The Beach Chalet opened to the public in 1925 with a lounge and changing rooms on the first floor, and a restaurant on the second providing diners with a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. It was designed by the famous San Francisco architect Willis Polk. The beautiful murals, mosaics and wood carvings were completed in 1936 as part of a federal works program. A few years later it was used as barracks for troops operating a nearby service station. Today the building and its art treasures welcome visitors from around the world to explore Golden Gate Park.