Free Art in San Francisco

Experience world-class art without spending a dime.

San Francisco has an incredible amount of art that’s completely free to see — from galleries and museum free days to public art and murals. Here’s your guide.

Galleries Are Always Free

This surprises many people: commercial art galleries are free to visit. You can walk into any gallery, look at the art, and walk out. No ticket, no purchase required.

San Francisco has dozens of galleries showing museum-quality work. Some highlights:

  • Minnesota Street Project — Multiple galleries under one roof
  • Fraenkel Gallery — World-renowned photography
  • Ratio 3 — Contemporary art
  • Jessica Silverman — Cutting-edge contemporary

Most galleries are open Tuesday–Saturday. Check hours before visiting.

Museum Free Days

MuseumFree DayNotes
de Young MuseumFirst TuesdayAll exhibitions
Legion of HonorFirst TuesdayAll exhibitions
Asian Art MuseumFirst SundayAll exhibitions
SFMOMAFirst ThursdaySF Bay Area residents
Yerba Buena CenterAlways freeGalleries only
GLBT Historical SocietyFirst Saturday

Pro tip: Free days are popular. Arrive early or late in the day to avoid crowds.

Public Art

San Francisco has hundreds of public artworks — sculptures, murals, and installations throughout the city.

Major Public Art Sites

Salesforce Transit Center Rooftop Park

  • Multiple sculptures and installations
  • Beautiful landscaped gardens
  • Free access from street level

Embarcadero

  • Cupid’s Span (Oldenburg & van Bruggen)
  • Sea Change (Mark di Suvero)
  • Walk the waterfront from Ferry Building to AT&T Park

Civic Center

  • Various sculptures
  • City Hall architecture
  • Asian Art Museum plaza

Golden Gate Park

  • AIDS Memorial Grove
  • Various sculptures
  • de Young sculpture garden (visible from outside)

Murals

Mission District The Mission has the city’s highest concentration of murals.

  • Balmy Alley — Entire alley of murals, constantly evolving
  • Clarion Alley — More murals, edgier content
  • 24th Street corridor — Murals on storefronts and buildings

Chinatown

  • Historical murals
  • Contemporary additions

Free Museum Spaces

Some museum spaces are always free:

SFMOMA

  • Ground floor galleries
  • Free public programs
  • Sculpture garden visible from street

de Young Museum

  • Hamon Observation Tower (9th floor)
  • Spectacular 360° views of the city
  • No museum ticket required

University Galleries

Several universities have free galleries:

  • Berkeley Art Museum (BAMPFA) — Free first Thursdays
  • Stanford Cantor Arts Center — Always free
  • SF State Fine Arts Gallery — Free

Alternative Spaces and Non-Profits

These organizations show art for free:

  • Southern Exposure (Mission)
  • Root Division (Mission)
  • SOMArts Cultural Center (SoMa)
  • The Lab (Mission)
  • Luggage Store Gallery (Tenderloin)

How to Find Free Art

DIY Approach

  • Walk the Mission for murals
  • Visit Minnesota Street Project for galleries
  • Check museum websites for free days

Use Arting

Arting shows you what’s on at galleries and museums across SF. Filter to see what’s free or showing nearby.

Free Art Walking Routes

Mission Mural Walk (1-2 hours)

  1. Start at 24th Street BART
  2. Walk to Balmy Alley
  3. Continue to Clarion Alley
  4. Explore 24th Street murals
  5. End at Creativity Explored
  1. Start at Minnesota Street Project
  2. Hit 3-4 galleries in the building
  3. Walk to nearby Dogpatch galleries
  4. Coffee break
  5. Continue to 1 or 2 more

Waterfront Walk (1 hour)

  1. Start at Ferry Building
  2. Walk south along Embarcadero
  3. See Cupid’s Span and other sculptures
  4. End at Oracle Park