Location: San Francisco
Top Things to do in San Francisco
Top 10 History Museums in San Francisco, California (CA)
Every neighborhood in San Francisco has its own personality, from the hippie chic of the Upper Haight to the hipster grit of the Mission. The Marina district boasts trendy bistros and postcard-perfect views of the Golden Gate Bridge, while Noe Valley offers quaint and quiet boutiques. Wave hello to the sea lions at Pier 39, and sample local cheese and charcuterie at the Ferry Building. Sit in on a yoga session in Dolores Park or marvel at the Dutch Windmill across from Ocean Beach.
Restaurants in San Francisco
1. Letterform Archive
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2 reviews
Letterform Archive is a California non-profit public benefit corporation which serves practitioners and students of the letter arts. Through our collection of 25,000 items including a wide range of physical and digital artifacts, and our large and vibrant gathering space, we serve as a venue for research, inspiration, and community formation. We have hosted visitors from over 15 countries and are open to all, free of charge.
2. Chinese Historical Society of America
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
The Chinese Historical Society of America Museum is the oldest organization in the country dedicated to the interpretation, promotion, and preservation of the history and contributions of the Chinese in America. Since 1963, CHSA has strived to be a responsible steward of the remarkable narrative of the Chinese American community. CHSA promotes the contributions and legacy of the Chinese in America through its exhibitions, publications, and educational and public programs in the Museum and Learning Center. We are housed in the landmark Julia Morgan-designed Chinatown YWCA building at 965 Clay Street, San Francisco.
3. Wells Fargo Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 208 reviews
Located in the heart of San Francisco's financial district, the museum depicts Wells Fargo's important role in the California Gold Rush, San Francisco history, stagecoach travel in early California and the settlement of the American West. Visitors of all ages can enjoy fun interactive exhibits which include a stagecoach "ride experience," operating vintage banking machines, a working telegraph, videos and authentic artifacts such as an original 1868 stagecoach, historic coins, currency, maps, and photographs. The museum store features a variety of Wells Fargo branded gifts, collectibles and apparel. Guided tours are available with advanced reservations and admission is always free.
Reviewed By mini - Fremont, United States
I went to the Wells Fargo Museum in San Francisco. It tells the story of the two bankers. Mr. Wells and Mr. Fargo. A bank was named after them called Wells Fargo. There are fun exhibits to see on stage coaches, gold rush, banking, pony express and more. School groups were also there to learn about the history. There are exhibits on two floors. Admission is free.
4. Truhlsen - Marmor Museum of the Eye
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Opening in 2020. How do you see the world? Find out at the American Academy of Ophthalmology Truhlsen-Marmor Museum of the Eye™, the world’s only free, public museum dedicated to the fascinating science of sight. Look through the pupil of an enormous eye, explore interactive displays and try on a virtual reality headset to see how new technology can impact medicine. Through high-tech exhibits and a renowned collection of ophthalmic artifacts, you’ll discover surprising facts about how your vision works and the field of medicine devoted to protecting it. aao.org/museum
5. Tenderloin Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11 reviews
Reviewed By EricHalfaBee
This small museum is the best place to start a walking tour of the Tenderloin It explains the origins and the history of the neighborhood with excellent pictures, videos and music They also have maps with some of the historic buildings marked
6. California Historical Society
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 23 reviews
California's history is archived here in a library, art collection and bookstore.
7. Museum of the African Diaspora
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 60 reviews
Reviewed By 926grahamb - Raunds, United Kingdom
A small museum but packed with such interesting and diverse displays. Paintings, sculptures, exhibits and displays that make you think and consider. Lovely staff who were very helpful and well read.
8. Society of California Pioneers
9. GLBT Historical Society Museum
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 84 reviews
Located in San Francisco's Castro District, the GLBT History Museum is the first full-scale, stand-alone museum of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender history and culture in the United States — and only the second in the world. At 1,600 square feet (150 square meters), the museum is fairly small, but it packs a punch, celebrating 100 years of San Francisco’s vast queer past through dynamic and surprising exhibitions and programming. Open since January 2011, the museum is a project of the GLBT Historical Society, a San Francisco institution founded in 1985 that houses one of the world’s largest collections of LGBTQ archival materials.
Reviewed By cathye739
When I arrived, I was surprised at how small the space was, but I spent well over an hour absorbing its content, and I didn't even watch all of the videos (I was worried about closing time). I had watched the movie Milk the night before I went so was excited to see Harvey Milk's infamous bullhorn among other items that I recognized in his display (side note - the HRC store is in his old camera shop now!). I relived the '80's in the HIV/AIDS history display. Then I learned about important LGBTQ figures in history, including in a display specifically on transgender history. I wish all of this history was more commonly available in our society but I'm thankful that the Museum exists for those of us who know where to look. It was a meaningful experience for me, a straight woman - I can't even imagine how much more powerful it would be for my LGBTQ loved ones. This is one place that I will visit every time I go to San Francisco, and it's the first place I tell friends who are going to SF about. It is absolutely a must-see for everyone. I'd take my adolescent kids there - there is one small corner with slightly more graphic content, but it is situated in such a way, with a partial wall, that it can be avoided if preferred by families with small children.
10. Telephone Pioneers Communication Museum
Learn about the lives of the telephone pioneers and even about the art of telephony at this free museum.
