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Sunset

Golden Hour at the de Young

Start with a savory bite, catch the sun dipping below the horizon from the museum’s tower, and end with a quiet stroll through the gardens.

Best time: sunsetAbout 90 min

Timeline

  1. 19:16

    New Eritrea

    Grab a huge platter of Eritrean food and injera bread. The portions are generous, so share or save some for later. The sauteed mushrooms are a standout.

  2. 19:51

    de Young Museum

    Enter the de Young Museum and head straight for the Hamon Observation Tower. It is free and offers a 360-degree view. Climb up to find your spot facing west.

  3. 20:31

    de Young Museum Of San Franciso

    Watch the sun set toward the WNW. The golden light from the tower provides a sweeping view of the park and the city skyline as the day ends.

  4. 20:51

    San Francisco Botanical Garden

    Walk down to the San Francisco Botanical Garden. The 55 acres of specialized gardens are peaceful in the evening light, offering a serene contrast to the city views.

Local tip

The tower can get crowded right before sunset. Arrive early to secure a good spot. The botanical garden paths are well-lit in the evening, making for a safe and pretty walk after dark.

Check before you go

  • New Eritrea is open until 23:00 on Saturdays, so timing works well for an early dinner.
  • The de Young Museum is open until 20:45 on Fridays, giving you plenty of time to climb the tower before sunset.

Worth knowing

  • New Eritrea is open at 19:16 only on Tu, We, Th, Fr, Sa, Su

Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to San Francisco (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).

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