SFMOMA in 2 hours: the essential route
Quick answer
In 2 hours you can see the essentials of SFMOMA in this order: start with the free ground-floor art, go up to early 20th-century painting (Matisse, Klee, Kahlo), then Pollock and Abstract Expressionism, Warhol's pop and the Fisher Collection, and finish on the sculpture terrace.
Hours and prices checked on · Official website
Point your camera at any artwork
Try it free at SFMOMA
AnyArt recognizes paintings, sculptures and monuments and tells you their story in seconds, like a personal audio guide. Free for iPhone, iPad and Android.
The route: 8 stops in 2 hours
SFMOMA reorganises its galleries often and an installation currently affects the Atrium and Floors 3, 4 and 5. We therefore give areas of the museum rather than room numbers: the free floor plan shows where each work is. Timings are approximate.
- 1
0:00 · Ground floor · free-to-see areas
Welcome architecture and murals
Start without a ticket: the lobby and public areas show commissions by local artists. Take in Snøhetta's facade and the stairs that organise the building before going up.
- 2
0:10 · Early 20th-century painting
Matisse: Femme au chapeau (1905)
The painting that scandalised the Salon d'Automne and was bought by Sarah and Michael Stein. Notice the arbitrary colours and loose brushwork: the start of Fauvism.
- 3
0:25 · Early 20th-century painting
Frida Kahlo: Frida and Diego Rivera (1931)
A double wedding portrait painted in San Francisco. She appears small beside Rivera, who holds the palette: a key image for understanding their relationship.
- 4
0:40 · Abstract Expressionism
Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko
Look for Pollock's Guardians of the Secret (1943) and the Rothko rooms. Pollock still paints figures; Rothko already works with suspended fields of colour.
- 5
1:00 · Fisher Collection
Ellsworth Kelly, Gerhard Richter and Agnes Martin
One of the largest public selections of post-1960 art. Compare Kelly's pure colour, Richter's abstractions and Martin's near-silent grids.
- 6
1:25 · Pop art
Andy Warhol and pop
Repetition, silkscreen and mass culture. Ask yourself what changes when an icon becomes a mass-produced product.
- 7
1:40 · Photography and design floor
Photography and design
If you have time, walk through the museum's photography selection, one of the most important in the country.
- 8
1:50 · Sculpture terrace
Finish in the sculpture garden
End outdoors with a view of the building and Yerba Buena. A good place to plan your next stop.
Tips to make the most of it
- Check the floor plan at the entrance: galleries change and recent installations affect several floors.
- Avoid weekend lunchtimes; weekday mornings are calmer.
- Leave large bags and backpacks in the cloakroom.
- Point the AnyArt camera at any work not on this list to hear its story without hunting for the label.
Frequently asked questions
Can you see SFMOMA in 2 hours?
Yes, if you focus on the permanent collection. This route covers Matisse, Kahlo, Pollock, Warhol and the Fisher Collection in about 2 hours.
What about 1 hour?
Prioritise early 20th-century painting, the Fisher Collection and the free lobby art. That's about 60 minutes including walking.
Is SFMOMA worth it for contemporary art fans?
Yes. It's one of the most important modern and contemporary museums in the US, with a particularly strong post-1960 collection.
What is the best time to visit SFMOMA?
10am opening on a weekday. On Thursdays it opens at noon and closes at 8pm, so the evening is also calm.