Pier 24 Photography Museum
Pier 24 Photography Museum
5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Full view
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The area
Address
Neighborhood: Financial District
The Financial District lies just east of Chinatown but can seem a world apart given it’s San Francisco’s version of Wall Street. The rush of business people make up a hectic weekday and add to a frenetic pace of life, but visitors who spend a few hours walking the narrow streets will be rewarded with fine examples of historic and contemporary architecture, including the iconic Transamerica Pyramid. After business hours, bars and restaurants quickly fill up with happy hour revelers. Stocks aren’t the only kind of market being followed, the Ferry Building Marketplace on the Embarcadero is a gourmet food emporium and farmers market that will satisfy anyone working up an appetite.
How to get there
- Embarcadero • 4 min walk
- Embarcadero • 5 min walk
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Contribute
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
26 reviews
Excellent
23
Very good
2
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
SYB
Rochester, NY88 contributions
Mar 2018 • Couples
The reservations for this treasure of a photography exhibit on-line is easy and free. You cannot see the exhibits without reserving a time slot on a specific day (closed Saturdays and Sundays). You must exit after your 2 hour time slot and we were there for nearly the entire two hours. We parked in Pier Lot #30 (not free) near the Pier 26 Building and then walked to the Ferry Building to explore and eat. We returned and were buzzed in after identifying ourselves at the small arch marked Pier 24. What a treat we experienced with tastefully arranged photographs in multiple rooms by a wide range of photographers. The style is to minimize text so that you focus on the photos. You carry a booklet with the titles, dates, descriptions and photographers labeled by room. The rooms start feeling sacred since they limit the number of people, you have ample room to browse and the photographs are inspiring. The variety of photographers of this particular exhibit kept your interest for the entire time, currently "The Grain of the Present." We bought the gallery book ($15) as a great souvenir. There are no audio options available that we are aware of. If we lived in the area, we would go every time a new exhibit is publicized.
Written March 14, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
edwardsmom24
Berkeley, CA100 contributions
Mar 2014 • Solo
This isn't your blockbuster exhibit-type museum; in fact, it's really easy to miss. But if you like photography, with the space and time to examine closely and linger, Pier 24 is amazing. You need to go to their website to sign up for a viewing appointment, and they're not open on the weekends, but there's no admission charge and at most, there are 24 people at a time wandering the 20 or so galleries, so you really can just go at your own pace. You can even hear the occasional seagull flying overhead, it's that calm. The current exhibit has the theme "A Sense of Place" and includes historic photographs on loan from SFMOMA, which is closed for renovations. Pier 24 is a nice walk along the waterfront from the Ferry Building.
Written March 27, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BabsRsmt
Montreal, Canada156 contributions
Nov 2019
I had read about this museum , open to the public but only with reservations. The collection is very interesting and well laid out. Only a few visitors are allowed per each time period as you are given a catalogue of the collection rather than having the descriptions next to each picture. Plan at least 1 1/2 hour for the visit.
The reason I did not rate this as a 5 is that there are not enough benches for us to sit and truly take in the exhibit.
The reason I did not rate this as a 5 is that there are not enough benches for us to sit and truly take in the exhibit.
Written December 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Expatriated-traveler
Athens, NY116 contributions
Dec 2019
Great photography! I've visited 3 or 4 times, and Pier 24 has shown very compelling photos each time. You have to plan ahead to get free tickets for entry. Once inside, it's a lovely, well curated, and uncrowded place!
Written December 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
davereinarz
Omaha, NE107 contributions
Oct 2019
Free but by appointment. Amazing photography collection. Two hours is probably the right amount of time to take it all in. Have never seen a collection of police mug shots...wow! Great portrait shots and some excellent depression era works as well as historic San Francisco. Highly recommended.
Written October 31, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
psdpub
San Francisco, CA80 contributions
Oct 2019 • Solo
This is a small, private, photography museum on the SF waterfront. It is free, requires reservations and is difficult to find, even when you are standing in front.
It has rotating exhibits.The exhibition space is well lit, has more then adequate wall space for each photograph, and due to the low density of other visitors, is conducive to serious looking.
I have been there multiple times, and enjoyed each visit and each exhibit.
Don’t miss this museum if you can get a reservation.
An interesting experience.
It has rotating exhibits.The exhibition space is well lit, has more then adequate wall space for each photograph, and due to the low density of other visitors, is conducive to serious looking.
I have been there multiple times, and enjoyed each visit and each exhibit.
Don’t miss this museum if you can get a reservation.
An interesting experience.
Written October 11, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ruth T
Berkeley, CA213 contributions
Aug 2019
Pier 24 is a unique gallery for all photography buffs. It is free, but it requires making an advance appointment for a two hour visit on their website pier24.org. A maximum of 20 visitors are allowed at any given appointment, so it is never crowded. Each show is scheduled for a many-month run, so you have plenty of time to schedule. There are no signs to indicate the photographer for any of the works on display but each show has an explanatory guide so the viewer can look up information on any given work. Be sure to schedule the full 2 hours for this special place.
Written August 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Martin L
Houston, TX160 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
First the space at Pier 24 is perfect for Photo viewing. Their method of appointments allows a very uncrowded viewing. The exhibit which changes was well curated and held my interest for two hours
Written November 6, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jowinjapan
France30 contributions
Jan 2017 • Solo
Finally a more than decent space dedicated to vintage and contemporary photography. The venue is great. The reservation only policy for about 20 people at a time makes every visit almost like a private tour. And it is free!
Written January 27, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Joanne B
Palm Beach Gardens, FL128 contributions
Sep 2016 • Couples
It takes little effort to visit this museum, but definitely worth it! It's free, but they require an advance reservation at a specific time slot. I had trouble booking on their site, so had to call to request a time, but they were very gracious about it.
You arrive at hour appointed time and are given a hard cover book to guide you through the collection. There are no labels on the works themselves. The museum is quite large and the collection varied. There are docents who are glad to answer any questions.
You can take the E streetcar from the Ferry Building in the opposite direction from Fisherman's wharf, or just walk down to Pier 24 under the bridge. There's a sign for the Museum.
You arrive at hour appointed time and are given a hard cover book to guide you through the collection. There are no labels on the works themselves. The museum is quite large and the collection varied. There are docents who are glad to answer any questions.
You can take the E streetcar from the Ferry Building in the opposite direction from Fisherman's wharf, or just walk down to Pier 24 under the bridge. There's a sign for the Museum.
Written October 2, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Claim your listingPier 24 Photography Museum - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about Pier 24 Photography Museum
- Pier 24 Photography Museum is open:
- Mon - Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Pier 24 Photography Museum:
- (0.12 mi) Hyatt Regency San Francisco
- (0.19 mi) 1 Hotel San Francisco
- (0.28 mi) Harbor Court Hotel
- (0.26 mi) Hotel Griffon
- (0.31 mi) Club Quarters Hotel Embarcadero, San Francisco
- Restaurants near Pier 24 Photography Museum:
- (0.03 mi) Gott's Roadside
- (0.08 mi) Acme Bread
- (0.08 mi) Hog Island Oyster Co.
- (0.06 mi) Blue Bottle Coffee
- (0.07 mi) Humphry Slocombe
Pier 24 Photography Museum Information
Excellent Reviews | 23 |
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Very Good Reviews | 2 |
Pier 24 Photography Museum Photos | 39 |