• placement: superzone
  • path: destinations/pois/hero
  • containerId: gpt-ad-731066181761
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "points-of-interest/san-francisco-main-library/1338925",
      "refresh": 30,
      "refresh_limit": 3
    }

San Francisco Main Library

A grand light well illuminates SF's favorite subjects: poetry in the Robert Frost Collection, civil rights in the Hormel LGBTQIA Center, SF music zines in the Little Maga/Zine Center and comic relief in the Schmulowitz Collection of Wit and Humor. Check out the wallpaper made from the old card catalog on the 3rd to 5th floors – artists Ann Chamberlain and Ann Hamilton invited 200 San Franciscans to add multilingual commentary to 50,000 cards.

The library quietly hosts high-profile basement lectures, plus enlightening Skylight Gallery ephemera exhibits.

Lonely Planet may earn a commission from affiliate links on our site. All recommendations and reviews reflect our own independent opinions.

  • placement: superzone
  • path: destinations/pois/middle
  • containerId: gpt-ad-564013467316
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "points-of-interest/san-francisco-main-library/1338925",
      "refresh": 30,
      "refresh_limit": 3
    }

Must-see attractions

  • placement: superzone
  • path: destinations/pois/superzone
  • containerId: gpt-ad-835702310262
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "points-of-interest/san-francisco-main-library/1338925",
      "refresh": 30,
      "refresh_limit": 3
    }