*Note - Great News - The Giant Camera is now open.* We received the following email from the official Giant Camera site on May 9. 2005:

The Giant Camera is open and producing beautiful images. It has been restored to its original design with a timer. It now makes four historical stops during a six minute, 360 degree rotation. The image is much sharper with a restored mirror. The Giant Camera is open everyday, weather permitting. It will be closed during rain, fog and strong winds. The hours are 11am to 5pm. Sunsets will be only on the weekends. Please call 415-750-0415

Since the camera obscura may be closed from time to time for additional work it is suggested that you call ahead to the number above to be sure it is open before visiting.

We have visited the Giant Camera behind Cliff House in San Francisco three times. It overlooks Seal Rock on Point Lobos. The small building has been decorated to look like a giant 35mm camera with its lens pointing to the sky. Information gathered from the internet and a flyer available at the Giant Camera tell us that it was built in 1948-49 as part of the Playland at the Beach amusement area.

After Playland closed in 1972 the camera obscura was in danger of being destroyed but was saved by a public campaign. At the time there were a number of articles in History of Photography publications with quotes and letters from both the "save this bit of history" and "What kind of fool would go into a dark room to look at the projection of something they can see for real outside" attitudes. This is an argument we still hear today when we talk about the camera obscura.

In 1999 the Giant Camera was again scheduled to close with the date set for the end of 1999. 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. See the information at the top of this page with a link to the web site containing information, photographs, and an archive of letters and articles about the campaign to save the camera obscura.