On San Francisco’s downtown side, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) brings modern and contemporary art together in a major museum at 151 Third St. Its galleries and exhibitions are easy to add to a day exploring the city centre. At a glance:
- Location: 151 Third St, San Francisco, CA 94103.
- Typical hours: Monday–Tuesday and Friday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Wednesday, closed; Thursday, noon to 8 p.m..
- Admission: General admission is $30 for adults; all visitors need a ticket.
Prices and times checked November 2026.
Where SFMOMA Is in Downtown San Francisco
SFMOMA stands at 151 Third Street in downtown San Francisco, near Montgomery Street and Powell Street stations. The main entrance faces Third Street, while a second entrance off Howard Street leads through glass doors into the free Roberts Family Gallery. The museum’s central location also connects with how to get around San Francisco by public transport.
The museum’s entrance is a few blocks from Montgomery Street BART, and the Transbay Transit Center is two blocks away. Bus routes stop within a block near Third Street and Mission Street.
If your day includes Union Square, its shops and transit connections can fit into the same downtown outing. The museum’s central location also connects with what to see around Union Square.
Planning Around Exhibitions and Galleries
SFMOMA combines an ongoing collection exhibition with special exhibitions, so check what is on view before organizing your visit. “1900 to Now: SFMOMA’s Collection” is on Floor 2, and “RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me” is on Floor 7.
Access to “RM x SFMOMA: Between You and Me” requires both a museum ticket and a separately reserved timed ticket. For timed-ticket exhibitions, arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time; admission for late arrivals depends on gallery capacity and ticket availability.
Gallery rules shape what you can carry and do inside. Backpacks and child carriers cannot be worn on your back in galleries, though you can carry them below the waist, wear them on the front or check them at coat check.
Personal, noncommercial photography and video are allowed unless an exhibition says otherwise; flash, tripods and selfie sticks are not allowed. Food and drink are prohibited in galleries except when needed for medical reasons, and sealed spill-proof containers must stay sealed.
Children age 13 and younger must be accompanied at all times. Service animals on leash and under their owner’s control are welcome, and personal mobility devices and motorized vehicles are permitted at their lowest speed setting.
Tickets, Hours, and Visitor Services
SFMOMA’s standard hours are Monday–Tuesday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Wednesday, closed; Thursday, noon to 8 p.m.; and Friday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.. The museum is also closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Hours and ticket details can change, so check the official site before you go.
General admission costs $30 for adults, $25 for seniors age 65 and older, and $23 for full-time students with ID. Members and visitors age 18 and younger enter free, but every visitor still needs a ticket.
Tickets are available online and onsite, and the museum encourages you to reserve online for your whole party. General admission tickets are valid all day and must be shown at ticket checkpoints.
Advance tickets can be exchanged for a $5 fee. Expired tickets cannot be exchanged, and ticket sales are final with no refunds.
The entrance and museum floors are accessible for visitors using wheeled devices or with mobility difficulties. An accessible drop-off entrance near the Third Street entrance has electric push-button doors. Manual wheelchairs, portable gallery stools and adjustable canes are available free at the Floor 1 Coat Check, on a first-come, first-served basis in exchange for an ID card.
How do you get to SFMOMA?
From Nob Hill Hotel, walk about 15 minutes to Powell Street station, then continue by BART or SF Muni light rail to SFMOMA. It’s a practical route for a four-star hotel in Nob Hill.
SFMOMA is near Montgomery Street and Powell Street stations for BART and SF Muni light rail. Bus routes 8, 8AX, 8BX, 14, 14R, 15, 30, 45, 91, 101, 130 and 150 stop within a block of the museum, near Third Street and Mission Street.
The SFMOMA garage is at 147 Minna Street, a few steps from the Third Street entrance. Garage hours are 7 a.m.–11 p.m. daily. Rates are $4 per 30 minutes, $26 for up to 10 hours, and $35 for up to 24 hours.
FAQs
Where is the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art?
SFMOMA is at 151 Third St, San Francisco, CA 94103, in downtown San Francisco.
Do you need a ticket if you qualify for free admission?
Yes. All visitors, including members and visitors age 18 and younger, need a ticket.
Is SFMOMA closed on Wednesdays?
Yes. SFMOMA is closed on Wednesdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Can you take a backpack into the galleries?
You cannot wear a backpack on your back in the galleries. You may carry it below the waist, wear it on your front or check it at coat check.