Seven floors of modern and contemporary art—from Matisse, Rothko and Warhol to photography, design and immersive installations—in one of America’s largest museums of its kind.
SFMOMA’s collection spans from the early twentieth century to the present, with particular strengths in:
- modern and postwar painting;
- American abstraction and Pop Art;
- California and Bay Area art;
- photography;
- media and digital art;
- architecture, graphic design and product design;
- large-scale sculpture and installation.
Do not start chronologically and attempt to “complete” every floor. Begin with your priority exhibition—currently either RM or Graciela Iturbide—before museum fatigue sets in. Then visit the Fisher Collection selectively and descend through the building.
SFMOMA is the essential contemporary-art destination in San Francisco and one of the leading modern museums in the United States. Its scale can feel overwhelming, but the combination of the Fisher Collection, outstanding photography, Bay Area art, design and monumental installations makes it worth planning a substantial visit.
About the venue
More info
SFMOMA, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, founded in 1935, is a beacon of contemporary creativity nestled in the heart of the city by the bay. With its sleek architecture and expansive galleries, it offers a dynamic space for exploring the cutting edge of artistic expression. From iconic works by Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock, Arshile Gorky, Clyfford Still, and Robert Motherwell, among others to avant-garde installations by local and international artists, SFMOMA’s collection is a testament to the ever-evolving landscape of modern art.
Its vibrant exhibitions and thought-provoking programming invite visitors to engage with art in new and unexpected ways. Whether you’re a seasoned art enthusiast or a curious newcomer, SFMOMA promises an enriching and immersive experience that celebrates the diversity and vitality of contemporary art.
Collection highlights
Henri Matisse; Frida Kahlo; Mark Rothko; Andy Warhol; Agnes Martin; Jackson Pollock; Robert Rauschenberg; Richard Diebenkorn; Joan Mitchell; Ellsworth Kelly; Sol LeWitt; Gerhard Richter; Anselm Kiefer; William Kentridge; Sargent Johnson; Margaret Kilgallen.
Individual works rotate, but major collection landmarks include Matisse’s Femme au chapeau, Rothko’s No. 14, 1960, Warhol’s Triple Elvis, Agnes Martin’s Night Sea and Sargent Johnson’s Forever Free.
Worth the trip
SFMOMA was the first museum on the West Coast dedicated exclusively to modern and contemporary art. Its collection combines European and American modernism with particularly strong holdings in photography, architecture, design, media art and postwar art.
The museum is equally important for its sustained engagement with California and the Bay Area, including artists such as Ruth Asawa, Richard Diebenkorn, David Park, Bruce Conner, Jay DeFeo and Margaret Kilgallen.
Its seven gallery floors and approximately 45,000 square feet of admission-free public space make it both a major museum and a lively architectural destination.
© SFMOMA San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
SFMOMA San Francisco Museum of Modern Art
151 3rd St, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA
Hours & rating from Google
Nearby route ideas
Nearby route ideasYerba Buena art district — half day
SFMOMA → Museum of the African Diaspora → Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
The most natural walking route. MoAD is almost opposite SFMOMA and presents art connected with the global African diaspora; YBCA adds experimental exhibitions, film and performance. YBCA
Contemporary San Francisco — full day
SFMOMA → Museum of the African Diaspora → Minnesota Street Project
Begin with an international museum collection, continue with diasporic perspectives and finish among commercial galleries and nonprofit spaces in the Dogpatch. Minnesota Street Project is free, but individual gallery schedules vary. Minnesota Street Project
Art, architecture and the waterfront — 4–5 hours
SFMOMA → Salesforce Park → Embarcadero public art → Ferry Building
This route combines contemporary art with landscape architecture, urban design and San Francisco’s waterfront. It works particularly well after a morning museum visit and requires no additional major museum admission.
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