The Cow Palace is a mixed-use indoor arena located in Daly City, a city part of the San Francisco Bay Area and just south of the city proper. The arena originally opened as the California State Livestock Pavilion in 1941 a name which it held until 1944 when it took on its current name.

The venue’s interesting name is attributed to a local newspaper who remarked shortly after the arena’s construction if it was wise to build a ‘palace for cows’ when people were starving. The name would stick and would go on to witness many important events over its 80-year history.

During WWII the arena was used to process soldiers that were bound for the Pacific Theatre. World title boxing fights featuring some of the great like Joe Louis and Sugar Ray Robinson were held at the arena. The arena is notable for having hosted The Beatles first show of their 1964 North American tour.

As the Bay Area’s principal indoor arena for most of the 20^th century, the venue would also serve as the preferred choice for most sporting and entertainment events until they began to favour the newer Oakland arena. These days the arena is predominately used to host the annual Grand National Rodeo, Horse, and Stock Show as well as hosting smaller sized events. Cow Palace is accessible via the BART Rapid Transit network which offers services to the Balboa Park Station located with walking distance of the venue. The arena also features ample onsite parking for those choosing to drive.