Palace Games
Palace Games
5
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Monday
12:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
About
Palace Games is a unique San Francisco based company offering escape room experiences inside the beautiful Palace of Fine Arts. Our exciting games pay homage to the fascinating history of the Palace of Fine Arts. These escape rooms are ONLY available in San Francisco! Come experience The Great Houdini Escape Room, The Roosevelt Escape Room, The Edison Escape Room, and our newest addition, The Attraction. These escape rooms are only available as private reservations and can accommodate groups of 4-8 players per room, or up to 32 per time slot.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Marina District
Beautiful homes, beautiful people, and a beautiful backdrop of the Golden Gate Bridge welcome visitors to the Marina. Originally the location for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915 (whose remnants can be seen at the Palace of Fine Arts), much of the land was filled and flattened to accommodate a world’s fair. That ample space has given way to a jogger’s paradise at the northern edge of the city. With the picturesque bay setting as its backdrop, it’s no surprise that the area has hosted numerous movie productions. Daytime activities focus on café culture and boutique shopping, while the evenings turn this neighborhood into a party-going hotspot.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
168 reviews
Excellent
163
Very good
3
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
Karen M
1 contribution
Feb 2024 • Friends
This is our second time trying to escape one of the Palace Games escape rooms. This trip we took on the Edison Room (previously did Houdini Room) and it was a lot of fun for our diverse group consisting of people aging from 17 to 60 and all were able to participate actively. We are all pretty strong puzzlers and found the room challenging but solvable (although we needed five minutes more than the 100 minutes allotted). We were glad there were eight of us this time (when we did Houdini we only had four and weren't able to escape in time -- too many puzzles but still had a great time). It was nice to know the Ghost of Edison was available to give clues if we got really stuck but fortunately didn't need to call on him during this escape. Will definitely visit one of the other rooms in the future (still have three others to explore).
Written February 26, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Valerie W
1 contribution
Oct 2022 • Business
Highly recommended! If you're looking for an easy way out, this ain't it! The puzzles are so much fun, and are challenging so you have to work together! If you're stuck, hints are provided to you! The space is great for large groups, our group was split into 3 and we each did one of the escape rooms. There was Houdini, Edison, and Roosevelt. The story you're told explains why you're in this room, and has piqued my interest in learning more about the events surrounding the great war.
Written October 11, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ImekaSF
San Francisco, CA189 contributions
Oct 2023 • Friends
I have now completed two of these rooms, and they are each very unique and challenging without being discouraging. If you're looking for a truly immersive and unique experience, I recommend "The Attraction" which is not timed, and is one of the best experiences I've had in an escape room.
We also booked the Game Room for a post-escape (and birthday) hang, which is also incredible. The room has a ton of board games - both new and vintage - and plenty of space to relax and debrief.
Finally, I have to shout out the incredible staff, who clearly love what they do, and were all very kind.
Gather your friends and get yourself a room! You won't regret it.
We also booked the Game Room for a post-escape (and birthday) hang, which is also incredible. The room has a ton of board games - both new and vintage - and plenty of space to relax and debrief.
Finally, I have to shout out the incredible staff, who clearly love what they do, and were all very kind.
Gather your friends and get yourself a room! You won't regret it.
Written October 30, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John O
1 contribution
Dec 2023 • Friends
Fantastic, fun, carefully crafted escape room experience. These are among the best rooms out there and are great to experience with family and friends. Staff is always friendly and helpful in setting up your adventure. Highly recommend all of their rooms - each one is a different kind of challenge, and more people in your group is generally better.
Written December 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
karyn
San Francisco, CA1 contribution
Mar 2023 • Family
We had such a great time doing the Houdini room!! The puzzles were intense and quite unique compared to other rooms we’ve done elsewhere & the whole layout was engaging and interactive! It really was difficult, and a bit overwhelming at first especially for anyone new to escape rooms. We had a small group of four which made it more challenging. I definitely recommend having at least 6 people (8 if you can), but even our little group had a blast and solved a decent amount of the room on our own. Amy our game host was wonderful, and provided excellent clues and help when needed. She was so patient and even stayed a little later to let us finish…she said the Houdini room is by far the most difficult and the Edison room is a bit more beginner friendly so we will definitely be back to try out the other rooms!!!
Written March 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vahan Bournazian
Yerevan, Armenia4 contributions
May 2023 • Friends
Two hours plus of concentration and fun. The Attraction was beyond amazing and beautiful in the design of the puzzles and the overarching narrative and the design and execution of each room. A unique experience. Choose wisely who you go with.
Written May 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Troy K
Madison30 contributions
Jan 2024 • Family
This is a worthy challenge for our team of eight, with a series of challenges, riddles, puzzles all hiding in plain sight. Fun period decorations centering around the 1915 era in San Francisco. Game master was helpful. Well worth your time and money
Written January 1, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
L W
South San Francisco, CA4 contributions
Dec 2021
The Houdini Room at Palace Games was loads of fun and kept my group entertained with puzzles, challenges and a few surprises. Our group ranged from 13 to 50 years old and there was something for everyone. Loved how a few things forced us to work as a team. The room and puzzles were high-quality and well-thought through. Our group has done a few escape rooms, so had some experience. It might be more complicated and confusing to someone who has never done an escape room, but you can quickly pick it up.
The cost is on the pricey side, but well worth it.
Our room master (not sure that's what you would call her) was attentive and friendly.
Would definitely go back for the other rooms. Highly recommend!
The cost is on the pricey side, but well worth it.
Our room master (not sure that's what you would call her) was attentive and friendly.
Would definitely go back for the other rooms. Highly recommend!
Written December 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alb L
Atlanta, GA178 contributions
Oct 2021
It was a dark and stormy day, but nothing could have prepared me for the truly pleasant reality-shifting experience that was awaiting me at Palace Games!
First of all, you're at one of the most beautiful and mystical places in San Francisco, right at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. The entrance makes you feel like you're entering a live movie of a mystery or action film.
Second of all, you begin to suspect everything. It is with delight and a sense of wonder that you begin to experience the world. I will not go into spoilers, but the extent of technology and construction exceeds even the imagineers of Disney World in terms of an immersive experience.
Finally, you're not quite sure when it ends. Even after you leave, you start thinking of the world in a completely different way. I can't recommend this experience enough for a great live experience coupled with a lasting sense of awesome.
First of all, you're at one of the most beautiful and mystical places in San Francisco, right at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge. The entrance makes you feel like you're entering a live movie of a mystery or action film.
Second of all, you begin to suspect everything. It is with delight and a sense of wonder that you begin to experience the world. I will not go into spoilers, but the extent of technology and construction exceeds even the imagineers of Disney World in terms of an immersive experience.
Finally, you're not quite sure when it ends. Even after you leave, you start thinking of the world in a completely different way. I can't recommend this experience enough for a great live experience coupled with a lasting sense of awesome.
Written November 2, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelsey P
San Rafael, CA119 contributions
Sep 2022
I've done two of the escape rooms, Houdini and Edison. Both of them are very fun and very different from each other. There are the typical solving combinations to locks but also word puzzles, physical clues around the room, games, and physical activities. The staff are very helpful and friendly and gave us a few extra minutes when we were close to finishing the room. Cannot recommend enough!
Written September 19, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lizzie H
San Francisco, California
Hello! The games are only available in English. If you have some English speakers on the team, they can help translate for non-English speakers. We have had this work for groups in the past!
Written June 20, 2019
Any one would like to team up to do Roosevelt Room? June 26, 27, or 28? Please let me know! We only have three people!
Written June 8, 2019
Hi,
my daughter's Girl Scout troop would like to do this as their group activity this Spring. Have you had other Girl Scouts troop and are you Girl Scout approved. Do you offer a discount for non-profits groups? The Girls are 13 to 14 years old, so if we have 2 rooms do we have one adult in each room?
Written February 25, 2017
Lizzie H
San Francisco, California
Hi Paola,
Thank you for inquiring about bringing your daughter's girl scout group! This would be the first time Palace Games has hosted a Girl Scout troop, so we are not currently Girl Scout approved.
All players under the age of 15 must be accompanied by an adult. So each group would need an adult present.
Our Roosevelt Room is for players 16 and older, so the Houdini Room would be a better fit for your group. Unfortunately, that means if you booked two rooms, they would have to be back to back time slots and not concurrent games.
If you have additional questions or want to discuss a nonprofit discount, please give us a call or email.
Thank you!
Written February 25, 2017
Would this be too scarey for 9 and 11 yrs olds with accompanying adults? Or for adults that get "creeped out" really easily?
Written December 25, 2016
Lizzie H
San Francisco, California
Hi Phyllis!
The Houdini and Roosevelt Rooms are definitely not creepy! A 9 and 11 year old are definitely welcome to join a group of adults and will have a nice time!
Written December 27, 2016
Is it possible to buy a room for 8 yo kids or would they be overwhelmed?
Written December 10, 2016
Lizzie H
San Francisco, California
Hi there!
Thanks so much for you inquiry!
The Houdini Room has a minimum group age of 12 and the Roosevelt Room has a minimum group age of 16. This would not be an appropriate experience for a group of 8 years. However, if a group of adults is playing the room, you are more than welcome to bring a couple of younger players along!
Have a great weekend!
Written December 10, 2016
Can solo travellers enjoy this activity?
Written March 25, 2016
Lizzie H
San Francisco, California
Hi Ignacio!
Thank you for your question! Unfortunately, Palace Games does not sell individual tickets. We sell full room reservations that can accommodate 6 to 12 players.
Best wishes,
Lizzie
Written March 25, 2016
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