Guidelines for Visiting SFMOMA

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Museum Visitor Policy

The museum reserves the right to deny entry or remove any person who does not comply with museum policies, including behavior that disrupts the museum environment or interferes with the experience and safety of our visitors, staff, collection, or operations. By entering the museum, you agree to abide by our policies.

Children 13 and younger must be supervised and accompanied by an adult at all times.

Please do not touch the artwork, frames, platforms, labels, display cases, or anything used to protect the art. Art that is interactive, or that visitors may touch, will be indicated by signage.

Visitor Conduct

To ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, the following conduct is prohibited and may result in immediate removal:

  • Running, rough play, and disruptive behavior.
  • Damaging, defacing, or removing museum property.
  • Abusive, threatening, or discriminatory language or behavior.
  • Unauthorized entry into restricted or controlled areas.
  • Blocking or interfering with museum spaces, visitor lines, valet services, art safety barriers, or entrance or exit areas.
  • Being intoxicated or possessing/using controlled substances without a valid prescription.
  • Smoking (including smokeless devices) inside the museum or within 20 feet of any entrance, exit, or operable window.
  • Operating drones or other unmanned/remote-controlled flying devices.
  • Photographing, filming, or recording staff in a way that disrupts operations or staff duties.
  • Conducting petitioning, solicitation, or leafletting in any museum space (including entrance or exit areas).
  • Creating disruptive noise, including loud use of electronic or sound-producing devices.
  • Littering on museum property.
  • Failing to wear clothing covering the upper and lower body, or lacking shoes/appropriate footwear.

Items prohibited in the museum:

  • Weapons, explosives, or hazardous materials.
  • Permanent markers, spray paint, or other permanent marking tools.
  • Motorized items, including motorized scooters, skateboards, and unicycles (motorized mobility devices are allowed).
  • Flowers, plants, feathers, or balloons (artificial flowers or plants are allowed).
  • Pets (service animals are welcome).

Items prohibited in the galleries:

  • No food or drink is allowed
  • Only pencils are allowed for writing or drawing; no pens, markers, or other materials.
  • Backpacks and child carriers may not be worn on the back. Carry by hand below the waist, wear on the front, or check at coat check.
  • No oversized items, including large suitcases, skateboards, scooters, selfie sticks, tripods, or signage. Coat check may not be able to accommodate these.
  • No wagons or metal-framed baby carriers. Single strollers may be borrowed from coat check on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Wet umbrellas are not allowed unless in a bag; umbrellas must be stored inside your bag or carried by hand below the waist.

Ticketing and Arrival

All visitors (including those eligible for free entry, such as members and visitors 18 and younger) require a ticket. Tickets are valid all day and must be shown to staff at ticket checkpoints.

  • For timed-ticket exhibitions, please arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time. Entry for late arrivals is subject to gallery capacity and ticket availability.
  • Only vouchers from registered ticket partners will be accepted.

Tickets purchased in advance may be exchanged for a $5 fee; expired tickets are not eligible for exchange. All sales are final—no refunds.

  • For questions, contact visit@sfmoma.org or 415.357.4000.
  • Members may contact membership@sfmoma.org or 415.357.4135.

Accessibility

SFMOMA offers a variety of accessibility services and accommodations. Learn more about SFMOMA’s accessibility options. Visitor Experience staff, identifiable by red lanyards, can assist with questions about gallery policies.

  • Wheelchairs and cane chairs are available free of charge at coat check.
  • Service animals are welcome and must remain under control at all times; pets are not permitted.

Coat Check

Coat check is available on a first-come, first-served basis. SFMOMA may refuse items based on size or space limitations. All items are left at the owner’s risk; the museum is not responsible for belongings left behind.

Items not accepted in coat check:

  • Food or perishable items, including flowers.
  • Drinks in open containers (sealed, spill-proof containers are allowed).
  • Pets or other live animals.
  • Motorized items, such as motorized scooters, skateboards, and unicycles.
  • Oversized items exceeding 22 x 14 x 9 inches (must fit in a cubby). Non-motorized items with wheels may be accepted depending on space.

Tour Groups

Unauthorized tours — privately operated tours not affiliated with the museum — are prohibited. Such tours may be stopped, and participants may be asked to leave. Tour operators can contact groups@sfmoma.org for information on becoming an approved partner.

School Groups/Camps for Children 18 and Younger

School or camp groups of more than ten children must be registered in advance through schoolvisits@sfmoma.org.

School or camp groups must have at least one (1) adult chaperone for every ten (10) children. Chaperones are responsible for actively monitoring children at all times and ensuring compliance with this policy.