Speciality Museums • History Museums
Financial District
•
Open now
History Museums in San Francisco
THE 10 BEST San Francisco History Museums
History Museums in San Francisco
Category types
15 places sorted by traveller favourites
- Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.
Educational sites • Art Museums
Nob Hill
•
Open now
Speciality Museums • History Museums
The Castro
•
Open now
Speciality Museums • Art Museums
Downtown San Francisco
Art Galleries • History Museums
Lower Nob Hill
•
Open now
Speciality Museums • Science Museums
Fisherman’s Wharf
•
Open now
History Museums
Downtown San Francisco
Libraries • History Museums
Downtown San Francisco
•
Open now
Military Museums • History Museums
Chinatown
•
Open now
Libraries • History Museums
Potrero Hill
•
Open now
Art Museums • History Museums
Downtown San Francisco
•
Open now
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Downtown San Francisco
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Lower Pacific Heights
Speciality Museums • History Museums
Marina District
What travellers are saying
- StephenCrossDublin, Ireland18,406 contributionsThe Wells Fargo Museum is really great. Free entry and lots of history. Really nice way to spend 30 to 45 minutes. Lots to see.Written 5 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ToddHudsonPortland, OR2 contributionsOur docent, Jeff Chinn, gave us a FANTASTIC tour of the Bruce Lee exhibit. Most of the pieces on display are from his personal collection, so they came with wonderful, personal stories which Jeff was gracious enough to share with us. Everyone at the CHSA was friendly and welcoming.Written 29 November 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- IanThomas84Ilford, UK275 contributionsVery worthy of a visit. This small, yet perfectly formed museum, traces the history of LGBTI rights in the city and beyond. I lovely reach back into the recent past.Written 25 November 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Expedition7446361 contributionThe museum is a cozy two floors of exhibits, photographs organized by artist. The photos themselves are interesting, as are the stories of the artists who took them, and their motivations to be photographic artists.
I misunderstood the purpose of the museum when I went there: I thought it was going to be more generally about the African Diaspora and the relationship between being of African origin and moving elsewhere. And it is, to a point. But I was expecting history and artifacts, and this is very much about living, vibrant artists, and some of their best work. My recollection is that I saw photographs from a dozen artists from all over Africa, usually living in the US now, and the typical exhibit was a handful of photographs.
If you enjoy photography, and want to see some interesting photographic art by people of african origin or heritage, this is a good place to visit. If you're looking for older African history, less so.Written 16 February 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - LankCabo San Lucas, Mexico15 contributionsSuper duper display of 🎶 musicology of the bay area. Which is pretty provincial and doesn't provide sufficient space for other national music such as blues, jazz, hip hop etc.Written 3 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- ImaMYSan Francisco, CA1,565 contributionsAn interesting new museum with lots of information, and yes, it's free. All about eyes, medical history of taking care of the eyes.Written 4 July 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Kittygal 🇺🇦 🌻Los Angeles, CA8,262 contributionsI'd visited this excellent museum earlier in the summer. When I returned to SF in November, I made sure to book this tour. It's offered only on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. It's geared for adults only.
The tour starts at the museum and is led by a local resident. Our guide worked as a housing rights advocate and lived in the neighborhood.
We visited a local SRO (single room occupancy) hotel and learned how these important low income housing options are under threat. A stop was made at nearby Fr. Alfred E. Boeddeker neighborhood park to admire the colorful artwork and learn about the good services it provides. We had a drink at Aunt Charlie's Lounge, one of the first modern drag bars in the area, and learned about the Compton's Cafeteria Riot, which began the fight for LGTBQ equality, even before Stonewall. The colorful mix of cultures was touched on, as well as the fact many families live in the vibrant if sometimes grimy community. The tour ended with a stop at the Phoenix Hotel, a splendidly restored mid-century property, and a quick peek at nearby Little Saigon.
I work in treatment, so found the tour extremely interesting. Others might not. It depends on the person. The area's issues are on full display, though our group was never in any danger. There are no easy answers, nor simple solutions. But this tour gave me a new appreciation for one of the city's most storied neighborhoods.Written 18 December 2019This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - Robert SLawrence, KS2,775 contributionsCHS is a great organization with wonderful programing, but not enough space to exhibit all its interesting historical items. You should definitely drop by - they always have one good exhibit up.
Check their website calendar for author and artist presentations.
Their library is a great source if you want to do some in-depth research.Written 23 July 2016This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - james_portoSarasota, FL10 contributionsThis was a great place.
I learn a lot .. especially how much China was our ally which is not really spoke about today.
The people in the hall are terrific, we had questions on many things inlucing lunch and dinner.
Great place everyone should stop byWritten 11 July 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - An0nyMsTucson, Arizona1,438 contributionsI'd usually avoid an exhibition this small unless I'm really interested in what it covers. But this one, on the 100th anniversary of Bauhaus type design, was packed with examples, most from the early decades. It was fascinating. (It also helped that I could get in free through my membership with NARM, North American Reciprocal Museums.)
The entrance isn't marked. I've included a photo of it. The sign listing building tenants shows two different street addresses in (it seems) the same building. We were lucky that we met someone coming out of the building to tell us what to do. You might call ahead for directions.Written 7 March 2022This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. - PhilLa Coruna, Spain2,392 contributionsSmall exhibitions of photographs of the local area in the gilded age. Free entry. 5 $ donation suggested. Next to the the Walt Disney Family museum. Bus 43 stop right outside (5$ day ticket on the MUNI app.)Written 7 March 2020This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
- Madison YThornton Cleveleys, UK89 contributionsLovely little building. Fascinating items. The most enthusiastic and wonderful tour guide, margarita, explained so much to us. If only she was my teacher at school for history (I’d have paid way more attention!).
Visit as it’s a hidden gem - nice and quiet.Written 25 October 2023This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about San Francisco
- These places are best for history museums in San Francisco:
- Wells Fargo Museum
- GLBT Historical Society Museum
- Chinese Historical Society of America
- Museum of the African Diaspora
- Tenderloin Museum
- These are the best places for budget-friendly history museums in San Francisco:
- Wells Fargo Museum
- Chinese Historical Society of America
- GLBT Historical Society Museum
- Museum of the African Diaspora
- California Historical Society