Cartoon Art Museum: A Celebration of Visual Storytelling

4.2 (383)

Explore the world of cartoon art at San Francisco's Cartoon Art Museum, the only museum of its kind on the West Coast!

Home
California
Bay Area
Cartoon Art Museum

The Cartoon Art Museum in San Francisco is the only museum in the western United States dedicated to preserving and exhibiting cartoon art. With rotating exhibitions spanning comic strips, comic books, animation, and more, it's a vibrant space for cartoon enthusiasts of all ages.

A brief summary to Cartoon Art Museum

781 Beach St, San Francisco, Fort Mason, California, 94109, US
Click to display
Click to display

Monday 11 am-5 pm
Tuesday 11 am-5 pm
Thursday 11 am-5 pm
Friday 11 am-5 pm
Saturday 11 am-5 pm
Sunday 11 am-5 pm

Local tips

Check the museum's website for current exhibitions and events before visiting.
Consider visiting on the first Tuesday of the month for 'Pay What You Wish' day.
The museum is closed on Wednesdays.
Allow at least a couple of hours to fully explore the exhibits.

Other nearby places you may find interesting

San Francisco E-Scooter Rentals - Electric Tour Company

Explore San Francisco on Electric Wheels

Umbrella Alley San Francisco

Discover the Charm of Umbrella Alley in San Francisco

California Historical Landmark 236: First Ship into San Francisco Bay

Getting There

Public Transport

From downtown San Francisco, the #49 bus offers a direct route to the museum. Get off at the Van Ness Ave & Bay St stop, a short walk from the museum. The fare is about $3.
Cable Car

Take the Powell/Hyde cable car line from Union Square. The final stop on this route is across the street from the Cartoon Art Museum. A one-way cable car fare is $8.
Walking

The Cartoon Art Museum is easily accessible on foot from anywhere in Fisherman's Wharf. It's located near Ghirardelli Square and Aquatic Park.
Parking

Several parking garages are available near the museum. The Ghirardelli Square Garage at 900 Northpoint Boulevard is the closest. Rates start at $18 for three hours, but can reach $46 for up to 12 hours. The Hyde Beach Garage at 655 Beach Street is another option, with hourly rates starting at $5. Street parking is limited.

Discover more about Cartoon Art Museum

The Cartoon Art Museum (CAM) in San Francisco stands as a unique institution dedicated to the art of comics and cartoons. Founded in 1984, the museum has evolved from organizing exhibits in various locations to finding a permanent home and becoming the only museum of its kind on the West Coast. Located in Fisherman's Wharf, a block from Ghirardelli Square and across from Aquatic Park, CAM offers a dynamic experience with rotating exhibitions. These exhibitions showcase a wide range of cartoon art, including comic strips, comic books, anime, political cartoons, graphic novels, and underground comix. The museum's collection includes original animation cels, comic book pages, and early newspaper comic strips. CAM's mission is to ignite imaginations and foster the next generation of visual storytellers by celebrating the history of cartoon art and its role in society. Visitors can view original art, create their own comics and animation in classes and workshops, conduct research in the library, and connect with cartoonists. The museum typically hosts several major exhibitions each year, along with classes for children and adults, lectures, and a bookstore. The museum has moved locations several times since its founding. It first had no fixed location, then found a home in the South of Market (SoMa) district in 1987 with support from Peanuts creator Charles Schulz. After a period at 655 Mission Street, the museum reopened in its current Fisherman's Wharf location in 2017.