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Tenderloin Museum
398 Eddy St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States
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Ma
Review №1

The Tenderloin Museum hosts a diverse collection of photos, artifacts and information touching on many aspects of the vibrant and complex history of the Tenderloin. Its well worth a visit!

Jo
Review №2

It was really nice to explore this place without all the families and little children, and tickets were only $15 compared to the usual $35! I got there later at 8 (still pretty crowded) and the planetarium tickets were all out, and the rain forest was closed (last entry at 7:45 pm). But there was lots of things to look at for the 2 hours until closing! Literally everyone here was on a date...and I was there with my mom lol, so we also people watched and tried to guess which date they were on. The digital interactive were really cool, especially the one where you pretend to be a flying dinosaur! Its a smaller museum...just dont compare it to the Smithsonians!

Jo
Review №3

A very informative place right in the midst of the tenderloin. San Franciscos area in which it can be a tad bit rougher and not a place most would visit. However if you do decide to make your way through you should check out this ever changing museum on the community of the tenderloin. There are many lively and lovely people living In this area that become overshadowed by that of the negative.

su
Review №4

Small but wonderful little museum that provides a rich history of the Tenderloin area. We did the night walking tour and it was great! Also love the number of interesting and relevant books on sale.

Mo
Review №5

A small but great museum. Captures the history of Tenderloin. I attended two shows there which were performed on the building of Cadillac hotel. They were amazing! Instantly became onenof my favorite places.

Sh
Review №6

Very informative! And fun! Definitely interesting to see a history with photos& music headphones to listen to some of the music that came out of the tenderloin.

Dy
Review №7

Doing great work to explain why SF is SF. So much history of the city can be expressed in the terms of Tenderloin

An
Review №8

I’ve learned a lot during the visit. Don’t miss out this small in size but great in content museum

Bi
Review №9

My first time visiting and the two woman that were working there were absolutely amazing with answering questions that I had regarding the Tenderloin. What a cool place to stop by and see how the District came along. The museum was really nice and also bought a few things from the gift desk. Thanks!

Za
Review №10

Got a good tour of the tenderloin area. My tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly

Na
Review №11

Excellent, succinct museum that you can finish within an hour or two.Be sure to call ahead or note online that you want a tour. The daytime tour with Gail Seagraves was a fun, informative experience that made me feel safer in the tenderloin and more interested in its history and present.Be sure to bring cash for a tip and great banh mi ($4!) or other culinary options (youll pass Ethiopian, Thai, Vietnamese, and other restaurants).

Jo
Review №12

Highly recommend the $10 Tenderloin walking tour. A great way to understand the culturally rich neighborhood with a multitude of services for those most in need.

Ta
Review №13

Went there in August to hear a lecture by Dr. Susan Stryker and view her Emmy award documentary about/entitled Screaming Queens: The Riot at Comptons Cafeteria. After the screening Dr. Stryker took and answered questions. She also introduced me although I was incognito. Ending the night at the Tenderloin Museum, glanced the photo exhibits there. So educational and enthralling. Oh, the event was standing room only and comfortable seating arrangement plan.

Ja
Review №14

I really had no idea what the museum was about, but I was looking for stuff nearby to do while in town for work. This turned out to be a really fascinating, well put together slice of history. Definitely recommended.

Ri
Review №15

Remarkable displays and engaging and amusingly written. You wouldnt believe that so much history could be so accessibly described in such a small museum.

Ja
Review №16

Went here for the very first last night to see a screening of Susan Strykers film Screaming Queens. Love the space. Will def come back to spend more time

Sy
Review №17

Beautiful museum with history that is well worth knowing.

Ni
Review №18

I stopped at the Tenderloin Museum while taking a vacation in San Francisco. I have a membership at my local history museum at a level that allows me to be eligible for program to get into certain museums for free. The Tenderloin Museum is one of the museums listed but the front desk clerk was acting weird about it and at first wasnt going to let me get in for free. The museum is pretty small but had some interactive things to it and the content was interesting.

Ro
Review №19

Small but interesting, with a chronological set of displays covering the history and culture of the tenderloin from 1906 to the present. They also do a walking tour which I did not go on (seems like a mistake in retrospect). Anyone with more than a passing interest in San Francisco history needs to visit. I give 4 stars mainly because its small and I wished for more, but what they have is 5 star material.

Ch
Review №20

What a fascinating little gem this place is. If youre curious about the underground and seedier but colorful history of San Francisco, you cant miss visiting this museum. The displays only take up one room but its rife with photographs, detailed descriptions, and audio-visual displays. I spent nearly 2 hours here taking in this fascinating information. Well worth the $10 entrance fee.

An
Review №21

This place is awesome. Its super tiny, but it is packed full of history. Literally from the floor to the ceiling. The ceiling is lights up to illuminate a map of the Tenderlion and some of the surrounding neighborhoods. This place is a must see.

Ma
Review №22

This place holds a lot of unique history pieces and information

Tr
Review №23

Yes, do come here and learn history, culture and politics with geography. Positive and thought provoking.

T
Review №24

Pretty and small. Good structure went to an event some lady staff not so welcoming.

Su
Review №25

You can book a tour my good friend Gail dose the tours very informative walk thought the TL historical buildings,landmarks its a good walk

Na
Review №26

A nice place to visit to see all things historically Tenderloin. A proud past.

CI
Review №27

Be careful hehe

Ch
Review №28

Aftering living in the city back in the 70s & 80s the Tenderloin District didnt have a good reputation. Coming back and visiting this museum was eye opening for me. You truly see how this part of the city came about and developed over the last 100+ years. You get a deep appreciation for what they created then and then go outside and see how the city wants to bring back sophistication and quality boutique hotels. I would highly recommend visiting and theres a small entrance fee.

La
Review №29

Really interesting. Nice display and easy way to spend an hour.

Ha
Review №30

Definitely a must visit to understand the history of San Francisco and of the Tenderloin in particular

Ke
Review №31

Tweaktastic lol

Aa
Review №32

Small, but a good background on the neighborhood, how it developed and its importance.

Ma
Review №33

My favorite museum in San Francisco!!! I take everyone here. As a native, its a long- awaited venue commemorating the last great neighborhood (second to Bernal Heights) in the city by the bay.

Jo
Review №34

Being a SF local it was interesting to learn the history of the neighborhood. I had no idea that the Gene Compton cafeteria riots occurred here - years before Stonewall, and the very first porngraphic film in the country was shown in the tenderloin. The walking tour is a MUST. Discovering where these places are and other historic sites was a blast. I need to come back and do the night tour. (I hear that they stop into the local bars) . So, I totally recommend this place for that brave tourist wanting some local flavor and for the SF local wanting to fill up a Saturday afternoon.

St
Review №35

Its a great place to learn about the history of the San Francisco Tenderloin history.

Ad
Review №36

Really interesting place for history on the area and to learn about the community and what the tenderloin actually means and stands for to San Francisco. They have documentaries sometimes, a must see. And if you go to the museum definitely do a walking tour, will open your eyes and mind. The 3d ceiling map is really cool.

Me
Review №37

You can tell that a lot of love went into the creation of this museum, and the people working there do it because they believe in it. I learned quite a bit and would recommend it if youre in the area.

Ma
Review №38

This is a small, information-dense museum. Lots of original research by Randy Shaw went into the main exhibition. The physical space is also interesting. The LED street map on the ceiling inspired me to make a few lights for my apartment.

Ng
Review №39

A very small museum but very informative. A must see for anyone interested in the history of the Tenderloin

St
Review №40

Actually from a friends place I see it often...

Ma
Review №41

This was an enlightening experience, and really got into the grittier parts of San Franciscos history. Its also an inexpensive thing to do in a city where everything is so expensive.

El
Review №42

Great to get some knowledge of the area.

Pa
Review №43

This is a delightful, if small, museum.There is so much history, including(including 20th Century racial and feminist movements)that I never realized could be connected to this area.Well worth a visit...

Si
Review №44

Community based very informative

Ma
Review №45

The tenderloin is my home it has a bad rap and can get rough but the people are real the best in the world on the corner the museum has a lot historic value kids find it fun many small shops are close a person can get what they need and travel through time in the 8th wonder of the world the tenderloin complete with museum ENJOY

Ni
Review №46

Very interesting place. Shows & tells the colorful history of tenderloin district.

Gu
Review №47

Educational. Amazing staff.

Be
Review №48

It has very few features but youll be surprised by what youll learn about the district...

Pa
Review №49

They have really cool retro t-shirts about meat and the hood.

Ro
Review №50

That whole block is like a movie set I love it

Tr
Review №51

I have lived in the tenderloin for many years and until I visited the museum I had no idea how fascinating this place was fun .

da
Review №52

Its a small museum, but totally worth it! Really kind staff, awesome pictures, sweet jazz to listen to and you should definitely take the walking tour around the neighbourhood as well, it was pretty cool!

fr
Review №53

Greatly enjoyed my visit to the Tenderloin Museum my first visit enjoyed paintings by Dennis Conkin.

Su
Review №54

A lot of surprising history to be learnt here.

Ke
Review №55

Help full

Ke
Review №56

Excellent little museum with a lot of surprising history about SF.

Me
Review №57

A fascinating and lovely little museum.

Ha
Review №58

Must see! Essential part of the history of sf

Br
Review №59

Great neon exhibit today !!!!

Sh
Review №60

Overpriced for what you get to see.

Ra
Review №61

Small but fascinating museum.

Xe
Review №62

Very cool

Li
Review №63

Gorgeous

Ro
Review №64

Very educational and historical.

Ro
Review №65

Fun and Educational

Ch
Review №66

Unlikely neighborhood histories told here!

Na
Review №67

Do the walking tour!

Ch
Review №68

A must see place if you visit SF, and specially if you live in the tenderloin.

Information
100 Photos
68 Comments
4.5 Rating
  • Address:398 Eddy St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States
  • Site:http://tenderloinmuseum.org/
  • Phone:+1 415-351-1912
Categories
  • Museum
  • Local history museum
  • Tourist attraction
Working hours
  • Monday:11am–5pm
  • Tuesday:11am–5pm
  • Wednesday:11am–5pm
  • Thursday:11am–5pm
  • Friday:Closed
  • Saturday:Closed
  • Sunday:Closed
Highlights
  • Live performances:Yes
  • Women-led:Yes
Accessibility
  • Wheelchair-accessible entrance:Yes
  • Wheelchair-accessible toilet:Yes
Offerings
  • Assisted listening devices:Yes
Amenities
  • Good for kids:Yes
  • Restaurant:No
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