San Francisco Visitors Planning Guide • 2017 • San Francisco’s Must-See Museums

World-class aquariums, interactive science exhibits, and some of the country’s most diverse art collections, including the works of Walt Disney, make San Francisco’s museums a must for any traveler. But it’s not just the collections that are magnificent; it’s also the critically acclaimed architecture and some of the most breathtaking vistas in the city that make the institutions worth a visit. Be sure to include a stop at one (or more) of these museums during your stay.

Located in the Civic Center neighborhood, this stately museum is home to one of the world’s most diverse collections of art and objects from across the Asian continent. Spanning 6,000 years of human history, visitors can enjoy beautiful paintings, sculptures, furniture, textiles and armor, among other objects, originating from Turkey, China, India, Japan, the Philippines and other Asian cultures.

Home to an aquarium, planetarium, natural history museum, research and educational programs, the California Academy of Sciences is an institution you have to see to believe. From the splashing penguins in the African Hall to the wildflowers on the roof, the building is bursting with life. A four-story living rainforest and aweinspiring coral reef ecosystem delights visitors of all ages, while immersive planetarium shows transport you through space and time for a new perspective on our universe.

The California Historical Society has been preserving the rich and fascinating history of California for more than 140 years. Enjoy informative exhibits in their downtown location near the Contemporary Jewish Museum and MoAD.

Located in downtown San Francisco near the Museum of African Diaspora and the California Historical Society, the Contemporary Jewish Museum presents dynamic exhibitions and educational programs exploring contemporary perspectives on Jewish culture, history and ideas.

Located in Golden Gate Park, the de Young houses more than 27,000 works and includes an extensive collection of American art from the 17th through 21st centuries. There’s so much to see, from textiles and costumes to rare paintings by Australian Aboriginal artists. Opt for an audio tour of the permanent or special exhibitions; and don’t miss the wraparound views of San Francisco and the Pacific from the Observation Level of the Hamon Tower.

Recently relocated to a shining new home on the Embarcadero, the Exploratorium is an interactive museum for all ages. Six main galleries boast more than 600 hands-on exhibits. Experiment with thoughts, feelings and social behavior in the Human Phenomena Gallery; experience different types of rainstorms in the outdoor North Gallery and investigate the history, geography and ecology of the Bay area in the Fisher Bay Observation Gallery.

Built to commemorate Californian soldiers who died in World War I, the Legion of Honor is a beautiful neoclassic building overlooking Lincoln Park and the Golden Gate Bridge. The museum’s collection features more than 4,000 years of ancient and European art and also houses the Achenbach Foundation for Graphic Arts, one of the largest collections of works on paper in the country. Don’t miss a performance on the Skinner pipe organ; public concerts are presented each weekend on Saturday and Sunday at 4 p.m.

The Smithsonian-affiliated MoAD seeks to share the art and stories of African heritage with audiences from around the world, and is one of the few museums in the country dedicated to African Diaspora — the migration of African people and their lasting cultural and historical impact. The museum offers an impressive roster of rotating exhibitions.

A non-collecting institution, the Museum of Craft and Design is one of North America’s few institutions dedicated to contemporary practices in craft and design. The museum’s mission is to explore the active roles craft and design play in everyday life through original and traveling exhibitions, collaborations with museums from around the world, and hands-on opportunities to learn how to make your own crafts.

This recently expanded gem has 10 floors with 45,000-square feet of free, art-filled public spaces and a façade inspired by the waters and fog of the San Francisco Bay. SFMOMA’s permanent collection includes more than 30,000 pieces; new additions include The Fisher Collection, which has large concentrations of works by Andy Warhol, Alexander Calder and many others, and Pritzker Center for Photography, the largest space permanently dedicated to photography at any art museum in the U.S.

Dedicated to the life and work of Walt Disney, creator of some of America’s most beloved animation including Mickey Mouse, this museum is housed in a historic building in the Presidio. Contemporary interactive galleries and state-of-the-art exhibits are narrated in Walt’s own voice, and feature early drawings, cartoons, movies, music, listening stations, more than 200 video screens, and a spectacular model of Disneyland. While you’re there, enjoy daily screenings of Disney classics.

Located in the heart of Yerba Buena Gardens, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts presents cutting-edge, contemporary visual art, performances, film/video and community engagement programs that celebrate innovation and experimentation by local, national and international artists working today. Distinguished by its support for contemporary artists from around the world, YBCA is also recognized for the important role the organization plays in the San Francisco Bay Area arts ecology and in the community at large.

Dig deeper into San Francisco’s rich cultural diversity with Arts & Culture Explorer Maps: sftravel.com/maps

San Francisco Visitors Planning Guide - 2017

San Francisco’s Must-See Museums

Issue List

2020

2019

2018