San Francisco Museum of Modern ArtAbout San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) is a major museum of modern and contemporary art in San Francisco’s SoMa district. The institution houses a large and diverse collection spanning painting, sculpture, photography, design and media arts, with approximately 33,000 works in its holdings.
Galleries display a broad chronological range of 20th- and 21st-century art alongside rotating special exhibitions and thematic displays. Public terraces and sculpture spaces are integrated into the building, offering outdoor viewing points and event areas.
The museum was significantly expanded and reopened in 2016, increasing its exhibition capacity and public amenities to serve larger audiences. Since the expansion, SFMOMA has hosted major temporary exhibitions in addition to presenting its growing permanent collection.
SFMOMA sits in central SoMa, a short walk from Union Square and the city’s transit network, making it readily accessible to visitors by public transport and on foot.
- Collection size: The museum’s collection contains roughly 33,000 works, making it one of the largest collections of modern and contemporary art in the United States.
- Expansion: A major expansion reopened the museum in 2016, increasing gallery space to about 170,000 square feet and substantially enlarging the permanent and temporary exhibition areas.
What to See#
- Main galleries: Main modern and contemporary galleries housing the SFMOMA collection, including painting, sculpture, photography and media works across multiple floors.
- Public terraces and sculpture spaces: Public spaces and terraces, including rooftop areas that provide city views and host outdoor sculpture installations and events.
Nearby Attractions to San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Best Time to Visit San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
Aim for a weekday mid‑morning in spring or autumn to minimize crowds and enjoy the galleries.
Weather & Climate near San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Mediterranean - Warm-Summer Mediterranean climate with mild summers (peaking in September) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 6°C to 23°C. Moderate rainfall (761 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | 6° - 14° | 8° | 158 mm | partly cloudy | 84% | 3.6 m/s | 0.4 low | 9.8h |
| February | Good | 8° - 16° | 12° | 136 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.9 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 10.7h |
| March | Good | 8° - 17° | 13° | 118 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 4.3 m/s | 1.1 high | 11.8h |
| April | Very Good | 9° - 19° | 14° | 48 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 4.6 m/s | 1.5 very high | 13.0h |
| May | Very Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 16 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 4.9 m/s | 1.9 very high | 14.0h |
| June | Excellent | 11° - 21° | 16° | 5 mm | some cloud | 74% | 4.9 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 14.5h |
| July | Excellent | 12° - 22° | 17° | 2 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 4.5 m/s | 2.2 extreme | 14.3h |
| August | Excellent | 12° - 22° | 17° | 3 mm | partly cloudy | 74% | 4.3 m/s | 1.9 very high | 13.4h |
| September | Ideal | 12° - 23° | 18° | 8 mm | some cloud | 70% | 3.8 m/s | 1.4 high | 12.3h |
| October | Excellent | 11° - 22° | 17° | 42 mm | some cloud | 69% | 3.6 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 11.1h |
| November | Good | 9° - 18° | 13° | 105 mm | partly cloudy | 76% | 3.5 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.0h |
| December | Good | 7° - 14° | 10° | 120 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 3.6 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.5h |
How to Get to San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
SFMOMA is in San Francisco’s SoMa neighborhood at 151 3rd Street. From BART, walk from Montgomery Station or Powell Station (about 10-15 minutes) or take Muni Metro to the Embarcadero/4th & Market area and walk a few blocks; several Muni bus lines also serve 3rd Street and Market.
Driving is possible with museum parking available, but public transit is often easier for downtown visitors.
Tips for Visiting San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
- Prebook a timed-entry ticket on busy days and head straight to the top-floor and special-installation galleries first, where the largest and most popular works are displayed before crowds build.
- If you want quieter viewing, visit mid- to late-afternoon on weekdays-lunchtime and weekend mornings attract the largest visitor groups from nearby tech and tourist areas.