de Young Museum: Golden Gate Park

The de Young Museum, located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park, is a premier fine arts institution known for its striking copper-clad architecture, panoramic tower views, and global art collections. Originally established in 1895 and now part of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco (alongside the Legion of Honor), the museum reopened in 2005 in a modern, earthquake-resistant building designed by Herzog & de Meuron.

Inside, the de Young features a wide-ranging collection that includes American art from the 17th to 21st centuries, African and Oceanic art, ancient Americas artifacts, and one of the largest textile and costume art collections in the U.S. It also hosts innovative contemporary exhibitions by artists like Kehinde Wiley and Isaac Julien, alongside popular annual events such as Bouquets to Art.

The museum’s 144-foot tower offers free access to sweeping city and park views, while its galleries highlight both permanent works and major traveling exhibitions. With nearly a million annual visitors, the de Young continues to be a major cultural destination for art lovers, architecture enthusiasts, and tourists alike.