Best Museums in San Francisco: A Guide by American Butler
San Francisco's museums each have their unique charm — from science and modern art to childhood nostalgia. Read our articles to find out where to go for a memorable experience, whether you're alone, with children, or with friends.
A Tour of San Francisco's Famous Museums
San Francisco's museums are far from the boring halls you might remember being dragged through as a kid. They are places where genuine curiosity awakens. The good news is that almost all of San Francisco's museums are fascinating for both children and adults. However, entry fees, like everything else in San Francisco, can be high, so if you're on a budget, you'll need to choose the most interesting options.
San Francisco is a city renowned not only for its magnificent bridges and steep hills but also for its rich cultural life. One of the brightest examples of this is its numerous museums, each offering unique exhibits and captivating stories.
In this guide, we will introduce you to the best museums in San Francisco that you should visit.
San Francisco Museums: From Science to Art
Exploratorium
There’s no better place to bring science to life than the Exploratorium! In just a few hours, you can learn more than you might in years of specialized education, and all in an interactive, playful form. The museum is open until 5:00 PM, so to see and participate in all the scientific quests, it's best to dedicate the first half of the day to it. There is a restaurant inside, so you can grab a bite without leaving the premises.
One thing to note is that understanding the exhibits requires a fairly good level of English. However, this issue is easily resolved with a guide. Our specialists, for example, would be delighted to accompany you to the museum and translate everything into accessible Russian.
California Academy of Sciences
Visiting this place with children is a joy, though even adults will find it hard to leave. The museum complex is enormous, requiring about 2-3 hours to explore. It includes an aquarium, butterfly garden, earthquake room, albino alligator, real dinosaur skeletons, a 3D planetarium, and a safari tunnel. The list goes on and on, so it's best to start your visit soon.
Ticket prices vary between weekdays and weekends, and during holidays, there are often discounts for children.
Madame Tussauds
A selfie with Johnny Depp is closer than you think! The wax figures of celebrities at the museum are almost indistinguishable from the originals. Plus, the exhibitions are quite fun — you can stir things up in the Oval Office with Obama or dance with Beyoncé. So, if you're traveling to the USA with friends and want to have a great time, make Madame Tussauds your first stop.
Art Museums
Museum of Modern Art
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, often compared to its New York counterpart, is somewhat smaller but equally impressive. The permanent collection includes works by Warhol, Matisse, Dalí, Rothko, Kahlo, and Rivera. The galleries feature dynamic installations, auteur cinema, and reconstructions of the most famous performance acts in American history.
Entry costs about $25, similar to New York's MoMA, but you can save on the audio guide, which operates through a special mobile app available via QR code at the entrance or on your ticket.
Asian Art Museum
The Asian Art Museum in San Francisco is one of the largest museums in the world dedicated to Asian art. Its collection boasts over 18,000 artifacts spanning 6,000 years. Here, you can see works from China, Japan, Korea, India, and many other countries.
de Young Museum
Located in the picturesque Golden Gate Park, the de Young Museum is one of the most visited art museums in the country. It features collections of American art from the 17th to the 21st centuries, textiles from various cultures, and contemporary art exhibits. Don’t miss the chance to ascend the museum's observation tower for a breathtaking view of San Francisco.
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Planning a Trip to San Francisco?
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