Internet Archive Headquarters
The Verdict
"Free tours available but check the website for schedules. The building is a former church with servers where the pews were. On Funston Avenue near Clement in the Inner Richmond. Quick visit, about 30 minutes."
What you need to know
The World’s Digital Library Lives in a Former Church
The Internet Archive, the nonprofit behind the Wayback Machine, has its headquarters in a former Christian Science church on Funston Avenue in the Inner Richmond. Founded in 1996 by Brewster Kahle, the organization has archived over 835 billion web pages, along with millions of books, films, audio recordings, and software programs. The building’s main hall still has its original columns and vaulted ceiling, now lined with servers and ceramic figurines representing each employee.
What Makes It Worth It
The main reading room is open to the public and functions as a research library. But the real draw is the building itself and what it represents. The pews are gone. In their place are rows of servers humming quietly, storing a significant portion of human knowledge. Ceramic statues of every person who has ever worked at the Archive line the walls, a strange, endearing tradition.
Free public tours are offered periodically and cover the history of the organization, the architecture, and the technical infrastructure. If you care about digital preservation, open access, or the future of libraries, this is a pilgrimage site.
Skip this if you’re not interested in technology or digital culture. There’s no flashy exhibit or interactive display. It’s a working office in a beautiful old church.
Visiting
Address: 300 Funston Avenue, Inner Richmond
Hours: Reading room generally open weekdays, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Tours by appointment. Check their website.
Cost: Free
Best time to go: During a scheduled tour for the full experience. Otherwise, the reading room is open to drop-ins on weekdays.
What to know: This is a working office, not a museum. Be respectful of staff. The building looks like a church from outside. Look for the Internet Archive banner.
Getting There
Transit: Muni 38-Geary or 38R to Funston Avenue. The 1-California also runs nearby on Clement Street.
Parking: Street parking on Funston and surrounding residential blocks. Usually available.
Walking: In the Inner Richmond, close to Clement Street restaurants and Golden Gate Park’s western end.
📍 Location: This activity is in The Richmond. Explore the neighborhood →
