San Francisco’s museums contain unparalleled collections of art that span centuries and cultures.

Your Guide to
San Francisco's Asian Art Museum

By Tyler Cohn

Full of artifacts and artworks from multiple cultures across 6,000 years of history, the Asian Art Museum is a must-visit attraction in SF.

Perhaps more than any other city on the West Coast, San Francisco has been shaped by its repeated waves of immigration from Asia. It's home to the oldest and largest Chinatown in the country, one of the most densely populated Vietnamese-American neighborhoods, and a tremendous Filipino population, to name just a few examples.

Asian culture permeates San Francisco, from our food to our fashion to our architecture and beyond. If you're looking for one place to immerse yourself in the history of these cultures, it's the Asian Art Museum. Follow our tips to make the most of your experience to this incredible place.

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The Permanent Collection

The Asian Art Museum holds an exquisite collection of art spanning thousands of years across the whole continent of Asia.

The second and third floors feature 2,000 pieces from the museum’s main and rotating exhibits, giving visitors a chance to experience artworks from China, Japan, India, Korea, Cambodia, India, the Philippines, the Himalayas and other cultures in the Southeast, South and West Asia regions.

Must-see pieces include a 3,000-year-old bronze rhinoceros-shaped vessel, the oldest known Chinese Buddha statue, a Korea Goryeo dynasty celadon pitcher with lid, a lacquer statue of Buddhist deity Simhavaktra Dakini, a statue from the 900s depicting Buddha triumphing over Mara, and a pair of 1,000-year-old Cambodian sculptures of Hindu deities Shiva and Parvati.

Exploring the Museum

The time it takes to view the museum depends on you, but a good rule of thumb is to allow 2.5 to 3 hours to tour the entire building.

Museum staff recommend that visitors start in the permanent collection galleries on the third floor and then head down to collection galleries on the second floor.

Visitors who’d like to view the special temporary exhibits first should go to the first-floor galleries, starting near the escalator in the South Court.

Those with smartphones can download the Asian Art Museum by Cuseum app for a GPS-enabled, personalized tour of the museum’s masterpieces and architecture. The Asian Art Museum Multimedia Tour app, for iPhones and iPads, lets you learn about the museum ahead of time, and gives detailed gallery maps and specific information about featured artwork.

Dining at the Musem

The Asian Art Museum partners with Asian Box to offer a mouthwatering menu of fast-casual, Vietnamese-influenced fare to the museum’s first floor Cafe and second floor Terrace.

The entire Asian Box menu is 100% gluten-free and locally sourced. Choose from a signature set box or build your own! Choose a base of salad, noodles, or rice; add savory proteins like tofu, shrimp, pork, chicken, salmon, or steak; and select flavorful toppers and sauces. Vegan options and a kids menu are available, as well as seasonal items inspired by onsite programs and special exhibitions.

Asian Box is open during regular museum hours and is wheelchair accessible.

Shopping at the Museum

The Cha May Ching Museum Boutique is the perfect place to find a souvenir. Visitors can browse the boutique for an array of handcrafted items created by artisans in Asia and more locally across the Bay Area. Choose from apparel, jewelry, ceramics, tableware, and even toys for the young ones.

The boutique is open on Thursdays from 1 to 8 p.m. and Fridays to Mondays from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Plan Your Museum Visit

Getting to the Museum

While there are public parking garages within one block of the museum (at 355 McCallister St. and 376 Larkin St.), we highly recommend taking public transportation. Hop on BART or Muni Metro from anywhere in San Francisco and exit at Civic Center Station.

Museum Hours

Thursday: 1 - 8 p.m.

Friday - Monday: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Admission

Adults: $20

Seniors (65+): $17

Students (All guests age 13-17 and college students with ID): $14

Children (12 and under): Free

There will be an additional $15 admission charge for special exhibitions.

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Accessibility

The Asian Art Museum is welcoming to all visitors, including those with special needs. Trained service/therapy animals are allowed, and wheelchairs and folding stools are available at Coat Check.

The museum offers assisted listening devices and ASL interpreters for some tours and public programs, but you must contact the ADA Coordinator (415-581-3598) at least two weeks before your visit.

Those with visual impairments may want to ask for a large-print floor plan, magnifier or Talking Signs receiver from the Information Desk.

Tyler Cohn

Tyler is the Sr. Manager of Global Content & Communications at San Francisco Travel. He has lived in San Francisco since 2015 and has been part of the San Francisco Travel team for just as long. He enjoys splashy production numbers and outdoor sporting events equally, which means you can usually find him at one of San Francisco’s many great theaters or at Oracle Park, cheering on the Giants.