San Francisco Museum of Modern Art — Attraction in San Francisco

We have visited modern art museums all over the world, and the SF MoMA is probably the richest in terms of content and also our favorite in terms of ambience. We visited a weekday in March, and it was very quiet. Nonetheless we recommend buying tickets in advance as you then can go straight inside without waiting in line to buy tickets. Before you go to level 2, where the tickets and entrance are located, we recommend stopping by the coat check where you can drop your coats at no charge in the winter time. The museum is very warm, so dress in layers. On level 1 there is also a museum store which is very big, and has many nice things that might interest you.

We took the elevator to the seventh floor and worked our way down the levels. On level 7 there was an exhibition by SF artist Joan Brown which was remarkable in many ways. We enjoyed this exhibit very much - it closes on March 12, 2023 though. SF MoMA always has terrific exhibits, though, so we wouldn‘t be too worried. :-) We have visited MoMa at least five times before, and were never disappointed with what was being shown. There is something for everyone - from very abstract, to stilleben, to classic artistry, to video art and sculptures - modern as well as classic. In addition, there is usually a floor dedicated to photography. This time it was dominated by black and white photography by German photographers Bernd and Hilla Becher, who devoted their work to industrial photography. We enjoyed it, but found it rather repetitious and less creative than we would have expected with this topic. There are many photographers on display, so there is no risk of being bored with just one or a few photographers.

There is an outside exhibition of various plants as well, but during our visit it was closed. In fact, a part of the museum was closed to prepare for another installation. The preparation work was pretty noisy at times, but it didn‘t impact our experience.

We have visited SF MoMA during the peak tourist season, as well as during the winter season. Of course it is much more enjoyable during the winter season, because at times you can stand or sit alone in front of art for several minutes before another visitor comes to the same room.

The facilities are all in a great condition, with excellent lavatories, nice cafes (one was closed when we visited), and overall a very nice ambience throughout the museum and the various exhibits.

The museum store is excellent, with everything from books, toys, framed art, clothing, to jewelery. The staff is very friendly and helpful, and the prices are decent for a museum store.

All in all we can highly recommend SF MoMA. If you visit the city, you should definitely plan half a day here, and try to...

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) is a leading institution dedicated to modern and contemporary art. Established in 1935, it was the first museum on the U.S. West Coast devoted solely to 20th-century art. EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG

Location and Architecture:

Situated at 151 Third Street in San Francisco's SoMa district, SFMOMA is adjacent to Yerba Buena Gardens and near the Moscone Center. The museum's distinctive building, designed by Swiss architect Mario Botta, opened in 1995. In 2016, a significant expansion by the architecture firm Snøhetta added 10 floors, enhancing gallery spaces and visitor amenities. FR.WIKIPEDIA.ORG

Collections and Exhibitions:

SFMOMA's extensive collection includes notable works by artists such as Henri Matisse, Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock, and Andy Warhol. The museum also houses significant photography, architecture, and design pieces. FR.WIKIPEDIA.ORG

A major upcoming exhibition is the "Ruth Asawa: Retrospective," opening on April 5, 2025. This comprehensive posthumous display of Asawa's career has received a $1.5 million grant from Google.org, marking the largest corporate grant for a single exhibition at SFMOMA. The exhibition will run until September 2, 2025, featuring community programs and initiatives honoring Asawa's legacy and her connection to San Francisco. SFCHRONICLE.COM

Visiting Information:

Hours: SFMOMA is open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with extended hours on Thursdays until 9:00 PM.

Admission: General admission fees apply, with discounts for seniors, students, and free entry for visitors 18 and under.

Amenities: The museum offers dining options, a museum store, and accessibility services.

For detailed information on current exhibitions, ticketing, and events, visit the official SFMOMA website.

Whether you're an art enthusiast or a casual visitor, SFMOMA provides a rich cultural experience in the heart of San Francisco.

SFMOMA Receives Major Grant for 'Ruth Asawa:...

EXHIBITION The Chronicles of San Francisco by JR May 23, 2019–May 31, 2020 Floor 1, Roberts Family Gallery Which is Open to Public (easy entrance from Howard St) without tickets to SFMOMA, Floor 1, Roberts Family Gallery is really nice way to unwind if you’re in near by the museum and wanted to sit down and relax indoor. The staircases are perfect spot to rest a bit.

Also 18 & under are free to enter. Great way for teenagers who live near. Teens could spend their leisure time here or family could visit with kids for less cost.

There are great selection of exhibits to be found in this relatively new 7-story galleries. Always felt having not enough time to see all the exhibits. The balcony at the top floor always impresses me and good place to take some fresh air and sit down to enjoy the hustle of the busy city surrounded.

Always find new artists works as well as familiar modern arts.

Despite the parking is hard and costly around the museum, we found that it’s a short walk from Mission & 5th Ave garage. However must not leave anything (even a t-shirt in a shopping bag) in your vehicles at parking garages & street parking. We’ve seen broken glasses at curve side and parking garages everywhere near by. Even keeping items in your trunk is not safe as we’ve been told that car burglars to open trunks easily with a tool or lowering back seats after breaking rare...