Location: San Francisco
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The 10 Best Museums in San Francisco, California (CA)
Every neighborhood in San Francisco has its own personality, from the hippie chic of the Upper Haight to the hipster grit of the Mission. The Marina district boasts trendy bistros and postcard-perfect views of the Golden Gate Bridge, while Noe Valley offers quaint and quiet boutiques. Wave hello to the sea lions at Pier 39, and sample local cheese and charcuterie at the Ferry Building. Sit in on a yoga session in Dolores Park or marvel at the Dutch Windmill across from Ocean Beach.
Restaurants in San Francisco
1. Pier 24 Photography Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 25 reviews
Reviewed By jimena_sabanes
I had high hopes and this place really met my expectations. It holds a great collection with some of the most renowned photographers. The place is quiet and spacious, great for enjoying the photographs and taking your time to admire them.
2. The Gregangelo Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 107 reviews
Come journey to an authentic San Francisco experience at this weird and whacky home, The Gregangelo Museum! The Gregangelo Museum currently is open for two outdoor art experiences! The Riddle of the Sphinx is our daytime immersive riddle-solving art tour. In this tour, you will immerse yourself with art, stories, and riddle-solving, in order to go to your next adventure. This is perfect for the family or a day date, where you will relive your innocence in the playful garden of youth, enjoy sensuality in the garden of life and contemplate the unknown in the garden of wisdom. Metamorphosis is our LIVE springtime show. This 20+ minute outdoor immersive experience is designed for your pod only. The adventure begins every 10 minutes. Immerse into a world where aerial, musical, and dancing characters come alive from the depths of your imagination. Perfect for families, friends, and couples! Both experiences are outside near the West Portal area of SF, so dress warmly and in layers.
Reviewed By Yshel1011
This multisensory experience is a spectacular mix of glamour, music, story, performance, enchantment and the wild forest. I feel like I step right into my favorite storybook and all the magical beings come alive from the fairytale. I can feel the love, passion and vibrant energy from the artists, they bring so much joy, brightness and aliveness into the experience. I am so thankful that they keep the creativity alive! The experience is very safe and well curated. It is not only a feast for the eye and soul but also an incredibly transformative journey that embraces change and inspires new perspectives! You absolutely don't want to miss it.
3. Exploratorium
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,493 reviews
The Exploratorium is temporarily closed to the public. In accordance with local and state public health orders and recommendations, the Exploratorium is temporarily closed to the public. We have had no known cases of exposure to COVID-19. The health and safety of Exploratorium visitors, employees, and volunteers is our top priority. As soon as we reopen the doors, we look forward to welcoming you, your family, and all those committed to curiosity and joyful learning. In the meantime, please visit our website for digital learning opportunities that you and people across the globe can use to explore the world around them in any environment. Thank you!
Reviewed By 11SusanK11 - Westampton, United States
Loved this hands on interactive museum and had to drag my teenage daughter out of it! It does get crowded so go early and it is mostly for children of all ages and those young at heart. Great interactive exhibits and demonstrations and on the waterfront so you can walk to Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf
4. Asian Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,528 reviews
Spanning cultures from Turkey to India and China to the Philippines through 6,000 years, the collection provides a panorama of Asian art and culture. Included are over 18,000 objects ranging from tiny jades to monumental sculptures. Superb paintings, porcelains, arms and armor, furniture, textiles, and bronzes are featured.
Reviewed By geotech522
The Asian Art Museum is located in a very stately building that was formerly the City's Main Public Library in the Civic Center of San Francisco. Behind the doors of this impressive building is a collection of over 6,000 years of the most beautiful art from all over Asia. This museum has collections that cover the great civilizations of Asia. On the top (third) floor, the galleries feature South Asia, the Persian World and West Asia, Southeast Asia, the Himalayas and the Tibetian Buddhist World, and early China. The second floor continues with later China, Korea, and Japan. The first floor contains Special Exhibitions Gallery, a cafe and the Museum Store. The various collections are very comprehensive and contain some very precious exhibits. This one of the best museums of Asian Art in the US and the best on the West Coast.
5. San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 682 reviews
Visitors can take a workshop on boatbuilding, board a vessel docked at the Hyde Street Pier or tour the fine collections of maritime lore.
Reviewed By PepperNewJersey - California, United States
We just visited the Visitor Center which provided us great exhibits an hands-on activities bout the Gold Rush, shipwrecks and sea communications. Great artifacts and interesting history!
6. SS Jeremiah O'Brien
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 444 reviews
Historic World War II ship docked at Pier 45. One of two remaining Liberty Class of ships, the Jeremiah made 11 trips from London to Normandy for the D day invasion to supply the war effort and carry troops.
Reviewed By RHS1946 - Monroe, United States
On a recent trip to San Francisco with family, we visited the SS Jeremiah O'Brien, a restored and functional WWII Liberty ship. My interest was the fact that it had seen duty on Omaha Beach on D-Day and my father had been there on a US Navy LST landing troops and equipment. It had seen duty in the South Pacific too and had even delivered "war brides" to the USA after the war was over. Hard working people managed to save this Liberty Ship, the only one of it's class still a working vessel. It was sailed to Normandy for the 50th Remembrance of D-Day. Walking up the rope had rail of the steps to the ship would not be easy for anyone who is walking challenged. Almost the entire ship can be explored - from the gun placements above deck to the engine room way below deck. We saw the Captain's quarters and where the ordinary seamen slept, the galley, the infirmary, the map room and many other places. It was fascinating. There is a museum aboard complete with a very large diorama of the sea, the entire beach head and the land where the invasion took place. A small gift shop had several interesting items including books, some posters, patches, hats. This was on New Year's Eve and as we left the staff was setting up for a large event. What a setting to watch the fireworks to be set off at midnight while the band played!
7. USS Pampanito
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 763 reviews
World War II submarine docked at Pier 45.
Reviewed By GilB867 - Memphis, United States
The USS Pampanito, built in 1943 is now a National Historic Landmark and actually part of the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association located not at the Maritime National Park but at Fisherman's Wharf or pier. This sub completed six war time patrols between 1944 and 1945. If you are the least bit of a history, navy, or ship enthusiasts this is a must see while in San Francisco, and it is conveniently located in the Fisherman's Wharf area on the bay. Ticket prices are a little steep but well worth the first hand look you will get inside an actually WWII submarine. You can tour the entire ship, stand in every compartment, at your own pace using a audio cassette.
8. Musee Mecanique
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,871 reviews
This superb collection of mechanical games and toys will entice people of all ages.
Reviewed By JameAndDare - Woodstock, Canada
After having happy hour drinks at the restaurant across the street from this museum, we wandered in and ended up spending over an hour in here! Its free to get in and open until 8pm on weekends, although I'm pretty sure we were here til about 8:30. This place is amazing with a wide range of old arcade games from cheesy old games that show some sort of scenario, to strength games, ski ball, common video games, love tests and our favorite; The Gypsy Queen fortunteller! Bring AT LEAST a roll of quarters, if not more. They go quickly and it was so much fun. We felt like little kids again!
9. San Francisco Art Institute
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
This is the oldest art school in the West, and the alma mater of some of the nation's most acclaimed artists.
Reviewed By V1463FDjuanb
If you want to see a Diego Rivera mural, this is his most accessible of his three San Francisco murals. It’s also very beautiful and located in a gallery that houses the occasional exhibition.
10. Cable Car Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,702 reviews
A museum to San Francisco's beloved cable cars, with a subterranean walkway that lets you see the moving cable.
Reviewed By Mratch - Belmont, United States
Great way to learn how the cable cars work - can see all in 30 minutes, free and makes you appreciate those cable cars!
