Asian Art Museum, San Francisco

San Francisco is home to a true gem, the Asian Art Museum, one of the largest, most comprehensive Asian museums in the Western world. Located across from the San Francisco Civic Center in a building adapted from the city's former Main Library, the museum contains over 17,000 pieces, some over 6000 years old.

Museum galleries are set up to reflect specific geographic areas and include South Asia, Southeast Asia, China, Korea, Japan, the Persian world and West Asia, and the Himalayas and the Tibetan Buddhist world. Exhibits are based on three major themes, the development of Buddhism, local beliefs and practices, and trade and cultural exchange. The permanent collection includes 2500 pieces, including many rare and unique objects.

Unique to the Asian Art Museum is the Thematic Exhibition Gallery where objects from the permanent collection are brought together and displayed around a specific theme. Exhibits include paintings, textiles, bronzes, jades and other works of art.

The Asian Art Museum opened in 1966 as a new wing of the M. H. de Young Memorial Museum in Golden Gate Park. The original collection was donated by Chicago millionaire Avery Brundage, who continued to add to the museum's collection until his death in 1975. The museum moved to the current location in 2003 to add room for special exhibits and educational facilities. The ground floor now hosts special exhibits as well as traveling exhibits.

Be sure to visit the museum's unique gift shop, where you will find many original items, and Café Asia, where you can enjoy Pan-Asian cuisine prepared by accomplished chefs.

The Asian Art Museum is located at 200 Larkin Street, a short 5 minute drive from our San Francisco lodging.

Museum hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm, with extended hours on Thursdays until 9:00 pm. The Asian Art Museum is closed Mondays, New Year's Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

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