Best of SF: 5 Favorite Museums in San Francisco

By Kindred SF Homes

Reading time: 2 minutes

San Francisco has so much to offer, including some world-class museums. Here are our top five San Francisco Museums.

SFMOMA is an astonishing museum that showcases modern art from around the world. Within this museum, visitors will see works of art by Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse and Max Ernst, among many others. San Francisco Museum of Modern Art was the first West Coast museum to feature only 20^th Century and later artworks. This makes each visit to SFMOMA an entirely new and unique experience. Designed by renowned architecture firm Snøhetta, the building itself is a work of art. And the museum has many public spaces available for all to enjoy.

2. San Francisco Cable Car Museum

Now for something completely different! The San Francisco Cable Car Museum is home to an incredible collection of historic cable cars and other artifacts from San Francisco’s rich history of public transportation. Visitors can see historic photos and learn about various events throughout San Francisco’s history. It’s a great place to learn about San Francisco’s history and culture, and it highlights how San Francisco has evolved throughout the years. San Francisco Cable Car Museum also features a gift shop, where visitors can purchase San Francisco related merchandise!

3. California Academy of Sciences

The California Academy of Sciences houses more than 46 million specimens, and offers residents and visitors alike the opportunity to see natural history in a vibrant and ever-evolving atmosphere. Nothing is static at the California Academy of Sciences, and there’s something new for visitors to enjoy with each trip they take! Alongside the wonderful animal exhibits, the CA Academy of Sciences also has a planetarium and its shows are incredibly popular. Located in beautiful Golden Gate Park, this museum is a favorite destination for explorers of all ages.

4. San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park

Waterfront history lives at San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park. It features a glorious fleet of historic ships, a Visitor Center, Maritime Museum, Maritime Research Center, and the Aquatic Park Historic District. San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is a wonderful place for San Franciscans and visitors alike to learn about the city’s maritime history. Bonus: San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park is also home to the “Pirate Ship” restaurant, where guests can eat inside of an old ship!

5. Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco

Two for the price of one. FAMSF consists of the de Young Musem in Golden Gate Park and the Legion of Honor near Land’s End. These are jewels in the San Francisco crown, supported largely by the city itself and through public attendance and donations. Both museums are sited in beautiful locations, and both have impressive collections, popular temporary exhibits, well-curated stores and terrific museum cafes. You can’t go wrong by visiting these top museums in San Francisco.

Photo Credit: ian dooley