Enjoying Your Visit
Cafe Asia, a favorite dining spot for SF's cultural and civic district, provides casual dining in an ambient setting. Fresh, organic, pan-Asian dishes, grab-to-go sandwiches, salads, snacks, and desserts are prepared daily. Soft drinks, wine, beer, sake, and teas are available. Admission to the Museum is not required to visit the Cafe. 415.581.3630
Looking for great gifts? We have them. Exceptional handmade, one-of-a-kind, and signature pieces are available only at the Museum Store. A wide variety of items from all over the world and an impressive assortment of books will appeal to all ages. Many exclusively made items which complement the special exhibitions make this an exclusive shopping experience. Admission to the Museum is not required to visit the Museum Store. 415.581.3600
Multimedia Tour
Pick up your free self-guided multimedia tour of highlights of the museum’s collection is available at the Information Desk. Look for the headphone icon in the galleries for items described in the audio tour—which is offered in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Spanish, and French. Transcripts are available upon request at the Information Desk.
For a podcast of the collection highlights, click here.
Guided Tours
Enjoy free guided tours, talks, or storytelling daily. Meet at the Information Desk. Tour schedules are subject to change. Inquire at the Information Desk for the day’s schedule.
Maharaja Public Guided Tours and Talks
Daily, October 21 – April 8, 2012
FREE with paid Maharaja admission
Guided Tour and Storytelling Schedule
| Daily public tours schedule from October 21, 2011 – April 8, 2012 | |
| 10:15 am | Sneak Peeks: Introduction to Maharaja (15 minutes) |
| 10:45 am | Sneak Peeks: Introduction to Maharaja (15 minutes) |
| 11:00 am | Great Works from the Museum's Collection (45 minutes) |
| 12:00 pm | Special Exhibition: Maharaja (45 minutes) |
| 1:00 pm | Special Exhibition: Poetry in Clay (30 minutes; closes January 8) |
| 1:00 pm | Special Exhibition: Here/Not Here: Buddha Presence in Eight Recent Works (30 minutes; closes October 23) |
| 1:00 pm | Storytelling (Sundays only, 45 minutes) |
| 2:00 pm | Special Exhibition: Maharaja (45 minutes) |
| 3:00 pm | Status Symbols (30 minutes) |
| Target Sundays (November 6, December 4, & January 8) | |
| 10:15 am | Sneak Peeks: Introduction to Maharaja (15 minutes) |
| 10:30 am | Silk Road (45 minutes) |
| 10:45 am | Sneak Peeks: Introduction to Maharaja (15 minutes) |
| 11:00 am | Great Works from the Museum's Collection (45 minutes) |
| 11:00 am | Storytelling (45 minutes) |
| 11:30 am | Jade (45 minutes) |
| 12:00 pm | Special Exhibition: Maharaja (45 minutes) |
| 12:00 pm | Architecture (45 minutes) |
| 1:00 pm | Special Exhibition: Poetry in Clay (30 minutes; closes January 8) |
| 1:00 pm | Storytelling (45 minutes) |
| 1:30 pm | Great Works from the Museum's Collection (45 minutes) |
| 2:00 pm | Architecture (45 minutes) |
| 3:00 pm | Status Symbols (30 minutes) |
Private Group Tours
Have a memorable art experience on a private group tour. Private guided tours are available with our knowledgeable docents. Options include an array of tour topics relating to our collections, special exhibitions, and the building’s architecture. Email groupvisits@asianart.org or call 415.581.3621.
School Tours
All school tours are free for K-12! Please visit our School Tours page.
Interactive Family Programs allow parents and children to explore the many aspects of Asian art and culture together. All Family Programs are free with museum admission, and kids 12 and under always get in FREE! For more information, call 415.581-3666 or e-mail familyprograms@asianart.org.
The Asian Art Museum is accessible to persons with disabilities. See the accessibility webpage for full information, or you can access specific information from the links below. For further information, visit the Information Desk, call (415) 581-3598, or TTY (415) 861-2035.
- Wheelchairs
- Guide and Service Animals
- Services for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Visitors
- Services for Blind and Visually Impaired Visitors
- Accessibility Contact Information
Visitors will find everything they need to begin and enjoy their visit at the Information Desk (located on the first floor). Visitors may borrow a complimentary multimedia tour, obtain brochures, find out about the day’s docents tours and events, and learn about upcoming programs.
The museum’s Coat Check (located on the first floor) has strollers, wheelchairs, and lightweight folding stools available for loan on a first-come, first-served basis. Please use our free coat check to check all backpacks and umbrellas, as well as any purses, bags or parcels larger than 12" x 12".
See the museum's ground-floor floorplan (pdf).
In celebration of Maharaja: The Splendor of India’s Royal Courts, Taj Campton Place has created The Royal Retreat for a Maharaja at Taj Campton Place, a special hotel offer valid through April 8, 2012. The package includes Deluxe room accommodations, daily breakfast for two, and two VIP passes to the Maharaja exhibition at the rate of $375 per night plus taxes. For more information or reservations, please call 415.781.5555.
