Unmissable Museums Of San Francisco

From bayside hikes to ex-prison island tours, San Francisco has plenty to offer first time tourists. But amidst its steep hills and carnival atmosphere, the city’s museums often miss a look-in. The history of the city has bled into the museum culture of San Francisco and guests of hotel in Redwood City are well placed to enjoy some of the captivating exhibition spaces in the Bay area.

The city of San Francisco dates back to 1776, that’s almost 250 years of history. Whether you’re on a Pacific Highway trip from cheap hotels in Malibu or you’re staying in San Francisco, these are the museums and galleries that will help you glean insight into this colorful city, and into California as a whole.

San Francisco Museum Of Modern Art

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is a contemporary and modern art gallery on Third Street. Opened in 1935, it’s become one of the most popular and influential art galleries in the US, holding an internationally recognised permanent collection and showcasing new works by contemporary artists. With 33,000 pieces from the likes of Jackson Pollock and Rene Magritte, the San Fran MoMA is a must-visit for visiting art lovers.

Walt Disney Family Museum

Whilst guests of cheap hotels in Camarillo will probably be more drawn towards Disneyland in LA, there’s still plenty of Disney history to be found further afield in the state. The Disney Family Museum is situated in the Presidio, a former army post-turned park in northern San Francisco. The museum may not have the famous rides of the theme park, but it does provide in depth exploration of the famous family. There’s also a Fantasia themed cinema where you can watch Disney classics six days of the week!

Exploratorium

The perfect day out for Good Nite Inn guests visiting the Bay area with kids, the Exploratorium is on Pier 15 on the waterfront and is an interactive learning hub with galleries and exhibitions abound. From obstacle courses that kids must navigate using only touch to the famous Fujiko Nakaya designed fog bridge, the Exploratorium is a testament to making learning fun.

Asian Art Museum

San Francisco is famous for being home to one of the largest Asian populations in the USA. It’s unsurprising then, that there’s a museum dedicated to the contemporary and historic art of the continent. The museum itself relocated to and refurbished the Main Library of San Francisco, and for good reason too. With a steadily growing number of works over the years, the museum now holds around 18,000 pieces, with galleries exploring South, Southeast and Central Asia as well as Iran, China, Japan and Korea.

GLBT Historical Society and Museum

San Francisco is well known for being a hub for the GLBT community, and the GLBT Museum is dedicated to the culture, life and struggles of gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans people. The museum is dedicated to collecting and showcasing artifacts, graphic art and recordings from the San Francisco and Northern California GLBT community. As one of the only museums dedicated to GLBT culture, it has been nicknamed the “queer Smithsonian”.