Sure, you've taken the kids to the latest exhibits at the de Young and SFMOMA, but did you know there's a free museum downtown on the site of the original US Branch Mint? With summer break upon us, now's a great time to explore the city's hidden cultural gems. Check out Megan Bushnell's list of lesser-known museums and hit up a spot you never even knew existed!
Museum of the African Diaspora
MOAD showcases modern art and cultural history resulting from the migration of Africans throughout the world. Grab a Family Passport with a museum map and colored pencils to guide your visit.
OPEN: Wednesday through Sunday
ADDRESS: 685 Mission St.
COST: $10 (children 12 and under free)
Inside Fort Mason, the Mexican Museum includes artwork from Latinos across the Americas. Once a month you can join Family Sunday for an interactive project for parents and kids of all ages.
OPEN: Thursday through Sunday (noon to 4 p.m.)
ADDRESS: 2 Marina Blvd., Building D
COST: Free
GLBT Historical Society Museum
Take advantage of our unique opportunity as residents of SF to explore exhibitions of queer life from the 1940s onward. A trip here can broaden the views of even the smallest minds among us.
OPEN: Wednesday through Monday
ADDRESS: 4127 18th St.
COST: $5 (first Wednesday of the month free)
Currently housed in the U.S. Subtreasury Building, the museum honors Pacific Rim peoples and has both a replica bank vault from the 1800s and a rare coin display.
OPEN: Tuesday through Saturday (10 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed on bank holidays)
ADDRESS: 608 Commercial St.
COST: Free
Learn how to drive a stagecoach and send a telegraph across the country in the same afternoon!
OPEN: Monday through Friday (9 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
ADDRESS: 420 Montgomery St.
COST: Free
On second Sundays, the museum opens early just for preschoolers, with performances, story time, and art projects. Families can also enjoy the Drop-in Art Studio with a guest artist every Sunday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
OPEN: Thursday through Tuesday
ADDRESS: 736 Mission St.
COST: $12 (children under 18 free)
On first and third Sundays, stART Tours use storytelling to expose young children to Asian art and culture. For kids 5 and older, grab an Elements of Art Explorer Pack at the family activity table. Stroller tours, docent-led tours for parents and caregivers with babies ages 0-2 years old, begin at 9:30 am on the first Friday of every month and are one hour in length. Tickets for stroller tours must be purchased in advance.
OPEN: Tuesday through Sunday
ADDRESS: 200 Larkin St.
COST: $20 (children 12 and under free)
Craft with the littles on Saturday afternoons (1-3:30 p.m.) during MakeArt Family sessions.
OPEN: Tuesday through Sunday
ADDRESS: 2569 Third St.
COST: $8 (children under 12 free)
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts
The center promotes Latino cultural expression and awareness by offering an incredible array of classes (Mexican folk dance, guitar lessons), workshops (graphic design, Venetian mask-making), and more.
OPEN: Tuesday through Saturday (gallery)
ADDRESS: 2868 Mission St.
COST: $2 (gallery admission)
Take a look inside the first museum dedicated entirely to Italian and Italian-American art and culture.
OPEN: Tuesday through Sunday (noon to 4 p.m.)
ADDRESS: 2 Marina Blvd. Building C
COST: Free
Exhibitions and archives related to Russian emigration across the globe.
OPEN: Wednesdays and Saturdays
ADDRESS: 2450 Sutter St.
COST: Free
Educate yourself on the history of local Beat poets and the Italian influence of the famous neighborhood.
OPEN: Monday through Friday
ADDRESS: 1435 Stockton St.
COST: Free
Society of California Pioneers
Find exhibitions focused on California art, history, and culture inside.
OPEN: Wednesday through Saturday (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)
ADDRESS: 101 Montgomery, Suite 150 (the Presidio)
COST: FREE
California Historical Society Museum
The gallery and library emphasize the environmental, economic, social, political, and cultural heritage of the entire state.
OPEN: Tuesday through Sunday
ADDRESS: 678 Mission St.
COST: $5 (children 12 and under free)
Megan Bushnell is a former marine biologist who spends much of her time trying to get two little girls to experience as much of the outdoors as possible. She also digs museums.
This article originally appeared in the May 2016 issue of GGMG Magazine. All information is current as of May 2018, but please check the museums' websites when planning visits. Photo via Flickr.
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