Go San Francisco Travel Blog

Art Lover’s Guide to San Francisco’s Museums

October 10th, 2007 by amy c

Legion of Honor Museum
photo uploaded by Jose C Silva

Art is everywhere you look in San Francisco–from the many famous art museums that draw tourists and aspiring artists for a taste of history, to the unique architecture, to the unrecognized street artists who decorate the city with chalk murals and paintings. Whether you’re looking to lose yourself in a museum where the beauty of the architecture matches that of the exhibits, browse local art shows, or experience where art meets nightlife in a very different type of gallery, San Francisco has all the destinations that may inspire the artist or collector in you. Here are some of our picks of famous museums to quench your artistic thirst, whether it be for ancient, modern, contemporary, or surprising art.

Legion of Honor: Rodin’s Thinker statue proudly greets visitors in the Court of Honor at the Legion, a preview of the 4,000 pieces of ancient and European art in the most beautiful museum in San Francisco. Overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, the sweeping views and spacious building, reminiscent of 18th century French architecture, only add to the beauty of the fine art inside. Built to commemorate the California soldiers who died in World War I, the Legion has been a San Francisco icon since 1924.

De Young Museum: This recently renovated historical monument, dating back to 1895, seamlessly blends art, architecture and the natural landscape of Golden Gate Park in its new facility. Enjoy American art from the 17th through 20th century as well as Native American art and pieces from Africa and Pacific Islands. The de Young Museum has an exciting calendar of events that keep the museum fresh, inspiring, and anything but stuffy.
The Artist in Residence program, for instance, invites a local artist every month to demonstrate their art form for viewers in an interactive display. This month you can watch bay area painter and print maker, Livia Stein, work in the unforgettable setting of the de Young. You can also enjoy live eclectic music, cocktails, and performance art every Friday night, as the museum stays open late to give your San Francisco nightlife an artsy flair.

SF MOMA: Modern and contemporary art highlight the quirky San Francisco personality. Enjoy the idyllic photographs of Ansel Adams or soak up the works of Henri Matisse, as well as innovative local art. Through February, you can enjoy a multi-sensory experience with the Take Your Time exhibit, which merges art, science, and natural phenomena. Or, expand your definition of art with the Navigating the Imagination exhibit, a comprehensive retrospective of the works of Joseph Cornell, in which he relied on commonplace, found items to create box constructions and collages.

Asian Art Museum: One of the largest museums in the western hemisphere, this museum celebrates the rich Asian heritage that helps define San Francisco’s diverse culture. Travel back 6,000 years with more than 16,000 pieces of history.

Cartoon Museum: San Francisco is home to the only museum in the United States dedicated to the celebration and preservation of cartoon art. You’ll leave the museum with a greater appreciation for some of the most accessible, yet overlooked art.

Check back for more ways to soak up San Francisco’s artistic culture through the trendy gallery scene!

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