San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
San Francisco, California, US
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) is a large public museum in downtown San Francisco that showcases modern and contemporary works across several galleries. With a rotating program of high‑profile exhibitions, it offers travelers a deep dive into 20th‑century art within a city‑center setting.
Why choose San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
You’ll walk among original pieces that shaped the language of contemporary art, something smaller galleries can’t match. The museum’s layout lets you linger with each show, turning a quick stop into an immersive day of visual discovery.
Best for: Art lovers · Architecture · First-timers · Couples
Start your downtown art morning
Begin at SFMOMA, then stroll to the Ferry Building for a bite, and finish with a walk through Chinatown.
- Morning — San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- 11:30 — Ferry Building
- Afternoon — Chinatown San Francisco
Visit tips
- Allow at least two hours to explore the main galleries.
- Visit after 15:00 for a quieter museum experience.
- Visit after 3 pm for smaller crowds; the museum stays open until 8 pm.
- Buy tickets online to skip the ticket line and allow at least three hours.
Plan your visit
- Recommended duration: 2–3 hours
- Best time of day: Afternoon, after 14:00
- Hours: 12:00–20:00 (closed Wednesday)
- Entry: $30
- Booking: not required — Buy tickets online to skip the line
- Category: museum
- Rated 4.4 by 2134 reviewers
- Tags: city center, art lovers, gallery tours, modern art
Nearby attractions
- Ferry Building — market, 16 min walk
- Chinatown San Francisco — attraction, 14 min walk
- Cable Car Museum — attraction, 17 min walk
- Kokkari Estiatorio — restaurant, 16 min walk
- Hog Island Oyster Co. — bar, 17 min walk
- Tadich Grill — restaurant, 11 min walk
More things to do in San Francisco
See all things to do in San Francisco or plan a full San Francisco itinerary with Next Getaway.