At over 90,000 square feet, this former warehouse-turned-museum is one of the largest galleries in the world devoted exclusively to photography and video. But even with this amount of space, the main worry here seems to be that it will get too crowded. So, in an eccentric move (hey, this is San Francisco, after all), the Pilara Foundation, which owns the institution, allows only 20 people in at a time. That means if you don’t make advance reservations online, you might not get a place during one of the 2-hour visiting slots (entry is free). And that would be a shame, because its exhibits tend to be dazzling. In the past, they’ve featured iconic works by Diane Arbus, Man Ray, and Walker Evans—though you might never know those were the photographers: in an attempt to make the viewers’ experience of the art more immediate and unfettered, the gallery posts no wall text whatsoever. Instead viewers can borrow a rather loosely organized gallery guide to lead them through the mazelike space. It’s rather like an art scavenger hunt.
San Francisco› Attraction
Pier 24 Photography
At Pier 24 (near Harrison St and the Embarcadero)
Our Rating
Hours
Mon–Fri 9am–5:15pm
Transportation
Streetcar: E
Phone
415/512-7424
Prices
Free admission, but advanced reservations are required
Web site
Pier 24 Photography

Map
At Pier 24 San FranciscoNote: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.