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Musée d'art moderne

10 Museums to Visit in San Francisco

Written/Edited by: Northern Latitudes Editorial Team

Updated: 8/1/2026

Places of art, learning and windows into the cultures and history of the world, museums are loved by some while feared by others. As much as we recognize that museums are not always the funniest places, we also know that good museums can be fun for all. There’s quite a lot of great museums in the Golden City. What are the best museums in San Francisco? Let’s explore 9 museums to visit in the city.

As always, Northern Latitudes is not paid to promote institutions, nor are we endorsed by any. Our list are not ranking, but only list of places that we think to be worth a look.

1 - San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Spread across seven floors, the galleries of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art offer visitors the opportunity to explore a wide and colorful collection of modern art. To be honest, we’re not modern art fans, but we do recognize that the SFMOMA is great for those sensitive to this type of art.

Admission:

  • Adults - $30

  • 18 & Younger - FREE​

  • Senior (65+) - $25

  • ​

You may find special discounts and more detailed information on the official website of the SFMOMA.

This button will take you on the page of Get Your Guide to buy tickets.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art

Directions:

The museum is located at the corner between 3rd St and Minna St. The entrance can be easily located from the street (see picture of the entrance). Public transportations nearby includes several bus stops as well as light rail and the BART located a few blocks away. A parking garage is also available, but charger.

Address: 151 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94103

2 - California Academy of Sciences

If you like to mix history, science and fun, you will likely be interested in visiting the California Academy of Sciences. As the name suggests, the academy is more than simply a museum. It features an aquarium, planetarium and also a rainforest that visitors — young and old — can explore. It’s no doubt not only one of the best museums, but also one of the best attractions in San Francisco.

Admission:

  • Adults (19+) - Starts at $49.00

  • Youth (13 - 18) - Starts at $45.00

  • Child (3 - 12) - Starts at $39.00

  • Ages 2 and under - FREE

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You may find special discounts and more admissions types on the official website of the academy.

This button will take you on the page of Get Your Guide to buy tickets.

The California Academy of Sciences

Directions:

The Academy of Sciences is located within Golden Gate Park. Bus stops can be found nearby. The free shuttle of the Golden Gate Park can also easily get you to the academy from other areas in the park. Finally, free parking is possible on the streets around the park while the park parking's garage have fees. Note however, that both of these parking options can easily get filled, especially on weekend.

Address: 55 Music Concourse Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118

3 - The Walt Disney Family Museum

You're certainly familiar with the name “Disney”. The company is one of the biggest in the field of entertainment and children from all around the world grow up with their creations. Yet, the Walt Disney Family Museum does not focus so much on that. Instead, it explores the person and the family behind the giant of entertainment; Walt Disney.

Admission:

  • Adults - $30

  • Youth (6 - 17) - $15

  • Senior (Ages 65+) - $20

  • Children (Ages 5 & under) - FREE

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All admission types, and more information are found on the website of the Walt Disney Family Museum.

Directions:

Concept art of Mickey Mouse

At the Walt Disney Family Museum, visitors can learn about the life of Disney’s founder with exhibits featuring galleries, sketches of animated characters or even a model of the first theme park. If you are interested in learning more about the mind behind the colorful universe of Disney, you will certainly like this museum.

The museum is located in the Presidio of San Francisco not far away from the visitor's center. Public transportation is mostly limited to bus. A stop is located a few street away from the museum. Parking is also available, but most is paid/metered parking. More information here.

Address: 104 Montgomery St, San Francisco, CA 94129

4 - The Exploratorium

In the same vein as the Academy of Sciences, the Exploratorium offers visitors to explore the complex mechanics of our world. But rather than focusing on the history of it, it focuses on the understanding of it. Don’t worry if you’re not really a scientific mind. The Exploratorium is designed specifically to be fun with interconnected exhibits and games. You will see that the things you once heard in a classroom can actually be fun.

Admission:

  • Adults (19+) - Usually Around ~ $40

  • Youth (13 - 18) - Around ~ $30

  • Senior (65+) - Around ~ $30​

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You may find all fares on The Exploratorium's website.

This button will take you on the page of Get Your Guide to buy tickets.

Exploratorium Entrance

Directions:

The Exploratorium is located at Pier 15. Metered parking is available. The museum also provide discount code for the Pier 15 parking lot (see link here). Transportation options are much more varied with several Muni Bus stops nearby, and a streetcar stoping right in front of the museum.

Address: Pier 15 Embarcadero at, Green St, San Francisco, CA 94111

5 - Cable Car Museum

It’s difficult to tell what really represents San Francisco the most; Alcatraz? The Golden Gate Bridge? Or perhaps, the Cable Cars?

The good old cable cars of San Francisco have roamed the streets of the city since the late 1800s. First a popular way of getting around the sloppy streets of the city, they have progressively lost their use as transportation to become mainly a tourist attraction, and eventually icons of San Francisco. This legacy and history is the main theme of the dedicated “Cable Car Museum”.

Admission:

FREE

San Francisco Cable Car Museum.jpg

Directions:

The parking for the museum is pretty limited, so the best is probably to use the Muni bus, or take the cable car (California Street)

Address: 1201 Mason St, San Francisco, CA 94108

6 - Legion of Honor

In the same vein as the Academy of Sciences, the Exploratorium offers visitors to explore the complex mechanics of our world. But rather than focusing on the history of it, it focuses on the understanding of it. Don’t worry if you’re not really a scientific mind. The Exploratorium is designed specifically to be fun with interconnected exhibits and games. You will see that the things you once heard in a classroom can actually be fun.

Admission:

  • Adults (19+) - Usually Around ~ $40

  • Youth (13 - 18) - Around ~ $30

  • Senior (65+) - Around ~ $30​

​

You may find all fares on The Exploratorium's website.

This button will take you on the page of Get Your Guide to buy tickets.

The Thinker (Legion of Honor SFO).webp

A cast of Rodin's The Thinker can be found at the museum's entrance. The museum features many other scultures.

Directions:

The Exploratorium is located at Pier 15. Metered parking is available. The museum also provide discount code for the Pier 15 parking lot (see link here). Transportation options are much more varied with several Muni Bus stops nearby, and a streetcar stoping right in front of the museum.

Address: Pier 15 Embarcadero at, Green St, San Francisco, CA 94111

7 - Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center

​Geographically speaking, the Charles M. Schulz Museum is not located within San Francisco, but rather an hour north in Santa Rosa. Reading the title, you might legitimately wonder; what is this museum? Perhaps Charles M. Schulz is not a familiar name. But is the name, “Snoopy”? Indeed, Charles M. Schulz is the creator of the Peanuts and one of the world's most famous dogs. The museum is dedicated to Schulz’ life and work, and as you walk through the exhibit of the museum, you will be able to learn a lot about the characters he created.

Directions:

Admission:

  • Adults - $15

  • Youth (4 - 18) - $7

  • Senior (62+) - $10​

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You may find all fares on the museum's official website. Tickets can only be bought in person upon arrival.

The museum offers free parking to visitors.

Address: 2301 Hardies Lane
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

8 - Museum of San Francisco

The city of San Francisco has a thrilling history. From early Spanish settlers to one of the world leaders in technology, passing by the gold rush, there is so much to learn about it. The Museum of San Francisco features permanent and rotating exhibits that present the history of the “City by the Bay”.

Admission:

FREE

San Francisco (1864).jpg

A 1864 photograph of San Francisco.

Directions:

The museum is located in a small street of San Francisco. Entrance can be located by looking at the sign saying "San Francisco Historical Society Museum". Two parking garage are located nearby. Check the museum's website for more information.

Address: 608 Commercial Street
San Francisco, CA 94111

9 - USS Pampanito

The USS Pampanito is a submarine from WWII. After serving for several years as a training ship, it was eventually turned into a National Historic Landmark and floating museum. If you are interested in visiting a submarine and learning about life aboard those ships, you may like the visit of the USS Pampanito.

Admission:

  • Adults (14 - 61) - $25

  • Juniors (5 - 13) - $15

  • Senior (62+) - $20​

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You may find all fares on USS Pampanito Museum's website.

USS Pampanito Museum.JPG

Directions:

The USS Pampanito Museum is located at Historic Pier 45. There is several parkings with different fees around the pier. Both a bus and streetcar stop (Jefferson St & Powell St) can be found near the pier as well.

Address: 45 Pier, San Francisco, CA 94133

10 - Alcatraz Island

Alcatraz does not necessarily come to people’s mind when talking about museums, but it is one – and a great one. Alcatraz was once a fort, then a prison, and today a museum that explores the previous two steps of its history. Alcatraz is likely one of the best museums in San Francisco for multiple reasons. Visiting it requires to take a ferry cruise that will sail to the island and drop you at the docks. From there, you will have to walk to the buildings and explore on your own. Some areas are accessible to everyone, and others to tours only. We highly recommend checking what is included in your tickets when you book. 

Alcatraz (Wikimedia).jpg

Admission:

  • Varies - Generally begins around $48 for adults. 

Alcatraz is operated by the National Park Service and the only authorized ferry provider is Alcatraz City Cruises. More information on the official website of the NPS.

Although the site is operated by the NPS, the pass America the Beautiful cannot be used to pay.

Directions:

All official cruises start at Pier 33 which is accessible by driving or public transportation. The streetcar stop "Embarcadero & Bay St" stop nearby.

Address: 33 Pier, San Francisco, CA 94133

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