de Young Museum

The stunning all-copper museum building, designed by the Swiss firm Herzog & de Meuron, is seamlessly integrated into Golden Gate Park, with plants and sculpture gardens helping to merge the two. Inside is an encyclopedic collection of American art from the 1700s to the present, including paintings by George Caleb Bingham, John Singer Sargent and Edward Hopper and recently commissioned site-specific works by Ed Ruscha, Kiki Smith, Gerhard Richter, and James Turrell. You can enjoy the latter two artist’s exhibits without paying admission. Richter’s mammoth mural that was created for the de Young seizes your attention in the lobby atrium and, in the sculpture garden beyond the café, you’ll find Turrell’s bewitching Three Gems exhibit. Be sure to step inside to contemplate the unusual circle of sky above.

Also on hand are impressive collections of art from the rest of the Americas, Africa and Asia that segue beautifully from room to room. The tower’s top-floor observation deck offers panoramic views, and the ample gift shop sells everything from umbrellas to fine jewelry. This stunning monument to the arts is an absolute must for any visitor. Closed Monday.