Even though I've been to SFMOMA a couple times, I enjoy coming back from time to time to check out…read morethe new exhibits. Located on the 1st floor, Jacob Hashimoto: Giant Arc installation, opened yesterday (Saturday, 8/22/26). I love 3D works, so this was easily one of my faves from here. Made up of 75,000 pieces, it's a colorful installation that covers the Roberts Family Gallery. Side notes: 1.) Mixture of free & paid art installations: Check online to see current exhibitions 2.) Limited and expensive parking: It's walking distance from multiple transit stations, so would recommend that. *Verdict: If you're a fan of 3D art, check it out (along with the rest of the museum)! I didn't have enough time during this visit, but I want to return for the Matisse exhibit before it closes!

I still love this museum! I appreciate how the curators change things up so each time you visit…read morethere are fresh & unique things to experience. Today especially was moved by Shirin Neshat & Philip Glass's collaboration on a an 11 minute video entitled "Passage" that depicts a funeral procession in Morocco.The music and imagery was especially powerful. Mom and I checked everything out & enjoyed the plant wall, Modern Art 101 Gallery, the store, and the cafe. So much to see! We did not opt to pay extra to see the Matisse exhibit. There were people viewing the galleries with us, but it was not too crowded and there was plenty of space. Today was an especially beautiful day, so maybe more folks were outside enjoying the weather, but it was a perfect day for a visit. All employees we interacted with from the security guards to the cafe folks to the ticket checkers were all helpful & pleasant. It is such a joy to come here & you never know what delightful surprises you will happen upon. Peace.

I love Egyptian Art. Had to go…read more Treasures of the Pharaohs at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco is an incredible showcase of over 100 ancient Egyptian artifacts from Egypt. We attended the evening event, which made the experience even more memorable. Along with exploring the stunning exhibits, there was a two DJ spinning music, dancing, delicious food trucks, and great selection of cocktails/mocktails. The combination of history, culture, and entertainment created a fun and unique night out. A must go see.

The deYoung always has interesting exhibits, and the Bay Area Artists full time installation is…read morealways worth a visit - or a second or third! I'm a multiple time visitor, since I was in college, and every time I come back, I remember how beautiful of a museum it is. (and free for SF residents on Saturdays!) One of my favorite events that the deYoung puts on is their after hours event for adults where you can get drinks & food, and walk around the museum looking at exhibits - they even have a DJ! I saw the Paul McCartney photographs 1963-64 "Eyes of the Storm" exhibit here at the after hours event and it was a great way to experience the work.

Legion of Honor is a beautiful museum inside and out. The grand entrance is a precedent to all the…read morewonderful artwork you'll see inside. I went on a Saturday where it is free for residents of Bay Area counties. I'm not sure if you can get the ticket the day of in person, but I got mine online a few days prior since these tickets are limited. I might even recommend to get them a week ahead. The pieces inside range from 2D art to houseware to statues and settings. Everything was so impressive. We also made sure we grabbed seats 20 min prior to the organ show as the seats fill up very quickly. Though there is a ton of standing room if you aren't able to grab a seat.

We visited the Legion of Honor to see the exhibit called "The Etruscans: From the Heart of Ancient…read moreItaly." The Legion of Honor is located in Lincoln Park and is a component of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, which also administers the de Young Museum. The Legion of honor is not as big as the de Young Museum, but has a beautiful and exquisite collection of art. We enjoyed seeing the special exhibit of Ancient Italy. The lower level of the museum was the perfect fit for this amazing collection of the Etruscans civilization. There were around 200 examples of bronze and terracotta sculpture, gold jewelry, ceramics, and architectural features, as well as the longest-surviving piece of Etruscan writing. We really enjoyed this exhibit as well as other featured paintings and sculptures, on the main level. There is even a porcelain gallery with pieces from England and Europe, which we enjoyed seeing. They have a really nice gift shop and a cafe. We browsed the gift shop and had lunch at their cafe, which was very good. We would definitely come back to visit again for their next exhibit.

The opening is strong because the recommendation from strangers on the cable car explains why you…read morewent, and then you immediately stumbled into something you couldn't have planned: the matcha seminar. I'd also keep your reaction to Writing in the Rain toward the end because it gives the review more substance than simply listing the museum's collections. I met a mother and daughter on a San Francisco cable car who told me the Asian Art Museum was their favorite thing they had seen in the city. Based on their enthusiastic recommendation, I decided to go. Admission was included with my Go City pass. I happened to arrive just in time for the final seminar in a series about tea. This one was presented by Constance Tea & Matcha, a San Francisco company, and focused on matcha. We learned how differences in shade, processing, and the time-consuming grinding process affect matcha, and watched a demonstration before receiving a sample. The matcha was a beautiful, vibrant green and had none of the bitterness that I sometimes associate with green tea. It was an unexpected bonus to my museum visit and one of those experiences I never would have known to plan in advance. The museum covers the art and cultures of many parts of Asia, including China, Japan, Korea, India and Tibet. There is a great deal to see, so you could easily spend several hours here depending upon your level of interest. One of the most memorable works for me was FX Harsono's Writing in the Rain, part of a current exhibition scheduled through September 7, 2026. Understanding the symbolism behind the work gave it a depth that stayed with me after I left. The bottom level also had an arts-and-crafts area, and there were tables in the atrium where visitors could learn and play mahjong. I liked that the museum provided opportunities to participate in Asian culture rather than only viewing objects behind glass. There is also a gift shop and a restaurant with reasonably priced and interesting choices, including chicken, pork and beef dishes. I'm glad I listened to two strangers on a cable car. Between the matcha demonstration, the extensive Asian art collections, the cultural activities and the thought-provoking contemporary art, the Asian Art Museum offered much more than I had expected. Sometimes the best travel recommendations come from the people you happen to meet along the way.

I revisited the Asian Art Museum recently for its community day on the first Sunday of the month…read more I'm not sure if there was a special exhibit, but there were many events happening at the museum - sip & sketch and a children's activity. I also saw signage for weekly mahjong happy hours and performances - it's so cool how the museum has become a community gathering place. I spent about an hour exploring the permanent collection and never fail to discover new treasures. I'm always amazed by the expansive collection of pottery and statues across cultures. If you time it right, joining one of the docent-guides tours would be a neat way to experience the collection.

I bought the Gardens of Golden Gate Park pass--three gardens for three days for $25--which was a…read moremuch better value for me than paying $15 to visit just the Botanical Garden for one day. I also visited the Japanese Tea Garden, which is $16 for a one-day ticket. If you only have an hour or less, the Japanese Tea Garden is a good choice. But if you have several hours and want to wander among beautiful examples of flowers and plants from around the world in a more peaceful environment, I much preferred the San Francisco Botanical Garden. The San Francisco Botanical Garden was a highlight of my trip to San Francisco and the best botanical garden I have ever visited. If you're an introvert or simply looking for some peace and quiet amid the bustle of San Francisco, this 55-acre garden with more than 8,000 different kinds of plants provides a wonderful escape. What I especially loved was that you aren't limited to the main pathways connecting the different garden areas. Within many of the gardens are smaller, winding dirt and pebble paths that let you wander right alongside the plants and beneath the trees. You can really immerse yourself in the surroundings and get in some serious forest-bathing rest and relaxation. Some of my favorite areas were the Moon Viewing Garden, Ancient Plant Garden, Australia Garden, Andean Cloud Forest, Southeast Asian Cloud Forest, Fragrance Garden, and Redwood Grove. Each felt different enough that wandering from one to another was almost like traveling through different parts of the world without leaving Golden Gate Park. One practical tip: Take a picture of the large garden map when you arrive so you'll have it on your phone. With 55 acres and all those little winding paths, it's surprisingly easy to lose your sense of direction. I found some of the exit signs confusing and occasionally felt as though they were sending me back and forth when I was trying to find my way out. Give yourself time here. For me, this wasn't a garden to race through checking off sights. The pleasure was in slowing down, wandering down those little paths, getting close to the leaves and trees, and simply enjoying being surrounded by so much nature.

We liked the experience on a summer. Not as bad weather as we came from. We need to be back on…read morespring time.

Gorgeous, small gallery. Open to the public with free entry. In addition to the art, it's located…read moreat the Transamerican building and had an exhibit with the history of the building and architecture as well, which was very nicely done.

This review is for the new location in the Transamerica pyramid…read more The main art exhibits are rotating. The exhibit I saw was amazing and beautiful and displayed well. The staff happily explained it as well as the books on the table that I was able to leaf through. There are also materials on the table explaining the exhibits. There was another room about the time capsule found containing documents about the Transamerica pyramid, but that doesn't seem to be part of the art museum. There is a second exhibit but it wasn't available even though there were flyers about it. My main complaint is this location was too small with only one exhibit. It's free, but I'd happily have paid to see a larger museum.

I've been coming to the Exploratorium since I was in elementary school 40 years ago, and after all…read morethese years, I can honestly say that my love for this place has only grown deeper. I'm now a STEAM instructor myself, and I still feel the same sense of wonder every time I walk through the doors. The Exploratorium understands something incredibly important: science isn't just a collection of facts to memorize. It's something to touch, hear, build, question, experiment with, and experience. What I admire most is the institution's mission to make science tangible, accessible, and genuinely fun. The exhibits invite curiosity instead of demanding expertise, which makes them just as engaging for adults as they are for children. Every visit reminds me that science belongs to everyone. As someone who teaches kids for a living, I know how difficult it is to create experiences that are both educational and exciting. The Exploratorium has been doing exactly that for decades, and they continue to set the standard. Their educators, exhibit designers, and staff have created something truly special. San Francisco is full of iconic landmarks, but for me, the Exploratorium will always be one of the city's greatest treasures. It played a role in shaping the person I became, and I have no doubt it will continue inspiring generations of curious minds. I was a science-loving kid when I first walked in, and, thankfully, I'm still a science-loving kid now.

We visited the Exploratorium as part of the City Pass. It was definitely a full day of exploring…read moreand was better towards the end of the day when the summer camp kids left. My kids enjoyed but we also had to take breaks in-between. Why 3 stars you ask? It's a huge space, but all of the exhibits were similar to science museums we have in So Cal. Some things were broken or not operational the day we went. Lunch offerings were super healthy which is a plus. But we liked 2/4 entrees we ordered. Priced are as expected for museums. Logistics wise, you really have to come early to secure good parking. We came an hour after opening and street + parking lots were full. If you plan to come, I say it's a deal via City Pass, but I wouldn't pay full admission prices to go.

This museum offers free admission, and not all exhibits were accessible this past Sunday during the…read morelast hour before closing. We were captivated by the enchanting garden grotto display on ground level when we entered, complete with water features and magical scenery. And we checked out a small collection of artworks downstairs. But the upper level is the main floor for the museum. We wandered through multiple rooms, exploring the permanent collection of murals and sculptures. I found some of the simpler images of nature most appealing, like Ocean (2001) by Rayah Shen. But the current exhibit, "Estrangement: Challenging the Myth of Mankind's Separation from Nature" by Erik Hunter, was interesting too, blurring the boundaries between humanity and earth. The most intriguing piece for me, among the various paintings on display and for sale, was Crown of Thorns (oil and acrylic on canvas). It takes no more than an hour to view the entire art gallery, much less if some exhibits are closed.

I visited once years ago ..I got back to return today ..it's a nice building ..classical ..Persian…read moreexhibit today ..nice gift shop ..rock soap...nice gallery to spend time in ..near market

I had the pleasure of participating - notice I said participate rather than attend, as it truly is…read morean interactive performance - in the Haunted Dollhouse experience. I can scare easily, so I was a little concerned that I would be too startled, or fearful of a scary dollface. While I did scream a few times when something sudden happened, my main take away is one of Delight, Whimsy, Playfulness and Reverence. The house in which the scene is set is a masterpiece of intricate art - filled with gorgeous mosaics, theatrical curtains, history both painted on the walls and held in all manner of precious trinkets and artifacts. Our clown hosts were a joy, and I giggle as I recall how they played with us throughout the journey. The resident witch brought a deep, grounded presence to the tour show, and I even learned that I have a haunted object at home that wants to be exorcised! (post-show homework!) I experienced the most reverence in the room that I was afraid of the most at first. The clown and witch hosts shared the history of the dolls, which is also the history of people and place. I left the room no longer scared and instead touched by the stories behind each doll. Another favorite moment was the tea party (!!!) with delicious tea and homemade cookies and pastries and even scull shaped sugar cubes!? I love the attention to detail and handcraftedness in every aspect of the experience. And finally the cleansing ritual at the end felt powerful and very real. That alone was worth the price of admission! Come enjoy a true and unreapeatable San Francisco experience!

Super friendly staff working. He was attentive, engaged in conversation, greeted us and was very…read moreinformative. Loved looking around the place.

This museum is so underrated!…read more There are plenty of exhibits to explore, along with interactive areas that make learning fun for kids. It's a great place to spend a day with the family, whether you're looking to learn something new, relax, or simply enjoy a beautiful day in Oakland. I especially appreciate that this museum participates in the Museums for All program, which helps make cultural and educational experiences more accessible to families. We had a wonderful visit and I'll definitely be coming back more often. If you're looking for a family-friendly activity that's both fun and educational, this museum is worth checking out.

I have been coming here for years. Specifically for their special exhibitions. They are always so…read moreinteresting and well planned out on display. The museum has three floors and their outdoor garden overlooking lake merrit. They have a little bit of everything, if you're curious about real history and wanting to learn more this is the place. Their annual membership is so worth. As they have several special events. Next to the museum they have plenty of parking. I take Bart as the stop is one block away. Chinatown is walkable for great restaurants. The Oakland library is close by too! There's a restaurant inside the museum while the food sounds great it's okay. I would recommend walking /driving to Chinatown or downtown Oakland for amazing food.