The Asian Art Museum in San Francisco’s Civic Center presents art and culture from 48 countries in Asia and the worldwide Asian diaspora. Its collection includes more than 20,000 artworks, and the museum is a roughly six-minute walk from a hotel in San Francisco.
- Address: 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102.
- Regular hours: Open Thursday to Monday; closed Tuesday and Wednesday
- General admission: $20 for adults; reduced prices apply for some age groups and students.
- Suggested visit length: 1.5–2 hours for the collection galleries or 2.5–3.5 hours for the entire museum.
How do you get to the Asian Art Museum?
The museum is at 200 Larkin Street in the Civic Center, one block from the Civic Center/UN Plaza BART Station. From the station, use the UN Plaza exit and walk via Fulton Street to Larkin Street, following the museum’s directions.
Two parking garages are within one block: Civic Center Garage at 355 McAllister Street and UC Law Parking Garage at 376 Larkin Street. Museum members can receive reduced rates at the UC Law garage by validating their parking ticket at the museum information desk.
If you’re planning other stops around the city, the museum is in the Civic Center area; this guide to getting around from Civic Center covers the neighborhood’s transport context.
What should you check before visiting?
It also closes on New Year’s Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas. Check the official site before you go.
Opening hours
- Monday and Friday to Sunday: 10 AM–5 PM
- Thursday: 1 PM–8 PM
- Tuesday and Wednesday: closed
Last checked November 2026. Hours can change on holidays and for special events.
General admission costs $20 for adults, $17 for visitors age 65 and older, and $14 for visitors ages 13–17 and college students with ID. Members and children age 12 and under enter free. A special-exhibition add-on is listed at $10; check the specific exhibition page for its ticket conditions.
Timed tickets are encouraged and can be reserved online in advance. General-admission visitors may stay as long as they like and leave and re-enter with their e-ticket. On the first Sunday of each month, general admission is free; same-day walk-up tickets are limited, and advance reservations are recommended. Special-exhibition ticket conditions can differ.
How much time should you plan inside?
Allow 1.5–2 hours for the collection galleries, 1–1.5 hours for a special exhibition, or 2.5–3.5 hours for the entire museum. Those estimates make it easier to decide whether to focus on the collection or include an exhibition in your visit.
The museum recommends starting on the third floor in the collection galleries. Reach it by the South Court escalators or elevator, then work down to the second floor. Larger special exhibitions are in galleries on the first floor.
What else is near the museum in Civic Center?
The Main Library, San Francisco Symphony, War Memorial Opera House and Helen Diller Civic Center Playgrounds are nearby Civic Center destinations identified by the museum. The playgrounds are directly across Larkin Street from the museum.
For a broader day around the city, the one-day San Francisco route offers another way to think about combining stops.
What access and visitor facilities are available?
All museum entrances are accessible to people using wheeled devices or avoiding stairs, and elevators serve every level. Wheelchairs and take-a-seat stools are available from the information desk on a first-come, first-served basis.
Wheelchair-accessible restrooms with changing tables are on every museum level. Two universal gender-neutral, barrier-free restrooms are behind the ground-floor cafe. Trained guide and service animals are welcome.
One person accompanying a visitor with special needs receives free admission; request a caregiver pass in person on the visit day. ASL interpreters are available upon request, and special-exhibition galleries have large-print labels.
The museum store and restaurant are open during regular museum hours and do not require paid admission. The restaurant also opens Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
FAQs
What is the Asian Art Museum’s full name?
Its full name is the Asian Art Museum–Chong-Moon Lee Center for Asian Art and Culture. It presents art and culture from across Asia and the worldwide Asian diaspora.
Can you leave and re-enter the museum?
Yes. General-admission visitors can leave and re-enter with their original e-ticket on the same day.
Can you visit the restaurant without museum admission?
Yes. The restaurant does not require paid museum admission and also opens Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.