San Francisco Museums: Experience Art and Culture in San Francisco
With all that there is to do in the bay area, you might not think that visiting one of the many San Francisco museums should be on your to-do list. But think again! SF features some of the most fascinating (and even fun!) museums in the country. A trip to a museum is perfect for chilly or rainy days where you want to stay inside and soak up some culture.
Fine Arts Museums in San Francisco
One of the Bay Area’s most impressive museums is also one of the newest – the Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA). The museum features famous works of art and has a history of celebrating the art world’s most daring artists like Andy Warhol and Jackson Pollock.
For a nice touch, admission is free the first Tuesday of the month, and is half price on Thursdays from 6pm-9pm. The museum is located at 151 Third Street.
The Asian Art Museum is located at 200 Larkin Street. As you can expect, this museum is dedicated to Asian art and houses a staggering collection of more than 12,000 objects. View pottery specimen that span thousands of years of China’s history. Enjoy huge Buddhist sculptures and paintings or view one of the many performances like a Balinese Mask Dance. Admission to this San Francisco museum is free on the first Sunday of the month.
Quirky Museums Find a Home in San Francisco
San Francisco enjoys a young, eclectic environment. So, it’s no surprise that there are plenty of places that specialize in quirky aspects of the art world. One of these places is the Cartoon Art Museum. Though small, the place is definitely worth a visit for fans of cartoon art, comics, videogames, and animation. It is located at 655 Mission Street.
The Museum of Craft and Folk Art is the only place to see folk art in Northern California. It is a testament to spectacular folk arts and crafts from around the world. It is located at 51 Yerba Buena Lane. The institution also hosts fun craft afternoons where you can do things like make collages and explore print-making techniques. This is definitely an interactive museum experience in San Francisco.
Fun Places For the Kids (and the Kids at Heart)
You might be surprised to learn that the Walt Disney Family Museum is in San Francisco, not near Disney Land. Located at 104 Montgomery Street, the building affords you gorgeous views of the Golden Gate Bridge. You’ll learn about Disney’s life, see memorabilia, and read excerpts from his letters and journals. You can even view the earliest known drawing of the iconic Mickey Mouse. For a big shocker in San Francisco, they even offer free parking!
The Exploratorium is a museum that blends science and art, with lots of hands-on activities for the kids. It is located in the Palace of Fine Arts and is perfect for science geeks of all ages. Visit the exhibits on forces of nature and weather or take a special class on cooking science. This is a place geared towards learning and fun!
A visit to San Francisco museums is so much more than staring at boring paintings. Ready to book your exciting trip to this great city?