Favorite San Francisco Excursions

The Legion of Honor, San Francisco's most beautiful museum, displays an impressive collection of 4,000 years of ancient and European art in an unforgettable setting overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge.

Built to commemorate Californian soldiers who died in World War I, the Legion of Honor is a beautiful Beaux-arts building located in San Francisco's Lincoln Park. Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Golden Gate Bridge and all of San Francisco, the Legion is most noted for its breathtaking setting. Its collections include Rodin's Thinker, which sits in the museum's Court of Honor, European decorative arts and paintings, Ancient art, and one of the largest collections of prints and drawings in the country.

Hot at the moment: Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs — it’s a multi-media experience and is incredible!

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Founded in 1895 in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, the de Young Museum has been an integral part of the cultural fabric of the city and a cherished destination for millions of residents and visitors to the region for over 100 years.

After five years of closure, on October 15, 2005, the de Young inaugurated its new building--a state of the art facility that integrates art, architecture, and the natural landscape in one multi-faceted destination that inspires from around the world. Designed by the renowned Swiss architecture firm Herzog & de Meuron and Fong & Chan Architects in San Francisco, the new de Young provided San Francisco with a landmark art museum to showcase the museum’s priceless collections of American art from the 17th through the 20th centuries, Textile arts, and art of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas.

Don’t miss: The Diego Rivera exhibit—comprehensive. Sketches and even video reveal the process behind the art. Very cool!

Plan extra time to shop the Museum Store for gorgeous jewelry, housewares and oh-so-many art books.

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The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is one of the largest museums of modern and contemporary art in the United States and a thriving cultural center for the Bay Area. Our remarkable collection of painting, sculpture, photography, architecture, design, and media arts, is housed in an LEED Gold-certified building designed by the global architects Snøhetta and Mario Botta. In addition to our seven gallery floors, SFMOMA offers 45,000 square feet of free, art-filled public space open to all.

SFMOMA believes the art of our time is vital and shares it with passion and purpose, and that art and the creative process can open minds and help build a better world. For that reason, we assemble unparalleled collections, create exhilarating exhibitions, and develop engaging public programs that connect with our community.

Current Highlight: The first major museum retrospective dedicated to the work of a Filipino American artist, Carlos Villa: Worlds in Collision celebrates the exuberant work and enduring influence of one of the most important artists of his generation.

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Located in the heart of San Francisco, the Asian Art Museum is home to one of the world’s finest collections of Asian art, boasting more than 18,000 awe-inspiring artworks ranging from ancient jades and ceramics to contemporary video installations. Dynamic special exhibitions, cultural celebrations and public programs for all ages provide rich art experiences that unlock the past and spark questions about the future.

This Smithsonian affiliate features fine art and photography, spoken word, music and more — there’s always something cool happening here. Try to catch the The New Black Vanguard: Photography between Art and Fashion for some gorgeous photography.

MoAD, a contemporary art museum, celebrates Black cultures, ignites challenging conversations, and inspires learning through the global lens of the African Diaspora.

Since its founding in 1984, The Contemporary Jewish Museum (The CJM) has distinguished itself as a welcoming place where visitors can connect with one another through dialogue and shared experiences with the arts. Ever changing, The CJM is a non-collecting institution that partners with national and international cultural institutions to present exhibitions that are both timely and relevant and represent the highest level of artistic achievement and scholarship.

Located in the historic Presidio National Park, the Walt Disney Family Museum is a treasure trove of history and artifacts detailing Walt Disney’s personal life and career. There are 10 galleries always on display in addition to rotating exhibitions. Highly recommended for Disney history buffs and those interested in early film and animation history.