San FranciscoArts & Culture
San Francisco is a city of inspiration. You can see it all around you, in whichever neighborhoods you visit.
San Francisco isn’t just a city—it’s a feeling, an idea, a spark. That spark has lit the creative fires that have changed music, theater, dance, fashion, poetry, fiction, and visual arts generation after generation. When you arrive in San Francisco, you are stepping into a place that dares you to think bigger, dream fearlessly, and believe in the impossible. If you can imagine it, you can see it here in our cultural institutions and communities of creators.
Visit SFMOMA
The home for modern and contemporary art in San Francisco, and the first of its kind on the west coast, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art showcases boundary-breaking works in painting, sculpture, and photography. Explore all seven stories of the building, which is itself a piece of architectural wonder. Book your tickets ahead of time.
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Visit the de Young Museum
Looking for a cultural experience in San Francisco? Visit the de Young Museum and be amazed by its stunning art collections. Start planning your trip now!
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Win Tickets to SFMOMA and the de Young
We're giving away two pairs of tickets each month to SFMOMA and the de Young Museum. It's the perfect way to add a little extra inspiration to your next visit.
Public Art
From your first steps off the plane at SFO to our biggest and brightest bridge, you'll discover that San Francisco has public art everywhere.
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Museums & Galleries
With more than 50 amazing museums and hundreds of galleries to explore, there is no shortage of ways to be inspired in San Francisco.
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Performing Arts
Performing arts in San Francisco has a calendar full of fun shows. Catch a theater performance, head to the opera, see the ballet or check out local dance groups and prepare to be entertained.
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Music
The creative spirit and steadfast countercultural streak is on display in San Francisco’s music scene. It's time to immerse yourself in our deep music history and experience the San Francisco sound.
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Illuminate SF
San Francisco shines brightest during the holiday season when Illuminate SF™'s Festival of Light covers the city in epic outdoor installations of brilliant light art.
Learn MoreBelieve in the Arts. Believe in San Francisco.
Discover The Exploratorium
Described as a mad scientist's penny arcade, a scientific funhouse, and an experimental laboratory all rolled into one, the Exploratorium is regarded as the world’s foremost interactive science museum. With more than 650 hands-on exhibits that ignite curiosity and transform the way people learn, visitors of all ages can play, observe, and discover.
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Your Guide to Film Festivals in San Francisco
At any time of year ,there’s a film festival unreeling in San Francisco. Check out our guide to discover which festivals are happening each month.
Explore
The Mission District is an outdoor art gallery full of vibrant murals depicting themes ranging from cultural heritage to social-political statements.
Here's a helpful round-up of the must-see performances in San Francisco this season.
Brighten up your visit to San Francisco by attending these eclectic festivals and celebrations, some of which date back more than 100 years.
To help you plan ahead and get the most out of your visit to the San Francisco Ballet, we offer you these tips and essential information.
San Francisco has a long history with jazz music. Learn about our history and where to find it now, from festivals to clubs and bars.