The 10 Best Museums in San Francisco
- Patrick Cetina
- Nov 5, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 6, 2022
Whether you’re a history buff, science fanatic, art aficionado or none of the above, San Francisco has a museum for you. The city is home to dozens of world-class museums! In no particular order, here’s a list of our top 10 museums which can be found throughout the city.
Aquarium of the Bay
Located on the historic San Francisco waterfront at Pier 39, discover the diversity of Northern California aquatic life here at the Aquarium of the Bay. Home to more than 20,000 marine life including river otters, rays, sharks, octopus and jellyfish, just to name a few. Multiple immersive experiences get you up close and personal with many of the animals in their own habitats including walk-through tunnel exhibits, transparent touch pools, and guided tours. You can also learn about the most important environmental challenges facing these California habitats and their residents who live in them including the impacts of climate change, plastic pollution, and habitat loss.
Cable Car Museum
San Francisco first made the Cable Car famous starting way back in 1873. Since then, you can still see them on the streets of the city today. At the Cable Car Museum you can learn about the history of how the cable car came about, who was the mastermind behind it, the evolution over the years, and the ongoing efforts to save and restore the many cable cars of San Francisco. Be sure to stop by the gift shop which is run by the Friends of the Cable Car Museum, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of cable car history. Best part about the Museum is that it's FREE!!! Can't beat that!
California Academy of Sciences
This massive campus sits in the center of San Francisco's Golden Gate Park and includes The Steinhart Aquarium, Morrison Planetarium, Osher Rainforest, and the world class Kimball Natural History Museum. There's something here for everyone! Between all 4 sites, dive into ongoing research, explore the biodiversity around us, learn about the environment, and help spread sustainability practices. https://www.calacademy.org/
Children’s Creativity Museum
Let kids be kids here at The Children’s Creativity Museum. Children can delve into dozens of hands on experiences including multiple immersive multimedia arts and technology exhibits and experiences. Be sure to check out the historic LeRoy King Carousel in the Yerba Buena Gardens. The Museum also has a "Create @ Home" collection of activities you can do at home as a family to engage kids anywhere, anytime.
Exploratorium
The creative thinking of Frank Oppenheimer led to the opening of the Exploratorium at Pier 15. Frank, a University professor, started by creating a library of 'experiments" for his students to help them explore the scientific world that interested them. After realizing there was a great lack of space for public learning and understanding of science and technology, Frank developed the groundbreaking Exploratorium in 1969. He believed that visitors could learn about natural phenomena and also gain confidence in their ability to understand the world around them. The Exploratorium combines both art and science as complementary ways of exploring the world. Today, the museum, along with it's many artists and scientists, continue to support a culture of experimentation and collaboration, inspire curiosity and understanding, and develop new ideas and creations.
https://www.exploratorium.edu
Madame Tussauds
This famous wax museum opened it's San Francisco location in 2014 in the Fisherman's Wharf area. This attraction features wax figures of famous actors/actresses, singers, politicians, athletes, historical figures, and many other pop culture celebrities.
https://www.madametussauds.com/san-francisco/
Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Museum
Also located in the famed Fisherman's Wharf area, the San Francisco Ripley's Believe It or Not! Museum boasts everything from the strange, the shocking, and the weirdly beautiful! From the world's tallest man to ancient artifacts and mind boggling exhibits, be prepared to be amazed and possibly spooked a bit!
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Again, located in the Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood, this museum offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves into the sights, sounds, smells and stories of Pacific Coast maritime history. The Park includes a magnificent fleet of historic ships at Hyde Street Pier, a Visitor Center, a Maritime Museum located in the historic Aquatic Park Bathhouse Building, and a Maritime Research Center.
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
One of the largest modern and contemporary art museums in the U.S.! You'll be lost for hours in the dozens of immersive works, breathtaking masterpieces, and the beautiful "Living Wall", which is the largest living wall in the U.S. and made up of 19,000 plants towering 30 feet tall.
The Walt Disney Family Museum
Probably one of the most well known household names in the World, Walt Disney has not only made an impact on Southern California and central Florida, he also left a lasting legacy throughout the San Francisco Bay area. At the Walt Disney Family Museum you will find everything from art and animation to innovation and inspiration while learning about the remarkable life story of Walt Disney. His American legacy has transformed the entertainment world. The non-profit museum features contemporary, interactive galleries with exhibits narrated in Walt’s own voice. You'll also get a glimpse of hundreds of Walt's early drawings, cartoons, films, music, and even a spectacular early concept model of Disneyland.
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