The Asian Art Museum is a public institution dedicated to Asian art and culture, located at 200 Larkin Street in San Francisco, California. This guide covers essential planning details including opening hours, ticket prices, public transport routes, parking options, accessibility features, and practical visitor tips.
This guide was last updated in March 2026 to reflect the current entry protocol, which requires bags larger than 8 by 8 by 5 inches to be worn on the front or left at the coat check.
Quick facts about the Asian Art Museum
| Feature | Details |
| Opening hours | Thu 1:00 PM – 8:00 PM; Fri–Mon 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Tue–Wed Closed |
| Ticket prices | Adults $20, Seniors (65+) $17, Youth (13–17) and Students $14 |
| Address | 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, CA 94102 |
| Nearest public transport | Civic Center station (BART and Muni) |
| Typical time needed | 2.5 to 3.5 hours |
Asian Art Museum opening hours
The Asian Art Museum is open from 1:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Thursdays, and from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. The facility is closed to the public every Tuesday and Wednesday.
Asian Art Museum ticket prices
General admission tickets cost $20 for adults, $17 for seniors aged 65 and over, and $14 for students and youths aged 13 to 17. Children aged 12 and under enter for free, and general admission is free for all visitors on the first Sunday of every month.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in March 2026.
The Asian Art Museum is also included in the Go City San Francisco pass scheme, alongside other key attractions such as the California Academy of Sciences, the Exploratorium, and the Aquarium of the Bay.
Why book the Go City San Francisco All-Inclusive Pass?
- 🧬 California Academy of Sciences: Visit the world’s only aquarium-planetarium-rainforest-natural history museum, featuring a four-story living rainforest and a stunning coral reef ecosystem.
- 🚌 Big Bus Hop-On Hop-Off Tour: See the best of the “City by the Bay” with a 1-day classic tour that covers major landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, Union Square, and Fisherman’s Wharf.
- ⛴️ Iconic Bay Cruises: Get out on the water for spectacular skyline views with your choice of a Golden Gate Bay Cruise or a scenic boat trip around the infamous Alcatraz Island.
- 💰 Save up to 50%: Enjoy significant discounts on total admission costs for 30+ top attractions and tours compared to purchasing individual tickets at each gate.
- 📱 100% Digital & Flexible: Download your pass instantly to your smartphone for paperless entry, and choose a pass duration (1 to 5 days) that fits your travel schedule perfectly.
How to get to the Asian Art Museum
The most direct way to reach the museum is by taking the BART or Muni to the Civic Center station. From the station, passengers should use the UN Plaza exit, which brings them a short walk from the main entrance on Larkin Street.
For visitors using taxis or rideshare applications, there is a designated white zone for passenger drop-off and pick-up located directly in front of the museum.
Parking at the Asian Art Museum
The museum does not operate a dedicated parking garage for visitors. Drivers can use the nearby Civic Center Garage located at 355 McAllister Street, or the UC Law Parking Garage at 376 Larkin Street.
Limited metered street parking is available in the surrounding Civic Center neighbourhood, but spaces are heavily utilised during standard operating hours.
5 San Francisco experiences worth booking
- 🌉 Combine the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods, Sausalito and Alcatraz on a packed day tour.
- 🌲 Take a day trip to the Giant Sequoias and the highlights of Yosemite National Park.
- 🌃 See the city lights at night on a San Francisco Bay cruise.
- 🍷 Go wine-tasting in the Napa and Sonoma Valleys on a full day wine tour.
- ✌️ Hit the hippie hotspots in a colourful VW bus on the San Francisco Love Tour.
How long to spend at the Asian Art Museum
Most visitors spend between two and a half to three and a half hours inside the museum. This allows enough time to view the permanent collection galleries on the upper floors as well as the temporary special exhibitions on the ground floor.
Visitors focusing strictly on the permanent collection galleries usually require one and a half to two hours to complete their route.
Accessibility at the Asian Art Museum
All entrances, gallery levels, and public areas are fully accessible via elevators for wheelchair users and visitors avoiding stairs. Complimentary wheelchairs and take-a-seat stools are available on a first-come, first-served basis at the main information desk.
The museum permits trained service animals and provides free audio tour devices, audio transcripts, and large-print labels for special exhibitions. An accessible parking space is located on Larkin Street near the main entrance.
Inside / what to see at the Asian Art Museum
The museum displays a permanent collection of over 18,000 artworks spanning 6,000 years of Asian history. The galleries are organised geographically, covering regions such as South Asia, the Persian world, Southeast Asia, the Himalayas, China, Korea, and Japan.
Exhibits include Chinese jades, Japanese Buddha statues, South Asian stone sculptures, Islamic manuscripts, and historical ceramics.
The museum recommends starting a visit by taking the escalator to the third floor and working downwards. The third-floor galleries focus on the earlier historical periods of Asian cultures.
The second floor explores later historical developments and cross-cultural exchanges between different regions.
The first floor is reserved for large, rotating special exhibitions that focus on specific themes, regions, or contemporary artists.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip Category | Advice |
| Timing | Book advance timed tickets online to guarantee your preferred arrival slot and bypass ticket desk queues. |
| Crowds | Arrive right at opening time or visit late on Thursday evenings for the quietest experience in the galleries. |
| Layout | Begin your visit on the third floor and gradually work your way down to the ground floor exhibitions. |
| Entry process | Ensure any bags you bring are no larger than 8 by 8 by 5 inches, or you will be required to wear them on your front or leave them at the coat check. |
| On-site logistics | Download the free Asian Art Museum app onto your smartphone before arriving to access complimentary self-guided multimedia tours. |
Frequently asked questions about the Asian Art Museum
| Question | Answer |
| Is the Asian Art Museum suitable for children? | Yes, children are welcome and those aged 12 and under receive free admission. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the Asian Art Museum? | Advance timed tickets are strongly encouraged, though limited walk-up tickets are available at the desk. |
| Is the Asian Art Museum open on Sundays? | Yes, the museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sundays. |
| Are bags allowed at the Asian Art Museum? | Standard-size bags are permitted, but backpacks must be worn on the front or checked into the cloakroom. |
Things to do near the Asian Art Museum
The museum’s location in the Civic Center places it close to several other San Francisco attractions:
- San Francisco Symphony: Ann etertainment venue hosting classical music performances at Davies Symphony Hall, located two blocks from the museum.
- San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA): A contemporary art museum located a short Muni ride away in the South of Market district.
- San Francisco City Hall: A historic civic building located directly across the street from the museum, offering public tours.
More San Francisco travel
Other San Francisco travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Embracing touristy San Francisco at Fisherman’s Wharf.
- Planning a visit to the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco.
- Complete guide to day tours to Monterey and Carmel from San Francisco.
- What’s the point of the Wave Organ in San Francisco?
- Visitor guide to Fort Point by the Golden Gate Bridge.
