Nestled between much taller buildings (the St Regis and the W Hotel), the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art’s minimalist brick exterior and striped circular skylight, still make a dramatic statement. This |Mario Botta| designed structure, completed in 1995, feels right at home amongst the tall buildings that dot this part of the city.

Founded in 1935, the SFMOMA was the first museum on the West Coast completely dedicated to modern and contemporary art. The museum now boasts a collection of more than 26,000 pieces of artwork in various mediums. For a quick meal between exhibits, try |Caffe Musseo| near the front entrance or the the new rooftop coffee bar that pours |Blue Bottle Coffee|. Best of all, admission is free on the first Tuesday of every month.

The gallery below has some of my favorite pieces from a recent visit to the museum, copyright credits and more information on all of the SFMOMA’s permanent collection can be found here: |SFMOMA Art Scope|SFMOMA Museum Site|

Museum Hours of Operation:
Mon-Tue: 11am-5:45pm
Wed: Closed
Thurs: 11am-8:45pm
Fri-Sun: 11am-5:45pm

Erected on the site of the 1895 original that was demolished following the ’89 earthquake, the rebuilt M. H. de Young Museum is a great example of modern architecture that enhances its natural surrounding landscape. Clad in perforated copper plates that patina over time, the long, dramatic lines and sharp edges of the exterior exude an industrial feel that create beautiful outdoor spaces, perfect for enjoying a sunny afternoon.

The de Young is a great place for that daytime date, tickets are only $10 for general admission, and the special exhibits, while additional, have featured some amazing art pieces like Chihuly’s massive glass installations (seen below). Current special exhibits include the work of the late fashion designer |Yves Saint Laurent|, currently on display until April 5th, and Andy Warhol Live, on display until May 17th.

When a moment to relax is needed, the expansive outdoor patio at the de Young Café is a great place to enjoy the landscape, accompanied by a hot espresso. |de Young| |Dale Chihuly Glassworks|

Hours of Operation:
Tues-Sun: 9:30am-5:15pm
Fri: 9:30am-8:45pm (extended hours mid Jan. thru Nov.)