Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
and American art can be seen
at the Mexican Museum and
the San Francisco Craft and
Folk Art Museum; Italian-
American works of the 20th
century are displayed at the
Museo ItaloAmericano.
Natural History
An extensive natural
history collection is
displayed at the
California Academy of
Sciences
. This features
such exhibitions as the
evolution of species,
plate tectonics (with a
vibrating platform that
sim ulates an
earthquake), and gems and
minerals. There is also a large
planetarium, and a Fish
Roundabout, where
visitors cross a ramp
surrounded by a
tank of sharks and
other sea life. The
Oakland Museum
has an entire floor
devoted to the
varied eco-
systems of California,
which are reconstructed
through a series of
realistic dioramas.
Libraries
San Francisco has extensive
general libraries including the
Main Library
, which has a
special research collection
comprising hundreds of topics
and thousands of photographs
focusing on city history. The
area's two main
universities,
UC
Berkeley
and
Stanford
, have
extensive
collections
including
historical holdings.
After the Earthquake
(1906) photograph,
Mission Dolores museum
History and Local Interest
No single museum is devoted
to the city's entire history,
although several collections
cover different aspects of San
Francisco's past. A small
museum at
Mission Dolores
gives insight into the city's
founding and early period. The
Wells Fargo History Museum
has a display on the Gold Rush,
the small museum at the
Presidio Visitor Center
traces
the area's military history, and
the California Historical Society
offers fertile ground for
researchers and history buffs.
Also well worth a visit are the
Chinese Historical Society of
America
and the African-
American Historical and Cultural
Society Museum at
Fort Mason
,
which document the respective
histories of the Chinese and
African-American communities
in San Francisco.
Octopus in the Oakland
Museum
Where to find the
Collections
Asian Art Museum
p128
Map
4 F5.
California Academy of
Sciences
pp152-3
Map
4 F5.
California Historical Society
p115
Chinese Historical Society of
America
p102
Contemporary Jewish Museum
p115
de Young Museum
p149
Map
8 F2.
Exploratorium
p94
Fort Mason
pp74-5
Fraenkel Gallery
Art from Other Cultures
Art and artifacts from
California's native cultures
are on display in the Hearst
Museum of Anthropology at
UC Berkeley
. Exhibitions are
drawn from the museum's
collection.
The
Contemporary Jewish
Museum
explores Judaism
through a range of art exhibits
and installations.
Fort Mason
has a wealth of
art from other cultures: ethnic
Science and Technology
One of the preeminent hands-
on technological museums in
the world, the
Exploratorium
has hundreds of interactive
displays that explore the
science behind everyday
events. This is one of San
Francisco's most popular
museums, and it is especially
fascinating for children.
Across the bay, the Lawrence
Hall of Science at
UC Berkeley
plays an equally important role
in promoting interest in
science. South of the city, San
Jose's growing
Tech Museum
of Innovation
tells the inside
story of computers, developed
largely in surrounding Silicon
Valley, and also has exciting
hands-on displays.
49 Geary St.
Map
5 C5.
John Berggruen Gallery
228 Grant Avenue.
Map
5 C4.
Legion of Honor
pp158-9
Map
4 F5.
Mission Dolores
p139
Museum of Modern Art
pp120-23
Oakland Museum
pp168-9
Octagon House
p75
Presidio Visitor Center
p62
SF Camerawork
657 Mission St.
Map
6 D5.
Stanford University
p171
Tech Museum of Innovation
p170
UC Berkeley
p164
Wells Fargo History Museum
p112
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
pp116-17
Tile mural (1940-45) by Alfredo Ramos
MartÃnez, Mexican Museum
