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SFMoMA – tickets, prices, discounts, free entry, what to see

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San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMoMA) is the largest museum of modern art in the United States.

SFMoMA has about 170,000 square feet of galleries featuring Picasso, Henry Matisse, Chuck Close, Jeff Koons, Frida Kahlo, Andy Warhol, and many more legendary artists.

This article covers everything you must know before buying tickets to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

Top SFMoMA Tickets

# SFMoMA ticket

What to Expect

A brief glimpse into the San Francisco Museum Of Modern Art

Witness one of the greatest collections of modern and contemporary artists in the modern world, with over 47,000 works of art.

See the unique and eye-catching Snøhetta building expansion, which expanded the 80-year-old collection space by threefolds.

Traverse through time as you explore the diverse collection, a harmonious blend of avant-garde masterpieces and contemporary gems, with world-class artists such as Andy Warhol, Frida Kahlo, Jackson Pollock, Willem De Kooning, Jasper Johns, and many more.

Immerse yourself in the iconic Fisher Collection, the greatest private collection of postwar and contemporary artifacts sourced from Doris and Donald Fisher, the founders of GAP Inc.

Learn about the evolution of modern art and about the significance of the SFMoMA, one of the first museums in the world to recognize photography as a fine art.

Savour artisanal coffee and California-fusion cuisine, or indulge in fine dining at the Sightglass coffee bar, Café 5, or In Situ.

Where to book tickets

Tickets for San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) are available online and at the museum ticket counter.

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the attraction.

When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the ticket counters. 

Because the San Francisco Museum holds some exhibitions for a limited time, tickets may sell out during peak days.

Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.

How do online tickets work

Visit the ticket booking page San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), select the preferred date, time slot, and number of tickets, and buy the tickets immediately.

Once you purchase tickets, they get delivered to your email address.

There is no need to get printouts of the ticket. 

Show the e-ticket on your smartphone at the entrance and walk in.

Please carry a valid ID with you.

San Francisco Museum of Modern Arts Ticket Prices

For San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA): Entry Ticket, an adult ticket for all ages between 25 and 64 costs US$30.

A Young Adult ticket for all ages between 18 to 24 years is priced at US$23.

Seniors above 64 years are charged US$25.

Visitors under 18 are not charged any entry fee but need to have a free ticket and should be accompanied by an adult.

Federal employees with federally-issued IDs also get free entry.

The Museum gives free entry to everyone on 10 September, 21 October, and the first Thursday of each month.


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SFMoMA tickets

SFMoMA tickets - price and discounts
Image: Sfmoma.org

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art tickets give you access to all the permanent collections and the temporary exhibitions at the museum.

You will also have access to a downloadable Audio Guide.

The Museum is wheelchair accessible, and you can spend as much time as you want.

Surcharged special exhibitions will not be a part of this tour and can be seen for an additional fee.

Ticket Prices

Adult ticket (25 to 64): US$30
Youth ticket (19 to 24): US$23
Seniors ticket (65+): US$25
Child ticket (0 to 18): Free entry

Visual Story: 13 must-know tips before visiting MoMA


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How to reach SFMoMA

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is located in the famous Bay Area.

Address: 151 3rd Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, USA. Get Directions.

The museum is well-connected by public transportation.

By Bus

Market St & 3rd St bus stop is a five-minute walk from the museum.

Mission St & 3rd St bus stop is a four-minute walk away from the museum.

By Train

Montgomery Street Station is a seven-minute walk away.

Union Square/Market St Station Northbound L station is a 10-minute walk away.

By Car

Cars for rent and taxis for hire are easily available in San Francisco.

Put on Google Maps to navigate to the SFMoMA.

SFO’s Museum of Modern Art has its garage on Minna Street, a few steps from Third Street’s main entrance.  

The parking is open from 7 am to 11 pm daily.

Several other parking spots can be found in the vicinity.

SFMoMA timings

From Friday to Tuesday, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art opens at 10 am and closes at 5 pm.

On Thursday, SFMoMA continues to stay open till 8 pm.

The art museum remains closed on Wednesday.

This premier Art Museum in San Francisco is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.


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How long does SFMoMA take

Most visitors spend up to three hours exploring the numerous artworks displayed on the seven floors of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

SFMoMA tour duration

Staying longer at SFMoMA

Tourists who have been to numerous art museums say that art fatigue sets in after approximately 2 to 3 hours of roaming around.

However, it is possible to overcome art fatigue and spend more time at the most prominent art museum in the USA.

  • Be well-rested and well-fed before your visit
  • Buy the SFMoMA ticket online so that you don’t waste your time and energy waiting in long lines
  • Visit one of the cafes and take a break

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Best time to visit SFMoMA

The best time to visit SFMoMA is when they open at 10 am on weekdays.

Visiting early in the day helps you avoid the crowd and explore the exhibits peacefully.

SFMoMA gets more than 1.25 million art lovers yearly, and it can get crowded during peak summer months.

What to see at SFMoMA

All of the SFMoMA exhibits are fantastic and equally breathtaking, but it is humanly impossible to see all of them in one go.

Tourists in SFMOMA
Image: Sfmoma.org

One-hour masterpieces tour

If you need a quick list of masterpieces, following what the Director of SFMoMA recommends is best.

MasterpiecesFloor
Mark Rothko, No. 14, 19602
Frida Kahlo, Frieda and Diego Rivera2
Alexander Calder, Constellation Not on view
Donald Judd, Copper ArmchairNot on view
Diane Arbus gallery4
Ellsworth Kelly, Cite4
Agnes Martin gallery 4
Andy Warhol, Triple Elvis ‘Ferus Type’5
Gerard Richter, Lesende ‘Reader’6
Jeff Koons, Large Vase of Flowers7

4 to 5 hours tour of SFMoMA

We have a long list if you can spend four to five hours in the Museum.

Ground floor: Let’s start with the intricate Richard Serra’s behemoth walk-in sculpture Sequence, and then let us climb up.

Second Floor: You can spot Matisse’s Femme au Chapeau, along with artworks by Robert Rauschenberg.

Third Floor: Welcome to the floor dedicated to photography. Look at Alexander Clader’s “motion Lab” apart from one-of-a-kind clicks.

Then, step outside on the large terrace with a vertical garden and grab a coffee at Sightglass coffee bar.

Fourth Floor: Halfway through the Museum, check out the progressive works of Ellsworth Kelly. Up next, you’ll see Agnes Martin’s spirit-raising artworks.

Fifth Floor: You can head to the Fisher Collection with its minimal pop art, Chuck Close, and many more. Then, step into Café 5 to save yourself from art fatigue.

Sixth Floor: Full and energized, look at the Fisher Collection with mind-blowing post-war German masterpieces.

Also, feast on the Museum’s famous sequence gallery dedicated to Gorge Baselitz and many more.

Seventh Floor: Almost out of time! Let’s run through contemporary pieces by Cindy Sherman and more.

Before you head out, visit the new Museum Store to buy a souvenir.

SFMoMA entrances

The SFMOMA has three entrances.

The main entrance is on Third Street between Mission and Howard. 

The second entrance is the entry on Howard Street between Hawthorne and Third Street.

Regular visitors can use either the main or second entrance to the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.

After-hours and educational group tours use the Joyce and Larry Stupski Entrance at Minna Street.


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SFMoMA Thursday nights

SFMoMA Thursday nights
Visitors hang around during a Thursday night session at SFMoMA. Image: Sfmoma.org

Thursday night is the next best time to visit San Francisco’s Modern Art Museum.

The museum is open on Thursdays till 9 pm, with many special events lined up.

If you stay late in the museum, you can end the day with a Michelin-starred dinner at In Situ, the in-house restaurant.

The regular SFMoMA ticket gets you to Thursday night as well.


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SFMoMA for free

45,000 sq feet of art-filled space at SFMoMA requires no ticket.

Many artworks on Floor 1 and 2 offer a great introduction to the art of our time, and visitors can explore it for free.

Besides, visitors can also access some of the temporary exhibitions at San Francisco’s Modern Art Museum for free.

SFMoMA Free Day

Occasionally, SFMoMA announces Free Family Day with many hands-on activities and movie screenings.

On such days, up to two adults may each claim a free ticket, and they can be accompanied by a visitor 18 years and younger.

You can’t book these free tickets online but claim them at the venue on the free entry day.

The museum hasn’t yet announced the next free family day.

SFMoMA audio guide

You can’t buy/rent an audio guide for this SFO Art Museum.

However, you can explore SFMoMA with the help of their mobile app, which has beautifully produced stories about the artworks on display.

The apps haven’t been rated well by the tourists who have used them before, but you have nothing to lose.

SFMoMA audio guide is available for both Android and iPhone.

Note: Don’t forget to charge your mobile and bring your earphones.


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SFMoMA reviews

Visitors enjoy art at SFMOMA
Image: Sfmoma.org

San Francisco Museum of Modern Art is a highly-rated tourist attraction.

Check out two SFMoMA reviews we selected from Tripadvisor, which give you an idea of what to expect at this attraction.

Great stop for modern art lovers

I love Modern Art, and this Museum had a little of everything. Photography, Sculptures, Paintings, Videos and Music exhibits, Architecture, Light Art, etc. It was well worth my time and money. – Netia1128, Denver, Colorado

Outstanding Museum

This is a must-see for anyone in San Francisco. From Warhol to Lichenstein, it is the major Modern Art home on the West Coast. The only competition – Getty in Los Angeles. – Aphmann, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom


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SFMoMA restaurants

Art and food go along very well, so SFMoMA’s three restaurants are always full.

Steps Coffee

Stop by to enjoy illy coffee, tea, desserts, pastries, and more in a lively setting surrounded by art.

Located inside SFMOMA on floor 2, right off the Roman Steps in Schwab Hall, this space includes a community bookshelf, puzzle table, and charging stations.

Steps Coffee opens from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm, Friday to Tuesday, and Thursday from 11 am to 6 pm.

The Coffee shop remains closed on Wednesday.

Cafe 5

Have a fine-dining family-friendly experience in this quiet café and sculpture garden on the 5th floor.

The restaurant offers rich coffee, wines, and seasonal ingredients.

It is open from Friday to Monday from 11.30 am to 4 pm.

This café remains closed on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays.

grace

grace on floor 1 is a restaurant with a welcoming gathering place for the community.

Enjoy French American fare, drinks, and art in a casual indoor/outdoor setting.

Sunday to Monday: 11.30 am to 5 pm
Tuesday: 11.30 am to 9 pm
Thursday to Saturday: 11.30 am to 9 pm.

grace is closed on Wednesday.


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SFMoMA map

The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art can be a maze for first-time visitors.

The exhibits are spread over seven stories, and there is much to see and do.

With the help of a floor plan, you won’t waste your time trying to find what you want to see.

A floor plan can also help you find other tourist facilities such as washrooms, restaurants, shops, etc.

Map of Level 1

Map of Level 2

Map of Level 3

Map of Level 4

Map of Level 5

Map of Level 6

Map of Level 7

It is better to download the floor plan (pdf) for your visit.


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SFMoMA store

The museum’s store is curated as carefully as the exhibits and has excellent books, toys, home décor, and many more.

Your every purchase supports the exhibits and education programs. 

We recommend you stop by the Museum Store on floors 1 and 2 before you leave.

Sources
# Sfmoma.org
# Wikipedia.org
# Tripadvisor.com
# Snohetta.com

The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy.

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This article was researched & written by

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

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