Spend a few hours at this famous fine arts museum in Golden Gate Park, which boasts a collection of treasures dating back to the 1600s.
Established in 1895, the de Young Museum is one of the USA’s most visited art museums. With an impressive collection of art, textiles and costumes from the Americas, Africa and the Pacific, you need to set aside several hours to be able to appreciate everything the museum has to offer.
Completely renovated in 2005 following one too many San Francisco earthquakes, the now modern museum structure features a 44-metre tower that is now very much part of the city’s skyline.
With its focus on American art, a visit to the de Young walks you through masterpieces by famous American artists like John Copley, Thomas Hovenden and Frederick Church. Chuira Obata is a Japanese-American painter from the Bay Area, and his work celebrates the uniqueness of Californian art.
Move on to the impressive collection of textiles, one of the largest in the country. The collection includes modern textiles by fashion houses Dior and Chanel as well as Turkmen carpets and Asian silks that date back as far back as the 12th Century.
The De Young Museum is conveniently located in the centre of the Golden Gate Park, and there is paid parking available. Alternatively you can take the San Francisco Municipal bus (MUNI) to the park and receive a discount on adult entry to the museum, or the Golden Gate shuttle bus which stops at various different attractions within the park. If you fancy getting their on two wheels, then hire a bike and combine your visit to the museum with a tour around the rest of the park.
The museum is open every day except Monday and major holidays. The doors are kept open on Friday evenings between March and November.
