San Francisco Museums

De Young Museum plus more...

de Young Art Museum - San Francisco

Art Museums:

de Young Museum - Classic and impressionist art in Golden Gate Park.

Admission is free at the deYoung the first Tuesday of every month. Tickets are always transferable at no cost to visit the Legion of Honor museum (see below) the same day.

The M.H. de Young Memorial Museum reopened in a beautiful and architecturally controversial new building at Golden Gate Park in Fall 2005. Instead of a typical "art filled box" - the new architecture from Pierre de Meuron and Jacques Herzog is a seamless joy to explore. The re-opened museum is built at the same site as its earthquake damaged predecessor at the east end of Golden Gate Park near the music concourse. The art museum includes a basement gallery for special exhibits; two floors of permanent exhibits; and a 144 foot high tower with an observation deck. The tower twists as it rises so at the top it parallels the north-south streets of San Francisco. People either love or hate the new building - so at least it is getting reactions! The architects have focused on sensations, not forms. They wanted to created architecture that touches all your senses in an overall experience -- and this approach has made the new de Young Art Museum quite memorable. Visitors are able to choose their own path through the art exhibits, rather than follow a pre-set route. The Oceanics gallery is particularly dramatic with a 9,500 square foot space where a ceiling pulls up like a shallow tent. It feels like an exotic treasure chest. The paving stones of the floors were quarried in inItaly with a syncopated pattern. The de Youung is fresh, inventive, and contemperary -- a world class art museum for San Francisco visitors to enjoy.

MOMA by Kirklin Lee

SF Museum of Modern Art (SF-MOMA)

It's one of San Francisco's newest and coolest art museums in a very striking building. Some unusual modern art but a great place to check out if you're going to hit a museum in SF. Try half-price off the $12.50 normal ticket price every Thursday evening 6pm-9pm, or wait for FREE admission the first Tuesday of every month.

San Francisco Zoo - Amazing city zoo with monkeys, lions, birds, and lots of easy fun for your family outing.

The Conservatory of Flowers at Golden Gate Park is like a trip to the rainforest filled with exotic flowers and orchids. Different climates from warm, to cooler, to aquatic give incredible flowers their beauty. Don't miss this historic and incredible "flower museum" at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco. Free museum ticket admission the first Tuesday of every month.

Legion of Honor - Excellent classic art located in very scenic locales in the Richmond. Free museum admission the first Tuesday of every month.

Asian Art Museum - One of the largest museums in the Western world devoted exclusively to Asian art. Opened in 1966, the museum's holdings include more than 12,000 art objects representing the countries and cultures throughout Asia. Free museum ticket admission the first Sunday of every month.

Museum of Craft and Folk Art

Folk arts and crafts from around the world at Yerba Buena Center. Mission Street between 3rd and 4th streets.

Hours: Tue-Fri 11-6, Sat / Sun 11-5. Closed Mondays; free on Tuesdays.

Phone: 415-227-4888

Science Museums:

The Exploratorium

A great science museum which is excellent for kids. Lots of hands-on exhibits in a architecturally beautiful building in the Marina District. Many original human-perception displays including optical illusions and fog movements (how SF!).

Admission: Adults $14; children 4-12 $9; Seniors 65+, Students 18+ with ID, Youth 13-17, and people with disabilities are all $11; children under 3 free. Admission is free the first Wednesday of every month.

Hours: 10-5 Tuesday-Sunday 415-561-0360

Living & Hilly Roof - California Academy of Science - San Francisco

San Francisco Aquarium

Built in 2008 includes a wonderful science museum with exhibits, aquarium, and planetarium located in Golden Gate Park. The science museum emphasizes natural history and features fish and dolphins, gemstones, and a special earthquake exhibit.

California Academy of Science - San Francisco

Admission: Adults $24.95; kids 12-17 / Seniors 65+ are $19.95; kids 7-11 $14.95; kids under 6 free. Admission is free the third Wednesday of every month.

Hours: Open 930-5 pm Monday-Saturday and 11-5pm on Sundays. 415-379-8000