Ingleside Terraces Sundial San Francisco

Largest in the US

Kathleen from San Francisco

"The "Ingleside Terraces Sundial" in San Francisco is the largest sundial in the US. It's more than 100 years old & still tells the time very accurately..."

Built in 1912 in the Ingleside district of San Francisco, the Ingleside Terraces Sundial came in at 28 feet tall and 34 feet wide and was thought to be the largest sundial in the world. It was in the United States for sure, but not the world.

Ingleside Terraces hadn’t been built yet, so there were no houses around to obscure the view. But rather than celebrating the completion during the daylight hours to show off what the sundial could do, the celebration was held at night so more people could attend.

Today, 109 years later, the sundial is in the middle of a beautiful, quiet, and relatively affluent neighborhood called, you guessed it, Ingleside Terraces. The sundial itself was constructed using marble and concrete and is still very well maintained, making it a rather stunning sight to behold.

It has roman numerals painted around the base and still tells the time accurately to within one minute. It’s pointed to the geographical north (the north pole) and calibrated to the winter solstice. Surrounded by beautiful white classical columns and benches that face southwest, northwest, northeast, and southeast, it’s a lovely place to spend some time in solitude.

Given that it’s located in one of the foggiest areas of the city, you may or may not be able to “see” the time, but it’s still worth the trip to witness the spectacle that is the Ingleside Terraces Sundial.

Art & culture

Buy one, Give one!

Share your 💚 this December

*on all products

San Francisco Spotter Kathleen

About me Born on an American Army base in Germany, I came to the states when I was six months old and my parents were stationed back home at Fort Lewis in Tacoma, Washington, where I spent my entire childhood. Little did I know that the military lifestyle was going to become what inspired me to become an artist. I have been a photographer for most of my life. Whether I knew it or not is another story. I picked up my first camera at the age of eight and became - much to the chagrin of my strict parents - the family voyeur. Often my dad would tell me that what I was doing was ...

About this spot

Entrada Court at Borica Street

US$

free

Website

4156611000

Social

Oct 21, 2025

Our San Francisco City Guide

Find your way with 158 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our San Francisco guide.

Loved it? Join us!

Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in San Francisco

Pug Sunday

Fun for dogs and humans

"Pug Sunday" in San Francisco is on the first Sunday of every month. Four-legged and two-legged creatures alike welcome the new month at Altaza Park.

Relaxing

Sasha

Sommer

Dec 10, 2025

SF Symphony

Something old, something new

The Louise M Davies Symphony Hall is a beautiful space of culture and concerts. There's always something and fresh to enjoy by the SF Symphony here!

Music

Theaters

Nadine

Johnson

Dec 10, 2025

Oracle Park

Baseball by the bay

"Oracle Park" in San Francisco is one of the finest baseball stadiums in America. With panoramic views of the bay, it's uniquely San Franciscan...

Art & culture

Relaxing

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 10, 2025

Swensen's Ice Cream

Same corner since '48

"Swensen's Ice Cream" in San Francisco hasn't changed since 1948. It's the chain's first store and I sill buy bulk ice cream here when I'm in the area...

Snacks

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 10, 2025

Ocean Aquarium

Hidden fish store

"Ocean Aquarium" in San Francisco is a beautiful fish & aquarium store on the most unremarkable side alleyway you can think of. So glad we found it...

Shopping

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 10, 2025

Victoria Pastry Co.

All the major food groups

"Victoria Pastry Co." has prompted me to travel across San Francisco solely to enjoy one of its famed cannolis. Walking into it is a test of self-control.

Snacks

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 10, 2025

Liguria Bakery

A little Italy in SF

The focaccia at "Liguria Bakery" brings Italy to San Francisco. The place feels so familiar for locals. Everyone has a story about the first time they tried.

Snacks

Nadine

Johnson

Dec 10, 2025

Golden Boy Pizza

A gold rush

"Golden Boy Pizza" is far and away the best pizza place in San Francisco. I know this is a bold claim, but everything about it is perfection...

Restaurants

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 10, 2025

SOMArts

Some arts

"SOMArts" is a perfect example of what I enjoy about San Francisco. It's an old warehouse that's a boundary-pushing hotspot for local art & music...

Art & culture

Music

Marcus

D'Avignon

Dec 10, 2025

Brogan and Son Barber Shop

A cut and a pint

"Brogan and Son Barber Shop" San Francisco is an eye-catching barber shop that offers a cool vibe and a clean trim.

Relaxing

Nadine

Johnson

Dec 10, 2025

¡Venga! Empanadas

Delicioso

"¡Venga! Empanadas" San Francisco is a spot that serves fresh empanada. Yes you can find these places every around town but this spot welcomes you with...

Snacks

Nadine

Johnson

Dec 10, 2025

Downtown City Farmers Market

Seasonal delights

The "Downtown City Farmers Market" is a San Francisco market in a historic location. What I like the most about it is the friendliness of the farmers!

Relaxing