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Allan Ferguson CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Contemporary Jewish Museum

Museum

Near San Francisco's Embarcadero, the Contemporary Jewish Museum stages rotating exhibitions, public programs and occupies a modern building visited for art and events.

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In this guide

Contemporary Jewish Museum essentials

Address: 736 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA
Website: thecjm.org
Hours: Tue-Sun 11am-5pm, Thu 11am-8pm, closed Mondays
Admission: General admission approximately $18 (adult); free for members and children under 18 on select days
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About Contemporary Jewish Museum

The Contemporary Jewish Museum is a museum in San Francisco’s South of Market (SoMa) neighborhood that opened in its current, expanded building in 2008. The site is notable for combining a restored 1907 brick electrical substation with a contemporary addition by architect Daniel Libeskind.

The museum presents rotating exhibitions that explore contemporary art, Jewish culture, and cross-disciplinary topics, alongside public programs, performances, and education workshops. Exhibitions change regularly, with a mix of solo-artist shows, thematic group exhibitions, and family-oriented installations.

The building is itself an attraction - the contrast between the historic brick substation and the angular modern addition creates striking interior volumes and gallery configurations. The museum also houses spaces for school programs, public talks, and special events.

The institution expanded by adapting the early 20th-century substation and adding a new Libeskind-designed volume; the renovation and expansion opened to the public in 2008. The project preserved the historic fabric of the substation while adding contemporary gallery and program space.

The museum sits in San Francisco’s SoMa district near the Yerba Buena cultural area and a short walk from other museums and downtown transit. Street-level entrances place it within the city’s cultural corridor.

  • Architecture: The building pairs a restored 1907 power substation with a modern addition by Daniel Libeskind, making the architecture itself a primary draw.
  • Visitor information: Check the museum website for current admission, exhibition schedules, and public programs before you visit.

What to See#

  • Historic substation: A restored 1907 brick electrical substation forms the original portion of the complex and houses galleries and event spaces.
  • Libeskind addition: An angular contemporary addition by Daniel Libeskind that opened in 2008 contains additional gallery spaces and the main entrance.
  • Galleries and education spaces: Multiple gallery spaces, education studios, and event rooms host rotating exhibitions, workshops, and school programs.
Things to Do
When to Go

Best Time to Visit Contemporary Jewish Museum

Open year-round with fewer crowds on weekday afternoons; check for evening programs on Thursdays.

Spring/Summer
April-September · 12-22°C
Pleasant weather for pairing museum visits with outdoor walks in the Embarcadero and SoMa.
Winter
November-February · 8-15°C
Cooler, rainier weather; indoor cultural itinerary is ideal.

Weather & Climate near Contemporary Jewish Museum

Climate

Temperate climate with mild summers (peaking in September) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (736 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 40 Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
23°
Warmest Month
6°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
Month Comfort Temp Feels Rain Sky Humidity Wind UV Daylight
January - 6° - 14° 8° 155 mm - - 3.7 m/s - -
February - 8° - 16° 12° 133 mm - - 3.9 m/s - -
March - 8° - 17° 13° 111 mm - - 4.4 m/s - -
April - 9° - 19° 14° 44 mm - - 4.7 m/s - -
May - 10° - 20° 15° 15 mm - - 4.9 m/s - -
June - 11° - 22° 16° 5 mm - - 4.9 m/s - -
July - 12° - 22° 17° 2 mm - - 4.5 m/s - -
August - 12° - 22° 17° 3 mm - - 4.3 m/s - -
September - 12° - 23° 18° 8 mm - - 3.9 m/s - -
October - 11° - 22° 17° 40 mm - - 3.6 m/s - -
November - 9° - 18° 13° 103 mm - - 3.6 m/s - -
December - 7° - 14° 10° 117 mm - - 3.6 m/s - -
Getting There & Around

How to Get to Contemporary Jewish Museum

The museum is a short walk from the Montgomery St. and Powell St. BART/MUNI stations; various MUNI bus lines (e.g., 10, 30) serve the area. Street parking is limited; rideshare or public transit is recommended.

Tips for Visiting Contemporary Jewish Museum

  • Visit on Thursday evening for extended hours and often fewer crowds in the galleries.
  • Check the museum's calendar-rotating exhibitions, talks and film screenings often accompany gallery displays.
  • The museum is a short walk from SF MoMA and Yerba Buena Gardens-combine visits for a contemporary art day.