de Young Museum - San Francisco
The MH de Young Museum is also referred to as the de Young Museum. It is the fourth most visited museum in the nation. It’s located in the heart of San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The museum’s architecture is unique and its interior spaces are even more stunning. The state-of-the-art museum houses priceless collections of American art, in addition to art of the Native Americas, Africa and the Pacific. Amazing sculptures and unique works of art are visible both inside and outside the museum.
The de Young has hosted some extraordinary exhibits over the years. Check out our video featuring an animated mannequin from “The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier.” It’s one of our most popular YouTube videos.
Favorite Past Museum Exhibits
Some of our favorite past museum exhibits have included the following:
- The Art of Bulgari: La Dolce Vita and Beyond, 1950-1990
- Ballenciaga and Spain
- Birth of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musee d’Orsay
- Chihuly
- The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk
- Girl With A Pearl Earring: Dutch Paintings
- Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musee National Picasso, Paris
- Post Impressionist Masterpieces from the Musee d’Orsay
- Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharoahs
- Warhol Live
- Yves Saint Laurent
Tower Observation Floor
During your visit to the de Young Museum, be sure to take the elevator up to the 9th floor. The views from the top of the Tower Observation Floor are incredible. Each circular view vantage point offers something different. Surrounded by glass, visitors get a panoramic birds eye view of Golden Gate Park, the California Academy of Sciences, the Music Concourse and Bandshell, Sculpture Garden, city skyline and surrounding areas. The views make a great backdrop for picture-taking. The Tower Observation Floor also features a small gift area. Visitors can shop for museum gifts, including books, canvas bags, novelty items and souvenirs. There’s also a huge map of the streets of San Francisco that completely covers one wall.
Sculpture Garden & Museum Cafe
Be sure to check out the Barbro Osher Sculpture Garden during your visit to the de Young Museum. The garden is a lovely peaceful setting. The spacious Museum Cafe overlooks the Sculpture Garden. Enjoy seasonal dishes created with fresh, local ingredients. Choose from a variety of fresh salads, sandwiches and hot entrees. Yummy pastries and desserts are also offered. The cafe is open for breakfast and lunch. Indoor and outdoor seating is available. We prefer sitting outside, especially on a nice sunny fog-free day. No museum admission fee is required to dine at the cafe, or to picnic or stroll through the Sculpture Garden .
Parking
Parking (for cars and bicycles) is available in the Concourse parking facility. Access to the north entrance is from Fulton Street at 10th Avenue. Access to the south entrance is at Concourse Drive and Martin Luther King Drive inside the park. Open daily, year-round. Limited parking is available on John F. Kennedy Drive and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
More Info
The museum is located in Golden Gate Park. Open Tuesday-Sunday. Closed Mondays. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. Visit the museum’s website for more info on admission fee, hours, directions, exhibits and special events.
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Popular de Young Blog Articles
Birth of Impressionism: Masterpieces from the Musee d’Orsay Exhibit
Picasso: Masterpieces from the Musee National Picasso, Paris
Van Gogh, Gaugin, Cezanne – Post Impressionist Masterpieces from the Musee d’Orsay
The Fashion World of Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk