Two very different museums make this a rewarding art day: the de Young brings together works from across the Americas, Africa, and Oceania, while the Legion of Honor pairs ancient art with views toward the Golden Gate Bridge. The ticket covers both, but they sit in separate parts of the city, so the day takes some planning.
I like the contrast between the de Young’s bold modern building and wide-ranging collections and the Legion of Honor’s classical setting and European art. I also like that you can take an English-speaking guided tour or set your own pace, with plenty to see in the permanent collections.
The main catch is distance: these museums are not next door to each other, and visiting both can feel like a full day, especially if you linger. Temporary exhibitions cost extra, and the ticket is valid only on the date you select.
- What makes this two-museum ticket worthwhile
- Start at the de Young in Golden Gate Park
- Continue to the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park
- How to plan a day across both museums
- What the ticket covers, and what it does not
- Who will get the most from this visit?
- Should you book the combined admission?
- FAQ
- How much does the combined admission cost?
- Which museums are included?
- Are temporary exhibitions included?
- How long should I allow for the visit?
- What are the museums’ opening hours?
- How do I get to the de Young?
- How do I get to the Legion of Honor?
- Is a guide included?
- Can children visit for free?
- Can I bring water, and is the activity wheelchair-accessible?
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What makes this two-museum ticket worthwhile
- A strong contrast in setting: The de Young sits in Golden Gate Park, while the Legion of Honor occupies a hilltop location in Lincoln Park.
- Collections from several continents: At the de Young, look for art from the Americas, Africa, and Oceania, including Akan gold-weights and Native American and African works.
- Ancient art and familiar names: The Legion of Honor displays ancient Mediterranean art, Iraqi ivories, Monet’s water lilies, and Rodin’s Thinker.
- A choice of pace: An English-speaking guide is included, but you can also explore independently.
- A value-conscious bundle: The combined ticket starts at US$24.99, and buying admission to both separately can cost more.
- A day with a travel gap: Plan your route between the museums rather than assuming you can walk from one to the other.
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Start at the de Young in Golden Gate Park
The de Young is at 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, inside Golden Gate Park. It is a fitting first stop if you want a museum visit that feels connected to its surroundings. The building is a major part of the experience, and the park gives you room to slow down before or after the galleries.
Inside, the collection covers art from the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. That range makes the visit broader than a tour focused on one period or region. You might move from sculpture to decorative arts, then pause over the intricate Akan gold-weights. The collection also includes Native American and African works, along with art from other cultures and time periods.
I would not try to see every room at the same speed. Pick a few areas that interest you, and leave time to look closely. The museum’s scale and variety make it easy to spend longer than planned, especially if you like sculpture, photography, or objects that offer a window into everyday life and belief.
The museum is also known for its architecture. One visitor described it as a highlight in its own right, and the building’s striking design makes a good reason to walk around the grounds, not just through the galleries. A giant safety pin sculpture is another unusual detail to watch for.
The de Young’s observation level is listed among the closed areas, so do not count on going up for a view. Some other spaces, including the coat check, de Youngsters studio, and Piazzoni murals room, are also listed as closed. Check current conditions before setting your expectations around a particular room or amenity.
You can also read our reviews of more museum experiences in San Francisco
Continue to the Legion of Honor in Lincoln Park
The Legion of Honor is at 100 34th Avenue, in a different part of San Francisco. Its setting in Lincoln Park gives this stop a more formal feel, and the museum has views toward the Golden Gate Bridge. It is also close to Lands End, where the coastal scenery can make a worthwhile addition to your day.
Inside, the collection shifts to ancient Mediterranean art and European works. Ancient Iraqi ivories add a distinctive note, while Monet’s water lilies and Rodin’s Thinker offer familiar points of reference. The contrast with the de Young is part of the appeal: this is not simply a second building with more of the same.
Give yourself enough time to enjoy both the art and the setting. If you rush in, tick off a few famous works, then rush back out, you will miss much of what makes the Legion special. The architecture and its position above the coast are part of the visit, not just the backdrop.
The two museums are far apart enough that you should treat the transfer as a real part of the itinerary. One visitor estimated about half an hour by car between them. Transit is another option: take the 5 or 5R bus to Fulton Street and 10th Avenue for the de Young, and line 18 to the Legion of Honor bus terminal. Check the latest route details before setting out.
How to plan a day across both museums
The stated duration is three to five hours, but that is best understood as museum time, not a guarantee that the whole day will fit neatly into that window. The two stops are in separate neighborhoods, and you will need to allow time to get between them.
If you are an art enthusiast, build the day around the museums and avoid packing in several other major sights. One visitor found that seeing the permanent collections at both museums in a day was enough. That is sensible advice: each museum has distinct collections, and trying to cover every gallery can turn a pleasant cultural outing into a checklist.
You can start at whichever museum best fits your route. The de Young works well as a Golden Gate Park stop, while the Legion of Honor pairs naturally with Lincoln Park and Lands End. If views and coastal walks matter to you, consider leaving time around the Legion rather than treating it as a quick indoor visit.
An English-speaking guide is included, and you can also explore at your own pace. The information provided does not specify tour times or how to join a guided tour, so ask staff on arrival if you want to take one. Independent visitors can use the collections as a loose path: choose a few areas that interest you, then let a particular object or room slow you down.
What the ticket covers, and what it does not
The combined admission covers entry to the de Young and the Legion of Honor. It does not include temporary exhibitions, meals, drinks, hotel pickup, or personal expenses. If a special exhibition is a priority, check its price separately and decide whether the extra cost fits your plans.
At a starting price of US$24.99, the bundle can be good value if you intend to visit both museums. The supplied price information puts individual admission at about US$20 per venue when bought on site, so paying separately could add up to more. Prices and ticket terms can change, so compare the current rates before you book rather than relying on an old figure.
The ticket is valid only for the selected date and, if applicable, time. When you arrive, present your mobile voucher and valid ID to receive the next available time slot. Students should bring a valid student ID. The activity offers free cancellation with at least 24 hours’ notice, based on local destination time.
Children aged 0 to 17 enter free, but they must be accompanied by a paying adult. Infants and children still need to be included in the passenger headcount when booking. The activity is wheelchair-accessible. You may bring your own water, and a touchless bottle-filling station is available on the de Young’s lower floor. Audio guides are available for visitors with visual impairments.
Who will get the most from this visit?
This ticket suits you if art is part of how you like to understand a city. The two museums offer different collections and settings, so the day feels varied rather than repetitive. Families can also make good use of the free admission for children, particularly if they are happy to take the galleries at a relaxed pace.
It is less suited to a tight San Francisco schedule. If you have only a few hours, choosing one museum may be more satisfying than trying to cross town and rush through both. The de Young is a good pick for broad cultural collections and Golden Gate Park; the Legion of Honor is a strong choice for ancient and European art, architecture, and coastal views.
You do not need to be an art specialist to enjoy the visit, but it helps to arrive with a little curiosity. At the de Young, look for details in objects such as the Akan gold-weights. At the Legion, compare the feel of ancient works with the more familiar paintings and sculpture. The variety gives you plenty of ways in, even if you do not recognize every artist.
Should you book the combined admission?
Book it if you want to visit both museums, have time to travel between them, and are content with the permanent collections. The mix of global art, ancient works, striking buildings, and park or coastal surroundings makes for a worthwhile cultural day, and the combined price can beat paying separately.
Choose one museum instead if your schedule is short, you want to focus on a temporary exhibition, or you dislike spending part of a day getting across town. The best plan is not to race. Give each museum room to breathe, check which areas are open, and enjoy the surroundings as part of the visit.
de Young Museum and Legion of Honor Admission in San Francisco
“Although the two art museums aren't close to each other, they are both worth visiting. However, the admission ticket does not include special exhib…”
FAQ
How much does the combined admission cost?
The Museums admission package starts at US$24.99. The final price may vary, so check the amount shown for your selected date before booking.
Which museums are included?
The ticket includes admission to the de Young Museum and the Legion of Honor.
Are temporary exhibitions included?
No. Admission to temporary exhibitions is not included and may require a separate ticket.
How long should I allow for the visit?
The activity duration is listed as three to five hours. Allow extra time for travel between the museums, which are in different parts of San Francisco.
What are the museums’ opening hours?
The listed hours are Tuesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Both museums are listed as closed on Monday. Hours and closure dates can change, so check current information before your visit.
How do I get to the de Young?
The de Young is at 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive. The listed bus options are lines 5 or 5R to Fulton Street and 10th Avenue.
How do I get to the Legion of Honor?
The Legion of Honor is at 100 34th Avenue. The listed route is bus line 18 to the Legion of Honor bus terminal.
Is a guide included?
Yes. An English-speaking guide is included, and you may also explore at your own pace. Specific guided-tour times are not provided.
Can children visit for free?
Yes. Children aged 0 to 17 enter free when accompanied by a paying adult. Infants and children must still be included in the passenger headcount.
Can I bring water, and is the activity wheelchair-accessible?
You may bring your own water. A touchless bottle-filling station is available on the de Young’s lower floor, and the activity is wheelchair-accessible.
