James R. Browning United States Courthouse
95 Seventh Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

The James R. Browning U.S. Courthouse, a National Historic Landmark, is located at the corner of Seventh and Mission Streets in San Francisco. The public entrance is 95 Seventh Street. Opened in 1905, this is considered one of America’s most beautiful public buildings. As of September 1, 2022, the Courthouse has reopened to the general public after its closure for the COVID-19 pandemic.

Today, it is the headquarters for the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, which hears appeals from lower court decisions in the federal courts of nine Western states. Court of Appeals oral argument hearings are held for one week of each month, and are available for public attendance now that the Courthouse has reopened. For more information, or to see the court’s calendar of oral arguments, check the website at http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/calendar. Hearings are also livestreamed on our website and the recordings are posted for later viewing.

The court also offers free docent-led public tours of the historic courthouse on certain Tuesdays (see below). The tours begin at 1 p.m. and last approximately 60 minutes. The tours include visiting the old post office lobby on the first floor, and available courtrooms. No reservations are required for individuals to join the public tour. Enter the building and meet the tour guide in the lobby. Each adult entering the building needs to pass through security screening and bring a photo ID, and must comply with any and all COVID protocols as posted on our website.

The court also welcomes group tours, if arranged in advance. For more information about future tours, or to arrange a hosted group tour, please submit an application at least 21 days in advance. In addition, virtual group experiences are available upon request. If you have additional questions, call (415) 355-8090.

Public Tours of the building and courtrooms begin at 1 P.M. on the following Tuesdays: 02/27, 03/05, 04/16, 04/30, 05/07, 05/21, 06/18, 07/23, 08/27, 09/03, 09/17, 10/01, 10/15, 11/05, 11/19, 12/10.