A SFMOMA guide to getting the most out of your trip.
Most people day-trip to San Francisco for Union Square ice-skating, Pier 39, or hot chocolate at Ghirardelli Square. But, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) is accessible yet overlooked as one of the best places to take a day trip in SF. Furthermore, during the holiday season, one can get unique and thoughtful gifts at the gift store, see some of the best art exhibits of the year, and enjoy some tasty yet light food—including the famous Mondrian cake, which looks like one of his famous compositions precise with primary colored squares.
Here’s my SFMOMA guide to getting the most out of your visit:
First, stop at Caffè Museo for lunch, which is at the base of the building. There is nothing worse than thinking about hunger while looking at art, which takes time and reflection. The menu is Italian-fusion with sandwich, salad, and soup options, including daily specials. When I went, the grilled chicken sandwich with arugula and onion jam was a great choice; it was flavorful but didn’t succumb to the usual greasiness of hot sandwiches. The atmosphere is also calming. The restaurant is frequented mostly by young professionals and other fellow museum visitors, and has all windows on one wall looking out onto the street.
Next, head through the vast lobby and make sure to look up, since there are usually installations such as the 2012 installation of glittering grid of lights with city scenes projected on it.
When you walk up the stairs, the first thing you will see is a large mural by contemporary artist Takashi Murakami, who is known for his delicate cartoons. The multi-eyed mushroom that dominates the mural might startle you, but it will spark your curiosity and lead you to the 20th century art exhibit that is showing now. Called “Selected Histories,” this show is not as highly advertised as the Jay DeFeo or Jasper Johns exhibits, but is just as interesting, if not more.
The show is a conglomeration of the biggest names and artistic innovators of the 20th century, such as Matisse, Picasso, Paul Klee, and Mark Rothko. If this name-dropping means nothing to you, don’t worry, there is modern art there for everyone. Some highlights include the geometric and digitalized abstraction paintings, textured sculptures like Matisse’s The Serf, or Duchamp’s notorious Fountain (a urinal tipped ninety degrees with “R. Mutt” scrawled on it.) Questions of art and modernity are intertwined and converse with each other in this part of the museum. It was my favorite show in the museum, perhaps because of its unexpectedness. Paul Klee’s “Circus” that features his signature pen drawings portraying his interest in children’s art was there.
Make sure to check out the other floors, too, and then head down to the gift store. Unlike typical gift shops, this one is worth perusing for holiday gifts in particular. There is a children’s section that includes creative activities, books and toys. There is also an extensive book collection including sections on design, art criticism, and coffee table books. Home accessories that possess equal utility and style, and unique jewelry made from Bay Area artists reside there. Rather than just postcards or catalogs of the exhibits, the store offers carefully selected objects that can please anyone on your gift list.
Shopping is bound to have you working up an appetite, so for a relaxing end to the afternoon, head up to the Blue Bottle Rooftop Bar for some long-awaited Mondrian cake and some expertly brewed coffee. You can also enjoy your dessert and coffee in the rooftop garden, which boasts large-scale sculptures in a serene environment.
You don’t have to be an art connoisseur to enjoy the museum and its activities. Someone of any age can benefit from a calming day trip not overrun with the sugar, glitter, and ornaments that overwhelm the holiday season. With a trip to the SFMoMA, any factory-made cheer gets swept away in favor of a genuine relaxing time. You will enjoy the perks of the holiday season including indulging a little, spending time with your loved ones, and getting away from the daily grind.
For more information, days of free admission, visit the website.
Article written by AJ Kiyoizumi.
