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    Treasure Island Museum

    4.2 (11 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 9:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    One of 2 wine bars  WOODS ISLAND CLUB 7/6/24
    Elaine Y.

    This building seems a little dilapidated from the outside but upon entering, on the left is Woods cafe and on the right is the decadent Gold bar lounge with lavish wall designs and Gold medallion coins on the walls. In front of the Gold bar is where you will see a small museum section covering the history and revitalization of the island with old photos and artifacts. You will also see a spectacular mural all across the wall of the building depicting the history of treasure island. Also, on the left you will find plenty of signs leading to the restrooms. Although, the museum is just a small part of the building, it's nice to get out of the sun to freshen up and learn about the history of treasure island.

    Al L.

    Many people might know of Treasure Island as being this island that is in the middle of Bay that serves as connection point of two sections of the Bay Bridge not have the awareness of its rich history. But there is a Treasure Island Museum, though small, will offer visitors an informative history of the Island. The museum is located in Building One, an art deco structure that served as an administrative center for the Golden Gate International Exposition, a terminal for Pan American Airways and then headquarters for the 12th Naval District. The lobby has a large mural of historical events that graces the wall from one end to the other and the building is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Museum is located in one of the alcoves on the right. Though small, the pictures and narratives provides a chronological history of how it was built at land fill, site of the World's Fair and Pacific Exposition, as a Pan Am terminal for the China Clippers, as a Naval district headquarters, to its decommissioning and transition to San Francisco property, to the present day. If you're on the Island, check out the small but informative Museum and it's free.

    Montage of images from the Treasure Island Museum
    Ed U.

    I have to admit I was confused whether there was a section of the historic Administration Building that constituted the museum. From what I could tell, there was only one room of memorabilia that was open when I stopped by. However, if you look at the entire building as the museum, that made more sense since the dominant exhibit in the lobby was the massive mural depicting the US military history in the Pacific since 1813 (photo: https://bit.ly/3KN8LYR). The colorful work by Lowell Nesbitt measures 251 feet wide and 26 feet tall. There are the six conspicuous sculptures from the Golden Gate International Exposition (GGIE) at the front of the building, and on the way to the restroom on the second floor, there are vintage drawings of the unique buildings on the wall. The memorabilia room highlighted the elaborate variety productions that played during the GGIE before WWII. There were shows like Billy Rose's Aquacade, a swing version of 'The Mikado', and an all-star concert featuring Judy Garland singing 'Over the Rainbow' right after she made 'The Wizard of Oz'. In other words, it might help if you were a musical-loving nonagenarian to appreciate the artifacts and photos displayed here. But hey, there's still enough captured here to appreciate of the island's history. Besides, it's free...at least for now. RELATED - Exploring Treasure Island? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3KGq2nx

    1939 Statuary

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    10 months ago

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    11 years ago

    TONS of history here. I went as a kid. This building was also seen as an airport in "Raiders of the Lost Ark".

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    12 years ago

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    Review Highlights - Treasure Island Museum

    Treasure Island is a 400-acre artificial island built by the Army Corps of Engineers and was built in 1936-37 for the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition.

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    San Francisco Museum of Modern Art - My perspective on Ruth Asawa pieces.

    San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

    4.2(989 reviews)
    2.7 miSoMa, Financial District

    I absolutely loved the exhibits!…read more I didn't get to try the drinks/food this time around but I'll be sure to try them next time I come.

    Whenever I go out - I always carry waaaaaaay too much stuff. I have the bandaids, the blister…read morepacks, the hand sanitizer, the ear plugs, the tissues, the peppermint oil, the lavender oil, the rose spray etc, etc etc. I really have it all - and I will proceed to carry it all with me - -even at the expense of my shoulders etc. It would make sense for me to 'check' my heavy bags at venues like museums and such. But I do not. Instead - I usually end up uncomfortably lugging around said bags everywhere with me. I like to have my things on me in case I need them. Friends, loved ones, and family members usually end up watching me struggle with my cumbersome (often unnecessary) luggage. Shaking their heads at my heavy bags, and my unwillingness to put them down. The SFMOMA is such an inspiring and well curated museum of diverse art that I for once (in a very very long time) - decided to finally check my bags. My dad was surprised as I walked over to the kind staff member behind the counter and voluntarily checked my many bags. I knew that to fully enjoy such a phenomenal museum like the SFMOMA - that I needed to be fully present - and free to roam the beautifully curated space with ease. SFMOMA will do that to you. It makes you want to let go and immerse yourself in its inspiring and profound art. If you live in SF and haven't yet been to the SFMOMA in awhile or ever - remedy that quickly. Make sure you set aside a good chunk of time to explore this special art museum. I'd recommend going solo - or with a friend and/or loved one - who is able to take their time with you. The SFMOMA is too special of an art space to move through quickly. There are too many legendary pieces here to rush through. If you're able to - I'd recommend going during the week - on a cloudy or rainy day - when you're not tempted by SF's glorious sunshine and when the museum isn't busy. I came here with my dad a number of weeks ago on a rainy day - when he was visiting from overseas. It was one of the highlights of his brief visit - for both of us. We both were stirred by the impressive collection of iconic art that graced the walls of this captivating space. We were particularly awed by The Fisher collection of art - https://www.sfmoma.org/artists-artworks/fisher-collection - beautifully displayed throughout SFMOMA. If you're not familiar with Doris and Donald Fisher (the co-founders of Gap) - I recommend reading up about them and their world acclaimed collection of contemporary art. Doris Fisher - actually passed away this year on May 2nd, a week after our visit to the SFMOMA. It struck me - when reading about Doris Fisher's legacy - that her and her husband Donald (who passed in 2009) will forever be remembered through and for their acute eye for profound art. Art that pushed boundaries and made people think. If you're in SF and or visiting SF - and looking to infuse your life with more creativity and inspiration - go to SFMOMA. Check your bags - and indulge in some what's up art. Be sure to also save time to visit the SFMOMA Gift store. There are so many magical finds inside, which make for thoughtful unique gifts for both yourself and loved ones. Take time for yourself and art. It's important. Trust.

    Photos
    San Francisco Museum of Modern Art - San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Kaws: Family, May 01, 2026. I can imagine many of these images on colorful T-shirts.

    San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Kaws: Family, May 01, 2026. I can imagine many of these images on colorful T-shirts.

    San Francisco Museum of Modern Art - Got my tickets! Let's gooooo!!

    Got my tickets! Let's gooooo!!

    San Francisco Museum of Modern Art - Great gift shop with nicely curated items

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    Great gift shop with nicely curated items

    California Academy of Sciences - Macaws

    California Academy of Sciences

    3.9(3.6k reviews)
    6.1 mi

    Such a cool place 10/10 experience!!! great for all ages affordable prices tasty food. Parking is…read moreeasy and close. Does get a bit crowded but overall a great place for the family!

    The California Academy of Sciences is a wonderful place to visit for all ages. It was my first time…read morethere, though others in my group had visited before. We went on a Wednesday morning during summer break. Tickets can be purchased online or in person; we bought ours on-site and there was no line. Inside, it was busy but not overcrowded, so it was still very enjoyable. Positives: - Clean and well maintained throughout. - Indoor, multi-level space that is accessible. - Convenient food court with multiple options. - Plenty of seating areas for taking short breaks. - A wide variety of exhibits and experiences. Our favorites were the Osher Rainforest and the Steinhart Aquarium. You can easily tailor your visit to be short or long depending on your pace. There is also a lot of engaging and educational information throughout the museum. Be sure to check the daily schedule posted on-site or online to learn about special exhibits and events. Negatives: The only downside was the bánh mì from the food court, which was underwhelming. Overall, I highly recommend the California Academy of Sciences. It is a great outing, especially for families with children.

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    California Academy of Sciences - African Hall

    African Hall

    California Academy of Sciences - Frog info

    Frog info

    California Academy of Sciences - Aquarium section is aesthetically pleasing

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    Aquarium section is aesthetically pleasing

    de Young Museum - de Young Museum: Monet and Venice March 21 - July 26, 2026

    de Young Museum

    4.0(1.9k reviews)
    6.2 mi

    We were here to see the "Monet in Venice" exhibit at the De Young Museum and it was extraordinary…read more We recently became members of the museum and have enjoyed visiting their many exhibitions over the year's. We were lucky to visit the "Monet, The Late Years", back in May of 2019. When we heard that the "Monet in Venice" exhibit was coming, we reserved our tickets quickly. I have loved the many paintings of Monet, especially his water lilies series. They are so beautiful. We had a wonderful time at the museum observing his art at our pace. Your tickets at reserved for a certain time. Once you exit the exhibit you cannot re-enter. So we made sure to take our time and went back to the beginning, before leaving, to walk through a second time. I really love the history behind each painting. They have descriptions and stories printed on the wall of each series of paintings as well as paintings from his fellow artists friends during that same time period that helped influence him. If you are a lover of art, especially Impressionism, then this is a must see. You will not be disappointed.

    The Monet & Venice exhibit is until July 26th, 2026 and my husband and I went for the first time…read morerecently. I have frequently been around de Young but never inside. The tickets are $40 per person and we ended up upgrading to the year membership ($129, includes guest pass and access to special exhibits as well as Legion of Honor). General admission is $20 but doesn't grant you access to the special exhibits. The exhibit contains over 20 pieces of Monet's artwork and it was amazing to see it all in person. You can get up close to majority of the paintings and see the strokes on the canvases. This collection was well curated. We ended up taking home a couple items from the gift shop after.

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    de Young Museum - De Young Museum: Monet and Venice March 21 - July 26, 2026

    De Young Museum: Monet and Venice March 21 - July 26, 2026

    de Young Museum - De Young Museum

    De Young Museum

    de Young Museum - De Young Museum "Art of Manga Exhibit"

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    De Young Museum "Art of Manga Exhibit"

    Palace Of Fine Arts - At Sunset

    Palace Of Fine Arts

    4.7(1.2k reviews)
    4.4 miMarina/Cow Hollow

    One of my favorite stops whenever I'm in San Francisco. The Palace of the Fine Arts is an…read moreincredible visit - beautiful and peaceful. I've visited here both during the day and at night and each one will provide you with its own unique experience. During the day, you'll be able to take in all the surrounding nature - its lake, the birds and the ducks, grassy areas. You can also take in all the intricate architecture of the Palace. Can definitely get busy and loud during the day, but it's still so nice to walk around and enjoy. At night, you're going to lose the majority of the people. Last time we were there after dark, there were only a dozen other people wandering around. You won't really be able to see the nature, but the Palace has areas lit up with lights that give it a different beauty you won't see during the day. Free to enter and enjoy. We've always walked here, so I can't touch on the parking situation, but it doesn't look like the best just from glancing around. As I said, one of my favorite stops in SF, and I look forward to visiting it on each trip.

    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.

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    Palace Of Fine Arts - Harmonious

    Harmonious

    Palace Of Fine Arts - Evening view

    Evening view

    Palace Of Fine Arts

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    Asian Art Museum - Japanese pottery

    Asian Art Museum

    4.4(854 reviews)
    3.6 miCivic Center

    Swung by the Asian Art Museum to see the fabulous creations of Nymphia Wind. Loved the dresses, but…read moreI just wish there were more of them! There was a lecture at noon, but by the time I found out about it, all the tickets were gone. The artistry of these creations was beyond amazing. I really enjoyed the video showing the process of creation, but it would've been great to have it televised on a bigger screen. If there were more than two people standing in front of the video monitor, it was difficult to see the video. I think because this is a very short lived exhibit (only Friday, June 12th, through Sunday, June 14th), they couldn't put a lot of effort into it. Regardless, it was worth the time and effort to see these beautiful dresses.

    I went to see their temporary exhibit Chiharu Shiota exhibit and it was amazing. This alone makes…read morethe visit worth. They have several floors of Asian art and history. Everything was beautifully displayed making it easy to follow. The last upper floor was my favorite. Tip or something to keep in mind: I went on a Monday and there were several class students Junior high and elementary. Therefore it was extremely noisy though the guards tried to keep them quite the children were loud and can be disruptive while enjoying the museum.

    Photos
    Asian Art Museum - Video where artist talks about her work

    Video where artist talks about her work

    Asian Art Museum - Sundays at the Asian Art Museum {3/15/2026}

    Sundays at the Asian Art Museum {3/15/2026}

    Asian Art Museum - This was a some beautiful art! 2/1/2026

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    This was a some beautiful art! 2/1/2026

    Treasure Island Museum - museums - Updated July 2026

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