Best shopping in San Francisco - Boutiques, outlet malls & more

Where are the best places to shop in San Francisco? Well, to answer that question, we've made a list of the top 12 places and areas to shop in San Francisco, including popular outlet malls, shopping centers, hip boutiques and more.

By Casey Makovich
Published: July 18, 2024
San Francisco

Visitors can find everything from locally created artisan crafts to name-brand retailers. Did you know? Gap Inc., which owns and operates Gap, Banana Republic, and Old Navy, is headquartered in San Francisco.

So, a shopping spree on vacation? Let's go!

Union Square

Union Square is San Francisco's premier destination for shopping. Besides Bloomingdale's and Macy's, Union Square boasts a large collection of department stores, upscale shops, and brand-name retailers, conveniently in downtown San Francisco.

Westfield Centre is Bloomingdale's West Coast flagship store, offering designer fashion with department store variety. Whether you're shopping for the latest fashions or the home, Bloomingdale's has it all. Plus, in-store services include package delivery to your hotel - no need to drag all those bags around!

The Macy's store takes up almost two city blocks, making it not just a top shopping destination, but a must-see shopping experience. Macy's offers a wide selection of top brands, including Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, Estee Lauder, Clinique, Levi's, and more.

Union Square

Petaluma Village Premium Outlets

Located north of San Francisco in Sonoma County, Petaluma Village Premium Outlets offers steep discounts of 25%-65% off over 60 brand-name stores, including Banana Republic, Brooks Brothers, Coach, Nike, Saks Fifth Avenue Off 5th, and more in a picturesque, outdoor open setting.

Napa Premium Outlets

The Napa Premium Outlets are an easy side trip to add to a day trip to Napa Valley - this area is around 45 minutes from downtown San Francisco. Stores feature everyday savings of 25%-65% off stores like Cole Haan, Ann Taylor Factory Store, J. Crew, Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store, Coach Outlet, Timberland, and more. Perfect for stocking up on the season's essentials.

Napa

Gift Center and Jewelry Mart

Catch a little sparkle with exclusive access to wholesale prices typically only available to registered trade professionals at the San Francisco Gift Center and Jewelry Mart. You'll be able to shop unbeatable prices on a large selection of merchandise, including gifts, jewelry, and accessories from over 25 countries. From diamonds and pearls to custom designs, you'll find it all.

Wondering how to fit shopping into your San Francisco trip?

Our itineraries and guides will help you slot your shopping crusade in between activities and sightseeing. The below suggestions are a great way for newcomers to familiarize themselves with the city, all while saving a bunch of money on top attractions, tours, and more.

Embarcadero Center

Embarcadero Center is a large, mixed-use building complex home to over 100 retail shops, restaurants, and even a cinema. Located in San Francisco's waterfront area, also known as the Embarcadero, it's conveniently close to lots of attractions and sights in the Bay Area. You're bound to find something that catches your eye here.

Embarcadero

Chestnut Street

For more of a classic San Francisco neighborhood shopping destination experience, head to Chestnut Street for higher-end boutique shops and look for a unique find to bring home with you. If you're flagging during your shopping expedition, there are a myriad of eclectic restaurants and sophisticated coffee shops for tasty treats and refreshments.

Chestnut Street

Fillmore Street

Fillmore Street features countless upscale brands from around the world, like Eileen Fisher, Jonathan Adler, Joie, Scotch & Soda, and more. This street also has plenty of hip, eclectic boutique shops and cafés to dip in and out of.

Haight Street

Famous for the role it played as a hippie hangout in the 60's and 70s, the Haight Ashbury area's progressive culture is apparent in its store offerings. You'll be able to find lots of high-end vintage shops, hip boutiques, innovative dining establishments, and lots of pride on display.

Haight Street

Polk Street

Polk Street is a popular destination for second-hand and thrift shopping in San Francisco. Whether you're looking for knick-knacks or a new wardrobe staple to remember your trip by, Polk Street is a great place to unearth an unexpected gem.

North Beach

Famous for being San Francisco's Italian neighborhood brimming with food that rivals that of Italy and some of the best boutique cafés, it's no surprise North Beach is a shopping destination that offers visitors more of a European vibe than other parts of the city. You'll find artisan pieces and charming bookstores in this area.

North Beach

Left your heart (or your wallet) in San Francisco?

We hope we've given you some inspiration and spots to check out (and hit the checkout!) These areas have the best shopping in San Francisco, including popular affordable options, outlet malls, and designer brands.

 

Shop til' you drop in San Francisco and save up to 50% on attractions  

Planning your San Francisco trip? With Go City®, you can explore big-name landmarks, local hotspots, and epic tours, all on one pass, all for one price. Not only that, but you'll enjoy savings of up to 50%, compared to buying individual attraction tickets. So pick up a San Francisco attraction pass and save while you sightsee! 

☀️See all San Francisco attractions ☀️ – 🌏 Explore other destinations 🌏 – ✈️ Buy a San Francisco pass ✈️ 

Casey Makovich
Go City Travel Expert

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San Francisco Itinerary – 3 Days in San Francisco for First Timers

Traveling to San Francisco for a long weekend? If you’ve got 3 days in San Francisco to plan, check out this suggested list of things to do for ideas. This popular San Francisco itinerary is designed to showcase a wide variety of attractions and activities, and to appeal to visitors really looking for that authentic “San Francisco experience.” This 3 day itinerary includes: Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus Sightseeing Tour California Academy of Sciences de Young Museum Legion of Honor SFMOMA Aquarium of the Bay Exploratorium Escape From the Rock Madame Tussauds San Francisco Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise Ripley's Believe it or Not! Only have a few days in San Francisco? We’ve also put together a 1 day and 2 day itinerary. Save on Attraction Admission Pick up a 3-Day Go San Francisco® Card and save off combined admission vs paying at the gate. Remember, this 3 days in San Francisco itinerary is just one of many ways to experience San Francisco. The Go San Francisco® Card gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary, so you can choose from dozens of top attractions and create a vacation tailored to your interests. Looking for more things to do? - we've got a list of how to spend 5-7 days in San Francisco. Or, try our popular California road trip itinerary, which covers top San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco attractions. DAY 1 Stop #1: Big Bus San Francisco Sightseeing Tour This Hop-on Hop-off San Francisco Bus Tour is the perfect addition to your itinerary, and an easy way to get around the city while sightseeing. Tour guides are entertaining and knowledgeable, and you’ll see some of the best sights of the city, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Chinatown, North Beach, Fisherman's Wharf, and more Your ticket is good for a full 48 hours, so you can use it to hop on and off at your leisure. As a bonus, your ticket also includes a selection of free walking tours. Join up with one of these three tours at designated stops to see more of each neighborhood: Chinatown Walking Tour, North Beach Walking Tour, or Barbary Coast Walking Tour. Getting In: Hop On Hop Off Big Bus San Francisco Bus Tour tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. Stop #2: California Academy of Sciences No San Francisco visitor should miss the chance to explore the dazzling and delightful California Academy of Sciences. Comprised of four distinct areas – a natural history museum, an aquarium, an all-digital planetarium, and a four-story rainforest – there’s no end to the things to do at this attraction. This attraction is not just entertaining or informative, it’s also on the cutting edge of research and conservation. Scientists based here are making discoveries and developments that have the potential to improve the environment and change the world! They’ve even got a beautiful, 2 1⁄2 acre “living roof,” just one of their many eco-friendly innovations. There are a number of special programs and events that frequently run at the California Academy of Sciences, too, so be sure to check their calendar before you visit to see what's on. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. Getting In: California Academy of Sciences tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. Stop #3: de Young Museum Head back to Golden Gate Park to visit one of the other finest museums in the city -- the de Young Museum. This gorgeous facility works to integrate art and nature and architecture all into one cohesive aesthetic experience, making it one of the most unique institutions on the west coast. Their collections span millennia, featuring everything from ancient African art to contemporary painting. They also have a strong body of American painting from the seventeenth to twenty-first centuries. Insider Tip: Be sure to head up the observation tower for an expansive aerial view of Golden Gate Park. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this museum -- perhaps more if you have an art lover in your party. They also have a lovely cafe for a nice coffee break! Getting In: de Young Museum tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. Stop #4: Legion of Honor Located just north of Golden Gate Park, the beautiful Legion of Honor museum is another great artistic attraction. Designed to look like an eighteenth-century French palace, this institution is beautiful inside and out. Exhibits span a wide variety of artistic genres and nearly 4,000 years of history, so there's no telling what you mind find inside! Highlights include Ancient Art and European painting, featuring works by El Greco, Rembrandt, Monet, and more. A favorite is Rodin's iconic sculpture "The Thinker," which is located outdoors in the Court of Honor. We recommend reserving about 1-2 to explore the Legion of Honor. Getting In: Legion of Honor tickets are included with the Go San Francisco Card. DAY 2 Stop #1: SFMOMA This must-see San Francisco attraction is an excellent way to start off another day of your vacation. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) has recently undergone a multi-year renovation project that has totally transformed this amazing space. It's one of the best museums on the west coast dedicated to contemporary and modern art. They also have a unique focus on living artists from the Bay Area. You'll find all your favorite artists represented in their vast collections, from Klee to Calder to Stieglitz. We recommend arriving when the museum first opens to avoid the bulk of the crowds. Set aside at a few hours for this engaging museum -- more if you've got real art lovers in your group. Getting In: SFMOMA tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. Stop #2: Aquarium of the Bay Now it's time to head up to the Fisherman's Wharf waterfront neighborhood for some prime explorations of the most popular locales in the city. Pop into the fascinating Aquarium of the Bay, which is consistently a family-favorite attraction. It exclusively features specimens from the San Francisco Bay, from jellyfish to giant octopi! You won’t want to miss their clear crystal tunnel system, with more than 300 feet of amazing views of over 20,000 marine creatures and plants. It’s a surreal experience to feel like you’re walking underwater! Another popular exhibit with kids is "Touch the Bay," where you can actually reach into water and feel sharks, rays, and sea stars. We recommend reserving at least an hour for this attraction. Getting In: Aquarium of the Bay tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. Stop # 3: Exploratorium Also located near the waterfront is the kid-centric Exploratorium. It's a highly interactive museum, with tons of opportunities for your kids to touch and play with hundreds of different exhibits. You'll find everything from fun, climbable outdoors exhibits to science-focused exhibits like viewing sea creatures through a microscope. Adults can have fun, too! Just check out the more inventive exhibits and learn about San Francisco's truly creative culture. It's also really worth your time to consult their website before you visit. They have activities organized by theme online, and it's a good way to plan out what you want to tackle first. Getting In: Exploratorium tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. Stop #4: Escape From the Rock Cruise End the day with a truly enjoyable cruise that heads out towards the infamous Alcatraz Island. Sail under the beautiful Golden Gate Bridge, out to the Bay, and past this sinister prison while listening to informative narration from your crew. And it's not just about what you see in front of you, either -- you'll also be regaled with stories about famous crooks and criminals who served some time in Alcatraz, including tales about famous escape efforts that have inspired so many films. The cruise itself last for one and a half hours; please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your desired departure time. No reservations required. Please not that this cruise does not include a landing at Alcatraz Island itself; if you're interested in visiting the prison, purchase your Go San Francisco Card directly from Alcatraz Cruises. Getting In: Escape From The Rock Cruise tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. DAY 3 Stop #1: Madame Tussauds San Francisco Begin your last day with a return to the popular Fisherman's Wharf neighborhood. Stop by Madame Tussauds San Francisco for a truly special experience that only Madame Ts can produce. Meet celebrities from music to Hollywood to politics and snap your photo with your favorite. It's a fun way to keep the kids entertained, and it's also an informative romp through pop culture's most important figures and moments in time, from Elton John to Rosa Parks. We recommend reserving about an hour to explore this attraction. You may experience lines, but probably not first thing in the morning. Getting In: Madame Tussauds San Francisco tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. Stop #2: Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise Next on your itinerary, you’ll want to continue to explore San Francisco by water! The Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise is actually the only cruise in the area that sails under both the Golden Gate Bridge and the Bay Bridge (hence its name), and is a totally relaxing activity. You’ll also see a number of iconic sights from San Francisco’s shoreline and maritime history, including the infamous Alcatraz and Treasure Island. So there's an educational component, too, for those of you traveling with curious explorers of all ages. If you're wondering, the big difference between this cruise and the Escape from the Rock cruise is that this option features a more wide-ranging survey of San Francisco maritime culture and history, and less information about Alcatraz itself. Pick one, or enjoy them both! Remember to pick up your ticket in advance at the booth prior to boarding the vessel. We recommend arriving at least 15 in advance of your desired sail time. Reservations are required for this cruise. Getting In: Bridge 2 Bridge Cruise tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. Stop #3: Ripley's Believe it or Not! This is another destination the kids will love. The endlessly fascinating Ripley's Believe it or Not! makes for an astonishing and fully entertaining last stop of the trip. Filled with the bizarre, the strange, and the wonderful, Ripley's has been delighting and puzzling visitors for generations. With hundreds of crazy exhibits -- many of them new each year -- there's something for adults to like, too. An area that absolutely everyone loves is the Toy / Candy Factory, which offers hundreds of different classic and contemporary sweet treats. Be prepared for the nostalgia when you see your favorite childhood candy for sale! A visit here typically takes about two hours, so plan accordingly based on your dinner ideas. Getting In: Ripley's Believe it or Not! San Francisco tickets are included on the Go San Francisco Card. Let’s Recap This 3 days in San Francisco itinerary really shows you the best and the brightest of the City by the Bay. The wide variety of things to do and places to go on your three days in San Francisco will leave you feeling like you’ve gotten a true feel for the city. Save on combined admission costs vs paying at the gate when you visit all of these attractions with a 3-Day Go San Francisco® Card. You can also save even more with included extra discounts on dining, shopping, and additional attractions!
Katie Sagal
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Visiting the Exploratorium - Discount Ticket Admission, Tips & More

The San Francisco Exploratorium is an internationally renowned museum of science, art, and human perception, located at Pier 15 in the heart of San Francisco's vibrant Embarcadero. A perfect destination for families, this wonderful museum contains more than 600 interactive exhibits and experiences which create a culture of learning through innovative environments, programs, and tools that nurture curiosity. Families visiting San Francisco should definitely plan to visit the Exploratorium and all of its wild and wonderful exhibits. Get the most out of your visit to this fun educational institution with these tips and ideas. Looking for Exploratorium Discount Tickets? We’ve got you covered – Exploratorium admission is available with the below money saving options, so you can choose the attraction pass that’s right for you: 1. All-Inclusive Pass – All you can do. Includes admission to dozens of attractions. 2. Explorer Pass – Choose as you go. Includes admission of up to 5 attractions. 3. Build Your Own Pass – Select the attractions you want to visit prior to visiting. See all available San Francisco passes, attractions & prices. Families shouldn't miss out on this amazing institution during their San Francisco vacation – it is, after all, the most experimental museum in the world! When to Visit Arriving early is always a safe bet, and weekdays are going to be less crowded than weekends. We recommend either aiming to be there when they open, or arriving sometime in the mid afternoon (after the lunchtime crowd leaves). Gallery 1: Human Phenomenon Exploring human thoughts, feelings, and social behavior through a variety of interactive exhibits, this is one fun place to start exploring this attraction. Kids can build, sit, play, listen, and more in these exhibits. Some of the current exhibits include exquisite Balinese masks, a bronze hand, a cloud ring, and more more. Gallery 2: Tinkering This gallery is bound to be the most popular with creative and crafty kids. It's filled with fascinating machinery, exhibits, and tools that all boast interactive components that allow visitors to play, create, and test out their inventions. Some featured exhibits in this gallery include the amazing Tinkerer's Clock, the super fun Marble Machines (build your own marble maze!), and the Art of Tinkering exhibition. Gallery 3: Seeing and Listening One of the central galleries of this attraction, the Seeing and Listening space is filled with activities and exhibits that highlight these all-important senses. Kids and adults alike can play with colors, shadows, sights, and sounds to get a feel for how light and sound work, and to gain a great understanding of scientific processes. Create colorful shadows. Paint with soap film. Wander through the monochromatic room where everything is drained of color. Marvel at a giant mirror (once part of a NASA flight simulator). And much more! Gallery 4: Living Systems Explore the growing story of, well, everything! See the living world from great to small as you learn about DNA, microorganisms, and entire ecosystems. Explore Plankton Populations to imagine what life is like on a totally different scale. Use special lenses to actually see this microscopic creatures who are responsible producing approximately half of the oxygens humans breathe each year. Explore live data from the NOAA tide station by the Golden Gate Bridge to see what the current tides are nearby and learn about how the tides have a monumental effect on life in the water. There’s even a microscopic imaging station to give you a glimpse of what cells look like up close! Gallery 5: Outdoor Exhibits The Exploratorium actually has an entire series of exhibits in their exterior space, many of which are dedicated to exploring natural phenomena, physical curiosities, and feats of human ingenuity. Some of their most popular outdoor exhibits include the Over the Water collection of temporary art exhibits, in which the pieces each reflect something abut the Exploratorium's unique location in San Francisco, and the 27-foot-tall Aeolian Harp, built for the museum by artist Doug Hollis in 1976. In warmer weather, be sure to check out the interactive Remote Rains exhibit, which actually reproduces realistic weather patterns under a bright orange umbrella. BONUS! Enjoy at-home fun with Exploratorium Science Snacks. These snacks aren’t the kind you can eat, but instead they’re fun mini-experiments that teach kids basic scientific principles and practices. They’re great hands-on activities that often model the larger exhibits at the Exploratorium. Visit their website for details. Gallery 6: Observing Landscapes Focusing on the natural history and ecology of the San Francisco Bay region, this gallery includes exhibits that trace human and natural forces on the landscape around you. Scope out sediment cores from around the Bay to see what's going on underneath the earth, follow the digital footprints of San Francisco residents as they go about their days, and peek at a live oyster colony. Nearby Attractions The Exploratorium is conveniently located on the waterfront, just a short jaunt from the bustling neighborhood of Fisherman’s Wharf. There, you can enjoy everything from Madame Tussauds to a number of popular cruises and tours. Madame Tussauds This is is everyone's favorite wax museum, filled with a variety of exhibits and themed rooms that appeal to broad interests. It's particularly suited for kids, too, because of their cultural and historical focus. Getting In: Madame Tussauds tickets are included with the Go San Francisco Card. Hop-on Hop-off Big Bus San Francisco Tour   Fisherman's Wharf is also a pickup point for the famous Big Bus San Francisco tours, vehicles that provide convenient hop on and off service throughout the city. Getting In: Big Bus San Francisco tickets are included with the Go San Francisco Card. If you're looking for more information about how to explore San Francisco, including transportation information, check out our Getting Around San Francisco guide. Places to Eat Nearby If you choose not to eat at the Exploratorium itself, there are plenty of dining choices on the waterfront. The nearby Grumpy’s Restaurant & Pub is a local favorite that serves classic pub fare plus a full breakfast menu. Or, choose something a bit more chic by dining at Café de Stijl, a casual eatery (owned & designed by a local architect!) specializing in French fare. Looking to be right on the water? Head up to Pier 23 for the Pier 23 Café. Save on Admission with a Go San Francisco Card Remember, the Go San Francisco® Card is the best choice for maximum savings and flexibility, which includes Exploratorium tickets, plus admission to your choice of other top attractions. Save up to 55% on top museums, tours, and activities vs. paying at the gate. Visit multiple San Francisco attractions for one low price.
Katie Sagal
T-rex skeleton in the lobby of the natural history museum at the California Academy of Sciences
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Best Museums in San Francisco

From the de Young Museum’s striking copper facade to the enormous steel cube that forms part of the Contemporary Jewish Museum, many of San Francisco’s museums are as much a marvel from the outside as they are from the inside. There’s something for everyone here, with plenty of great art, science and historical treasures to keep even the most fatigued museum-goer entertained. Read on to discover our pick of the 10 best museums in San Francisco. De Young Museum Slap-bang in the middle of Golden Gate Park, the de Young Museum cuts a striking figure with its burnished copper skin and 144-foot observation tower. Inside, the extensive collection of American art dates back to the 17th Century, with highlights including Salvador Dalí’s mesmerizing portrait of San Francisco philanthropist Dorothy Spreckels Munn, George Caleb Bingham’s 1846 masterpiece Boatmen on the Missouri and several Ruth Asawa wire sculptures. An impressive collection of art, textiles and costumes from Africa, Oceania and the Americas completes the picture. Be sure to ascend the tower for 360-degree views of Golden Gate Park, downtown San Francisco and the Bay. Walt Disney Family Museum Enter the magical world of Walt Disney at this Presidio museum that's a stone’s throw from the Golden Gate Bridge. Here’s where you can view Walt’s earliest drawings and experience the evolution of Mickey Mouse via sketches, models and toys. There are over 40,000 square feet to explore, with exhibits including artwork that spans the Disney dynasty, from Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs, Walt’s debut 1937 feature, up to the present day. There are over 200 screens showing cartoons, movies and archive footage, as well as listening stations that include narration by Walt himself. There’s even a 12-foot model of Disneyland! Exploratorium Hands-down the best interactive museum in town, the Exploratorium on Pier 15 is chock-full of amazing art and science exhibits that come to life as soon as you get involved. Say hello to Albert as you enter this trippy universe, where you can – deep breath – dance with your very own animated doppelganger, create sandstorms, step inside a tornado, get lost in the fog, explore an enormous model of San Francisco made from thousands of toothpicks and get a whole new sense of perspective in the Distorted Room. And that barely scratches the surface of what to expect here. Don’t miss the Sun Painting, a huge kaleidoscopic work of art made by reflection and refraction of the sun’s rays. Museum of the African Diaspora One of just a handful of US museums that exclusively showcase contemporary art by native Africans and their descendents, the MoAD is a celebration of Black culture and identity that seeks to entertain, challenge and educate visitors in equal measure. Set in San Francisco’s downtown Yerba Buena Arts District, its regularly rotating exhibitions have featured artists as diverse as Romare Bearden, Elizabeth Catlett and Alison Saar, while the emerging artists program also supports upcoming talent from the Bay Area. USS Pampanito Docked at Pier 45 in Fisherman’s Wharf, the USS Pampanito is a designated National Historic Landmark. This huge submarine was in service during World War II, making patrols of the Pacific and sinking several Japanese ships. Step aboard to learn more about the vessel’s storied history, explore the living quarters, see the torpedoes and check out onboard equipment that has been restored to working order, including the engines, periscope and... ice-cream machine. Legion of Honor Located in Lincoln Park, the Legion of Honor is easily one the best art museums in San Francisco, boasting a fine collection that spans over 5,000 years of ancient and European art. There’s a particularly impressive variety of pieces from France, including paintings by Impressionist masters like Degas, Renoir, Monet and Cézanne. Check out the collection of nearly 100 Rodin sculptures and get up close to some of his most famous pieces: The Thinker, The Kiss and The Gates of Hell, to name but a few. The Hall of Antiquities and mummy room are your one-stop shop for mummified Egyptians, ancient and definitely-not-cursed carved figurine, as well as all manner of well-preserved sculptures, ceramics and jewelry from millennia gone by. Musée Mécanique Relive your misspent youth (depending on your particular vintage) at the Musée Mécanique on Fisherman’s Wharf. This curious place is crammed full of coin-operated arcade games, automata and other such strange devices, with some dating as far back as the early 20th Century. Play classic pinball machines and video games, test your strength against a masked arm-wrestler, find out where you rank on the kiss-o-meter (from passionate to disappointingly clammy), see what is perhaps the only steam-powered motorbike on the planet, and be charmed by not-at-all-creepy Laffing Sal, a florid six-foot cackling automaton with a missing tooth. Asian Art Museum A well-preserved bronze Buddha statue that’s nearly 2,000 years old, Chinese Jades from the Neolithic period and Persian ceramics are just some of the highlights to be found in the vast Asian Art Museum. The 18,000-strong collection is largely Chinese in origin, usually representing around half of the 2,000-ish pieces on display at any given time. It’s one of the biggest and most important Asian art collections in the world and can be found inside a gorgeous Beaux Arts building in the San Francisco Civic Center. Not to be missed. California Academy of Sciences This sprawling museum in Golden Gate Park is an aquarium, planetarium, rainforest and one of the world’s largest natural history collections all rolled into one. Inside its epic 400,000-square-floor space are 46 million specimens and residents that include blacktip reef sharks, an elusive giant Pacific octopus, Madagascan chameleons, poison-dart frogs and a towering t-rex. Equally striking is the museum’s architecture: its roof topped with rolling green hills is home to nearly two million plants! San Francisco Museum of Modern Art SFMOMA is the daddy of all art museums in San Francisco, boasting thousands of important works from household names including Jackson Pollock, Henri Matisse, Georgia O’Keeffe, Frida Kahlo, Louise Bourgeois, Andy Warhol, Edward Hopper, Gerhard Richter and Paul Klee. There’s a largely open-air rooftop sculpture garden that’s accessed via a glass-and-steel bridge and, also outdoors, a vast living wall. This dense forest of foliage changes with the seasons so you’ll get a different sensory experience depending on which time of year you visit. Save on the best museums in San Francisco Save on admission to San Francisco attractions with Go City. Check out @GoCity on Instagram and Facebook for the latest top tips and attraction info.
Stuart Bak
Stuart Bak

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