Page 24 - 2014 Travel Guide to California

CA.MUSEUMS & ART
BY JAN RODRICKS
Creativity, Unlimited
California’s museums are temples of the human spirit
SAN FRANCISCO
FINE ARTS
The Legion of Honor, above,
commands a dramatic setting
atop Lincoln Park with views of
the grand Pacific Ocean.
Combined with the de Young
Museum in Golden Gate Park,
they form the largest public arts
institution in San Francisco. For
more on the “City by the Bay,”
see pages 72-76.
While the world’s image of California fea-
tures sunshine, surfboards and redwoods,
the Golden State is equally famous for its
museums—some of which are so innova-
tive they’ve inspired imitators around the
world. Since California is a diverse state,
you’ll find art celebrating a broad spectrum
of cultures. And because it’s at the cutting
edge of research and technology, many
museums focus on science—from anima-
tronic dinosaurs to touchable tornadoes.
Whether you’re drawn to Picasso’s Pink
Period or fascinated by the mysteries of
black holes, California has a museum that
will enlighten and inspire you.
Science
2013 was a historic year for San Francisco,
with a spectacular “new” museum opening
on the waterfront Embarcadero. After
more than 40 years in its original home at
the Palace of Fine Arts, the world-famous
Exploratorium moved to a spectacular new
building at Pier 15. Founded in 1969 by
atomic scientist Frank Oppenheimer, the
dizzying new space includes more than
600 interactive exhibits—including an
amazing “Tinkerers’ Clock,” fantastic
optical illusions and an Observatory with
stunning views of San Francisco Bay. The
crawl-through Tactile Dome (reservations
FINE ARTS MUSEUMS OF SAN FRANCISCO. OPPOSITE: THE J. PAUL GETTY MUSEUM
22 2014 T R AV E L G U I D E TO C A L I F O R N I A