Still hands down our favorite science museum in the country. There is just so much to see. We used…read moreour ASTC reciprocal and needed to come back over two days and still only saw about a third of the museum. (ASTC allows 2 people to enter regardless of the home membership) Our favorite discovery this visit was the space exhibit (lots of interesting hands exhibits) and the AI portion - very cool live generated AI images based on found objects and generated music and artwork based on your own drawings.

While visiting the Bay Area this summer, we were told that this is some place we HAD to visit. Like…read morethe Bay Area Discovery Museum (which was ADORED), we could have gotten in with a reciprocal membership we have from LA, but I wasn't aware. I was just dropping money left and right for kids museums that were free for us. Sigh. Lesson of the trip: check your memberships! A lot of the exhibits were broken or not working, which was a bummer, but there was plenty of stuff for us to look at, and we didn't even see it all. Some highlights for the kids were the interactive laser table, the room where everything has no color unless you use a white light flashlight (they were in there FOREVER), and the cow eye dissection (which also left us all a little queasy...). We took too long getting brunch at the Ferry Building, so we didn't have enough time to explore it all, but I'm sure we'll return when we come up again.

All on my phone, easy peasy Stunning building, entry is even…read morebetter. So amazing and beautiful art, evocative and ethereal and solid. Helpful staff. Matisse exhibit was wonderful and wonder filled. Enjoy!

Over the years, SF MOMA has been one of our favorite museums although each visit has depended on…read morethe specific exhibits that have been on. Our favorites here have been the Cindy Sherman and an exhibit on sound (with amazing sign language videos to illustrate windows/doors). Now that we have MARP reciprocal membership, coming to visit when we are in town is a no brainer. The highlight this recent weekend was a single room table showing various creative glassware (including a variety of whimsical, ironic, and impractical pieces). The store is also pretty neat with its pretty jewelry and interesting kids art themed gifts.

Compared to the Exploratorium, this museum is more focused on life sciences…read more There are 3 things that make this place worth it and stands out to me: 1. Indoor rainforest is really really cool. 2. Planetarium, specifically The Size of the Universe showing. 3. Thursday night life with live music/dj and karaoke in the basement!

This is hands down one of the best activities to do as a local or as a tourist (and as a child or…read moreadult). If you're an adult I'd recommend checking out the Thursday night admissions which are from 6-10pm ish. No kids allowed and 21+. So fun. We just went to the disco night which had free disco gem make up, karaoke, free DIY disco jelly fish crafts and free photo sessions. Lots of value! If you become a member you get discounts on events, merch, food and with my membership I can bring someone for free each time.

I can't believe it took us this long to visit this place! To be honest, I think we thought we had…read morealready visited before but we were wrong. What a gorgeous garden! It's pretty big to explore and took us a couple of hours to cover the basics. My only issue is I wish their signs were less confusing. I think having more maps throughout would be helpful as well. Maybe there was a brochure we were supposed to get when we purchased our tickets but that didn't happen. But overall, we very much enjoyed our visit and so glad we finally got a chance to explore. Botanical Gardens are one of our favorites.

A variety of beautiful and huge trees, birds(if you can spot them), and the best people to welcome…read moreyou in! What's not to like about this place! Besides they frequently host free and paid events and have a cute plant and bookstore. Love this place! Recently visited there for Flower Piano 2026 (ongoing from 10th to 20th September). Do not miss this! The lounge tickets were worth it on opening night.

Massagers for your back, neck, head, and all parts of the body! Yup that's right, you learn all…read moreabout the history of the vibrator, from magical medical usage to psychological healing powers, seeing and reading about the technological innovations as well as the more typical uses nowadayz... think the Rabbit. If you don't know what that is, then work your way to the sex shop afterward (or before), since the museum is inside Good Vibrations. They check your ID at the door and make sure visitors know the store is education-based and you are encouraged to ask questions as you roam around. The museum itself is free admission and just a single room, but there's plenty to see, it may take up to half an hour, or longer if you're going to explore the items in the store as well. It was neither crowded nor empty on a Saturday afternoon, mainly couples just coming to check out the museum, but of course, making their way through the shop too. I wouldn't go out of my way to come here, but if you are in the area and like museums, or just looking for something in the adult store, then it's worth checking out.

The woman in Good VIbrations which is where the museum is located (in the back of the store) are…read morevery nice. The museum has a lot to see even though its in a small area. If youre in the area stop by and give it a look see.

I came for the Halloween After Dark where my friend presented. All of the talks were funny and…read moreinformative and well delivered. Very imaginative and fun! The drinks are crazy expensive but thats to be expected. The festivities around Halloween were fun - costume contest, pumpkin carving (though not enough for everyone), etc.

Many of the exhibits are closed. The place is super crowded and there's pounding techno music…read moreeverywhere. The only good feature was the food trucks.

The permanent collection at the deYoung doesn't seem to change much…read more I'd rate the collection as just "OK". My favorite section is the Great American West series of paintings. Once a year, the "Bouquet to Arts" occurs in the spring, where floral designs accompany the permanent art - and it is spectacular and worth seeing. But, the big draw of the deYoung is the fantastic exhibitions that rotate throughout the year. I've seen a ton of them. Recently, I saw the Treasures of the Pharaohs. Well-done presentation of beautiful and rare Egyptian artifacts. Whatever exhibition is going on, check it out. That is the main reason to visit the deYoung. I've never been disappointed.

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.

My friend and I had such a fun time here. We were lucky, too - it wasn't that crowded - so we…read morecould take our time and take multiple shots at each thing. I appreciated the example shots because sometimes I wasn't sure exactly how to pose. Customer service was good. The museum was fun. Super fun time. If I were to go back, I would bring a tripod. I realize this is weird, but it would have been cool to take more photos with my friend versus taking individual shots. One of the employees did come and take our photo at one of them, but it cost $15. I could see where this would be pricey if more had been taken, too!

When we went it wasn't crowded so we could take our time and take pictures. I like that there were…read moreguides on the floor that showed where to set up the camera. Also, it was helpful having sample photos up on the wall. Took 1 star off because it's a bit pricey. If it was a crowded day, it would have been stressful to take pics and take our time.

"You ain't nothin' but fine, fine, fine And I wish you were…read moremine, mine, mine You ain't nothin' but fine, fine, fine" (Rockpile) I just read that San Francisco ranks #2 among the most expensive U.S. cities to live. But that doesn't mean there aren't some bargains to be had if you know where to look. As a case in point, look no further than the jaw dropping outdoor grounds of the Palace of Fine Arts. You can see this magnificence for free. It was built for the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition with a Greco-Roman soaring rotunda, looping colonnades, and 17 acres of parks, walking paths, and wetlands make it one of San Francisco's most photogenic spots. The architecture reminds me of what you see in the Gladiator movies, or in photos of ancient ruins, with Corinthian columns, sculpted figures, and grand arches. We spent an hour or so just strolling around and enjoying the beauty of what surrounded us. And it was all free of charge.

The Palace of Fine Arts is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in San Francisco. Whether…read moreyou're a visitor or a local, it's the perfect spot to slow down and take in the scenery. The views are stunning from every angle, with the iconic rotunda reflected in the lagoon and surrounded by beautiful architecture and lush vegetation. The lake is full of life, and it's common to see swans, ducks, geese, and other birds enjoying the water, making it feel like a hidden oasis in the middle of the city. The lagoon is known for attracting a variety of bird species throughout the year. There are plenty of grassy areas to spread out a blanket, relax with a book, enjoy a picnic, or simply soak in the atmosphere. The walking paths are easy to explore, and every turn offers another great photo opportunity. On busy days, you'll often find vendors nearby adding to the lively and welcoming environment. Whether you're looking for a peaceful morning walk, a romantic setting, or just a place to sit and enjoy nature, the Palace of Fine Arts delivers. A true San Francisco treasure that never disappoints.

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.