de Young Museum

Haven’t been to the City in a while? Then take some time out to visit the completely rebuilt de Young Museum (50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Dr., 415/750-3600, www.famsf.org/deyoung [1], Tues.–Sun. 9:30 a.m.–5:15 p.m., Fri. until 8:45 p.m., adults $10, children $6) in Golden Gate Park [2]. Everything from the striking exterior, to the art collections and exhibitions, to the 360-degree panoramic view of San Francisco [3] from the top of the tower have been renewed, reborn, replaced, or newly re-created.

The reason for the recent renewal was the 1989 earthquake, which damaged the original de Young beyond simple repair. The renovation took more than 10 years, and the results are a smashing success. For a special treat, brave the lines and grab a meal at the museum’s café.

The collections at the de Young include works of varying media: painting, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, and more modern graphic designs and “contemporary crafts.” Some collections focus on artists from the United States, while many others contain art from around the world.

The exhibitions that come through the de Young range from the William Morris Art Nouveau art from Britain to the exquisite glass of the Chihuly collection. There’s something for just about everyone here—even classic art purists who eschew SFMOMA [4] will find a gallery to love inside the de Young.