San Francisco Art Institute
San Francisco Art Institute
4.5
About
This is the oldest art school in the West, and the alma mater of some of the nation's most acclaimed artists.
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Neighborhood: Russian Hill
Russian Hill has evolved into a chic residential neighborhood with outstanding views from every corner. Combined with several great cafes, restaurants, antique shops and boutiques, it’s easy to see why any visitor would gladly leave their heart in San Francisco. Cars line up day after day to drive down Lombard Street, the “crookedest” street in the world, and make the slow creep downhill past charming period homes. Polk Street is the main drag in this neighborhood, where you will find trendy bars, cafes and shops populated with locals, but for one of the most charming rides in the city, grab a cable car heading up and down Hyde Street.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
56 reviews
Excellent
30
Very good
25
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
rgl201
106 contributions
Nov 2012 • Business
A hidden treasure next to the very unhidden Fisherman's Wharf. This is the oldest art school in the western United States, and includes a large Diego Rivera mural. Well worth the detour!
Written November 29, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan_S_Dunwoody
Dunwoody, GA226 contributions
Jul 2014 • Friends
You have to look for the Art Institute. And once you get there, you have to look for the feature that makes it special. Tucked away into a courtyard on Chestnut St., up a big hill, at first it looks like a series of small galleries. But follow the hallway to the back, and up the stairs to the deck, and then up more stairs to a "patio" that overlooks the city. On a clear day, it's spectacular.
Written August 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paul
Lake Havasu City, AZ51 contributions
Jul 2012 • Couples
There are not many places where you can see a Diego Rivera mural for free.
Wonderful views of San Francisco and the bay from the roof of this building.
Place was empty when we visited, was a very personal experience, all parts open to the public.
How do more people not know about this place?
Wonderful views of San Francisco and the bay from the roof of this building.
Place was empty when we visited, was a very personal experience, all parts open to the public.
How do more people not know about this place?
Written April 19, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lv2trvl351
Blair, NE148 contributions
May 2012 • Couples
This was one of the stops on a van tour we took in S F. The guide didn't even make it clear what the place was but mumbled something. But it had beautiful Spanish(or Morrocan) architecture, tower, courtyard with fountain and a fantastic Diego Rivera full wall mural. Then we walked up steps to a rooftop observation area with a fantastic view of Telegraph Hill, downtown and the waterfront. We did a lot of pictures. The strange thing was, the place was completely deserted except for our small group. When I went to label my pictures in the photo album, I said S F something Art something. Upon reflection, I thought what a neat place it was and researched futher and found the name. We recommend it!
Written August 29, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LAcentric
Los Angeles225 contributions
Jun 2011
The San Francisco Art Institute should top any list of free, funky, and fun places to visit in the city, especially with children! We were a group of three adults and two children and felt really welcome. The Diego Rivera mural is outstanding and worth the trip. There was a small exhibit in the same room of surreal assemblages of toys and a phenomenal multimedia exhibit by Shahzia Sikander, both of which we all enjoyed. We were there on a weekday afternoon and it was deserted. *HIGHLY* recommended!
Written June 20, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pnemiller
Kutztown, PA2,272 contributions
This is a hidden spot in the city that should not be missed if you are an art lover, especially a Diego Rivera fan. He did a huge mural covering one wall of the art institute in the early 1930s about the development of San Francisco--it is a real treasure. A plus is it is free to see. The school also has a cafe where you can get lunch and a great view of the city from its rooftop.
Written July 4, 2007
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juan B
13 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
If you want to see a Diego Rivera mural, this is his most accessible of his three San Francisco murals. It’s also very beautiful and located in a gallery that houses the occasional exhibition.
Written April 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tintinfan2013
London, UK647 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
Wonderful Diego Rivera mural which we had all to ourselves! Free entry. Really close to Lombard Street steps, but this is much more enjoyable.
Written February 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
antart888
New York City, NY167 contributions
Oct 2019 • Family
This beautiful school has the most amazing views of the city. Not only can you walk through the oldest art school in the country but you can see art from the students to the amazing Diego Rivera mural. It’s a hidden gem and an easy walk to the famous Lombard Street. Don’t miss it.
Written October 25, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
idibeach
Hometown, Finland72 contributions
Jun 2019
If you like Diego Rivera's paintings, visit this place and see The Making of a Fresco Showing the Building of a City. There are three Rivera murals in SF and this is the easiest to achieve. The lady in the lower right corner is Geraldine Colby Frickie, architect and designer (and not another Mexican painter Frida Kahlo).
"Art is like ham - it nourishes people."
— Diego Rivera
"Art is like ham - it nourishes people."
— Diego Rivera
Written October 6, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about San Francisco Art Institute
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