Relaxin' Girl
de Young Museum, Golden Gate Park
Before re-opening on October 15, 2005, the earthquake-damaged de Young — the city’s oldest and biggest art museum — was shuttered for nearly five years. The new, state-of-the-art facility is a blend of copper, stone, wood and glass; it’s a huge change from the previous Spanish-style incarnation.
The rebuilt de Young totals 293,000 square feet. The emphasis here is on American art from the 17th through the 20th centuries, as well as art of the native Americas, Africa and the Pacific.
In addition to art galleries, the museum includes an educational area, a store, a cafe, an auditorium and — possibly my favorite part of the place — an observation floor. Outdoors, you’ll find a sculpture garden and children’s garden.
TIP: Who said you can’t get anything for free? Admission to the tower observation floor is free. Nine stories up, it offers spectacular panoramic views of the city. The outdoor spaces are also free. And the entire museum is free on the first Tuesday of every month.
de Young
Golden Gate Park
50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive
San Francisco, CA 94118
(415) 863-3330
