San Francisco
Art Explosion Open Fall Studios
September; Friday 7:00pm-11:00pm, Saturday-Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm
Locations: 2425 17th Street; 744 Alabama Street
Why Go There? Annual free event features/showcases 100+ painters, sculptors, photographers, fashion designers and jewelers in the Mission district art collective.
More Information: Art Explosion Studios
Asian Art Museum
Tuesday-Sunday 10:00am -5:00pm, Thursday-Friday open until 9:00pm February-September
Location: 200 Larkin Street
Why Go There? 18,000+ Asian artworks and artifacts in updated former main library opposite City Hall; changing exhibits, performances, workshops, lectures, culture related food/beverage experiences; store; cafe. First Sunday of each month is free.
More Information: Asian Art
Contemporary Jewish Museum
Thursday-Tuesday 11:00am-5:00pm (Thursday until 8:00pm); closed Wednesday
Location: 736 Mission Street
Why Go There? Daniel Libeskind (famed architect) designed building houses changing contemporary, themed art exhibits, tours, lectures, special events, shop, Wise Sons Jewish Deli cafe; senior, student discount; first Tuesday, free admission; reduced admission Thursdays after 5:00pm.
More Information: The CJM
de Young Museum
Tuesday-Sunday 9:30am-5:15pm
Location: 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive (Golden Gate Park)
Why Go There? Founded in 1896 as part of Golden Gate Park, the (2005) re-done Swiss architect designed state-of-the-art building features collections of American art from the 17th through the 20th centuries, textile arts, and art of Africa, Oceania, the Americas; sculpture garden, cafe, store, tours; special events (including annual week long Bouquets to Art in June). Free admission to take elevator to Hamon Observation Tower's 360 degree views on clear days (expect lines). General admission ticket good for same day general admittance to Legion of Honor Museum; senior, student discount.
More Information: de Young
Haas-Lilienthal House Museum
Wednesday, Saturday-Sunday tours start 12:00pm (11:00am Sunday)
Location: 2007 Franklin Street
Why Go There? Built in 1886, ornate immaculately preserved Victorian era Haas-Lilienthal family mansion opened as a museum in 1973; contains original furniture, art, decor, memorabilia; scheduled docent-led hour long tours offered every half hour; special events include holiday open house, Victorian teas. Also offers neighborhood walking tours; senior, youth discount.
More Information: Haas-Lilienthal House
Hidden Garden Steps
Location: 1520 16th Avenue between Kirkham/Lawton
Why Go There? Colorful, eye-catching, whimsical mosaic tiled steps; designed, built as a community driven, mostly volunteer project. The mosaic tiles are hidden from the top of the steps looking down. On clear days, view of Marin headlands, Mt. Tamalpais.
More Information: Hidden Garden Steps
Legion of Honor Museum
Tuesday-Sunday 9:30am-5:15pm
Location: 100 34th Avenue (Lincoln Park)
Why Go There? French neoclassical building contains collections of European paintings, decorative art, ancient art from Mediterranean basin, notable art on paper collection; tours, special events, weekly organ concert on special 1924 organ gifted to the museum (Saturday 4:00pm gallery 10); cafe; store. General admission ticket good for same day admittance to de Young Museum. Senior and student discount.
More Information: Legion of Honor
Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD)
Wednesday-Sunday 11:00am-6:00pm (Sunday 12:00pm-5:00pm)
Location: 685 Mission Street (at Third)
Why Go There? Contemporary art museum celebrates Black cultures through changing exhibits, a theater (film screenings, performances); special events; book shop.
More Information: MoAD SF
Randall Museum
Tuesday - Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm
Location: 199 Museum Way
Why Go There? Set on hillside next to Corona Park, spectacular city view, just a few blocks from busy touristy Haight/Ashbury, the natural history and science museum, arts center features changing exhibits, offers classes, hands on activities, and an interesting kinetic outside wall art piece (worth a walk to see, even when museum is closed).
More Information: Randall Museum
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMoMA)
Friday-Tuesday 10:00am-5:00pm, (Thursday until 9:00pm); closed Wednesday
Location: 151 Third Street
Why Go There? Multi-floor modern building houses several changing and on-going exhibitions from permanent collections; daily tours, special events, film screenings, live wall garden space, two dining options, coffee bar; senior, young adult discount (free under 19); reservations recommended.
More Information: SFMoMA
Sixteenth Avenue Steps
Location: Moraga Street between 15th & 16th Avenues
Why Go There? Eye-catching colorful mosaic tiled steps (163) completed in 2005 as a neighborhood collaboration; succulents, other native plantings create lush texture alongside steps.
More Information: 16th Avenue Tile Steps
San Francisco Women Artists (SFWA) Cooperative Gallery
Tuesday-Saturday 10:00am-6:00pm, Sunday 12:00pm-4:00pm
Location: 647 Irving Street at 8th Avenue
Why Go There? Features juried monthly changing art, various media; opening receptions; special exhibits.
More Information: SF Women Artists
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
Location: 701 Mission Street
Why Go There? Architect designed venue; visual arts galleries, film screening room, theater (entrance 700 Howard Street).
More Information: YBCA
Yerba Buena Third Thursdays
Yerba Buena Night - October
Location: Mission Street, between Third, Fourth Streets
Why Go There? Museums and galleries in eclectic neighborhood participate third Thursday monthly with new installations, exhibits, events, food, music. October's large Yerba Buena Night features many performers, art, food; Jessie Square.
More Information: Visit Yerba Buena Events + Facebook + YB Night
Additional Resources
Free Museum Day
Bay Area museums offering free admittance days
California College of the Arts
Gallery (see East Bay/Oakland for Oakland gallery) presents student, faculty and acclaimed artist works; 161,151,141, 131 Hubbell Street Monday-Friday 12:00pm-5:00pm (Thursday until 7:00pm)
Cartoon Art
Museum dedicated to cartoon art, closed Wednesdays (entrance fee); first Tuesday pay-what-you-will; senior, student discounts
Clarion Alley Mural Project
Clarion Alley, one block long colorful community- made street murals, between 17th/18th, Mission/Valencia streets
Conservatory of Flowers
Conservatory of Flowers building's evening outdoor "light show" projections inspired by rare tropical flowers (worth viewing photos on-line if light show season has concluded)
SF City Guides
Volunteer-guided tours of Coit Tower's WPA era murals (free, donations gladly accepted)
International Art Museum of America
Collection of Chinese, European art; Tuesday-Sunday 10:00am-5:00pm; 1023 Market Street
NoeHill
Historic landmarks throughout the City
Museum of Craft and Design
Showcases designers, makers and artists through craft and design-focused exhibitions and public programs; 2569 Third Street