An Art Lover's Guide to San Francisco
Art Museums, Galleries, and Public Works
San Francisco is a cultural, artistic, and sometimes even quirky city that is full of culture. If you're looking to explore some of San Francisco's best art museums and galleries, look no further, because here are all of the places that you need to explore.The Palace of Fine Arts
3301 Lyon Street, Marina District, San Francisco, CA
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art houses an impressive collection of contemporary art. There are over 33,000 works including paintings, sculptures, photography, architecture, and more.
151 3rd Street, South of Market, SF, California, 94103
If you're looking for more information about San Francisco, read Activities and Things to Do in the Fall in San Francisco and Best Places for Dumplings and Dim Sum in San Francisco.
Asian Art Museum of San Francisco
The Asian Art Museum has one of the most comprehensive Asian art collections in the world. There are over 18,000 works of art, with some works over 6,000 years old.
200 Larkin Street, Civic Center, SF, California, 94102
Cartoon Art Museum
This unique museum is the only museum in the Western US that is dedicated exclusively to cartoon art. There are about 7,000 pieces of work here.
650 Mission Street, Union Square, SF, California, 94105
Legion of Honor
From it's beautiful Beaux-Arts building to its impressive collection of ancient and European art, this museum is a must-see in San Francisco. The limestone, marble, and chevron wood building is a beautiful work of art and inside there is a collection of more than 800 European paintings (with 250 available to view).
Lincoln Park | 100 34th Avenue (at Clement Street), Lincoln Park, San Francisco, CA, 94121
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
This venue offers contemporary visual art, performances, films, and community programs that highlight and educate the public on local, national, and international artists that are creating works in modern times.
701 Mission St., SoMa, San Francisco, CA, 94103
Museum of the African Diaspora
This contemporary art museum features work that highlights Black culture. The museum educates and informs visitors on the history of African culture, following through to modern times. The space is 20,000 square feet and it was created through the efforts of the former San Francisco mayor Willie Brown.
685 Mission St (at 3rd), San Francisco, CA, 94105
San Francisco Museum of Craft & Design
This museum features the work of painters, textile artists, and sculptors. It's a small museum with a number of rotating exhibits.
2569 Third Street, San Francisco, CA, 94107
If you're looking for more information about San Francisco, read San Francisco: What to See and Do in the Spring and The Best Squares and Plazas in San Francisco.
Contemporary Jewish Museum
This three story museum is an impressive sight. It is made with more than 3,000 color-changing blue steel panels that form the Hebrew letters chet and yud, which come together to spell the Hebrew word for life. The museum hosts a series of rotating exhibits as well as cultural shows.
736 Mission Street, San Francisco, CA, 94103
de Young Museum
This art museum is located in Golden Gate Park and features work from Africa, Oceania, and the Americas. This museum is more than 125 years old and it's popular for its unique fashion exhibits that include everything from costumes to contemporary Muslim fashions. There's also a beautiful observation tower on the 9th floor that looks out over Golden Gate Park, downtown San Francisco, the Bay, and the Marin headlands.
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco, CA, 94118
How much does it cost?
Prices for activities, things to do, and tours range from $6 to $500. The average cost for a tour or tickets is $132. A few of the best options are below.
Where to Stay in San Francisco
More Ideas for San Francisco
The Best VRBO Vacation Rentals in Fisherman's Wharf in San FranciscoThe Best VRBO Vacation Rentals by Ghiradelli Square in San FranciscoThe Best VRBO Vacation Rentals in the Marina District in San FranciscoThe Best VRBO Vacation Rentals in North Beach in San FranciscoThe Best VRBO Vacation Rentals around Telegraph Hill and Coit Tower in San FranciscoThe Best VRBO Vacation Rentals in the Financial District and Embarcadero of San FranciscoThe Best VRBO Vacation Rentals in Nob Hill in San FranciscoThe Best VRBO Vacation Rentals in Russian Hill in San FranciscoThe Best VRBO Vacation Rentals in SoMa in San FranciscoThe Best VRBO Vacation Rentals by Union Square in San FranciscoThe Best VRBO Vacation Rentals in the Mission District in San FranciscoThe Best VRBO Vacation Rentals around Mission Delores Park in San FranciscoThe Best VRBO Vacation Rentals in The Castro in San FranciscoThe Best VRBO Vacation Rentals in Hayes Valley in San FranciscoThe Best VRBO Vacation Rentals in the Lower Haight in San FranciscoThe Best VRBO Vacation Rentals in Haight-Ashbury in San FranciscoThe Best VRBO Vacation Rentals around the Painted Ladies at Alamo Square in San FranciscoThe Best VRBO Vacation Rentals by the Presidio in San FranciscoThe Best VRBO Vacation Rentals by Yerba Buena Gardens in SoMa in San FranciscoThe Best VRBO Vacation Rentals in Sausalito, California
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.
Search for Travel Costs
Read More
Planning a trip to San Francisco? You might also be interested in The Best Art Museums in San Francisco.
Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.