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Art Lover's Guide to San Francisco


Outside one of San Francisco's famous art museums
Hi, I'm Peter!

Peter Neely is a Brooklyn-based writer and poet who's been bounding between cities for a decade, with stops in San Francisco, Budapest, Montreal, and Lyon. Changing NYC apartments like socks, Peter has lived in Harlem, Greenpoint, Sunnyside, and Crown Heights, though Coney Island is his spiritual homeland. Spot him reading on the subway, or complaining about the slice at your favorite pizzeria.

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Hi, I'm Peter!

Peter Neely is a Brooklyn-based writer and poet who's been bounding between cities for a decade, with stops in San Francisco, Budapest, Montreal, and Lyon. Changing NYC apartments like socks, Peter has lived in Harlem, Greenpoint, Sunnyside, and Crown Heights, though Coney Island is his spiritual homeland. Spot him reading on the subway, or complaining about the slice at your favorite pizzeria.

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San Francisco may be seen as a global tech hub, but it's also a famously bohemian city known for spawning generations of artists, from the beat poets to figurative painters. With such a strong artistic legacy, here are a few ways to experience art in San Francisco.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Inside San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Inside San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. | Photo Credit: Kit Leong / Shutterstock

With a recently renovated building showcasing 33,000 works, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is a must-see museum for all arts enthusiasts. Visitors come in droves to experience the fantastic collection, free public tours, and terrace views. Purchase advance tickets to avoid the long lines at this popular museum.

Legion of Honor Museum

Pillars and glass at the Legion of Honor Museum.
The Legion of Honor Museum is beautiful, inside and out. | Photo Credit: Andrew Zarivny / Shutterstock

Art lovers shouldn't miss the Legion of Honor. This stately museum holds an impressive collection of European and Mediterranean works of art, showcased in a neoclassical building modeled after the Palais de la Légion d’Honneur in Paris. Since the museum is a popular weekend destination, you can avoid lines with advance tickets and get same-day entry to the de Young Museum, included.

M.H. de Young Memorial Museum

Palm trees at the M.H. de Young Memorial Museum.
Palm trees at the museum. | Photo Credit: V_E / Shutterstock

Known as the de Young Museum, this lovely arts space in San Francisco's Golden Gate Park is popular among locals and tourists. Find a sizable collection of American art from the 17th though the 20th century and a smaller collection of holdings from across the globe. You can book tickets before you arrive, to save time, and consider joining for a gallery tour.

Asian Art Museum

Outside the Asian Art Museum, a San Francisco institution.
The Asian Art Museum is a San Francisco institution. | Photo Credit: Anne Czichos / Shutterstock

With a sizable collection spanning cultures, nations, and more than 6,000 years of artistic creation, the Asian Art Museum offers visitors a singular artistic and cultural experience. Visitors enjoy a range of art objects, from jade sculpture and paintings to textiles and porcelain. Remember to prebook your ticket for discounted admission.

Art in the Streets of San Francisco

Pride art on a city street in San Francisco.
Pride art on a city street. | Photo Credit: Diego Grandi / Shutterstock

San Francisco has a well-deserved reputation as a creative hub. From the hippies to the beats, many generations of artists have come of age in the city. Consider walking tours of the old literary neighborhood, North Beach, or try an architecture tour of historic Union Square. Be sure to book tickets in advance to save a spot on these popular neighborhood walking tours.

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See all San Francisco tours
841 tours & tickets
Things to do in San Francisco
See all things to do in San Francisco
Festival goers send orange lanterns off into the night at a festival in Thailand.
10 Orange Places Around the World That’ll Brighten Your Day