotional. To consider the millions of lives lost, and try to express it in any size Memorial his difficult. To stomach the history is even more difficult. This small memorial it's quite touching and gives One artists look has one Statue is looking through a barbed wire fence and a dozen more are laying dead upon the ground. There are no words that can adequately describe any of this history. There are three large placards with some of the history carved in stone for you to read as you overlook this Memorial. Think deeply, think Long, and pray for all the Lost Souls. Let this never be a part of Earth's history again. read more

Eerie, haunting, strong. George Segal's Holocaust Memorial will make you stop breathing for a little while. Set in a surreal place, this artist' visual statement is something you won't forget. Small but powerful. Thank you San Francisco to keep the remembrance of this horrifying genocide alive. read more

This memorial is pretty moving. If you're hiking in this area, or visiting the legion of honor, it only takes a few minutes to check out. Do it. read more

Small, but powerful piece of work. The small patch is eerily silent; a stark contrast to the Legion of Honor across the street. A place to stop and remember when you are in the area. read more

I first heard about this memorial on the news. It was not a good news report, another defacing incident of this memorial. I am not Jewish and hearing this news report made me so angry. WTH?! I met the memorial face to face last year and wondered why it took me so long. I had the same initial reaction 4000 years ago when The Parental Unit took us two young sprogs on a European holiday. We went to many places where the atrocities took place in West Germany. I remember it took my breath away; it was not in a good way. And that 1.5 children were amongst the innocent victims. (We were in Germany when it was still East and West at the time.) I was ten years old, and I was shocked that children my age as well as my younger sibling's age were murdered for senseless reasons. All that potential knowledge and brain power lost forever. Makes me wonder what the world would have been like; hopefully, a peaceful one. I was brought to tears the first time. I said a prayer holding the hand of the man at the barbed wire fence and praying that something so cruel, inhumane, and atrocious never happen again. When I visit the Holocaust Memorial, I still have the same reaction as the sprog I was 4000 years ago. Feels rather awkward to be the duchess of the Holocaust Memorial by George Segal as of this writing. L'Chaim! Shalom. read more

George Segal, an important figure in the Pop Art movement (think Lichtenstein and Warhol) created this memorial which overlooks the SF Bay at Land's End. It's just northeast of the Legion of Honor, and free to the public. I was first exposed to this sculpture as a freshman, via power point presentation in an art history class. The slide didn't really engage me, and I'm not a Holocaust nut like some, but at the time, new to the city, I was excited to learn that a famous work of art was literally a bus ride away. I didn't find the memorial very compelling from a distance. However, walking among the wretched figures on the ground is to invite a swell of emotion; one that comes crashing to a climax upon joining the lone standing figure and gazing through the barbed wire fence at the Golden Gate and it's unattainable freedom. Come here by yourself and take your time. It's worth it. Segal was a master. read more

It's been years since I've been to this memorial, and the second time I visited it, it was as powerful and moving as my first visit over a decade ago. Let's just say that when you walk up to it from the overlook, the memorial completely catches you off guard and will send shivers down your spine. Striking and haunting. Take a moment to sit and absorb. I had to reach out and touch the hand of the standing man. read more

4 plaques that commemorate those affected by/lost to the Holocaust. The statue of the man holding the barbed wire fence was all that I could see from the road that I was standing on as I wasn't there to check out the memorial, but to hike Lands End trail. Once I got to the top, I could see the statued pile of bodies behind the man. I'm glad that I saw this, because it was a beautiful memorial and from here we ended up at Legion of Honor museum. What a sad scene that captures the appalling treatment of others in our humanity's history. read more

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A beautiful, moving memorial to the victims and survivors of the Holocaust.

A very small memorial off the side near Legion of Honor. With one glimpse at the haunting scene, your heart stops. It pretty much sums up everything that needs to be said of the tragedy. A definite must see if in the area. read more

A small yet touching memorial with beautiful surroundings and views of the ocean. I saw people paying their respect with tears in their eyes. A tiny window into the horror the concentration camps and the evil that some men are capable of. A great place to start teaching children about the Holocaust. read more

Powerful and sobering. Never forget. Hard to put into words much else. Worth seeing.

The display is moving. Sad to think what was done to those people. Left with a heavy heart and open mind.

Its a small memorial who's graphic scene is incredibly emotionally powerful. If you view the memorial from different angles, you see different perspectives. Located diagonal front of the Legion of Honor, its a stand-alone piece. Of all the Holocaust memorials and museums I have seen, this one piece sums up the tragedy and madness of the times emotionally with the observer. read more

Very nice, sums up the Holocaust. It reflects the tragedy of WWII. You will find it in front of the Legion of Honor Museum to the side of the parking lot. White statues of humans. read more

I wouldn't recommend going out of your way just for this, because everything you see in the pictures that others posted is all that is there. However, as an addition to your trip to the Legion of Honor, you should definitely take an extra 5-10 minutes to check out this memorial. It's very well done and powerful. read more

I can understand why this meaningful memorial is placed where it is, however because of this it is missed by most people visiting the Legion of Honor. What a shame, as it is a sombering moment when you stand on the "free" side of the barbed wire and look in. I can't say anymore because all of the reviews posted by others before me are very well written and express it all. read more