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San Francisco - Museums, Zoos and Aquariums

Attractions (347)

Tours (151)

Nightlife (152)

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Chinese Culture Center Chinese Culture Center: Our guided Heritage Walk offers a unique, interactive experience of North America’s oldest Chinatown. They are scheduled Tuesday to Sunday and can include lunch (10am).
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San Francisco weather essentials

Month
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May
64°F 17°C
49°F 9°C
0 in 1 cm
Jun
67°F 19°C
51°F 10°C
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Jul
69°F 20°C
52°F 11°C
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Aug
70°F 21°C
54°F 12°C
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Sep
71°F 21°C
54°F 12°C
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Oct
67°F 19°C
51°F 10°C
1 in 2 cm
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Traveler recommended attractions
Alcatraz
As featured in 3 days in San Francisco
Alcatraz
Map | Photos
Ranked #4 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4.5 of 5 stars 3,996 reviews

Alcatraz Island, located in the middle of San Francisco Bay, is a must-see attraction for any visitor to the area.  One of the most infamous prisons in the country for housing... more »

Attraction type  Historic Sites; Islands; National Parks; Nature/ Wildlife Areas; Lighthouses; Natural History Museums
Distance  3.6 miles from city center
Legion of Honor
As featured in 3 days in San Francisco
Legion of Honor
Map | Photos
Ranked #10 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4.5 of 5 stars 206 reviews
An outstanding collection of European art in a gorgeous hilltop museum setting.
Attraction type  Art Museums
Distance  4.5 miles from city center
Asian Art Museum
As featured in 3 days in San Francisco
Asian Art Museum
Map | Photos
Ranked #15 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4.5 of 5 stars 112 reviews

The Asian Art Museum is one of the best Asian art museums in the world so plan on spending several hours. The best introduction to the museum is to take one of the many free... more »

Attraction type  Art Museums
Distance  0.4 miles from city center
The Exploratorium
As featured in San Francisco for young kids
The Exploratorium
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Ranked #16 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4.5 of 5 stars 333 reviews
Owner description: The Exploratorium is an experimental, hands-on museum designed to spark curiosity, regardless of age. Like a mad scientist's... more » Owner description: The Exploratorium is an experimental, hands-on museum designed to spark curiosity, regardless of age. Like a mad scientist's penny arcade, a scientific funhouse, an art studio and an experimental laboratory all rolled into one, you can touch, play and tinker with hundreds and hundreds of exhibits exploring sound and hearing, light and optics, life sciences and much more. Now through September 5 come experience ColorFEST, an extravaganza of light, color, perception and pigments featuring a spectrum of color-related exhibits, films, performances, demonstrations and activities. « less
Attraction type  Science Museums; Children's Museums
Distance  2.5 miles from city center
Cable Car Museum
As featured in San Francisco on a budget
Cable Car Museum
Map | Photos
Ranked #20 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4.5 of 5 stars 337 reviews
A museum to San Francisco's beloved cable cars, with a subterranean walkway that lets you see the moving cable.
Attraction type  Specialty Museums
Distance  1.4 miles from city center
Musee Mecanique
As featured in San Francisco on a budget
Musee Mecanique
Map | Photos
Ranked #24 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4.5 of 5 stars 122 reviews
This superb collection of mechanical games and toys will entice people of all ages.
Attraction type  Specialty Museums; Museums
Distance  2.3 miles from city center
Palace of Fine Arts
As featured in San Francisco on a budget
Palace of Fine Arts
Map | Photos
Ranked #26 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4.5 of 5 stars 82 reviews

The Palace of Fine Arts was built for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Expo, which San Francisco hosted.  It was built to have the feel of an overgrown Roman ruin, and they... more »

Attraction type  Art Museums; Monuments/ Statues; Architectural Buildings
Distance  2.6 miles from city center
California Academy of Sciences
As featured in 3 days in San Francisco
California Academy of Sciences
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Map | Photos
Ranked #27 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4 of 5 stars 428 reviews
Owner description: The world’s only aquarium-planetarium-rainforest-living museum.Come nose-to-beak with penguins and parrots, watch sharks and... more » Owner description: The world’s only aquarium-planetarium-rainforest-living museum.Come nose-to-beak with penguins and parrots, watch sharks and sting rays cruise beneath your feet, and feel the spray of the California coast. Fly to Mars (and beyond the Milky Way!) from the safety of your planetarium seat, take a virtual safari in African Hall, or climb into the canopy of a living rainforest. Face your fears—and an albino alligator—inside the Swamp, and meet scientists as they return from research expeditions around the world. From the depths of a Philippine coral reef to the outer reaches of the Universe, it's all inside the California Academy of Sciences. « less
Attraction type  Educational Sites; Science Museums; Aquariums; Observatories/ Planetariums; Natural History Museums
Distance  2.6 miles from city center
de Young Museum
As featured in 3 days in San Francisco
de Young Museum
Map | Photos
Ranked #31 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4 of 5 stars 152 reviews

The DeYoung museum has been a San Francisco institution since it opened in Golden Gate Park in 1895.  The new building, designed by Herzog & de Mueron, opened in 2005.  The... more »

Attraction type  Art Museums; Shops
Distance  2.6 miles from city center
SS Jeremiah O'Brien
As featured in 3 days in San Francisco
SS Jeremiah O'Brien
Map | Photos
Ranked #32 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4.5 of 5 stars 34 reviews
Historic World War II ship docked at Pier 45.
Attraction type  Specialty Museums; Historic Sites; Ships
Distance  1.8 miles from city center
USS Pampanito
As featured in 3 days in San Francisco
USS Pampanito
Map | Photos
Ranked #34 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4.5 of 5 stars 78 reviews

USS Pampanito (SS-383) museum and memorial is open for visitors at Fisherman's Wharf. The  submarine patrolled the Pacific during World War II. Website more »

Attraction type  Specialty Museums; Military Museums; Ships
Distance  2.4 miles from city center
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
As featured in 3 days in San Francisco
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park
Map | Photos
Ranked #35 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4.5 of 5 stars 26 reviews
Owner description: Visitors can take a workshop on boatbuilding, board a vessel docked at the Hyde Street Pier or tour the fine collections of... more » Owner description: Visitors can take a workshop on boatbuilding, board a vessel docked at the Hyde Street Pier or tour the fine collections of maritime lore. « less
Attraction type  Specialty Museums; National Parks; Educational Sites
Distance  2.1 miles from city center
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
As featured in 3 days in San Francisco
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Map | Photos
Ranked #54 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4 of 5 stars 123 reviews
The museum itself is a work of art that houses a strong collection and traveling shows.
Attraction type  Art Museums
Distance  1.2 miles from city center
San Francisco Maritime Museum/Aquatic Park Bathhouse Building
As featured in San Francisco for young kids
San Francisco Maritime Museum/Aquatic Park Bathhouse Building
Map | Photos
Ranked #58 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4.5 of 5 stars 11 reviews
Owner description: Find everything seaworthy - ship models, ship relics, scrimshaw, whaling gear and figureheads - in this free maritime museum.... more » Owner description: Find everything seaworthy - ship models, ship relics, scrimshaw, whaling gear and figureheads - in this free maritime museum. « less
Attraction type  Specialty Museums
Distance  2.2 miles from city center
Wells Fargo History Museum
As featured in San Francisco for young kids
Wells Fargo History Museum
Map | Photos
Ranked #68 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4.5 of 5 stars 16 reviews

San Francisco Wells Fargo Museum is built on the same site as where the original  Wells Fargo Bank was built in 1852. Some of the highlights of this museum include a Concord Coach... more »

Attraction type  Specialty Museums; History Museums
Distance  1.6 miles from city center
Children's Creativity Museum
As featured in San Francisco for young kids
Children's Creativity Museum
Map | Photos
Ranked #76 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4.5 of 5 stars 7 reviews

Zeum, the San Francisco's Children's Museum opened in October 1998 on the rooftop of Yerba Buena Gardens. Here, children can have hands-on experience with multimedia arts and... more »

Attraction type  Educational Sites; Children's Museums; Museums
Distance  1.1 miles from city center
Fort Mason Center
As featured in San Francisco for young kids
Fort Mason Center
Map | Photos
Ranked #85 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4.5 of 5 stars 7 reviews
Attraction type  Art Museums; Marinas
Distance  2.2 miles from city center
Xanadu Gallery
As featured in San Francisco for young kids
Map
Ranked #91 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4.5 of 5 stars 3 reviews
Attraction type  Art Museums
Distance  1.2 miles from city center
San Francisco Zoo
As featured in San Francisco for young kids
San Francisco Zoo
Map | Photos
Ranked #92 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
3.5 of 5 stars 93 reviews
Owner description: The penguins win the popularity contest at this zoo. You can watch being fed daily at 3 PM. Or, if you prefer the big cats,... more » Owner description: The penguins win the popularity contest at this zoo. You can watch being fed daily at 3 PM. Or, if you prefer the big cats, come an hour earlier. « less
Attraction type  Zoos
Distance  5.3 miles from city center
Aquarium of the Bay
As featured in San Francisco for young kids
Aquarium of the Bay
Map | Photos
Ranked #93 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
3.5 of 5 stars 158 reviews
Visitors view two large saltwater tanks that are filled with the many types of marine wildlife found in San Francisco Bay.
Attraction type  Aquariums
Distance  2.3 miles from city center
SFO Museum
As featured in San Francisco for young kids
Ranked #105 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
5 of 5 stars 2 reviews
Attraction type  Specialty Museums
San Francisco Railway Museum
As featured in San Francisco for young kids
Map
Ranked #108 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4 of 5 stars 6 reviews
Owner description: The San Francisco Railway museum is the place to learn about the antique streetcars and national landmark cable cars that... more » Owner description: The San Francisco Railway museum is the place to learn about the antique streetcars and national landmark cable cars that regularly run along the city's main arteries, and how rail transportation shaped development of the city. The museum is located at the Steuart Street F-line stop, half a block south of Market St., catty-corner from the Ferry Building, and only steps away from the California St. Cable Car terminal. Admission to the museum is free. « less
Attraction type  Museums; Specialty Museums
Distance  1.9 miles from city center
Contemporary Jewish Museum
As featured in San Francisco for young kids
Contemporary Jewish Museum
Map | Photos
Ranked #112 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4 of 5 stars 24 reviews
This museum houses fascinating and sometimes controversial exhibits on Jewish history and culture.
Attraction type  Specialty Museums
Distance  1.1 miles from city center
San Francisco Art Institute
As featured in San Francisco for young kids
Map
Ranked #120 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4.5 of 5 stars 4 reviews
This is the oldest art school in the West, and the alma mater of some of the nation's most acclaimed artists.
Attraction type  Art Museums; Educational Sites
Distance  2.0 miles from city center
The Beat Museum
As featured in San Francisco for young kids
The Beat Museum
Map | Photos
Ranked #123 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4 of 5 stars 6 reviews
Owner description: The mission of The Beat Museum is to spread the values of The Beat Generation--tolerance, inclusiveness, and having the... more » Owner description: The mission of The Beat Museum is to spread the values of The Beat Generation--tolerance, inclusiveness, and having the courage to live your own individual truth. Our first floor contains our book shop and gift shop, as well as the entrance to the Beat Museum. The second floor contains six rooms of exclusive Beat era memorabilia. « less
Attraction type  Specialty Museums
Distance  1.7 miles from city center
Museum of the African Diaspora
As featured in San Francisco for young kids
Map
Ranked #124 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
4.5 of 5 stars 4 reviews
Attraction type  Art Museums; History Museums; Specialty Museums
Distance  1.2 miles from city center
Natural History Museum
As featured in San Francisco for young kids
Natural History Museum
Map | Photos
Ranked #125 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
5 of 5 stars 1 review
This museum makes its home in the California Academy of Sciences.
Attraction type  Natural History Museums; Aquariums
Distance  0.1 miles from city center
Beach Chalet
As featured in San Francisco for young kids
Beach Chalet
Map | Photos
Ranked #144 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
3.5 of 5 stars 18 reviews
This restored roadhouse landmark now houses the Golden Gate Park Visitor Center.
Attraction type  Tourist/ Visitor Centers; Museums
Distance  5.0 miles from city center
Camera Obscura
As featured in San Francisco for young kids
Camera Obscura
Map | Photos
Ranked #155 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
5 of 5 stars 2 reviews
Attraction type  Landmarks/ Points of Interest; Observatories/ Planetariums
Distance  5.2 miles from city center
The Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf
As featured in San Francisco for young kids
The Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf
Book Now
Map | Photos
Ranked #163 of 55 Attractions in San Francisco
3 of 5 stars 31 reviews
Owner description: The Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf features more than 270 life-like wax personalities in 50 all new scenes, enhanced with... more » Owner description: The Wax Museum at Fisherman's Wharf features more than 270 life-like wax personalities in 50 all new scenes, enhanced with artistic lighting, realistic props and informative narrations. Guest view all aspects of life as they wander through the Hall of Religion, Chamber of Horrors, King Tut's Tomb, Gallery of Stars and much, much more, offering something of interest and enjoyment for everyone. Open 365 days a year. « less
Attraction type  Specialty Museums
Distance  2.3 miles from city center
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