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de Young Museum

de Young Museum
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50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr, San Francisco, CA 94118, USA

Tours

de Young Museum Admission Tickets, San Francisco
San Francisco, USA

de Young Museum Admission Tickets, San Francisco

From
€14
de Young Museum Admission Ticket, San Francisco
San Francisco, USA

de Young Museum Admission Ticket, San Francisco

From
€36

About de Young Museum

The de Young Museum sits in Golden Gate Park and is San Francisco's main fine arts museum, part of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco together with the Legion of Honor. The current building opened in 2005, a copper-clad design that was left bare to weather over time, so the facade has taken on the greenish patina you see today. The most recognizable feature is the twisting tower at one corner, which holds an observation floor with wide views across the park and the city. Access to that viewing level is free, even if you don't buy a ticket for the galleries.

The collection leans toward American art from the 17th century onward, along with strong holdings in art from Africa, Oceania, and the Americas, plus textiles and costume. Alongside the permanent galleries, the de Young runs major temporary exhibitions that often need a separate, timed ticket, so it's worth checking what's on before you go. The building itself is part of the appeal, with a sculpture garden, a central court, and plenty of natural light coming into the gallery spaces.

The museum is easy to pair with the rest of Golden Gate Park. The Japanese Tea Garden and the California Academy of Sciences are both a short walk away, and the botanical garden is nearby too. Most people spend one to two hours inside, longer if a big special exhibition is running. Parking in the park fills up on weekends, so public transport or arriving early tends to be the simpler option.

Weather in San Francisco

Today 61°F16°C 55°F13°C Rain 43%
Today 66°F19°C 51°F10°C Rain 2%
Tomorrow 70°F21°C 50°F10°C Rain 0%
Sun, Oct 25 72°F22°C 57°F14°C Rain 0%
Mon, Oct 26 63°F17°C 57°F14°C Rain 1%
Tue, Oct 27 62°F17°C 55°F13°C Rain 1%
Wed, Oct 28 62°F17°C 54°F12°C Rain 3%

Local time 10:08 PM, UTC-07:00

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the observation tower free to visit?
Yes. The observation level at the top of the de Young's tower is open to the public at no charge, so you can go up for the park and city views without buying a gallery ticket. Access depends on the tower being open during museum hours.
Do I need a separate ticket for special exhibitions?
Often yes. General admission covers the permanent collection, but major temporary exhibitions usually require a separate, timed-entry ticket. Check what's currently showing before your visit so you can book the right ticket in advance.
How much time should I plan for the de Young Museum?
One to two hours is enough for the permanent galleries and the tower at a relaxed pace. Add more time if a large special exhibition is on, or if you want to see the sculpture garden and surrounding park.
What else is near the de Young Museum?
It sits in Golden Gate Park, within walking distance of the Japanese Tea Garden, the California Academy of Sciences, and the San Francisco Botanical Garden. That makes it easy to combine several park attractions in one day.